Constructive criticism or just plain ridicule

*disclaimer-this post is not meant as a response to anyone or anything-it just came to me after reading the quote below*

This quote came through one of the emails I receive in the morning, and it made me think about Hebrews 12.

Radical leftist Saul Alinksy said the following:

"Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."

We studied Hebrews 12 this Sunday, and we all discussed how much GOD's discipline displays HIS unconditional love for us in that HE disciplines us for our spiritual growth and not as seems best for HIM as do earthly fathers (paraphrasing verses 5-11).  We further discussed how most of us don't enjoy any discipline or admonishment or even "constructive criticism" when it's administered to us.   How painfully true that can be for so many of us.

Then, I read this quote.   WOW!!   How often do we use ridicule and call it "criticism"?

According to Webster, criticize means::

: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly 

: to find fault with  

: point out the faults of 

It looks to me that criticism and ridicule are pretty close together in definition, but they are worlds apart in application.   Criticism is something that should be used in light of Hebrews 12 - to better the person in some sense (ie, spiritually).   In my opinion, it really should be accompanied by specific examples, possibly gentle suggestions (you need to know the person on this one), lots of love and prayer, and absolutely NO name calling.   Ridicule, on the other hand, doesn't seem to require any of the above and especially loves name calling.   

I heard a speaker say once that we ridicule others in order to bring them down and elevate ourselves.   I have always thought that was a perfect definition of ridicule.   It's right there with Webster's definition of "to make fun of others".   

I so appreciated thinking about how GOD loves me enough to correct me for my spiritual growth.   I would love to tell everyone that I did that as a mother, but I have to be honest and admit that I often "disciplined" my children so that I would look good in the eyes of others.   GOD doesn't need us to make HIM look good (and I'm grateful for that!!).   The beautiful thing is that HE does discipline us in a constructive criticism sort of way.   He does so with love, examples (we can see so many in HIS WORD), suggestions (again, I refer to HIS WORD), and I don't think HE's ever called me a name.   Even better, HE is willing to do this over and over and over until I get it right.   I don't think those that ridicule us are really willing to invest that much time in us.   

I am encouraged to choose my thoughts and words carefully as I speak with others that I feel may be in the wrong.   What are my intentions?   Am I focused on what I want or improving the other person in some way.   Am I choosing words that make fun of the person?  Or are my words ones that will edify in the long run.  Have I spent time with GOD before spending time with this person?  Is there love being expressed?  Am I ridiculing ...........or truly criticizing?

I think that Rebecca posted a beautiful poem on words, and I think it applies especially to these areas.   

For once, thank you, Mr. Alinsky, for saying something I could agree with.

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

At her 18th birthday tea.

Yes.   I am late.   But in all fairness to myself, I don't WANT to post this birthday wish.   Why?   I am just not ready to have Sarah turn 18.   It's that simple.   When did I give her permission to grow into this lovely, young woman that graces my home with her smile, her laughter, and her creativity?   When did I say it was OK to mature and learn to serve GOD by serving others around her?   When did I give her the go ahead to defend her faith with love and compassion with those around her?   When did I say that my sweet little girl could be anything but that sweet little girl??   If I did, then I'm getting awfully forgetful......

I don't suppose it matters if I ever did give her permission because she has done it anyway.

If it must happen, let me at least rejoice in all the blessings that I see in this event.   18!   18!!  18!!!  How in the world did that ever happen??   It seems only yesterday that you were placed in my arms with that "stick-ed up hair" of black.   Oh, how I remember you choosing your own attire as soon as you possibly could only to sneak off and change into something else.   Then, listening to you give "speech" lessons to your brother when you still couldn't say those words correctly.   I still smile when I think of those days.  

Your hair doesn't stick up anymore, you don't change your clothes several times a day, and you can speak loudly and enunciate beautifully, but the one thing that hasn't changed is your ability to make me smile.   From day one you chose to exert your own personality into our family and be who YOU wanted to be, and I am glad to see you still living comfortably in your skin - regardless of what others think.  

Encouraging the cast before the play.

Performing as "Aubrey Simpson - aka, The Chicken Lady"

Performing as "Cinderella - aka, The Chicken Lady"

What a treasure you are as you love people of all ages - young and old - in such a beautiful way.   

Enjoying time with friends.

Harvesting at the Schwebach's farm.

I see you growing in your love for Our LORD more and more every day, and as much as you might think I don't notice, I do see you growing in all those areas you desire to become more like Christ.   I love knowing that no matter where GOD may take you, you won't be going alone because you choose to keep HIM first in your life.   As Paul said, it is pure joy to know that my daughter is walking with The LORD.

I also love the way you desire to serve.   Your heart is willing to help friends, neighbors, grandparents, siblings, and even your dear parents.  

Serving her favorite Queen.

Always stay focused on HIM and march to the music HE places in your heart each day.   I love you so very much, and I do rejoice with you as you grow one year older - even if my selfish mother heart would desire to keep you 'wittle' a bit longer.

That smile that fills my heart.

I love you!

Momma

Turning 11!!!

Today is a wonderful day in that we are blessed to celebrate 11 years with Caleb.   What a ride it's been, and I mean that in the best way possible.

He started out on shaky ground being born 28 weeks early and weighing in at 2lb 14oz and 15 inches long......but he's more than made up for lost time.   We figure he'll outgrow all of us, and that's not some small feat (or considering the fact he wears size 11 in men's shoes, maybe I should say "small feet").

The best part of his tenacity and persistency from birth is that we are here today enjoying every bit of him.   He is happy and content 99% of the time, and if he is a little "blah", then just find some animal, place it in his lap, and you have an instant smile on that face of his.

He loves anything that moves out here - the calves, the cats, the dog, the chickens, the ducks, the rabbits, the birds, the fish, the frogs.......like I said, anything that moves.

He also loves school.   He enjoys every subject (some more than others) and especially likes sharing what he's learned.   He can entertain anyone for hours with his imagination, big expressive eyes or just sitting at the piano making up songs for your listening pleasure.   He is also great with children younger than he is.   We can't decide whether he just likes having someone to boss around or something else, but I secretly think he just likes people!!

This is school........really......

Caleb, we love you so much and are so glad that GOD has blessed us with these wonderful 11 years.   As much as I hate to see you getting older, I am enjoying every minute of it because you make it so much fun!!

Love you mostest,

Momma

Gardening is my cross to bear.....I think.....

Bizarre title, I realize, but I didn't know how else to put that....

I love vegetables.   I love fresh vegetables.   I love to grow my own vegetables so that I can eat them really fresh.   I am NOT a good gardener.  

Don't be mistaken, though, because I try to be.   Every winter I read at least one book on gardening and try to learn something that will help me in my endless quest to acquire a green thumb.   Usually, I have some success.   I mean, who can't grow zucchini, right??  I always have a zuc plant that does well, but the tomatoes, melons, etc, are a challenge.   Now, my dear husband will say that my garden does well until I find the first snake in it.   Then, it's all over for me.   (I have an extreme phobia due to a childhood incident.   I am better now, but I have been known to shove one of my own children the direction of the snake to save myself.   That's their exaggerated version, but sadly, it's probably not far from the truth.)   However, since I have children who are willing to help me and protect me from snakes, that hasn't been as much of an issue in the last few years.  

I have tried all kinds of methods - square gardening, container gardening, large, small, with plastic covering, with elaborate watering systems, with a hose, with pvc pipe.   The better question is what have I NOT tried.   I have also planted plants inside early as well as purchased seeds and plants at the store.   I'll try anything to get my garden growing.  

Now, I must share that the one plant that has eluded me since moving to this cooler, mountainous area is okra.   It doesn't like the cooler night temps but thrives in the eastern side of NM where I grew up.   This year, however, I decided I would plant inside.   That sounds good, right??   However, transplanting them has been an issue in the past.   So, I decided I would start them low in the cup and add soil around the stem as they grew in hopes of strengthening the stem.   It worked!!  Those plants were strong and beautiful when I put them in the garden.   They even endured these horrendous winds we've had until the last week or so.  

Then, hurrah upon hurrah, I went to the garden Sunday afternoon to find that I had okra pods on my plants!!   There were enough pods that within a week or so we'd be able to enjoy some fried okra, lightly coated in cornmeal, salt and pepper and fried to perfection - one of my absolute favorite foods.  Now I have to grow my own okra to get this because the pods have to be nice and firm.   I also should note this is not the battered version which you get in the store or restaurants.   No, this is sliced okra, dipped in a milk/egg batter, and lightly rolled in cornmeal/salt/pepper.   It's totally different and oh, so good.   So, you can imagine how my salivary glands kicked in.  

Then, Monday morning, I went out to check on my dear little pods to discover.......the neighbors steers had pushed through their fence, walked a mile and a half up our road, entered my garden and enjoyed a midnight snack.   They ate my okra plants, my sunflower heads (which were just starting to flower), ate some beans, ate my okra plants, stepped all over my squash plants, pulled up my watering lines, ate my okra, stretched and twisted my plastic and did I mention they ate my okra plants??  I can not tell you the emotions that ran through me.   I ended by just wanting to stand in the garden and cry.   What a blow to all our efforts.   What a disappointment after all the time and love we put in those plants.   After surviving the heat, the wind, the replanting, etc, they grow and produce only to be eaten by the neighbors steers.  My children went and found out where they escaped from, fixed the fence, and Caleb promised to get the BB gun if they ever came back, but none of it would bring back my okra plants.  

After I had time to get over my disappointment and ponder the whole situation, I couldn't help but see some life applications.   I wondered how disappointed GOD must be sometimes.   HE nurtures us, cares for us, waters us, fertilizes us, and just as we seem to be growing and signs of fruit start to appear, we allow something or someone to come in and mow us down.   We allow those truths that HE has given us to be destroyed by some well meaning friend, or worse yet, the enemy.   We don't stand strong and protect ourselves by turning to HIM.   We instead listen to the arguments given us and fall away.   We have been reading in Hebrews these last many weeks, and I have been struck by the strong admonitions the writer has given to stand firm and not fall away.   (Hebrews 6)   Just like those plants, we will face perils and attackers that seem overwhelming or unconquerable.   Unlike those plants that had no one to protect them, we have someone who will hold us in HIS righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:13-14).   We simply need to turn to HIM during those trials and difficulties.   For HE says in Jeremiah 32:27, "Behold, I am the LORD, the GOD of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" 

Nothing is too difficult for HIM - not unbelievers, scoffers, satan, or the occasional "steer".

Prayer

Every Believer prays....or at least they should.   It's so easy, though, to quickly throw the prayer out and not really ponder whether you mean it; whether you believe GOD will answer it; whether you even acknowledge when HE does.  We have had different seasons in our lives when we've been very purposeful about writing our prayer needs in a journal, and it has been so uplifting to be able to scratch those needs off as GOD answers one way or the other.   We recently realized that we had not done that in a while, so we wrote out our list of needs and wants and have been lifting them up to HIM to allow what HE wants to happen.  

HE has blessed us with showing us how HE cares for all of our needs - big or small - by leading us back to those items and showing us how HE is answering those needs.  We have not had to buy feed in months - which is nothing but a miracle because we have been feeding 3x/day on the same load of feed since February!!   Not only that, but in May, we started doubling the amount we fed each time so we've really fed longer than normal, more than normal, without needing to refill our supplies.   My heart has been rejoicing with the woman and her jars of oil when Elisha asked GOD to care for her needs.  

We had to buy gasoline recently for the tank at the ranch, and we were blessed to order from a company that never would answer our calls on when they would deliver.   So, we went back to the company we had used before.   The reason we didn't go to them to begin with was that they were generally so much higher in price.   GOD cared for us, though, in having a delay in our ordering from them so that we ordered the day they dropped their prices by about 40 cents!!   That's significant when you buy in bulk. 

We received rain yesterday!!  We had 3/10 of an inch over several hours so that the rain was nice and gentle which we needed with our parched land.   In town, you can keep your yard watered so that it doesn't really matter if you get a downpour.   Out in the pasture, if matters because a hard rain after months of no moisture (since late November) usually results in erosion.   GOD answered that minor prayer and is building up clouds for more today. 

We have struggled with our wells keeping up with the cows for the last two months, and now we have all the tanks full with the storage tank almost half full.   No leaks anywhere, and the leaks that had been repaired are holding nicely.

I have a phobia of snakes, and even with this dry weather, the only snakes have been spotted by my much braver children.   That means they deal with them before Mom even has a chance to panic - and this is a HUGE prayer request of mine!

We know that HE's not done answering our prayer needs as we still have many more on our list.   I really just wanted to share a few that HE has answered to encourage you as you have needs that you may be discouraged about.   GOD answers our prayers often before we even lift them up to HIM, but I know that HE desires to be in communion with us about ALL our needs AND wants just as I want to be in communion with my own dear children about all their thoughts.  

Why then do we wait so long to lift them up to HIM or for me, to write them down?  I can vocalize those needs, and HE hears them.   There is something different about writing them down, though.   You are willing to have them be made known to anyone that stumbles across that list.   I also believe that it allows you to be in partnership with GOD in that you are showing more commitment when you are willing to write them down.   We'll be a very minor partner because we can't fulfill ANY of those needs, but we can be in communion with GOD by sharing our wants and needs in a more purposeful way. 

In the end, I know that through the years I have been so blessed not by the answers HE's given to my list of prayers, but by the time that I've spent in a deeper conversation as I DISCUSSED those prayers with HIM.   I'm so very glad that I was reminded of that little thing because the benefits continue eternally......

I did it....

My dear daughters have been complaining about my lack of posting on my blog.......so I'm posting......

Taking the Challenge and Bull Praises

I am going to take the challenge that Fiddlin' Girl has thrown at me in her post today.  

I am also going to let Princess R fill everyone in on what's been going on in our lives here. 

This has been an amazing last few weeks with bulls selling right and left because God brought the right buyers.   Our greatest praise with the bull sales is that this year, for the first time, we had three registered Angus breeders in the state of NM purchase one of our bulls.   We feel so honored that these ranches who are establishing themselves as pure bred Angus breeders in NM would choose to have our bulls become herd sires for their future business.   I am so proud of the work my dear hubby has done in carefully working toward this goal in producing seed stock that not only works for us but for every ranch they call home.   I realize I sound like an advertisement, but as in any business, there are those goals you set for your company that are just such a praise when they are reached.   This is one of those praises - that and the fact that we only have one lone bull needing a home in our corrals!!!   That is a HUGE blessing for us to have almost all the bulls gone before the end of March.  

Now we are looking forward to planning and enjoying our Bull Season Celebration Feast!!!  (pictures will be posted after the event!!)

The Mark of a Mother

"Too often a Mother bases her stable identity on the fragile decisions of her child"   Lysa Terkeurst (aka Proverbs 31 Ministries). 

I heard that phrase last night while listening to Lysa speak on the radio.   WOW!!   What a perfect - yet profound - statement.   It's so true!   How often do we Mothers - or Fathers for that matter - see our identity in who our children become?   I would even go further and say that when you add homeschooling to your identity.....well, forget it.   Those children had better be perfect!!

If our child isn't walking before every other infant their age, we place that burden on our shoulders.   If our child speaks with a slight lisp after they turn 2, then we toss another burden on ourselves.   If our 2nd grader isn't reading the classics yet, we wonder where we failed.   Then the topper - if our child isn't graduated by 14 or 15 with a halo as large as a hula hoop, then we thrust such a heavy burden on ourselves and wonder where we went wrong. 

How do we manage to do this to ourselves?   Better yet, how do we manage to do this to our children?   Wait....how do we manage to do this to God?  

Aren't we created in His image?   Genesis 1:27 says we are, and yet, we still insist upon creating our own image - and demand that our children give us the best image out there - and certainly better than Super Susie we met at the last Mom's meeting.  

What about the image God wants to give us?   Didn't He tell us in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans that I have for you.."   Wouldn't those plans help create our image?   Does He say that He will give us children to develop our own unique image based on how well we do as parents?  

As I thought about it, do I really want that image I've expected of myself?   My children are older now, and their choices dictate the direction of their lives more and more.   The burden of continuing to build my image on their decisions is overwhelming because there are more and more decisions they make without me now!  

My identity must come from God because I'm created in HIS image - not my dear sweet children's.   God never fails me, but my children have and will just as I have and will fail them.  The beauty, though, is that my identity can still be intact - if I base it on God's image.   He still died for me whether or not my dear child graduates at 10 or 29.   He still died for me whether or not my dear child actually shares that toy with the newcomer or hits him on the head with it instead.   His mercy and grace covers all those fragile decisions.

I was standing in the living room of a dear friend one day when she asked me what I did to raise such well behaved children that loved The Lord.   With God's perfect timing of humility, He allowed my youngest child to come blasting past this friend and I, flip right over the back of her couch - right in FRONT of us - and continue running on through her house.   We stood there in silence.   I turned to her and said, "I don't know, but when I figure it out, I'll share the secret."

That friend still loves me - not because she sees me based on the fragile decisions of my children but because she seems me as a sister created in the image of GOD!  

Let's change that phrase to read "I choose to base my stable identity on the merciful decision of God who chose to create me in His image".   Then, let's get that mirror out and see ourselves as He does!!

Love in Christ,
Prairie Momma

Blog give away

No.......I haven't found my way to doing any of those fancy blog give-aways, but one of my favorite sites is having a give away that I'd like to share with you.

Urban Homemaker is a great website to find all the products you'd need to maintain a great kitchen.   I ran across their site about 8 years ago (more or less) and have found an abundance of resources in recipes, how to's, information, educational tips, etc.   Drop by and check them out if you aren't already familiar with them.   Also, check out their give away for a Wondermill Hand Grinder.   I have loved grinding my own wheat for many years now, but with our electrical outages we've become familiar with, I've been contemplating adding a hand grinder to my kitchen pantry.   Besides its use during electric outages, I believe I have some fine, young men who would enjoy developing some more muscles while helping to feed the family.

Blessings to everyone,
Prairie Momma

My wish for 2011.....

Dear Wishing Well:

My wish for me in 2011 is a big fat bank account and a slim body.

Please, don't mix these two up like you did last year.

Thank you,
me

Hibernating......

The most bizarre thing happened to me today, so I think it may be a sign that I should start hibernating since I'm not functioning very well......

About 4pm today, I was talking to Rebecca in her room when she pulled a sock out from the bottom of my shirt.   This said shirt had been hanging in my closet for a few days and then hanging on my body since I put it on this morning.   Why didn't I notice that sock there?   Where did it come from?   How could a sane woman have managed to go all day (or almost) with a sock inside her shirt and not notice??  

A sane woman would have noticed.   I didn't notice the sock.   Therefore, based on what little I can remember from Philosophy 101, I am not sane.   I should hibernate to save my family and myself from any acts of dysfunction that might occur and humiliate us all (imagine if I'd gone shopping today!!).  

In honor of my hibernation period, I thought I'd share this wonderful email I received from a friend.   It fits!

GONNA BE A BEAR

In this life I'm a woman.  In my next life I would like to come back as a bear.   When you are a bear, you get to hibernate.   You do nothing but sleep for six months.   I could deal with that. 

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.  I could deal with that, too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs.   I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.   You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.   If your cubs get out of line, you swat them, too.   I could deal with that. 

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling.   He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!!!

Did Mary wonder.....

Christmas Eve. I lingered in bed this morning as the sun was struggling to wake up, and I wondered what Mary felt on the day before Jesus was born……..…


We needed to induce labor with Rebecca because of medical complications, so I knew that she would probably be born on the 17th. I remember feeling so surreal on the 16th. I was going to be a Momma!! Yes, I’d been pregnant for 9 months, but it really hit me that day. Tomorrow I would be holding this little baby and meet him or her. Who would she/he be? Would I know how to take care of him? Would I really love her like I needed to? Would I have the answers to his questions? Would I be able to direct her to Jesus so that she, too, could experience a relationship with the One true God?

As I lie there in the quiet of the morning, I wondered if Mary had those same thoughts? Did she feel the entire pregnancy was surreal? She was young and more than likely had endured scorn, gossip, ridicule, loss of friends, because she had been chosen by God to bear His Son. Did she experience all of that along with the same questions I did? Was she ready? Did she know how to care for Him? Could she love Him like she needed to? Who would He be? Would she have all the answers to His questions? Would she be able to direct Him to……….God??

No. She would not be able to do all those things. He was God, come to us in flesh to take on the sins of the world. (John 1:29) She knew who He would be because the angel Gabriel told her. No, she wouldn’t be able to take care of Him because He came to take care of her. (Ezek 34:12, John 10:11) Certainly she would love Him. God knew the woman He chose to bear His Son, but the kind of love she would one day feel for Him would be the love you can only give your Savior after you meet Him and humble yourself before His mercy. Would she have all the answers? Would she be able to direct Him to…..God? Who would He be??

He was, is and shall ever be God!! (John 1:1, Rev 1:8) She wouldn’t need to answer His questions or direct him to God or to know who He would. Gabriel told her. “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His Kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:30-33) Her little baby would come to fulfill the prophecy spoken in Isaiah 1:9 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

The sun that was created by Him whose birth we are preparing to celebrate has finally peaked over the hill. (Gen 1, John 1:1-2) As I sit here, I am humbled and in awe once again as I think about what God did to leave His throne and submit Himself by becoming a small baby, born in such meager surroundings, to bring Salvation to a world that was lost. I also don’t know whether Mary pondered any of these questions, but I do know that one day I will stand with her as a fellow Believer among a multitude of Believers and will join in the chorus saying, “Hallelujah!! For The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him.” (Rev 19:6-7)

A Happy post that brings tears to my eyes

Some people would think I should be happy to post this, but I just can't seem to be as cheerful as I'd like.   In fact, I've delayed in making this post out of a hope that if I don't say it, it won't be true......but no matter how hard this Momma tries, she can't deny the fact that.....

Rebecca turned 20 on Friday.   20!!!!!!  I honestly do not remember saying she could do that.   Now, before anyone thinks ill of me, I have rejoiced at each and every birthday of my dear children.   I love waking up in the mornings to prepare their breakfast and carry it to them on the tray so that they can enjoy one of our favorite family traditions - breakfast in bed on your birthday.   This, year, though, I spent most of the night before in tears because I just didn't want to see this day.   20!!   It seems so old.   It seems like a lifetime ago that she was born.   It seems that she's closer to moving out.   It seems...   It seems.... Well.....

It seems that God has blessed us in a way that we never even thought possible some 20 years ago.   How can I be sad to wish this dear daughter the beginning of a new decade?   A new score?   A new year?   I do rejoice; truly I do as I think of all that we have been given.   Mostly, though, I feel so very humbled that God has allowed me these 20 wonderful years with this baby.... girl.... young lady.....young woman.   Wow!   To see that list and think of all that she has been and has become.   To know that all of it has molded her so that she can continue to become what God desires and longs for her to be as she continues to journey with HIM.   How can I not rejoice?   How can I feel sorry for myself?   In all honesty, I can't because I love who these 20 years have given me.

Rebecca has blessed us with her constancy.   What a strange word to come to mind as I think of who she is.   She is constant in the most wonderful sense of the word.  She is constant first and foremost in her love for Her Savior and Beloved.   She is devoted to spending time with Him first thing every day.   She might drag herself out for a cup of coffee and a quick hello, but then she quickly retreats to her corner with her Beloved's love letter so that she can enjoy time with Him before anyone else.   That time has made her who she is - one that's constant.  She is also constant in wanting to encourage them to grow in God's Word as well as in finding ways to encourage them to become what He desires in all areas of their lives.

She's constant in wanting to serve others - her friends, my friends, grandparents, young mothers, old friends, hurt animals - anyone that she knows needs something she can offer whether it's her time, her listening ear, her money, or just a hug.   She's constant in lifting a hand and working quietly without expecting any word of praise of acknowledgement of what she did. 

Constant has taken on new meaning for me as I sat and thought about what to write to her on the day of her birth.   It has now become a word that is waivers close to being synonymous with.......lovely.   It is who Rebecca is because she's filled with this constancy that resembles beauty, kindness, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, laughter, tears, open arms, loving heart - just about everything a Momma would want to see in her child as she turned 20.

Thank you for these 20 years of joy, and know that no matter what Our Beloved Lord brings in the next 20 years, our love for you will be just as constant.  

With all our hearts,
Daddy and Momma

New blog!!

Hello friends!

I just wanted to post a quick note saying that Rebecca and I have our own blogs now!  Momma will now be taking charge of Country Musings.

Please come and visit!!!  Go HERE!! for mine and THERE!! for Rebecca's!

Sarah

Our Weaning Feast

We decided to have a Weaning Feast to celebrate and remember what God has done throughout the year- now showing up in the calves.  They were all uniform in their weights and size.  They all looked wonderful!  Although we will be selling most of them, they will make good cows and bulls for whoever buys them.   So we had a feast to remember. 

We had a bunch of fun decided what to serve and getting all the planning done.  We, of course, had steaks.  :)  Mom made a delicious sauce to go with it- it was superb!  We had a great time. 

(yes, there are lots of pictures.  You are fore-warned)

Mom cleaning, (above) and Sarah cooking....

I got to set the table! 

Table all set with Mom's china

Table decoration.

Caleb made the name cards. 

                                      

 

     

Sarah finishing off Dessert.  We bought some pretty goblets just for the occasion. 

AND our lovely Dessert and Coffee!!!

Love,

Rebecca for the Herd

Answers to the Movie Quotes!!

Alright, time for the answers to the movie quote contest!! I had so much fun reading all of your answers. Thank you for participating. Should we do some more in the future?? :-)

1) “You’re late… you look terrible!” Legolas to Aragorn, Lord of the Rings, Two Towers

Who got it:  Samantha, PrincessR, and The Ink Slinger!

2) Army Recruiter“Are you sure you’re 18?”

    Edmon “Why? Do I look older?” Trailer for Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Who got it: Johanna, Samantha, Lady Helen Mar, Kendra, PrincessR.  I suppose it wasn't very fair to do a quote from a movie that hasn't even come out yet, but I just threw it out there for fun. I was really surprised at how many got it!! :-)

3) Gimli " Legolas! I have two already!”
    Legolas “Two? That’s great! I have 17!”
    Gimli “17!! I see no point in you beating me!” Lord of the Rings, Two Towers

Who got it: Lady Helen Mar, The Ink Slinger

4) “I’m an Uncle…” Gidion faints. Seven brides for Seven Brothers

Who got it: Ellie, Carolyn, Maggie, PrincessR

5) Mike “Whew, have any odorant?”
    Sulley“Um, yeah, I got wet dog or old dumpster.” Monsters Inc.
Who got it: Ellie, Lady Helen Mar, Princess R, The Ink Slinger

6) Sam “Even you couldn’t refuse that!”
    Gollum “Oh yes we could!” Lord of the Rings, Two towers or Return of the King
Who got it: Samantha, The Ink Slinger, PrincessR (sorry, no pic of Gollum.. He is too scary to put up a pic..;-) )

7) Talamarine Soldier, surprised, “You’re a mouse!”

    Reepicheep “You people have NO imagination!” Prince Caspian

Who got it: Johanna, Ellie, Lady Helen Mr, Carolyn, Kendra, Brooke, The Ink Slinger

8) “Ever since my sister died, I have not loved as I love Wenniveria” Artos, from The Pendragon

Who got it: These were the only two young ladies who got this one.... Maggie and Martha Joy!!! Great job! I was surprised any one else got this one. :-) Very good movie!!

  

9) “They are allowed to fight beside you because they love you.” Eowyn to Aragorn, from Lord of the rings, two towers

Who got it: The Ink Slinger, PrincessR, Samantha

10) “I have come, against my better judgment, to tell you how ardently I love and admire you.” Mr. Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice.

Who got it: Ellie, Lady Helen Mar, Carolyn, Brooke, PrincessR, The Ink Slinger

Thanks for participating everyone!!! Also, all comments have been published on the quote post, so if you want to check out everyone's guesses, go on ahead! ;-)

PS Thank you, Martha Joy, for my beautiful signature!!! I totally love it!!