Thirty Days of Gratitude

I promised myself I wouldn't stay up as late tonight as I did last night.  What can I say, I'm a night owl.  LOL

Wanted to pass this bit of information along (before I forget to do so!), as I thought it might be something you would enjoy doing.

Some very nice ladies have put together a book entitled

30 Days of Gratitude.

It is a free download, written very nicely, with prompts and ideas that will enrich your life.

Some of my gal friends and I are doing it together and with their permission, I may post some of their thoughts here on The Prairie Maid.

And

I'm thinking, we may do this as a family, too!  If I can get them to sit still for the ten or so minutes it takes.

I wanted to do

The Simple Woman's Daybook

tonight, but oh me of very little brain, decided to

wait......

BUT

(there's always a "but" or an "and" with me)

I want to share this awesome music piece with

YOU!

(hope I remember how to do this!)

Enjoy!

Okay, doing the dishes, doing a little reading and going to bed!

Be blessed my friends!

Cheryl

It's Been Along, Long Time

It seems it has taken me forever to get back in the notion of blogging.....more correctly, back in the notion of writing

ANYTHING!

I really can't explain were my love for sharing our rural farm life disappeared to.....

except to say, sometimes when life gets on overload things like that happen.

But now, I am once again anxious to sit at the computer and ramble through the musings that go on around here.  Besides, I'm tired of making to do lists, that rarely get done.  I much prefer to sit and visit with you!

Our garden did well this year.  The best it has done over the last three years.  It was a wonderful blessing and it kept me busy.

However, as the scripture above mentions ~

God is doing a new thing!

Don't you love new beginnings?!!!

I can't share all that HE is doing, because at the present I am only getting little snatches of the bigger picture....Little snatches that leave me holding my breath excited!

I feel as though I am traveling a new road, with all my old friends, but like the picture....the way is a bit foggy.  HIS adventures don't always lead down a clear path.  So, we are walking by faith, learning a deeper form of trust.

I've let go of some baggage (cares of this world) that I should have let go months, if not years ago.  How can HE lead, if I continue to insist on sitting in the driver's seat?  How can HE get the attention of those we love, if we always come to their rescue?

I hope to share that part of the journey....SOON!  Freedom from worry is such a wonderful thing.  And I know in the end, it will bring good fruit!!!  After all, doesn't the WORD say, "obedience is better than sacrifice"?

Next time I hope to start bringing you up to date on some of the happenings around here, some of our holiday plans, and a look at the local

Wild Life!

So be forewarned!  You'll need a second cup of coffee, for sure!

Until then, you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers! 

I have truly missed each of you!

Hope you are having a great fall!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Gotta LOVE Maxine!

(She makes me smile!)

Just checking in to see how everyone's day is going!  We are having wonderful weather.  It is like the air is super charged!  We had some thunder and lightning last night, but no real rain.  I think the super charged air is the result of the lightning that passed through.  It feels awesome!

The book I have been wanting to order (but had to wait for the "extra" funds) came yesterday.  I could not put it down last night!  I have been wanting to read this ever since Linda (Prairie Flower Farm) first mentioned it.

I want to tell you, if you have a heart for God, for children, for foreign places

....any of the above....

This book is LIFE changing!

It is the story of Katie Davis, being called to the mission field right out of high school, which was not what her parents (or herself) had planned for her future.  It is a tremendous book!

Christian Book Online has it on sale.  I am going to be ordering more copies for gifts and I already promised two sweet friends they could "borrow" it to read after I'm finished.  Now, I'm thinking of buying an extra copy just to loan to those who are interested.

(So, if you are, get yer name on the list!  Just let me know in the comment section.)

Love this!

Besides the weather being fantastic today, sticking with the eating plan has been good!  I like "good" days, when it's "easy".  I think I'll wait and weigh on March 31st.  I was going to say, "April 1st" but then everyone would think ~ April Fool!  So, I'll do it a day early.

I can't believe I have so much to accomplish in the next few months, but I am getting really excited!

I worked some on the sidebar late yesterday (even with all the grands (all eleven) here).  Now, I want to make some "pages" to keep some topics separated.  I think I will like that better and it will make it easier for readers to find *stuff*.

Okay, I'm going to get off and make my sugar scrub.  I've been out a few days and that is not in keeping with the plan.  I'll post the recipe tomorrow or Monday.  It is so easy and works so well!

May your day be blessed!

~ Shabbat Shalom ~

Cheryl

Time for some Girl Talk!

Diet News, updates, changes,

…And a Big Thank You for your patience with me!

I know that it has been forever and two days since I posted.  I apologize for that!!  To review the events of the past few weeks and bring everyone up to date here’s a list:

January – 1/1/12 I started the Sacrificial Diet.  Basically, I was sacrificing two meals a day, to the Lord.  It is a great diet, first started by my friend Angela, who needs to be writing a book!  However, during this time back the end of November, I developed a terrible cough.  I self diagnosed said cough as allergies…..okay, I was wrong (I can admit that on rare occasions) so I finally went to the doctor on

February 1^st – the doctor (being smarter than me) diagnosed me with the crud (better known as pneumonia).  I was still doing the Sacrificial Diet, but while on the medicine to treat the pneumonia I did not want anything to eat (so unlike me!).  I become a lot weaker with absolutely no energy.

March - One of my longest and bestest friends had started using Herbal Life shakes back in the fall.  She has not only lost 45 lbs. she feels great.  She talked me into using the shakes to re-coop some of my energy.

Now, I drink one or two shakes during the day and eat dinner with the family.  Of course, like anyone else, I have good days and bad days.  As Angela says, “more good days than bad – that’s the goal.”  The last time I weighed, I was down 22 pounds.  I am trying to refrain from running to check the scale each day!  It is not easy for me to do, but because weight can fluctuate 1 to 9 lbs in a 24 hour period….it is best if I don’t go *see* how I am doing so often.

I am beginning to regain my energy, but it has been slow….or so it seems to me.

For  you ladies who are interested, The Sacrificial Diet is now on Facebook.  It is a “closed” group for ladies only, so if you are interested, you will need to contact Angela!  Her blog is 

Free Spirit Haven   
~ or via ~
Facebook

As for the Prairie Maid blog (here) – I never wanted or intended for this blog to become a place where the main focus was my dieting woes or that I would constantly write about my walk with the LORD.  But…..these are the things that have been on my mind and in my heart the last few weeks.  So, since I barely have had the energy to think at all, I decided to take a break from posting.

The funny thing is, these two subjects along with spring here on the farm and the grandkids are about the only things I can focus on, still I really don’t want to bore you, so I guess this is kind of a *warning*…..if and when I post, the subject is going to most likely be

1. Diet and health
2.  My walk with the LORD
3. Farm life (and woes), spring babies
4. Grand KIDS!

I know eventually, other things will enter my head and I will need to pour my heart out here…..but for now, this is it.

 

And keeping with that thought, I want to tell you a little about the coming year, our plans and what I am going to be doing to improve me.  (You all know, if you want to change your circumstances, you have to start with YOU!)  This is about me, changing me….or allowing the the LORD to change ME!

The Year of Esther….

This coming April 4^th will mark our 39^th anniversary!  (I’ve mentioned this before, but here we go again.)

 "My beloved is mine, and I am his:" 

~ Song of Solomon 2:16 ~

So, one year from the above date, we plan to renew our vows.  For this occasion I want everything to be nice, not perfect, but nice.  I want to feel as awesome as possible, look as good as possible and appear as young as possible.

 

Because this has become the desire of my heart, I have asked the LORD to help me to achieve these goals.  I know it won’t be easy…..I know I will have to be diligent.  There will most likely be bad days, but I believe the good days will far out number the bad!  I have hope and determination.  

And, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (Phil. 4:13)

Anyway, to make a long story somewhat shorter, after studying the Book of Esther over Purim this year, the Lord began to deal with me concerning how I treat myself.

You probably remember, before being presented to the King, Esther received a year’s worth of beauty treatments….this is almost beyond anything I can imagine!!!  Because, like many of you, about the nicest thing I do for myself is blog!  If I remember to put lotion on my elbows and feet at night, I’m doing great.  But ABBA is changing that.  Simple homemade (for the most part) beauty treatments are becoming a way of life (homemade/inexpensive/which I will be sharing).  I'm taking the time for a nice luxury bath at least twice a week (not just jump in and out of the shower), It is Heaven! 

A special treat once every 4 to 6 weeks….oh yeah – maybe a pedicure, massage….we’ll see.

I want to keep some sort of journal about my feelings and my progress.  I want to share this walk and time with you, perhaps do some sort of photo journal.  I want to share our plans for our special day and why we feel lead to renew our vows.  I want to share anything and everything about this special time in our lives, from where it will be held to what will be served and who will be doing what.  Sometimes, I’ll want your advice or opinion….

I really do like input from others!

I hope there will be some surprises along the way to make things interesting!

So, if you can bear with me…through diet talks, my walk of faith, etc., You are invited!!!

I think it will be an interesting year!

So, come on along!

Also, as I have time, I am going to be making some changes in the blog itself.  It will mainly be on the sidebar.  It has needed to be updated for sometime.  However, anytime you need or desire for me to pray with you or for you, I am here and will feel honored to do so!

Blessings of love and peace,

Cheryl

Fearless Friday, January 27th

Hi, everyone!

It is late, so I am going to try to make this quick.  I may have to finish posting it in the morning.

Today is Fearless Friday, when many of us across the internet gather in cyber world to pray for the needs of others.  We love to take your needs to the Father in prayer and feel it is a great honor to have the opportunity to do so.

If you need prayer or would like us to pray for someone else, be sure and leave a comment or you can email me.  You can also contact my friend, Angela, if you would like.  You will find our information in my sidebar.

There is a precious little girl, Tenlee, who is in great need of prayer.  The following is taken directly from my buddy, Linda’s (Prairie FlowerFarm) website:

Tenlee had heart surgery on Monday January 25, everything went wonderful and all day she responded very well. On Tuesday Morning the respiratory tech went to give her a breathing treatment and the machine got reversed and sucked all the air from her lungs. This stopped her heart. They put her on life support and gave her 50-50 chance of surviving. Thank you ladies for praying. 

Isn’t she precious?!!

Also, please keep Tenlee’s parents and other family members in your prayers.  Also, Tenless’s grandmother request we pray for the respiratory tech, who was administering the treatment when the accident happened.

Update:

This is what we learned when we made it back to the hospital. Tenlee had blood work done to test blood gas levels, a scan of her brain, chest xrays, and an echocardiogram. Not sure if that is spelled correct. Everything was great...no swelling of the brain, blood levels good, AND her heart has begun to work correctly!!! So, right now they are saying no surgery. It's that amazing. Yesterday there was so much damage that it had to be done again and today the damage is gone. Hummm, wonder who did that?! Praise God! The lungs are another story. They said that on the xrays that the left lung is white which means it is still deflated. The right is white at the very top and the very bottom. But the right is beginning to function. She was placed on a different type of ventilator that blows 340 puffs of air into her lungs each minute. This is suppose to help open the left lung and help it stay open. The doctor has started weaning her off the machines. The machine that is doing the work of the heart goes by numbers. It started at 650 which is doing everything for her heart. A few minutes ago, it was at 440 and Tenlee's heart is doing more of the work. As a matter of fact, she had a reaction to a med that she was receiving because her heart was also working and she needed less of the medication. They are continuing to give less and less of the medication as her heart does more. They are also trying to lessen her sedation. When we play with her toes, she will wiggle them. Also, one eye is trying to open. Kisa touched her eyelid to close it and Tenlee quickly opened her eye. It was almost as if she knew it was Mom. I'm sure it was a reaction to the touch but it was still exciting to see her open her eye.

NOW, don't think too much! She still has a long way to go but they are hoping to have her completely off the heart machine tomorrow afternoon. We will see. And, it will depend on what the lungs do. I will send another email as she makes IMPROVEMENTS. Doesn't that sounds wonderful. Until tomorrow, we love you all and appreciate all you are doing for our Tenlee.

Regina & Jack


1st email It is 9:16 on Friday morning. Heard from Regina that little Tenlee went potty. That sounds funny she said, but for them it is wonderful. Keep praying. That was answered prayer!!!!!!!


Also another Grandma wrote today and needs prayer for Charlotte her 2 year old grand-daughter. They were taking her to the hospital as she had been sick for 2 weeks and they didn't know what was causing it. She said thank you!

 

(Thanks for keeping us updated, Linda!) 

 
Keep praying, guys!

Also, I am asking for prayers for the following people for salvation ~ David S., Lynn G., Leigh and Stacy H., Scott T., and Joe and Darlene T. 

I am asking that you pray for David S.'s health along with his salvation and pray for Anita T. who will be having surgery today (Friday).

Please lift my friend Bren in prayer ~ for healing and social security has totally messed up her monthly amount and she is having problems with the Medicare paperwork.  Pray that these bookkeeping mistakes are taken care of quickly.

Pray for Beth and her husband, as they are dealing with a number of stressful situations going on.

Several have asked me to pray for their finances.  And I am sure there are more of us who could use prayer in this area.  I am asking God to meet all of our needs, according to HIS riches in glory!  After all, he owns the cattle on a thousand hills!  He is able to meet our every need.

Linda has some housing needs (me too! And my family) and we are praising God and looking forward to what HE has in store for us in this area.

Praying for David O. to be placed in the job ABBA has for him and praying for Jenny O. to receive a fair insurance settlement soon.

Asking for God to provide a job for Shoshannah and for Mack.

Praising God that the young missionary that was ambushed in Haiti is making such an awesome recovery!!!

Pray for a safe trip back to Texas for Lynne and Sam.  They will be traveling sometime next week.

Also, lift Richard W. to the Father for healing.

There are many more needs, but I will be updating this list through out the weekend…..and praying through out the coming week.

Please be praying for my friends and followers.  Many of us are doing the Sacrificial Diet and would appreciate your prayers.

Welcome new follower(s)….love that you are here!!!

Blessings of peace, the Shalom of God, on your homes and families.
Have a blessed weekend, everyone!
Cheryl

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Wednesday, January 25th (10:20 p.m.)

 

   Welcome new followers!  So happy you are here!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

Outside my window...  ~  dark, most likely  cloudy, misting.  It rained today and was cooler at 43, than the warm temps we have been enjoying the last few weeks.  Tomorrow, the forecast calls for sunshine and temps back in the 60’s.  It has been such an unusual January.

I am thinking... ~ that sometimes life isn’t fair.

I am thankful for...  ~ healthy children and grandchildren.

I am wearing...  ~ pajama bottoms and an old stretched out T-shirt that has seen better days.

I am creating… ~ if what I am creating in my head counts, I am working on more projects than I can count.  In the physical, I’m having difficulty in keeping up.  I am still working on sorting and organizing, so you could say I am creating an organized and orderly home.  However, that seems to be a never ending job!

From the learning rooms... ~ we are working mostly on the basics, with more being done on the computer, which gives me a little more time for sorting and organizing.  I was reading on a message board and you know, everyone has an opinion about homeschooling.  Let me say, I am the first to admit, I can be a little too lax at times.  But the comment was made, “There is very little bullying going on in the homeschool environment.”

Sometimes we overlook the true blessings…. the ones that are so obvious.  My boys do not fear what another student may say or do as in the case of bullying.  And when we are out in a setting where they notice someone being bullied, they are appalled that people act that way.

I am thankful…. ~ small things, but so important.

I am remembering… ~ special moments with my sweet guy!

I am praying … ~ for family members, for some very special prayer requests and for our country and the country of Israel.

I am going...  ~ planning a short getaway this spring to visit my aunt, my mom’s sister.  I think she will be 91 in April.  Looking forward to spending some time with her.

 I am currently reading...  ~ right now I am not reading much, other than my Bible and seed catalogs.  I did read two books earlier (not sure if it was during the last part of December or the first part of January).  One was by Karen Kingsbury and I’m trying to remember the other one….

Ah well, it was good, but right now I am drawing a complete blank! ;)

I am hoping...  ~ that one day, I’ll wake up and Blogger will have all the wrinkles ironed out and I will be able to comment on other blogs…. all blogs!

I am looking forward to... ~ Spring!  I’m looking forward to new farm babies and wondering how many goat kids we will have.  Looking forward to walk barefoot in the warm, fresh tilled, garden.  Like I said, SPRING!

On my mind...  ~ Gabby (Gabrielle Chenae), or granddaughter # 1.  She is 12 today!

Noticing that... ~ we need to do some major repairs on the house or get in gear with our building plan.

From the kitchen...  ~  since I have been doing the Sacrificial Diet, the kitchen hasn’t been quite so busy.  I did prepare a good dinner tonight.   

Chicken fried steak ~ mashed potatoes ~ gravy and salad

Homemade oatmeal cookies 

(I had some dough in the freezer, left from the holidays)

Hubby and boys were happy!

Around the house...  ~ I’m making progress…. some days, I think I am probably the only one who notices.

One of my favorite things… A warm cozy quilt that smells like it just came off the clothesline, but feels like it just came out of the dryer!!

A picture to share… ~

 I think I found this on Pinterest.  Doesn't it scream

SPRING!

Quote of the Week… ~

From my friend, Jeanie’s daughter, Shannon ~

“Don't argue with idiots.  They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!!”

 

Be sure and visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

Blessings,

Cheryl   

Happy 12^th Birthday, Gabby!  Love you, Sweetie!

Sanctity of Life Sunday

It has been 15 years…..years of joy, years of tears.

(I had every intention of writing this last week, before the actual day was here.  But finally, now I have time to put both my thoughts and memories on paper.)

The phone woke me between three and four in the morning.  The voice on the other end was familiar and scared….crying.  Will you come, please?

Six and a half hours later, I was back home.  As I sat in a tub of very warm water with only a small candle for light, I was trying to relax, trying to process my day.  I had already missed church.  The next thought grabbed me….it was Sunday, January 19^th, Sanctity of Life Sunday (1997).

I had wanted to do something meaningful.  Something to make a statement on this day!

Our country church was small.  Other churches all over the United States, maybe the world, were planning events to call attention to the fact, that life, all life is sacred.

Some were placing blue and pink crosses on their church lawns…others were planning on hosting afternoon rallies.  The news and been full of plans for upcoming events……events I would miss, was missing.  How I had wanted to be a part of such a special exercise in celebrating life!!!  But our church was small…rural, more elderly than young people….not that I was all that young at 49.  We had already raised three wonderful kids, two daughters and a son.  The year before, we had opened our hearts and home to an infant boy….another son.  We were busy and life was something that needed to be celebrated!

My thoughts began to drift.  I was so stinking tired!  Why wouldn’t God allow me to be apart of Sanctity of Life Sunday?  I closed my eyes….relaxed, soon I was really drifting.  I dozed off.

I’m not sure if it was the water getting cold or the smell of burning wood that woke me.  But for the second time that day, I woke with a “start”. 

The smell of wood burning….I had placed the candle on a shelf that set too close to the shelf above.  It had scorched the paint!  Oh well, you had to be lying in the bathtub, looking up to see the damage…..thank goodness. 

What was I doing?  Oh yeah, memories of thoughts of Life….that’s where I was.  “Lord, that would have been so awesome just to be apart of what was taking place today.”

It was quiet.

Then, that still small voice, “Really, Cheryl?  Where were you early this morning?”

…..hospital

“Why were you there?”

…..because “Dee” called, she was in labor and scared

“Do you remember what happened?”

…..yes, I sat with her through labor, until the baby was born

OH!!!  (I got it!)

Our third son joined our family on Sanctity of Life Sunday…..because “Dee” was the birth mother of our second son, the baby boy who had been home with Papaw while I went to the hospital.

Three days later, we brought home a beautiful baby boy!  We call him “Teamer” because Elijah (his older brother) couldn’t pronounce his name, therefore dubbing him Teamer.  So, Teamer it was and Teamer it is!

Taken two years ago, Teamer on the left with the fish (of course) and Rusty, our nephew.

He is the “heartbeat” of our home, always finding something to make us laugh or cry!  He loves anything boyish and outside!  Night and day different from Elijah (our electronic wiz), Teamer is rough and tumble.  Always into something, usually a mess, he loves to fish and loves to hunt.  He is an inventor, a builder and a budding mechanic. 

 Feeding the fish

 

Papaw has said, "Elijah may draw up the plans for rockets one day, but Teamer will fly those babies!"

Life is never dull and life is always sacred.

 Blessings,

Cheryl

Walking In Grace, An Update, + it is Fearless Friday!

My friend Angela talks about "teachable moments."

She told us, when we started this journey, we would discover

Teachable Moments.

And so we have.

Mama always said: 

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!

I tell the boys this same thing all the time!

We have even memorized this scripture ~

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.   

Psalm 34:13 

So imagine my surprise when (in front of company tonight), my dh was telling this story…..and he was a little off on his facts, at which point I was about to correct him…and God said, NO!

Ahem...ahem....ahem....excuse me?

And my spirit heard these words.......

"will what you say change the story....does it really matter...

Why would you want to bring injury to him over something so trivial?

It's of no worth, no importance.  His spirit (on the other hand), that is of great worth, very important.

And so are you.  Be still and know I AM God."

Teachable Moments....learning to be quiet...learning to

Speak No Evil 

Was it on here, a few weeks ago I talked about Joshua and Caleb?  (it may have been somewhere else)  Nevertheless, you know the story of the 12 spies Moses sent to 

Canaan ~ The Promise Land!  The Land God had already given them. 

Ten came back, with words of defeat on their lips (and all their words were true), but Joshua and Caleb looked at God's promises, 

not the circumstances .

Joshua and Caleb did not say ~ the land if full of giants and we are but as grasshoppers.  No, they said, "Let us go up and possess the Land!"

They saw the promise!

10 spoke the truth because they looked at the circumstance and God judged them for it. 

2 spoke the truth of God's Word concerning their circumstance and were rewarded.

Are you a Joshua or Caleb

or are you one of the ten?

We have to learn to "Speak No Evil".

Rather, our words should be like honey.

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" 

~ Psalm 119:103 ~       

I know I have said this before....speak life (choose LIFE).  Speak life to yourself, speak God's WORD to your spirit.

Speak life to your family members.  Become a Joshua or a Caleb.  Choosing to speak LIFE is the greatest success we can attain.

 Now....update, I just finished Day 3 of the Forty Day Fast

Day 1 was okay....I was excited with anticipation.

Yesterday, Day 2, was awesome!  Wonderful.  I know I was being carried on the prayers of others.

Day 3, the most difficult, but I was never hungry.  Just kind of a strange day.  (It started with me on the phone with AT&T for 2 hours.  Unfortunately, that sort of set the tone.)

For those of you who haven't read the previous post, I am joining some other ladies in fasting two meals a day, plus desserts.  I am also fasting bread as well.  To join us, go here. 

Even though today was difficult, 

I am LOVING every minute of it!!!

NOW.....today is

Fearless Friday!

 (You can find more information concerning Fearless Friday on my sidebar ---> to the right.)

Many of us are praying for you.  Many of you have left me comments or sent me emails.  You, your situations, and your families and friends are in my prayers and the prayers of others.

I found the following verse, when I was studying about the words we speak....(my words, when I should speak HIS Words).  And I am going to ask you to focus on this scripture during the coming  week.  I will definitely be focusing on these same words.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Ephesians 4:29

 

We need to get a hold of the idea of ministering grace, to ourselves and others.  

 

Refuse to let evil corruption come out of  your mouth.  You may have to take every thought into captivity...that's okay!  You can do this in HIS strength!!!

 

I am praying for your requests, as are many more!  

 

I ask ABBA, "that NO weapon formed against you (and yours) will prosper and that those who rise in judgement, that HE (God) will condemn each one."

(Isaiah 54:17)

 

"That the blood of Yeshua/Jesus would cover every area of your life....it would cover your home, your family, your pets, your animals, that this same blood would cover your finances, your emotions, your physical body, your spiritual life!"  

 

There is nothing stronger than the blood of JESUS....and the devil cannot cross the "bloodline".

 

I ask that in those areas where we might need deliverance, that we be delivered!

 

The Bible says, we have not, because we ask not...

 

So ASK!  And like Joshua and Caleb, ask in faith. 

 

and Last....I'm asking God to give you abundantly more than you ask or think and to provide you with the GRACE you need for each day!

 

Open you hearts and accept God's blessings!

Love you!

Hugs,

Cheryl