Quote #2

How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue.

— Jane Austen

Quote #1

"I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other”

Not sure where I found this one....

Rebecca

Merry Christmas!

I pray you have a wonderful day tomorrow and that you remember the Best Gift of all, Jesus coming down from His place in Heaven and becoming a mere man to ransom us. 

I realized that although Christmas we spend it with family and eating dinner, it is really the preparation of the time before that we focus on Jesus the most.  And it should be, we spend more time that way!  Just as we are preparing our gifts for the ones we love, so God was preparing a gift for those He Loves.  What a precious gift it was, too!!!!!

Here are a couple of things I want to share....

1) the Mark Hamby devotional that came today.  Amazing how twisted things can become over time!  Much like gossip we twist things around until they aren't true!  Although we can't know for sure, I believe Mr. Hamby has it pretty close...

Away in a Manger 

It's amazing the assumptions we make through the years--so much so that, in our minds, fiction becomes fact. Here are a few myth busters that will surprise you:

Myth #1: Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey. Nowhere to be found in the Scriptures.

Myth #2: The innkeeper sent Mary and Joseph out to the stable because there was no room in the inn. Nowhere in the Scriptures is an innkeeper mentioned!

Myth #3: Mary and Joseph tried to check in at an inn. The word INN is better translated guest room. Most families had a guest room attached to their homes.

Considering that generous hospitality was part of the culture, and that a few hundred people that would have comprised this Bethlehem village, it would have been most unlikely that Mary and Joseph would have been turned away.

Not sold yet? Picture this. A typical home back then consisted of one large living room, a separate but attached guest room (the inn), and one additional room, open to the living area, situated about three feet below the living quarters, like a split level. The peasants used this room to house their animals at night in order to avoid theft. A trough or manger was dug into the living room floor, which allowed the larger animals to stick their heads over the partial wall to drink and eat. Can you picture this? Jesus was born in the living room!

To turn away a pregnant woman would have been unthinkable in Middle Eastern culture. The baby Jesus was not turned away--He was welcomed into someone's home because there was no room in the guest room where Joseph had originally planned on staying!

What really happened? May we become like the Bereans of Acts 17 who received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Pretty interesting, eh?

2)  I have fallen in love with this song!  It is so beautiful!!!  I love how the song is NOT in a minor that makes you want to cry or something.  This one just makes my soul sing.

"Was anyone able to look past the stable, and not see a child but a King"

~Rebecca

Connected Holidays- Mark Hamby

I get these from a wonderful, Godly man through his company.  They are pretty good little devotional type e-mails.  I have had lots of eye-openers to Scripture and life. I thought I would share this one with you- especially with Christmas coming up! 

Recently I received a letter from a listener who shared about her family connectedness during Thanksgiving. She hadn't seen some members of her family for over six years and couldn't wait to hear all about God's blessings over the years. Hugs and kisses abounded as family arrived from across the country.

As the great reunion began, she shut down her laptop and phone, as there were only a few precious days to be shared. Sadly, even before coats were removed, all sorts of buzzing and beeping went off. Instantly mom, dad, and their two children tuned in to their iPhones. Every conversation was interrupted. At the Thanksgiving dinner--a gathering that had not been shared together for over twenty years--some family members continually received text messages from friends during the mealtime celebration. Led by example, one of the children came to the table with her phone and iPod, thinking nothing of it. 

This situation is heartbreaking for some, but seemingly normal for others. Should we raise the white flag of surrender? No, we need not be controlled by new technology. What we need is to prioritize our lives and our relationships, and have the discipline to turn our phones off--particularly when we are eating or conversing. It is a matter of good manners and consideration. There are times, of course, when you might be expecting an important call or text; if that is the case, simply let your guest know in advance that you may need to take a call during your conversation.

As we reestablish rules of courtesy and consideration in our own lives, then hopefully our children will follow.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous" (1 Peter 3:8).

Love,

Rebecca

Trip!

Alright, I want to let you all know I have "What's a Girl to Do? part 2" coming out soon.  Right now I am needing to go back through and edit it some more.  Only problem is that we took off for a weekend with some friends in Carlsbad, and although I can use their computer, it is hard to work on an Apple when you are used to HP.  :P

It is coming out- soon!!!

I am off to visit with friends.  Just wanted to update everyone.

Here is a question for you all.  What is your favorite game to play with folks?  It can be a card game or a board game.  

We have a  fun family tradition that the day after Christmas we just hang out and play games with each other.  I love the day after almost as much as Christmas!  It is so nice to just relax and connect with the family.   We always buy a game or two so I was wondering if you all had some that are tried and true. :D

(now I can officially say)

Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Rebecca

What's a Girl to do? Part 1

I have a question.  What is the Highest calling a girl/young lady/woman can have? 

For the longest time my answer would have been; To be a wife and Mother. 

Is that really the answer?  Is that really the highest calling a female can have- no matter the stage in life?

After much thought (and lots of conversations with Mom and Sarah!!) I would now answer that question;

To Serve God where ever He needs me. 

God doesn't call us to be wives and mothers.  He call us to serve Him.  Now, I would believe that the greatest thing would be to serve Him by being a wife and mother.  That would be my greatest joy!  That is what (I think) is the desire of my heart!!!  For all of you who are wives and mothers, treasure it.  As a single girl, I envy you, but God has been cultivating my heart to realize that that may not be right on my horizon.  It may be in the future, or it may never be.  What am I to do now?  The answer has changed over the years.  (It will probably keep changing as I add experience to my answers.)

I know a wonderful woman who is now in her 30's and teaches school.  She is single.  She does not live at home.  She hasn't lived at home in years.  She felt that God was calling her to be a teacher. 

Now, although she doesn't live at home she seeks her parents guidance in all things.  She knows she is always welcome at home and there is always a bed for her.  She is honoring to her parents.  She is honoring to God in her actions.  She follows God- not her heart.  The key in her situation is that she has not removed herself from her father's authority, protection, and leadership. 

Is she in sin? 

I think not.

She does the things we as homeschoolers and Christians have been preached against doing for years.  She doesn't live at home.  She isn't staying at home wearing denim skirts and "serving her father". 

In reality, she is serving her Father. 
Which one is better? 

I believe that she is doing right.  We don't have a surplus of Christian men ready for marriage.  What are we young ladies supposed to do? 

I think my friend has an answer.  Not THE answer, but one of the many answers.  Do something, but do it serving your Father first, than your Daddy second.  Honor both of them.  Seek His counsel and his counsel.  If there is ever a time when you are holding back from telling your parents something, then you should wonder why.  If you don't want to tell your father, question if it is truly good.  There is probably a reason that you don't feel comfortable.  It probably isn't right.  (for the most part)

Make sure you are accountable, and then go.  Go serve your Father and your father.  Go be a blessing!  You don't even have to leave home to do it.  Your singleness is a blessing.  Someday when you have children you won't be able to work at your local hospital comforting hurt ones.  Someday when you have a husband who needs you at home you won't be able to go to the Seniors center and play chess.  You won't be able to pursue some fun things you like often.  You won't be able to serve in your community as often.  You won't be able to help some women with young children.  It is harder to do that in the marriage stage of life, not impossible but harder.  When you are married your focus is your husband and children.  It should be!

However, when you are single you can go take fun baking and cooking classes.  You can learn photography.  You can learn sign language.  You can get a job and store up money for when you get married- and bless your family by buying groceries once a month while you live at home.  You can serve mommas in your area by cleaning the house with them.  You can pursue higher academic learning.  You can learn an instrument.  You can teach your siblings. You can volunteer at the hospital.   You can help your family more...........

The possibilities are endless!  Above all Serve God.  He will show you and your parents what He wants you to do. 

Alright, I wrote up more, but you will have to wait for me to post part 2 later. 

In His Perfect Love,
Rebecca

Thankful

We are going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year....

We Sold part of the land on our ranch!!!

I know that sounds funny to be thankful for, but it means we can stay here for many, many more years.  We also get to keep the house & headquarters, so that is a big blessing.  Try moving a HUGE shop.... yeah right. 

For those of your who don't know, we bought this ranch 7 years ago.  Buying it was a feat of God in itself.  The couple who owned it were older- in their 80's.  He was getting alzheimers and wasn't doing well, and she broke her hip.  They needed off the ranch and near their son.  Yes, a beautiful ranch that the sons and daughter didn't want.  (the siblings had their own places which I understand, but I don't think I could have done it)  

When you are selling a ranch you don't have many serious lookers, so they knew we were serious and kept coming back to us.  Dad was so smart and wrote up this beautiful letter letting the couple know that we were a family operation that would just love the blessing of buying this ranch.

We got it.

We think it was the letter.

We were able to buy it only because my dad had another good job as a mortgage lender.  (he says he works to pay for his hobby- ranching. :D)   Well, 7 years ago mortgage was booming. 

And as we all know, it crashed after that.  Although we really worked hard, and Dad did all he could, we just couldn't keep up with the mortgage on the ranch. (the only way to get a ranch is if you are a millionaire or inherit it)

The ranch had plenty to keep us and more, so after much prayer we decided to try and sell a part of it.

After 2 and a 1/2 years of different parts, to different parts or the whole ranch we have sold 2/3 of just raw land.  Believe me, we had any and all options up for sale at the end.  Whichever God sold we were going to take it. 

And God worked out the perfect one.

And it is SUCH a blessing. 

And it is all God.

And I still can't believe it.

And I am going to miss the pastures we are selling.

And we are going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

And only God could have kept us here for many more years than we should have been.

And even though we aren't out of the red zone, we are close enough to (with God's help!) handle it.

And we have had lots of rain to keep us through the winter.

And we have a bunch of heifers (female cows that haven't had a baby yet) to stock up with.

And we have plenty of room to expand our herd, even though we sold land.

And only God could have kept us here so long.

And I am so happy and sad at the same time.

And I am so excited to see this finally happen.

And I can't wait to get a dishwasher!!!  (Washing dishes by hand isn't bad, it is just SOO time consuming!)

Ahhhh, life is full again.  Our time of renewal is here.  It has been a loonnnggggg couple of years.  In all things God was good.  It was a time of growth and I am thankful for it.  I am just glad to be finished with it.  I hope.

Living in the Amazing Power of my Lord,
Rebecca

Warrior

I want to be a Warrior.

Yes, I am a young woman, but I want to be a Warrior.  I want to be highly trained and good at what I do.  I want to fight! 

You have probably guessed it, I want to be a Prayer Warrior.  Although I am still in the learning stages, I am being trained by The Best Warrior out there.  I have personal training with Him whenever I am ready to listen. 

 I fight things that sound scary, things that should be in books.  But they are in a Book.  I am told to fight them. 

Ephesians 6:11-12
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Vs. 18
"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints..."

Even though you may never see me in battle array, I am constantly covered in it.  Even though you may never see me fight, I do.  Even though I am a woman, I fight- and I hope I fight well!  I do it with a large company.  I do it by myself.  I am a Warrior.

Even writing this up I get a stirring of heart to "go to battle!" with the call of my Lord wringing in my ears.

A favorite song of mine which I can't seem to find online, (we have the CD) is Battle Song by Holy Smoke.  It is a stirring song that depicts what we do in everyday life- we go into battle. 

I know who my General is and which side will Win- do you?

A Warrior For the Victor of victors, Lord of lord's, and King of king's,
~Rebecca

Cat Video- Make sure your carpet is clean so you can ROFLOL

We watched this on an e-mail that passed around and LOVED it!  If you have ever had cats, this is so true.  They are all clean fun, so grab your kids or siblings. 



It is bittersweet watching this as my loved cat, Snickers, has gone missing. If anything, these videos were thought-up by watching him. Anyway, as much as Snickers was a stinker at times, he was my favorite cat. I really have been missing him...

In Christ,
Rebecca

Praise/Prayer Request!!!!

I have a praise!  We have heard from our realtor that we could be closing in under 2 weeks.....


Wow.  What a praise that would be.  We have had the property on the market for 2 years this November.  Before that we had been trying to sell a really small part for 4 years.  It has been a long, long time.

I can't wait to write down the whole of what our experience is, but that will be for later.  Right now I am trying to praise God for what He is going to do, while holding myself back so I am not hurt again.  That is hard to do.  It really looks like this is going through.  Going through quickly.  Right before our last chance to hold onto our dream. 

Is God amazing or what? 

I ask you, I ask you hard!  To please be praying for everything to go through.  For us to be delighting in Him for what He has done.  God has reopened our eyes to the glories of the headquarters and the things we can do to change it to what we would enjoy (adding a bathroom!). 

This will cut down dramastically the load of pressure on Mom and Dad.  It would be so nice for that to happen.  It is hard on them, but it is harder on us to watch them go through this. 

I appreciate it, and thank you.

In Christ, the Mighty God,
Rebecca

Prayers

I would appreciate your prayers for a dear friend of mine.  She has had a tough year.  4 months ago her father died, 3 days ago her dear friend and cousin passed away, and today she learned that she just miscarried another baby. 

I know the pain she is going through right now.  You wonder where God is right now.  You know He has everything under control and that it is all going to work out for His glory.... but you just wish you could have one good thing..... 

People are always saying "trust in God, He will take care of you!".  It is nice to hear that, but you are trusting in Him.  You can trust someone while you are hurting.  You can ache while you know that God is a Loving God that knows what you are going through.  But it still hurts.  And aches.  And you have bad days. 

I just ask you to be praying that God would refresh her spirit.  That He would place His hand on their family in a way they can see.  That she would be blessed beyond measure.  That God would give her the desires of her heart. 

In Christ,
Rebecca

Great Commercial!

Yes, it is good.  There is a good ending. :)  Bet you can't guess what it is till the end!!!

(it is clean, so grab your kids or siblings, they will get a lot out of it!)




In Christ,
Rebecca

180 Movie

Did you know there is a holocaust going on in America today?  We talk about it all the time.  We don't use that word for it, there is another term used to make it "politically correct". 

If you don't know what I am talking about, watch this video.  (for age 14+ unless edited by parents.  Talks about adultery, etc.)

Blog Review

Check out a wonderful Christ-centered Movie Review Blog!  This is a Godly young man my family has known for years.  He reviews movies in a way to let you know if it is worthwhile, and if it has older, mature content.  Here is part of the description he put in his "About".

WHAT’S IN THE NAME?
Reel Quick is intended to be a place where you can find quick, comprehensive movie reviews from a Christian perspective. My purpose is not to write an in-depth analysis of a film, but rather to give the reader a brief, but informative, overview.

WHY?
Those who know me know I love movies. I enjoy watching them, critiquing them, and talking about them. I had originally intended Reel Quick to be only a personal journal, a place where I could record my thoughts about the films I watched. But as I thought more about it, I realized that there might be others who could benefit from the site as well…

Truth be told, the vast majority of secular movie sites provide inadequate – if not downright misleading – reviews. For example, have you ever sat down to watch something that was labeled “family friendly”, and then found to your dismay that it was everything but? My family has. And it’s aggravating in the extreme. My hope is that Reel Quick will be of benefit to those who have the same frustration, and find themselves in search of quality, conservative reviews.

Go check it out and support him!  We need to have more movie review places that you can trust.  :)  Don't you just love his blog name?  I thought he was quite ingenious with it. 

Blessings,
Rebecca

humbleness from another author

I found this article from Forever His Servant really refreshing .  Refreshing in a good way.  A reminder, if you will.  It is good to take time and step back and ask yourself why you are doing things.  Are you doing it to bring glory to yourself?  That kind of glory won't last!

Or are you truly seeking to bring glory to God?  That kind of glory isn't recognized.  It is the kind you don't see.  But, it is truly the longest lasting!  When you are in heaven you will be there forever, and that glory goes with you! 

What are you seeking? 

In Christ's Amazing Love,
Rebecca

Parenting Article

I found this on Lady Abigail's Soap Box, and thought it was excellent!  Please go read it HERE.  Since I am not a parent, I copied it and tucked it away in my computer for future reference.  :)  I think he did an excellent job pin-pointing some hard areas. 

Blessings,
Rebecca

Thankful

I am thankful for brothers, who treat me like a lady and always open the gate for me.

For Papa's who take us down to the lake, just for us to enjoy it.

For Sisters who go out, even though they get wet.

For sweet sibling time.

For dragonflys that hold still so I can get a good shot.

For the relaxing time of having nothing to do except have fun.

For the mud between your feet, the seachells to pick up that are unique in coloring, for interesting weeds, rocks to climb on, and laughter to hear from everyone else.

We are spending a few days with my grandparents and having a great time!  They live right near a lake- and I mean near it!  They have a road going down to it!  It was fun to go and get our feet wet or further and scream, laugh, splash, and smile.  Thank you God for a nice day.
~Rebecca

He is Great

In my personal Bible reading I am doing a chronological order of reading through the Bible. (which my sister tells me is great when you get to Kings and Chronicles!)  At the moment I am in Exodus.  The Israelites have left the Egyptians with Moses and are stuck between the Red Sea and all of Pharaoh's mighty army. 

Here is a beautiful section that I hadn't appreciated before;

Exodus 13:21-22
"The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

 I just really liked the last sentence.  He did not take away His Guidance from before them.  If He can lead the huge crowd of Israelites without leaving them, how much more can He lead me (If I listen....)???

Then in Exodus 14:14 Moses tells the people;
"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Ahh, this was just a balm to my spirit.  I have been worried lately about my husband.  What am I doing wrong that he isn't here? This was my reminder that I have nothing to do about finding my husband.  Nothing!  I just have to be silent.  My God will be fighting for me- and I do believe He is a better fighter! 

How can I be worried about how God is going to be bringing about my husband?  (or my future if I never get married) God was able to conquer the entire Egyptian army without anyone's help.  I just have to be willing to lift my arms.  :)  I have to be willing to listen and go stick myself in a bind between the Egyptian army and a huge sea.  I have to be willing to follow my Lord completely.  Then He will fight for me.  All I will have to do is walk across dry ground to the other side (oh, and maybe admire the fish on each side of me...) and give God the glory.

The other part I loved that tells how God fought for them was in Exodus 14:19-21

"The Angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 
So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land so the waters were divided."

Of course, I wanted to quote the entire rest of the chapter.  It is really a unique story.  One I really enjoyed this time for some reason. 

Anyway, back to my sharing...

I just enjoyed reading and seeing the Awesomeness of God.  I mean, He kept back the armies from each other for a day!   He then goes on to conquer the Egyptians completely so that they fully realize that God was fighting for the Israelites. 

Through all of the things going on in my family's life right now, it was a good reminder to me that I have a Champion Warrior on my side fighting for me.  As it says in Romans 8:31;

"If God is for us, who is against us?"

Blessings,
Rebecca

The Cat who almost lost his life.... all 9 of them

Last night, I was awakened by our cat, Snickers, meowing from the inside of our bedroom.  I was not surprised as the screen is broken at the moment, and so he just crawls through and sleeps on the foot of my bed.  I started calling for him to go ahead, hop on my bed, and go to sleep so I could.  Of course, he was all hyper and was jumping and playing around.  I turned on my lamp to get him and calm him down and .......


He had brought a MOUSE into the bedroom!!!



A MOUSE!









I just sat there horrified watching him "play" with his mouse and meowingly inviting me to come and "play" as well.  Of course, I did not, which he didn't seem to understand. 

My dilemma was how to get the mouse OUT!   I tried to wait until Snickers had it picked up and would try to pick him up to haul the pair OUT of the house.  As soon as I would pick Snickers up, he would, of course- drop the mouse.  I finally just grabbed a piece of denim something that was in the dirty laundry, picked up the mouse, and hauled the poor thing out onto the porch.  I then promptly went inside, grabbed that cat, and dumped him on the front porch with his prize.  (no cats were injured in the process, unfortunately)

Me?  Want a mouse?  I don't think so.  As much as I love this cat, that was almost the end of our relationship.  I think I just sat on the bed staring at him playing with the mouse in horror wondering HOW was I going to get them OUT! 


Although I am glad he is such a good mouser, he does not have to provide me with food, thank you very much.  I hope he learns that as I don't think I want another night hoping that the mouse doesn't crawl under our bed and stay there!



A girl who will NOT be snuggling with her cat for a while,
Rebecca

Molotov Mitchell

If you haven't ever watched this guys video's, you should.  He is great!  He gets a good point across with his sarcasm making it hilarious!  Take the time to watch a few of his video's, he is funny. 

This is one that I thought was funny as well as good.  Sometimes we make Jesus out to be this big sissy when He truly wasn't.  I thought Mitchell makes a good point about it.

Tell me what you think of him?!

Love,
Rebecca

Paint

While Mom and Dad went on their trip we (Sarah and I) painted our bedroom.  :)  It was a bunch of fun and work and we did get it done before M&D came home! 

I have some before, during, and after pictures that I will be doing a post on, but I thought I would put up at least one after picture.

Yup, we think it is pretty cute.  What do you think? 

Love,

Rebecca

Gone? What? Gone you say?

My grandmother blessed my parents with some tickets she had from her frequent flyer miles.  They left yesterday to go to Virginia to visit my Dad's younger sister and her family.  Althougth we are jealous of the time they get to spend with our Aunt and her family, we are glad that they can get away for a while. 

They will be back on Monday, but in the meantime, we are having a blast!  We went and watched a movie at the dollar theatre, got ice cream, had Pizza hut, ice cream, got some pot pies, bought some ice cream, movies, and did I mention ice cream?   Yup, we are going to have a fun time without them. 

Sarah and I will be painting our bedroom while they are gone.  We are excited about that.  I will post pictures when we are done. 

Have a wonderful weekend!!  We certainly will!

In Christ's Amazing Love,
Rebecca

Puppies anyone??

Last night, Lady finally went into labor.   In looking for a place to have her puppies (for some reason, the box we picked out just didn't appeal to her) she almost got herself stuck in the barn. Thankfully Josh was able to unstick her.  She wanted outside all the time so we had to watch her to make sure she didn't got to the barn once again.  Finally after dark we put her, her box and lots of good wishes on the porch.  Last time she just needed to be stuck somewhere to just have them.  It worked this time as we were watching our movie and we heard this hi-pitched squeak from the porch!  Pup #1 made his appearance!  Slowly she had another one, and another one, and another one, and another one!  By this time it was midnight.  Lady was looking pretty tired and happy and all the babies were up and nursing.  I figured we were done, made sure everyone was comfy and hit the sack.

I was awakened by my sister telling me we had....  Are you ready?? 

11 puppies!!!  

Yes, our dog that had had 1 pup her first time had 11 the second!  We are a bit in shock and absolute delight.  Right now Momma dog is wiped out and snoring heavily while pups either sleep or fuss.  We are going to give momma a much needed bath, move everyone out of the disintegrated cardboard box (water and cardboard don't do well together) and onto a clean space. 



Please be praying that we would find good homes for these guys.  They come from friendly, friendly parents but look like a good guard dog.  And of course, they will be little time for them to be left to themselves to get nasty habits.  :):) 



Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday!  We are off to drama later on.  After we do some cleaning.  We are re-arranging rooms.  :D
Rebecca

The Amazing, Extraordinary, Spectacular....

DNA!!! 

"When it comes to storing massive amounts of information, nothing comes close to the efficiency of DNA.  A single strand of DNA is thousands of times thinner than a strand of human hair. 
One pinhead of DNA could hold enough information to fill a stack of books stretching from the earth to the moon 500 times!
Although DNA is wound into tight coils, your cells can quickly access, rearrange, copy, and translate the information stored in DNA.  DNA even has a built-in proofreader and spell-checker that ensure precise copying. Only about one mistake slips through for ever 10 billion nucleotides that are copied.  If only our word processors were that good!"  Answers in Genesis article.

Here our wonderful Creator made something that we can hardly compete with.  We can't even make a computer that small- let alone complex!  I stand in awe every time I read how amazing our bodies are- and we didn't even think it up!

We get the Answers in Genesis magazine which is just amazing.  If you don't get it, you should check it out.  The earth is an amazing thing which is fun to learn about.  AIG gives you that from a Biblical, literal 6-day creation standpoint.  Wonderful, wonderful.

My brother, Caleb, came running in telling us about the thousands of sizes thinner than human hair, and that you can put a pin-pricks knowledge in books from the moon and back 500 times. 

Needless to say, we didn't believe him. 

So he promptly ran and grabbed the magazine and read us the artivle. His exuberance reading the article was wonderful. I wish you could have seen him.  It was priceless. 

Filled with Awe in our beyond-comprehension Creator,
Rebecca

New Blog!

I decided to go ahead and open up a photography blog!  It is just started up, and I don't have my computer so I can't add any pictures right now.  Go to http://mastershandiworkphotography.blogspot.com/ to see it, and tell me what you think!

As I said, I can't post any pictures as my computer cord died.  You know, the one that chargers your computer.  The thing that is vitally important to your computer.  Sooooo, I finally found a good deal on Ebay and it is on the way.  Thank goodness!  I have been using Mom's computer (she is such a sweetie to let me use it. :D) but I don't have all my normal stuff on it, which can drive you nuts.
 
We had an inch of rain on Sunday!  God has greened up the grass greatly.  Just in time too, the cows were looking pretty awful. 

Blessings!
Rebecca

Rain & Lady

We have had a total of 1 inch and 3 tenths so far at our house!  We are praising God for the rain we have had, and asking for more to keep the grass growing.   Remember how I said that our feed bin had stayed full?  Well, right before we got a bit of rain, it went empty.  God knew that we wouldn't need any more because we would be growing grass from the rain.  Praise Him for keeping it full as long as He did!!!

A side note on all the beautiful thunder storms we have been having. Our dog, Lady, hates all the noise rain storms make.  She just sits there and shivers.  Hates them.  Right now she is ready to pop her puppies out at any time!  So we had a scared, scared pregnant momma everyone was comforting while the thunder was going on.  Unfortunately she doesn't share our joy of rain..... 

Yes, our dog should be having puppies soon.  Anytime now.  She is so big right now!  HUGE!  All she has to do is come up to one of us and we will sit there and rub her tummy for hours on end.  Yeah, she's spoiled.  We are really excited though.  We are in need of a good male dog to keep the headquarters "secure". *ahem*  We also have some friends who live out in Edgewood near some lots that nobody owns and those lots are notorious for having...interesting....characters out there.  We need another good "Hank Head of Security" dog for them as well.  Plus the owner of the father wants a dog for his daughter.  We need her to have 3 puppies.  She only had 1 puppy last time!  That was the fattest pup you ever did see. 

Alright, we are hosting church at our house tomorrow so I need to get going.  Goodnight!

Rebecca

A Stone

Drop a stone into the water-
In a moment it is gone.
But there are a hundred ripples
Circling on and on and on.

Say an unking word this moment-
In a moment it is gone
But there are a hundred ripples
Circling on and on and on.

Say a word of cheer and splendor-
In a moment it is gone
But there are a hundred ripples
Circling on and on and on....



Anonymous
*Taken from the magazine"Seeing the Everyday.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

My Dear Sister turned 18 this past Thursday!  I can't believe she is that old.  I want to think of her as just 8 of something.  When I look at her though, I see the lovely (she truly is beautiful!) young lady that has matured so much this past year or so. 

She has grown in so many different areas.  Her personality has strengthened into a young woman of sweet disposition.  She is a friend who is willing to encourage you to keep growing in the Lord.  She is a sister who is seeking to put others first.  She is a daughter who is becoming a great help and comfort to our parents.  She is a Princess of the Lord who seeks Him first above all.   Seeks His help and advice out in all areas of her life. 

When you first meet her, she might not say much.  She is a bit shy at the first meeting.  After she gets to know you- you can't keep her quiet!!!!  She loves having wonderful conversations with friends about important things in life.   She enjoys having a bunch of friends to have to chat with.

The wonderful day started out with Breakfast in Bed.  the family tradition we all enjoy.  We try to have at least one gift there, so we gave her the ones from us kiddos. 

(Don't you love the curlers!!!)

We then started getting ready for a wonderful Birthday Tea with her friends.

Here is the table spread with all the homemade goodies!

This is the Strawberry Soup Sarah made.  (it is a cool soup, really good!)

You can't have a tea without scones

Sarah made three different types of Curd. They were all yummy!

Princess Sarah

Sarah and I

Sarah wasn't sure what the posing was about....

...so she smiled...

Then got the hang of it.

Mom had fun and started "fainting", so Sarah ran to get...

A fan.

Sarah, for the past many, many years, has always had rain on her birthday.  For some reason, this year she didn't.  We were all very bummed, but forgave her anyway. 

She did have a beautiful sunset that my camera hardly gives justice to...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sarah!  You are a Princess of God's, and a delight to our family.  How boring we would all be without you!!!

I love you,

Rebecca

Happy 11th Birthday Caleb!

 My little brother turned 11 today!  Can you believe it!  11!!  I can still remember going to see him in the hospital.  Mom being gone a lot during the 56 days he was in the hospital.  (you can read more of his story at Mom's Blog!)   I remember lugging him around while playing games with friends.  At times it was great, and at others he was just a bother. :)  He used to call me "Bom".  We think it was a combination of "Becca" and "mom". :D  I thought that was so sweet.  I hated it when he quit calling me that. 

Here are some pictures of his day.  To read it go to Sarah's Blog.

We had fun wrapping his gifts- even if it wasn't fancy wrapping paper!

Lady was not sure what to make of all this racket.  She just kept getting "under foot".

Ussens waiting for everyone to gather. We do breakfast in bed and take the presents as well.  :)

 Yup, bathrobes, pj's and everything!

Caleb wanted in that BIG box!

He actually posed for me!  I asked him to for this one, and they he kept posing the rest of the time!!!!

The BIG box was..... A jump rope!  (some rocks taped to the bottom to

make it heavy is a great way to fool them..... )

He picked Cap'n Crunch for his breakfast (no, we don't usually eat cereal and usually have Monkey Bread. But some need to go against the norm. Or rather, they aren't the norm. )

Can you guess what he is getting??? 

I think he did about here.

Here's the certificate! 

We fooled him!!!!  He thought he was just getting a jump rope and not a parakeet like he was wanting and we surprised him and got him!.....

This cute little...guy/girl!  We aren't sure why he picked yellow, but he will be easy to find!  He It is a nice youngin, so hopefully we can tame him easily.  We won't know if it is a male or female until it is about a year old.  We did learn how to tell how old they are, so this one is under 4 months. 

As you can see, this first day is pretty traumatic for the poor fella.  He will get used to us.... I hope!

Happy Birthday Caleb!  You are such a Joy in our lives.  I can't imagine life without you.

Love,

Rebecca