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Dear Reader

  As most of my readers know, I am back to blogging. I will not be able to post as often as I would like because of my busy schedule. Aside from my College classes and just generally busy life, I am in the midst of writing a chapter book, the first in a series. I try to spend most of my free time devoted to my book, but I am going to find the time for this as well.

Sincerely,

~Mary-Ann~

Sir Ken Robinson

   I viewed this video in my college prep class on friday, It is very good and funny. It made a lot more sense to me than I think most people in the class, being home schooled and this being what my parents encouraged rather than sitting us down in front of school books all day. I hope you will take the time to view Sir Ken Robinson's 20 minute speech: "Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

(Sorry, I could only get it to load on my side bar)

Sincerely,

~Mary-Ann~

Some photos taken in last couple of days

I just took a couple of photos and I had some friends ask me what a gas hob was, we had one fitted this morning.  We had wedding gift vouchers from a store called John Lewis over here which is an upmarket department store in the U.K. We had to get a new gas hob we were able to get a stainless steel one in the sale at the above store.

Below are photos of our cat Bizkit, canning/bottling I have done in the last few weeks. Last but not least socks that my DH bought home for me yesterday - aren't they just too cute :)

I have a beef casserole cooking in the crockpot which should be ready within an hour.  I finish work at 6pm so will go and peel & cook potatoes - so we will have mashed potatoes with our stew.

The weather today has been just delightful and so warm

DH & I are going to have supper and watch Strictly Come Dancing, just basically have a nice relaxing evening.

Daily Devotion 284

October 11

Can Gifts Be a Snare?

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:14

A story is told of a Greek who had spent many years working in a foreign country. Before he returned home, he used all his fortune to purchase a diamond. He was traveling home by ship to spend his last years with his family. After some time of rest in his room, he decided to go up on deck to see what was happening. He discovered interesting games taking place. He felt he could also put on a show. Quickly he decided to get his diamond. He started throwing this gem up into the air. He was a talented juggler, and he would catch the diamond just before it hit the deck. The onlookers cheered. He did this several times and successfully had it land into his hands. But the game ended poorly. For some unknown reason, the sea waves drew the ship slightly off course. He vainly struggled to catch the diamond, but down into the sea it disappeared. What a sorrowful man he was!

What caused this man to act this way? Today’s Scripture passage tells of a mortal standing in the place meant for God alone, and there is an inner urge in each of us to impress others. Thoughts and actions arising from self glorify the creature rather than the Creator. Often I have caught myself in this kind of snare: trying to show the best of myself in the way I say or do things. Only God deserves honor and glory for what I am. I have since surrendered to God all He has given to me. I have asked Jesus’ blood to cleanse me of this impurity. I have fully made up my mind not to allow any gift to honor myself but God alone.

Collins Okoth, Nakuru, Kenya

Jesus calls us to a life of humility.

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

Colossians 2

Isaiah 43, 44

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

October 10, 2008

Well, hubby is back safe and sound from his overnight to Kentucky. I called him this AM when I got up for work, and all was well. He had a partner with him, but he said that he (DH) drove on the way home. I kind of figured he would. He drives on 98% of our trips anywhere. He's a good driver, and besides, I tend to sleep whenever I am in the car )passenger side)! LOL!

We finally have Amelia set and ready for work. She starts tomorrow!  She got her physical and we went to pick up her uniforms today. Of course, she looks adorable! Black pants, white tuxedo shirt, black vest and black tie. We just returned from having to search at the Mall for some black shoes. I wouldn't have went there, but they closed our Payless Shoe Source this spring! I'll post pictures when I get some (probably tomorrow) of her in her work uniform....

Last night, Amelia slept with me. She asked if she could, and who am I to say "No" to my 15 year old? All too soon, I won't have her and she'll be grown with a family of her own.... So, my baby girl slept with me last night.  I woke up about 1:30a to do what I always do in the middle of the night, and I saw the upstairs light still on, and 2 children (11 year odl son and 14 year old daughter) up there giggling and carrying on.... so I told them to turn the lights out, and of course, when I got back to bed, I still hear my very disobedient young man still carrying on. But 4:00 am comes way too early for me anyway, and if I would have gotten back up, I would have been awake all night.

THIS TIME, I let it go, cause I KNEW he would get tangled in his little snare before the day was out... and he did. He asked the same question of both DH and I 3 times today and got the same answer... he wanted to go out front to play.

Now mind you, he's grounded, but we have been allowing him a bit more freedom these days due to good behavior. But after asking 3 times if he could go out front, and being told 3 times, "No, you cannot."

DH came in the house to talk to me about his trip, and within 2 minutes.....

Our son had snuck outside and down the road!!!!!!!!!!

Because he said, "I wanted to walk...."

Can we say.... "Grounding again, with a more strict regimen this time?"

*SIGH*

What are we gonna do with him?

Any suggestions?

Anyone?

~Blessings~

NEWSTART... and disclaimer

I assigned categories for the pieces of health information that I plan to write about.  These categories focus mainly on the acronym NEWSTART.  I have added a couple other categories which really do not relate to the NEWSTART acronym, and may continue to add a category or two as necessary. 

The NEWSTART acronym is described below:

N- Nutrition

E - Exercise

W - Water

S - Sunshine

T - Temperance

A - Air

R - Rest

T - Trust in God

Remembering the different parts of NEWSTART can help one to remind themselves of the areas that can improve one's health.  We hardly ever fall apart because of ONE problem, but rather it is usually a combination of health struggles.  Making changes in one area may show improvement, but it likely is not going to be a lifelong answer to our struggles.  NEWSTART can help us towards a healthier lifestyle.  It isn't about diet to lose weight, or sleeping pills to get our rest, but simply getting back to what we were designed to live by. 

DISCLAIMER:

A disclaimer that I want to add is that some of us have bodies that are far along in disease processes.  Changing late in the game is likely not going to cure us, however, we may see decreased symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes.  A diabetic may still be a diabetic, but their blood sugar levels  are easier to control.  Also because of sin,  our bodies have become run down after generations of misuse.  That means our children can have problems like allergies or other horrible diseases that are not caused by how they are living, but rather a compilation of problems in our own genetics that we have passed down to them, or problems caused while growing in the womb...not to mention the exposure of so many things that are just considered normal these days... (chemicals, pesticides, immunizations, pollution, etc.) that can adversely affect one even though many others can take those exposures without much of a symptom at all.  So, do be realistic in making changes, they won't cure us overnight and they may not cure us at all.  Some changes may relieve us of some symptoms, but some changes could be detrimental to our specific medical condition.     

What does that mean?  If you have a medical condition or your children are sick, please read for guidance of where to go for information, not to substitute for medical treatment.  Making changes without your medical doctor's knowledge can cause big problems.  Medications you may be on may become too strong when making changes to a healthier lifestyle and without some guidance from your doctor on how to wean from your medications, you may end up sicker trying to live healthier than when you just lived "as is" with your medications.  Also, if you are ever feeling concerned or overwhelmed with a situation, do not try to do it on your own, just because it is healthier.  Our gut feelings are there for us to seek help.  And sometimes we do not notice something going terribly wrong because we are untrained in knowing what to look for. 

Now, I do not want this to deter you from trying natural remedies or lifestyle changes.  Just when you do it, make wise choices and if under medical care, take it to your doctor to explain what you are wanting to try.  Some doctors are not supportive of healthy lifestyle/home remedies... in that case, find one who is and one who knows what you are talking about because not all doctors know what home remedies even are as many are not trained in that area or they have seen disasterous cases from one trying to cure themselves on their own.  Often a person will misdiagnose a problem and the "cure" they are using will never work, but only cause the problem to continue without restraint. 

 Many medical missionaries treat others with home remedies and teach unschooled mothers and fathers in treatments where medical facilities are too far away or too expensive.  These treatments are taught and used all over the world and have improved lives.  Why we don't use them here in America boggles my mind.  With medical care so expensive and drug treatments sometimes noneffective or the side effects so damaging, we need to go back to some simple ways of healing. 

In summary, I do not feel anyone should be afraid of remedies or lifestyle changes.  Many changes are as simple as not eating cheetos and eating a whole grain cracker instead.  Some home remedies you can practice even while on medications and see increased results above what just the medication alone will do.  As your skill improves, you will feel more confident.  As time goes by, you will understand how our bodies work and see why something will or will not work in a situation.   Be wise in your decisions; pray and ask for guidance. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Daily Devotion 283

Fab Friday

 I say Fab because the weather is just that, fabulous! It is cool but not cold, the kind where you open up your windows and the breeze blows the curtains around, LOVE IT!

  Grinding was suppose to start today but they have pushed it back until Monday, which is OK with me. Hubby can take an extra weekend to relax before he starts working nonstop for the next three months. The money is great, but he gets tired of it after a month or so. I don't blame him either, I worked grinding several years in the scale house, and it does take a toll on you. Seven days a weeks for weeks and weeks.

   So for lunch hubby wants to go to his favorite eat out, Pizza Hut. I personally don't care for them but he loves it, so Pizza Hut it is. Then it's off to see mom for a bit at the home, a quick stop at the grocery store for a few items, and then home to wait for my dear friend Debbie who is coming for a weekend visit. With the holidays kicking up soon, we are getting a visit in before things get too hectic for visiting.

   So thats pretty much me weekend, chatting, swinging, porching, garage saleing, malling, eating out, and did I mention chatting. The guys will be doing some hunting.  So I hope everyone else is going to have a great weekend ahead. Call you BFFs and chat some.

Root Cellar uh, I mean the Hobbit Hole, Re-visited

Good Morning! I hope you are all having a lovely start to your Friday!  I am excited for the day.
On Tuesday, we worked in the root cellar... or what my children are insisting we call the Hobbit Hole for a long while.  My Dad came and helped show Shannon how to build some sturdy shelves to store our stockpile.
My boys wanted in on the action.  And since you can 'work' in nothing less than overalls, that was the choice of attire for the day. :)
The littlest one lest be left out...
He even came equipped with his own saw and hard hat. ;)
Shelves were built across the back and down both sides. 
It is SO wonderful!!! I am so happy to have this finished and ready for use.
Have a terrific weekend. Fill it with your family,  laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses, snuggles, sips of hot cider, cozy quilts and love.
With much love from me to you...

Todays Great Quote......George Müller

God delights to increase the faith of his children. We ought,
instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for
patience, to be willing to take them from God's hands as a
means. Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats,
are the very food of faith.

      -- George Müller