"More Precious Than Rubies"

 

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 The word Mother, Moder, Muoter can cause a gamut of emotions every time it's heard, read, or spoken. Some of us are privileged to have our Mother still living and that brings joy and happiness. Others have experienced the sorrow of saying goodbye which still brings a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes. Many ladies are blessed to go to their grave having been Mother to children and then grandchildren and maybe even great grands. There are ladies who experienced being Mother for only a short while - the loss of their infant or young child burns a hole in their heart that never seems to find complete healing. And sadly, there are ladies who empathize with Hannah - crying out to God with sorrow so deep that words are unutterable.

 

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Mother's Day is looked upon as a special day, celebrating that special person who gave us the gift of life - Mother.  Children try to outdo each other in their gifts, corsages are worn to church, Daddies cook lunch, kids wash the dishes - giving Mother a day "off".  Mother's phone has never been more busy then today - giving her their love and telling her she is the best. Mother feels like a queen and Proverbs 3:15 feels like it was finally attained. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  

 

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 Mother's Day is looked upon as a reminder of what is missing in ones life - a day of mourning. Whether it's because a phone call to Mother is no longer a reality or because arms are empty. Today can be looked upon with a sense of dread. Church has never seemed so lonely, flowers seem to mock us, and little kids bring tears.

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It was never meant for a day that represents God's love to humanity to be such an emotion packed day. So to ladies everywhere whether you are Mother to many or Mother in heart I wish you Happy Mother's Day!!  May you reflect on the love of God toward you. No matter your "status" you are beautiful in His sight!

For I know the plans I have for you...

plans to prosper you and not to harm you

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
    who is enthroned on high?
⁶ He stoops to look down
    on heaven and on earth.
⁷ He lifts the poor from the dust
    and the needy from the garbage dump.
⁸ He sets them among princes,
    even the princes of his own people!
⁹ He gives the childless woman a family,
    making her a happy mother.

Praise the Lord!   Psalm 113:5-9

Happy Mother's Day to one and all!!!

 

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Big Decision Reveal!!

We are everything that big Government fears - God fearing, Bible believing, gun hunting family. LOL And because of that giving our kids a solid education in a Christian environment is very high on our priority list.  Our church has an awesome school that our school-aged children attend which requires me driving 72 miles a day to get them there and pick them back up.  I really don't want to spend the next 15 years doing that. Not to mention we love our church family so much we just want to move closer to them :)  We want to be able to have people over for a meal but can't expect people to drive so far out of their way.  It seems like God is opening the doors for us to move to the same town area that the school/church is located.  I thought I'd share this doll house with you that has served our family very well for 3 years.  We do have a potential buyer, but if you know of someone who is looking to buy in our area send them our way :)

I have simplified the kitchen for showings so as to make it more appealing to buyers. Mr. Z gave is a fresh coat of paint on both ceiling and walls. We left under the cabinets the "burnt gingerbread" just for a little character.

Living room

The Master bedroom

One of the bedrooms upstairs. Believe it or not this cozy cottage has 4 bedrooms.

What country bathroom is complete without outhouses :)

Mr. Z mulched!!  Its not black but it is mulch and man, what a difference!!

I was never a pink person until I had my little Katie Rose. I just had to buy this the other day at the Farm Market cause it made me think of my Rosebud as I sometimes call her :)

Flowering crab-apple is beautiful right now.

Hopefully we can sell soon so we can move to the big house in the big woods :)

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!!

"He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom..."

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I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

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I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name

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He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

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Than to be the king of a vast domain

And be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

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Porch Primping & More

Driving home from the chiropractor Friday morning my in-love-with-red-geraniums eye caught sight of these beauties at our local farm market. So I swung in and picked me up a couple along with spiked grass. I already knew what I was going to do with them; thus, I could hardly wait to get home and just do it :)  Yes, I'm a bit crazy I know.  But you might as well know Red Geraniums and me are like a husband and wife, we have to have each other. LOL  

I started with this set up.  I saw a technique for potted plants on Pinterest to help keep moisture in the dirt better; thus, keep them from needing watered every day and keeping them healthy.

The technique involves an unused, disposable baby diaper.  I put some soil in the pot first, then I put the diaper in next opened up and inside of diaper facing toward me. Then I filled the pot the rest of the way with the dirt.  Don't know if it will work or not, but I'm trying it :)  In case you are wondering, diapers can hold a VERY large amount of liquid, therefore helping to keep the water from just running right out of the pot every time you water.

Then I planted my beautiful "Patriot Red Geraniums" and 2 tall spikes.  I like spikes because they add height to potted flowers and they don't take up a lot of room.

Since I had 2 extra Spikes I planted them in a different pot so they wouldn't just die and go to waste. I like how they add a little extra greenery to this corner of my porch.  We must like growing grass around here cause the short grass is my son's. He has really taken an interest in growing things this year and likes to take the scissors to it and give it a good trimming every now-n-then :)

The wind chime is probably my favorite type of music. It's sweet lullabies always bring a sense of relaxation. This is my first bamboo chime and I love it. It's music is totally different then it's metal kin.

Our Bleeding Hearts of blooming profusely this year.  These beauties came all the way from New York with us and seem to love living in Ohio :)

Don't you just love their dainty, delicate blossoms?  They are a very fascinating and unique flower.

Our apple tree is in her bridal attire.  She is always so beautiful this time of year and oh the perfume you gives off is just incredible.  I inhale deeply every time I walk outside.  I don't know if candle companies have ever made an apple blossom scent, but they need to.  

Well that is all for now. Company is coming and I still have a few things to do before they arrive. I hope this post has given a little inspiration to someone. Have a blessed day!!

2013's First Yard Sale

One of the things I love and look forward to in Spring is the start-up of yard sales.  No other means can you find great products for your home for cents.  Nor is there a better means for finding items to resale on ebay or etsy.  This past Friday was yard sale #1 of the new year.  I was totally excited!!!

My husband & I were driving toward home Friday morning and instead of turning down our road he turns left.  Gotta love a guy who knows my love for yard sales and takes me to one without me asking.  We found is fun bargains. I forgot to get a picture of the small kids, lawn chair that we got too. Oh well!!

I love doily's especially hand-stitched ones for .10

I thought this soap dish will go perfectly in my "Outhouse" bathroom.

I loved this little, old picture frame. It looks like it should be a mirror since it tilts.  I'm not sure, I thinking I might turn the glass part into a chalk board. What do you think??  I love some of the little chalk boards I've seen in blogland where people put a daily scripture verse on them and they sit in unique places, eg, bathroom counter, kitchen window, etc...  I'd like to do that with this :)

A 16 pc set for $5.00. There was 2 boxes and we bought both of them.  They are very pretty and something different from the normal dishes that have color.

Prior to the yard sale we had been over in the big town where my husband's work is located. He had training and I went along for the ride knowing that there was a "Home Goods" store over there.  I didn't even get 1/2 through the decor stuff when he texted his meeting was done. But here is a few things I scored on :)

The oil/chicken bottle I got to put my dish soap in so that way it looks pretty sitting on the counter :)  A bamboo flipper for the pancake griddle, and a lavender cake mix just because that fascinates me :) 

It's been a good, fun weekend!! Now it's Monday and my to-do list isn't shrinking with me on here so until next time, have a wonderful week!!

Oh God! Heal Our Land!

When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.   Isaiah 1:15

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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  

 Psalm 139:13-16

If you pay attention to current news you are well aware of the case concerning Kermit Gosnell.  (Kermit=fat, wart-covered frog, yep his momma named him well) If you want to read the latest news on him I included a link in his name. Beware, it's not for the timid of heart nor the weak of stomach.

When I read/hear about the practices of abortion clinics and the procedures they do to perform their murders and then the extra procedures they do to make sure that their kill was permanent.  I ALWAYS wonder what did these people allow into their lives to cause them to step out of the realm of humanity and into monster-hood.  Do these people even sleep at night?  How can they live with themselves?  There is an evilness here that I don't comprehend nor do I desire.

If you know anything of ancient history you know that abortion has been practiced at one time or another over the last 5,000 years.  The Egyptians thought nothing of controlling their population. The mighty Rome of that day seemed to thrill at every type of bloodshed, they didn't care how it was done - in a gladiator packed full of people or in a quiet room somewhere.  History should be a warning to us that if you provoke the wrath of God fury and judgment will follow.  

Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:31

If you read the above article you will learn that this nation is on a runway, the landing lane, and it won't be a smooth landing.  I don't know who the wicked people are that are paying off this judge.  But God does, and the very fact that this is happening in a one-time-Christian nation should have every Christian down on their knees, humbling themselves before God Almighty and asking forgiveness.  

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

I hear a lot from people who don't want God in their life because they know He doesn't fit their lifestyle. They want to live without guilt for all their wrong doing. They always say that America was never a Christian nation so therefore it's okay to do away with "In God We Trust", etc... 

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This picture is high on my wish-list :)

All I can say is they've educated themselves on the "wisdom" of fools.  

“The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregard the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained."

Inaugural address 1789” 
― George Washington

If George Washington were alive today and the above picture repainted, there would be tears flowing from his eyes.  Coming home from school the other day the kids were listening to a "Your Story Hour" tape titled "George Washington".  My heart cried out as I listened to the true story account of that man's life "God give us another George Washington." Will my cry be answered?? Only if Christians will humble themselves before God and repent.  

The only peace I find in the atrocities that is being done abortion clinics across this nation and even around the world for that matter, life in Heaven has welcomed every single one of these precious little bundles.  Their earthly mother may have shut the door in their face but on the other side is the open arms of Jesus.  His arms are big, and I like to picture in my mind Him cradling all of them at one time. Imagine that one for a few minutes and it will make you smile.  

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

--Isaac Watts

"A Little Madness in the Spring"...

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. 

 ~Ruth Stout

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  ~Doug Larson

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  ~Proverb

Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.  ~Virgil A. Kraft

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.  ~Margaret Atwood

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.  ~Mark Twain

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?  ~Edward Giobbi

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
~L.H. Bailey

The seasons are what a symphony ought to be:  four perfect movements in harmony with each other.  ~Arthur Rubenstein

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.    —Harriet Ann Jacobs

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

—William Shakespeare

A little madness in the Spring

Is wholesome even for the King,

But God be with the Clown —

Who ponders this tremendous scene —

This whole Experiment of Green —

As if it were his own! --Emily Dickinson

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Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill. 

--Robert Frost

Linking up with:

"A Sheltering Tree"

"Home & Garden Thursday"