Monday, December 6, 2010

The Things God Taught Me in My Circumstances

First of all, I had a very busy day today.  I had BSF - Bible Study this morning, was supposed to fix Lasagne for 100+ people at my church, attend a funeral for a dear friend, serve the Lasagne, attend Prayer Meeting at my church.
I made a point to honor God by going to BSF even though I felt like I didn't really have time.  I had finished my lesson and everything.  I went to the Discussion Group but did not stay for the lecture.  When we started, I realized I had done the wrong lesson.  Ugh.  God is at work in all things.  I needed to sit and listen, and focus. I love BSF, if you haven't written anything on your paper you can't talk.  I didn't even have my paper so... I just listened.  We were studying Isaiah 24.  It was about how Israel/Judah had forgotten God, betrayed Him, played the harlot and the consequences of that, ungodliness.
I rushed back to my church (20 minutes away) to start the Lasagne, I had asked a friend to come at 1 PM to help while I was at the funeral.  I cooked the meat, but that is all I could do. The groceries had not been delivered and weren't scheduled to arrive until 12:45.  Time to breathe in and out. There were also no disposable pans for the cake, I learned that cobblers had been ordered, so we would have those instead when they arrived.  Save the cake for next week.
Through my circumstances, I remained calm, unflustered.  God was in control, He knows what He is doing.
I left at 1 to go to the funeral.  The funeral was interesting, worshipful, and instructive, and full of love. There were many people there who I had not seen in a long time.  People I love and who love me.  I needed that.
Seeing Bro. Charley and Darlene, reminded me of all the things they taught me, and something he said once, "You just have to love people.  Love God and love people."  God continued to speak to me through the funeral.  The funeral was beautiful.  But more than that.  Maybe because it was about a man who had spent his life loving God, worshiping Him, and loving people.  Something that was attributed to Russell saying was "Jesus redeemed 'Joe' Jesus will use him."  Hmmmm.  Jesus redeemed me, Jesus will use me.  Listen, Tracey.  How is God using you?  Is He?  Do you need to make a change?  Jesus will use me.  Jesus will use me.  Yes, Lord.  Use me.
Then the music,  two songs spoke volumes to me:
Christianity is about the greatest story of liberty and freedom ever told.
"My chains are gone I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace"  My chains are gone, I have been set free!  (I need to find a Bible verse to go here)
Unending love and mercy, Amazing Grace!
Followed by: "How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great How great is our God"
The greatest story of liberty and freedom is written by the Greatest God, The One True God.
The scripture that I remember comes from John 14:1-6  "Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.  Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, How can we know the way?"  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  It was as if God was shouting from a mountain top for all to hear,  Don't be troubled or upset.  I have prepared for Russell, I am preparing for you.  Don't let your hearts be troubled!  Ahhhh.  What a comforting thought.  These happen to be some of my favorite verses in the Bible.  They are so beautiful.  If God is preparing a place for me, He wants me there.  He will come back to get me and bring me to where He is.  Makes me cry everytime.
Then something else about Russell, repeated over and over. Two things really, the first one was something I had heard and been led to recall earlier, "Love God and Love people."  Or "Worship God and Love people."  And then... Authentic worship.  Authentic heartfelt worship.  That is what happened there in that place today.  Oh, how I wish I could hang on to that and carry it with me.  Authentic heartfelt worship by all those around me.  They love the Lord, they strive to live for Him.  Wow!  What a feeling!  Russell never did anything (at least that I know of) half-hearted or halfway.  He did his very best for the Lord and used the very best that he had.  He was always organized, and things were well planned.  Yes, he had helpers.  But isn't that part of planning, to plan who you need to help you accomplish what God has given you to accomplish.
Then to return to my task for the day, Lasagne.  The groceries did not arrive until 3:45, too late.  We (actually Krystle and Kim) made Pizza Pasta.  It was awesome.  Had to rush a bit, but it was good.  Didn't have to do the dishes, the drain was clogged.  I hate doing dishes anyway.  I was at peace about dinner. A little harried but not anything like I would have been if I had been there all day.  Thank you so much to Kim and Krystle.  God was at work.  Then I went to prayer meeting because I was not exhausted from cooking and didn't have to do dishes so...
In prayer meeting we studied Psalm 78.  Have you ever read it?  It gives God's plan for a godly generation.  How to raise up a godly generation.  Fathers are to teach their children about the wondrous things God has done.  About the Exodus, the Red Sea, the Manna, Jesus in Bethlehem and on the cross, and their own testimonies of what God has done for them.  Teach them to their children so that they turn around and teach them to their children.  So they will set their hope in God, not forget the works of God and keep His commandments.  It goes on to show the character of God, always faithful.  He provides for our Deliverance.  Deliverance.  That brings us back to liberty and freedom and life with Christ everlasting.
Was I frustrated with myself for doing the wrong lesson?  Yes.  Frustrated about the groceries and dinner?  Yes.
Was the funeral sad?  Yes.  And yet, it was full of Joy.  Real joy.  And liberty.  And worship.
God was in it all.  I was looking for God today.  He was there for me.  How about you?
(Maybe these things don't speak to you.  They spoke volumes and volumes to me. I wanted to share. Tomorrow, I will look for God again.)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Butchering Turkeys

As you may or may not know, we raised turkeys this year.  We started with eight.  Something ate two of them.  So we have six, now.  Well, actually five, but will get to that in a minute.
Turkeys are beautiful except for their heads, well, and their necks.  The rest is beautiful.  And sooo, interesting.  I have really enjoyed having them.
Alas, it is time for them to go to Freezer Camp.  A very sad day.  Jerry decided to butcher one.  It is different than the chickens.  The chickens, he just pulls all the skin off, doesn't have to deal with the feathers.  Then when I see them, they have been in the frig for a day or two, and he slices the meat off the bone or cuts them in pieces and I put them in freezer bags.
Turkeys have feathers.  They have to come off.  So, in the dark, cold night my sweet husband decides to butcher a turkey.  He pulls most of the feathers off and brings it inside.  Dripping, holding it by the leg, and saying to me, "Can you finish pulling these little feathers off?"  I look at him.  I look at the turkey.  I look at him.  I am thinking of the beautiful creature that adorned our pasture not so many minutes ago.  I look at him.  He goes outside.  I look at the turkey, for a long time. I touch the turkey.  I pull several feathers.  Some come off, some stay stuck.  I think of the turkey.  I look around for the man that has me standing here doing this.  I start to cry.  I think to myself, "Self, this is so dumb.  It is just meat.  Pull the feathers off."  I can't do it.  It is all I can do to clean a turkey from the store for Thanksgiving.  And they don't come with feathers.  I haven't seen them strutting around my yard.  I start to gag.  And cry again.  I give up.  Jerry comes in, he looks at me.  He looks at the turkey.  He rolls his eyes and shakes his head.  I think, that is what men are for, pulling feathers.
Oh well, five more to go.  Maybe I will improve with experience.
So much for me being a farmer... I wanna be in my dream farm...

Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Birds

Ahh, the memories.
"The birds are coming!  The birds are coming!"  I screamed.
Like something out of a nightmarish land.
There we were out in the middle of nowhere in my Grandfather's pickup truck, riding in the back.  Thinking we were right up town.
Being from a big city, it was always a treat to visit my grandparents in their charming little town.  We would get Tall Cherry Limeades at the Fountain Drug Store and sometimes order Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.  We would walk in the creek that was icy cold until our feet were blue at a nearby State Park.  Oh wow!  Those were fun days.
One year, my grandparents decided to take us for a drive in my grandfather's pickup truck.  This was a novelty for us.  We got to ride in the back with my grandmother.  We took stuff for a tea party.  When we got out in the country, my grandfather stopped the truck so we could have our tea party.  After a little while, he tried to start the truck to go home.  It wouldn't start, or so he said.  He would have to walk to get help.  So, off he went.  No worries, we just extended the tea party.  My grandmother, my little sister and I, until...
This HUGE flock of black birds starts approaching.  Having recently watched Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "The Birds," I panicked.  I started screaming, "The birds are coming!  The birds are coming!"  Jumped in the cab of the truck, screaming, "Roll up the windows!  Hurry!  Faster!  The birds are coming!"  I think I was slightly hysterical.  My grandmother thought it was quite funny.  The truck was not really broken.  Grandfather came back.  The birds flew on by.  We went home.
Until this day, those large flocks of black birds, "caw, caw-ing"  send a chill down my spine. I want to run.  I want to scream, "The birds are coming!"
Even today, as they invaded my backyard.  The yard and trees were covered with birds.  That is a lot of birds, with twenty-six acres, my backyard is big.  They were flying into the windows.  It was really getting to me.  Kind of creepy.  But funny, that it bothers me so.

Oh, well.  You just gotta love me!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Thankfulness

I have so much, so much, so much to be thankful for!  Can't help singing that song and thinking of my friend Steve Lane.  Makes me smile every time.  By definition thankfulness means "a feeling of appreciation" or "expressive of gratitude."  So what does gratitude mean? Well, according to my dear friend Webster it means "affording pleasure or contentment" or "appreciative of benefits received" or even just "glad."  During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to share with you some of the things I am thankful for and some of the benefits of being thankful.  Maybe it will inspire you to count your blessings. 
Today, because this is America and it is an election day... I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to vote.   People in other countries don't all get to vote or maybe they do but the elections are rigged.  It is a great privilege to vote.  I hope you did, if you are able.  I am even thankful for the fact that I live in The United States of America.  The land of the free and the home of the brave.  It is a beautiful country full of diversity and freedoms and responsibilities.  God has richly blessed this land and its people.
And because today is the 2nd of November... I am also thankful to live out in the country on a "farm."  It is so much fun, hard work, and wonder.  I learn something everyday.  Notice something new.  Stop and enjoy the world that God has created for you.  We live at such a frantic pace sometimes that we don't notice the small pleasures He places there for us. 
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Cicero
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;" Psalm 92:1
Our world has little room or time for thankfulness and gratitude.  We have all but lost the art of writing "thank you notes."  Practice thankfulness today, write a note to someone thanking them for their kindness.  Smile, and sincerely tell some one "Thank You."  Take the time to notice and be thankful, it will make your day better.
What are you thankful for?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Cowherd?

Yesterday about dusk my husband calls me.  He is out doing chores.  He says, "Go look out your front door you will see something interesting.  Nevermind the fact that I am in the middle of trying to get dinner ready.  We all, myself and the two children who are home, go stand on the front porch.  Fortunately, I grabbed my camera on the way out the door.
It was so funny.  Here comes my husband, walking along the fence row, and nine (all that we have) cows (well, technically they aren't all cows, but you know what I mean) following him in a line.  Totally cracked me up.  The picture is not very good because it was almost dark. 
He said, he walked back to the back of our property to count the cows and turned to head back to the barn.  He didn't say anything or have any feed.  As he was walking along the path, he hears the "pitter patter" of hooves.  When he turned around to look, there was the bull chasing after him with all of the others following.  Is there a such thing as a "cowherd" as opposed to a shepherd?  You know sheep follow their shepherd, now the cows are following their "cowherd"?  The joys of country life.  I am glad God has given me the opportunity to experience country living.
The cows followed me home!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Love is...


Love: A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.


Beloved: Dearly loved,well loved, dear to the heart

On the Eve of our 27th Wedding Anniversary...October 22, 1983 was forever a turning point in my life. So in honor of my husband's love for me I am writing this post. I have also posted pictures on Facebook. My life with him has been amazing. Sometimes a struggle for me at least. He is always so full of patience and goodness. I can't imagine life without him.
When I think of my husband... strong, good, kind, caring, beloved; I think of our life together and our marriage and union.  I am reminded of the account given in
Genesis 2:18-25 says, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
There was not a fit helper for Adam out of all the animals, think about how many creatures that is, don't forget the bugs, caterpillars, snakes, etc. That is a lot of creatures. None of them were a good fit for Adam. But God has a plan. I just love that God always has a plan. He knows just what to do. He gets busy, and prepares a surprise for Adam. I love surprises (well, good ones anyway.) God gets creative and makes Eve. Now Eve was perfect for Adam, Adam recognizes this immediately. Don't you love Adam's reaction to Eve... He burst into poetry (verse 23.) Now, if I think about my husband bursting into poetry, I crack up. Not his style, I guess. Although sometimes it might be nice. Then God says, “Therefore”, I love this word, because it is a pointer word. It points us to something important. Because of what God did for Adam, He makes a pronouncement for us all, it is recorded in verse 24. Because God gave Adam, Eve, specially made just for him, men shall leave their parents and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh. Remember the definition for love, we started with? Remember the part that says, “a sense of underlying oneness?” Look at that verse again what does God tell us, “they shall become one flesh.” This is more than just the physical part (I know that is what you were thinking of.) It is a spiritual, emotional, mindful oneness. As Anne of Green Gables would say, you become “kindred spirits.” The last part of that verse talks about being naked and not ashamed, more than physical, but more like they were not afraid to bare their hearts to each other. They could be themselves and feel loved and accepted, just as they are.

Loved this quote from Matthew Henry on Genesis 2:18-25, "The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near to his heart to be beloved." Right where I want to be!
I love the feeling that I have when I go to bed at night and lay my head on his shoulder and he wraps his arm around me. I feel safe, protected, and loved, but more than loved, cherished, treasured, a part of him and all that he is. I guess we really have become one.

Monday, October 18, 2010

On the Farm

Today on the farm, we have one pig, nine cows, six turkeys, 21-23 hens, 40 baby chickens, two dogs, three cats, and four hives of bees (which makes for over 200,000 bees, I think).  Thirty of the chicks are Cornish Crosses for eating and 10 are Rhode Island Reds for eggs next summer.  Why we need more chickens for eggs... the egg situation around here is pretty desperate!  We get 18-20 eggs a day.  I have over 100 eggs in my refrigerator.  They are beautiful brown, fresh, farm eggs.  We can not possibly use 18- 20 eggs a day.  Ludicrous!  So, we get more chickens to lay more eggs, go figure.  Jerry says, he plans to send some of the hens to freezer camp soon and because of their age, they will slow down on egg production next Spring.  So, we have new egg layers getting ready to do their job.  We chose a different breed just for fun.  The different kinds of chickens available is absolutely astonishing.  The hens we have now are Buff Orppingtons.  The are beautiful, calm and lay brown eggs. We do have one chicken that lays green eggs.  We don't know what kind she is though.  We will see what the Rhode Island Reds are like. 
Bees are very interesting, I think we have fed them over 500 pounds of sugar since July when we first got them.  That is a lot of sugar.
One pig has gone to freezer camp.  The other one was not quite big enough, he will go next month.  We are also contemplating taking a steer or two to freezer camp soon.  The turkeys will soon find they are attending freezer camp.  This is sad.  I love to watch the turkeys.  They fan their tails and prance around turning their tails first one way and then the other.  They are very interesting creatures.  Their head is ugly, but the rest of them is very beautiful indeed.
The autumn colors are beautiful, red, yellow, orange, burgundy, and many shades of green.  God is a fantastic painter.  The clouds have been fascinating.  I enjoy watching the sky. The fog in the morning has been extremely attention getting.  Funny, how when you start noticing things and point them out to your children, they in turn notice and point them out to you.
For the time being, I am focusing on housekeeping chores, creative projects, and dreaming of the garden for the Spring.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Fog and Earthquakes

Disclaimer:  This is not a scientific research paper, and in all likelihood contains no scientific facts.

Yesterday, Oklahoma had an earthquake.  5.1 on the Richter Scale.  Pretty exciting at least for us.  Not that I felt it or anything, but my husband and daughter did, so I can live vicariously through them I guess.
Buildings shook (vibrated really), some people close to the epicenter had windows broken.  I wish I had been outside at the time to watch the animals, but alas, I was cooking for 100+ people, but that is another blog.
This morning as I am taking the kids to school...
We notice the fog.  (I know you are wondering what this has to do with the earthquake.  You will see, keep reading)(Really, I just wanted to discuss the earthquake.  So cool!)  The fog is floating, as fog is want to do, but it is in an unusual place.  The fog is mid-air.  About the top of the trees is a layer of fog, crystal clear above and crystal clear below.  It looked kind of like a fog sandwich, with the fog as the meat. (Why is so much of my life and thought spent on food.) I point it out to my two darling children.  We discuss how it looks (mostly me, discussing).  I ask my highly intelligent (no, really) child why it is that way.  He shrugs.  I guess his brain has yet to awaken.  I pose a probable cause,  the fog is confused because the earth moved yesterday.  He says, "Mom, its fog.  Can it get confused?" He is probably thinking his mother is confused or insane.  Oh well, I delight in tormenting my children with my insanity.  It makes them think.   I tell him to ask for permission from his science teacher to research weird fog and let me know.  I pose another cause for the fog, maybe God is confused because He moved the earth yesterday, or maybe He just forgot where He put it.  My daughter says, "Mom, He is God, He can't be confused or forget."  I knew that, but she didn't know I knew.  "Ever so correct," I reply, "Your theology is impeccable."
The fog was very interesting.  I have never seen it do that before.  God is so amazing.  Never a dull moment.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Ode to a Clothesline

Ode to a Clothesline

Oh you old fashioned, out of date contrivance for drying clothes
Freshly washed laundry, hung with cute little wooden pins, 
On the line to dry in the wind.
Tall (actually, a little shorter please, I am short and squatty) and strong,
Standing there in my dreams, with the laundry being scented with
Cool, fresh breezes.
Oh how I wish my beloved would make me a clothesline
Instead he whines about the dampness of the sheets
As he crawls between.
The clothes are in the way, laying flat on the bed to dry
So they will not shrink, or get out of shape,
And have to be replaced.
A clothesline in its simplistic beauty, is so useful,
And frugal, saving money that would be spent on
Propane by drying the clothes in a mechanical device
Reducing our dependence on foreign oil ; ) (for those who
like politically correct poetry, that is for you, I care not)
Making the clothes dryer last longer and sing fewer songs.
Clothesline, you are so beautiful to me.
Clothesline, of my dreams, beautiful laundry swaying in the breeze.
Clothesline, oh how I wish you were mine.
Clothesline!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Pondering, Again

As I read this verse... Luke 12:15 “And He said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

I began once again to ponder my accumulation of things. Do I covet? It brought me to the issue of contentment. Contentment? Yes, am I or would I be content with just what I have or less? Am I content with what God has for me? Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' Which then brings us to an issue of trust. Do I trust God to do what He said He would do? Do I trust God to know what is best for me? Do I want to trust Him? Do I trust that He is who He says He is? He says He is good, righteous, loving, and faithful. Do I believe that?

Oh my! I have opened a can of worms, haven't I. It gives one pause to think or 'ponder.'
Let's see if we can get some of these worms back in the can.

Luke 12:15 was used as a New Testament interpretation or statement of the 10th Commandment. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” If you are like me...when you read that you say, “Nope, I have no desire for an ox, not that my neighbor has one, or his donkey, (not that I wouldn't like to have a donkey, a cute, little miniature one) he doesn't have one of those either. So, I know I am not coveting. I'm good.” But read Luke 12:15 again, “And He said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Oh dear, “abundance of possessions”? Surely not, Lord. You can't mean that. I mean, I live in the land of abundance. The American Dream is to accumulate. Are You sure You want to say, “abundance of possessions” Lord?

In the end it is like I am the child arguing with my parent about whether or not I have done what they asked me to do. I know I haven't, I mean technically, I may have done what they said, but did I really do what they intended? 

God has richly blessed me and my family, beyond what I could have imagined. He wants me to enjoy what He has given, but... not so that it takes over my life and I forget who gave it to me and why He gave it. My focus should not be on the accumulation of things but on Him.  Do I struggle with the accumulation of things?  Of course, do you?  I want to live my life to bring glory to God and God alone.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Broken Toe and The Cow Manure Harvester


Friday Evening arrives. I am frantically trying to make pizza for my children, two of whom are home for the weekend (due to the fact it is my daughter's 18th birthday) and two of whom are at the football stadium getting ready to march in the band. We are soon to leave to go to the football game ourselves. As I quickly move through the hallway, I decide (unknowingly to me) to cram my toes into a 15 lb bag of potatoes sitting in the hallway. They were left in the hallway by my ever helpful husband who carried them in from the car and set them there instead of opening the door and putting them in the basket in the pantry where they go. Oh well. At least he moved them from the car. Cramming ones toes into potatoes is not a pleasant experience, I would not recommend it. But, being the “tough” mother of four that I am, I continue to walk to the kitchen and stand at the stove saying, “Man, that hurts. Owwww!”
My first born son is standing there watching and shaking his head.
I walk out to the garage to get cheese out of the freezer, and when I am headed back towards the door to go in, I suddenly realize that I can not walk any farther. This is when my ever helpful husband chooses to appear. He looks at me, as I stand leaning on the car with a bag of cheese in my hand and says, “What's wrong with you?”
I begin to cry, which makes me mad, which makes me cry more, but my toe hurts! “I think I broke my toe,” I wail.
“Well, do you want me to do something?”
I think, but do not say, “No, just stand there and look at me holding this cheese and crying.”
He very calmly says, “Do you want me to help you inside? Grab a hold of my arm.” As he sticks it out three feet in front of me. Men!
I finally reach a chair with all this help. My eldest child, first born of my heart, says, “What's wrong?”
I say, “I think I broke my toe.”
“It can't be broken. I watched you do it. It didn't hurt that bad right away. It isn't broken.” You see he knows these things. He is a Lifeguard, and has taken First Aid. He will tell you on any given day, “Legally, I have to stop and offer aid whenever someone is hurt.” Hmmm. He didn't offer “aid” when he “watched” me kick the potatoes. Silly boy.
“I think my toe is broken. It is swelling.” We all watch my toe swell. Weird, I know. But what can I say...
The pizza gets finished, I try to put on my shoes, noway. I debate not going to the football game to watch my darling two youngest children march in the band for two minutes at halftime. What kind of mother would I be if I missed such an important event in the life of my youngest children, who are short changed anyway, being the youngest and all.
The next day is my oldest daughter's 18th birthday party. I have cooking to do and a broken toe. My dear friend comes to help. Thank goodness. The party was wonderful. The food delicious, but my toe hurts.
By Sunday, my toe is feeling some better. It is black, but not as swollen. My ever helpful husband comes in and asks, “Do you want to walk to the pond with me?” Did he forget?...
I go outside to walk to the pond with him, he has a wheelbarrow with a pitchfork in it. Obviously this is more than just a leisurely walk to the pond.
“I am going to walk to the pond to get cow manure,” He says.
“You are going to get cow manure from the pond?” Not only does my toe hurt, but my brain must hurt too.
“That is where they congregate,” He informs.
So we proceed, me slowly limping along with my broken toe. And him having to walk very slowly pushing the wheelbarrow and occasionally stopping to toss in a pitchfork of cow manure. We arrive at the pond. I sit at the picnic table and watch him as he moves from pile to pile filling his wheelbarrow. Romantic, I know. I bet you wish you could do such romantic things with your beloved. When the wheelbarrow is full we head back. I ask, “What are you going to do with this wheelbarrow full of cow manure?” Knowing that he has been known to store it in a tub in the garage. Lovely. Yes, bet you want that too. Now, don't covet.
“I am going to spread this wheelbarrow full on your garden.” He replies.
“Oh. Good. It needs it. Thank you.”
“I think this would make a good job for one of the children. Do you know which one I am thinking of? He can be a Manure Harvester. I am sure he will be thrilled.” We both laugh.
I go in, my toe hurts.
(I know you are wondering what else he does with cow manure, why was it in the garage? He puts it in his bee smoker and burns it to smoke the bees. See you learned something new.)
And that is the story of The Broken Toe and The Cow Manure Harvester.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Peace, Peace with God

I liked this defintion of the word "shalom" in Hebrew, "all things in their created place doing what they were created to do in loving relationship with their creator."  Having thought of the word "shalom" having the meaning of "peace, peace be with you" I found this definition to be thought
altering.  What if all things were in their created place, where God had placed them and wanted them were doing what God had created them to do and were doing it in loving relationship to Him; wouldn't that give peace to you and me.  Wow! Open your mind and think about it... it is mind boggling.  Everything God created, the trees, the bees, the birds, each individual person, all exactly where God wanted them and doing exactly what He wanted them to be doing.  Whether it was to be pollinating the flowers, loving a neighbor, singing a song of praise, giving oxygen to the world...whatever it is that God created it or them to do, they were doing it.  What a wonderful, peaceful, beautiful life that would be.  Maybe that is what heaven is like. Then add this verse, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."  Ezekeil 36:26-27  It is God who gives us a new heart, one that is tender and soft and He gives us a new Spirit that causes us to walk in the way, His way and obey His rules.
He is the one that causes us to desire peace, peace with Him.  He causes us to desire to be in the place He created us to be in doing what He created us to do.  So that we can enjoy peace.  Shalom.
(Shalom definition by Mark Driscoll, in The Power of Words and the Wonder of God, I don't know where he got it or if he just made it up, just thought it was good.)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Bee Story (Rather Humorous, I do say)

Last Autumn, I took a class on how to raise honey bees.  The class lasted about six weeks.  After the first couple of weeks, I told my husband, "I can't do this.  I won't be able to lift all this stuff and do all the things you have to do."  He very calmly and sweetly says, "You go take the class and I will help you."  So, I take the class.  I find out about someone in our community who raises bees and arrange for us to meet him.  He does not do things like the class teaches you, which is fine.  There is more than one way.  We order our bees from him.  Four "nucs", that is what a starter set of bees is called.  However, we don't get them until July, which is very late.  Whether it is because he made a mistake or didn't know what he was doing, I don't know.  So now we are trying to get the bees ready for winter.  Because it is so late in the season, we are having to feed the bees so they will make enough bees and honey for the winter.  One of the things I learned in class and from this beekeeper was to not ever do things with the bees in dark, fuzzy clothing, or on a cloudy (dark) day.  Remember that it will be important later.
The first time we go out to the bees in our cute and stylish bee suits, it is 100 degrees, I am taking pictures.  When I get tired, I get in the truck and wait for my husband who wore short pants (hint, hint) and dark black, fuzzy socks.  He gets in the truck, I say, "That went well for a first time I think."
He says, "All except for when I got stung."
"You got stung?! Where? How?"
"A bee flew up my pants leg."
"So what did you do?"
"I squished him.  When I squished, he stung."
"Why did you squish him?  You aren't supposed to kill the bees."
"Tracey, at that point, I had few options."
Several times he has been to feed the bees in black socks and short pants.  Guess what?  He gets stung almost every time.  You would think... well maybe not.
We are feeding the bees, it is time to feed them a pollen patty.  I had to make these from a recipe from our beekeeper friend.  They didn't come out quite like they should have, I don't think.  Every time I get ready to do something with the bees, my husband says, "That is not what so and so does," or "That is not how so and so said to do it."  Finally, I say, "Fine, you do it.  I am done."  (My healthy Irish heritage, sometimes gets the better of me.)
My husband has been taking care of the bees by himself ever since.
One evening after supper, he gets up and says, "I am going to feed the bees."
He takes forever.  My phone is dieing, so I get up to go plug it in, wondering where he is.  As I walk to the bedroom, I catch a glimpse of him in the garage.  He is bent over, breathing heavy, and shirtless.  He never goes with out his shirt.  I think... I hope he is okay... If he has a heart attack and dies I will kill him... he doesn't have nearly enough life insurance to support me.  (I didn't really think that at the time, but later. It just makes the story better.)  I open the door and say, "Are you alright?"
He says, "They were," panting "chasing me."
"Who was?"
"I think I lost them."  Heavy breathing, pant, pant
"Where is your shirt?"
"On the deck."  pant, pant  "I think I only got stung once."
"The bees were chasing you?  Really?"
"I think one was in my shirt."
Now understand the bees are not anywhere close to the house.  They are across the creek, and around the corner on the other side of the woods.  (I later learned that he ran even farther than straight to the house in order to lose the bees.  He ran past the gate, down to the orchard, then to the house.)
He ran all the way home, trying to lose the bees.  I guess he did manage to lose them.  Do you know what he was wearing... short pants; dark, black, fuzzy socks; and it was dusk (almost dark).  All big "no nos" when working with bees.
Will he ever learn?  See you next time on the same bee channel...

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pondering

Today, I was pondering.  Not about the word ponder, which will cause me to digress.  It rhymes with wander, you know.  Anyway...
I was pondering the amount of excess that Americans (at least a vast majority) have.  A friend had asked me if I owned a bread machine.  A bread machine is a handy little "servant" that makes fresh homemade bread unattended.  It is wonderful.  Well, I own two.  My wonderful husband had purchased me one a long time ago, for Valentine's Day no less.  I have used it quite a bit off and on.  Lately, we had been using it more to make sandwich bread.  My children will eat sandwiches on homemade bread but rarely otherwise.  This bread machine makes bread in a tall tower like shape.  The puffy round part is on one end when it is done.  I had made the comment several times, I guess, that it would be better if it would make bread the sideways way.  You know like a normal loaf.  My husband being the thoughtful person that he is found one on the internet and had it shipped to me for no apparent reason.  (Everyone, now, "AWWWWW.")  Yes, I know. 
So when the friend asked me if I owned a bread machine, I had to say, "Yes, I actually own two."  I am kind of embarrassed.  It is extravagant.  It didn't have to be a bread machine, it could have been a vacuum cleaner, a car, a sewing machine, a dress, a pair of shoes.  You get the picture. 
My response to the question started me pondering the excesses of American life, and my life in particular.  Not that we live all that extravagantly, we are putting two children through college and raising two more at the moment.  But just how much more we have than we really need. 
For instance, do I really need ten dresses with matching shoes in my closet.  No, one or two would be plenty.  But it makes me wonder what God would think about it.  Then that started me pondering my ungratefulness, and made me come to the conclusion that I above all others should be so much more thankful than I really am.  I love the song, "I am the last one worthy and the first one grateful." 
The Holy Word of God says,"For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."  Romans 1:21  When we fail to give thanks, are brains become muddled and our hearts dark. 
So where did all this pondering lead?
I don't know how but I want to simplify my life, not desire to aquire, and to be so much more grateful for the blessings that God has poured out on me.
All for the glory of God and God alone.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day story begins with wonderful children.  My youngest daughter greeted me with a hug and a cheerful, "Happy Mother's Day, Momma!"  She is a joy and super sweet.  My other daughter wanted to give me a gift.  "Close your eyes."
"Kaitlyn, I am eating yogurt."
"Close your eyes, Mom."
So, I closed my eyes.  She gave me a beautiful new red blender.  I can't wait to use it.  Her card was cute.  Something about because of me she didn't grow up to be an exotic dancer, but if she had she would have been able to buy a much nicer gift.
Then, the pig died.  A sad, sad day in the lives of us wannabe farmers. The pig had to be disposed of in the usual manner with a trip to the in-laws.  My husband took on this chore with a brave, but solemn face.  So, I went to church without him.  When I returned home, he had left on the kitchen counter a card and gift.  A new GPS, I was thrilled.  This started a conversation about who got the best gift to give me.  Kaitlyn was bragging, that she had purchased the best gift.  My son, Jack, was standing next to me listening.  He states, "Hey, Kaitlyn, watch this."  As he reaches his arms around me and gives me a hug and says, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I love you."  Then he stood there and let me hug him back.
If you don't know Jack, well let me just say this was earth shaking.  A most wonderful gift.  Definitely the high point of my day.  Jack does not let people touch him and he most assuredly rarely gives hugs.  I was delighted to receive such a gift from him.
Then my husband's parents came for lunch.
And finally my first born child returned home from college in Texas.  A wonderful sight.
A wonderful day thanks to my family.  I am truly blessed by God.  It is for His glory and His alone.
Happy Mother's Day!
This is a special tribute to my mom.  Happy Mother's Day!  Some things to bring a smile to your face...
3 children who love you.
1 husband who adores you. (He would do anything you asked.)
Be glad that your children don't bring you dead animals, especially pigs on Mother's Day.
This comment needs some explanation, which requires some storytelling.
We had a pony, named Pepper, for my son.  One morning when my husband went out to feed him, he found the pony dead.  He came in to tell me and to have me keep my son away from the window.  I asked him if he needed help and what was he going to do with the horse.  He said, "I am going to take him to Mom's."  Just what every mother wants, a dead horse.  I asked how he was going to load a 600 pound horse.  He said he was going to put him on the wheelbarrow.  Okay, this I had to see.  He put the wheelbarrow upside down on top of the horse and then got a rope and tied the horse to the wheelbarrow.  Then he wrestled with it until he got it flipped over.  Drat!  Didn't have the truck ready.  Get a chair to lean the wheelbarrow on.  Back the truck up to the ditch, in the middle of the road.  Wheel the dead horse, now on top of the wheelbarrow, down the drive to the ditch and into the truck.  It was hysterical to watch.  I hope his mother appreciated the gift.
 A few years later...
My in-laws were at the house, visiting.  My father-in-law was getting ready to leave and decided to drive across the pasture.  My geese were walking across, he says, they will move.  They didn't.  He ran over the gander.  So... you guessed it.  The gander went home with him, with my husband's mother.
Now...
We had three pigs.  We took two to freezer camp.  The sow, Sally Soo Wii, is left.  She is lonely.  My husband pets her, calls her "Sweetie" everyday.  He is so gentle and sweet with her.  She follows him, when she gets out.
She gets sick.  My husband rushes to the store for medicine.  The next morning (Mother's Day)... the pig is dead.  I guess she died of loneliness.  What is he going to do with the dead pig, on Mother's Day?  Take it to Mom's of course.  Now, why didn't I think of that.
So, Mom...  Be glad I am not bringing you a dead pig for Mother's Day.
I love you.
Tracey

Friday, April 16, 2010

National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer is May 6.  If you have never participated, now is the time.  We need to stand up for our faith and the principles this country was founded on.
We have had a National Day of Prayer is this country since the beginning.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

An Exciting Day on the Farm!

Wow!  What a day!  Saturday, we planted the garden.  Corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, zucchini, yellow squash.  The new grape vines and trees arrived about 7:00 PM.  Planted 10 grape vines, a pomegranate, an elderberry, two PawPaws, and a Vitex.  Also planted flowers in the pots on the front porch.  About 10 PM, Jack comes upstairs while Jerry is in the tub and says, "I think you should look at the shower and tub downstairs."  Jerry goes downstairs to find the septic system backing up in the boys bathroom and the media room.  Ugh.  The carpet in the media room is soaking about ten feet in from the drain in the utility closet.  The septic system is making ocean like sounds outside.  It is hard to see anything in the dark.  Jerry removes the cover, it is full, the pump is obviously not working.  He proceeds to use a sump pump to start pumping water out.  At midnight we are ripping up carpet in the media room and bleaching floors.  We get in bed about 1 AM, exhausted. 
Sunday
We get up and start getting ready for church.  Jerry goes out to feed the chickens.  Calls us and says the pig is out, come help find her.  Oh, good cow.  We find her, or the neighbor does at his house.  We herd her back to the pen.  Jerry fixes the pen so she can't get out.  Little does he know what Sally Soo Wii is plotting.  Sally Soo Wii is the pig.  While he is watering the freshly planted grapes the driveway alert goes off.  I think what now.  Look out the front door and see Sally Soo Wii headed down the lane.  Off we go pig chasing again.  I jump in my little Jetta, and zip down the lane to catch up with the pig.  I pick up Jerry on the way.  We leap from the car, and start herding Sally Soo Wii back to her appointed lodging.  Thinking Freezer Camp is where she needs to be.  She is crying and mad.  Making all kinds of racket, the kind that pigs make.  Jerry again, fixes the pen so she can't get out.  What a day. And it is only 10:30 AM.  What else does the day hold?

Friday, April 2, 2010

Molly in the Garden

We are starting to plant the garden.  The Sugar Snap Peas are up.  Potatoes are planted, along with some broccoli, cauliflower, and a few peppers.
We were working in the garden, Jerry, Jack, Molly Jo and myself.  Jerry had gone off to do something.  So Jack and I had finished the task of putting the seed potatoes in the rows. Molly Jo was supposed to be covering them up with soil.  She was using a garden rake. Which she didn't know how to use, by the way.  Jerry had showed her, but as Jack said, "Molly, it is not a broom.  You can't use it like a broom."  In her defense, the dirt was a little hard to move with the rake.
Oh, well.  She was complaining loudly.  So, I decided I would cover up the row next to the one she was working on with my hands.  I was pretty quick and got ahead of her.  She decided she would get rid of the rake and use her hands too.  As she is covering the potatoes with dirt using her hands, Jack says, "Molly, you want to hear something funny?"  All the time he is saying this, he knows the reaction that is coming.
Molly says, "Whatever.  Tell me, Jack."
"The pigs peed in this dirt,"  Jack says.
Well, you can probably guess the rest.  She came unglued.  "OOOooo.  Gross.  Nastiness.  I am not eating these potatoes, they are growing in nastiness."  She wails as she grabs the rake, she looks at me with a look that could make roses wilt.  Jack and I are cracking up.  It was quite funny.

The Cross


Today I baked Hot Cross Buns in honor of Good Friday and the Crucifixtion of our Lord.
They are pretty good.  And look nice.

The Cross
By:  T.Surine
A thing despised
Caused excruciating pain
Humbling death
Hatred
Guilt
Ugly

A thing cherished
Gives unequaled joy
Eternal life
Love
Forgiveness
Beautiful

      It all depends on your perspective, doesn't it.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring! What's happening at the farm...

Hopefully Spring has finally arrived. Jerry has the worm bin almost ready for the worms to live in. This should be interesting. At the very least it drives the kids crazy and that makes it worthwhile all by itself. Worms are supposed to make the very best fertilizer for your garden. We used an old bathtub that Jerry got from his dad to make the bin.
The hogs go to freezer camp in a couple of weeks. I am excited to have the sausage and bacon for breakfast. Jerry doesn't think we got a very good feed conversion rate with them. We will have to wait until they are weighed at the butcher to know for sure.
In the garden 700 onions are planted. We also planted a row of snap peas. The seeds we started indoors of tomato, cabbage, and broccoli have not done so well. We will have to build a new set up next year. With the proper kind of lights and the right distance from the seeds. I will probably use some of the tomatoes anyway, but still buy some more plants. I want to plant 100 tomatoes, broccoli, and other vegetables. This should really cut our food bill. We have some more grape vines and a plum, pear and two almond trees on their way for the orchard. I hope we get some fruit this year. The strawberry bed is planted with 150 strawberry plants. They are growing and looking good. The garlic I planted in the fall is growing as well. I am looking forward to planting my herb bed. I plan to plant Italian Parsley, Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, and several others. Jerry built me a solar dehydrator so I can dry the herbs for use this coming fall and winter.
The other big project on the "farm" is the bees. We are just waiting for the time to pick up the bees. We have the boxes all ready for them. We will attend the Big Bee Buzz this weekend to learn more about bees. Jerry built a "bee vacuum" to catch swarms. This should really be interesting.
New chicks are supposed to arrive in April. The hens in the Hen House are laying eggs. I always seem to have more than enough eggs. Turkeys are also supposed to arrive sometime later next month.
Spring is a very busy time for us "wannabe farmers". Real farming is a lot more work than virtual farming, just so you know.