Our first grandchild will be a boy!

Bethany made the beautiful bunny quilt for her future nephew.

Clint and I were unavoidably late to the gender reveal, so Caleb and Elora came out and told us in person which was very special.

Shipping out some more quail eggs

15 dozen freshly laid, unwashed Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail eggs priority shipped with insurance

$100

Contact me at the email address in the header of this page.

Included free are three dozen extra to cover possible breakage.

Bethany and Jeremy

Bethany and Jeremy flew in from Chicago to attend Caleb's and Elora's baby gender reveal party.

Are you struggling with self worth? self esteem? self value? depression? suicidal thinking?

 I've been told this has been very helpful, so I try to share it every so often.

Originally posted August 31, 2019

For the Hurting: How God Sees You: Recognize Your Reality

Please excuse the typos. This is something I put together very quickly recently to help someone. I shared something similar years ago, but it must have been accidentally deleted while preparing the blog for a backup. This is a battle I know well because this is how I had to fight my own severe internal struggles. Those who have heard my full spoken testimony say it is very powerful. The reason it is powerful is the Truth you will find in these verses. I had to repeat something very similar to the first paragraph many, many times to myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself again. None of the lies of the enemy or the lies of others can stand in the light of God's Word.

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Dear one, you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of your loving Creator. You are so precious in the Lord's sight that He knit you in your mother's womb (a hands-on, individual, and detailed work), knows the numbers of hairs on your head (cares about the details of your life), and collects your tears in a bottle so He can wipe them away Himself later (a tender, deeply caring and loving Father). 

You are precious to Him! While only the wealthy and famous have earthly bodyguards, He has set His angels (Heavenly bodyguards) to watch over you. He has chosen and appointed you, called you from darkness to light, and loves you so deeply He gave His son to die to pay your penalty for your sins so you could be heirs with Christ and bear fruit that will last an eternity. He calls you a chosen race, a royal priesthood, His friend, a member of His household, and tells you that through Christ, you are a conqueror and an overcomer! 

His love and mercy for you have no end! He has removed your sins as far as the east is to the west...infinitely apart from you! If the God of the universe can show you unending love and mercy, don't you think you can show yourself a little too? Find your worth in what Jesus has done for you. A Holy Magnificent Almighty God, who even notices you or I, and then gives His Son to die for us while we were still filthy in our sins...places a very, very, very high value on us....we are priceless! Your value is right there in what Jesus did. An all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful God deemed you worth dying for! 

Let that hurt that hinders you, and that you are holding onto so tightly go, and grab ahold of God's truth about who you are ...and get to work learning more about Him, doing what He has asked of you, and living for Him so others may see through your life what He has given you and also offers to them. Drink deeply from His Word, His love letter to you. Now, go back and read this again, slowly, and let the words sink in until you recognize your reality.

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Don't fall for the deception of the "imposter syndrome." This syndrome is identified by feelings of unworthiness and failure which cannot be erased even in face of a wealth of information that proves that the opposite is true. Break free from that. There's plenty of proof in the verses below to convince anyone of God's love for and value of them. Don't let your fear/self-doubt/deep hurt keep you from being free.

Don't allow any negative self-talk. Renew your mind, transform it with God's Word. Every time you have a negative thought towards yourself, challenge it with God's view of you. Self-discipline to bring your view of self into line with God's Word. It will take time and repetition. You are worth the effort. As you undertake this, show yourself grace.

Be your own best friend. If you would not say it to your most loved relative or friend, don't say or think it about yourself. If you do, you are your own enemy! Be your own encourager!

Don't fall for the deception that God's Word is for everyone except you. Beat down so low I could not raise my head to see God's love for me, I felt that as a young person. It followed me into early adulthood. Sometimes we can be so damaged down by other people's words, opinions of us, and actions towards us that we feel like it is impossible for anyone to love us, even God. It's not true!! He loves you! He loves you! He really, truly does love you with a pure, unfailing love that is unlike any love you've ever experienced. He loves you! Post it on your wall, set it as the wallpaper on your devices, set reminders so your personal assistant announces it every so often, put alarms in your phone to remind you, repeat it to yourself often. Repeat it until you believe Him! He loves you! 

Does God lie? No!!! Then believe what He says about you and your worth to Him.

Read what God has done for you and what He thinks of you. Read them aloud. There is healing for you in these words. I believe there is power in the spoken Word. 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

In fact, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 21:4

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.  1 Corinthians 6:20

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11-13

Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.  Isaiah 43:4

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:15-16

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. . Psalm 34:3-5

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  1 Peter 2:9

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37: 23-24

The battle is not ours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20:15

 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 87-39

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, Colossians 1:13

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I John 5:5

Now that you know the way out, do as I have done...share the Way with someone else. 

Bird Flu

I was asked if I would treat the bird flu the same as any influenza. This is my answer. -Wendy

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"The different ways the bird flu attacks the human body by "tricking" the immune system is very interesting. While the seasonal flu has mechanisms that moderate immune activation, the bird flu causes a dysregulated, hyperinflammatory response by bypassing normal immune checkpoints. In some ways it acts similarly to the Swine Flu.

The bird flu also directly infects endothelial cells/inner lining of the lung which can cause pulmonary edema and ARDS. And, it can reproduce in more organs besides the lungs which is why I think there are cases of organ failure.

For prevention, I'd do the normal things like avoiding crowds, washing hands, good nutrition, supplements, immune-stimulating herbs, staying hydrated, daily sunshine, exercise, etc.

For the early infection, I'd look to reduce the viral load, inhibit viral replication, regulate cytokine signaling, and work to protect the lungs. It depends on what is available, but Boneset, Chinese Skullcap, Quercetin, Green Tea, Turmeric with black pepper, Astragalus root, and licorice root are some I might consider.

Cytokine control and lung protection would be my concern as it progressed. I might go with Berberine, Andrographis, Black Seed Oil, Pomegranate peel or another rich tannin source.

If I saw symptoms of a cytokine storm starting, I'd use grape leaves. I save a couple of 5-gallon bucketfuls from my vines every year. The chickens, goats, and rabbits are happy to get what we don't use. Grape leaves contain resveratrol. Resveratrol is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can reduce the overproduction of cytokines. It is also an immune modulator and a strong anti-oxidant which will help protect tissue damage from inflammation.

I have chronic Epstein Barr Virus and frequently use L-lysine to get a handle on it when it reactivates in my system. Because of that, I am aware of how L-lysine limits L-arginine which is an amino acid that viruses need to thrive. It's pretty amazing to watch this work on a virus. So, I would probably use that during the first two phases.

During the convalescent phase, I'd be focused on healing the lung tissue and rebalancing the immune system. Again, Astragalus, Ginger, NAC, Licorice, and Turmeric with black pepper are options I might choose. -Wendy"

6 down, 1 to go

Clint has homeschooled the classroom and behind the wheel for Driver's Ed for all of our children.

Emily passed her behind the wheel yesterday afternoon.

Per our tradition, she took her first solo trip to our neighbor-owned convenience store.

Emily is already a great driver. Clint taught all of our children in a Suburban. The smaller cars are a cakewalk after driving the big tank.

Cabbage Patch Kid Still Teaching Diapers (special mention to Fluffin')

I brought out my old Cabbage Patch doll which Clint bought for me when I was 16 years old. They were all the rage way back then. I have used "Gordon," the name on his birth certificate, to teach all of my children how to change diapers. 

Emily and Hannah just had their turns.

One of the best things for those of us with the gift of teaching is that sometimes we get to see our students apply the knowledge they have learned...

Fluffin, Hannah's kitten, deserves special mention for her patience with Emily and Hannah.

Clint's Cousin has a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/t2ueqp-support-jasons-fight-against-cancer

Please pray for Jason and his family. 

Caleb's No Buck Buck

Caleb has been having fun with the buck he received for free.
If it was a doe, I would have entitled this " A No Dough Doe."

Enneagram -why would a serious-minded, mission-focused Christian seek anything outside of God's Word?

Satan is very deceptive and very cunning in knowing how to distract us from our calling in Christ. If he can't get your soul, he will steal your time and work to render you ineffective. He knows exactly how to lure and entice us into falling for deception. Stay in God's Word. Study it. Keep focused on what you are called to do. Discernment is not knowing right from wrong but right from "almost right."

elow is what someone wrote about the teachings of the Enneagram and the dangers of it. I encourage you to research and pray hard for the Lord to give you wisdom and leading in this area. Do a Bible study on who God says you are. He can renew your mind and set you free of deceptive thinking. Discover who you are, what you are worth, and how you should react to the world around you in the pages of Scripture. Why would you seek knowledge from something that is so very horoscope-like?

God tells us "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35." 

Why would you want to define yourself by anything other than His Word? His Word is what will stand for all time. It will never fail.

The Enneagram makes you focus on SELF while God's Word points you to Christ. The Enneagram defines you and leaves you there. Christ defines you and improves you with sanctification. Christ reveals our value according to Him, who we are, how we are to live, and so much more. 

Again, why would a serious-minded, mission-focused Christian seek anything outside of God's Word? 

If there is even a single question that the enneagram could lead to self-focused thinking and sinful practices, is it worth it? even when you have the Word of the Most High at your fingertips?

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"I get the Enneagram is a hot topic. Whenever I post anything uncovering the demonic roots, I get people trying to defend it, and I GET IT.

I actually went through the COACHING CERTIFICATION for it. I was a huge cheerleader, and I believed it helped me understand myself and family members better, but it was a trap, and I’ll prove it.

The reason it was helpful, was because I was able to feel VALIDATED. “Oh, I’m not crazy, I’m just a personality type! So it’s OK I’m like this! It’s OK my family members are like this! I can’t feel bad about it, and I can’t judge them, because it’s just a personality thing!"

WRONG!

If you look at the language, it talks about things like "CORE MOTIVATORS" - should we not all be motivated by the Holy Spirit? Some of those core motivations: to be in control, to be good/right/perfect, to appear needed, to appear successful - so many of those can be spirits that are NOT of God. We don't want to be “motivated" by perfection, control, etc!! That is COMING INTO AGREEMENT WITH spirits, who are then allowed to operate in our personality.

"CORE FEARS" is another language - GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Emotional Continuum of Anger, Shame, and Fear. Spirits!!!! Those are not of God!!!

"Primal Response" is more language - we are not to go by fleshly desires, but we are MADE NEW! We've been REDEEMED!!! We have the mind of Christ!!!!!

“Stances:" Aggressive, withdrawn, compliant - NOT OF GOD!

"Centers Blindspots:" we come into agreement with "unproductive feelings, actions, thinking" - NOT OF GOD!

I am who GOD says I am! I am not "triggered by fear!" I am not "triggered by anger!" I am not "triggered by shame!"

Look to the BIBLE, look to GOD - he has made you IN HIS IMAGE!!! Not in 9 Enneagram personalities!

I hope this helps set someone free." -Lea Jacobson

More food for thought: The Problem With the Enneagram

Isn't it ironic that Christians use non-Christian beliefs or methods, and then other Christians have to rush in to tell them not to?

Tippy

Tippy, Clint's coworker, is the man we asked for prayer for due to a brain tumor. He has completed all of the treatments and is cancer-free. He will resume work in mid-April. Clint and I are overjoyed at the news!! Thank YOU, Lord!!

And, Tippy, thank you for the organic matter you left for medicine making and my garden at the end of my gate.

not because of anything we have done

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 

2 Timothy 1:9

Joshua Update

Joshua's arm is healing well. He has lost some range of motion, but with physical therapy, they believe he can get nearly all of it back. His scar has to be massaged daily to keep the scar tissue from connecting to his connective tissues. He still has to wear the cast for a few more weeks. He has worked every day since his accident except for a few here and there due to the surgery or appointments. Thank you to all who have been asking about him and praying along.

Circumvention Becomes Easier than Compliance

"When regulatory tyrrany becomes bad enough, circumvention is easier than compliance." -Joel Salatin

Cancer and The Concern of Addiction to Opiods

Someone asked me about possible Fentanyl addiction when using it for pain relief, so I am sharing it here hoping it helps someone else.

The brain has two responses to opioids. When no pain is present, it can trigger the euphoria people seek as a high (behavioral-leads to addiction). When pain is present, the opioid effect is bonded to pain receptors and basically "used up" while blocking the pain. There is very little that goes to the pleasure center of the brain.

Because cancer patients are looking to control pain for a better quality of life, the risk of addiction for those in moderate to severe pain is only about 10%. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_100020 The prescribing doctor should have protocols in place to help prevent that from happening. People at higher risk are those with past or current addictions. Chemical dependence is due to a body adaptation. This is where you would need to taper off the medicine to allow the body to compensate. With fentanyl, chemical dependency is expected after several weeks to a few months. Fentanyl makes the body produce fewer endogenous opioids (natural opioids) so if you are on it long-term and decide to stop, you would taper down slowly to allow the body to pick up its production. -W