SunShine

"What sunshine is to flowers,

smiles are to humanity.

they are but trifles,

to be sure,

but, scattered along lifes pathway,

the good they do is

unconceivable."

-Joseph Addison

The Cozy Nest

When the weather starts to cool off, I feel the urge to fluff my nest! I think we should call this "Nesting Season" and in my home, I think that is just what we will do! So, I'm brainstorming ways make my nest cozy. First I have to get some unwanted guest to move out! SPIDERS!!!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally against em, I just don't care to have spiders running around in my house. Any tips, that don't require calling the sprayer man to come visit, would be wonderful! Remember, i have animals and children-nothing toxic!

what's new!

Like I said before so much has happened since I was on here last. I was pregos when i last blogged. That Blessing is now in the arms of my God and Savior, as I learned about the loss through miscarriage. A few mths following that, I become pregos again and was able to bring that blessing into the world. (which makes 5 blessing here on earth) Before my bundle arrived we learned of the sickness that my step-father was unknowingly fighting. Doctors told my mother that he had pancreatic cancer. While we look back and can see that he was probably fighting this for some time, it was new knowledge of what was making him sick. Within about one mths time of finding this cancer, Gary went to his home in Heaven. We all knew of Gary's love for The Lord, and it comes as a great comfort. His company is missed, but the impact he had on those he loved was strong and deep.

A short time after the loss of a dear grandfather, our family was preparing for the birth of our new baby! I think my children asked most everyday, if that would be "the day"! may 10 we received a new baby boy! (our first time not knowing what sex the baby would be) Like all days that babies are born, we will not forget that day! The Lord has Blessed us beyond what we deserve!

Now we have taken up a couple of goats (didn't see that one coming!)which we just love and I think will be a wonderful addition to our little family "farm" adventure. Garden and flowers didn't do as well as the weeds this year, but the baby is growing strong and big, so that gets me off the hook there!-)

Our family is always growing and my prayer is that much of that growth is in Wisdom- in all areas. So here's to "back to blogging!" and may I gain back some readers (who will leave comments!-) Through this blog, I desire-if it be God's will, to meet/share with others. To gain encouragement and to be encouraging~

Shameful!!!!!

wow! it's been too long and so much has happened! To the few "followers" i had, (and I'm sure have lost!) i must say sorry-i blame it on facebook! and the fact that I haven't had much to say (or at least not what I felt like was worth putting on a blog) I've been doing a lot of blog stalking again these days and i think I'm ready to get back on the blogging wagon!
(((please note- i usually type with one hand due to the fact that i'm usually holding a baby with the other hand-so please forgive the lack of making my "i" and some other letters caps- i try, but one handed typing can get tricky sometimes and the caps/shift button gets over looked--thanks for understanding! And if you don't, try doing your whole days typing with one hand and you will soon get it~

Does God see Meekness in our hearts?

We are told from God to have a meek spirit, but what does that really mean? Like the word "submission" I believe that we have a misunderstanding of what this word really means, so here is a simple study for us to ponder on,,,,,1. Humble patient or submissive, as under provocation from others. 2. Overly patient or submissive; tame. 3. Gentle; kind, meek, soft, mild, modest, long-suffering, enduring, modest, tolerant, persevering, understanding, unhurried.
Synonyms would be: humbleness, resignation, surrender, forbearance, yielding, docility;unassuming, understanding

In today's world, ladies are encourage to be verbal, flashy and unyielding. We grow up to be wives and mothers and wonder why there is so much anger and lack of peace in our lives. I truly believe that searching the Bible and finding out what God expects of us is the only way to find real happiness in our lives,,,,despite the world around us! I know that I can see many examples in the words above that remind me of areas I need to pay extra attention to.
How patient and soft did I speak to my children? How submissive and yielding am I to my Husbands needs? Did I preserver in my chores? Let us remind one another to pray to God for help in these areas! ~xo~

What does a Mother get out of being a mother?

"She's one woman in a million. It's something to thank God for, a mother like that; it's a privilege to know her. I've been wondering what she gets out of it; but I think I've found it out. This morning, thinking what her life is, I couldn't see what repaid her, do you see?" (young man talking to the daughter of this mother who has 8 children) "What made up to her for the unending effort and sacrifice, the pouring out of love and sympathy and help- year after year after year...."

"You know, these days when women just serenely ignore the question of children, or at most, as a special concession, bring up one or two- just the one or two whose expenses can be comfortably met!- there's something magnificent in a woman like your mother, who begins eight destinies instead of one! She doesn't strain and chafe to express herself through the medium of poetry or music or the stage, but she puts her whole splendid philosophy into her nursery- launches sound little bodies and minds that have their first growth cleanly and purely about her knees. "

" Why, what good is learning, or elegance of manner, painfully acquired fitness of speech and taste and point of view, if you are not going to distill it into the growing plants, the only real hope we have in the world?

"you know, there's a higher tribunal than the social tribunal of this world, after all; and it seems to me that a woman who stands there, with a forest of new lives about her and a record like hers will find she has a Friend at court!"

taken from MOTHER, by Kathleen Norris. A book I just finished about a Young lady who just can't seem to understand why her mother has given up her life to keep having babies. I think this is a struggle that many ladies and young mothers battle at some time or another. I found this book through http://www.visionforum.com/ , I wish I could buy a whole cart of these to pass out to others! (I put in bold what I felt was significant)

Motherhood

In a world that continues to limit the size of their family, one can feel very misunderstood, even by fellow brother and sisters in Christ. Encouragement will often times not be found from friends and family. I often times have to remind myself that God knows best and will Bless those who will trust in Him.
I thought I would share some passages from a book that has shown me many points that Christians have lost sight of.
"The enemy knows the power of life. Every human being that comes into the world is another potential for God's purpose and glory and to destroy the works of the enemy. This is why Satan tries to destroy God's purpose for mothers. The greatest threat to him is a mother who understands her calling, to nurture and nourish life, to train, polish, and sharpen these children for God's mighty purposes- and for the eternal age." Be Fruitful and Multiply
"Now at the this time when God is looking for a people to fulfill His purposes like no other time in history, Satan is once again trying to eliminate the army of God. Over these last few decades, he has been very successful. Born-again, God-loving Christians have fallen into His deceptive plan and helped him reduce God's army."
I have many areas in my life that are not pure. My faith is not always and strong as it should be and I often times have to remind myself to be content with were I am in my life at this point. Life is pretty difficult at times. God doesn't tell us that following His plan will always be easy, instead He tells us that we will be persecuted- that is one way we know we are doing His Will. I am Blessed by God, for I know He is by my side. He will give me strength, patience, and guidance--if I will only listen to Him. God calls life GOOD!

American Heritage Library

The Dream Author Unknown
I had a dream the other night that I, well, did not understand,A figure rushing through the mist with a flintlock in his hand.
His clothes were torn and dirty as he stood there by my bed,He took off his three cornered hand and speaking low to me he said,We fought a revolution to secure our liberty,and created a Constitution as a shield from tyranny,for future generations to cherish and save,In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.
The freedoms we secured for you we hoped you'd always keep, But Tyrannts labored endlessly while your parents were asleep,Your freedoms gone your courage is lost, your no better than a slave, In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.
You buy permits to travel, and permits to own a gun,Permits to start a business or to build a place for one !
And the land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent,though you have no voice to say how the money is spent.
Your children must attend a school that does not educate,And your religious values cant be taught, according to the state.
You read about the current news in a regulated press,and you pay a tax you do not owe to please the IRS.
Your money is no longer made of Silver nor of Gold, You trade your wealth for paper so your life can be controlled.
You pay for crimes that make our nation turn from God to shame, You have taken Satans number and traded in your name.
You have given government control to those who do you harm,so they can tear down churches and sieze the family farm,And sink our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail, arrest your fellow countrymen while corrupted courts prevail.
Your public servants do not uphold the solemn oath that they have sworn,and your daughters visit doctors so their children will not be born.
Your leaders sent artillery and guns to foreign shores, and send your sons to slaughter fighting other peoples wars !
Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died ?Or dont you have the courage to stand with pride ?
And are there no more values for which you will fight to save ?Or do you wish your children to live in fear, and be a slave ?
Oh Children of the Republic, arise, take a stand, defend the Constitution, the Supreme law of the land.
Preserve our great Republic and each God given Right, with God as our shield, because your freedom is right !
As I awoke he vansished into the mist from which he came,His words were true, we are not free, but we have ourselves to blame, for even now as we lose each God given right,people watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight.
If he stood by your bedside while your were asleep,and wondering what remained of the freedoms he fought to keep, What would be your answer, if he called out from the grave, Is this still the land of the free and the home of the brave ?
God bless you, and may God bless this Republic.

Following Ones Heart?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 (this is something I need to remind myself of over and over!) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Jeremiah 17:7



Just now I am showed a Blessing in following the LORD. Homeschooling is challenging and my "heart" could lead me away from it. (you know things like---the children need more or better-that would be ME and not the Lord talking) so the Blessing GOD showed me was listening to my just turned 2 year old counting! i know he doesn't "get it" but he is learning without being away from "the home".
I am reminded of this verse when thinking of family size also! That's another big one for me. I would love to hear ways that this verse helps guide you, also.

coming back,,,,

Wow! I have been the worst blogger ever this summer. Getting ready to start school work and prepare for fall/winter, I think I will be getting back into the blogging mode. First I need a couple of days to catch up on what is going on with my favs. sorry for such a delay

A Blessing of Hands

Lord, as we gather at this table,
we thank you for this food and the hands that prepared it.
We also thank you for hands we often forget:
those of the farmers who raised this food.
Bless the hands of farmers and farmworkers, Lord
-the calluses, the nicks and scrapes, the dirt on these hands.
Thank You for the know-how of these hands
to prepare, repair, test and harvest.
Encourage these impatient hands on rainy days when they itch to work.
And when their hands wring under financial strain,
direct them to hope in You.
Bless the hands of farmers, Lord. Amen.
-Diane Zaerr Brenneman, Parnell, Iowa

Embracing Your Sacred Calling

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the postition and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.
----Martin Luther (taken from the Passionate Housewives Desperate for God)

A note from me,,,,,

As you read the next post, it will not take you long to see that my blog fits the profile that the government is now saying is terrorist actions.
This is hitting close to home for me and many people I know and care for. We all have Ron Paul bumper stickers, along with many other stickers. We own books and movies that inform Americans about our history and tell truths about events that have occurred in our country.
We carry a copy of the Constitution and are happy to share these with others. (how does that sound like a terrorist?)
Speak out about this to others, read the links in the next post. This could be in your state next. Missouri isn't too far from home.
and last, but far from least--Please everyone unite in Prayer. We must all seek Gods Wisdom in how to protect our families, and how to preserve our freedoms,,,,if you won't do it for yourself, please do it for our children.

I am not a terrorist. I am a lover of freedom and liberty.
But according to the Missouri Information Analysis Center's report (MIAC) entitled “The Modern Militia Movement” supporters of Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, and YES, even Ron Paul should be considered "militant groups". The MIAC is a government funded research group under the direction of The Department of Homeland Security. In fact it specifically names the Campaign for Liberty, The Libertarian Party, and The Constitution Party, in this document and advises police to be on the look out for our memorabilia.The report mentions nearly every recent conspiracy theory, trying to debunk a number of them unsuccessfully, and often times even acknowledging the existence of the New World Order, including the FEMA camps.Anyway, feel free to discuss your outrage here.http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/mar/14/fusion-center-data-draws-fire-over-assertions/http://www.infowars.com/secret-state-police-report-ron-paul-bob-barr-chuck-baldwin-libertarians-are-terrorists/http://www.libertyrestorationproject.org/2009/03/12/press-release-are-you-on-the-list/http://www.sodahead.com/blog/48688/secret-state-police-report-libertarians-are-terrorists/http://www.infowars.com/police-trained-nationwide-that-informed-americans-are-domestic-terrorists/http://axiomamuse.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/fusion-center-designates-75-of-the-population-as-subversive-extremists/http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1086524.htmlSecret State Police Report: Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, and Libertarians are terrorists

MEANINGS OF THE WOMB

"house of life"
"nesting place"
"palace of a child" (This is what it means in Chinese)
"sanctuary"
"the secret place" (from Psalm 139:15)
"cradle of the unborn"
"God's creative workshop"

(above is the work of www.aboverubies.org )

Let us remember how special God made women. We should be proud of what and who we are under God's making.

www.thepowerhour.com for more information on this topic and for "How To Books"
Party Like Its 1929!
By Matthew Stein, P.E., Author of When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance, Sustainability and Surviving the Long Emergency, ISBN #978-1933392455, Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT (800) 639-4099 www.chelseagreen.com www.whentechfails.com

Could You Get By, Like Your Grandparents Did Back In 1929 When Their Jobs and Savings Evaporated?
When the stock market crashed in 1929, most Americans saw the value of their investments evaporate overnight, and then watched helplessly as their cash disappeared in a seemingly endless stream of bank closings. During the Great Depression, few people had jobs, few people had access to any cash, but life still went on. Much business was done on the barter system. Friends and neighbors helped each other when they could, and people with skills traded their labor and crafts for food, wood to heat their homes, items of clothing, etc. Shanty towns sprung up all over the country when people lost their homes and farms to foreclosure in what has been described as, “The greatest land-grab in history.”.
On Christmas day in 1991, the Soviet Union officially ended its own existence, and the only remaining value of the Soviet ruble was as a fire starter! Most Russians survived the collapse of the Soviet Union through the use of barter, and kept themselves fed using produce grown in their own “kitchen gardens”. These gardens had been widely used for years to supplement the meager food supplies that had been available via official communist food stores, and they helped fend off starvation during this period of great tribulation and uncertainty.
In the days of our grandparent’s, someone in each town knew how to grow, fabricate, or manufacture everything that was necessary to lead a reasonably comfortable life. In those days, if the ships stopped sailing due to war or weather, one might miss a few luxuries and comforts, but life went on quite well with what could be found, fabricated, or grown locally. Not so anymore! In 1998, the average item of American food traveled 1,518 miles before reaching our homes! Most of our shoes, clothing, household goods and small appliances are fabricated in far-off lands and the factories and skills to make many of these items have long since disappeared from American soil.
How will you fare if the local utility shuts down? Can you grow your own food or fabricate the basic clothing and shelter you need for your family? What skills and essential goods do you possess that you can trade or barter for food and other essential items? If you don’t have the money to pay for medical services, do you possess a knowledge of alternative low-tech healing methods to cure most diseases with minimal expense? It certainly couldn’t hurt to do a little digging in your back yard garden, or to bone up on some of your self reliant skills. The old Yankee adage of, “preparing for the worst while hoping for the best” is sound advice in these uncertain times.
Until recently, most of us thought that economic crisis was something that happened to other people in other countries (Zimbabwe, Argentina, even Japan in the 1990’s). When our economy has been down before, I have heard people say, “We need a good war to get the economy moving again.” The war in Iraq certainly put that old saying in its place! When you combine America’s debt laden post-9/11 spending spree with the fact that we are shipping two billion dollars a day out of the US to purchase foreign oil, it is easy to comprehend the poor state of our balance sheet and the rapidly declining value of the dollar.
To me, the writing is on the wall. We need a Roosevelt-like New Deal, and we need it fast. It is high time we put America back to work making real things of real value, not just a lot of smoke-and-mirrors paper games that we now see can disappear in the twinkling of an eye. It is time we put America back to work rebuilding our cities, our railroads and our industries to make us truly energy independent, not by extracting our last remaining oil reserves at record speed, but by developing the technologies and infrastructure to get us off the oil habit and start reducing our carbon emissions. It is time we took the moral high ground where it really counts—by regaining our position as the world’s ecological and technological leader in the race to ward off devastating climate changes and ecological collapse.
There is an old Chinese saying, “Is it not already too late if one waits until one is thirsty to begin digging a well?” America, what are we waiting for?
My Motto:
Do your best to change the world!
and
Do your best to be ready for the changes in the world!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I have to admit that I love Valentine's Day! It's a combination on the colors, hearts, and chocolate!;-) Now, I don't get all crazy about decorating, and I don't hold a big party, but I do like to make a few treats for the family and it is a wonderful time to find new crafting ideas.

*I think it is the feminine touch- and how can one deny lace and ribbons!

I loved making valentine's boxes when I was a child. (I saved one for many years, finally I had to get rid of it---sort of wish I still had it around)

so I thought I would add some pics from Martha Stewart's web site. (again, I must say that I am not promoting her, but she does have some great ideas and crafts)

I would really enjoy seeing others crafts/recipes, and feel free to share any links of crafty web sites that you know of! **

All So True!

Christians Use Prophecy To Excuse Laziness by Chuck Baldwin, February 3, 2009‏
From:
Chuck Baldwin (chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com)
Sent:
Tue 2/03/09 11:49 AM
To:
mommyread@hotmail.com
Christians Use Prophecy To Excuse LazinessBy Chuck BaldwinFebruary 3, 2009 This column is archived athttp://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090203.html In response to my two previous columns regarding the current development ofa devilish New World Order, many professing Christians wrote me withcomments to the effect that we should not be concerned about whatever globaltyranny may be developing, because "it's all a part of God's plan," or"Jesus is coming soon," and similar statements. I, too, believe in theimminent return of Jesus Christ to earth. But, then again, so did Christiansfrom every generation over the last two millennia. In fact, the Apostle Paulwas looking for the return of Christ while he lived (Philippians 3:20). Butdoes anticipation of Christ's Second Coming excuse personal neglect,indifference, and downright laziness? Of course not. Had pastors and Christians of colonial America believed and acted as mostChristians believe and act today, this country would still be a Crown colonyand we would never have known the freedoms and liberties that our forebearsbequeathed to us. Christians of that era, however, believed that it wastheir duty and obligation to fight for right and do everything within theirpower to resist tyranny. They also believed that God would honor and blesstheir efforts, which He certainly did! It is extremely difficult for me to reconcile the apathy and slave-likementality that seems to permeate modern Christendom (in America) with bothour own heritage and the very Word of God. For example, the Apostle Paul isvery clear when he writes that a Christian must never "do evil, that goodmay come" (Romans 3:8). Yet, that is exactly what many, if not most,Christians are doing today. When confronted with an obvious evil (a burgeoning tyrannical New WorldOrder, not to mention a number of lesser evils), modern Christians willshrug and glibly say, "It's God's will; we must not oppose it," or words tothat effect. This attitude says, "I will tolerate or even condone evil inorder to hasten Christ's return." In the first place, no one knows when Christ will return, no matter how manybooks or tapes they have produced to say they do. In Acts chapter 1, Jesuswas asked by His disciples if He would, at that time, set up His kingdom.The first words out of His mouth were, "It is not for you to know." Oh, wecan speculate, surmise, and make educated guesses, but that's the best wecan do. It's time we were honest enough to admit it: only God knows whenChrist will return. In fact, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knowethno man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). In the meantime, millions of Christians across America are trying to playGod. They talk as if they know when Christ will come. It's actually worsethan that. They have the attitude that they have no personal responsibilityto defend freedom and resist despotism. They seem to look at God as somekind of glorified fireman, who is obligated to rush in at the last minute torescue them from a burning fire--a fire that they helped ignite, or atleast, refused to put out themselves when they had the opportunity to do so.It's the old, "God would not let that happen in America" syndrome. How arrogant can we be? Ask believers from despotic regimes around the worldwhat they think about God letting tribulation come, and they will quicklytell you, "We are already in tribulation." Are Christians in the UnitedStates really that arrogant as to believe that God loves them more than Heloves believers in other countries? If not, can we not see that if believersaround the world have suffered (and still suffer) the heavy hand of tyrannyand oppression, it is certainly possible for tyranny and oppression to cometo our land? The fact is, the only reason that Christians in America havenot (for the most part) suffered tyranny and oppression is because of thehard work and sacrifice of our forefathers. We are simply enjoying the fruitof their labor. In the second place, how do we know what God would do, if we only had thebackbone to do our duty? How do we know that God would not give America "anew birth of freedom" for our children and grandchildren, if we only had thecourage and fortitude to oppose the evil being thrust upon us by thesewould-be tyrants? America is only the "land of the free," because it was the"home of the brave." Take away the latter and we lose the former. And thatis exactly what is currently happening. In the third place, Christians have a moral imperative to resist evil, evenif their efforts are fruitless. We are not responsible for outcome, onlyeffort. Believers throughout history acted on principle, leaving the resultswith God. (Read Hebrews chapter 11.) Some were delivered; some were not.That did not matter. What mattered was doing one's duty. We Christians areto give our bodies as "a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). It is God'sprerogative to use our sacrifice as He sees fit. Therefore, there is no suchthing as a "losing effort," when it comes to doing right. Doing right(resisting evil) is its own reward. The three Hebrew children were notcommended because God delivered them from the burning fiery furnace; theywere commended because they were willing to go into the burning fieryfurnace. So must we be. I believe the real reason why so many professing Christians are so apatheticand indifferent to what is happening has nothing to do with the teachings ofScripture, Bible doctrine, eschatology, or anything of the like. It haseverything to do with old-fashioned laziness. Today's average Christian justflat does not want to be bothered. He has a comfortable house, an easychair, television, and a set of golf clubs in the closet. He takes two orthree weeks' vacation every year, goes to church on Sunday (a church thatdoes not intrude on his comfort zone, of course), pays taxes, and votes forhis favorite "pro-life" Republican candidate every two years, and assumesthat he is a "good" Christian and "patriotic" American. He is neither! A real Christian patriot would never allow his country to be taken over by agaggle of elitist goons bent on stealing his liberties--including hisreligious liberties--without doing everything in his power to prevent it. Areal Christian patriot is active, alert, engaged, zealous, and committed topreserving liberty. What if Jesus doesn't come for another 100 years? Another 200 years? Whatare we going to say to our grandchildren when they ask us what we were doingwhen our freedoms and liberties were being stolen? What will we say to ourChristian forebears when we meet them in eternity? They sacrificedeverything so that we could live in peace and freedom. What will we say tothem? What will we say to God, who handed this land of liberty to us on asilver (albeit blood-soaked) platter? Tell me again that "there is nothing we can do about it," or "it's God'swill," or "Jesus is coming soon." Better yet, tell it again to the sufferingChristians around the world; tell it again to our Christian forebears; tellit again to your children and grandchildren who are going to inherit a landof tyranny and oppression, all because you were too lazy to resist. I know unbelievers who have more character and determination aboutpreserving liberty than many who call themselves Christians. And I have aton more respect for them, too. Our Lord told us, "For unto whomsoever muchis given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). Yes, Christians inAmerica have been given the best of both worlds, and many do not evenappreciate it enough to see to it that their own children--their own fleshand blood--will live to enjoy the same blessings. They are pathetic! So, the next time you hear some piety-draped Christian talking about how hewon't engage the enemy and fight for liberty, because of prophecy, or someother spiritually-sounding platitude, just remember, it has nothing to dowith prophecy, or anything of the sort: it has everything to do withold-fashioned laziness. My feeling toward him is the same as that of SamAdams (a fellow Christian) toward the Tories of old: "If ye love wealthbetter than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contestfor freedom--go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms.Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightlyupon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" Amen! *If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute theseeditorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made bycredit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/donate.php (c) Chuck Baldwin