Day 2 of Thanksgiving - My Parents

The "older" couple in this picture are some of my favorite people.  They are the ones I call Dad & Mom.  They are the ones that God entrusted in to raise me and my 3 brothers.  Today, I am thankful for them.  Since becoming a parent, my respect and appreciation for them has grown.  It makes me sad sometimes that as kids we don't appreciate them as much then.  How much easier we could have made their lives.

My parents gave me a heritage that not every person is blessed with, and that heritage is a Biblical worldview. They taught me about God and placed me in environments that furthered their own teaching.  They instilled in us kids the things that are important in light of eternity. Some would look on and scoff thinking that is too sheltered.  I can honestly say a sheltered life never hurt anyone.  But rather it better prepares us for our real life that is to come which is outside this world, Heaven.

My parents are hard workers and they didn't just keep it to themselves.  They passed their work ethic on to their kids.  And my brothers would say more so to them than me. LOL  My dad's #1 rule in the house was always work first play last.  When not in school I spent my days feeding animals, watering and weeding the gardens, mowing grass, helping mom with the canning, washing the supper dishes, vacuuming, dusting, ironing, and after I had my drivers license I did a lot of the grocery shopping, banking, and other errands.  I cleaned dad's houses and went with mom to pick out kitchens, lights, tile, & carpet for dad's houses. They gave us kid's the training/tools we would need to make it on our own in life.

Dad loved us kids which made him tough on us. When we got our feelings hurt he listened, and then told us to let it run off like water on a duck's back.  At the time, those words were never what we wanted to hear.  But looking back they were to our benefit.  He is a self, employed business man. He served his country via the Navy.  He has worked hard all his adult life to provide for his family and to give us a lifestyle that is only possible here in America.

Mom was/is one of my hero's in the Christian faith.  If I can be half the Christian lady she is I might accomplish something good in this world.  You won't find her on the front page of Christianity Today or even within it's pages for that matter.  But she is on the cover of my life's book.  It was because of her faithfulness that I am who I am today.  Too many parents look at their kids through rose tinted glasses.  Their kids never do anything wrong.  And when the kid does slip up the parents turn their head away because they don't want to accept that their offspring blew it.  Not my mom and I am so thankful!!  While racing through my teenage years at full speed with a heart of rebellion, it was my mom who stopped me in my tracks. She looked me in the eye one day and told me that I was being rebellious and quoted "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."  I Samuel 15:23a
Talk about a wake up call.  It was the very thing I needed.  

Thank you mom and dad for raising me the way you did, I'd pick you to do it again if given the choice.  You gave me a good child-hood. One that I look back on with fond memories!!

November - A month of Thanksgiving

Unless you never updated your wall calendar this year, you don't need me to tell you what day and month this is :)  Except for "Black Friday"  and if you are a PA resident the 1st day of deer season, November and it's day of Thanksgiving is a "forgotten" holiday.  We seem to go from Halloween the day that kids scream give me give me for candy to Christmas where kids holler give me give me for toys. The narcissism can almost  make me lose my mind.

I have decided to join some of my facebook friends who post each day of the month something they are thankful for.  Because I can get wordy :) I decided to blog my thanks and then share to FB.  So here goes!!

November 1, 2012

My very first thankfulness is for my husband.  Yep I'm going to get mushy. ;)  Reuben to many of you is "trouble", an ornery guy who likes to have fun.  Which usually involves picking on people.  But to me, Reuben is my one and only best friend.  No he's not perfect.  He's made me down right mad a few times.  But for me he is perfect.  All my life, I had a Reuben size hole in my heart, at 6'3" that's a big hole. :) When I met him 12.5 years ago he slipped right in so perfectly. There was no guessing, no twisting and turning like a tricky puzzle piece.

My love and admiration for him goes beyond the tall, handsome guy I fell in love with at first sight.  He is my source of sanity from the craziness of life.  He is my source of strength and solidarity in a shifting world.  Those days when I feel extremely melancholy he slips his arms around me, holds me tight, and tells me how I am his world.  He don't get mad when I flub up supper, or forget to fold and put his underwear away. :)

He works hard to provide for his family so I can stay-at-home and raise our kids.  Quite often he cooks Saturday breakfast and Sunday's lunch so I can have a break.  He's a good chef!!  He's not been "too above" household jobs like laundry, dishes, and vacuuming when I've been sick or need a hand when company is coming.

He is the one that makes me laugh, think, sometime cry, and have helped me be a better person.  He strives to be sensitive to my emotions and needs.  He has never been demanding.  But rather gentle and makes me feel like a lady.  After 10 years of being married, he still opens my car door :)  He is the one on Sunday who combs the boy's hair, ties shoes, and gets all the kids into the van.

I couldn't have asked for a better life companion then my Reuben.  God was definitely smiling on me the day he brought the two of us together.  Those memories are some of my favorite and I hope that when Alzheimer comes I take those memories with me.  I'm glad it's not over, and when Friday rolls around my handsome trucker will be back home.  But in between then memories of phone calls & text messages will be made :)

I love you Reuben Romain!!  And I am VERY Thankful for you.  Doubly so on November 22 when it is your real birthday and not the fake ones you have made up through the year :) :)

Taken 12 years ago :) Boy were we young!!

Being "Trouble" :)

Free Child Evangelism Story

Feel free to use this story along with the clip-art I have included with it.  Just copy and paste everything into your computer's Word program and you should be able to print it right away.

“The Pumpkin and The Scarecrow”

by: Susanna Zeigler

It was a cold day in October and all around me was the beauty of Fall. Brightly colored leaves floated lazily down from the trees and scattered on the ground creating a beautiful carpet. The air was crisp and made me feel fresh and alive for the first time in my life.

As I lay there soaking in the beauty around me I knew that I was very blessed. And creeping into every fiber of my being came a desire to show my thanksgiving. And so I began to think of a way to give back to God but I couldn’t think of anything. Even though I felt fresh and alive I still was unaware of my purpose in life.

Several days went by and I began to get very impatient wondering what I could do with my life. I even started to get a little worried when I saw what the purpose was of those around me. I didn’t want to end up like that; it seemed so meaningless. That’s when I saw something out the corner of my eye. At first I was startled but soon realized it was harmless. Standing there straight and tall and arms out-stretched was a figure dressed in funny clothes. The moment our eyes met I knew this was someone who could help me in my dilemma.

The funny clothed figure looked at me with love and understanding in his eyes and kindly asked what the matter was. With a little hesitation I told him, and to my relief he did not laugh or make fun of me. And with the same kindness he said to me, “no matter what you are asked to do, do it with all your heart and do it the best you can.” It seemed so simple that I didn’t believe it at first, but I decided to believe and obey anyway.

Keeping my promise wasn’t always easy, for you see I am a Pumpkin and there are things pumpkins don’t want to do. Like being cooked, mashed, and baked into a pie or to sit on someone’s porch looking pretty. All those things seemed senseless to me.

Finally the day came when I would learn my purpose in life. My stomach was churning as the Farmer came closer and closer. Just as he was reaching down to pluck me from the vine I heard my friend, Scarecrow, say, “remember what I said and you will be a happy pumpkin.” Boy was I ever thankful for that gentle reminder because I was going to need it in the days that followed.

I thought that once the Farmer had picked me I would know what I was to be, but that was not the case. After the Farmer had filled his wagon full he hauled us to the Farm yard near the road and placed a huge “For Sale” sign against the side of the wagon and left us. And there I sat with dozens of other pumpkins waiting for someone to want me.

A few days went by and the number of pumpkins on the wagon was getting less and less. I was starting to get scared wondering if anyone would ever pick me. Than one chilly evening near the end of October a family stopped. It was a rather large family - eight kids and a Dad and Mom. They came running out of their vehicle laughing and giggling as if they’d never seen a pumpkin before. My first reaction was to not like them, but it didn’t take long to see what a fun, loving family they were. My next reaction was to sit up straight and tall so they would see me. This was a family I wanted to take me home with them.

I was starting to despair when two chubby, little hands grabbed me and began to yell “this is the one I want.” My heart began to pound with excitement thinking that my wish might come true. Then I heard Mother ask, “Are you sure, look at these ones over here?” My heart started to sink and then I heard, “I don’t want those, I want this one.” Finally, after what seemed like forever, they decided I was the one, and I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Even though I had been bought I still didn’t know what I would be doing. Would they turn me into pie? But my desire to be the best returned and I realized I was ready and willing to do anything.

It was an uneventful yet noisy ride to my new home. Upon arrival I was taken to the porch and set on a wooden table. As I looked around at my new surroundings I became very much aware of a funny looking object lying on the table next to me. I had no clue what it was but I was soon to find out.

Meanwhile in the house my new family was all sitting around the table with pencil and paper trying to see who could draw the best face; whatever for I didn’t know. All I knew is they were having a good time and I was sitting outside feeling lonely. After a time of drawing and voting the family all came out and gathered around me while the father picked up the funny object.

My throat suddenly became very dry as I realized the funny object was a carving knife and that this lovely family was going to use it on me. As the blade was inserted into my flesh a voice from the past flashed into my memory, “no matter what you are asked to do, do it with all your heart and do it the best you can.” And suddenly the pain didn’t seem so bad and I began to anticipate the future.

A hole was cut into the top of my head and all my insides scooped out. On one side of me was carved a toothy smile and on the inside of me a candle was placed. After the carving process was complete I was moved to the front of the house and placed on the top step and my candle was lit.

The family stood around a while admiring me and explaining how they couldn’t wait for Grandpa and Grandma to see me. Sitting there listening to them I soon realized I was quite the specimen and found myself enjoying my new job. After the family went inside for dinner I caught a glimpse of myself in the front door and my breath caught. Never before had I seen myself, and I looked so happy sitting there glowing from the candlelight. And a little song burst from my toothy smile, “this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…”

My message to all boy and girls is this: Jesus is standing with arms out-stretched waiting and longing for you to come to Him. Allow Him to come into your heart and life and become the best person that you can be for Jesus. There will be carving times in your life and there will be some pain. But with Jesus in your heart the future will always be bright.

Heaven - The Christian's True Destination

I read a comment sometime back, "One by one, God is calling his children home".  Yesterday I was once again reminded of that comment when I learned of the passing of another saint.  Because sin came into this world we can no longer live forever here.  We all must leave. We live in a day when the reality of eternal destinations has become twisted out of truth.  Go to any funeral, memorial service, or wake and listen to the speakers.  Almost no one goes to Hell anymore.  It don't matter how sinful the person was they all get to Heaven.  But God's Word tells us otherwise:  Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. --Matthew 18:3  

Unless the heart has become hardened, people are aware that the end of this world is soon.  The Scriptures point to many things that are happening right now as things we need to be watching for. 

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  --II Timothy 3:1-7

 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. --Mark 13:8

So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it^[f] is near—at the doors! --Mark 13:29

It all seems doom and gloom and no one wants to think about it.  Many have allowed themselves to become hardened to it.  

But for the redeemed:  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. --Mark 13:20

And the BEST:   And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

¹⁷ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  --Revelation 7:13-17

13 months ago my middle brother died in a car accident.  The life he had lived was not that of the redeemed.  He chose to believe the lie that there was too many apologies he would have to make if he got saved. He felt like he'd made too many blunders.  However, he had a mom who has always prayed "Lord whatever it takes to get my children to Heaven".  I've had doubts that he made it to Heaven.  One of the verses read in church this past Sunday said otherwise: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. II Timothy 2:13

Don't grieve for those who are being called home now, but rejoice because they won't have to face the persecution.  And as was my brother's death that was going to be the only way he made it to Heaven. 

Christian, don't stop praying for your loved one because God will be faithful.  Christian, don't give up in your own walk. Heaven, our the true destination is closer then we realize.

Scoffers like to ask, "so you are better then everyone else cause you are redeemed".  The real answer to that is just the opposite.  We are redeemed because we say our need of a saviour.  The sinner has turned away from this free gift with the attitude I don't need a saviour.

I leave with you this song.  Worthy the Lamb

Painted Country Signs

Due to the recent garden and canning season I've not blogged much lately.  Thought I better get on here to give you an idea of what I'm up to now.  Except for canning tomato soup and maybe applesauce another harvest is behind me.  And at this point I am more then happy to call it quits.

We have stored away for the winter:
*150+ quarts green beans (I used + sign cause I can't remember)
*57 quarts corn
*50 quarts pickles
*25 quarts peas
*17 quarts zucchini
*50+ quarts tomato sauce

Now its time for funner things :)  I started making and selling these signs about 6 years ago when we lived in New York.  I found a shop in the town where we lived that sold Primitive style stuff.  The shop owner loved my work.  But since moving away I've not been brave enough to face going to stores again to see if the shop owners will sell.  I'm not a salesperson, so I really drag my feet in this area.

Now that my husband does a lot of scroll saw work we will be doing some craft shows this year close to Christmas time.  This is my opportunity to get my paints out and make some signs once again.  My signs are not the picture perfect, assembly line type sign you will find in Hobby Lobby, etc...  I make mine to looks like they have really been around awhile.  I sand the piece of wood down to make sure there is no splinters.  Then I give it 1 coat of paint.  Spray paint is the fastest way to go.  Then I letter them.  Some of them are done with stencil some are not.  After the paint is all dry I sand them till I'm happy with their look. Then I finish it with 1 application of stain. Making sure to rub off the excess with paper towel.

Linking up with:

Show & Tell

Living In a Self-Absorbed World

One need not travel far to see the fallen plight of humanity.

We live in a century that makes us look intelligent due to all the inventions of a few people.  The contraption (computer) that once filled an entire room can now fit in your palm.  Our kids have learned to use it before they could talk.  Telephones that once hung on the wall and you could only travel as far the cord could reach now travels the globe in our pockets.  Medicine has become so advanced that some of the people practicing it think they are God.  And the list could go on and on.

We look at all these great things and think WOW we have come so far.  To a point yes we have.  But in reality we as humans are going backwards.  Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with all the inventions of we are blessed with.  But our dependency on them and not on God is what is changing us.  They have made us be so self-sufficient that life has become all about me and what I can do.

Society in general is rude.  Just go sit near the check outs at a Walmart or be a waitress in a restaurant.  Become aware of what people are doing around you and you will see what I'm talking about.  And it is the simplest things.  Many times I'm in a store and the clerk tells the person in front of me the usual "have a good day".  Never a reply!!  No wonder clerks are taken by surprise when I say "thank you and you too." Common courtesy is a bygone thing.

I've heard of people getting sued because they stopped at an accident to help.  The person would have rather died then be saved.  Women not wanting to take responsibility for their actions visit abortion clinics set up all over this country.  We have uprisings such as Occupy Wall Street because too many don't want to get off their lazy backside and make an honest living.  They think the rest of Americans owe them.  I'm not sure where they get their thinking cause they have done nothing worthy of being given everything.  All they are is another piece of carbon footprint adding to the great global warming.  If you believe in all that.

The divorce rate is through the roof.  And that has a lot more to do with self absorption than the "innocent party" line.  Yes there are people who are in abusive marriages but they are really the minority in a divorce.  Many of them stay married out of fear.  It is those who just aren't getting what they want who pick up and leave like a little kids.

We as moms (speaking to myself here) need to be so careful in thinking about that "alone time".  Yes we need a breather from our kids.  But it can become our focus if we aren't careful

And sadly, this self absorbed disease has come into the church world as well.  It's like cancer it comes in different forms but the end result is the same, its destructive. Some churches don't want to mess up their well manicured look.  "Oh we could never have a children's ministry' all those snotty nose brats would be too much of an interruption.  We wouldn't be able to get out of the service what God has for us."    Give to missions??  Are you crazy!!  We need that money to pay for our new parking lot.  "I'm not going to invite that sinner next door to come.  He/She doesn't dress like we do."  And one that is becoming one of my biggest pet peeves is "Don't judge me".  "I can do/say/dress/go whatever and where ever I want. No one not even the Bible is going to tell me how to live my life."  "You bet ya I'm a Christian and you are not because you just judged/told me something I didn't want to hear".

Self Absorbency is killing us.  No one wants to be around a person who has it.   Let me encourage you/myself.  Rise above this craziness.  Get your mind off yourself.  Yes I'm sure you do have a lot on your mind that is troubling you.  But strive to forget about that and focus on those around you. Ask God to lead you to someone who needs a friend.  Pray for other people's problems rather then your own.  Pray God's blessing (not revenge) on that person who has hurt you.  Smile at strangers when you are out-and-about.  And stop looking at them as though they have a 3rd nostril. Bake some cookies for your mail lady.  Pray for your pastor and his wife rather then complain about them.  Give that lazy waitress an extra large tip rather then none at all.  And hardest of all, love your family.  Those we live with and are around 24/7 are the hardest to give our selves to.  Washing their dishes, making their beds, and doing their laundry isn't good enough.  Telling your husband "I love you" isn't good enough.  Our kids and our spouses need to experience acts of kindness out of the ordinary.  Notes in their lunch, bedtime stories, games, etc are all a part of getting rid of our-self and living for God/Others.

Living aware of our surroundings rather then ourselves makes us a beautiful and likable person.  God help me to be just that.

Blessings to ya!!

Celebrating 10 Years!

On a very hot, 3rd day in August of 2002 we said "I do".  As newly weds 10 years looked like it was way out there somewhere in old fogey land.  Well would you know we have reached that mile stone and we are no where near old fogey. haha  My husband might think otherwise on my part since I'm older then him but that's beside the point. 

To celebrate this special moment, we took our 4 kids to their Aunt Gina's house.  After killing, skinning, cleaning, & packaging 11 chickens in the morning for Gina we went on our merry way.  

We had the rest of the day just the 2 of us like it was 10 years ago :)  Talk about relaxing and exciting!  Reuben & I aren't into a lot of shopping.  Nor are we into crowded places.  We LOVE nature and that is always were we seem to head.  So to Emlenton, PA we went.  Twas a wild, goose chase down dirt roads through forest and meadows in search of some waterfalls.  Going down those country roads in the mountains of PA one never knows what beauty they shall behold.

Our camera zoom did not do this horse farm justice.

An old rickety barn.

Wild life!  Always exciting to see.

After driving up and down steep mountains we did find the fall.  But we decided it wasn't to our liking due to other people being there.  So we traveled down to the end of the road the falls were on and found a mysterious tunnel.  We had the spookiest time of our lives for the next while. As we ventured the entire way through the tunnel on foot without a flash light :)

This pictured turned out weird.  This is just inside the tunnel entrance.

The darkness sums up our walk.  You can see that they have reflectors through the whole thing. However you almost don't notice the reflectors after awhile because you are too focused on the sliver of light coming from the other end which is around a slight bend.

Upon exiting the tunnel this was what we found. The Allegheny River! We had to walk down a steep bank to get to it. 

Wild flowers growing along the steep bank.

Upon leaving the tunnel and traveling back through the forest. We stopped here at the bottom of the mountain.  It was so relaxing. There was no one around.  And all was quiet except for the water going over the rocks.  The cold water also created a cool oasis from the heat of the sun that was shining brightly.

And thus ended our little get-away or so I thought :)

While traveling on I-80 heading back towards Ohio. Reuben asks if I'd be interested in doing something unplanned like going and seeing if we could find the B&B we spent the first 2 nights of our honeymoon. To see if we could remember what it looked like and get a picture.  Sure I was all for that.  So he looks it up on the GPS.  What do you know, the place is listed. So he hits the navigation button and off we go on a little detour.  

We get off at the Grove City exit and wind our way through the country till we come to the small town. Modern technology is wonderful because we hadn't been there in 10 years so it was great to have a GPS guide us smoothly through town until we came to "Snow Goose Inn".  I was getting disappointed that we weren't slowing down and pulling off so I could snap a picture. Instead the crazy guy says "I wonder if I can remember how to get in this place". As he pulls onto the side road next to the Inn. I mentioned that the parking was behind.  So he maneuvers the vehicle down the lane and into their parking place and proceeds to turn the ignition off.  I'm thinking the whole time this is ridiculous.  Why are we doing this now we have to walk around to the front and get that picture.  The owners are gonna wonder what we are doing.  He grins real big and says "I have reservations for tonight".  You better believe it, it took me several minutes to pick my jaw back up off my lap and adjust my eyes back into their sockets. haha  

The lady gave us the same room we stayed in 10 years ago. What can I say but that it was "the icing on the cake" to a perfectly, happy day.  

These roses and a box of chocolates from Proflowers waited for me in our room.  10 years later and he still makes my heart beat a little faster :) Even if he wouldn't have done all this he'd still be my very best friend and I love him more today!!  From the depths of my heart, THANK YOU Reuben Romain for this weekend and all that you did to make me truly feel loved and special. ♥♥♥