"Jesus is the Rock of my salvation, His banner over me is love!"
7:45 am, and this song is playing over and over in my head. All I wanna do is snuggle down into the blankets where its warm, but it's time to wake up, get up, get dressed and start my first day as a real farm girl.
See, I'm a total city girl, born and bred. But when my brother married a girl from Central Oregon and her 8 year old friend knew more about everything there is to know than I did, I decided it was time to expand my horizons. That's the nutshell version, and here I am, spending ten days with my sister-in-law's family on their farm.
It's a beautiful day today. 9:45 am, and the cows are milked, the calf bottle fed, (yep, that was me) the milking barn scrubbed down and breakfast cleaned up. The dishwasher is humming in the background, and the sun is shining. There's still a lot more work to be done today, and even more before the week is out.
Life is beautiful. God is all powerful, perfectly just, and full of mercy. His goodness is more than I can imagine. Jesus IS the Rock of my salvation, His banner over me is love. Yep, life is beautiful. You know that saying, "stop and smell the roses?" Well, sometimes I just need to stop and smell life.
We've gotta sort and clean the garlic harvest, but first I get to finish my coffee. =)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Just for fun....
I was sitting in at the school table yesterday, studying on my own while my sister was teaching. She started passing out plot cards for a writing assignment, and it looked like fun! I asked her if I could have some,
My character was "sea horse", the characteristic was "moody". The setting was "in the toy box", and my plot was, "a secret tunnel". I had ten minutes, and this is what I came up with. =)
It was 9pm, toy box time when Danny, the moody little sea horse finished his tea and laid down his book.
"Ahh!!" he sighed, stretching out his tail. "Maybe I should go to bed. Or maybe I should stay up later. Who knows? I might miss something exciting if I go to bed! But I might wanna get up early if I stay up late!"
Too many choices and decisions clouded his rubber mind until he kicked over the Barbie chair he had been sitting in.
"UGH! Why'd I do that? Now I have to pick it back up or Barbie will know I was using her chair, and Ken will come beat me up. And I don't even have any hands to pick it up with!"
Life is tough for sea horses. They're the bottom of the food chain in the underwater world they were meant to live in, and even lower down in the toy box. Life is even tougher for moody little sea horses. Most the sea horses in the toy box had already accepted the fact that life was hard and moved on. Instead of dwelling on the fact that their lives were harder than some, they chose to be thankful that they had lives to start with. They were happy little rubber creatures. All except Danny, who had yet to learn this valuable lesson.
As he stood next to the overturned chair he remembered something the wise old jack-in-the box used to tell him. He could almost hear the old guy's voice reminding him, "Danny, you can't see the bigger picture, so just enjoy the moment."
"Man, I miss that guy! I wish he hadn't gone to the Children's hospital!" All of the sudden he caught himself. "...but I bet the kids there need him more than we do!"
"What a difference that makes! jack-in-the box was right! So... living in the moment...my moment right now involves this upside-down chair, and one hand-less sea-horse. (that would be me!)"
Being a moody sea horse had left Danny with a lonely sort of life, and he had gotten in the habit of talking to himself lately.
"No use staring at it! That won't help one bit. Neither will getting frustrated, obviously, since that's what got me into this mess in the first place."
He lowered his nose to the floor, sliding it gently under the back of the chair, and slowly started to lift. "What in the world? What's this on the floor!?"
After righting the chair, he bent back down for a closer look. Sure enough! It a button. Slowly, he pressed it with his nose, and a section of the floor slid away reavealing a secret tunnel....
My character was "sea horse", the characteristic was "moody". The setting was "in the toy box", and my plot was, "a secret tunnel". I had ten minutes, and this is what I came up with. =)
It was 9pm, toy box time when Danny, the moody little sea horse finished his tea and laid down his book.
"Ahh!!" he sighed, stretching out his tail. "Maybe I should go to bed. Or maybe I should stay up later. Who knows? I might miss something exciting if I go to bed! But I might wanna get up early if I stay up late!"
Too many choices and decisions clouded his rubber mind until he kicked over the Barbie chair he had been sitting in.
"UGH! Why'd I do that? Now I have to pick it back up or Barbie will know I was using her chair, and Ken will come beat me up. And I don't even have any hands to pick it up with!"
Life is tough for sea horses. They're the bottom of the food chain in the underwater world they were meant to live in, and even lower down in the toy box. Life is even tougher for moody little sea horses. Most the sea horses in the toy box had already accepted the fact that life was hard and moved on. Instead of dwelling on the fact that their lives were harder than some, they chose to be thankful that they had lives to start with. They were happy little rubber creatures. All except Danny, who had yet to learn this valuable lesson.
As he stood next to the overturned chair he remembered something the wise old jack-in-the box used to tell him. He could almost hear the old guy's voice reminding him, "Danny, you can't see the bigger picture, so just enjoy the moment."
"Man, I miss that guy! I wish he hadn't gone to the Children's hospital!" All of the sudden he caught himself. "...but I bet the kids there need him more than we do!"
"What a difference that makes! jack-in-the box was right! So... living in the moment...my moment right now involves this upside-down chair, and one hand-less sea-horse. (that would be me!)"
Being a moody sea horse had left Danny with a lonely sort of life, and he had gotten in the habit of talking to himself lately.
"No use staring at it! That won't help one bit. Neither will getting frustrated, obviously, since that's what got me into this mess in the first place."
He lowered his nose to the floor, sliding it gently under the back of the chair, and slowly started to lift. "What in the world? What's this on the floor!?"
After righting the chair, he bent back down for a closer look. Sure enough! It a button. Slowly, he pressed it with his nose, and a section of the floor slid away reavealing a secret tunnel....
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wisdom from a Cherokee
An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, & ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, & truth."
The boy thought about it then asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"
The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed.
"Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God... Put to death, therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
I've been so careful lately about what I've been feeding my body, and dieting has been really good for me, but what about the things I'm feeding my soul?
One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, & ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, & truth."
The boy thought about it then asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"
The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed.
"Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God... Put to death, therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
I've been so careful lately about what I've been feeding my body, and dieting has been really good for me, but what about the things I'm feeding my soul?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Who we are...
My family is made up of fourteen children, three in-laws, two grand-kids and of course, Mom and Dad. We're a total of 21 souls making up one unit, living in four different households, pursuing fifty-eight different dreams.
We're all individually unique, and similar at the same time, but no two of us are the same. We each have different tastes, likes and dislikes, passions, beliefs and drives.
One brother loves politics, while another obsesses about sports, and another family member strongly dislikes both subjects. We don't always get along, but we always love each other. Truly, we do.
One thing we all have in common, is that we all like to do things with each other. Anything, whether it's work or play, becomes a fun adventure when you add a couple brothers and sisters to the mix! I'm not exaggerating on this one. We've had some of the best times doing dishes together, or scrubbing 2500sq ft of old hardwood floors, or camping in the rain, or getting stranded when the bus broke down. (yes, we have a bus)
On any given day at our house you're bound to find a couple of us surfing, swimming, scuba diving, skateboarding, singing, snoring, snacking, doing sit-ups, sacrificing, sauteing, scolding, scheduling, shopping, scheming, scrutinizing, self-destructing, sewing, shouting, studying or shuffling. Some of us will be doing two or three of these at the same time
We are a family, just like any other. There's no magic formula that made us who we are, just blood, sweat and lots of tears. (and lots more spankings) My parents deserve all the credit for anything positive that any of us do, and take no responsibility for the stupid things. (Unless the stupid ones are under 18)
I've done nothing to deserve this beautiful gift God has blessed me with. I take it all for granted every day, and I wanna change that.
And we have random dance parties in the kitchen on a regular basis.
We're all individually unique, and similar at the same time, but no two of us are the same. We each have different tastes, likes and dislikes, passions, beliefs and drives.
One brother loves politics, while another obsesses about sports, and another family member strongly dislikes both subjects. We don't always get along, but we always love each other. Truly, we do.
One thing we all have in common, is that we all like to do things with each other. Anything, whether it's work or play, becomes a fun adventure when you add a couple brothers and sisters to the mix! I'm not exaggerating on this one. We've had some of the best times doing dishes together, or scrubbing 2500sq ft of old hardwood floors, or camping in the rain, or getting stranded when the bus broke down. (yes, we have a bus)
On any given day at our house you're bound to find a couple of us surfing, swimming, scuba diving, skateboarding, singing, snoring, snacking, doing sit-ups, sacrificing, sauteing, scolding, scheduling, shopping, scheming, scrutinizing, self-destructing, sewing, shouting, studying or shuffling. Some of us will be doing two or three of these at the same time
We are a family, just like any other. There's no magic formula that made us who we are, just blood, sweat and lots of tears. (and lots more spankings) My parents deserve all the credit for anything positive that any of us do, and take no responsibility for the stupid things. (Unless the stupid ones are under 18)
I've done nothing to deserve this beautiful gift God has blessed me with. I take it all for granted every day, and I wanna change that.
And we have random dance parties in the kitchen on a regular basis.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
School starts...
School will be in session this morning at our house, for the first time since spring. The anticipation zings through the air like an electrical current, affecting each in different ways. Some light up like light bulbs, others snap like static charged socks.
Oh yeah... this is home. Where I belong.
I was always thrilled about school starting for the first couple of weeks. It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging. A responsibility that was all my own. I'm sitting here wishing I could be a part of that again.
Somehow it's different now, being on the outside, just observing. My younger sister has charge of the household, and for me to butt my head in and try to take part would just undermine her authority that she works so hard to maintain.
While I miss being a part of the yearly ritual of "school", the chance to impart my small bit of knowledge on to my younger siblings, to watch them grow and mature every day, I have some separate responsibilities all my own. I'm grateful for the trust my parents have bestowed on me with the responsibility they gave me, and I hope to do my very best with it.
So why is it that what someone else has always looks better? Maybe I just like the thought of staying home every day. =)
Oh well. =) I'll trust that God's plan for my life is better than mine, and go get ready for work.
"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep... For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." - Psalm 36
Oh yeah... this is home. Where I belong.
I was always thrilled about school starting for the first couple of weeks. It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging. A responsibility that was all my own. I'm sitting here wishing I could be a part of that again.
Somehow it's different now, being on the outside, just observing. My younger sister has charge of the household, and for me to butt my head in and try to take part would just undermine her authority that she works so hard to maintain.
While I miss being a part of the yearly ritual of "school", the chance to impart my small bit of knowledge on to my younger siblings, to watch them grow and mature every day, I have some separate responsibilities all my own. I'm grateful for the trust my parents have bestowed on me with the responsibility they gave me, and I hope to do my very best with it.
So why is it that what someone else has always looks better? Maybe I just like the thought of staying home every day. =)
Oh well. =) I'll trust that God's plan for my life is better than mine, and go get ready for work.
"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep... For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." - Psalm 36
Monday, September 5, 2011
These things make me smile...
"I am grateful for what I am and have.
My thanksgiving is perpetual...
O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches.
No run on my bank can drain it
for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment."
-Henry David Thoreau
#202. Smelling coffee, even if I'm not drinking it.
#203. Foreign languages
#204. Waking up to a magnificent thunderstorm
#205. Smelling the rain
#206. Listening to my sister tell a story
#207. Visiting Papa and Grandma last night
#208. Family, who are "forever" friends
#209. Cozy mornings, curled up on the couch
#210. Dreaming.
#211. Earl grey tea.
"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy."
- Brother David Steindl-Rast
My thanksgiving is perpetual...
O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches.
No run on my bank can drain it
for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment."
-Henry David Thoreau
#202. Smelling coffee, even if I'm not drinking it.
#203. Foreign languages
#204. Waking up to a magnificent thunderstorm
#205. Smelling the rain
#206. Listening to my sister tell a story
#207. Visiting Papa and Grandma last night
#208. Family, who are "forever" friends
#209. Cozy mornings, curled up on the couch
#210. Dreaming.
#211. Earl grey tea.
"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy."
- Brother David Steindl-Rast
Friday, September 2, 2011
So I'm senile...
There's so much to be learned from elderly people. So many life lessons, bits of wisdom, awesome stories and tips of the trade. Lets face it. They've been around a lot longer than us, and have so much to teach the next generations, if only we would take the time to wait for them to get the words out.
We've been going to an assisted living facility every week for the past 15 years and while the names and faces have changed through the years, the people are the same.
From the scary looking grouchy old man who melts into smiles at a hug from a little one, to the embittered old lady who is rotting in a pool of misery, to the flirting, giggling, bouncy gal who's lipstick is always just a touch too bright.
There's always the sweet grandmotherly types, the few whose children still come around at least once a week, the one's who've completely lost their memory's, but are just as happy as could be, and the one's whose minds are sharp as a whip and you wonder why they live there at all.
Some love the feeling of independence, some have no other place to go. All have lived through the Great Depression and most through two world wars. All have lost many loved ones. Some have outlived their entire families, including their children. Yet, the prevailing attitude is a positive one. What do they have to smile about? Oh yeah. They're STILL HERE!
I can learn so much from them.
I was visiting my sister-in-law last week, and we had each other rolling on the floor laughing, relating silly stories some of the residents at Villa Colima had told us, often three times in a row.
There's one dear lady who asks me every 4 minutes if I'm married, and when I tell her I'm not, she recommends that I go to Deadwood, South Dakota because back in the day in Deadwood there were 200 men to every woman. One Sunday, as soon as the church service was over, I turned to her and beat her to the punch, asking her if she was married. She wasn't, and I gave her the same advice. She was shocked!
"How did you know?!"
"Oh, it's the word on the street!"
Not more than two minutes later, she interrupted herself to ask me yet again if I was married. =)
I'm kind of senile too. Especially about the lessons I learn. And the mistakes I make. Over and over again. Some days it frustrates me. I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall, and getting nowhere. (Well, that would be obvious... Beating my head against a wall really would get me nowhere)
But seriously, I hope I can learn from my friends at Villa Colima, and be cheerful about my limitations. 'Cause my attitude is the only thing I have control over, and it makes all the difference in the world. =)
We've been going to an assisted living facility every week for the past 15 years and while the names and faces have changed through the years, the people are the same.
From the scary looking grouchy old man who melts into smiles at a hug from a little one, to the embittered old lady who is rotting in a pool of misery, to the flirting, giggling, bouncy gal who's lipstick is always just a touch too bright.
There's always the sweet grandmotherly types, the few whose children still come around at least once a week, the one's who've completely lost their memory's, but are just as happy as could be, and the one's whose minds are sharp as a whip and you wonder why they live there at all.
Some love the feeling of independence, some have no other place to go. All have lived through the Great Depression and most through two world wars. All have lost many loved ones. Some have outlived their entire families, including their children. Yet, the prevailing attitude is a positive one. What do they have to smile about? Oh yeah. They're STILL HERE!
I can learn so much from them.
I was visiting my sister-in-law last week, and we had each other rolling on the floor laughing, relating silly stories some of the residents at Villa Colima had told us, often three times in a row.
There's one dear lady who asks me every 4 minutes if I'm married, and when I tell her I'm not, she recommends that I go to Deadwood, South Dakota because back in the day in Deadwood there were 200 men to every woman. One Sunday, as soon as the church service was over, I turned to her and beat her to the punch, asking her if she was married. She wasn't, and I gave her the same advice. She was shocked!
"How did you know?!"
"Oh, it's the word on the street!"
Not more than two minutes later, she interrupted herself to ask me yet again if I was married. =)
I'm kind of senile too. Especially about the lessons I learn. And the mistakes I make. Over and over again. Some days it frustrates me. I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall, and getting nowhere. (Well, that would be obvious... Beating my head against a wall really would get me nowhere)
But seriously, I hope I can learn from my friends at Villa Colima, and be cheerful about my limitations. 'Cause my attitude is the only thing I have control over, and it makes all the difference in the world. =)
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