Reflection

All my girls were gone yesterday Amber & Ada went to their Mom’s in the Hilton Head/Savanna area and Esther went to Knoxville for a basketball tournament. They all got home late last night. Esther stayed at Amber’s apartment. Laura is in for Christmas and went to Amy’s house to hang out. So Connie & I hung out here and had a quiet evening at home, just us and the dogs. I enjoy quiet time like that. We had time to talk and just be with each other, we watched a movie. then we went to bed and talked some more.

Today is a rainy dreary day and yes I know we need rain but I still prefer the bright sunny days. I have slept late so now I feel like the day is half wasted although I had no plans to do anything. It has started slowly a healthy breakfast with Connie. We discussed our children, their and our spirituality, our own mortality, then we turn to the day still ahead.

I keep looking out the window at the orchard and garden yearning to go do something, anything out there- there’s so much to be done. I have the next week off so surely I will get something accomplished. Now as I write this I reflect on Christmas's past: the joys, the tears and the hope the dwells in my heart. I think about the coming year, the questions of my health, my family, my country, my job, GOD…what will it bring? I am only certain of one thing. God is Faithful and will see me through all, both good times and bad times.

Now I’m going to build a fire to cheer the house and do something productive.

May God bless you today.

Inspiration

Inspiration comes in small packages. As I sat in church today and listened to the sermon which was good. The nugget I came away with was Isaiah 26:3 the NIV says “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Who doesn’t want peace, not mention perfect peace.

In the troubled time in which we live with strife at every turn and financial worries for the future, these are comforting words and a promise to cling to.

May you today find the peace you seek.

Christmas

The last couple of days found me sick; normally I shrug off most flu’s but this one kept me going to the water closet. I was lucky enough to not have the vomiting aspect as most did. Thank You God for my strong immune system. Our Church School, Tri-City Seventh Day Adventist School sells citrus fruit every year as a fund raiser. We have done this for years, way before it became such a big fund raiser for the bands ect.. The school sells seasonal fruit monthly from November through March if there are enough orders. We just got our first order in and the navels are great and the grapefruit is divine.

Christmas grows closer with each passing day. For the most part we are ready we have tried to make it a simpler holiday in order to better focus on Jesus instead of who’s getting what or what am I getting. We have a Christmas dinner in which Amber takes the lead. Amy, Connie, Esther, & I usually fix something. If I have the menu right and it could change Amber is fixing Chutney-Glazed Cornish Hens with Hazelnuts and Dried-Fruit Stuffing, Poppy Seed Dinner Rolls, and Tiramisu Eggnog Trifle. Connie and I will fix Brussels sprouts, broccoli, mashed potatoes, baklava, and blackberry cobbler. Amy will supply something unknown at this time but she makes a great green bean casserole. We need something yellow don’t we. We will drink a non-caffeinated tea or water with hot tea or coffee with dessert.

Afterward we will open presents with focus on the little ones if we are lucky enough to have some here this year (which I think we will). Aaron and Allen will be at their grandparents with their father. We will miss you guys!

I went to the garden today and picked brussels sprouts, broccoli, and a mess of greens. Have I said how much I love greens? Esther cut the old asparagus plants out of the way for next year as we continue to get ready for the spring greening.

I encourage all to read the Christmas story. A greater deed has ever been done than God’s sacrifice of his Son to this world that we might escape the penalty of sin.

Blackberries & Apples, Dogs & Christmas

I finally got started in the garden today. I braced up some of the blackberry canes to make them easier to harvest this summer. I also cut out some old canes I had missed this fall and cut out some wild canes that have crept into the row.
I also started pruning apple trees, mostly cutting water suckers and new growth off the trunks although I completely pruned a short tree that I could reach standing on the ground.
I did a survey of the garden. I still have collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, kohlrabi, and brussels sprouts. I didn’t harvest anything today but a mess of greens and brussels sprouts are definitetly on the menu this week!
This is going to be a busy week. Esther has a basketball game tomorrow evening it is also her last day of school until next year. She has another game Thursday at South Greene that’s a long drive for me. I have some computer problems so hopefully Tuesday or Wednesday the computer repair guy can come over and fix the several problems we have developed since he was last here. Chloe our Yorkie is in heat and we would like to breed her once before we have her fixed, we’ll be working on that this week. Oh, and how could I forget- the continuing preparations for Christmas.
I’ll finish with a question. I have tried cauliflower 2 or 3 times now. I have yet to get it to make a head. I can grow broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts but not cauliflower. The plants look great but no head. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Congratulations Laura

Congratulations Laura for your achievements. Yesterday Laura (Connie's youngest daughter) graduated from Emory University in Atlanta GA with master’s degree in nursing with honors. She specialized in emergency and family care. She will take her boards in a couple of months. You go girl.

Our Country

Life as I know it is hectic and stressful the things that bring me relaxation are spending time with my family and playing in the dirt. Growing things gives me great pleasure while serving a productive purpose. While I play in the dirt I have time to reflect about lots of things. The thing that been on my mind a lot lately is the concern that I am leaving my children along with the other young people of this country a rough road to hold. As our society moves farther away form the roots of our country toward intellectualized, idealized concepts for our society that I fear may look much like what San Francisco looks like today. To me this looks like Sodom or Gomorrah.
Is there a way to take our country back form the professional politicians that now rule our country? The way I see it is people may go into politics looking to do a service for their country. But soon either give up and quit or join the people already there who have only their own interests at heart. If we are ruled by a class of people like this then who among them really has the motivation to look to the future and do the things that need to be done.
Some of the things this county is in need of today would be painful to our society as a whole and this is bad politics. Who can get reelected if they don’t pander to the wants of today?
How can we hold our politicians accountable? They make eloquent speeches and promise to do great things. Things they know people want. But once they are elected the promises go to the wayside as so much wasted breath. They hold in high esteem the highly educated but education does not impart wisdom. And wisdom is greatly lacking in our current national leadership. Sometimes I think a country redneck could do a better job.
I could ramble on for a long time on this issue and others but will not. What is the answer? I don’t have it. I do think that every current member of Congress regardless of party affiliation should be voted out of office to send a message. NOW! Will this happen? Regretfully no!

This brings me full circle. I am regretful that my children will have to suffer for the sins of my generation. For our tolerance of the misdeeds of others, for turning our cheek because a change might have hurt out wallet for our lack of public virtue.
My hope lies in my faith in Jesus Christ. That as a county we will turn back to Him. To pick up the directions He left us and follow them, to follow His foot steps.

God please forgive us for our sins to you. Give us victory over our selfish ways.

REST

As I ponder our situation in this country today, this parable holds a lesson for us all who have strayed. Our Father patiently waits for us to realize our mistakes and to come home to Him. This single action would have a greater affect than all the money our government can print and give away.
As we enter the Sabbath tonight, I embrace the rest and peace of mind my Saviour provides.
The Parable of the Lost Son:
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
22"But the Father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
What a loving and faithful Father God we have! May we all make the decision: "I will arise and go to my Father." He runs to meet us with open arms when we make that crucial decision!

May God bless you.

I can’t say it any better

Psalm 100:1

1 ¶ A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Sports

Today was basketball. Esther had a tournament game at Chuckey Doak. Her team won a squeaker 41-40 against Cosby. I enjoy watching these games way more than pro or college games. Even if my child isn’t playing, basketball was my favorite sport growing up.

For These Things I Give Thanks

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and we gave thanks and praised God for all his blessings to us and feasted on his bounty.

Me & My Henhouse

Well after much debate about what to post, what pictures, how personal we can be.....we have decided that this will also be a family blog and pictures of everyone will make it at some time.

About myself: I am in the 55-65 age range, overweight, but still somewhat active. I have 3 daughters from a previous marriage the youngest of which is Esther (15), a sophomore, serious student and athelete, not to mention our right-hand helper, lives at home with Connie & I. Amber (27) another athelete and Human Resources Specialist for a pharmaceutical company, and Ada (21) "the scholar," will soon be graduating with a double major at ETSU- then on to MD/Phd research.

Connie and I were married October 21, 2001 and have lived in martial bliss since. We enjoy (most of the time!) the challenges of primitive log home living, gardening, full-time work, and trying to keep up with all 6 kids. (YES, 6!!)

Connie also has 3 children from a previous marriage: a son, Rob, Computer Programmer and MD, and 2 daughters, Amy and Laura. Amy, a School Counselor and fiddle player, lives nearby with 2 sons: Aaron, nearly 13, and Allen, 10 (skateboarding scholars as well as downright fine young men)!

Rob and his beautiful bride, Adelaide, live in Ohio - they're "expecting" a major life adjustment with their baby boy due on Christmas day. Rob's passion is teaching in- depth classes on the Sanctuary as the Old Testament model of the plan of salvation through Christ.

Laura, Connie's youngest, is graduating with honors as a Family & ER Nurse Practitioner in 2 weeks. Yaay! We hope she will move close-by.

Our shared visions and goals are simple:
To expand our knowledge of God and His purpose in our lives
To base our relationships on God’s principles
To become debt free
To enjoy our life together as we enter the golden years
To provide as much food from the ground as possible

By beholding Him: to be changed- by God's Grace -into His Likeness

We live in a log home located on 2.5 acres that we make the most of. We have 3 dogs, 1 bird, and 2 large aquariums. We don’t do livestock, although we have kept chickens for eggs in the past and hope to again. Connie and Esther are for the most part vegetarian as are all of Connie’s children. Needless to say our emphasis is on vegetables. I follow the Old Testament laws on clean and unclean meats. I have found there are reasons God didn’t want to eat these things.

I have gardened all of my life. It started with my mother who was a depression age widow. We grew a lot of what we ate. As a child I hated working in the garden and couldn’t understand why I had to tend to my mother’s flowers (1/3 of the garden) since we didn’t eat them. Since then it hasn’t much mattered where I have lived, if there was enough dirt I planted something to eat and\or flowers.

I now have the largest garden plots I have ever undertaken. I often grow things now just to see if I can. My garden includes 65 - 70 apple trees, domestic blackberries, blueberries and 2 large garden plots. I also keep bees. While an expensive hobby they provide delicious goodies (honey) and are marvelous creatures. At this time may be at the point of supporting themselves.
I would not want to lead anyone to think that I do all this by myself. I have help from Connie and Esther, Esther often does more than anyone (thank you baby girl).

The picture is of Connie & me and my 3 daughters.

This is my fall garden today. I love fall greens.

Stepping out

I love fall gardening. No weeds or bugs just watch it grow harvest and enjoy. Here is some of our broccoli, turnips, and cabbage that I picked in advance of the upcoming hard freeze. Still left are brussel sprouts, kale, mustard greens, collards, turnip greens, and kohlrabi.

I will not harvest all as some will survive the freeze and continue to grow. Some will die turn brown then start growing again with the warmer weather afterwards. Some will die not to return until spring if it gets too cold.

God’s bounty never ends.