Mature Femininity- Mark Hamby

I received this in my inbox this morning and just loved it!  Of course, it also hit me over the head.....but we won't mention that part.

At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman's differing relationships.

-What’s The Difference? by John Piper

I have read this quote again and again and still have not been able to fully understand what Piper was trying to convey. What does he mean by 'mature femininity frees a woman to nurture strength from a worthy man'? I really hit a wall when I tried to unpack this so I asked one of the women on our staff if she could help. Here’s what she wrote: I think it means that it is freeing for a woman to support the strength and leadership of men rather than taking on the leadership role herself because it allows her to participate in the goal in an essential way, yet without the burden of final responsibility that I think God made only men to carry. This role is carried out in different ways, according to the relationship the woman is in: a wife, daughter, sister, or secretary all are different positions where a woman can serve and support the leadership of the man in that relationship, in the ways most appropriate to her position. I have experienced that in my own work: when I am in a position of too much leadership, it is a burden that hangs heavily on me because I'm a supporter, not a leader. But when I am in a supporting role, although it may be more limiting in some ways since I have to follow the leadership of whoever I’m working under, it is ultimately freeing because it takes away that burden of responsibility and enables me to focus on what I do best…nurturing the idea and bringing the details to life in a way that only I can do. When we as ladies want to usurp these areas which God has designed more particularly for men, it takes away from our ability to affirm and nurture… it takes strength and wisdom to recognize our calling as women and to delight in it; this is ‘mature femininity’. But if we can delight in it, we’ll complement the leadership of men in such a way as to enhance our own calling to the fullest.

Making ready a people prepared for the Lord, Mark Hamby  What are your thoughts on this?  Do you agree?  Have you read John Pipers book? If you haven't, I highly recomend it!  ~Rebecca *SO* excited!  Mark Hamby is coming to this years CAPE convention!

God's Love

As some of you who follow me on Google+ know, I was lucky enough to go with my dad to a trip to Portales.  He went to work a booth with his job at the NM Ag Festival, and I went along for the fun and to spend time with him.

I really like traveling, going places, seeing things, meeting people, and being with the ones I love.  That's why our bull sale season is always a fun time for me (travel!).  On top of the travel and time with Dad, I was really looking forward to the Ag Fest.  I mean, anything to do with cows has got to be good, right?!

Unfortunately, it was pretty slow there.   Maybe the beautiful weather had everyone home doing odds and ends before NM’s windy spring hit.  Who knows?  But it was very, very slow.

When you are in a situation like this (at least for me) you start thinking about ALL the things you could be doing at home!  Especially with the lovely weather!

BUT

(Yes, that was a huge conjunction with no sentence for my dear, English-loving friends!)

BUT

God had something in mind for me.  He blessed my socks off!

Josh and I have been working together on my horse Queenie.  We took her to a trainer for about a month, and now she is home for us to finish her training.  I must admit I am proud of her.  For all the bad things we did (unknowingly!) when she was younger, she has a lot going for her.  Still, she is a green horse (green meaning untrained) being trained by green trainers!  We had some GREAT help from a friend, and she gave us a lot of great exercises to be working on.

However, we were getting to a point that we had learned almost all those above-said exercises.  We were almost to a point that I didn't know how to move forward.  I know what kind of a horse I want by the time we are done- one that can work cattle easily, listens to what I want, and responds right away and enthusiastically.  However, getting that horse from point “A” to point “B” was something I didn't know how to do!!

So what does my Loving God do?

He opens the doors for me to go to Ag Fest with my daddy, in spite of battling a cold a few days before leaving.

He places me at a slow-paced Ag Fest where the sessions looked more interesting than just sitting there.

God gives me a session called- get this..........“Advancing the Green Horse”.

Yup.  That’s right. “Got a green horse?  Want to keep working it but don’t know how?”!!!! "

I was able to sit for about 4 hours watching and listening as this great horse trainer showed us several different exercises for getting your horse from point “A” to point “B”!   They all made so much sense- get your horse to do this in the pens, and he’ll then do this in the pasture.  So exciting to this Cowgirl!

God even blessed me with time to ask a question about an issue that Queenie was struggling with and getting it personally answered by him!

Really, this story isn't about horses, or horse training, or Ag Fest.  It is about God who is a loving Father and took the time to show me that He is watching me, taking care of me, and staying one-step ahead of me!

Are you there right now?  Are you in a situation where you have no idea what to do next?  Where to turn?  Keep your eyes open.  What may look like a boring, wasted ride somewhere may be your ticket of answers.  With God, who knows!

And if you are on that boring, wasted ride and nothing happens.  Look around you.  Maybe it was NOT what you needed but that you needed to go in order for someone else to be blessed.   My dad really had a pretty wasted trip when he could have been at the office working on some big things- but it is what I needed.

As God showed us in Christ’s Birth, God doesn’t mind moving a whole nation to get one person somewhere!  Keep your eyes open, you just might see something.

In Christ’s Love,

Rebecca

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.  

A day filled with roses, flowers, chocolates....and Love.  

Our family celebrates Valentine's Day differently then most folks.  We take turns pairing up to cook the family a special dinner!  We hang curtains all around the kitchen so no one knows what is being made.  We decorate the table and make beautiful menus/place cards.  Then we all dress up and enjoy an evening with our family (grandparent's included!).

A HUGE reason I love this is it really focuses on one of the true meanings of Valentine's Day- love.  Love is not about getting what I want, but showing others how much I love them.  I value this family tradition and plan to continue it for as long as I can! 

What is your Valentine's tradition?

Now, while I am not an overly romantic person, it is hard to see this day.  If it I let my mind linger, I feel stabs of pain that I don't have someone to share this day with...yet.  I mean, who (being single) doesn't?!?  Truly deep down we want to.  Here is a great blog post by a friend that I thought really hammered in some good points about the day.  Some I hadn't thought about but make so much sense.

If you are a courageous person, read it here.  And great job to Desarae!  It was a hard post to write, but truth was in every word!  Thank you for sharing it with us!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rebecca

Absentminded or Absent?

Yes, I have been "gone" a while.  Whether from Absentmindedness or just being absent, you decide. 

Life has been good.  Correction.   My Lord has been good!  He has been very gracious this season and Blessed us abundantly!  

"What?!?!" you ask, "Isn't He ALWAYS good and gracious"??  

Yes, pat yourself on the back for noticing my sinful ways and let me finish.

Thank you.  :D  

For those of you who know us, there have been some tough times in our past.  Not awful, for that would be putting down those who have had worse.  Just plain ole tough.  
Between the possibility of losing the ranch, the economy being unstable which made Dad's job unstable, to relationships really struggling, the loss of a beloved Bampa, and the struggles of new phases in life, it hasn't all been "hunky-dunky".  

I wouldn't go back and change any of the lessons we have learned, though, for they have all been lessons we needed to learn and hear.  You cannot be made into a pot without losing a bit of clay.

Our Lord, as He always does, was gracious enough to make that season only a season- though not a "season" of 3 months only!  He is gracious to bring the rain and the sun that beats its rays upon us to grow for our time, but then summer settles in where there is the slightest of breaks.  The fall will be upon us soon, and I long to see the results of His work that He has done upon us!  

Or have they already come.  No one knows but One.  and I am sure for each it is a different season.  

In the meantime, our time has been most delightfully spent.  The ranch is now in a stable condition.  (yay!)  We now cannot say we own any part of it.  It is truly the Lord's ranch!!! 

Psalm 50:10

"For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills."

He has taken care of it just as He gave it to us.  But of course, it wouldn't have happened without us doing our hard work and part of it.  Joshua has truly stepped up this year and taken on the brunt of the labor, allowing Daddy to be faithful to his work.  
Josh has matured so much this year- both physically at a strapping 6 foot- and in everything else.  He has stepped across the threshold and left boyhood behind in the way it was planned. We couldn't be more proud of him!  He has such a servant's heart I don't know where there is room for anything left in his body....

With the ranch doing well, we took off over Thanksgiving weekend to spend a much needed vacation!!  For this family that hasn't had one in 6 years we were all in ecstasy!  :D  We drove out to LA, California and spent some delightful days seeing the sights and just relaxing with our family.  :sigh:  (see some pics here)

~We just got back from a delightful party at a friends house, and instead of just doing boring introductions, the hostess asked that we share what God has been teaching us lately.  

I have been thinking about that a lot (actually before the party, but that party brought it to the front of my mind if you know what I mean).  I think what He has been teaching me can be summed up in a beautiful hymn that I have been memorizing.

    Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 
 Mold me and make me after thy will, 
 while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Search me and try me, Savior today! 
 Wash me just now, Lord, whiter than snow, 
 as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 
 Power, all power, surely is thine! 
 Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 
 Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 
 Christ only, always, living in me! 

 This song speaks to me of how I must be willing to be as wet, yielding clay in His hands if I want to be made into a vessel for Him.  It shows me that He is powerful, so powerful, yet gentle with me.  :sigh:  It has been a good song to learn for me in this season of life.  I also love the melody (which you can hear here!) as it is very calming. 

The Lord has been showing me more about Him as He truly is.  Not just who I have made Him in my mind.  He has been asking me to be willing to give all up to Him- something very hard to do for a first-born perfectionist, type-A personality!   

Ahhh!  If I can only put into better practice what I learn from my Master!  

Well my friends, it is a late night and to bed I must go.  I pray the Lord is Blessing you abundantly this Christmas season!  May He remind you of what you need to remember, and show you what you need to be shown! 

~Rebecca   

Mother's Day Brunch

We had a most delightful Mother's Day Brunch this past Sunday!  We used our easy family favorite recipes Oven Omelet, and Butterscotch Sticky Buns, some fruit with sweetened whipped cream, and bacon.  The china was brought out, some teacups placed on the table, cloth napkins used, and just plain old had a fun time dreaming this brunch up!

Oven Omelet is a recipe from a friend which has become a favorite- especially as it is so easy to mix up and you can add meats and/or veggies to make a bigger meal of it. 

You can find it HERE.

Our roll recipe is one we use on occasion as it isn't very good for you....Is so delicious we have to eat it sparingly!

Butterscotch Sticky Buns
From Aunt Donna


1 package cook and serve butterscotch pudding
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
24 white, frozen dinner rolls (the kind that you bake 
1 stick of butter, melted


Grease a Bundt Pan with oil spray.


Combine pudding mix, brown sugar, and nuts.

Layer Rolls in pan, sprinkling each layer with pudding mixture. Drizzle melted butter evenly over all and cover with saran wrap.  Refrigerate over night, then bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

We have done this recipe in the bundt pan as well as a 9x13 or a bit smaller.  It depend on if you want the rolls all covered in sticky stuff or somewhat less of it. 
We especially love the make it that night and wake up to turn on oven and pop them in!  Makes the morning so easy.  :D

After our guests left we loaded up in the car and went bowling in town.  It was a very nice relaxed afternoon.  What did you do?

Rebecca

Pampered Chef

Yes, yes, I haven't been on in a while.  hopefully you missed me.  :)  If you didn't, I guess it was my fault....

I am now a Pampered Chef consultant!  I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to seeing what God does with it.  :) It has kept me very busy between the actual shows and all the training for my hosts, plus my training and learning how to do things.  It has been a wonderful, and yes, trying experience. 

Some reasons that helped me decided to become a consultant were;
1.) You do it on your time.  Pampered Chef is very good to tell you to take your calendar and cross off dates that you have things going with your family.  THEN you set up appointments with people.  I really appreciated that.  Especially since that is the second thing in my heart- my family. :)  (God is first)

2.) They do have a minimum to meet, but it is very small.  If you want to go and become a big director and make lots of money- then go for it!  If you want to just make a few bucks here or there, then do that.  They encourage you to really make it, but they don't force you too.  I liked it because that means when CAPE convention rolls around I probably won't do as much the week before, of, and after.  When we are weaning and preg-checking, I can take the week off.  When I don't feel good, I just take a few days off without having to call anywhere and tell them I'm sick.  Sure, that doesn't mean I can just slack and not do shows because I will, but that also builds character, right?

3.)  I really love their stuff.  They have wonderful items that last a long time.  And their stoneware is amazing! (Ok, I will confess.  It will be very hard for me to not buy everything in their store!  I will have plenty of opportunity for learning self-control. :D)

4.) It gives me something to do.  I notice that when I don't have things to make me fill my day I can sit on the computer the whole time.  I find I just become unhappy.  Not all the time, but there is nothing like the feeling of your life just doing.....nothing.  Sure, there are things we do all the time in the house, on the ranch, just life- but it doesn't fill my day up. 

When I was chatting with Mom and Dad one night, mom brought up a good question.  She asked me if I would tell her when my business became something more than just a side job. When I wanted to push full ahead and make it a career that I just loved and didn't want to let go of it- would I tell them so that they could become my prayer warriors in that area?  Although I wanted to say "of course" and shrug off the question, it is a good one.

 Just like anything I don't want to let this become my idol.  I don't want this as a career.  I just want to be doing something and heck, make some money.  (wouldn't it be so nice to get married with some money to my name!) My heart is still to be married and have a family.  But I also want to be realistic in that though I dream my marriage will happen tomorrow, it may be several years down the road, or never.  I don't want to sit at home twiddling my fingers waiting for it to happen and then become a worrisome spinster that others need to take care of. 
I want to be a part of my family, yet not become a loathsome person to where I hate myself.  Although this job won't fix that it will help me stay active. :D

Does this make sense?  What have you found in your life to help you through these years of being at home?

Rebecca

Coocoo Lane?

I thought this was quite a funny succession of e-mails that passed between my sister and I.  We do tend to converse in e-mail once in a while.  It is fun to make the words in the e-mail sound funny, to play with how you write it, etc. 

This one took place while she and I were getting some details together of another family coming over.  I was somewhat heading it up but she had taken the liberty (gasp!) of telling them what they could bring.  I thus wrote her this e-mail letting her know what I thought of her…..

Oh well I was going to ask them to bring something.  I really wish you wouldn’t do things like this without asking me.  Please let me take care of things like this next time.  I appreciate your trying to help, but it really wasn’t all that helpful. 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Just Kidding. 
 Do go ahead and remind her that the ______ are bringing a dessert as well.  She is more than welcome to make something too, (who turns away more dessert?) but just so she knows that.  J  Otherwise it sounded perfect!

Love you,

Big Teaser

Sarah then replied;

GOOOD GRIEF!!!  You just about gave me a heart attack!!!!

DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!  hahaha!

Ok, I'll let her know..... :)

 Love,
 your innocent, adorable, little sister who doesn't deserve teasing like that.... *impish grin*

My Reply;

“Your innocent , adorable, little sister who doesn’t deserve teasing like that…..*impish grin*"

Ummm, I must have the wrong person.  I was trying to e-mail my sister, Sarah Heckendorn.  So sorry about that.  If you know where I can contact her, please let me know. 

Here’s a description of her;

Ornery, scares easily, likes to sing, loves to wear weird clothing combinations, usually is happy, can tell a good joke, can’t make a fire to save her life, likes ginger in her tacos, is funny, silly, laughs a lot, cries, likes to read- but not often, makes beautiful things with her hands, is good with kids, doesn’t always care for suspense movies, is what you call a dark-haired beauty, wouldn’t believe you when you say that, even though it is true, looks gorgeous in red, can do her hair nicely, and is a drama queen!

If you hear from her, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Her answer;

Oh, Sarah Heckendorn!  Oh, dear. I'm sorry to say that I haven't talked to her since she was fired from the company due to some odd reasons.  The biggest was probably the fact that she refused to follow dress code. The other reasons are as follows:  She wouldn't work on her homework and instead chose to make little knitted, crocheted, or hand sewn items. She made many of the employees gag when telling about her 'secret ingredients' for different foods, made it impossible for the other employees to work with her incessant laughing (mostly at random things) and joke telling.  Her dramatic entries into the office will not be discussed in detail at this moment.  The worst part was when she would hide behind a cubicle to scare a fellow worker, and then end up scaring herself instead. Her problem with singing harmony without a melody was also a "major" problem.  She would also get strangely terrified if you just mentioned the latest suspense movie.

After many complaints, we finally had to let her go...  I do have a forwarding address though:

 Happy Valley

721 Coocoo Lane

Crazyville, JK, 72193

 I sincerly hope that you'll be able to find her... and help her... if there is still a chance.

Kindest Regards,

Mrs. Bubblegum 

 I guess most of these would be inside jokes.  Like the one about "hiding behind a cubicle and jumping out to scare an employee only to scare herself." *ahem* Yeah, she really did hide to scare someone and then after "dramaticaly" jumping out and scaring them...scare herself.

Needles to say with her around we are all kept in stitches.  (get it??? "needles"!!)

~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

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

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

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

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

God's Blessings

What an amazing year this has been.  A time of healing.  I never thought we would actually see the end of the valley we have been walking.  Yet, all I had to do was look up.  Sometimes you get to where all you are looking is where you will place your foot next.  When you really need to look up and ahead to see the Light. 

A Dear Friend of mine sent me this beautiful 2-page, front and back letter of encouraging words.  That was all that was in her letter, encouraging words.  I was so blessed by the letter, beyond comprehension.  I felt like it was a soothing balm on my soul.  I just read it and cried as she encouraged me that any trial you go through just makes you stronger, that my Savior is still there, waiting for me to sing and praise Him.  I cried as she reminded me that I need to stay strong for my family, that I need to be an example to my siblings.  Something I am afraid I have not been doing. 

Through these last couple of years, I tried staying strong.  Sure I had my down days, but I was strong.  You have to be at times.  But after the sale of the ranch fell through, I don't know what happened.  I was so weary, had been for so long I didn't think I could make it.  Then God blessed me with this letter from a friend reminding me that I was strong- through Him and Him only.  That I could make it through.  That this was just for a season- and I truly believe it is almost over.  I was so overwhelmed that someone would actually write me a 2-page letter with nothing about themselves.  It came at the perfect moment when I need that.  God knew just when I would need that perk to keep me going. 

I am still not perfect, and I covet your prayers.  I really just want to stay in bed and cry.  Usually I just get up and cry.  But life goes on and you have to keep going.  You have to put one foot in front of the other.

Although I have made it sound so sad, it truly has been a good year.  God has blessed us in sooo many ways!  My mom did a good post for that here.  We have had to feed our cows for much longer than usual because there is so little grass.  We have been feeding them twice as much as we normally do, 3 times a week.  Yet would you believe we have always had cubes in our feed bin since winter?  Yes!  Our God has kept us full of cubes so that we can help our cows and we have not had to order feed!  The gentleman who takes care of the yearlings is also feeding cubes, though not as much and not as often and he has had to refill.  I still just get that overwhelmed feeling when I think of it.

Read my Mom’s blog to hear the rest of what God is doing in our lives.  He truly has reminded us of His great Love.  Another friend of mine told me that in the Bible when it talks about Joy it also talks about it defeating satan.  When you have Joy in our Lord, where is room for him?   I have been trying to find Joy so that I do not let satan gain the victory of the moment.  It makes so much sense, when you are joyful satan doesn’t have room in your heart.  The moment you become discontent, angry, bitter, he just moves right in.  Ugh, now to go and do it!!!!

I pray that the Lord shows you His mighty Hand today!
~Rebecca

What Makes a Dad

I thought this was so cute and very appropriate! 

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

- Author Unknow

Blessings,
Rebecca

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow

I have a big praise to let everyone know about, as well as asking for some mega praying.  (Is there such a thing as mega praying???) 

We had a wonderful family come and look at half the ranch on Sunday.  It is a family of 5, with the oldest 2 children grown and married with children.  The youngest is still at home and is Josh's age!  They are homeschooling, are Christians, and are a sweet family.  They have registered Angus cows (!), raise horses (!!), do 4-H, show steers, and do rodeos.  The greatest thing is that they are really interested in making the whole neighbor thing work.  I mean really work.  They don't want to be your "average" neighbor.  They are wanting a good friendship.  They are only interested in part of the ranch which means that we would both be able to run about 170 cows.  A good amount. 

After a plethora of e-mails back and forth, they are coming out Sunday to join our church for Lunch, and then they will stay and we will talk some more.  Please be praying that we would be able to work it out so that we can both do what we are able to do.  Time wise, this couldn't be better.  We were both needing to get something worked out ASAP.  They have a lease that is expiring, and we need to get something moving!  (Doesn't that sound like God?) 

One of the things that was talked about was that instead of us selling the headquarters and have to build and move, they would buy the raw land and they would build and move.  (instead of us both moving)  Because the relationship is such, they could use our corrals until they get theirs built. 
At first we were a bit unexcited about this option.  As Mom and Dad talked it over, we realized that it would be a bit of work, but not bad to get this place fixed up the way we want it.  Plus it would save us the headache of building and moving.... :)  We would build a new house, just slowly and with us working on it which would save us a lot of money and we can build it just how we want it.

I had to share our praise with you and let you know.  I know many of our friends have been praying with us for a looong time. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.  For those of you who don't know, you know how to pray for my family!  No, nothing is on paper and signed, but we feel like that is where it is headed.  Please be praying for open doors if this is where God has us going.


In His Strong Arms,
Rebecca

Thankfulness

God is AMAZING!
Here is a small list of some of the Blessings He has given my family:

~Our bulls averaged 2200 including a bull that died!  (We normally want 1800-2000 for them, so this is great!)  GOD is so GOOD!
~We only have 1-2 more bulls left to sell
~Our Milk cow calved so we have fresh milk again.
~We have a 10 year old car that is still running well
~We all have what we need
~Our family was rejuvenated by another family recently, something we were all needing.  We are full of Joy again and ready to tackle what is ahead.
~We were blessed by a gift from a friend to take our family photo (she has a studio so these will be good!) we haven't had a family photo since Caleb was really little, so this is a nice blessing
~We have had healthy calves born so far.  We did lose 2 to the cold weather (-34 below!!) and God is providing us with exactly what we will need for next year!
~We have had LOTS of inquiries on the land!  We have had a few out to look, and a few that we are trying to get dates set for them to come and look.  (Please be praying for that)
~Everyone is strong and healthy. 

Wow.  Some of these may sound silly to you, I know.  But it has been a hard year and all of these things are great and wonderful blessings to us.  This year is going to be a good year, I know.  Thank you Dear Lord!

A Blessed,
Rebecca

Prayers Please!

~Hey there!  We are heading out tomorrow for a bull sale to sell 3 of our bulls.  Please pray for safe travel as we go, and that our bulls would sell well.  We are pretty excited as we enjoy going off and being away from the house.  :)

~I also ask that you would be praying as we have someone interested in the ranch.  Actually, we have a lot of people interested in the land and/or ranch.  Please be praying that God would make it clear to us what we need to do, and that everything will work smoothly.  We have been cleaning like crazy!  Mainly because we are leaving for the bull sale.  God has just been amazing and took us a whole year farther than we thought we would be able to go!!! Is our God good, or what? 

~Our calf's name is Millie!  Here are a few pictures of her with her Momma Dolly.  Dolly is doing so well with us milking her!  It has been so nice to not have to deal with a cow that wants to kick you every second. 

The second day we go out to milk and... the calf wasn't there in the pen!  I mean, you can't really go anywhere, it isn't a huge pen and we can see all of it from the door of the barn!  We laughed at ourselves and walked around the feeder... No calf. 

We got a bit worried wondering where she would be able to go.  I stepped around the tank to go look in the other pens and there she was!  She just thought that nice black tire would be a warm spot to sleep next too! 

Sure scared us.

Dolly is so gentle and doesn't mind us petting her calf or her out in the pen. 

Alright, I am going to go curl up and go to bed.  It has been a long day.

What do you think of the Calf's new name? 

Your Sister in Christ,

Rebecca

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Have a Wonderful Day.  :)  We had a bunch of fun planning today for you. 

Love,
One of your Quiver