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