I thought I’d tell you what we are planning and share the pictures after we’re done. When we bought the farm over 10 years ago, there were quite a few building repairs that needed to be done. Here we are, 10 years later, and they still need to be done! The boys and I, with help from different men in our church, have been tackling some of these this last year. We’ve learned a lot and are pleased with the changes that have been made.  But, there is still a lot to do!

At the end of our equipment shed there is a room.  The floor in this room has a bad “dip” in it.  A gentleman from church told us that this was an easy fix.  The boys will be jacking up the area and pulling up the floor boards to assess the problem.  We are pretty sure it is a rotten post.  We will be replacing the post, re-laying the floor boards and hopefully have a level floor once again.  We are so thankful for the men in our church who not only give us wonderful advice and guidance but will also come and work with my boys.  Lots of fellowship, teaching and relationship building goes on which is often more important and more needed than the building repairs! It is always a very healing time for them.  I am watching my Father repair buildings and boys’ emotions at the same time!

The first step has been to clean out the room and the boys have been working on that this week during the afternoons after school. We are excited to get this done…we have big plans for this storage area!

The boys have almost finished a project in our barn that they have been working on all fall.  I’ll share pictures of that soon!

I’ve been working on a project too. My Perpetual Garden Calendar! I am diligently trying to get this finished up so that you can have it by spring. Time is the hardest thing for me to come by these days (prayers always appreciated in this area!) – sometimes a 30 hour day sounds good!

I’ve also been working on a way to share my menu planning strategy. It has worked for me for decades and I’ve recently had some” test runs” teaching it to young mothers who feel overwhelmed with the thought of preparing a meal in the evening. I’m polishing it up and trying to add a lot of my “tried and true” recipes to share!  I hope to have that available shortly after my calendar.

We sent our steer to the butcher recently and hope to have him back this week…in neat little packages!  We have been trying to take him to the butcher since October but the ground has been so wet that we couldn’t get the truck and trailer down to the coral. Well, we could probably have gotten it down there but we never would have made it back up the hill!  We are looking forward to a freezer full of meat again. We have been rationing the last of our beef since fall.  Last night we had a package of steaks, some stew meat, 3 small roasts and a few packages of rib-eyes left!  It has been several years since we sent a steer off and we are so grateful to have the ability to raise our own meat!

Not all news is good news.  We had a little cow who looked just a bit thin at Thanksgiving.  We brought it up to the barn to make sure it was eating.  It was the smallest cow in the field and my thought was that it was being pushed away from the hay.  This little cow just continued to get thinner and didn’t really seem to have much of an appetite.  We called the vet and he found some internal tumors.  He felt sure it was cancer.  Cancer!  I’ve never had to deal with a chronically ill animal before!  The vet suggested some things to do over the next several weeks and then told us to put it down if there was no improvement.  There was no improvement.  I made the decision that we needed to shoot it.  No sense in paying $65.00 for a vet to come out and then pay for  a shot – who knows what that would cost.  I mentioned this at our home-group meeting and after the meeting the leader of our group came to us and offered to do that for us.  He didn’t want me to have to do it or the boys.  I thanked him for such a kind offer.  I’m so thankful for the men in our church!  But our Father saved us that chore.  This little cow died that night in its sleep.  How gracious of our Father to spare us that unpleasant task!

I’ve been busy teaching my classes for our local Community College.  I’ll be doing that until the middle of February and then I can start teaching them again on our farm.  So much easier than hauling everything to another location although I enjoy teaching the kids at college.  I’ll be meeting with some of the college staff to talk about some other opportunities to work with them.  Sounds mysterious and I’m looking forward to seeing what their ideas are!

Here on the farm, we’ve been on a soup binge lately!  Soups are not only delicious but such a budget stretcher!  I’ll be sharing some recipes soon!

I think that catches you up on our news…almost!  I’ve been doing something for almost a year now..anybody want to venture a guess?

Blessings,

I do….I can’t imagine not.  Momma always did and Grandma did too.  Grandma liked full length aprons while momma likes the “tie at the waist” aprons.

I was so excited this year to be given my first Christmas apron!  It’s adorable!

Here’s a little story about aprons…hope you enjoy it! (HT to Kristen!)

The

History of ‘APRONS’

The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect

the dress underneath, because she only had a

few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses

and they used less material, but along with

that, it served as a potholder for removing

hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on

occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying

eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched

eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were

ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma

wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,

bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into

the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that

had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was

surprising how much furniture that old apron

could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the

porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was

time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something

that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that

served so many purposes.

Blessings,

I received a “package” when all I was expecting was a check from a sweet customer in Germany.  When I opened this unexpected box guess what I found inside?

My boys and I enjoyed it so much – we shared a bit and froze the rest for a special treat in the future!

I often receive cards from my customers and readers.  You share your stories, your family pictures,  your Christmas letters and you dash off little notes of encouragement frequently!

This sweet note came from a dear customer in Florida.  She created a card with my Jewish name and heritage on it.  This so touched my heart.  It will be framed for my room.

I receive notes by mail and by email expressing the fact that you are praying for me and my boys.  This is such a blessing to me and I am so grateful to know that there are people out there, many whom I have never met, that go to their knees on our behalf.

I have been privileged to speak to many of you on the phone.  We’ve prayed together, cried together and laughed together as we shared our lives.  What a blessing!

Many of you have traveled long distances to my farm to take my classes in person! Some of you have graced our table or stayed in our home and through these visits, I’ve made many dear friends who are scattered from one coast to the other.

Some of you have sent gifts to help us with our ongoing legal bills – how you have humbled me with your generosity!  Through your prayers and your faithful patronage of my little business you have helped this mama stay home with her children and continue their home schooling adventures!  How can I find words that give thanks for that gift?  I am overwhelmed with gratitude!

Y’all have supported me, counseled me, surprised me, and blessed me during one of the most difficult times of my life!  What joy it brings to know that these friendships are eternal – that we will all join before the Throne of Grace one day and worship our Father together. What joy we will experience then when there are no more troubles or tears!

Thank you all for making this aspect of my life and business a blessing.  Thank you for allowing me into your lives, for allowing me to pray with you, for allowing me to be your friend…

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel” (Prov. 27:9)

Blessings,

Last year, the best thing I did for myself was to start a gratitude journal.  I share some of that online here with all of you.  I purchased a journal for each of my boys for Christmas.  I found just the right one for each of them…I happened to  find them at a discount store so they were very inexpensive.

We started the journals by reflecting on 2009 and how thankful we were for His provisions for us throughout the year.  It took several pages! Then we began our lists for 2010.  Each day, as we gather for family devotions, we plan to share with each other some of the things we are thankful for.

By writing it down…acknowledging it on paper….you begin to see how blessed you are and how much Yahweh loves you!  These don’t have to be material things….although they can be.

Some of the things my boys discussed were really interesting!  Soft pillows and warm beds, Elders that love and support them, the double rainbow from our last storm, baby cardinals found in a hidden nest, milk from a cow, brothers that love, Grandma living so close, kittens that purr, gardens that feed, friends that teach and help, flowers that are beautiful and smell sweet, the joy of picking an apple off of your own tree, neighbors that bless, ring and run, praying for each other, card games, fellowship with our church family, holding hands, home cooked food….and the list goes on!

Already my boys are talking about sharing them with their children many years from now!  What a wonderful legacy of His faithfulness in their lives!

Can I encourage you to start your own gratitude journal this year?  Just a few minutes a day…but I warn you.  You will begin to look at things differently!  During my darkest hours this has been one of my biggest blessings!  When you feel that He is silent – read back and know that He is there!

I promise you that it will change your lives!  You’ll be so glad that you did!

Blessings,

Ok, no pumpkins…. but the sale on Soapmaking Made Simple! ends tonight at midnight!  Normally this e-book sells for $20.00 but right now you can download it for just $15.00!  You can read all about it here.  Don’t forget..all students new and old, mentoring is in effect until the end of February!

Blessings!

Christmas Eve found us spending time together, laughing, chatting, playing games and watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”. We enjoyed our traditional Snicky Snack Night.

It was also time to search for the Baby….the manger had been filled with straws – each one representing a secret act of kindness for another.  Guess who found the Baby?

We headed over in the middle of the day to  have Christmas at Grandma’s house. My Mom enjoys continuing this tradition which started when we lived miles apart.

Mom had prepared a lovely luncheon which was such a blessing to me! She always sets such a beautiful table!

In the evening, we gathered back at my house for our traditional Christmas Dinner.  We lingered long around the table enjoying good conversation and lots of laughter.

Christmas was filled with friends, family…wonderful memories!  We were blessed to be able to provide some meals for a few local homeless people, to enjoy the thrill of “ring and run” (giving secret gifts) and to minister in other ways.  There is so much more joy in the giving than in the receiving…in fact we have decided to do Christmas differently next year because of the example of this sweet lady’s family…I’ve ordered the catalogs.

We are so grateful to our Abba Father for His provision, His protection and His presence in our lives this past year.  He loves us wildly and exuberantly.  We are taut with anticipation to see what He has in store for us this new year.

Please remember Todd and his family this new year – keep them in prayer.  His most recent scans look very good.  He begins his 4th round of chemo this next week.  I love this picture, taken by my friend Faith.  Such love expressed….

May you all draw closer to Yahweh in this new year, may you still to hear His voice, and may you be the hands and feet of Jesus to your families, your church family, your neighbors, your community and across the world as He leads you!

Blessings!

This course will teach you how to make soap in your own kitchen! Included are the basics of soap making with easy step-by-step instructions that walk you through the simple art of making your own batch of soap! I also show you what equipment you’ll need and probably already have!

I teach you about SAP values and why they are important, what lye discounts are and why you need to understand them and what “percentages” mean. This combined knowledge not only helps you understand the soap making process but it gives you the skills to evaluate any recipe you find online or in a book so that you can determine if you would like to use it….no need to waste all those ingredients to discover you don’t like that particular recipe. Even more important, it gives you the skills to create your own unique recipes!

After I cover the basics, we delve into the fun! I teach you what superfatting is and how to do it so that you can create that luxurious soap you’ve been dreaming about! You will learn how to color your soap naturally, how to use essential oils and how to create your own blends of essential oils easily and test them inexpensively! I also guide you through the properties and “notes” of essential oils.

You will learn about absolute oils, butters and clays and why and how to use them. I’ll teach you about soap molds and help you find them…in your own home! There are over a dozen “tried and true” recipes for soap including many basic recipes along with recipes for Castile, a shaving soap, a milk soap, and more!

I have included both a “tips” section and a “troubleshooting” section to help you salvage any “mistakes” that might happen, I have shared my list for recommended reading and online sites that teach about soap making so you can continue your adventures. I give you my list of resources for purchasing ingredients and even recommend software for soap makers!

I’ve done all the “wrong” things according to other soap makers! I have shared my secrets, shared many short cuts, given you great recipes, shared my list of resources, essentially shared it all!

Of course, this book comes with 30 days of mentoring by email! Send me as many questions as you want, as often as you like and I will walk with you as you begin your adventure with making soap.

Download your book and let me help you begin your journey in soap making with confidence!

About a month ago, I also lowered the price of my e-book “Basic Medicinal Herbs! How to Grow and Use Herbs for Medicine!” This course had been $25.00 but I felt that was a bit of a stretch in these economic times…I know it would have been for me!  So, the price has been changed to $20.00 at this time.  I don’t know how long this new, lower price will be in effect.

Don’t forget that each of these books normally comes with 30 days of mentoring but during the Christmas season one of my gifts to you is that the mentoring is extended until the end of February!  This mentoring time is also offered to any of my former students at no charge!

These e-books are a wonderful way to learn some of the lost arts that all women used to enjoy!  They also make wonderful, inexpensive gifts! Won’t you join me on my journey to being more self-sufficient?

Blessings!

Jeremy, Josiah, Elijah and Evan went up front and asked Todd to join them.

Jeremy began to talk about how much Todd means to them, what a great example of a godly man he has been to these 4 boys.  Then he told Todd that “we did this for you!”

For just a second, Todd didn’t know what had happened….

Then Jeremy leaned down so that Todd could see his head…Todd was SO surprised!

Here are the boys and Todd, his wife Barbara and their new baby Benjamin….please remember to pray for this precious family and Todd’s recovery.  Although he is ready for whatever our Father has in store for him…we are selfish people and want to keep him with us and our body is praying for a full recovery!

On a sillier note…Jeremy, already feeling the effects of frigid air on a bald head, thought he might borrow some hair from a sweet friend who has an abundance of beautiful hair….somehow…I don’t think this is the best look for Jeremy!

If you would like to see the video of the boys telling Todd that morning, and hearing our church family’s reaction, click here then scroll down to the category “Video” on the left. You’ll find it…it’s at the top of the list.

I’ll be taking the next couple of days off to be with my boys – lots of family time, games, laughter and good food are going to be taking place.  I’ll be back later this week.

Enjoy these special days with your family and friends!

Merry Christmas!

A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
Hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son
But gave him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

IMMANUEL
Scribbling In The Sand: The Best Of Michael Card (2002)

Merry Christmas!