Hugs!

It's wondrous what a hug can do,
a hug can cheer you when your blue.
A hug can say, "I love you so,"
or, "Gee I hate to see you go."

A hug is, "Welcome back again!"
and, "Great to see you!" or
"Where've you been?"
A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug! There's just no doubt about it,
We scarcely could survive without it.
A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms.

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sister, swell for brothers,
and chances are some favorite aunts
love them more then potted plants.

Kittens crave them. Puppies love them.
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier,
And make the dullest day seem merrier.

No need to fret about the store of 'em.
The more you give, the more there
are of 'em.
So stretch those arms without delay
and give someone a hug today

-Author Unknown

Dolly had a baby

As you know (or will find out in two seconds) we have had milk cows for a while now.  We started out with an older milk cow named Clarice, and recently traded a beef cow for a younger milk heifer.  (Clarice was past the prime of her life)  Our youngen' is Dolly.  She is about 2 1/2.  We had let Clarice dry up about 5 months ago, and while enjoying our time off from milking, we were missing the milk.   Dolly had been bagging up for a while and we were expecting a calf any day now.  We were wanting to keep an eye on her as Jerseys are real delicate and tend to get problems if you don't take care of things. (we have learned the hard way) 

Well, Josh and Dad had fed the cows yesterday (Sunday), and noticed that she was really bagged up.  (I mean her udder was full of milk which means she will be calving soon).  On Clarice we had had to milk before she calved as she got too full and had problems.  Dad mentioned it to us tonight as we were visiting, and since it was still daylight and a pretty evening I went out to go check on her and everyone else.

 I walked out past the barn to the pasture she is in and the pen they come in for water and say a cute little black calf!  Now, one of the black cows we have out there was standing next to it so I thought it was her calf.  Not sure who we had that was due to calve anytime, I went a different route to get to that pasture.  (them mommas can get real picky about how close you are.  And in general I can run faster then they can for a short distance, but I have never really wanted to push it) 
As I came around the corner of the pen and looked out I could just see Dolly go running into the pen with the calf in it.  Mooing.  That's about when the light bulb came on and I realized that.... DOLLY HAD HER CALF!!!!!!!!

Yup, Dolly is a proud mother of a cute little black heifer.  Name is still undecided but we will let you know as soon as we all agree on it.  :D

We had to milk Dolly out some as she was producing more than the little heifer could eat.  She did really well.  She kicked a little, but Dad would just tap her with a rope and she decided to hold still.  Considering that she was really full she did great!  We will have to keep milking her until we get her milk under control, but I think we can get it going.  Yeah!!! 

Man, I am so looking forward to some good, fresh, pure milk!  Isn't she so cute?

Love in Christ,
Rebecca

Random Pictures

Here are a few random pictures from my repertoire.  Thought I would share some of the cute ones with you...

^Sarah and Caleb cooking in the kitchen^

^Tinker and Button^

^Button found a perfect place to take a nap. Made one girl happy^

^Hang on to that sister!^

^These two are pathetic. Even when they are taking naps they have to be together.^

^Can you see Button's foot?^

(Under Tinker's head)

^Pretty Clouds from the East^

^Ever heard of Ferdinand that Bull?^

^This is actually my bull^

^I am telling you, that sister relationship is fun^

^Enjoy Life!^

Love in Christ,

Rebecca

Bride?

We sang this song yesterday during worship.  It is one we have sung many, many times but this time it struck me.

Sing a Song of Celebration, life up a shout of praise
For the Bridegroom will come The Glorious One
And Oh, we will look on His face.
We will go, to a much better place.

Dance with all your might, lift up your hands and clap for joy
For the Time's drawing near.  When He will appear
And Oh, we will stand by His side.
A Strong, Pure, Spotless Bride

(Chorus)
We will Dance on the streets that are golden
The Glorious Bride and the Great Son of Man
From every tongue, and tribe and nation will join
In the Song of the Lamb.

 Just as I am waiting for the perfect timing for my bridegroom to come, so I should be waiting for the time when my true Bridegroom will come.  Just as I think about and prepare for my earthly bridegroom, I should be doing more for my true Bridegroom.  We the Church should be preparing.  We do already, I know, but we should also be looking forward to that day.  How many times do I think and dream about my earthly wedding?  Quite a few times.  OK, a lot.  I don't tend to think about Christ that way.  As thinking and dreaming for His wedding that He has prepared for.

How often do I wonder where my husband (if that is what God has in store for me) is at this moment.  What is he doing?  What is he thinking?  Is he keeping himself pure?  Is he saving his heart for me?  God is the same with us- we know that from scripture.  For God, though, He had to see His Bride go to other gods.  They didn't remain pure and wait for Him.  They didn't trust Him completely.  Through it all He was always there when they repented and turned back.  Ready to forgive them and heap the many blessings He wanted to give them but couldn't when they were in sin and rebellion. 

As many times as I look forward to finally meeting my earthly husband, so I should- and even more- look forward to the Bridegroom of the Church and finally seeing Him face-to-face.  

Enjoy your True Valentine today!

Happy Valentine's Day, may you enjoy the Love that God has given us to share. 
Rebecca

John 15:9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love."

Books!

OK, OK.  I went a bit crazy.  Just a bit.  I went and bought 9 new books.  :)  I am really looking forward to getting them.  I haven't bought a book in a while.  I received some wonderful books for my Birthday that I need to get to work on as well.  ( I have started a few) 
Here are the new ones I just got:

The Moonstone by Wilke Collins
Hard Times by Dickens
The Jungle  by Upton Sinclair
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Age of Innoncence by Edith Wharton
The Glorious Conspiracy by Joanne Williamson
And Forever Free by Joanne Williamson
To Dream Upon a Crown by Joanne Williamson

Joanne Williamson is an author I really enjoy.  She is a young adult writer of historical fiction.  She has also written Shadow Hawk and Hitite Warrior.  They are probably in my top ten of books.  She writes so well.  Even though they are aimed at a younger audience, I decided  I wanted to build up my library and I can't stay at only "older" material.  Plus I just really like her....  :)

Love in Christ,
Rebecca

School

This past week has been a crazy week.  It was full of different activities, and the weekend was full of visiting some different families, and church.  My point is that I decided that I would do other things instead of school. 

My last class I took was pretty easy.  I could read the chapter and send in my assignments, AND take the quiz in an hour.  (In other words, in an hour the day it was due..... )  The 2 classes I am taking right now are a little bit heavier time wise then what my Business English had been.  About half an hour reading time, and about a half to an hour writing time.  For my Word class writing and editing using the new tools I had learned, and with my Medical Transcription class, transcribing.  Yeah, it is taking a bit longer..... 

So it had been a crazy week and I hadn't done school and Monday comes and my work is due.  I stress out a bit, but crunch down and get it done.  I couldn't remember what I was supposed to be working on in my chapter (she won't always have you do every single assignment that is in the book) but when I went go to get online, the Internet wasn't working with the snow!!!!!  I stressed out, stressed Mom out, and just finished doing school praying the Internet would come back on, or else we would go into Moriarty, use the library, or McDonald's. 

God was so good to me and the Internet finally came back on!!!  I have learned my lesson, though, and am working on school right now even though it isn't due until Monday.......

Love In Christ,
Rebecca

Inspired Magazine

This is a magazine that I am a part of as a photographer.  It is a Christian magazine for young ladies somewhere in their teen years.  (although they are letting me on the team, so I am sure they would love to have older ladies as well. :) )  They are just getting started and should have their first mag out about April.  They are not printing, just sending it via e-mail. 

If you are a young lady that would be interested in sending in writings, helping edit, doing photography, or any web design, they are still on the lookout!  Just go here and check out their application form.  I really think this will be a neat magazine, and the more people you have helping make it the better it will become, but you also need someone to read it!  So go sign up!!!    Here is the bio they have on their webpage...

About Us

Inspired magazine is a magazine for Christian girls ages 13-19. The magazine is free, online, and will be sent directly to your inbox. The magazine will be filled with things from devotionals, recipes, short stories, testimonies, and more. To get more updates about the magazine and learn about the behind the scenes of the magazine, check out our blog at inspired-magazine.blogspot.com

How Inspired Started

Inspired magazine was started by Maggie in August of 2010 when she noticed a need for wholesome, Christian magazines. Maggie hopes to see the magazine grow as it is in God's hands and also be able to expand the magazine as the minitry continues to grow.

Mission

1. To encourage girls in their walk with Christ and teach them to glorify the Lord in everything they say and do.

2. To create a magazine in which girls all over the world will enjoy and share with their friends, sisters, mom, and more.

3. To inspire girls to reach out and accomplish their dreams for the honor and glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

Blessings,

Rebecca