Luke Chapter 2

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

 
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”    

 
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:   
“ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Sad News

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Ryan, the young man from our town I had asked for prayer for, has passed away.  Please pray for his parents, his wife, his sister, and their extended family. 

I know that even though God did not answer our prayers in the way that we had hoped, God did not ignore our prayers.  He just had a different plan.

Please lift this family in prayer.  Thanks to each of you for praying.  God bless you.

Immediate Prayers Needed

I have just become aware of a young man in our community who needs prayer immediately.  He is a "local boy" and those of you who live in small towns know what I mean. His parents and grandparents have been in our community for as long as I can remember, he graduated from the local high school about 10 years ago, and everybody in town knows this young man.  Yesterday afternoon he collapsed at his home, and was rushed to University Hospital in Columbia with a brain aneurysm.  The doctors have operated, but evidently there was a lot of blood loss and a lot of damage to his brain.

I am asking each one of you to pray as you would want others to pray if this were your son.  I know that our God is a Healer.  His Word says that the prayer of faith SHALL heal the sick.  I want you to stop what you are doing, right now, and pray for Ryan, for his wife, and for his parents.  I cannot imagine what this family must be going through right now.  They need comfort.  They need the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  And Ryan needs a touch from the Great Physician.  I ask you to pray for Ryan right now, and as the Lord brings him to your mind over the next few days.

Thank you for your prayers. 

The Night Before Christmas

I want to share with you my absolute favorite Christmas song.  Now don't get me wrong.  I love the old hymns.  Silent Night.  Joy to the World.  Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.  Those are classics and they are beautiful Christmas songs.  But this song, by Brandon Heath, gives a different perspective to The Night Before Christmas.  This song always brings a tear to my eye when I think of that night so long ago and what it meant for me, what it meant for everyone on earth. 

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.  And I hope it warms your heart when you remember how that night before Christmas changed the world.  Because a Savior was born.  My Savior.

Stationery card

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Christmas Card WINNERS!!!!!

Good day to you!  I hope your days are Merry and Bright, and that you are basking in this wonderful holiday season.  It is going by much too fast for me, but these next two weeks I hope to truly enjoy the wonder of the season.  I'm going to turn up the Christmas music.  Have lots of holiday goodies on hand, and remember to thank God for sending His Son Jesus to die for us, so that we might live.

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.  I am pleased to announce that the winners of TWENTY-FIVE FREE SHUTTERFLY CHRISTMAS CARDS are Mary of Merry Yon (my blogging buddy from Oklahoma) and Tanya of The Sweet Seasons (my blogging buddy from Kansas).  I hope you enjoy the Christmas cards, and I would love to see what you chose.

Have a blessed day!!!!!  And again, a great big THANK YOU to Shutterfly for sponsoring this giveaway!  Their cards really are gorgeous!  You can check it out at SHUTTERFLY!!!!!

A Christmas Card Giveaway!!!!!

There are just EIGHTEEN more days until Christmas!!!  I can't believe it. I actually plugged our outdoor lights in yesterday.  Yeah me!!!!  I went out to the "entrance" of our farm, (that makes it sound kind of fancy, but really, it isn't), took down the Thanksgiving decorations, and put up some artificial greenery and a couple of wreaths.  I actually decorated our fireplace mantle.  I had to, because a friend of mine was coming to take family pictures for our Christmas cards yesterday!  We did some outside pictures, and some inside pictures, 'cause it was COLD here yesterday.  Actually, it's cold here today too!  But, I digress!

You might remember that last year I was selected by Shutterfly to receive 50 free Christmas cards.  They were absolutely AWESOME! The picture above is our 2010 Christmas cards.  I loved them, and had planned to order my cards through Shutterfly again this year when, lo and behold, I was offered 50 free Christmas cards from Shutterfly again this year.  And the great thing is, they gave me a couple of "coupons" for 25 free Christmas cards to offer to my blogging friends!  Aren't you excited ? ? ? ! ! !

So, here's the deal.  To enter the giveaway for 25 free Christmas cards from Shutterfly just leave me a comment and describe your favorite Christmas memory.  Or, you can share what your ultimate Christmas would be.  Or, you can just say "Merry Christmas!"  Your choice.  If you want to share the news about my giveaway on your blog, that would awesome, but you don't have to.  Just leave one comment between now and Thursday evening.  Two winners will be selected at random Thursday evening, and the winners will be announced on Friday.  That will still give you PLENTY of time to order your FREE Christmas cards from Shutterfly.

This giveaway is generously provided by Shutterfly.  I received 50 free Christmas cards from Shutterfly this year, but I can say without hesitation that their Christmas cards are the nicest I've seen, and I would order my Christmas cards from there anyway, whether they gave me any free cards or not.  That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!

Good luck . . . and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas??

THIS IS NOT MY TREE!!!!!!!!!!

I love that song.  I know, I know, you're humming it in your mind right now aren't you??

And I love Christmas time.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.  But I have to admit that, at my house, it really doesn't look ANYTHING like Christmas.

I don't have my Christmas tree put up yet.  I don't have any decorations put out at all.  I have to be honest and tell you that we left our outdoor lights up last year, but I haven't found the really long extension cord I need to plug them in so, no outdoor lights yet.

I actually have purchased some Christmas presents.  HOORAY!!!  But, I don't have anything wrapped.

So in that sea of beautifully decorated houses, and gorgeously wrapped gifts we see every day in magazines and on blogs, let me be a little bit of reality for those of you who, like me, may not have everything all together.

I know we know this in our head, but may I remind your heart, Christmas is about Jesus.  Yes, we decorate our houses and we cook lots of yummy food and we buy presents and we try to make this the perfect time of year.  But in the midst of all that work, please pause to remember, there was no tree in the stable where He was born.  The only light was the star shining above Bethlehem.  There was no feast to honor Him at His birth.  But the angels sang, and spoke those words about the only birth that brought hope to the world "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people . . . "

That is what Christmas is all about.  So chill out about the tree, and the presents, and the lights, and the food, and remember that Jesus IS the reason for the season!

Thankful Thanksgiving!!!!!

Today millions of people (including myself) are preparing for a big Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.  They are going to the grocery store, cleaning the house, and cooking like crazy.  They are stressing out over the turkey, it has to look beautifully browned.  Agonizing over the gravy ~~ can't have any lumps!  Deciding on which dressing to serve.  Do they use the good dishes?  Sure hope the weather cooperates! 

But in the midst of all that work and worry, we need to remember that as Christians, we should be celebrating Thanksgiving as a true day of giving thanks.   If you have a warm house, you are blessed.  If you have food, you are blessed.  If you aren't in the hospital, you are blessed.  And if you have a wonderful family to share the day with, as I do, then man oh man you are DOUBLY BLESSED.

I know I have so much to be thankful for.  And as I prepare for a big family Thanksgiving, with turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy and more food than I can possibly describe, I stop and say thank you to the God who saved me.  Who loves me.  Who protects me.  And who sends every good and perfect gift.  I am so blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

And The Cast is OFF!!!!!

So happy to report that Cole's foot is MUCH MUCH BETTER!  In fact, the doctor removed the cast and sent us home with a walking boot.  Cole has to wear this for two weeks, and then will complete two weeks of physical therapy, then we go back to the doctor.  I would expect at that time Cole will be released and everything will go back to normal! 

The doctor was very pleased with how the swelling had gone down, and how the pain was almost all gone.  He said he expects a COMPLETE RECOVERY!

Thanks so much to each and every one of you for your prayers!  I know that they made a difference.  You all are so sweet, and I am so blessed to know each of you!  Thank you again! 

Back to the Doctor Today

This afternoon , I will be taking Cole back to the orthopedic doctor.  They will cut the cast off and then re-evaluate.  Hopefully, the swelling has gone down and he is able to put some weight on it.  If that is the case, then they will leave the cast off and send him home with a walking boot.  No more showers with a garbage bag wrapped around his leg!  If it is not better, well, they will put another cast on it.

Please agree with me in prayer for complete healing of this foot.  I know our God is awesome.  I know He heals.  I know He saves.

I thank you for your continued prayer, and I will let you know what we find out!  Blessings to each and every one of you! 

An Update On Cole's Foot

Thank you so much for all your prayers for Cole and his injured foot.  We went to an orthopedic group last week and the doctor said he was amazed at how much swelling and pain Cole was still feeling, when the MRI and xrays didn't show any tendon or ligament damage.  He actually put Cole in a hard cast (yes, he's still on crutches) and told him to come back in two weeks.  At that time they will take the cast off and look at his foot again.  The doctor thinks by then the swelling will be down considerably, and so will his pain.  Assuming the foot is better they will probably put him in a walking cast for a couple more weeks.  That is what we are praying for!!  He is REALLY tired of crutches!

Please keep praying for complete healing of Cole's foot.  I'll let you know what the doctor says next week.  And thanks again for your prayers! 

It Was A Dark And Stormy . . . Morning????

Wow!  What a difference a few hours makes.  Last night I was sitting at a football game (the first postseason game for our local high school team since 1993!) and it was beautiful.  68 degrees and a nice warm breeze blowing.  We lost the football game, but the evening was incredible.  Filled with the sounds of the bands playing, the crowd cheering, and the smell of popcorn and hot dogs.  Good friends and a great evening.  It was perfect. 

And then we headed home from the game.  And then it started raining.  And the wind began to howl.  All night long it rained and the wind beat raindrops against the window right next to our bed.  And this morning, it is 37 degrees.  And the rain is still falling.  And the wind is still howling.  And that mean old Mr. Weatherman even said we MIGHT get a few snowflakes this afternoon before this little squall moves through.  YUCK.  I hope you are WRONG Mr. Weatherman.  I want yesterday back!

Can You Believe It Is November?????

Today I am writing 11-1-11.  November 1, 2011.  I really can't believe it is November.  And the weather doesn't know it's November either.  Today it is supposed to be 75 degrees.  And that's WARM for Missouri in November.  But tomorrow, well, tomorrow November will arrive.  Rain will start tomorrow afternoon (rain that we desperately need I might add), and the temperatures will begin to PLUMMET down to the 40s by tomorrow night.  And then on Thursday, it is supposed to rain and only be in the 50s.  Now THAT is normal November weather for our neck of the woods.

I wish I could send some of this rain down to all my friends in Oklahoma and Texas.  They need the rain more than we do, and we need rain.

So are  you ready for November?  Are you ready for the time change this weekend (I'm NOT!)?  Have you started Christmas shopping yet, or are you like me, haven't really even THOUGHT about it!  We better get ready, 'cause the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us!!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the arrival of November!  

Pumpkins

I have been very TARDY in decorating for fall this year.  I can't really explain it.  I don't know that I am any busier this year than last, it just seems like I haven't been on top of things and getting things decorated like I usually do.  I mean, it's not like I do a LOT of outdoor fall decorating, but, I usually do something!  If I wait much longer it won't be fall anymore, so I figured I had to get busy soon!

So, last weekend I bought 4 pretty good sized bright orange pumpkins, and I asked my husband to bring some straw bales up to our fence at the front gate so I could do some decorating.  I dropped the pumpkins off up by the gate last weekend on my way home from the store, and they've sat there ever since.  It took a couple of days for the husband to get the straw bales up to the gate so finally, yesterday, I stacked the bales up and placed the 4 pumpkins on the straw.  Now mind you I don't have any mums or anything up there yet.  This is a work in progress people.  But at least I felt like I had done something.

This morning, as usual, I head out at 4:50 a.m. to go into town for my morning walk, and lo and behold, one of my pumpkins was missing.  I stopped and backed up so I could get a good look in the headlights and, sure enough, where there had been 4 pumpkins, now there were 3.

Now I ask you, why would someone steal a pumpkin?  And, if you were going to steal a pumpkin, why wouldn't you steal ALL of them? 

These are things that make me say hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???????

Our God Is Awesome!!!!!

Thank you to each person who prayed for our son.  I am always amazed at the Godly people our Lord has placed into my life.  I am so happy to report that we have received the results from the MRI and there is NO tendon damage, NO ligament damage, NO ankle damage.  NOTHING THAT REQUIRES SURGERY!  I am just praising our Lord because I know this is an answer to prayer.  Even our doctor was amazed at the MRI results.  He said he was certain Cole had tendon and ligament damage, and that he would require surgery to put in pins and plates to repair the foot.  Cole does have what the doctor called "microfractures" throughout his foot.  The doctor described it as hitting a windshield with a hammer.  The windshield doesn't break, but there are tiny cracks everywhere.  He said the treatment for these microfractures is immobilization, and time.  So, we have an appointment with an orthopedic group next week, and he said they would probably put him in a cast or a boot for 6 weeks to allow the foot to heal.

Again, I am so excited and so thankful to the Lord for hearing our prayers and for answering them.  And, I am praying for each one of you.  That the Lord will bless you for every prayer you lifted to heaven for Cole.  You are an awesome group of friends, and I am humbled to be a part of your lives.

I will keep you updated over the coming weeks as to how Cole is doing, and I am expecting to report nothing less than a complete recovery. 

So to you, my blogging friends, I say again ~~ thank you, thank you, thank you.  May God bless you in a mighty, mighty way. 

Needing Your Prayers Today

My dear friends.  Today, I ask for your prayers.  A week ago Sunday our son hurt his foot on the 4-wheeler.  We took him to the ER and they x-rayed it but it showed nothing broken.  So they sent him home with crutches and told him it should be better in a week or so.  The foot is no better.  Still very swollen and very bruised and very sore.  Yesterday we took him to our doctor and he said the foot is beginning to be infected due to all the bruising.  He put Cole on an antibiotic, and said if it wasn't better by today, he would have to give him something stronger.  He is also sending us for an MRI this afternoon.  I wish I could say I thought his foot looked better this morning, but it doesn't.  Cole is miserable.  He is so tired of his foot being swollen and hurting constantly.  And I am worried about the infection.

So today, please if you would lift my son in prayer today for complete healing in Jesus name.  And while I am asking for prayers, please pray for my sister, Rhonda.  She cut her foot early this morning on a half opened can of dog food and went to the ER and got 10 stitches. 

I thank each one of you in advance for praying.  The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:19  “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."  I am standing on that this morning as we lift Cole and Rhonda before the Great Physician!  Thank you for your prayers, and may the Lord bless you and your families today! 

Christmas Cards Already ? ? ? ? ? ?

I know what you're thinking.  It CAN'T be time to think about Christmas cards yet.  Why, it's still October for cryin' out loud!  Well, may I remind you that if you send out your Christmas cards the first week of December, then you have only 5 weeks to get those family pictures taken, cards ordered, and addressed, and stamped and mailed!  REALLY -- ONLY 5 WEEKS!!!!

You may recall that last year I blogged about my TERRIFIC experience with SHUTTERFLY.  Shutterfly is an on-line company that allows you to store your digital photos, and they also offer prints, photo books, mugs, and, you guessed it CHRISTMAS CARDS!  Last year I was so blessed to receive free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly and I can tell you they are the NICEST photo Christmas cards I have ever sent out.  So many people asked me where I had purchased my Christmas cards last year, that I had already decided that Shutterfly would be my choice for my Christmas cards for this year.

Well, Shutterfly has once again offered a tremendous opportunity for me to once again receive free Christmas cards from them.  I AM SO EXCITED.

Now my wonderful readers, in the spirit of full disclosure, I must make you aware that Shutterfly is providing me with 50 free Christmas cards this year.  I can also tell you that under no circumstance would I tell you I liked something that I didn't.  Under no circumstance would I recommend something to you that I wouldn't pay for myself.  If I don't have my integrity, I don't have anything.  So you can trust me when I say these Shutterfly Christmas cards are so much nicer than the Christmas cards I had been purchasing through Wal-Mart. You can trust me when I say I would have ordered my Christmas cards from Shutterfly even if they hadn't provided me with free cards.

Click on www.shutterfly.com and you will see what I mean.  They have religious cards, traditional cards, and funny cards.  They have formal cards and flashy cards.  You name it, they offer it.  I haven't decided which cards I am going to use this year . . . I LOVE THEM ALL!!

Click on the links below to look at all the really NEAT things Shutterfly has to offer:

·         holiday cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards                

·         Christmas cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

·         greeting cards http://www.shutterfly.com/greetings/index.jsp

·         Christmas photo cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

·         calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars  

·         photo gifts http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts

Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q 

So, get yourself to Shutterfly.com and browse their HUGE selection of Christmas cards, calendars and other exciting things they have to offer.  You'll be glad you did!  

 

F-R-O-S-T!!!!

Brrrrrrrr!!!  We had our first frost this morning.  I hate to say it, but everything looked so pretty with the frost on the grass and steam rising from the pond in front of our house.  It really was beautiful.

It is supposed to warm up, and we are expecting another beautiful fall weekend.   So the frost this morning was just a hint of the cold weather to come.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and frost is a part of fall so I won't complain.  I plan to soak up every precious moment of this upcoming weekend and be thankful to God that He gave us four seasons to enjoy!

Blessings to you all my friends!

We Have a WINNER !!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies for participating in my giveaway.  Isn't it a blessing to know that we can get excited over measuring spoons??  Our Lord is so good for allowing us to be entertained by the simple things in life.

I have enjoyed using my new spoons and I know the winner will enjoy using them too.

So now, after putting all the names in a hat, praying for the Lord to pick who He wants to bless with these awesome new spoons, I drew out one name, and the winner is . . . ASHLEY!!!

Ashley, I will be e-mailing you for your mailing address.  I really hope you enjoy using these spoons as much as I have enjoyed this giveaway.  Once again, thanks to each one of you for reading Down On The Farm!  I hope it makes you smile.  Blessings to you ALL!!!!

Last Day For My Giveaway!!!!!

Just reminding you that today at 5:00 p.m. is the cutoff for my giveaway.  What?  You don't know anything about my giveaway?  Well, I am giving away a gorgeous set of Ganz cross measuring spoons!  So, click HERE and leave a comment and you will be entered to win these spoons.  Leaving a comment on THIS POST will NOT enter you to win the measuring spoons, so click on the link to be returned to the original post about the spoons!  I will be announcing the winner tomorrow!

Oh, and one more thing.  GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twenty-Six

Today, my sweet husband and I have been married twenty-six years.

We have had easy days, and hard days.

We have had good days, and some not so good days.

We have had days with plenty of money to spend, and days with no money to spend.

We have thankfully had many more days of health, than sickness.

We have received two of the greatest blessings we could ever have asked for in our children.

I cannot imagine my life without my husband.  He is a blessing to me.  And I pray that we have many, many, many, many more years of health and happiness together! 

My Spaghetti Sauce

One of our "go to" meals is spaghetti.  We love it, seriously, and we eat a lot of spaghetti.  Spaghetti is pure comfort food, and if you've always used spaghetti sauce from a jar, let me tell you how EASY, and inexpensive, it is to make it yourself.  Don't be afraid.  You can do it!!  Come on, I'll show you!

I'm pretty sure you know how to get to this part.  Fry up 2 pounds of ground beef, and boil your spaghetti noodles according to package directions.

 Fry your hamburger until it is no longer pink.  This wasn't quite done.  Then boil your noodles until al dente.  And just in case your mama never told you, splash a little bit of olive oil into the water before adding the noodles.  Helps to keep them from sticking together.








Once your hamburger and the noodles are done, add two cans of tomato sauce to the hamburger.  I use Always Save or Best Choice brands.  I've used the more expensive brands but really, I can't find ONE IOTA of difference.  So save yourself some money and buy the store brand!

Once the tomato sauce and the hamburger are mixed together, you have a blank canvas to create your own spaghetti sauce.  You can make it your own.  Hot and spicy, mild, sweet.  Whatever you like.  Here's what I use:

Minced garlic, garlic powder (we really like garlic), oregano, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and, the secret ingredient that makes my spaghetti sauce out-of-this-world-delicious, brown sugar.  That's right.  The brown sugar mellows out the sharp tomato taste.  And the sweet brown sugar and the tangy garlic and oregano, mmmm, mmmm, MMMM!  YUM!!  Trust me on this one.

Now I know you want to know measurements.  Because when someone tells me how to make something, I always want measurements.  But I don't measure anything when I make my spaghetti sauce.  I just start shaking things in, and then tasting.  When it comes to adding the brown sugar, I would start with one tablespoon and then add to taste.  I probably put in at least two tablespoons, but we like our spaghetti with a pretty strong hint of sweetness behind all that garlic goodness. 

Doesn't that look DELICIOUS!!!  So, the next time you're looking for something quick and easy to fix for supper, make homemade spaghetti!  It's fast, it's easy, and it really is DELICIOUS! 

Much Better

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who prayed for me these past few days.  I am happy to report that my neck is feeling MUCH MUCH better.  I still have a little "twinge" once in awhile, but for the most part the pain is GONE. 

Isn't it amazing that the God who created the universe still hears the prayers of His children?  And that His mighty hand still reaches down and touches us with His healing power?  I am so blessed!

Prayers For Healing Please

Girls, I have a prayer request . . . for myself.  Last week I woke up one morning with a horrible "crick" in my neck on the right side.  It was pain-ful.  After a couple of days it went away, so I didn't think much about it.  Day before yesterday it hit me again.  I've tried heat.  I've tried massaging my neck.  I've tried moving my head slowly from side to side to try to gently stretch the muscles.  But just when I think its feeling better, it hits me again.

I have no other symptoms.  No cold, no fever, no headache, nothing but a really, really, really sore neck.  If I move it the wrong way, well, oh my, the pain is sharp.

So, would you please begin to pray for my neck?  I know that God is a healer, and while most of the time I think of "healing" to mean healing for cancer, or healing from an accident, I KNOW that God is more than able to heal this old stiff neck of mine.  So would you please agree with me right now for healing, in Jesus name.

Thank you gals so much for praying!  I don't know what I would do without my bloggin' buddies!  I love each and every one of you, and I want you to know that pray for you too!

Fresh Anointing Power

Following is a copy of a old devotion by David Wilkerson, who passed away last spring.  If you are feeling down in your spirit.  If you are wondering why this trial just won't pass. If you are sick and tired of the enemy wreaking havoc in your life, then YOU need to read THIS:

FRESH ANOINTING POWER by David Wilkerson

God allows your trial because He wants to make you “devil-proof”! That does not mean you will not be attacked again but you will be trained to stand! It is all part of His preparing you for greater service, greater anointing and expanded usefulness in His kingdom.  Furthermore, the Lord is trying to strengthen you against the devil’s wiles. He is raising up a body of believers who have faced the devil, who have been strengthened against him, and who know his devices and are not afraid of him! God is saying, “Once you understand why you are going through this, you will have taken back all the ground you lost. You will be in control again—by the power of the Holy Spirit!”  Once Elijah’s trial was over (see 1 Kings 19) he would never run again. He now had a sense of direction and he was reassured in his spirit. You see, God was about to send him to nations to raise up kings, leaders and prophets!  God told Elijah: “Go, return on your way...anoint Hazael as king over Syria...anoint Jehu...as king over Israel. And Elisha...you shall anoint as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah had been given fresh anointing power. He was in control again!  “So he departed from there” (verse 19). Elijah came out of the cave to do God’s will! He did not have to shed a river of tears. No, he simply had heard the Word of the Lord!  Beloved, the only hold the devil can have on you is fear. And you must shake it off in faith! You have to say, “I am not going down. God is going to give me a fresh anointing from heaven—He is going to use me!”  Do you believe that God is not finished with you—that He is teaching and training you for better things? He wants to speak to you in your cave of despondency. He wants to tell you what to do and where to go—and He wants to bring you out!  So get up out of your despair and shake off the bondage of fear and depression! Depart from your cave. You will discover that the moment you get up and walk out, the anointing will flow!

I don't know about YOU, but I needed to be reminded of this today.  I need to be reminded of just who I am IN CHRIST!  I needed to be reminded that the enemy has NO authority over me and my family.  We need to speak those things which be NOT as though they are, and give the devil his marching orders in Jesus name.  We have no power over the devil on our own.  But thank God, Jesus left us all the power we need.  At the name of Jesus every knee must bow, and the enemy must flee!  So today, pray for that fresh anointing power to fall in your life and in your home.  God has a plan for you.  A good plan.  Do not let the enemy steal that from you.

Praise the Lord!!!

I'm Back!!!!!

Wow!  I can't believe our week in Mexico is over and we are back to real life.  To say we had a BALL would be an understatement.  The weather was beautiful (except for our last day at sea when Tropical Depression Lee decided to make an appearance). 

I am so thankful that my two sisters and I got to spend an entire week together.  We have never done that before, and we have all agreed that we need to spend time together MUCH more often.

If you've never been on a cruise, I highly recommend it.  It is extremely relaxing, and the beach in Cozumel, Mexico is beautiful. 

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us while we were gone, and thanks to God for keeping His hand upon us.

Four Years Ago Today

Four years ago today a family in our little town was involved in a car accident.  It was a Friday night, and they had been to "open house" at school.  Their 11 year old daughter was excited to begin 6th grade.  So she brought her school supplies to put in her locker and came to meet her teacher and see all of her friends before school started on Monday.

We didn't see them that night.  Although our daughter, Alex was the same age, we didn't go to open house, and instead went to the local football "jamboree," a kind of pre-season football scrimmage.  Our son Cole was a freshman, and on the football team, so we went to the jamboree instead.  I remember that night so well.  It POURED and I mean POURED down rain.  We sat in the stands watching the kids play and just got soaking wet.

As we headed back home after the game, and back into town to pick up Cole from the team bus, we came upon an accident scene like nothing I have seen before.  More highway patrol cars than you can imagine.  Lights everywhere.  And just off the edge of the road a dark pickup truck that had obviously been involved in a horrible accident, and bob-tailed semi-truck off the road as well.  We drove by and I remember saying a prayer for those involved and then we headed home.  Within an hour my telephone was ringing.  The owners of the dark pickup truck were a family in Eldon.  The mom a local girl from our little town.  The dad a highway patrolman.  Their daughter, a friend of my daughter.  She had been to my house many times, and Alex to her house.  Their son, a few years younger. 

I will spare you the details, but the little girl never regained consciousness.  The rest of the family sustained minor injuries, the brother, a broken collar bone, but the daughter, well, the impact of the accident was on her side of the truck. 

Today, my daughter and all of her friends are wearing pink in honor of the little girl.  Pink was her favorite color.  I ask for each of you to lift this family before the Lord today and ask Him to strengthen them, and encourage them.  It has been a difficult road for them as we can only imagine.  They have a new blessing in their family, another son.  But I know that the memory of their daughter never leaves their mind, and the memory of that rainy night four years ago. 

Today I am praying for them, and for all of the girls in that group of friends who are remembering their friend today.  And tonight, I will hold my daughter, and son, a little bit tighter, and give them both an extra hug as they head off to bed.  And I will thank God for my blessings.  Please remember this family in your prayers today.

Head to Veranda Interiors For a Giveaway

My blogging friend Melissa at Veranda Interiors is having a cool giveaway!  If you've never visited Melissa's blog, you are in for a REAL TREAT!  She lives "up North" in Canada, and she and her husband have just built a gorgeous new home.  Actually, they build LOTS of new homes as she and her husband are builder/developers.  Her new home is absolutely stunning and she will be posting more pictures soon.  So head on over to Veranda Interiors for a chance to win.  You'll be so glad you did! 

Tuesday Things

Wow, this past week has been BU-SY!!!!  I know you all are in the same boat.  Summer winding down, school starting back up.  It's a crazy time of the year!

My daughter Alex  started her sophomore year of high school last Thursday.  Many of her friends have already turned 16 and are driving to school.  YIKES!!!  I know Alex is COUNTING THE DAYS until her birthday, but this mama is glad that we have a few more months before this happens at our house.  I know it will be fine, I just need a little more time to adjust (I KNOW you all know what I mean!).

Cole started college yesterday.  Wait a minute, and I'll repeat that, 'cause I can't believe it myself.  "Cole started college yesterday."  Wow.  I am the mother of a college student.  I can't believe it.  Where have the years gone?  I remember his first day of Montessori School.  His first day of kindergarten.  His first day of high school.  The first day of his senior year.  And now, his first day of college has passed.  Time marches on.

A couple of weeks ago I hinted to you about a trip I am taking.  Well, the trip is almost here and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.  I am leaving this weekend and taking a trip with my two beautiful sisters.  And, wait for it, wait for it, WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE TO MEXICO!  Can you believe it??  We have never gone anywhere, just the three of us.  A couple of times we've gotten together for an afternoon to do some Christmas shopping but we have never taken time to do something together, just the three of us.  I would have loved for our parents to come with us.  And while my dad would love it, my mom is terrified of the water, and couldn't bring herself to cruise so, unfortunately, they aren't coming.  I am disappointed.  I would have LOVED that time, just the five of us, like it used to be, but that's O.K.  I could NOT enjoy myself knowing my mother was terrified, so we will take tons of pictures and tell her all about it.

We leave out of Galveston, Texas on Monday, on a Carnival Cruise.  I promise to post pictures when I return and share a little about our trip so those of you who have never cruised before can see if it is something you would be interested in doing.   We took our kids on a cruise nearly 6 years ago.  In fact, we are sailing on the same cruise ship, but stopping in one different port.  Obviously, I loved the cruise or I wouldn't be going again.  And, cruising is probably the most inexpensive vacation you can take.  Seriously.  The three of us are staying in an ocean view room, all meals included, for $388 per person.  Yes, you read that right.  $388 apiece.  For the room, all the delicious food you can eat, and a trip to the white sandy beaches of Mexico. 

I would appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare for our trip.  For great weather, and for smooth sailing (NO TROPICAL STORMS OR HURRICANES PLEASE :))!!!  And most particularly I am asking our Lord to bless this sister time, that we will come back rested and refreshed, and even more thankful to the Lord that he sent the three of us to be sisters.  I am so blessed!

Books Are Expensive!!!

Cole starts college on Monday.  I can't begin to express all of the emotions tied up in that phrase.  Pride, excitement, sadness.  But enough about that for now.  I might get a little teary eyed.

Cole went to the campus book store to purchase his books yesterday.  He bought three used books and one new book.  I know, a new book, but, the new book isn't available as a used book, it's BRAND NEW, so he had no choice.  But the new book wasn't the most expensive book.  The most expensive book he purchased, which was used, was $117.  A book on Chemistry.  It's paperback.

The total for all four books . . . $403.00.  Isn't that ridiculous?  I mean, really, its paper.  $403.00.  They don't LOOK like they cost $403.00, do they?

Thank heavens for a scholarship that provides a $500 book allowance!

Relief

We have finally gotten some RELIEF from the heat here in Missouri.  It is still warm of course (hey, it's still August in Missouri), but no longer BRUTALLY HOT.  Early last week we had high temperatures well over 100.  By the end of the week, it had cooled down and we had actually gotten some rain.  Rain.  I had to remind myself what rain looked like and felt like, but we got it.  And we needed it desperately.  It has been so dry that we aren't out of the woods yet.  But at  least we are beginning to feel that the worse is over. 


And just like we need relief from extreme weather, sometimes we need relief from situations in our lives.  Thank God that HE promised in Matthew 11:28-30;  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Does this mean that by putting your trust in the Lord you won't have problems.  I really wish it did, but it doesn't.  Even Jesus said in John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

We have good days and bad days.  Honestly, we have great days and then really HORRIBLE days.  And sometimes we just have days where they all run together and you just feel tired and worn out.  You feel like you're doing all you can do, and it isn't enough.  Listen to me.  When you feel like that RUN TO JESUS!  Run to Him.  He is the only one who can send that sweet relief, His Holy Spirit.

Sometimes it isn't the "big" things that get us down, although we all know those big things aren't fun.  But many times, in my own life, sometimes I just need reassurance that it's all O.K.  That He is in control of my life.  And He is . . . IF I LET HIM and that can be tough.  Really tough.

Trust in the Lord.  And really trusting Him means DON'T WORRY.  It means praying for rain, and trusting that HE will send it in His time.  That can be tough too.

So today, I am thankful to the Lord for some relief from this extreme summer, and I am thankful for relief for my soul.  He never fails.  Thank you Jesus.

Rain Is A Good Thing

This morning it rained at my house.  Not a storm, not a downpour.  But a nice soft rain.

I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for every drop of rain that falls from the sky.  And for it being a little bit cooler.  We have been so hot and dry here, it has been miserable.  We need a lot more rain, and for it to cool down significantly.  But, today, I am thankful for rain.  Thank you Jesus for this rain!!!!!

What . . . .

What I've been doing . . .

Well, I've been working, and I've been canning and freezing.  We've done green beans, we've done corn, and last night we canned 16 pints of salsa.  Our second crop of corn is growing, so hopefully we will be freezing more corn.  We are planting our "fall" green beans this week, so hopefully we will be canning more green beans in a couple of months.  Our tomatoes are ripening every day, so we will be canning more salsa later this week.  Can I just say that my hands smell like onions and green peppers and garlic! I will also be making some peach jam, and down the road, some delicious apple butter.  I've also been watching our daughter play summer volleyball . . . in an un-airconditioned gym.  

What I'm tired of . . . 

The HEAT!  Today is supposed to be our hottest day so far with an actual temperature of 106 and a heat index around 115.  We are so dry here.  In desperate need of a cool down, and we MUST have some rain.  Our pastures are drying up very quickly.  I haven't mowed the yard in weeks which isn't that big of a deal.  But, if my yard isn't growing, that means the grass in the pastures isn't growing either.  Which isn't good when you raise cattle.

What I'm praying for . . .

For our country today, and our leaders, that they will use common sense and good judgment in all of their decisions.  I am praying (as always) for my family.  For protection and for health and most of all for their hearts to ALWAYS seek the Lord and His will in their life.  I am praying for a friend's husband who has cancer and isn't doing very well.  I am praying for rain for all of those who need it.

What I'm looking forward to . . . 

A trip that I am taking with my two sweet sisters later this month.   We have never gone anywhere, just the three of us.  So we decided it was time.  We all three need a break, and we are going to be gone for a WEEK the end of August/first part of September.  I'll be sharing more details later in the month, but I will tell you this . . . I had to get a passport!!  


What I am thankful for today . . . 

For salvation first and foremost.  For my wonderful family.  For my health and the health of all those I love.  For my job.  For air conditioning, and a refrigerator full of food.  I am so very blessed.  

 

Fair Time

I don't know about where YOU are, but here in Missouri it is brutally hot, and has been for a couple of weeks.  Bad news is, there really is no relief in sight.  Regular followers know that I am not a summertime person.  Don't get me wrong, I don't want it to be 10 below zero, but when its above 85 degrees, well, I don't like it.  Fall is my favorite season.  And that's about the only thing that keeps me going during the summer, knowing that fall is truly just around the corner. Pumpkins, crisp days, no humidity, sweaters.  Please fall, HURRY UP!!!!!!!!  I'm melting . . . . . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Missouri, hot weather also means "Fair Time!"  This past week my kids showed their steers at the Miller County Fair.  Yes it was hot sitting on the bleachers in the sun, but I don't miss one minute of anything my kids are doing . . . even showing steers on the hottest day of the year!  I was so proud!!!

In addition to showing steers, Cole entered the flat bed trailer he built in FFA ag mechanics and HE WAS NAMED GRAND CHAMPION!!!!

It was a great week for our family.  Something we all do together, which I think is so important for families these days.  Keeping the kids involved in our farming operation, and having fun while we do it is our goal and so far it seems to be working!

Now, if we could just get some cooler temperatures!  Have a blessed day! 

We Can

And when I say "we can."  I'm not being encouraging, or inspirational.  I mean literally, WE CAN.  WE CAN GREEN BEANS!!!

Ya pick 'em, ya wash 'em, and wash 'em, and wash'em, and then ya snap 'em, and then ya wash 'em again, and again.  Ya put 'em in the quart jars, ya put 'em in the canner.  And then ya pressure cook the heck out of them for 25 minutes at 10 pounds pressure.  And out come THE MOST DELICIOUS GREEN BEANS YOU HAVE EVER EATEN.

We've canned 25 quarts so far.  At least 75 more quarts to go.  But some of them we will do in the fall.  When it is a little bit COOLER!!  It is HOT in Missouri in July!

In case you are wondering, yes, this is a lot of work.  It is miserable picking beans when it is 100 degrees.  You're sweaty, you're itchy, you're miserable.  But, when you sit down to delicious home canned green beans cooked with bacon and onion.  Yum, yum, yum.  Worth every minute! 

No More Drip, Drip, Drip

Our kitchen faucet has been dripping for quite a while.  Think months of dripping.  At first it was no big deal.  I just had to move the handle a little bit and it would stop dripping.  We live out in the country, water is free, so fixing a drip really wasn't a priority.  Over the last couple of months, the dripping has been getting worse, and it is harder and harder to move the handle to find a spot where it won't drip.  But still, I've got bigger fish to fry than a dripping faucet, so I ignored it, and just kept moving the handle to find a spot where it doesn't drip.

Here is the old, dripping faucet.  

Looks harmless enough doesn't it???  Well, there's more.


This week I got home from work and opened up the cabinets under the sink to get something, and there was water everywhere.  My dripping faucet that hadn't been a big deal, suddenly became a HUGE DEAL.  The drip, drip didn't bother me.  Water under the sink, now THAT got my attention.

So, I did what anyone would do.  I, got a brand new faucet.  

Check out that bad boy.  The sprayer is a pull-down style.  I've never had one of those before, so I'll have to let you know what I think.  It is an AquaSource brand, got it at Lowe's for $98. And the best thing of all . . . no more drip drip drip.  No more water under the sink.  Life is good.

Oh, and stay tuned for some "canning" pictures over the weekend.  Our garden is coming right along, and tonight, we can green beans!

$4.05 A Gallon And I Don't Mean Gas!!!!!

Yesterday, I went to the grocery store and bought this:

 

When I got to the checkout, I saw this:

$4.05.

Can somebody please tell me when the price of milk jumped so high?  I mean, I know the price of EVERYTHING seems to be skyrocketing these days.  But come on?  $4.05 for a gallon of milk????

Ta Da!!! My Bathroom!!!

Finally!! Pictures of  my bathroom!!  As you know, I've been remodeling my bathroom here at Down On The Farm.  If you don't remember the "before" you can check out the slice of 1968 awesomeness  HERE.  The difference is incredible.  Where there was one sink ~~ now there are TWO!  Where there was just a bathtub too shallow to use ~~ there is a SHOWER!  Where there was one ugly flat mirror, now there are these two lovely espresso framed mirrors.  I love it.  Ta Da!!

To truly appreciate the AFTER you have to have seen the BEFORE!  The bathroom looks completely different.

This long countertop (eight feet long!) had one sink in the middle, and one plain mirror on the wall.  We got a new countertop with two sinks.   And the bathtub, well, it is a five foot bathtub and it only holds water about six inches deep.  There was no shower at all, and a window over the tub. 

We kept the blue tub.  I know, I know, I didn't want to.  But, it is cast iron and would have had to have been sawed into pieces to remove it.  We remodeled on a budget, working with what we had, so the tub stayed.  We also kept the 1968 white tile.  Not what I truly wanted but, again, the most inexpensive way to work with what we had.  The window had to go.  And it was replaced with a glass block "window."  Honestly, I love it!  It lets in light, while maintaining complete privacy and, I think it looks pretty COOL!

And, as an added bonus, I know have four receptacles instead of just two.  They moved the receptacles and centered them between the two mirrors.  So now, I can have the blow dryer, curling iron, and my electric toothbrush all plugged in at once.  I'm in heaven!!!

I also promised to give you the skinny on the cost of our remodel.  To recap, we kept the old vanity, and bought a new cultured marble countertop.  We kept the old tub and the old tile, we just plumbed a shower over the bathtub and replaced the old window with a glass block one.  The new cultured marble countertop was $625.00 installed.  It isn't granite, or marble, jor quartz, just good old "builder's marble" but I think it looks AWESOME!  I went with a granite "look" which cost me a little bit more, but it was definitely worth it.  I priced a new vanity and it was going to be about $800.00.  So, I decided the keep the old vanity and down the road I will try to find some new pulls for the drawers and doors.  We also had to buy two new faucets.  I went with oil rubbed bronze (LOVE THEM) and they were at Lowe's, $90.00 each.  PVC plumbing for the sink drains again came from Lowe's and was about $80.00.  I also bought two new mirrors at Lowe's, and they were $30 each.  Beautiful! 

We hired someone to run the new plumbing for the shower, take out the old window and install the new glass block window.  He tiled up around the new shower and new window.  He purchased all of the tile and grout.  He purchased all the plumbing pipe and the fixtures, and he purchased the glass block window.  He also repainted the room and moved the electrical.  His cost, labor and materials, was $1,400.00.  The gallon of paint was $30.00.  I know, I thought $30 for a gallon of paint was high too, but I used a paint color from the house of a friend and no place else would match it.  Sooo, I had to go to Sherwin Williams, and the cheapest paint they had was $30 a gallon.  But, I will say I LOVE the color.  It looks so much more updated and gives the room a fresh look.  That makes a total of about $2,350.00 to remodel the bathroom.  Could I have spent more, absolutely!  But I tried to get the most bang for my buck and I believe I did. 

I truly wish you could see the difference in the room.   It is so much more functional, and looks SOOOO much nicer.  I wish I'd done it years ago.  So, for those of you living in old ranch style houses . . . take heart!  A new bathroom is well within your reach!  Keep what you can, and spend on what will REALLY make a difference to you!  

Summertime

Summertime in Missouri is HOT.  HOT and HUMID.  And at Down On The Farm, summertime means garden time.  Our garden got a bit of a late start because it was so cold and damp, but it's doing great now.   These are green beans.  We LOVE 'em.  We'll probably can 150 quarts of green beans this year.  Have I mentioned we eat a lot of green beans? 

And since the cows get hungry too, we bale lots and lots of these babies.

YUM!  At least I think that's what these cows are thinking as they look across the fence at the hay bales.  Doesn't that cow looking straight at you seem to be saying YUM??

And then there are THESE guys.  They don't get out much.  Actually, they don't get out at all.  Until they head to the processing plant.

It is so pretty this time of year. 

And you remember that fire pit we made last summer?  Well, here it is.  We have spent many evenings sitting around that fire pit.  And I've eaten several steaks grilled on that fire pit.  And just in case you're wondering . . . NO, we do NOT burn the wood on top of the grate.  I just stacked the wood on top of the grate so I could mow the yard. 

How about that corn?  Doesn't that look YUMMY!!!!  Later this year we're gonna grill some ears of corn over our fire pit.  After we freeze many, many, quarts of corn.  We ran out of corn this year.  We eat a lot of corn.  So we must freeze MORE CORN.  In fact, we planted three more rows of corn after I took this picture. 

And these tomato plants.  WOW!  That is fresh salsa waitin' to happen people!!!!

Corn.  Yum.

Yes, life is busy, but good here at Down On The Farm!  Thank you Lord for your many blessings!