A Visit To My Past-Christi

When I was a young girl, we lived just a mile from the state line of Indiana in Bronson, Michigan. The location was perfect for children, being out in the country, down the road from a lake that we often rode our bikes to to swim after mowing the large (or maybe it just looked large as a child) yard, and a short walk across the fields to pot holes, which were a small wet woods area. We would build forts in the woods all day and revisit it day after day to make fort improvements and check up on it. Summer days were wasted away not with video games and watching TV, but with outside play, hard work on our small hobby farm, and good ole country living. We were close to our neighbors and everybody looked out for each other.

One particular lady that lived down the dirt road from us, was a widow lady in her 70's whose children all lived far away. We attended the same little country church as she did and eventually my parents developed a relationship with her that leaked into their children's lives. She was a bike ride away and enjoyed company often, especially mine and my brother's company. She would watch us while my mom and dad worked in the fields, she taught us piano, she baked cinnamon rolls with us, gave us warm milk to drink, let me have a drawer in her desk to keep my papers, stickers, and crayons to play mailman, she read scriptures to us, played boggle with us, let us play with the cats and dog, and was a great example of godly living.

I can remember her writing so much (obviously e-mail wasn't around), and sending lots of letters out. She kept in close contact with many missionary families and had a board of all the families she lifted up in prayer. Those families sure were blessed to have a prayer warrior interceding for them. She also journaled most every day. This is something that I would like to improve on. What thoughts and feelings she must have journaled during her life. What the Lord is doing, who needed prayer (I'm sure my family was on the list often), and what was going on in her life. Could my children benefit from learning when I am dead and gone, the things that the Lord are teaching and showing us in our lives? I think so. And what about the trials and struggles we face that God helps us through. How do we respond to those situations and what or better yet, who do we call on during those times? To hear older, wiser people share of life in their younger years is something that we can all learn from. Why do some think that the older generation are just a waste of space when they hold so much that we can learn from?

Another thing that we have been pondering lately is whether we are helping the orphans and widows as much as we should. My dad cut wood for Grandma Bowerman (even in her 70's she still kept a wood stove going), repaired things on her house, kept her yard clean, my mom took her to visit others in the nursing home, took her to get groceries, and took her to the laundromat to do her laundry. Life was more simpler then. She canned all her apples as applesauce, listened to Bible teachings on the scratchy radio, played her piano to pass the time, and read her Bible and prayed a lot.

Are we prepared for such simpler times? What if things go back to the way they used to be? Not able to go to town as often, having to take care of the food we grow ourselves, not having all the luxuries that electricity brings, etc.

So, I have been encouraged to journal my life happenings more on paper, take care of the elderly widows more, prepare myself for simpler times, and continue teaching my children to do with less busy entertainment and enjoy the wonders that God gave us to enjoy. And for your enjoyment, some pictures of me in those good ole days.

The top left is me with my brother and my best dog, Ginger. Bottom left is Grandma Bowerman (I was so glad to find this picture of her) with my dad and her grandson from Alaska. The picture on the right is what I spent half a summer working on.....preparing my turtle that my dad caught at the pond down the road for the Vermont Settlement Days in Orland. And I must say, my turtle was the fastest and we won! Those were the good ole days indeed! Anybody else have memories from their good ole days as a child and the simpler life? Please share!

**** Gonna see if I can get the hubby to post about his good ole days along with some pics. Stay tuned, you'll enjoy it!

Laundry Helpers

Last night I had lots of laundry to get done, but the children had their own agenda of what the evening was to hold. But after I told them that we needed to get laundry done before anything else happened, they looked like they were thinking. Next thing I know, I find them in the bathroom.

The laundry basket is almost full of clean clothes, ready to hang on the rack. It appears that they are all trying to figure out how to get the clothes at the very bottom of the washing machine. They even took the little bench in to stand on. They were thinking that's for sure.

This is a classic picture. They decided to help little brother, so he could reach the bottom. Thankfully they didn't drop him in, but it didn't work so well either. Onto the next thought. Only a big sister can decide this.

"Outta the way, I'll do it". Alegra just decided that she would get the job done, and she did. What good helpers. They drug the laundry basket out of the bathroom and even started hanging the laundry on the rack. All that work just to have calendar time. Fine by me. Maybe I can get them to do work like that every day before calendar time. Nothing will probably give me as much of a chuckle as this did though. I love my children, especially when they work together. Time to start another busy day.

The First Snow

Yesterday was a busy day for us. It felt good getting so much done! We are always thankful for God's Sabbath day to give us rest, but it does feel good to get back at it again.....until Friday rolls around, then we are glad to rest again. :)

Alegra went out with Jonathon to get wood from a neighbor's house. In the sleet and snow, they were busy working. Just as they got back, I had chicken noodle soup and croissants ready for us all. But first I sent Diella out to let the hard workers know it was ready. I watched her out the kitchen window go tell them, then take her precious time coming back up to the house. With every slow step, she had her mouth wide open, looking up to the sky and catching all the flakes she could. Wish I could have taken a picture, but I enjoyed standing there watching her too much to think about a picture.

So, the winter is approaching us and though we aren't looking forward to the cold or snowy conditions, we are looking forward to cozy evenings by the woodstove, hot chocolate, a slower paced schedule to just sit and have quality time teaching our children. God is good to us and we are thankful for all that He blesses us with.

Our three sleeping children. They fell asleep right here in this spot. Wish they always looked like they loved each other this much. Was a cute pic. though.

Psalm 51:15 "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise, for you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-These O God, You will not despise."

A Clearer Picture

We have not had internet service for almost a week. I have been anxiously waiting to get back on and now......I feel like I don't care a thing about it. I have had more time to spend in God's Word, I've gotten some fall cleaning done (so glad the windows are done) and have had some great snuggle time with my children. Those things cannot be replaced by any computer. But I was so very glad to see a beautiful picture of the new addition in our church family to the Ferris Family. Congratulations to them! Thankful all went well!

In my readings, I am being blessed immensely! Scriptures that I could never figure out, now I am reading and they make perfect sense. Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty that I don't understand because His ways are far higher than what we could ever imagine, but I feel I am getting closer and that brings joy to my heart. As we read in the New Testament, we recall where it is also said in the Old Testament, why? To bring more understanding of what it all means and to prove that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That has been happening for Jonathon a lot lately with the Psalms. I was reading in Romans and what I was reading was what He had just discussed being in Jeremiah, and originated in the Psalms. God wants us to understand His ways so much that He has placed His ways all over to get us to see it. Some things we never saw until now. I am thankful that I am seeing it now. Makes things so much clearer! Praise Him!

The Poor and Rich

Yesterday I was reading in Psalm a little. A particular part really stuck out to me. I would like to share it with you along with a couple of quotes that I came upon this morning.

Psalm 10:3 "For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts."

-It is not the man who has too little who is poor; but the one who craves more.
-The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.

Sometimes I think about how in the world we are going to have another baby in this so small house. I could want more and more and more, but would I be happy? Alegra was doing her reading lesson the other day, and it was a story about some amish children who wanted a pony. They promised their dad that they would be happy then. But then the truth came out that they would also want a cart and a harness. They wouldn't have been completely happy with just a pony. I have been struggling with a lack of over abundance in money, so we can add onto our house and have more space. I see some families in the world with great incomes and wonder why they have money and we don't. But the verse in Psalm is clear that the enemy can also bless financially. So often we think that it is the Lord who blesses in the financial end, but here we see that the wicked also can be blessed in this. I would rather take a walk down my quiet country road, and know that I am living a life pleasing to my heavenly Father, than have all my heart's desire in the material world filled.

Just something for us all to think about today as times get rougher for some and there are more struggling with a lack of money. Be strong and encouraged that He will take care of you!

Psalm 5:11&12

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Dance to Him

The children and I love to dance in worship to God. The other night I was busy cleaning up from putting away all the camping stuff and was doing some dishes while listening to music. The song, God With Us came on, and we just had to dance. It is such an uplifting song that reminds us that He really is with us, taking care of us, providing our every needs, and teaching us His ways. Joy fills my heart when I watch my little girls dance. Alegra is more coordinated with it than Diella, but none the less, it is beautiful to see them worshiping in such a way. Next time you feel like dancing when listening to a song that fills your heart with joy, dance! The scriptures talk about it, so why don't we do it these days. It's because it's not the norm and people will look at us. At our church, we have learned to put those feelings aside and just dance if the Spirit is leading us to do so. It's usually done in a circle in the back and the little girls usually join us which is such a blessing to see. So, my encouragement for the day is......dance unto Him. It would bring Him joy and glory!

Camping in celebration!

Well, last week we had a wonderful time camping for Feast of Tabernacles. We believe that God is more pleased with us celebrating the feasts of the Bible than the traditional holidays that are steeped in paganism. If you have free reading time, check out http://www.essortment.com/all/christmaspagan_rece.htm and http://biblicalholidays.com/tabernacles.htm . We learned so much during this week. The first day Jonathon hurt his back quite bad playing dodge ball.....he just can't accept the fact that he is getting old. :) It caused him to realize that he puts too much confidence in his flesh, which was a great reminder to rely on the Lord than on our selves. By the end of the week he was better and is doing fine now.

After much studying during the week, we are realizing that we need to study this feast more. Though we had a blessed and wonderful time fellowshipping with our church family, we are still searching out what this Feast has to teach us about the Father. Oh, we learned so much and it was wonderful. Here are some pics. from our fun time.

The children loved riding their bikes around our campsite. And Diella actually rides now without training wheels. That's two with no training wheels...one to go, and he is too crazy on his bike to go without. They enjoyed the hammock that our friends who camped with us brought along. And the playground always is a hit no matter how small it might be. They had fun on the slide and merry-go-round.

Everybody did good tenting, and thanks to a small heater we stayed warm at night. All in all, we had a great time and were blessed by what we learned during this feast. God has so much for us to learn and grow in. His ways are higher, his thoughts are higher, and we just want to get to those heights of understanding Him.

Like Dads..... ....Like Sons!

Silly Boys! and good times by all!

Celebration of Motherhood

In my very first post I mentioned about organizing Celebrations of Motherhood for pregnant ladies at our church. Last weekend we had another one, and the mother-to-be suggested that I do a blog specifically for ideas and comments from other ladies. I don't know that I have enough information to do a whole blog just on that, but I would like to use this one to share my ideas and hopefully, gain some from our readers. I have broadened my list of ideas just from doing them, but still need more ideas as the list of preggos keeps growing.

What is a Celebration of Motherhood? It's a time where ladies join together to encourage, support and minister to the lady who will be entering motherhood again or perhaps the first time. We have had such a blessed time gathering to do this. They just keep getting better in their own ways, but it not only blesses the mother-to-be, but also, all of us who share with her. Here are some of our ideas. I do try to plan it according to the mothers likes and enjoyments, so since we are all different, each Celebration is different in its content.

Typically, we do the Celebration before the baby arrives, but in the case of the mother below, we had it after the baby was born due to complications towards the end. We always try to have a flower arrangement (I prefer fresh from my own garden) and candles depending on the time of year as seen in the pictures below.
We start out with an introduction of what the purpose of a Celebration is (ministering, sharing and uplifting one another, especially the mother-to-be. Also, I like to read scripture to start us out such as Romans 12:3-? and Galatians 6:10). For two of them I had a lady light candles while another lady shared some scripture. Matt. 5:14 -16 is a good one for this.

We allow daughters to be there as long as they are not a distraction. This is a great time for the young girls to learn what women should be doing according to the scriptures.

These pictures are all of ladies sharing. We generally share advice, a story related to motherhood or something that has always been special to you as a mom. Then we also share scripture with the mother. One that will encourage her and edify her.

I forgot to mention that before we start anything, we eat. I usually ask ladies, that I know who will be there, to bring something snacky. Then we have recently started having cake. This last one I did was a keeper and enjoyed by all. Think creatively and make something that the mother-to-be will really enjoy. We also had one that was cupcakes in the shape of a butterfly with a baby made out of frosting or something, nestled in the middle. Very cute, wish I could find the picture of that one.

The next part is my favorite as I feel so humbled to be able to do it. We wash the mothers feet. This, for some reason, does not take place in churches anymore, and I think that it is too bad. This truly is a humbling act, and I'm sure makes the mother feel like she really has sisters that would do anything for her. We have read our scriptures to her at this time while the ladies take turns washing her feet, or we have also sang during this time. I really like the singing as long as I have enough songs planned. Also, I always have a bowl of flower petals right there close to drop into the water. It's especially cute when the little girls drop petals in. And, I give a good foot massage when everyone is done. But we also have had another lady bring her own hand made ointment and also rub into the mother's feet. What a great way to share what God has given us in talents and gifts to bless another sister. Here are some pics. from that.

I also really like having the husband write something about his wife that I have one of the ladies read. This is always touching to the mom-to-be. I have also had the children, if she already has some, write something for their mom. The picture below is one of my favorites as I asked the oldest daughter of the mom to read what her three brothers, one sister, and herself wrote for their mom. She was so moved that somebody else had to read while she sat there and cried. How blessed the mom is to have a daughter that would be so sensitive that the blessing her mom is to her would cause her to be emotional.

What a special time all of this is for our sister. I also try to plan something that would be more down the lines of something that would truly bless them. If I don't know the sister very well, this is when I really rely on the Lord speaking to me on what I should do. If it's a first time mom, we do give gifts. The following are some ideas that we have done with pictures.

We have done fun and cute skits. This one was quite funny . The arms are from another lady who obviously can't see what she is doing. They bathed a baby, got the baby dressed, put the baby in the sling, and is getting her makeup on for the day in this picture.

At this Celebration, this mom was expecting her 6th child. What a blessing! We all brought in store bought and home canned goods, pasta, toilet paper, etc. Some of the items had little poems that went with them that were bits of advice that had the name of the item in it such as, "Use your "noodle" when your children get bored. Quiet time must not be ignored".

This one we had an added bonus. The daughter brought some of the mom's old fancy dresses and the younger girls did a fashion show. Was a cute idea and made for some good pics.

We have also done gifts for first time mom and put a slide show together with pictures of the husband and wife up to that point with a song that the Lord gave one of the ladies about the blessing of a baby.

At the end of each Celebration we gather around the mother, lay hands on her and pray over her. This is indeed a special time for us. What a blessing knowing that your sisters are lifting you up to the Father that all will go smoothly with your pregnancy and labor.

And to wrap this post up, I would like to leave you with some pictures of the wonderful ladies that I have been honored to organize Celebrations for. I may not have known some of them very well before hand, but after serving in the way that we do during these gatherings, we feel as though we are family now. I love you all!

Now we must not forget the ladies to come. I have two more ladies both due in March I think. So, having said that, please share with me some of your ideas. Anything else that would be uplifting to sisters in the Lord and for a pregnant lady just ready to hold that precious little one. Hope you will all send me some ideas to work with! I also just have to include my first belly picture taken at the last Celebration we had. I'm honored to be in the pregnant stages with these two wonderful ladies. It's such a blessing going through it together with those you love the most!

Barefoot and Pregnant!

October Field Trip

For October, we went to Nottawa Fruit Farm just north of Sturgis. We had a good sized group and even though it was chilly, we all had a great time!

Trying to stay warm on our covered wagon ride. We made stops at a sorghum maze and to pick a pumpkin to take home.

They all got to dig for dino eggs which was fun and then on to the musical characters. The children walked in a circle while the music played and when it stopped, they had to get behind one of the characters by using their own heads to complete the character. Josiah was pinocchio for this one (thanks Miss Casie for holding me up!). Onto some tunnel fun.

The straw tunnel was dark but fun. We had to use a flash light and Josiah wasn't brave enough to try this one on his own, so the mom went along. All the boys liked this part of the farm and we could hardly get them to come out.

And a little deer and goat feeding were wet and yucky, but everyone enjoyed feeding them. Then it was time to feed ourselves (after a good hand washing), so we all got our packed lunches and finished out our day. We also did a little shopping in their farm market, buying some apples and cookies to take home. Yum!!!

September Field Trip

Well, we missed our first planned field trip in September to Bonneyville Mill's Celebration due to the rain from the hurricane in Texas, but thanks to another lady stepping up and wanting to host one, we had a great day and lots of fun.
We went up to Parma, MI back in the woods and had lunch, a hay ride, climbed dirt walls, played in the water, and just had fun enjoying nature and each other. Well, maybe I should clarify that "we" didn't do it all, it was mostly the children. Here are some fun pics. from it.

A little climbing action is always fun! They did great, even Josiah braved it and got to the top....with just a little help.

The water was wonderful, with a stream and small falls over rocks. Just beautitul and a great exploration place for the children. Did I mention that Josiah is all boy?!! Some of the older boys made swords, and though it was quite cute seeing the little boys sword fighting, one did get hurt right before it was time to go. What's some good woodsy fun without a homemade sword and fight, right?

And we all enjoyed a great hay ride, complete with stopping and getting gum balls. The sun was so warm, the sky blue, and what a blessing of a day before the cold set in.