Our garden efforts

Our garden share has been a wonderful experience this year, and has blessed both my parents, and us so very much. Everything has really grown really well. We have been blessed with lots of snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, and beans. It has been wonderful not having to buy any of these at the grocery store this year. Here are some pictures from early in the season.

Our humble garden beginnings

A few months ago we read about George Washington Carver. Where do you even begin when talking about this amazingly creative, and God honoring man. I would highly recommend reading about his life with your children. The book we read was from YWAM, because we love their books, and they also offer unit study guides.

I have always loved plants, and have always wanted my own vegetable garden. I have done little pot gardens every year, but nothing to extensive. Our yard is not set up real well for a vegetable plot, and with having boys, big dogs, and a cat...garden's don't have much of a chance. We are going to garden share with my Mom and Dad this year, and hopefully be able to grow enough produce for both our families. I will grow tomatoes and peppers at my house because I do have a very hot place that warmth loving plants thrive.

We have been moving pretty steadily though our botany study...this is through Apologia Science. We are learning so many fascinating facts. To many to list here, but I highly recommend Apologia. We have done a lot of hands on experiments and activities and that is always enjoyable. Here is a picture of our miniature green house. It has two grow lights, and a special warming pad for the germination process. The guys had fun putting it together and we have all enjoyed watching our plants grow. We have started Broccoli, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, and peppers so far.

I have not blogged in such a long time. We have been staying busy and I rarely find time to sit for a while in peace and quite to collect my thoughts and write. I guess these are just the days of activity, and I am happy with that. One day my boys will be grown, and I will miss the conversations that we have, I will miss the questions, and the jokes and stories they tell me. One day they will be grown and have families of there own to care for. Then it will be quiet and I will have more than enough time to sit and reflect on my thoughts....

We have studied wars that involved the United States for the last six months, and the the men in my house have really enjoyed learning about it. I have had my full share of blood, guts, and dying men for a while. I have a new appreciation for our military men and how much they truly sacrifice to keep us safe and free. I also appreciate their families who are left at home waiting for there husbands, sons, or dads to come home...and the ones that have had to endure them not coming home...Thank you is just not enough...sometimes there are not words to express something to deep, and costly.

We have started a new study on botany and I am really enjoying it. So far we have made a miniature green house for seedlings, planted tomato seeds, cabbage, and broccoli. In a few more days we will be planting onion, leek, and pepper seeds. We plan on building a cold frame to keep the plants in while the temperature outside is still to cold for them to be totally exposed. We are also in the process of enlarging a vegetable garden at my Mom and Dads house, that will hopefully supply enough produce for two families. I am really looking forward to the warmer days of working in the garden.

We have also been learning how to shoot hand guns, and have had many wonderful trips to the woods, and to the shooting range together. My men are excellent shots, and I am doing pretty good....but I know I need lot's more practice. For my birthday my Dad bought me a nice little gun that I really enjoy shooting. It fits nicely in my small hands, and the slide is easy for me to pull, and I can load it easily myself.

Well, this has been a little of what we have been up to lately. I hope I can find time in the next few days to post some other things. Right now my dinner is going to burn if I don't go attend to it.

Merry Christmas!

It hard to believe it's Christmas time already! It seems like we just did this not that long ago. As I get older time seems to go faster, and the years start to blur together. I do love Christmas time with my family!

Over the years we have done different things to celebrate the birth of our Savior. In the years past we have always taken a month off of regular school work and focused on learning about the Christmas story. We have done Unit Studies on Christmas, and have made our own Christmas books filled with scripture that tells the the story of a world in need of a savior. We have made ornaments for our tree that have to do with different aspects of Gods word, and his promises. It has always been a wonderful time of learning, and fun.

This year we decided to push through half of December with regular School work, and take a week off before Christmas to get all our shopping, baking, and present making done. We are also taking the week after Christmas off because Larry is only working two days that week. Although we are busy, I love the relaxed atmosphere in the house. No one is grumbling about their math, or grammar lessons...we are just having fun baking cookies and making gifts.

There is so much I could say about this year, but I don't have the words. It has been a really tough one, but God is faithful. God has had to do some trimming on us as a family, and it's been painful...yet the pain has brought healing in so many ways. I am glad that in a few weeks we will be able to put this year behind us, and I look forward to all He will do in our lives in the coming year. I do not want to forget the lessons that have been learned, but I am ready to start fresh. We are much lighter now, we have gotten rid of a lot of stuff that was dragging us down...So I think we may be ready to start running for the Lord....but we are waiting for his direction. I know he has much more work to do in us, and probably more pruning...I don't like to think of the pruning...but if it accomplishes God's plans for us...then I lift up my arms....

I am so glad that God has given us good friends to share our lives with. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ...you know the ones that stick around even when you have messed up pretty bad. The ones who pray with you and encourage you in the Lord. I am thankful for my Sisters who encourage me when I am having a really hard school day as well...and they take the time to talk me through it, or take the time to pray for me. I am thankful God has given me a wonderful family who goes out of their way to bless us, and loves us. I am so blessed, We are so blessed, and I hold you all in my prayers!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! May this season draw you closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. He is our hope, and the reason why we sing!!!!

grieving

It was a year ago last Friday that we said our final goodbyes to my Nana. The day is fresh in my memory. I have not had a day that I did not think of her this year. She was such a wonderful blessing to me and my family.



Last Saturday we had to say goodbye to our faithful friend Saidee. She was sick for a week, and we didn't quite know what was wrong with her, but she just kept declining. She has not been a healthy dog the past year, and has been in and out of the vet with stomach problems. The vet said she was bleeding internally, and it most likely was from a tumor. She had lost so much blood, that the only option was to put her to sleep. It's been a very sad week!

Our chocolate lab, Koda has been grieving too. He doesn't want to chase squirrels anymore, and has been wanting to be inside all the time. He lays on Saidee's bed in front of the fireplace and looks sad. We have made extra effort to take him for walks and play ball with him. I know it will take a little while for him to feel better, but I hope he will get back to himself soon. It really seems strange that he's not giving those squirrels a bad time.

The boys have been gathering pictures of Saidee to put together a scrapbook for her. I think this will be very healing for them, and it's also great for a school project. Then after that is done, maybe it will be easier to get in the Christmas cheer.

Deep thoughts and wonderings

My heart has been heavy lately and I have not known how to express what is going on in my heart. I feel we are at a cross roads right now, and we are just standing here waiting for the Lord to lead us on the path that he wants us to go. I know that I just want to be in the center of His will, whatever that is.

We don't know at this point if Larry's work will be there tomorrow. Things are really tight at Pearson, and work is very slow. Yet, I know if he comes home and says that he does not have a job...God will still provide. His ways are far above my ways, and he knows the plans he has for us. My job is to trust and obey. I am asking for more faith right now, and a better understanding of His will for our family.

Lately the Lord has been putting a great burden on my heart for the downcast. My heart is breaking for the people all over the world who do not have warmth, or food, or a way to be clean. The ones who are sick and lonely, for the unsaved. God has only given me a small glimpse, and my heart is so heavy...I can not imagine the pain Jesus must feel in his heart for his children!

I asked Jesus last night why His children are going hungry, why is he not providing food for them? In Psalms it says that His children will not go without bread...So why are these people starving. I heard a still small voice say," because my church is not doing what I have commanded her to do." I know that when He says the "church", I can point the finger right at myself and say because I have not been doing what God has commanded me. Anyone who has said the salvation prayer, and asked Jesus to be his or her Lord is the Church. We have a commission by the Lord to go out and reach the dying world for him. We are his hands and feet in the world!

Isaiah 58:5-7
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing ones head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fast that I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
The whole chapter of Isaiah 58 is amazing and you should get out your bible and read it. It goes on to tell you how God will bless you if you do His way.

Jesus came and walked on the earth, and he taught us how to love. He also commanded us to love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. He laid down his very life so that we could be free. He sent his Holy Spirit into the world to empower us to live for him. He gives us all we need to do what is right....then why do so many who call Him their God, not do what he has called them to do. I am not just pointing my finger at everyone else, because my finger points back at me as well. It is more burdensome to live a selfish life, than a life of love.

Never Gonna Stand For This by Teachenor Clark

I saw this on facebook, and I just had to post it on my blog. I feel it really sums up what a lot of us are feeling right now. I know I am completely fed up, and ready to take a stand.

Keep yourself informed on what is going on. Do not depend on the liberal media either because they are not giving you all the facts. Pray for our Country, Pray for revival, and make sure you vote in November.