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Oh Joy!

Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 12:22 by blessed mom - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Today I had a conversation with a friend who is not a Christian ~ this friend has tried on various occasions to persuade me to accept the teachings of their church ~~ this person knows me well and paid me the most precious and lovely compliment a believer of the Lord Jesus could ever be told...... it has made my heart sing for Joy an I just needed to share it here with you all because so many of you love my Jesus as much as I do and will understand!!

This person told me that " born again Christians like me and another Christian they know were content with Jesus and not looking for any thing else" ....... oh dear reader -- can I just tell you how my heart lept for JOY when this friend shared this with me????

Oh that I would always be content with my Jesus..... oh that I would always have such closeness to Him that I would never feel the need for "religion" or "other teachings" outside of what He has given us in His word...... oh, how that made my heart sing!

One of my favorite songs is Shout to the Lord by Hillspring ........

My Jesus, My Savior,..... Lord there is none like you...... all of my days, I want to praise.... the wonders of your mighty hand....

My Jesus, My comfort.... tower of refuge and strength....let every breathe, all that I am.. never cease to worship YOU.......

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing... power and majesty praise to the King......

The mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of YOUR name ....

I sing for joy at the work of your hands, forever I'll love you forever I'll stand....

nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU.........

Praising Him!

Gloria

Advent Day 1 - December 1st

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:00 by ~Rebekah~ - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Scripture Reading

Creation: Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-4

Suggested Symbols: Sun, moon, stars, animals, earth

Advent- The Story Of The Jesse Tree

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 09:36 by ~Rebekah~ - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The Story Of The Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree Graphic Designed by Shalfleet

The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God.

The Israelites through the descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to be a light to the nations. When they were imprisoned by the Egyptians, they cried out to God for deliverance from their oppression. And God responded: "I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry . . . I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them to a good land" (Exod 3:7-8). And so He entered history in a marvelous way to deliver them and bring them into a place where they could worship God and serve Him in peace and joy instead of serving Pharaoh in hard service. God promised to be with them and to be their God, and they would be His people.

But as they settled into the land that God had given them, "they forgot God, their Deliverer, who had done great things in Egypt" (Psa 106:21). As they grew secure in the land, they began to believe that "my power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me these things" (Deut 8:17). Even though God had raised up godly leaders like David, later kings and religious leaders served their own interests, and the people began to worship the false gods of the land. They even gave offerings to the idol ba’al, supposedly the god of rain and fertility of the land, thanking him for the prosperity they enjoyed.

But God grieved because "she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for ba’al" (Hos 2:8). God had "planted [them] as a choice vine from the purest stock" (Jer 2:21) and had expected them to grow and flourish and carry out His purposes in the world. But they had degenerated into a wild bush with worthless fruit.

Because they had forgotten God, they also forgot the call of God to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Mic 6:8). God sent prophets to warn them of the consequences of failing to be His people. Amos warned them to "seek me and live" (5:4). Through Jeremiah, God promised them that if they would turn from their wicked ways He would bless them and be with them in the land (7:5-7). But he also said: "Take heed, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation" (6:8).

Some of the people longed for new leaders, a new "anointed" (Heb: meshiach; Eng: messiah) shepherd king like David who would help them to become what God had called them to be. But most of the people would not listen. They continued to worship the idols of ba'al. They continued to cheat the poor, steal from each other, neglect the needy, and do all manner of evil.

So God let them go their own way and suffer the consequences of their choices. The Babylonian armies came and destroyed the temple, the city of Jerusalem, the land, and took the people into slavery. The choice planting of God that had such promise, that God had tended so carefully and encouraged to grow, was cut down and became a mere stump (Isa 5:1-10).

But God did not give up on this people! Even though they had disobeyed, even though they had forsaken God for other gods, even though they had miserably failed to be His people and to let Him be their God, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob still loved them. He had made a commitment to these people that He would not allow to be undone even by their rejection of Him.

He had already told them this through the prophets, but they had not understood then. Jeremiah had promised a day when God would again plant and build (31:28). And Isaiah had spoken of a time when God would cause a new shoot, a new king, to spring from the cut-off stump of the lineage of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). During the Exile, suffering under the consequences of sin, they had little reason to suppose that God would do anything new. Still, the old promises echoed across the years, even if they could not believe them or even understand them.

In spite of their failures, in spite of their inability to envision a future beyond exile, there came a time when the prophets again announced a new thing, proclaiming "good tidings" to the people: "Here is your God!" (Isa 40:1-11). The Exile was ended! God would bring back to life a nation that was already dead (Eze 37). Long ago they had been slaves in Egypt, with nothing they could do to change their condition, and yet God had chosen to deliver.

So now, in the midst of their failure and hopelessness, God had again entered history as Deliverer. They would have another chance to be His people, not because they had earned it, no more than they had deserved it the first time; but simply because God in His grace had chosen to forgive.

They returned to the land. But across the years, they again struggled to obey and live up to their calling. They would never again slide into the worship of false gods. They had learned that lesson. But the great kingdom that they dreamed of restoring remained only a dream. They had hoped for a new king like David to lead them into a glorious future in which they would rule the world. They hoped to throw off the control of the Greeks and later the Romans and become a great nation. But it didn’t happen. And they became disillusioned and discouraged.

So, they again hoped for God to raise up a new king, a new messiah, to deliver them from the oppression of the world. They longed for peace and deliverance from the tyranny of a sinful world. The prophets again brought the word of God to them, and promised a newness. Even though they struggled to understand and believe, they held onto the hope that the same God who brought slaves out of Egypt, and who brought exiles out of Babylon, could bring Messiah into the world!

We know the rest of that story. God was faithful to that promise, and a new King was born in Bethlehem. So we can exclaim with the old man Simeon: "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all people, a light of revelation to the nations, and for glory to your people Israel!" (Luke 2:30-32).

But we also know that the world is still with us. Even though we can have Peace and Joy through the presence of Jesus Christ, we still long for deliverance from the oppression of sin in the world. We long for the full reign of the King, and the Kingdom of Peace that He will bring. So, while we celebrate the birth of the Branch, the new shoot from the stump of Jesse, we still anticipate with hope the Second Advent, and await the completion of the promise.

The Jesse Tree helps us retell this story, and express this hope.

6 Things Tag

Posted on 2008-Dec-1 at 02:35 by Kim Wolf<>< - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I was tagged by Nancy-Dearest...

Here are the rules:

Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog. Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Here are my 6 things:

1) I play the hammered dulcimer, flute and Irish penny whistle.

2) I'm 5'7"

3) I'm a twin

4) I used to smoke

5) My dream vacation is 2 weeks (or more!) on a dude ranch!

6) I have either sang (sung?) or played flute or dulcimer on 8 DVDs.

(I know what you're thinking...those studio earphones are SUCH a fashion statement!)

OK...here are my tags:

1) http://jeneralities.com

2) http://www.homesteadblogger.com/simplefolk

3) http://www.homesteadblogger.com/nurseforlife

4) http://teenytinycabin.blogspot.com

5) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sisterchicksteph

6) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/momto4beauties

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

December

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 01:25 by Shan (Sweetie) - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Someone asked me if everyone here has a perfect family. I want to say that, no, I don't think so, but we all try to make the best of it. In my own family, Thanksgiving brings trials of how to get a blended family to each of the family's gatherings, distance, and budget concerns for travelling. My mom died 4 years ago and while I love my father's new wife, home isn't home anymore...it looks different and is different, as it should be for the new bride of 75!

We have to choose as adults to be who it is we're looking for in our hearts. I want my children to know that it was more important to me for them to have all of us, than to make a big deal of not having my children home on this or that specific day. To willingly welcome their natural father in our lives and at our table at times, even if he's hostile alot of the time. This year I was reminded of why I do that as he introduced us to his new friend, and my children were not concerned how I would feel or how I would react to them liking her. I want them to, she is in their dad's life.

My Thanksgiving was difficult to be honest, we did alot of traveling and managed to all regather during the lunch hour at my father's who is 75 in Arkansas. The table was beautiful and Miss Virginia did try so hard to do nice things for us I appreciate her efforts. However, my father is a hard man, a retired doctor, and I am the disappointment of his children.....and he doesn't hold back on voicing that. It is his way, and I love him anyway. My world is not financially successful so I will never measure on his scale. One of my SIL is often offended at me, usually for things I am unaware of until someone else tells me...but she too has her own struggles and God didn't call me to make her life hard, but to love her. We all go through many things no one else ever knows of.....so to treat others kindly is my preferred path.

It is always the easy route to take offense and to blame others for our unhappiness. However, God asks us to love the unlovely, forgive others as we hope to be forgiven....and my faults are many I am sure of that...so its only my job to love those who make the path more difficult, not judge nor respond in kind to their brissley ways. I try very hard to focus on the things I have to be thankful for and not the unpleasant things in life.

We're not all from cookie cutter perfect families here at homesteadblogger, but I believe we're in a place where many do truly try to operate in love for others and their families....as God calls us to do.

Be blessed

Sweetie

Back Online again....several updates here

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 11:29 by HandsNHearts - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

First off -- Ron & Jo...if you visit and read this, do email me! We've been worried about how you both are doing!

The computer went down again. Apparently, the first computer geek didn't do any sort of system diagnostics and simply wasted 3 days or so re0installing my modem driver.

Well, it went down on me again, 2 weeks ago now. Not that it didn't make for a quiet and peaceful Thanksgiving, and we did get many things accomplished, but still....

This time, I went to the original geek I had planned on using last time. They did a full system whatever and ran several diagnostics. They think the main issue I was having is that my BIOS system was rather outdated. There were 5 newer updates than I had, and they don't simply install with the regular system update stuff this thing does on it's own every so often. He updated me that way, installed another antivirus program then downloaded a new modem driver and viola...we have internet again.

And life picks up with hectic busy-ness, of course.

Just to note: If you sent me an email over the past couple of weeks and haven't heard from me...don't expect to. Just email me again. I had a million emails in my inbox and they are all being deleted as I write here. Please, email again if you need me!

I have all 300# of meat in the freezer...well, minus the 50# of stewing chunks sitting in the kitchen waiting its turn in the canner. My pressure seems a bit off today -- it's taking forever to get up to pressure for some reason. But, it's all cut up, the packing juice blend prepared and jars scalded and waiting.

I am going to get very tired of looking at meat, I can tell that already, and it's just Day 1 of a long line of days to come! We may well turn vegetarian for a couple months once it's all said and done!

We have, aside from meat meat and more meat in the works here, fencing outside we are dealing with. Seems we are being over-run with wayward hunters. We knew they had been around the property, but they have found several signs of them running 4-wheelers clear up to the back of my barn! They are using our deer stands, running their dogs all over and apparently using our private property as their own personal hunting grounds.

That will come to a stop this week. We are getting the signs up so we are more properly POSTED everywhere, and I am setting up some wire along the back access where we know for a fact they are coming and going. If they damage a 4-wheeler with a slightly hidden barb wire fence, serves them right. It will be well inside the perimeter of my property line, where they don't belong. That and some bird shot peppering their hunting expedition should do the trick.

Before anyone takes issue to our methods here, we have a very good idea as to who the culprits are, and they know we don't want hunters here. They know we have young children who enjoy our property, and as they hunt with high powered rifles, they are definitely not welcome here. My own dogs stay on our property, and they are being annoyed with the constant traffic as well. I don't need the aggravation, or the worry of my children being shot while playing on their own land.

To give you some idea of the genius we are dealing with out here, this group was shooting targets last year in their own cleared plot just down from our line. It's their property, I have no concern there whatsoever. It's a free country.

However, they use high powered, long range shot guns/rifles whatever you call them. Where they were shooting from/at, in virtually every direction on the compas, they had nothing but timber land. Literally hundreds upon hundreds of acres going out in every direction. Nothing in line for miles and then some.

Every direction, that is, but they one they chose to shoot in. They set up just the other side of the creek and were shooting directly toward my house. Literally peppering my roof with their shot. Branches and leaves were falling after every shot. Genius, pure genius. In any other direction, they would have had nothing but trees for miles and miles, yet they picked the direction that went through my property straight to my house and animals....and children.

Running a 4-wheeler across a low-lying wire fence is going to be the least of their concerns if we actually catch them on the property hunting, instead of their leftovers and signs.

We also have a lengthy sewing list, as usual. And school work to catch back up on. We are having reading issues it seems. I need to determine where my cut-off needs to be. There is a point where not reading well is a problem, and I think we might be there. I know we took more time with our first reader learning, but I've 3 in the works now and they simply aren't coming along very quicky. I know, homeschooling certainly affords my time in that respect, no hard-lined schedules to adhere to and all, but still...we have been at this enough now there should be a bit more progress I think. Time to re-evaluate The Plan here.

As to the olders, Jennifer finished a decent amount while gone with Dewey the past couple weeks. And Johanna, well, she has her own agenda. She is set on graduating when she turns 15 years old...about 2 years or so from now. She blew right through one grade level already and is just about finished with the next set of math, language and science I bought a couple weeks ago. She definitely needs some more indepth work to keep her coccupied. She easily completes 4 or more lessons a day. Like I said, a girl with her own agenda.

I have a Christmas gift...yes, I know what I said about Christmas and all, but this is different, sort of. I came across a bargain and couldn't pass it up. Dewey said birthday and Christmas gift and I jumped on it! (my birthday is Christmas Eve...I tend to get those 'combined' gifts quite often!). I have a 20 quart Welbilt Varimixer sitting in my kitchen :o) It's huge. It's sitting on the floor right now -- there's no way my counters, besides being far too tall, would accommodate this machine. I'll have to build some sort of stand for it, but for now, it's just sitting there, waiting to be used. We will start selling bread and such soon, and much easier.

The man we bought it from buys out various businesses and such and resells the equipment. He thinks he knows of a commercial oven and stove and is checking on that for me. Dewey wasn't really in the mood to drag along with me to pick it up, but he wanted to check it out first. Well, he has found his new dream shopping warehouse now. This man has virtually everything. If he doesn't have it and doesn't know where to find it, you simply don't need it. He has all sorts of building materials and so on. Dewey enjoyed his trip more than I did I think!

I will get some pictures up this week, but today, the meat is calling!

Sunday

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:16 by CandyFoote - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

After church last night, we went over to my son's house to spend the night.

I figured that my dad could use a little break!

The funny thing is, he has been having a blast.

My dad has really enjoyed having the kids around.

He was actually upset when I told him that we would be spending the night at Matt's.

Matt's wife, Heather really has the Christmas spirit. The entire place is lit up with festive lights - inside and out! It's beautiful.

On top of that, we got to watch a Charlie Brown Christmas. Yeah!

You can't get any better than that.

We snacked on a variety of crackers and drank hot cocoa.

I called my husband and son in Alaska to tell them goodnight and to say our goodnight prayer. (Well, my good night prayer - their supper time prayer I guess. There is four hours difference.)

It was a nice night.

How was your Sunday?

Oh yeah, I am extending our Thanksgiving sale.

When you buy one of our books, just email me with your choice of a second book free!

Don't you just love FREE?!?

Have a great Monday!

When you buy one book, email me and I will send you your choice of a second book for FREE!

Don't you just love FREE?!?

Candy

http://candyfoote.com/

Country Music = 5 1/2"!

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:01 by Miki - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Are you a little confused with the title?

Let me explain.

I'VE LOST 5 1/2" IN 2 WEEKS BY LISTENING TO COUNTRY MUSIC!!!

Nov. 17 I started working out....more!

I had been doing light weights Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays & then on Tuesdays & Thursdays I would go to the gym & walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. That worked well until I quit going to the gym & walking. I put back on all the inches that I lost! Well, then I decided to just walk outside around my block. I think I did that once before it got too cold. Hmmm....what to do? Our gym membership is over! So I decided to continue with the weight lifting on Mon., Wed., & Fri. but to also do my stepper for a half hour EACH day! Yes, that's 5 days a week! Let me tell ya, the first day I thought that I was going to throw up! I tried doing the stepper & watching my Little House series but that didn't work very well b/c I just couldn't follow the story while exercising. Then I decided to do the stepper while watching CMT. That's the ticket! It's working! Music just makes everything easier! It also helps to see all those skinny women singers. Kind of motivates you! I want to be skinny too! ~Smile~

So I lose inches but I don't lose weight! One out of 2 isn't bad! As long as the body gets smaller! I don't lose weight b/c I like to eat! I get very agitated when I have to give up the food that I like to eat. ~Smile~ I would rather exercise than watch what I eat! I only have to do that ONCE a day! lol!

Keep moving those bodies ladies!

A busy week ahead....

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 09:59 by Abundant Blessings Farm - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The week ahead is filled with activities....but fun activities!!!

We are home today...doing our school work and enjoying the bit of snow that has fallen. Tomorrow is my town day...I'm meeting two different ladies to sell them some of our "stuff". I will be so happy to have this stuff sold!!! Then it's off to Wal Mart to return something I bought on Friday, and do a bit of Christmas shopping. Then it's time for my Mom's night out!! It's our Christmas party...we'll celebrate with a good meal, great friends and a round of Dirty Santa!

Wednesday, we're "watching" a friend's BIL. He's mentally at the age of about 5, but is over 50 years old. They are going to the public school to teach an abstinence program (so proud of them!!). When they come to pick him up, we're headed for our milk run. I'm really looking forward to getting milk this week. The gal and her husband we buy milk from moved into a new rental home, and out of her parents' home this past weekend. We have a gift for her and can't wait to give it to her!

Thursday...at this moment, looks like we'll be home as usual that day. :)

Friday is our homeschool group's Christmas craft party. I actually have chosen my craft already! Yeah, me!

Saturday, we're headed to town to see Handel's Messiah at a local church. We've never seen this and are really looking forward to it!

Sunday, is a Christmas parade in town. We watched our little town's parade yesterday....can you tell we LOVE parades?!

So, that's our week....busy, but fun!

We bought our tree yesterday. And brought home a bag full of trimmings to decorate with. Yep, it helps to be married to someone who works there...

I think we'll get it put up tonight, provided we get some other decorating done today. We have a TON of boxes of decorations...and I do mean a ton....that need to be unloaded and taken back to the attic so we can move around in there! The living room is small...and the boxes just make it feel smaller.

Next week doesn't look as busy...that may be the week we get started on cookies. I also am making a cake for a friend of mine for her grandson's baptism later this month. I need to get her approval on the design.

Lots to do, lots to do...but I just love the holidays....only wish the season lasted longer...

I'm off to make some hot chocolate for my red nosed babes who've been outside trying to play in the tiny bit of snow that fell this morning...

Have a blessed day!!

Vision Forum sale!!!

Posted on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 09:47 by Abundant Blessings Farm - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Go check out the deals at Vision Forum's sale!!!

I could sure spend some major money there!!

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About Me

My name is Leah, and I am mom to the Hillman Family. We live on 5 acres in Northern Illinois. We are dedicated to Jesus, to one another, and to our new life on our little farm. This blog is my attempt to put into words our homesteading experience and also to share my thoughts on healthy eating, homeschooling, child training and anything else that might cross my mind.

Links

• The Family Homestead
• No Greater Joy/ The Pearls
• Dr. Mercola
• Lisa's Country Clip Art
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