Thrifting and Farming

Our town had a "Friends of the Library" sale, and we picked up a few bargains.  The girls went one day, then Sarah and I went on the day they had, "fill a bag for $3."  These were some I picked up and Sarah filled the bag with her choices.  Love great deals, and it supports the library as well.

I found a book for 99 cents from the Left Behind series at another place we love to go, and then Sarah and Jenny went with my parents to the flea market up the road and found A-Team comic books!  Can you believe it?  Too funny!  I didn't even know they made those.  They had to pick up a couple.  Sarah found another series she and her dad have really enjoyed and picked up the 2nd in that series.

Found this DVD for less $3, hope I will like it; I haven't had the chance to try it yet.  This was at our beloved used bookstore, McKay's!

Julia has been looking for a coin purse and Sarah found this genuine leather one for a whopping 99 cents!  This place supports missions in the Knoxville area, and we love going there.

I like simple pull-on shirts, especially for less than $3.

I am wanting the girls to make me an earring holder with this frame.  I am not crafty and really don't enjoy it either, so I'm glad they do and they are very good at it.  Julia had made one for her; you take the glass out and put burlap in then put the back on after pulling the burlap tight, and then you just stick your earrings in.  It doesn't work for posts but that's ok.  This is an 11x14 frame for, again, less than $3!  I'll try and get a pic after it is finished.  Have to find the burlap, hmmmm, where did it go?  I am not a fan of burlap stuff, it's very messy, but it works great for this.

Canning tomatoes!

Peppers coming out our ears!  Chopping, slicing and freezing!

I don't think you have seen our new chickens.  They are so pretty!  We have 12 new ones and they are already producing around 10 eggs a day!  There are 3 different kinds, Rhode Island Reds are the red ones :) , the brighter black and white ones are Silver Laced Wyandotes, and then Barred Plymouth Rocks.  They are all so docile, and are laying lots of eggs.  They stay right with me while I am cleaning their waterer and refilling it at the creek.  Love them!

Hope you enjoy a bit of our everyday lives, some days are extremely busy, and others are quite relaxed.

Getting ready for our last study tonight with some friends.  We have gone through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace DVD study.  It has been very good and informational.  Hopefully, we will be doing Focus on the Family's Family Project next.  It looks very good.  We participated in The Truth Project and it was super, so I expect this to be as good.

Have a super Thursday, and smile an extra smile today!

Don't forget I love comments, a kind word, an encouraging word, they are always welcome!

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody

Resting and Relaxing

Some days are simply meant for relaxing...yes, that was for one day last week.  It was so very good.  Sitting, with book in hand, that's what you need some days.  

Lying in all kinds of positions is how you might find one on a day like this...

A few weeks ago we had two turkey hens with eight poults following close behind.  It was so sweet to watch the littles following, then get distracted, and run to catch back up.  A lone hen came towards them at one point and one of the moms took the little ones on, while the other went to let the lone hen know, in no uncertain terms, all feathered and fluffed, she was not welcome with them.  She then ran to catch up with the others and off they went.  The poor, lone hen left following at a safe distance behind.  It was interesting to watch their behavior.  You can learn so much in the country...

 When you have the chores finished, sit, read, relax, be still, meditate on what God has done in your life, and what He is doing.  Then, play, laugh, watch a movie, that's what this family loves to do, after all the work is done, of course.  Well, sometimes, before it gets finished...shhhh.

Have a wonderful day!

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him."

Psalm 37:7a

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Sarah - 22!!!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY

SARAH!!!

Wednesday was Sarah Elizabeth's 22nd birthday.  Wow!  How did that happen?!?  I was just in the hospital room having my first baby, my first daughter...yes, 22 years ago!!!  Oh my, how time flies!

What memories we have had, the fun, struggles, laughs, discussions, all making the wonderful memories of 22 years.  God has showed us so much through the years and Sarah, the firstborn, of course, had to endure all that comes with first-time parenting.  :)  She may not have had to endure it all, as her twin sisters, Jenny and Julia, came only 16 months later..and Jamin, only 2 years after that!   It has been exhilarating, exhausting, but oh, so worth every single moment.  What a joy of watching whom your children become! 

Jenny made her a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing decorated with cute polka dots.  It was delicious.  We had hamburgers for lunch, and then she opened her gifts.  We had a special time celebrating the beautiful, Godly, young woman she has become.  We are very proud of her, and continue to pray daily as she listens for God's will and how He will direct her path.

Her other surprise was at our Bible study group on Thursday evening, when we celebrated again with friends and family.  She didn't know we were going to do that, and her good friend made her another special strawberry cake with strawberries cut into pretty roses.  So sweet and so good!

How another year goes by, I do not know, but time keeps slipping by, seemingly unnoticed.  Time doesn't give warnings, it just keeps going, and we must be conscious of that, or we will let it go, and miss many opportunities which were before us.  Take this day, the Lord's day to be reminded that time is in His hands. Spend time being still, soaking in His good graces, and then take extra time with your family this day.  Play, laugh, read, sit, and be, together; don't miss another missed opportunity.  Take the time today...

"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,

I say, 'You are my God.'

My times are in Your hand."

Psalm 31:14-15a

You are very special Sarah, and we love you very much!  God has much in store for you, and we wait patiently for Him to direct us and you.  We are so proud of the lovely young woman you are.

Go here and check out her blog and here to all 3 of our girls' blog.

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

My Working Young Man

Our horse lot was in great need of bushogging and Jamin took off and got it accomplished.  Just snapped some pics as he was working.  We are so proud of our young man; he is a hard worker, he is patient, he perseveres, and he is strong in his faith.  He was in a standard education setting for the 1st 2 years, and even at that young age he was subject to what he saw and heard from many other kids, "good" and the bad.  He survived and we brought him home to educate his remaining "school" years.  He was prepared for college as all our children were, and yet, when the time came, God showed us there are much better ways to gain "education" than going "off" to school or even staying near home for school.  He graduated at 17 and continues to learn every.single.day.  We could not be prouder of the man he is and has grown into.  He realizes he will be the provider some day for his family, and is making choices now that will effect that and more importantly prepare him for that role. 

He has worked for several friends, family, and neighbors, doing many different jobs, all while gaining the experience and knowledge he will need later.  He is reliable, he is willing, and he desires to learn.  At 18, he has learned to save his money, and just 2 days ago, bought his 1st truck, all by himself.  He is employed part-time at UPS, which in just a few months he will have full benefits, and he is preparing to go to our tech school in our town, to learn trades, which will aid him the rest of his life.  He listens to God for his direction in life, and is faithful to follow.  I truly believe he would not be this dedicated if we had chosen a different path in his life.  He would just be entering a school, paying way too much money, being subject to all kinds of evil, and all for the cost of a piece of paper that may or may not help him in the job force.  As I said, he is a man of character, of principle, of hard work, and determination, and I would not give that up for a piece of paper if it had been worth a million bucks!  

Doesn't that field look great!

We held a ceremony for Jamin when he was 16, the "Rite of Passage into Biblical Manhood," and celebrated him becoming a man.  We had men who had been involved in his life, who had an impact in some way, whether family, friends, and ministers, and each wrote him a letter, and some spoke words of encouragement into his life.  I do believe that was a moment he will remember forever.  He will have the letters to reread when he needs encouragement, and more importantly, He has his heavenly Father who speaks, guides, and leads him every day.  

Again, yes, we are proud of our son, our man, and he has proved himself, once again, with patience in waiting on God to provide the truck for him, and in return He has rewarded his patience, perseverance, and prayers with the desires of his heart.  God is so very good. 

"How blessed is the MAN who does not walk 

in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1

Jamin's life verse is Psalm 27:1

"The Lord is my light and my salvation

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?" 

I did not say this path is for every single person, but I am so very thankful and grateful, as seeking God's will we listened for what His will was for our son, and our daughters.  I believe, in following God's narrow path, He has blessed us richly, more than we could ever have imagined.

I realize, at 18, he is still am impressionable young man, but with the roots which have been firmly planted, and studying God's word, and seeking wise counsel from Godly men, I believe he will persevere over whatever Satan could ever throw at him.  Our prayers continue daily.  His father and I are proud, but it is a good kind of proud :)  Go here or here to read more of his life as he grew up...go here to his sisters' blog for pics of the actual "Rite of Passage" ceremony.

So proud of you, son.  You are becoming that man...watch.just.this.

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody