Trials and Idle Hands

My friends be glad, even if you have trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.  James 1:2-4 CEV

 I love reading the Bible. Admittedly, I am not in the Word as often as I should be, or would like to be; however, often when I am reading God's word, He never fails to speak to my heart. He reminds me that He knows my situation and circumstances and that He cares. Lately I've been having struggles with frustration, impatience and even anger with my current circumstances. It seems that it is taking forever for me to heal and recover from my surgeries. It's only been a little less than 2 months since my second surgery, but did I mention that I'm impatient? I want to be out in my garden weeding and harvesting. I want to be able to serve my family instead of having to call on them to help me. I want to be able to play with my children and spend time with my husband. Instead, I'm having to ask my kids, husband and other family members to do for me. I get tired out quickly and feel sore often. I feel trapped in my own body!

Now, I truly know that I could be so much more worse off. I could have lost both ovaries with the hysterectomy, I could have gotten severe infections from either of the surgeries, etc. I could have a husband that was not supportive and didn't step up to the plate for our family the way my dear Hubby did and on and so forth. It's just hard sometimes to remember how blessed I am when I'm stuck in the pit of self pity. And that is where I find my self all too often lately.

 So, I'm taking this verse to heart. I realize that James was speaking to the early Christians who were facing persecution, but the beauty of the Bible is that it's words are timeless truths. What was true for God's people thousands of years ago, is true for His people today. If you or a loved one is feeling similar to me, then I encourage you to pray that the Lord will give you peace and joy in your present circumstances.

Always be joyful, and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV

Now, onto the "Idle Hands" portion of the post. As the days have gone by, I found myself at the computer, playing Farmville and other facebook games when I needed to rest. This was not helpful or productive. It made me feel restless and empty. So last Monday I went in to town to see what I could find that I could do to keep my hands productively busy, but that didn't require too much money or paraphernalia. I do make jewelry, but that entails boxes of beads and tools, etc. Not easy to travel to the Rec. with or quick to pick up. While cruising around the craft store I found a plastic canvas purse form. So I got that and some yarn needles and looked for a skein of yarn that was pretty and cheap. Hooray! I found a pretty variegated variety that was on clearance. Here are the results so far:

I got a bit bored working on the purse, so I decided to start on a small project that an be finished quickly. (I'm a very instant gratification crafter!) I'm making a key chain that has a dual purpose. Not only is it pretty, but it will hold a stash of emergency cash and phone numbers. I will show how to make these in a post soon. I'm going to finish working on the purse and then start making the Emergency Key Chains for Christmas gifts.

And now, because it's my blog and I can do what I want {smile!} I have more kitten pictures!!!

Many blessings,

Kelly

Blessings on Valentine's Day

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV emphasis added

Many blessings to you all, my Friends, for a day filled

with love. May we have a servant's heart today to all who cross our path, and especially to our Lord and Savior.

Blessings,

Kelly

Dealing with Down Time

It's bound to happen: Mamas get sick (or even injured) enough that they just have to stay in bed and rest. It doesn't sit well with us that we have to stay in bed, or at least take it easy, but we do it because we know that if we don't, we'll just be worse off in the long run. There is still that part of us that is chaffing at the bit to get that laundry done, get the vacuum out, get those plants in the ground and those cookies made. We feel useless and unproductive. Believe me, I deal with "down time" quite frequently because of my back issues. I have days where I am fine, or days like last Wednesday where I wake up with such a back ache that I can't even stand up straight.

So, what do we do when we are forced to deal with down time? Lay in bed, frustrated? No! We save that energy for healing, and REST! Sometimes you may be so sick, that you sleep the day away. Good, you needed it! And then there are times like I had yesterday,(I think I have a mild case of the flu) where you aren't sleeping, but there is no way you can do anything around the house. (I'm so blessed with my husband and mother who helped me out with the kids and the housework.) At first I had a little pity party about how behind on housework I am, but decided to get over it, and focus on what I could do. So I finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. How in the world is that helpful or productive? you might ask. In reading the that book, I was able to learn more about a spiritual life and about our Heavenly Father's character. That knowledge helps me to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister,etc.

Today I feel better after a full, uninterrupted night of sleep; however, I'm still not up to doing all that needs to be done. I have 2 tasks that are to be done today, and that is all I'm allowing my self to worry about. Anything else I can accomplish is just a bonus! I'm drinking plenty of fluids and taking breaks when I need to. During my breaks I'm going to work on getting some planning done, doing some research and perhaps make some jewelry.

Here are some suggestions for when you can't be up and about:

• Read: You can keep your mind sharp even from just reading a novel.
• If you're feeling up to it, read with purpose. Get out that gardening book or women's magazine that you have wanted to read, and do it.
• Do some online research such as recipes, natural alternatives, etc.
• Write a note to send a friend or family member.
• Plan: write that appointment in your calendar, think about gifts you would like to make for upcoming birthday's or Christmas, make a list of some seasonal activities you would like to do with your family, think about next year's garden.
• Start making some of those gifts you thought of!
• Have someone bring you that bag/basket of mate less socks (you know you have one, everyone does!!!) and start matching as you watch a TV program
• Got Netflix? They have some educational shows that you can watch right over your television or computer.
• Remember how you were going to spend time in the Word everyday? Need I say more?

It's amazing what you can do and learn, even when you have to take it easy!
Blessings,
Kelly

A Friday Update

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you are all doing well. I thought I would share a quick update of what is happening up here on our hill. I was going to do a post on planning for the school year, but with a very disorganized kitchen, some drama in the chicken coop and a hurricane headed for us, I thought better of it!

I have managed to get some things ticked off of the to-do list for this week. As you may have read on Tuesday's post, we got the school supplies loaded into the backpacks. Yesterday I took Princess out for her shopping trip, where she got to choose 2 new shirts and set of earrings. (The boys got new tractor shirts and baseball hats! John Deere, Massey Ferguson, International Harvester, etc.!) On Wednesday I was able to help Princess and Wheels go through their bureaus and weed out the things that they don't like/don't fit/have too many of. We were able to get rid of quite a bit! I was also able to remember to buy black ink for the printer and actually get to my desk and the desk top computer so that I can make up and print the new checklists. I did type up and print out a checklist for chicken chores. (I'll be sharing that in a later post!)

As I mentioned earlier, we've had some drama out at the chicken coop. Wednesday evening Wheels let the big girls and boy out to free range, as is our usual custom. Immediately after letting them out, our rooster Samuel went after Fanny, one of two of our older hens. He was being so aggressive that she flew up on to the top of the run. (our run is covered on the top because we have had so many hawks around this summer, and it's just safer all around!) Samuel strutted and squawked while Fanny rested and checked out her best route for escape. When she finally made it back down, he nabbed her again. This time I'd had enough! Poor Fanny had started growing back her feathers that she'd lost due to another aggressive rooster that her previous owners had (FYI they butchered said rooster!), but was bald again thanks to Samuel. Long story short, Samuel was put in solitary confinement where he will remain until we can find a new home for him. Moral of the story, (admittedly, there is a naughty little side of me itching to write something, well, naughty!) DON'T MESS WITH THIS CHICKEN MAMA'S GIRLS! We also have a laying pullet that may be egg bound, or just broody. I'm keeping an eye on her and we're set up in case we have to help her pass the egg. I'm really hoping she's just broody, but she seems rather lethargic.

So, now we have Hurricane Irene gunning for us. Hurricanes are not a normal event for us here in the Green Mountain State. We're land locked, and seemingly safe nestled in the lush mountains that are our state's namesake. However, we are due our portion of extreme weather, I guess.(Click here to see the projected path of Irene.) For today, I'm going to have the kiddos pick up toys, tools, etc. that are laying around outside, while I concentrate my efforts on the kitchen. I have clean, empty mason jars on the counter, a waffle maker with no cupboard to call home, a homeless pressure canner and a basket full of cucumbers and zucchinis. Plus, much more! After finding homes for these items, I want to get a head start on shredding zucchini and mixing up dry ingredients for zucchini bread and breakfast cookies. Then I'm going to put up some drinking water in case we lose power, and see to other emergency preparations.

If you are like us, and unaccustomed to being prepared for hurricanes, you can check out these 2 links:

• Hurricane Preparedness
• Ready.gov Hurricanes

My dear hubby will be working on cleaning up a spot in the cellar just in case we have to go down there. We have plenty of canned goods, dry pasta and cereals, powdered milk, etc. I'm going to put a tote together of some items to put in the car just in case we should have to leave, although I doubt that that will happen. I would just rather be safe than sorry. Tomorrow I'll be posting more on emergency prepping, if I have time. I might be too busy prepping to post!

The most important thing I will be doing in the midst of all this, is praying. Despite all of our preparations and checklists, we need to remember that the Lord has this all in His hands.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

 my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2

Do not forget to pray, dear Friends, no matter what you may be facing. Our Father is faithful, merciful and loving. 

Well, Friends, that is all for now. I have a pullet to check on and a kitchen to clean!
Blessings,
Kelly

God Shed His Grace on Thee

The Patriot Flag visiting a local city. My Darling Husband took the pic for me.

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope you have an enjoyable holiday filled with family, friends and fun. Amidst all of your fun, though, please take a moment to thank the Lord that we live in a nation where we are free to worship our Lord and King openly, freely and without fear of persecution. Let us not take that freedom for granted, and instead live boldly for the Lord (Not obnoxiously, though!) , reaching out to the lost and hurting and passing on our blessings to others. Please also pray for our government and leaders, for their wisdom and integrity. And of course, don't forget to pray for the men and women who serve our country, and their families. We would not be able to continue to enjoy our freedom if not for them. Pray for their protection and health, physically, spiritually and mentally.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

Beneath Heaven's gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!

Grand birthright of our sires,
Our altars and our fires
Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled,
The hope of all the world,
In peace and light impearled,
God hold secure!
America by Samuel F. Smith

stanzas 4, 7 & 8

Blessings,

Kelly

Tackling Tuesday and F.R.O.G.

Greetings this rainy Tuesday. It has not started well for us, but I'm thinking I need an attitude adjustment! Poor Teddy Bear woke up with the tummy bug AGAIN! And Mama woke up with a horrid back ache and not feeling rested at all. Fortunately, I have been blessed with a truly amazing husband who let me stay in bed an extra half an hour with the heating pack, while he got Wheels and Princess their breakfasts, etc. Wheels was a very responsible boy and woke his sister up for Daddy and made his own lunch!

So, I find myself working on tasks other than housework. I have lessons for Children's Church to make up, coloring sheets to look on the web for, info to search for, and a craft for next week to prepare. Then my Mom (the kids call her Mimi) came up to keep an eye on Teddy Bear for me so that I could take a nap with the heating pack. When I woke up, she had done the dishes and folded laundry for me! Again, I am so blessed to have a caring and helpful mother that is always there for me! Teddy Bear hasn't gotten sick since early this morning and is actually on an eating rampage. Good thing I went grocery shopping yesterday!

I've decided to take it easy for the remainder of the day, and besides helping the kiddos with homework and making dinner, I'll probably be working on the computer. I know that if I don't, I won't be good for anything tomorrow. And that can just set me further behind.

One more thing before I go- April is Autism Awareness month, a condition that touches the hearts of our family. Please visit Autismspeaks.org to learn more. Also, April is Frog month! As you may or may not know, there is an acronym for frog meaning Fully Rely On God.  This is not always easy, as we are human and prideful and impatient; however, I think that this is a good month to start remembering F.R.O.G. What in your life are you not fully relying on God for? What is keeping you from doing this and what do you need to do to hand it over? I really encourage you to take some time to do this. And then sit down with your Bible and read about all the times the Lord has shown Himself mighty and faithful. He loves you, and knows what you need, and will see to providing it.

Have a good rest of your Tuesday! Many blessings,

Kelly