Reflections and lessons during Fall prep work

Harvested Sage, last of the season

 As the fall leaves are turning yellow and falling off the trees, I'm turning to my garden to close it down for the season. It reminds me of a time I contemplated the changes in seasons. Fall is the prep time to finish outside chores and necessities before winter.

This prep work, before hunkering down for a few months, is the time God gives me to prepare my heart, to cleanse anything that is not helpful for me or my journey to Him. 

Sage, oregano, and parsley are being harvested as the last of what's growing. With the temperatures in the 20's in the morning, making sure all the wood is stacked and easy to get to is another chore. The fall mum's in pots on my porch will be left as long as they will stand up to the cold.

Morning fires are the norm now though not until after my morning routine of prayers and dressing. Tending to it and keeping an eye on it aren't priority, yet. 

When I am cleaning the garden I feel a sense of gratitude. Remembering all the days I spent watering, hoping, looking to the sky at His vastness in prayer wondering what will grow this year, and what will be 'experience' or learning for next year. 

Colorado has many summers with 'experience' in gardening. Like the year all the plants were stunted to 4 inches until late July. I learned the cold wind that summer kept everything from growing. No harvest was that year. So we put up a fence to block the north wind. 

What keeps me from growing? Lately I am finding I am thinking often about this. Is it the way I speak about others? Is it the way I think, that "I can solve their problems" rather than listening and turning them to the One Who can? Am I finding myself more in a state of frustration and not able to be present to the Lord and listen as I go through my day?

Why is that? What is causing it? 

Often for me, overwhelm and thinking I can do more than is truly possible. This prevents me from staying in a state of peacefulness so I can stay in contact with Him. He is the reason I have my duties and responsibilities, so it is vital for me to learn to listen and follow His lead. 

I'm grateful to be away from the internet for a time. Even these days, my use is limited. I have learned I need to use the internet with intention: make a list of what I need, and always set the timer on the stove (that way I can't just turn it off).

One amazing young lady called the time on the internet mind-numbing time. I don't want that for myself. I want more than that. I want to grow closer to hearing His guidance and I can't do that when my eyes and ears are taking in things that have nothing to do with me or my journey. 

The past few weeks I have also notice the return of clearer thinking, of able to decide things with less stress. There isn't the congestion in my head of all the things I've seen or heard from being online. It's clearer, calmer. 

As I harvested the sage, the refreshing smell of the herb as I cut and hung it lifted my spirits and I couldn't help but get giddy inside. The stickiness of the sage oil to the string, which helps my simple little bow stay in place as it dries. 

Afternoons are sitting in the sun with a jacket and tea, contemplating my day. "From the rising of the sun to the setting, may the name of the Lord be Praised" Ps 113, is my thoughts as I watch the end of the day happenings with wildlife outside. Soon it will be to cold to sit outside, so I am soaking in as much as I can.

What did I do today that would bear fruit for You? What did I say or think that got me on my own wants and will path? What did I learn?  I think that one is the one I am enjoying reflecting on now. Even if what I learned came from a hard lesson. 

What are you preparing your home and heart for as we enter into the late fall/winter season?

Hanging to dry, with a wonderful fragrance.

Nature

 

from braingardening.com

Since the season of Christmas is now officially over, and the new year has come to us, I have been thinking a lot about Nature. 

Nature are many aspects, but the what I've been contemplating on is our nature and also living in the natural rhythms of nature. Today I want to talk about our nature.

I am often found saying "it's just my nature", to be silly or trying to be cute for my husband or even just trying to be organized to stay on top of all the moving pieces of our home. 

"It's just my nature" can also be referred to how we interact with others. 

What if. What if in our journey back to Home (heaven), we are seeking Him and find our nature is not what will actually help us to grow closer to Jesus and ultimately, to live in eternity with Him.

Through the past years, my nature has changed. The health condition I am recovering from has taught me a lot about what my nature has been and how I push myself, or how I 'react' to others rather than 'respond'.

The achiever in me comes from a wound in my childhood that my A was not good enough. This has carried over into my adult life and my home management style, as well as day to day activities. 

Such as, carrying groceries in and needing a drink of water because I have been out in the cold dry wind. "No, I need to get these groceries in first". That has been what my nature has been like. Pushing past what I needed, to meet a goal that is not necessary but rather self-created. Ignoring my own needs for a goal of "first get all the trash, dusting, floor dusted, plants watered and declutter some papers...THEN I can take care of myself (water, snack whatever). Now I see what I need, and taking a break after one or 2 of those. My thinking stays clearer and I have more energy to get through my day. At this stage of life, that is a wonderful benefit!

The idea of looking at my nature and what I chalked up to being my 'normal' has been changed. My nature is changing.

As I've allowed God in my heart in a deeper way and His desire to give Him my heart in a deeper way, I've noticed these types of things about my nature. They keep slowly creeping into my awareness. 

He is like that. Slow, quiet. Allows us to make our own choices or to listen to Him and change. If we plow the field, He WILL show up. He always does when He sees our Trust and our willingness.

I love that about Him.

I want to close with this quote, and contemplating on the idea of what is in our life right now that is burning away the things we don't need anymore. Is it greed, is it a critical tongue, is it the need to always be right, or is it the 'nature' to always put yourself last - even in your needs?

"It is like the way we throw dry wood, green wood, brambles and brushwood on the fire, these materials feed the fire and their nature is changed on account of the action of the fiery furnace!  Jesus acts like that in our souls, if we surrender our being entirely to Him.   ~St Madeleine Sophie Barat"

Wishing you His Peace,

Dee

When more is not enough

 

From The Graphics Fairy vintage pictures.

Hello Ladies~

These are some early morning thoughts from our pastor's homily last weekend. As we enter into Holy Week and Good Friday, I am thinking a lot about this subject.

Books, internet, YouTube, FB, Instagram, etc - more, keep it short to keep attention, fast.

We want more and more, easier and short because we don't have time. We don't want to take time. We have so much to do. We want more.

Adam and Eve had everything, and wanted more.  They were told just not this one tree. That's it. Just one, don't touch it! But they wanted that too, to gain more knowledge then what they had.

Jesus had everything too - and gave it all up for you and me. In the end, all He had was His life and He gave that up too.

Why? For what?

Because God loves you and me so much - He wanted to give us a place in heaven with Him.

He just asks we follow His commandments. To believe in Jesus. And to change from our "old life" to put on a new one. 

This is our journey, daily. To practice living as we are asked. Is it hard? Yes! But the reward is awesome!

The alternative is as Adam & Eve - they had everything and wanted more. They wanted for themselves. 

Jesus had all and gave it up out of love.

Can we do that too? 

This Easter let us contemplate God's love. And when we mess up - Thank Jesus and say sorry. Ask for the fits of the Holy Spirit to try again. 

Blessings and peace be with you,

Mrs Peterson

Ash Wednesday

Happy Lent!

This time of year I hear so many talk about giving up coffee, or giving up chocolate.

Well, I read an interesting article last weekend.  It was harsh.  "Will giving up ___  help you right now to grow closer to Jesus Christ? " "Will it help you hear God's voice amidst the noise we are flooded with (including cell phone's dinging for attention)?"

Um. No.

Not for me.

So this Lent I am trying a different approach. I have heard many ideas and here are a few:

For Fasting: fasting from the internet - minus emails, fasting from seasonings on your food, choose foods you can eat but just don't care for, fast from You Tube, fast from checking your email more than once a day,  when you notice you are craving your "fast"- pray for those that don't know God or have turned from Him.

Prayer: sitting with Jesus in prayer for 30 min a day, reading reflections on the gift God gave us and His Love for us, Meditating on the Joys of Lent - ie Mary's yes - her obedience to God's will & how can you be more obedient to His will. Also Jesus' love for you, or there are 7 Penitential Psalms - you can do one a day or one on each Friday.

Almsgiving: clean out your closet and donate the items each week, empty your change each day into a jar and bring that to church or your favorite charity on Good Friday, give of your time to a widow or someone in your church or community who would love a smiling face and cup of tea.

I typically can't fast due to the health condition I manage, but I CAN fast from other things: seasonings on my food, my favorite tea, the internet searches, buying, buying books etc. I have done all of these in the past. I will say not having the internet and not buying where the 2 years that was the most profound for me.

The article mentioned above, spoke of that which keeps us "sucked in" or draws us to the point that we don't even know how we got there...again. THAT is what we should fast for Lent.

Give that to Jesus as a Thank You for His overwhelming Love for you, and see how He Loves you back by the end of Lent.

Peace be with you,
Mrs. Peterson

**update: This past week I had a gentle reminder from Scripture that when you fast or pray, do so in the quiet of your room...not out for everyone to see. Well, I missed that one by posting all I intend to do this Lent. So I have deleted my intentions and listed options I've heard from others. :-) **

My Word this year

You will love the stories of this Pastor.  Humor is one of his gifts!
http://myoneword.org

A couple years ago I had heard of having a "word" for the year.  Being the curious type, I asked about it and the ladies group I was with explained: It's a word you choose, after prayer and discerning, that will be your guide this year.  The belief is that God will use your word to change you or teach you in the ways that will help you grow closer to Him.

The "word" I have had the past few years were: Balance, Trust and this year is Serenity.

Choosing Serenity, I had my plans of how I hoped God would build Serenity in my life.  Well, He has had other plans.

I have been keeping my eyes open for all the different ways God speaks to me about peace or serenity. It can happen while on the internet, while reading Scripture, the radio, even the local newspaper.

Here is how Serenity is showing up for me so far this year:

*Keeping serenity in my heart while doing my housework, rather than trying to race or beat the clock.
*Letting my grown adult kids make choices I don't agree with, trusting God will guide their life as He has done mine.
*Looking at my heart and my desires that I believe God guides me, and letting others opinions roll off my back.
*Leaving a few minutes earlier and arriving with time to spare.
*Looking around my home and my life at that things that weigh me down or cause guilt. Outa here!

I am a weak woman who gets distracted.  I always want what I want, NOW.  This year is about keeping my Serenity and asking God to handle that which is not mine.

Along with trusting Him, He has a much better outcome than I can even imagine. I see Him building on my "word" from last year.  Trusting Him.  It's hard. I want things done, I have a plan. He has His.

Lord, keeping me centered and filled with Serenity.

Sounds like my "word" next year might be Humility.

Peace be with you and may you have a lovely day,
Mrs. Peterson

Created

Hello Ladies~

I have just finished the book Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl.  While her writing is harsh, but there are some highlights that are wise.  Here are a few lessons I have learned or have been reminded of.

First, my husband is Mr. Steady. In the four types of men she has defined, my husband is Mr Steady.  This was an amazing insight for me in my relationship.  Mr. Steady is a man who is created steady to bring peace and safety to a woman's soul.

I used to tend to push or react to wanting him to decide sooner than he is taking the time, and I react to what I want done.  It always ends up that I try to "fix" the consequences of my behavior.  Debi states - we need to learn how to sit still and listen and to let God move my husband in His good time. Pray for your husband to have wisdom.  Let him be the one God made him to be: Still, Quiet, Thoughtful...for you!

So to keep my eyes off him and how long it takes him to decide - she states a Steady man likes a woman to walk beside him, yet grow in her own right before God.

Grow in my own right! For me, that's develop skills, have an opinion about events and such, give my opinion - WHEN ASKED- about situations regarding him. (Not nagging.)

Mr. Steady is usually liked by everyone and "belongs to the people".  I see this as how he gets "filled".  Such as, my husband is in training and discernment to become a Deacon in our church.  My job is to support him and walk with him, not pull him away to be mine only.  When the time comes for us to get away, Debi states to ask him to leave the cell phone behind so it's just us.

Second, "A Proverbs 31 woman is not mousy or a voiceless prude".  I have had to learn to speak up.  My natural voice is very quiet (except when I get mad).  He can't read my mind, nor should I expect him to.  I must find that balance between being aggressively opinionated and speaking with respect my wants/needs and my opinion (again when he asks for my opinion) regarding the situation at hand.

Third, Admire him, Respect him. And TELL him so.
Watch my words! for it is so easy to tear him down and for him to misinterpret what I said.  Some examples she gives are:
    *Do you feel comfortable spending that much money on that? (This causes him to begin to doubt his ability to make wise decisions.)
     *Honey, I need to ask you something very important that really tears me up inside.  Doesn't this activity you are engaging in grieve your spirit? (The Spirit of God had been prompting him concerning this, but he was trying not to hear; he almost brought up the subject himself last evening but now she is disappointed in him. He suspects he is not spiritual, but somehow the whole thing makes him angry.  He feels pushed. Now he resists her just to maintain control.

Always ask: "so what did you hear me say?" and ask him to repeat it.  When he is done you can clarify, but again, do so with respect. Not jumping in to correct him or tell him he is wrong.   You will be surprised as to what he actually hear.

In an argument and in anger~ your first concern is to discern your part of the problem.
     ~How did I contribute
     ~What were my motives
     ~if they were ill, then I owe amends. If they were pure, did I speak disrespectfully.

Men are more sensitive than we think.  Speaking with respect is from Ephesians.

Remember to learn to think  speak well of all people. Guard your mind and heart and get your hands busy! It keeps the devil and his lies at bay.   Memorize Phil 4:8.

I hope some of the things I have learned may help you.  I have been married over 27 years, and I am still learning.  It's a journey, and I am just a pilgrim.  Learning to stay close to God and willing to admit my weaknesses and faults. Men are so different.  Mrs. Pearl has given some lovely tidbits to discern for me.

May God's peace be with you,
Dee
   

Speaking

from Graphics Fairy

Recently I read about guarding our speech and found I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  The article used an acronym to help remember it: TKN.

True, Kind and Necessary.

Before speaking am I using this mini-inventory, if you will, of what I am about to say.

Is it true: or gossip, hearsay, exaggeration, opinion or supposing?
In conversation with my oldest daughter about family situations, do I participate in the "assumptions" and hearsay of what is being told, or do I just listen and say "it could be but since I don't know the what's true and real, I can't really comment on that."

Usually I jump in and feed into the conversation, until I find my emotions are running high and my words are also.  This always leads to a short temper and I bring that to my home environment. Even my prayers turn to what I want, so my feelings will be calmed.  When the truth is - I haven't spoken to or know for sure, so I have to say a prayer right there and give it over to God.  He knows what is happening and I don't need to expound on all my opinions.

My loving husband listens to my "dumping" on him when I get caught up, and by grace, just listening he allows me to see my actions being led by my assumptions.


Is it kind: it may be true, and still do not need to say it. Is it hurtful, critical or a putdown?

My husband and I had an amazing conversation about this recently.  Just because I know what someone at church said about a friend, doesn't mean I need to repeat it, to anyone.  If I feel I will burst unless I tell someone, I need to look at my motives and ask Jesus to help me. Usually I am looking for acceptance to say something that doesn't NEED to be said. Or being critical I am putting me "higher" than the person I am speaking of/to.


And finally is it necessary: am I repeating my explanation? is it more important than silence?

Oh my greatest weakness.  Repeating, repeating, and saying it again...even if the other person has heard me, I just need to tell it AGAIN.  Why!?  When I look at my motives I am usually looking for acceptance, a discount, a deal, or plain ol' I want something! So hear me!

For instance. I was just on the phone with the woman that owns this amazing little frilly woman's shop north of me in a tiny town up in the mountain.  I had seen a pink scarf with little sparkles 2 weeks ago when I was there and I really want to get it.  I have a green one, but the pink adds color to my black coat in the winter.  (And matches my flower on my coat!)  I explained I was there, and what I saw and where it was.  She asked me to send a picture of the one I have...but I had to tell her again when I was there and where it is.  Why!?  Because I have my hopes set on this cute scarf. I want.

A scarf!  My priorities just entertain me sometimes.  I am human, and oh so grateful for Grace.

I have since detached and am working on adopting the attitude of "if it's there it was meant to be, if not, may God bless the woman who wears my scarf...I mean that scarf."

I do this so frequently, I know I do it and still do it.  So I have prayed and asked for God to help me with this.  It's working. His Grace is allowing me to see my words before I speak to allow me to pause and re-asses.


This is one area I am working on. I find as I see a weakness, God is trying to bless me with ways to work on it. So He showed me Ephesians 4:29-32.

"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion that may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor (shouting vehemently) and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

This came in a book I was reading about 2 days after learning TKN.  I sat with this and broke it down, I encourage you to as well.

While it's easy for me to get caught in the negative, I work to follow the Peace of God and say what is  the blessing, what can I work on that is good? Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

I am mostly focused on using TKN with in my conversations with my husband.  Am I lifting him up, or tearing him down.  Am I pointing out what he has done, again! or am I choosing to let it go and ask How Important Is It?  Is it worth his self-esteem? Not usually.  The many blessings I have gotten and seeing a happy husband more frequently is a blessing itself for my hard work.

Christ's peace be with you,
Dee

Update: I just got a phone call from the shop owner.  She has the scarf and is giving it to me for $5, including shipping!  What a blessing of trying to change my weakness. God is awesome!

A Not To Do List

Near Silverton, Co

How many days do I wake up and think of all that needs done, all that I want to do and also try to ask what do You want me to do?

I find many days I have a "15 item to do list" and I know I can only do 3.

I recently heard some great wisdom on K-Love radio- instead of making a to do list today, make a NOT to do list.

Each day make a list of what not to do, and give some space to be able to listen to the Lord.

He speaks in the quietness, not in my "15 things to do" in a "3 thing day" craziness.

I love to walk in peace and be able to Listen.  Today my Not To Do is not fill my afternoon tea time and reading time with "chores". I will take time to refresh before I start dinner, even if that's a 15 minute quiet break listening to the wind blow.

Peace be with you,
D

Tea Cup Exchange

Hello!  I am so excited to share of a wonderful Tea Cup exchange I got to participate in.  Below is the amazing gift I got from Denise.  She was so thoughtful and I love all the wonderful things.

Tea Cup Exchange hosted by The Enchanting Rose

This is the 10th annual Tea Cup exchange and though I had just heard about it, it was so much fun.  I shopped for the woman to receive my gift at the local antique shop.  The ladies there were so excited I had 3 of them hunting for a small silver spoon and doilies.  They even let me in before they were open, to help me hunt!

I must say, my favorite is the book Tea Time with God.  It is all about an afternoon break, with God, and resting and rejuvenating before the evening hours.  The amazing teacup and tea have been a wonderful treat to use while reading it.

And you see those cute note cards...she made them! WOW!

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love the idea of a teacup exchange, even if it's with someone at church or a couple neighbors.  I'm learning that women don't give themselves "permission" to enjoy the little things in life, like a beautiful tea cup and a quiet moment with God.

Enough hours in the day

zazzle.com

I have been thinking a lot lately about the Scripture verse in John 11:9 "Are there not 12 hours in a day?"

Though He was using it in a different context, God put this on my heart for a reason.  I tend to try to squish 20 hrs in my "12 hour day".  And as a result have struggled with adrenal and hormonal imbalances.

You see, I have learned that even though we may not have physical stresses, we can create them in our mind.  Pushing ourselves to do more, getting that checklist done, rushing here and there.  Truly though,  we don't get anymore accomplished and we are actually harming ourselves physically and emotionally.

Lydia of HomeLiving often writes on the need to do some work, but just as important is to take time to rest and rejuvenate.  As women we have a lot on our plates.  It almost becomes imperative that we do take the time to rest and rejuvenate, each day.

For example, I can create a "perfect" schedule that I can accomplish all the things I want done that day at home, an errand or event at church, and try to cook 3x that day.  At the end of the day, where does that leave me when my husband gets off work.  I'm exhausted, grumpy, and really not interested in him or his day.  How does that help me, or my marriage?

Yesterday the Lord put the hours of the day subject on my heart again.  I am seeing how much I try to force me will into the day and hardly have time to "listen" to Him and see where He wants my attention and work.

A daily reader I use says this:   "We forget we need deal with only one day at a time, and try to crowd too much into the waking hours of that day - or we even extend it beyond the point of weariness."  Later it speaks of living in the 12 hours we are given, slowing our pace and, this part I love, "If I am under pressure and setting myself deadlines ...I will stop and think, for this one day what can I do."

This too was a recent addition to this insight: Chinese medicine says we should live according to the day given, the seasons.  Rising with the sunrise and resting when the sun goes down.

All of these are really causing me too look at all the things I try to get done, according to my will.  And seeing how I feel at the end of the day, how my body reacts to such constant stresses.  As a homemaker, I joke that I am busier now than I was when I worked full time!  How true, but a shame.

When I worked long hours I used to dream of keeping a tidy home, decorating, a nice simple meal set at a table with a pretty place setting and being happy, dressed with feminine flare, and a smile when my husband came home.  As soon as I started making a schedule that was too full, I lost that.  All of it.

I'm not saying don't make a schedule, they are invaluable to me.  I'm saying God gave us 12 hours to do work and be active, the other times are meant for resting and rejuvenation.  Quiet time reading a book with my husband reading his book is an amazing way to end the day. Or he watches football to unwind and I do some crafting.

Just two nights ago my husband shared all the "things" he got done that day, and while he got a lot done he felt frazzled and was looking forward to down time.  Thank goodness I had dinner done and I too was needing quiet time.

Changing my thinking, changes my choices in my day. Another tip I've learned from Lydia is to make a list, just a few things, get them done before lunch, then I have the afternoon to myself.  That is what I try to do.  That gives me a chance to rest in the afternoon and do something that lifts my heart.  Like tea time with a pretty cup and snack!

I'm seeing that so many things I want done, really don't need done, I just want it that way.  Is it worth the stress on my body? Is it worth loosing my peace and my smile over?

Peeking through

Well, hello there!

It has been a while since I have posted on here.  I am walking through transitions and lifestyle changes due to battling and overcoming some health issues.  It's a slow process, but thanks be to God,  it is working.

As He has reminded me in my prayer time, do my part and let Him do His.

I love that.  It's also easy to forget.   Day to day events, and when I start feeling better, well,  the wish list and to do list seem to quickly drown out His sweet soft voice.

Once again, I am learning to pick myself up, dust myself off, rest and enjoy the process.

I hope to post here more regularly.  If you read it, great, I hope it encourages you or God touches your heart in some way.  If not, well, that's ok too.

There is much to much intake from the internet these days, and social media in general.  (Don't get me started on that! I have quite a soap box for it.)  My posts are truly just my place to write what's going on here in our little town in southern Colorado and in our home.

It's simple, just the way I strive to be.  Though I am know to complicate even the simplest of things, makes life fun!  My husband often rolls his eyes and lovingly reminds me of Keep It Simple.

I try.

Doesn't always happen.

Todays picture is of a little bird in a side window by my stove.  He peeks out each morning to say Hello and brings a smile to my face.  My heart is lifted and I start to listen to the birds singing outside.  Such a gift.

Take time to listen to the birds.  Their song is LOUD in the morning as the sun is coming up.  Then you may hear little chirps through the day and as the day winds down the birds, in their sweet way, quite down too.  A gentle reminder of how we should live.  The rhythm of the day.

Christ's peace be with you.

Marriage Monday

Today is Monday and I am enjoying the thought of making Monday's devoted to your Marriage.  What a great way to start your week, right after the Lord's Day of course!  Sunday we start our week, praising God and giving thanks for our salvation through Jesus.

Monday, right ofter we honor our Lord, gives us the opportunity to honor our husband (or wife) and do something that says "I love you" and "you are important to me".  Take a moment today to find something little that will lift the spirit of your husband and say "I appreciate you".

Have you ever heard of the S.H.M.I.L.Y. story?


For prayers and wonderful ideas for Marriage Monday visit Generational Womanhood

"We housewives often in the course of our work come up to bare unwitting prospects and we exclaim, “Oh, it’s perfect drudgery!” But stay, come round this way, view your work from another standpoint. Ah, what a change! Heavens light is upon it; sacred memories arise, glad songs are heard and we trace where high art has been at work. Best of all, our work need not be likened to a ruin, but a place filled with happy human souls. Don’t have one-sided views of your work, view it all round. Have a truly high idea of  your work, and you will never commit the great mistake of thinking it drudgery."

By Charlotte Skinner,  The Housewife, 1886.

Do visit Brocante Home for the entire essay!

Is it life-giving?

Be mindful of what you find life-giving.
What lightens your gait, enlightens your heart, brightens your soul?
These practices need to figure into your day.
Don’t just wait for the weekend, or for vacation or retreat time to savor life.
Choose life daily.
Infuse your day with some practices that you find delightful.
These alone will not take away the huge challenges of life,
though this lightening will change your perspective considerably
for the better…

Curtis G. Almquist, SSJE

The last post

Hello all!

I have come to the decision to close my blog. At least for public viewing for now. I've been blogging for along time and have found the Spirit of God moving me to constantly look at my motives and the issue of Pride. One of the 7 deadly sins. It is VERY difficult and I constantly try to negotiate a middle ground with God. Guess how that goes?!

Within the past 2 weeks I have read several things on being busy in other peoples business. If I tend to my own shortcomings and my own spiritual life, I don't have any need to meddle or "be busy" with others business.

Ouch! Let me tell you, I don't like it either, but the urgency or prompting is strong and cannot be avoided.

May God grant you peace and may you always hunger for His presence in every moment and every decision you make. I wish you the grace of God to know yourself, find Him and fall in love with His mercy, and be His hands and feet during your time here.

Remember, we are not here for our own will and pleasure. We are here to serve Him.

Peace,

Dee

PS Funny in looking back. My first post was on Jan 25. A full circle.

Today's pickin's

The herbs are fresh: some parsley, basil, oregano, and sage. The lone carrot was an oops.

Howdy! Here's a glimpse of today's pickin's. We are eating the harvest as quick as it comes in. I suppose that's good, though I have hopes to have enough to last a few months. But it is so yummy! The peas have been eatin before they even make it in the house...they are so sweet.

So, check out the purple beans. These are soo cool. They grow purple, but when cooked turn green and you never even know the difference. :-) Something fun for me, yet not funky for the husband! :-) Gotta love the folks at Territorial Seed for that one.

Going to try to freeze the basil. Last year I dried it and it lost so much flavor. I had to take out 2 sunflower plants. The carrots and onions were getting too much shade. And the tomatoes got a haircut and a discussion about living in your own "hula hoop" as I call living in your own space.

Every year I am amazed at what the garden teaches me. I have learned the corralation in the Bible between a garden and our soul. The weeds, well, can you guess. Those are those character defects that pop up and keep us from living God's will. The harvest that must be maintained, is just that...maintained, nurtured, watered, fed. The seed that God made is what grows. He makes it grow. There is nothing I can do, no dance, no amount of finger shaking, no "discussions" about who is in who's space that can make the tiny seed itself grow. Now, don't get me wrong, I know about watering, nurturing, tending, cutting back, etc. But the seed itself, He grows. He is the Master gardener. I am just the humble servent trying to tend to my own garden. Not yours. :-) So today, I live in my own hula hoop and try to keep the weeds out, while cutting back and nurturing so I will grow.

This is my typical Sunday morning breakfast, though this was extra special. Homegrown blueberries. YUM! They were tasty on top of my buckwheat waffle.

Check them out. My first blueberry harvest. In my hands it looked like a lot more. No matter, there gone now :-)

God's peace,

Dee

Grow garden, grow..

I am late in posting pictures of my garden this year, and it's funny to me that people are saying "I haven't seen any pic's of your garden? What's up?" Well...I'm gardening, LOL. Really though, just busy. With adding in basket making in my week and MAJOR decluttering and looking at my habits that make the clutter...I have been busy. Here are a few recent one's:
We done some updates since last year. Recovered the ground and finally added cedar bark. It smells great when it rains, and helps with bugs. A few stepping stones are added too. (The gate I brought from my garden in GA. C made it for me :-)

On the right I have two kinds of green beans growing: Lazy Housewife (what can I say) and a purple kind that turns green when cooked. The garlic is already pulled. Next to the green beans is peas...which are dying quickly because of the heat.

On the right is two kinds of heirloom tomatoes, carrots, onions, herbs: sage, oregano, basil, then some lettuce - 2 kinds which are about done, and sunflowers. Huge sunflowers.. they will grow to 7 ft and the heads will get 12 inches across. Just looking at the picture and what they are today they have already grown another foot. I had planned on potatoes in the space on the left, but my organic red potato didn't sprout. Oh well. Next time. Gardening is suppose to be fun, not stressful! If it's stressful, why are you doing it?

Here are my first fruits, early last week. I was eating the parsley while I was picking. Parsley is soo good for you, especially as a tea.

Other than my Serenity space above, I have been recouping from 2 weeks of bumps in the road...or journey. Literally. Two weeks ago I was in an accident. Someone ran a stop sign right here at the end of my street. God in His awesome power, protected me from serious injury. I saw him cross the white line at the stop sign and I pressed on the brakes, then thought"he has the stop sign" so I kept going. Slam!! my L front tire smushed in!! If I wouldn't have braked, that would have been my door!!

So, then 1 week later, I was hurrying (is that a word? today it is!) down the stairs to get the phone. In socks. On wood stairs. Yikes. Bump, bump, bump, bump. That's for the last 4 stairs I hit going down. My right, um, bum, took the brunt. I have a black line that looks like the stair tried to cut my muscle in half. I haven't been able to drive since last Thurs, the pressure to sit back sends me through the roof. My right arm got the next bit. Though the raspberry is healed the underlying bruise is slow to heal. I am grateful, even in this event. Sometimes it takes dramatic things for me to get the point. A) slow down...what are you in a hurry for Dee? I have a quote I've added to my signature on my email "Nature doesn't hurry, yet all things are accomplished" from a tea bag tag years ago. Today, I am living by that. and B) I think God wants me to spend some time just being. No car, and unable to drive...for now.

All things have a season. This is my season to contemplate on the awesomeness and mercy of God....and exactly how powerless I am!

What have I been up to?

Several folks often ask "So what have you been doing?" Well I'll show you:

Basket making is never a neat and tidy job.


Just about finished.

Ta Da! One market basket with a twill weave base.

This is a cassarole basket. This basket was my teaching basket. The Lord used this to teach me "let the basket teach me, not me "making" the basket". I learned patience and humility. It's surprising what God will use to teach lessons.

Yummy food!

And a bit of this!

Hope you have a great day!

Vacation to AZ

We haven't ever taken a vacation just because. In 20 yrs of the Marine Corps, our vacations were always to go visit family so the girls could see there biological mom. Well, not this time. We did make a stop to see my mom. It was brief but good. Then on to the Grand Canyon! Can you believe~ we took the train from Williams AZ to the Grand Canyon. What a spectacular sight to see. Pictures can't do it justice, but I will afford the effort to see if you are tantilized to go visit this creation from God.

The train ride up to the Grand Canyon.

We upgraded the car so we could stand on the back "porch" while we rode up. That was so neat!

The first glimpse at God's creation. I don't know all the statistics, but believe me when I say it's aloooonnnnggg ways down.
Thank you Lord for a railing. It kept my knees from being wobbly. At least at this look out point.
My Husbands creative eye at work.

Believe me, I am not standing anywhere near the edge. C just is good with a camera.

Now he on the other hand got so close I started to have anxieties!! I think the AZ sun baked him to long.

I found this little mound of red rock to be intriguing. Out in the middle of no where.

Our country's flag flying at the Grand Canyon.

The donkey trail down. No way! No how! Not a chance!

I hope you enjoyed our adventure. We really had an amazing time.

From Dust you came

* From Dust you came and Dust you shall return *

This is what the priest says as he made the sign of the cross, using the ashes from Palm Sunday, across my forehead. Today is the first day of Lent. The day that marks 40 days to the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. While I'm excited, the end of the journey is the most Glorious day...Easter. But today, it is somber. Our home is filled with a spirit of sacrifice and will be daily until Easter morning. Chris and I have each made personal choices as to what we want to give up for Lent, or do for Lent. While I don't feel it necessary to share my personal sacrifices, I will share one.

I have been inspired the past couple of days to "get my home in order". The Holy Spirit is working through others and recently I found a past magazine I used to get called "Keepers at Home". The article is titled "To Guide the House". I had randomly picked this out of my bookshelf when I felt I needed some inspiration, for what I don't know, but felt I needed inspiration. I ran across this magazine and opened up to this article.

The first sentence was: "How do you keep your home orderly?" Um, well at the moment my home was chaotic with paper clutter, piled in several places in the house. My bathroom, small as it is, had so many things on the counter (including clean towels to be hung) that you had to pass by carefully. Ok, enough confession. Anyways, she goes on to say "This seems to be the struggle of every housewife." Whew! I'm off the hook. Oh wait, fiddle sticks, there's more. "Let all things be done decently and in order" from 1 Cor. 14:40. Ok, I'm listening Lord. This is where I started to get renewed in my desire to manage our home. I pondered it. I don't do things decently, I do them rushed. Oh, Lord. You have so much work to do in me. "In order". Hmm, my husband can't find what he needs and always asks me, sometimes I can't find it either. Hmm, I have some work to do. I sat thinking: "How can I sit around complaining there is nothing in this house to do! The house is tidy (on the first floor) and it is cleaned weekly, but it is not in order, nor do I do things decently. There is not a peace in our home, a rythym of which I thrive on. How can I consider taking that part time job offer to fill my time when my husband and I don't even know where things are? I have work to do right here!"

So the article goes on: 1 Tim 5:14 and breaks it down and goes through it. I'm good with it all until she hits "Guide the house..." She writes "Do I hear groans?Is keeping order not part of the comand to guide the house? It includes teaching and training our children the blessings of diligence and self discipline in this area." Um, diligence? self discipline? Ok, now I'm feeling sheepish and see I have no excuse to sit around and say there is nothing to do and there is too much snow to go outside!

Though she talks of the Proverbs 31 woman, she admits, along with many women I know, while this woman is a role model, it sets an almost impossible standard. But doesn't God call us to holiness? Doesn't God set the bar high for us to give us something to work towards, to humbly admit our weakness and our dependance on a Power greater than ourselves? While I could never do all the things the Proverbs 31 woman does (nor do I think anywoman in her right mind could do it ALL) I do believe the Proverbs 31 woman gives me something to work towards.

That is to do things,not rushed, but peaceful...creating order...and doing it decently. Do the things that are needed for our family, for me, and for our home. It is in this process, I believe God will mold me and change me into the woman He knows I can be.

So, I will use this next 40 days to clean out, par down, and create a peaceful environment. I have already taken care of both my desks, which was an all day task. Death by papers!! I have one desk upstairs (which I'm on now) that has the computer and all my files within arms reach. This is my Home Management desk of which I do most of our budget (we split this by the way!), our records upkeep etc. The desk downstairs was my great-grandparents and it is used as my everyday desk. It is very small and I keep my planner open on top all the time (unless it's with me :-) That desk is somewhere for me to do the day to day things...like dreaming of my garden and making plans for it.

We don't sing the Alleluia in mass during Lent and each Crucifix in our home is covered with a purple cloth. A visual reminder of the our Lord's suffering and where my heart should be during this season.

Wow!This is a long post. But there is much to say about Lent and my journey as I set out.

I wish you Christ's peace,

Dee

(Note: This is posted on Thursday but was written on Wednesday.)