The Vacation

The cabin Kathleen rented turned out to be far better than we were expecting! No water, no electricity and only an outhouse, but it was sitting high above the ground, and no wildlife visitors (mice, bugs) except flies. We were very pleased to see that it had a propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, and propane lanterns, that hung throughout the cabin. Very rustic and very "get-away."

A fire pit was built outside, off the deck, out of what looked like a huge sawn down barrel, and a picnic table sat off to one side. During the evenings a fire was lit, and smoke filled the air as the flames from the fire consumed the damp wood. Firewood was dragged over by the kids from an already cut and stacked woodpile.

Planks, supported on each end by tree stumps, circled the fire on three sides. The children were driven from one of the benches to the other as light breezes played with them, coming first from one direction and then the other, sending the smoke their way, seemingly following them. Stinging their eyes and filling their noses with with the dry, acrid smoke.

The kids (mothers/fathers/children) stayed busy....boating, fishing, hiking, badminton, taking walks and playing cards. Walking the kids to the outhouse, cooking over the fire, and carrying all the dishes to the campgrounds below, where they could be washed under an outdoor spigot filled with cool, potable water, also filled their time.

It rained the first two days, so on day two Andy and Nick went fishing, and returned late afternoon. Following advice from the friendly townspeople and other fishermen, they had finally found a hole where Nick caught his first fish. He brought it back for Madison and gave it to her. He had promised her a fish for her birthday (11 yrs) and here it was--ready to be cleaned. Andy helped her clean the fish, then Nick and Victoria cooked it and the kids ate it. It was very tasty!

On the last day everyone hiked up to the ice caves, except Timmy (4) and I. We headed back home early with the packed up truck. The rest of the family all came home, well-spent, late that afernoon. Everyone slept like a rock that night!

Victoria and Kathleen were still in vacation mode this afternoon. I had seen them starting to put up a tent. Later I walked out and there they were....set up under a mosquito netting tent with a camping table, with attached benches on which they were sitting, enjoying their juice drinks and a visit.

Tonight the lure of the midway carnival rides, at the state fair, took them to town. Kathleen scanned the schedule earlier and decided the first thing on the agenda was the pot-belly pig race. The children were excited and looked forward to the rides and the carnie games.

Life is good.

No Sins Found

Jeremiah 50:4 “ In those days and in that time,” says the LORD, “
The children of Israel shall come, They and the children of Judah together; With continual weeping they shall come, And seek the LORD their God. 5 They shall ask the way to Zion, With their faces toward it, saying,‘ Come and let us join ourselves to the LORD In a perpetual covenant That will not be forgotten.’
***
20 In those days and in that time,” says the LORD,“ The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve.

Let us, also, turn to the Lord. He is our strength and our Hope. We will start over with a new life, our sins forgiven and forgotten.

Little Huggers!

The little grandchildren are on their way to see us. They are just over an hour away! It is so very exciting, we have not see them since last year.

Life is good!

Pornography

What depths of depravity do we enter into when we innocently venture into the world of porn. There are no bystanders, no passive viewers-- the door is now open and the thoughts, feelings and pictures come alive in our minds. Even if we don't live a life of harlotry or wantonness, or live as a man or woman without scruples or morals, still there comes the time of depression, and the door opens to memories of past known porn and then your imagination knows no boundaries, if you let it. You will seek to find satisfaction from perverted or forbidden acts...but there is none.

What doors do our schools open when they allow the teaching of homosexuality and its practice as normal sex? What doors are open when they teach perverted sexual positions as normal sex? There are consequences to teaching immoral values and our children will pay the price.

Only through God's love and the love He created between and man and woman will there be true love. He is the Author and Creator of love. Where are the faithful men and women in this world? The men and women of God. Those that walk with Him and who will bring their family into His fold.

Proverbs 20:6-7
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

As a child of God, be happy and content with your life...it is your blessing from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Stillness of the Night

I went out and gave the dogs some bones from T-bones steaks earlier. It was so calm out and the night was as a dark, velvety veil. In the distance lightning lite up the horizons and the rumbling of far off thunder sounded. Beautiful night. The kind of night that God comes close.

Beamer eagerly snapped up his bone. Sammy sniffed at her's, then backed up and looked at me to see if there was another choice! Finally she gently took it and dropped it and then looked at me again. As I went inside and closed the door she took off with the bone, apparently satisfied I am not bringing her something else.

Life is good.

The Love of God

How great the love of God is for us! I am always amazed at the kindness of the Lord in the way He answers prayers, not always the answer we seek, but always with gentleness. We could never take in the depth of His love. The patience He has with us, the long-suffering He endures as we wobble along the path of faithfulness, the way He keeps us when we ourselves get tempted. The beauty of His love--a love that soars higher than the heavens and encompasses all things....that He should love such a person as I--it is incredible!

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(God’s Everlasting Love)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:


“ For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He loves us all. My heart is heavy tonight as I know He is holding out His arms to bring comfort to the innocent life that is being slaughter unmerifully tonight through an abortion. Not just that one life...but thousands. How His heart must grieve for them all! How many broken hearts of deceived mothers are crying out when they saw the truth? How fierce will be His anger when the day of His wrath shall come. He will bring justice and He will deliver the innocent and be the comfort to those mothers who have sought refuge in Him.

Rider is back to life!

Went and got a new battery today. Came home and put it in the rider and turned the key. Who would think the sound of the mower running could make someone so happy?! I was very happy...happy and relieved.

I took the "old" battery, that I had just bought in June, with me. The dealer said that he was going to test the battery and if it did not hold its charge, that he would refund me the cost of the battery.

My nephew had told me that with new batteries it is possible that with a complete discharge it might longer be able to keep a charge. I looked it up on the internet. Sure enough, I found the following at: http://www.mpoweruk.com/life.htm#dod

"many cell chemistries will not tolerate deep discharge and cells may be permanently damaged if fully discharged."

So, in all honesty, I can't take a refund. We were at fault for the battery discharging to such a degree. Shoot, $35 for a riding mower battery that is guaranteed for five years, is a good deal. I am not complaining. I am just happy to be mowing.

God is good and He has given us a good life.

Friday Ended on a Good Note

Couldn't resist making another batch of scones! It was, indeed, the corn meal that made the difference.

The Quaker brand, that comes in a light yellow, cylinder-like carton, is the one that makes the light, sweet tasting scones. Aunt Jemima Corn Meal, in the dark yellow sack, has the heavy tasting corn meal flavoring--probably great for corn bread, but not for scones.

I am so glad the Lord took my hand to the Quaker brand corn meal, when I first bought the corn meal. I would never have tried the scones again, if the Aunt Jemima Corn Meal was the first one tried. So all is good. We once again have something to go with our tea!

Monkey Wrench In the Works

No smooth progress today. Still plagued by a riding lawn mower that won't start. First we had tried to get it going with the original battery---time wasted here! Finally we got a new battery. How nice to start up the rider on the first turn of the key!!!

Then the lights were left on and the battery ran down...way down. The charger would not charge it -- time wasted here!

Took it to the dealer and he charged it, but at the end of the day said it still need to be charged as it had not gotten up to the "line." So I put it on the charger over night and then put it in the rider. Today I intended to hit that field of grass, oats and weeds at full throttle - but the battery is so dead it won't even turn over!!! --time wasted here!

Tomorrow we are getting another new battery...no more messing around!!!

Spent most of the day in town...hoping to get my tasks done so I could go home and get out in this beautiful summer weather and mow. When I came home, I had my tea and some of Christopher's cookies....changed to work clothes and walked outside. The wind was blowing, but it was blowing hot air! It felt so nice!!!

God is good! What a beautiful world and each day an adventure!!

Time flies

Today, while at the store, I remembered the cornmeal and picked up the same carton that I had before. Except for brand names...it is the same--yellow corn meal. The rest of the month is going to be busy, so, later I will check into why my scones have changed so much.

Time is now flying by....the kids will be here soon and there is much to do. Chris' VBS is wrapping up and then he is back with his Mom and Dad. Hot days are coming and it is now time for the watering system to be in place; time to get the tall grass cut before the fires start up; and time to finish all the outside projects, which have been started, before Victoria and Nick get here. Kat is anxious to show off their home; and, her and Andy are getting everything ready for a massive wrap up of projects on their next days off. (Hopefully!)

Life is good and when a family works together it is a blessing!!

Not All Cornmeal the Same

Today's scones were the second batch of scones I made with the last bag of cornmeal that I bought. The last batch was awful. I forgot the cornmeal altogether and added it after everything else. The scones burned quickly and tasted like cornbread.

Finally, I dumped the batch and made another today. As I pulled the tray out of the oven, disappointment welled up in me. The scones had the dark brown burnt coloring. I tried less time and then a lower temperature. Finally, it dawned on me. The only difference from the first scones I made was the corn meal. The last bag bought was "Yellow Cornmeal" and it did look different that the previous one that I had gotten in a smaller cardboard container. Now, I realize that it was not "yellow", but must have been white that I needed. At the store I had noticed there was cornmeal and cornbread, but it did not dawn on me to check the color of the corn meal. :(

The next batch will have to be far less cornmeal and a little more flour!!! Or, maybe I can dump the bag and get the cornmeal I had before. I did a search and found out that Texas A & M did a study and found that cornmeal is a powerful fungicide!--- I could spread it on the garden soil. There really hasn't been any fungus around that I know of.... so, I suppose I ought to just use the cornmeal sparingly and not waste it!

And, if I am not glum enough about that. While getting the cranberries at 2-J's, I just happened to notice the label. It read SWEETENED dried cranberries. This probably offsets the cutting back on sugar!!

On the bright side, Christopher's butterscotch-chocolate chip cookies turned out excellent.

Wind--blustery and dry

Actually, even though the wind was pretty strong, it was a nice wind and it WASN'T cold! Its nice, in that it is drying off all that moisture in the "wire" grass that we want to get rid of! Right now the mower plugs up almost as soon as you start to mow!

Wire grass is terrible grass, as you try to walk through it, it is like trying to walk through bobby traps. It all snags together and your shoe gets tangled in it. I probably put on quite a show for the neighbors passing by, as I try to get through this stuff!!! You can just walk along and then all of a sudden your shoe is trapped on the spot and you come to a screeching halt when you don't expect it! Or you just trudge through the heavy spots barely able to lift your foot. But soon---it will be gone. (I hope.)

Kat brought back pictures of camping at Crystal Lake. They had a wonderful time. Its hard to believe that it is so close to home and we had never heard of it before. More camping ahead--hopefully we will have some of those sizzling hot days to enjoy the sun and water!! But not too many of those days at a time....we don't want to lose our garden and we don't want our state to go up in flames!!

Today was a good day. I talked to all the children and all was good. God is good and I love Him.

The Passing Storms

Late this afternoon the storms came rumbling through again. Dark clouds, thunder, and some lightning, filled the sky as the rains fell. I had just made some scones and was sitting in Kat's rocker and watching tv, while I tested the freshly baked bread with my tea. A storm had just came through and another was coming in. There were no good detective shows to watch so I turned to the Gaither Show and they sang the song "Til the Storm Passes By". It was awesome, like God was right there watching us. (The song is on itunes)

Kat and Andy took the kids and went camping. I pray they may find shelter in His hand tonight. Rain and hail is forecasted throughout the night.

I looked out the window at the dogs right after a huge clap of thunder broke open the heavens. Sammy was sitting off the deck and looking at me as if I had just made that noise!! Saw Freckles and Little Black running out of the fields and heading over to the neighbor's barn. Guess they want to be dry AND look for mice!

All is good. The Lord is coming soon and we are in His care.

A Brighter Day

The Bible verse for the day is:

"As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." Job 4:8

It greatly grieves me when I find myself assuming the worst about someone else. Or making an assumption that their actions are going to be evil, or meant to harm me or my children, before they have acted. Haven't I just become the wicked one, in so doing? Can't we just live, under the protection of our Almighty God, and know that whatever wrongs come our way, He will keep us if we walk with Him.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

How do I have positive thoughts of all. I do admire people that are able to do that and just love to be around them! But me? Lord, help!!

The weather was so very beautiful yesterday....not to hot, with barely a wind. What will it be like in the new world? Will it be like the days of the Garden of Eden? I remember hearing laughter from a loved one that was musical like a bubbling brook, and I stood still in awe and listened with great pleasure. How great is our God's love for us to give us always His best!! Indeed, what a wonderful life it will be.

The Rain Continues and the Baking Goes On

Another round of heavy showers hit again. It is just one after another!!! Everything is so very green. I thank the Lord for this beautiful moisture, it has certainly made our garden stay alive! And, given Kathleen and Andy's little trees a good start.

When making scones, I load them with nuts and cranberries.... and that is such a great combination. Thinking maybe I was getting too much baking powder, I had intended for the next batch to go maybe half as much as the recipe calls for. However, after getting distracted by Christopher and his friend, the baking powder was left out all together. This is not adviseable, if you want a good scone. It is ok....but lacks the breaded texture. But, with tea, it is edible.

On the 4th I had a tire go completely flat. The night was dark, the wind was blowing a little, and it was cold. I called my brother, and soon him and four of his buddies showed up to get the tire changed. I thank the Lord that I did not have the flat somewhere in the next 120 miles, as I traveled home. Brothers are such lifesavers!!! Promising to send them cookies, Chris, Kat and I all headed off in the night to our destinations. God is good!

God Bless America - Happy 4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

Dr. Stanley was preaching on television earlier. During his sermon, he asked all his listeners to commit to praying for our nation for the next 140 days. This will take us through, and beyond, the November elections. Let us all join with Dr. Stanley and keep our nation in prayer. If you would like to join Dr. Stanley, his web address is: http://intouch.org/resources/140-days-of-prayer If you join you will receive an e-mail each week with Scripture and prayer points to help unite us as a body of believers.

Listening to the Gaithers earlier, I received such a blessing as they sang the Battle Hymn of Republic. This hymn was one of my favorite songs to play on the piano, when I was a kid. Its a beautiful song that tells of the power and wrath of a mighty God, who is Lord of all, as He returns to restore justice. That day is before us, let us stay in prayer and walk with our God, He is returning soon!

Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on."
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on. (Wikipedia.org)

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

"I Know"

There are a number of comics that I really enjoy -- Baby Blues and Pickles being a couple of them. Everytime I read Baby Blues I see Timmy and Serena and it just makes my day. Pickles just is so much "us", sometimes, and Nelson just picks up on Chris and Madison's reactions!!

The other day, while reading the comics, the phrase, "I know, but I don't believe" really hit me. How true that is of us. We walk around blind--enjoying everything in God's creation and yet not wanting to see Him or "believe".

How is it possible that by "chance" (big bang and evolution) beauty could be created, order created, harmony created or life created? How would our hearts, our minds and our souls be created? God truly is the creator of our world, the universe and all that is within it, which includes us--body, heart and soul.

We know the truth, yet so very often man just does not want to believe.
--Or, man partially believes so that He can put God into a box of man's design.
--Or, man changes the true Word, denying the power of God to preserve His Word, and claims corruption of the Word written by the prophets and the patriachs, thereby allowing himself to rewrite the Word of God. Thus, not having to use the Word to determine whether dreams and visions are of God, but changes the Word to make dreams and visions "acceptable" and "true".

Great Kings have acknowledged God and believed:

2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

Psalm 90:1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

3 You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.”

God waits for His children. He is a God of love and His kindness is beyond any measure we can comprehend or understand.

Nehemiah 9:16 “But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments.

17 They refused to obey,And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.