This Blog Has Been Hacked in Order to....

Tell all of our mother's faithful followers that it is her birthday today!!! We won't say how old (wink), but we can say that we have had so, so, so, so, so many years together as a family, with dear mother sitting shotgun in the car of life....

Ok, as poetry really isn't my thing, I guess I'll just go with plain language. :-)


Dear Mom,

Happiest of birthdays to you!! You are such a wonderful mother to all of us. You have let me grow up from your little girl, to your friend. You love having conversations with me, and love listening to what I have to say. You appreciate my opinion and view me as your fellow Sister in Christ. You have encouraging words for any situation, you always know what you do. Your hug can melt away all fears, and when you laugh it fills the house with joy.
   You have been a wonderful example of a Godly marriage with Daddy. You have shown me how to be a good wife and help-meet. You have such a heart to serve and to love. You are an amazing person. Your laugh, your jokes, you thoughts, your wisdom, your determination, your everything!
     I love you SOOOOOOOOO much!!!!! Happy birthday!!!

Love,
Sarah

Valentine's Giveaway

I haven't posted anything in a very, verry, verrrry, verrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy long time, so I thought I'd ease back into things by sharing a give away at a friend's blog.   Hop along here and enter away.   I'm going to go take a nap because now I'm exhausted after my first day blogging again......

A funny to start the week...

I couldn't resist this one, either.   I feel like this in so many areas of my life, but I've just learned to laugh off the situations (most of the time) or else I would be constantly discouraged.....

What is your "kill me moment"?

Is there any other Momma out there that's done this??

I saw this and immediately knew it was made for/about me.   My children saw it and laughed.   Some even said...."THAT'S YOU, MOM!!"     I'll let the cartoon speak for itself.....

So, be honest.....has any other Momma done this??   I know some of you have, so 'fess up!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Another beautiful Mother's Day.   I know, I know.   I say I don't really like Mother's Day because I don't want my family to FEEL like they have to do something today because that's what someone decided would be the official Mother's Day on the calendar.   However, I must say that my family really does make me feel blessed all the time, so I do know that these special things they have done come from their hearts and not a sense of obligation to the "powers that be".   Here is a glimpse of my day.....

I started my day with a cup of coffee fixed just the way I like it.   While I enjoyed "bumming around this morning", I heard lots of noises from the kitchen which resulted in a beautifully prepared brunch - full menu of eggs, bacon, heavenly sweet rolls, lots of fruit, whipped cream all served on china and lots and lots of hot tea!!   We enjoyed a wonderful time of eating, laughing, and visiting as my dear family also invited my mom and my aunt to join us.  Then, I was informed that we were heading into town to go bowling and eat at Rudy's later.   What a day of pure pleasure with those I love the most.  

As I sat here feeling "guilty" as my dear children cleaned up the kitchen I had to think back through the years.  Who would have known that all those years of sleepless nights, hugs and kisses for booboos and hurts, hours of discipline in one form or fashion, and large listening ears- sometimes up into the wee hours of the night listening to hearts being poured out - yes, all those years of just doing what I love doing and feel blessed to be able to do them would result in this kind of treatment.   

I know so many young Mommas who are still in the exhaustion stage, so I decided to write this post in hopes of encouraging them that their day will come.   It may seem so very far away, but it is out there and sadly, it's out there on the horizon, believe it or not.   Trust me, when it does come, you will look back and think that all of the things you did really didn't deserve all the devotion, love, respect, and adoration that you will receive one day.   GOD is so gracious, though, in blessing us a little here and there and then really rewarding us with something more wonderful than we thought possible when we release HIS arrows.   

 

My prayer for you young Mommas right now is that HE would bless you with an abundance of patience mixed with tons of compassion and mercy; wisdom and discernment to know whether to disciple with the rod, the Sword of the Spirit, or the loving arms GOD gave you; the energy to stay one step ahead of them in ALL their actions or the energy to catch up with them and pull or shove them back on track when necessary; the appreciation to know that this time is fleeting and will be over before you know it; but mostly, the moments you have to influence them are so few in the scheme of things, so I pray that you seize every moment to point them to GOD so that you may one day enjoy eternity together.  

As a reminder of the power of influence that we have, not only on our family, but the influence we may one day have on the world is found here.

Enjoy not only the rest of this day, but every precious day you have been given with the blessings GOD has given you!!

Still hanging in there.....

I know I've been silent, which is a surprise to many who know me well......but here is the best way to describe life the last couple of months....back to cleaning for now.....

I do have some posts I've been working on for the future.....so come back and visit again.....

Enjoying the seasons

As my children keep insisting on having birthdays, I have noticed a few things about my feelings as a mother.   It's been so wonderful to see them stretch and grow and pull away a little more from under my wings, and I love having these adult children to visit with and discuss things such as movies and great books we're reading or a passage of Scripture that someone found intriguing.   At the same time, though, my heart aches as I write this because I just never knew that this role GOD gave me was going to fill me so much only to take away those moments little by little as these precious gifts grow up and out.  


It's all a season, I know, but it seems like it's been a shorter season than I originally thought.   I read a friend's blog recently, and as she commented on the daily things she encounters, I was taken back to those same moments - endless piles of diapers, baskets full of baby clothes to be folded and put away, toys scattered here and there, and then the occasional Lego or doll shoe left to trap me in my nightly rendezvous with the nursing baby.  How I thought those days would last forever, and here I am wishing I could just enjoy them one more time.  


Then, I find myself turning to the season I'm in and finding that it was so much better than I dreamed it would be.   Who knew how much pleasure I'd find in hearing my adult children talking about their dreams and plans for the future.   Who knew how much my heart would ache as they share their disappointments and struggles.  Then, once again, relishing in the moment as we laugh and cry and grumble over this character and that plot in whatever book or movie we happen to be enjoying together.  


I wish there was a verse that said, "And the Momma while rise up and call her children blessed because they have brought much joy into her life", but how can you really put into words what I feel right now.....you can't, and that's why HE chose not to, either.   HE is wise enough to know that you need to just wrap your arms around these feelings and treasure them forever!!


When GOD called Peter and John to go out and take on the mission HE gave them, I don't think they realized what joy they would experience as they followed the path   HE laid out for them.   By the same token, I just had no idea the joy I would store up as I answered the call to take on the mission of raising these four arrows HE placed in my care for this short season.   I praise GOD for HIS calling and have never regretted all the earthly things I gave up in order to step UP to this role, and I rejoice each time I read a blog post or hear a young Momma share that she, too, is loving her mission that HE has given her.   

7 Random Things About Myself

In an attempt to get me to post more often, my evil, devious, pesky adorable, sweet, angelic daughter (I had to type this because she's sitting right beside me......) has "tagged" me in a post.   I am to type 7 Random things about myself....to quote Miss Woodhouse in Emma  "Yes, but your problem will be in limiting yourself to only three...(or 7, in my case)"   I will give it a try, and in the hopes of pleasing my dear daughters, I will sincerely strive to post more often....

1)  I type.   Yes, I type ALL the time.   Not just when I'm at the computer, but if I'm sitting listening to a conversation, I find myself "typing out" what is being said.   I do the same thing when I'm watching a movie or even when we're praying.   I know this because my children have often told me after prayer time, "Uhhh, Mom, my hand (or back or arm) is not a keyboard."  

2)  I love butter!!!  I love butter on anything I can think of.  I surprised my own children the other night by suggesting we eat some hot, fresh out of the oven, chocolate cake with butter melted on it!

3)  I am the middle child of three, but I am sadly, the shortest one.   This has always been a sore point with me because when I was a child and my older sister would pick on me, my parents assured me that one day I'd be bigger and could defend myself.....I'm still waiting for that day....

4)  Most people who know me know that I am afraid of snakes....DEATHLY afraid of snakes....    DEATHLY, and I do mean DEATHLY afraid of snakes.   This has been a source of constant entertainment for my family, too.   Not that they ever - EVER- have used this fear against me and scared me with snakes.   To the contrary, they go out of their way to protect me from snakes, snake pictures, snake parts in movies, or anything having to do with snakes.   When they were younger, they even braved the Reptile Hall at the zoo alone because they knew that Momma was not going to go with them.   The source of entertainment is laughing about everything they've done to make sure that I don't come across a snake, and believe me, there are numerous such stories floating around our home.

5)  I love to dance.   I don't always dance at gatherings such as Square dancing and Contra dancing, but I love to dance.   My favorite time is......well, anytime.   If a song has a great beat, I just can't help myself.   I feel my foot start tapping, then my leg goes, and before you know it, I'm just moving around wherever I am.   This might be the kitchen, the living room, the hallway, and yes, even the aisles of Wal-mart (my children abandoned me that trip, so due to peer pressure, I've never done it since!)

6)  I always envisioned myself on Broadway when I was younger.   I wanted to be a great actress and perform on Broadway and live in New York City.   I laugh at that now because I just can't imagine living anywhere except in the country.   It's amazing what GOD can do in our lives when we submit to HIM.

7)  I love to read books and watch movies with different dialects.   Unfortunately, I find myself mimicking those dialects and accents quite easily ( not well, but easily).   So much so, that I did order burgers and fries at a McDonalds once in a cockney English accent as we were listening to a book on tape one trip.   I don't think they knew me, so I didn't sweat it, but ever since, my children will preface their orders with "Please don't order in an accent...."

I'd love to hear a few random things about you, so feel free to leave a comment or two.

Why I'm glad I didn't kill my children.....

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to follow a young Mom's blog, and when I read her posts, I just laugh (with her....not AT her). I can so clearly remember those days of 4 little ones, no sleep, the need for coffee to survive, and the nagging question that would pop up into my head from time to time when I was ready to pull my hair out.."Why am I doing this??"

I'd like to say that I never killed my children because I knew it was the moral thing to do, but alas, I think I was just too exhausted to go through with it. I was a young Christian at the time, and I had no idea there was more to parenting than feeding them, clothing them, cleaning up after them, putting them to bed, and then figuring out a strategy to survive another day like the last. I also thought my goal in life was to get them educated enough so that they could leave home at 18 and be successful (whatever that meant.....). So, that's what I did...most days.

Thankfully, GOD placed some wonderful books, mentors, speakers, and conferences in my life so that I eventually saw a different vision for what it meant to be a parent. A vision where you strive to raise these gifts to love GOD completely - because they saw that YOU loved GOD completely. A vision where they knew how to have meaningful and deep, heart conversations with others because they had already been having those conversations with their parents. A vision where they would be trained and educated to leave my home to go out and successfully accomplish whatever GOD laid on their hearts to do. A vision where we would be friends for life and not just "family" on those major holidays. In fact, I listened to that young Momma I mentioned earlier as she spoke to a group of homeschool Moms one evening. The talk was given by her and her own mom on how to "Hold on to your child's heart strings". That idea of keeping that bond between my heart and my children's hearts was never something I had thought or heard about, and as I knew this family, I realized I wanted what they had with their young adult children.

This weekend, I'm especially thankful for that new vision because I'm reaping the benefits. My guys are off hunting for the weekend. My dear daughters and I are enjoying our Annual Ladies Only Hunt Weekend. No, we don't go hunting, but we do kill off lots of ice cream, coffee, junk food, chick flicks, and sewing projects. We laugh, cry, tease, listen, share, and enjoy our time together. We look forward to this weekend for months, and we savor every moment we have with just the gals (we even stay up much later than this old body seems to like!). It's a weekend that reminds me that I'm glad I didn't kill my children but killed those warped ideas I had about my role as a parent.

One movie we watched was Fools Rush In. I smiled as the couple was heading over to her family's home for their weekly family meal. There were aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, grandchildren - ALL the family. The young man was shocked as he saw everyone because his family might get together briefly for Christmas, and she was shocked because it looked like there were a lot missing!! I smiled inside as I could see our family doing something like that. The bond that family had was developed over years and years just as the lack of the family bond doesn't happen over night either. As I watched with my girls, I kept looking at them and remembering where my heart had been 15 years before. It was following the path of the world not the path that GOD laid out for us. 3 John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." That is so very true, but even better is to be walking in the truth TOGETHER!!

If I had killed my children, I might be ready for parole in a few years. Instead, GOD saved me from that wretchedness and gave me a life sentence of joy and friendship that will go into eternity.

That's OK......or is it??

I was watching a young Momma with her little one (about 3 years). The child did something wrong, Mom corrected him, and when the child said "I'm sorry", Momma said, "That's OK." What?? Why was it not OK before, but now it's OK??

I do know that the Mom was trying to tell the child "All is forgiven, and we'll not bring it up anymore." My question is.....why don't we say, "All is forgiven, and we'll not bring it up anymore."???

When I was a young Momma, I did the same thing. When my little ones wronged someone (usually their other sibling), I tackled that situation with an iron fist. 1) Here's what you did wrong. 2) Now you need to apologize 3) Remind the offended individual know they are supposed to say "That's OK" 4) Pat myself on the back for another job well done in the parenting arena!! I know it was a sight to behold watching me in action....

Thankfully, GOD sent someone to straighten me out.

First, while it is good to point out what my little ones did wrong, my reason for doing so was to remind them they served a Holy GOD who had standards. If the incident was against HIS standard, I wanted them to know that, so I started "discipling" them (imagine that concept). If it was an incident that went against our family standards, then I wanted them to know that as well. I didn't want them to become adults thinking that something was sin because our family said so. I wanted them to know that sin was sin because GOD said so, but at the same time, I also wanted them to understand that some things we do because that's what we like - not because GOD said so. (You know, no burping at the table unless it's BBB night)

Second, I did not want them to apologize. Webster says this about apology:

"An excuse: something said or written in defense or extenuation of what
appears to others wrong, or unjustifiable;"

Ummm, maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't think there are too many cases where you can make an excuse for hitting your sister because she took your toy away. Seriously, though, I do know I'm splitting hairs here, but it did get me thinking about what I was doing. Was I really teaching them GOD's way or man's way when I told them to apologize for something they did wrong? Did I want them to learn to justify their bad choices, or did I want them to understand what THEY did wrong and how to make amends. For me, it was as simple as teaching them to ask for forgiveness.

The Psalmist teaches us in Psalm 79:9, "Help us, O GOD of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name; and deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake."

He doesn't apologize and try to justify to a Holy GOD why they did what they did. No, he asks for GOD's forgiveness. I realized that's what I needed to do and what I wanted my children to do as well.

Third, I had to ask myself why I wanted the offender to apologize for something when I've taught the offended to say, "That's OK." NO!! If it was OK to begin with, then why in the world did Momma just say to not do that?? OK. So, I'm a redneck at heart and a little slow....but I eventually catch on.....

If the offense was wrong by GOD's standard....and the offender needed to seek forgiveness.....then it only stands to reason that the offended needs to forgive. I get it!! I didn't want them to learn to just walk away from the situation, but I wanted them to know that when we wrong someone, they can actually still love us, forgive us, and desire to be in a relationship with us. I wanted them to learn that lesson with each other because that's what their faith would be built on. I knew that my dear children would offend GOD during their lives, but that HE will always be standing there with open arms waiting to forgive them, to love them, and to be in a relationship with them - no matter what. Jeremiah 9:17, "...But THOU art a GOD of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and THOU didst not forsake them."

Is it splitting hairs? I don't think so. I think there is a huge difference in apologizing and asking forgiveness. There are even times when you need to do both. "Honey, I'm sorry I was late. There was an accident on the freeway and traffic was stopped. Please forgive me for not being here when I said I would." Will that make a difference? You bet. How much nicer it is to have someone acknowledge that they've offended you. Then, how much nicer for the offender to hear, "I forgive you" instead of "That's OK" The offender knows it's not OK. So do you. If that's what we know as grownups, then why don't we start that lesson when they're little??

Take this to the next level.....how do we feel when we know we've offended GOD? Do we really feel better when we pour our heart out and 'apologize' to GOD and let HIM know WHY we did something - as if an omniscient GOD didn't already know. Or do we feel a relief and overwhelming outpouring of love when we repent and seek forgiveness knowing that GOD already promised to forgive us in 1 John 1:9. If that's how we feel, then let's help our children learn that feeling, too, because it's NOT OK......

History Repeats Itself

We have often heard, "those who forget history, are destined to repeat it".  Watch this video and ask yourself if you are ready to watch history repeat itself......

(age appropriate 14+)

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