Hatfield House (in the city)

September 7

Ask and Believe

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 21:22

It was a cold, snowy night. I had my Sunday school class over for supper and an evening of fun. Now I was taking them home. At several places the road was nearly drifted shut. I was getting close to one of my student’s homes. The road kept getting worse and worse. Finally, within half a mile of my destination, I got stuck.

After trying my best to get out, I knew I would need help. My brother and two of my students hurried on to enlist the help of a four-wheel drive truck. They were soon back.

We could not find a good place in the front of the car to fasten the strap, so we decided to attach the hitch and use it to pull out the car backwards. I got the hitch out of the trunk and put it on. Slamming the trunk shut I walked forward to start the car.

I was shocked to discover that the keys were no longer in my pocket. We had recently purchased the car and had only one set of keys. After vainly searching for the keys, I concluded that I had locked them in the trunk.

I decided to pray. Almost immediately, the thought popped into my head, “Check the snow around the hitch.”

I grabbed a shovel and dug in. With the first shovel of snow, my friend exclaimed, “There they are!” Sure enough, there they lay. Soon we were out and back on our way.

What a great God we serve! He even cares about a lost set of car keys.

Jamin Yoder, Middlebury, IN

O how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day;

So when life seems dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray.

—Mary Kidder (1820-1905)

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1–12

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 Corinthians 15:1–32

Proverbs 9, 10

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Phone: 877-488-0901

E-Mail: [cs@vision-publishers.com]

A Reply to An Anonymous Commenter:

I recently posted a blog about how I went to Wal-Mart with the family last Sunday and came across person after person who gave me nasty rude looks, people who were "staking their territory" on the aisle, and just being sour pusses. Please read one reply (and feel free to look back into my archives if you wish and read all the post, including the comments on "No Manners, No Eye Contact, and A Persimmon Face".):

Posted by Anonymous (71.102.17.207)

Just some food for thought: Perhaps you might consider giving some of those people with such "sour" expressions on their faces some thoughtful consideration. Perhaps---unknown to you---there is a valid reason for their offensive expression. I, for one, have a type of Muscular Dystrophy which makes it near impossible to smile due to the lack of facial muscles that work properly. Should you pass me in the store, I'm quite certain (from your post) that you would find my expression unpleasant. I would be heartily smiling on the inside---unfortunately all YOU would see is a frown. And for those you pass who don't have a medical reason for their physical expressions, you might want to say a quick prayer for them. Perhaps their life is in turmoil and your prayer---and smile---could brighten their day.

I would like to say is I am so sorry about your Muscular Dystrophy. I have a friend who has this as well. So I do understand a litlte about your disability. I in no way meant to offend or upset you or anyone else with this blog. I wasn't directing my words towards anyone with a disability. If you had been there, at Wal-Mart with me, you would see that NONE of the people I encountered had a disability. Most were people I know from around town in fact, and they are just sour puss people. LOL

I also understand there are problems in which a person may not "feel like" smiling. Laura (gokings) also brought this to my attention that perhaps someone was having a bad day that particular day, or had lost a loved one, etc. I do understand there is sadness everywhere, and many are feeling it. I do pray for those people I encounter also. I have had bad days when I certainly didn't want to say, "hey how ya doin'?" to anyone let alone start up a conversation with someone I don't know.

In my blog, I was referring to people, who turn around with a blank, although partially pleasant face to see who is walking behind them, and then give you a nasty rude look for walking up their aisle and taking their space. Or someone who barrels up the aisle with a nasty look on because they think they OWN the aisle. Or the people who CUT YOU OFF and then dont say "Excuse me, I am so sorry." No, I am not perfect. I have been known to accidentially cut someone off (I really think they should have stop lights at the end of some stores aisles. LOL), but I have turned around and apologized immediately and made sure no one was hurt.

I also mentioned children in my blog. I don't know your age, or if you have ever experienced this, but it just unnerves me to have children running crazily up and down the aisles, with or without a cart, with no respec for anyone else in the store. And the parents?? Where are there in all of this??? Ride behind the children, watching and laughing at them instead of disciplining them. I on the other hand am forced to drive offensively with my 2 year old in the front, because these kids come out of no where, ram into the side of your cart, and then run off laughing!!!! And the parents, again, are right there.....giggling with them. (I did however catch one kid one time and told him if he ran into my cart, I would call the police on him. He quietly walked with cart back to his mother, and I didn't hear another thing of him. LOL)

As you might have also seen, I wrote a small plea at the bottom of the blog. A plea for others to be aware of your attitude, to smile and be merry if possible when out in public. Maybe these other sour puss faced people had NO IDEA they looked as rude as they did. Perhaps they did have a bad day. Maybe this also had a disability of some sort. Or maybe, they were JUST BEING RUDE!!! LOL I don't know. I did pray for each and every one of them. Much like I pray for am ambulance or life flight when they pass by, I say a quick prayer saying, Lord, I have no idea what might be going on in their life right now, but please be with them, love them, and guide and protect them. Amen.

With all of that being said, Mr or Ms. Anonymous, I would like to think that most of my blogs are self explanitory. They are my words, my rants, raves, opinions, maybe a praise report or two, a prayer request, or just some ramblings of a SAHM mom, trying to take care of her family. I don't intentionally mean to offend or hurt anyone, and if I have, I do apologize. This wasn't directed towards you Anonymous.

Saturday

Saturday's ramblings

I'd be more thankful if fall were here too...but it's coming...can't get here soon enough for me!

This week had two days of little sleep. Honey worked in Huntsville Tuesday and Wednesday. That's an 1-1/2 hour drive from here. And he had to be there to work at 4am. Yep, 4am. That meant leaving home at 2:30...and getting home at 2:30. He was one tired man when he got home each evening. The first day of this was my MNO...and I had such a great time! But, I got home about midnight..and was, as usual, too keyed up to sleep. So, I computed till the alarm went off at 1:30...then couldn't get to sleep till Honey called to tell me he'd made it safely there, at 3:40.

We did get to bed at a reasonable time Wednesday evening...but I feel like I've been working my way back to restful ever since.

Thursday brought a baby shower for a friend of mine. What an angel her new little babe is! Rebecca and I both soaked up the baby holding time! Natalie gave me her "Mama, you need to get pregnant" speech so many times that I lost count! If there ever was a family that desired a babe, this one is it.

Friday, we were home all day. Love those days! We finished up our school week. Rebecca mixed up both the bread dough and the pizza dough. What an awesome help she is to me.

Today, Toby and Thomas are planning to do some inside work...after they tidy up a few things outside. It's overcast and threatening to rain, so they figured an inside job would be good. There's a list a mile long of things that to be done....both just for normal life and for getting our home ready to list for sale.

Oooh! I found one home yesterday that looked beautiful..but it was only a 3 bedroom..but 3-1/2 baths!! Can you imagine?? We have only 1 bathroom now..whatever would we do with 3-1/2?! It also had an inground pool and pool house. But only a little over 7 acres.....bummer.....

Rebecca is back with some organizing boxes for me. I'm on a quest to get this office organized and usable!! I need to organize the school books we are not currently using and the completed school work. That will free up alot of space! Then it's time to be serious about getting things listed for sale...either eBay or elsewhere. Too much stuff!!!

Pondering Palin

I was visiting over at here this morning and I was shocked at the number of "Palin Post' over here...I had no idea many were questioning as I am...BUT what I noticed was division among people....It shouldn't be that way...It made my heart sad, that so many cannot ponder their own thoughts or feeling with other "Christians" because they will be made to feel like 'freaks' or somehow unchristian if they disagree with a woman in office...One post even referred to people to think that the woman needs to home is a "know it all"....how very sad...Also one said those who 'question' Palin are for Obama...People just don't get it....Did any of us ever stop to think that this division is not of God?? That quite possibly Satan has jumped on the "Palin" bandwagon and is totally using this situation to divert our attention from what the real issue is?? and that is "What is best for our Country" weather it be McCain/Palin or the other the true heart of the matter is 'Who will uphold "YOUR" values, "YOUR" morals, "YOUR" liberities!! Period! If you do not feel either party will uphold "YOUR" values then you have a right to decide to not vote...that will NOT make you a bad "Christian" or a horrible "person" it just means you are exercising your God given freedoms...there may come a time when you cannot do that, you will not be given a choice...enjoy it now...We should ALL(including myself) pray about what we are to do..and after praying in earnest you are led to vote for Obama who I am to stand in your way? If you led to vote for McCain, Awesome! If you are led to not vote, so be it...its not my place to judge anyone...but I do have a right, just as you and everyone else in america has the right to his or her own opinion...and none of us have the right to attack the other just because our opinions differ...maybe, just maybe if we listen to the other side we might learn something! I am personally not a fan of a woman being in the White House in a that position...before you gasp and choke on your coffe let me say this...I love the woman, she is kind, she is pro-life, she is sharp, BUT she has a family and in that family is a special needs child. As a mother of a special needs child I personally know the amount of time it takes to raise a child like that...as much as we want things to be 'normal' they are not. I am sure she will make a great VP if elected along with McCain, however with that said...she needs to be home with her children...Example: Her baby is seriously ill, but she has peace talks with Iran...which gets neglected? The child or Iran peace talks? Kapish? Think about if McCain died in office Palin would be in line for the President, how will she balance home and office...I mean really, she will be running the U.S....our country is in perilous times we need someone who can be focused on this country...I don't know...its just silly the way this has become so divided...For those that are pondering Palin in office not being a good thing..I commend you for stating your opinion...Thank You...for those that think its ok...I have also read and considered your opinions...thank you...Who will I vote for...Certainly not Obama, but not sure for McCain either...Not voting does NOT mean a vote for Obama....it means simply not voting! If you have comments you can either private message me here on blogger or you can use my email hs_fmly@,msn.com I have chosen not to allow comments on this post.

Daily Devotion 249

Philip could have felt that his ministry was being elbowed aside and eclipsed when Peter and John came to the mission he had developed. They just seemed to brush aside recognition of his excellent beginning in planting the church. But he accepted it graciously and moved on to the next assignment the Spirit had for him! He did not seem to care who got the credit for what he did. Because of his faithfulness, his work was effective.

The nail may hold a few lessons for us. After the torturous manufacturing processes, it is driven into its place of service by blow after cruel blow of the hammer. Nothing is left to sight except the head.

The poor finish nail is not only driven to its niche in life like other nails, but the nail set comes along and drives its head well below the surface. As if that were not insult enough, putty fills the hole on top of the head, and paint permanently conceals the place where the nail does its work quietly and faithfully, unnoticed for its importance.

How important is the nail? Suppose all the nails in your house would suddenly go on strike and stop doing their jobs. That would bring chaos.

We, too, are called to silently and faithfully do our work, even if we are not noticed. We tend to think we should receive recognition for the “head-pounding” we endure to hold things together. But God notices all that pertains to His children’s lives.

Our emotions are not made of steel like a nail, but of feelings and sensitivities. So we do need audible and tangible encouragement and compliments frequently. Today, your sincere compliment may be just what someone needs to encourage him to stick with it! Will you give one?

hello all

***Chickens ***

Robert E. Lee had a chicken he took with him the whole time the Civil War was going. Many a soldiers tried to cook the chicken, but he managed to rescue it saying, “Boiling the hen will give us one fine meal, but keeping her alive will feed us every day.”

So, as I said, not only are we preparing to buy a home, we'd like one with land so we can have our chickens. Today I emailed our county law division and asked them stipulations pertaining to keeping hens and the local zoning laws pertaining to the subject. I am awaiting for more information so we can keep in mind those stipulation while we look.

In the meantime, as you may have already noticed, I'm looking at both city coops and plans for regular ones. I have an idea of what I'd like for a bigger one if we find a place in the country. I'll share those plans later. Right now, I'm picking out which chickens we'll order once we move.

Let me just say that there are lots and lots of chickens out there. Bantams which are smaller in size and tend to lay eggs with more yolk than whites, then there are the common chickens, the specialty and the Cochins which have the cute feathered feet but have a reputation for being poor layers (please, all jokes aside here, I'm having a chicken breed crisis). There are crested breeds with feathered crowns and heavy breeds which are used for meat.

With all those breeds, I felt more and more confused at choosing exactly which ones would work for our area with cold Northeastern snow and wind. Ones that were well mannered, lay eggs quite often, and are good setters. (now I'm starting to sound like a singles add.haha)

Murray McMurray is a hatchary with good, healthy chickens. Not only do they sell chickens, but other game birds like turkeys, ducks, geese. Lets not forget about pheasants, quail, peacocks, and guineas. If your ever in the market, I HIGHLY recommend Murray McMurray at www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html

One decision I do know, we are looking for brown egg layers. So, that trims the list down a bit. The best part of Murray McMurray is they have "assortment" options for different breeds and egg colors. So we have now decided to order the BROWN EGG LAYERS ASSORTMENT.

How easy was that? We know we wanted brown egg layers, we just weren't sure which ones to choose because we've never had any of them. Choosing the assortment, Murray McMurray throws in an assortment and you'll only know once they get to you which breed they are. I like that alot because we don't have to choose just one breed, but can see which ones we really prefer for our next order. In the Brown Egg Assortment, they guarantee 5 of the following breeds:

Black Australorps; Lt. Brahmas; Dark Cornish; Black and White Giants; Buff and White Orpingtons; New Hampshire, Rhode Island Reds, Barred, White, Partridge, Buff Rocks;Deleware, Sussex, Turkens; White, Silver Laced, & Columbian Wyandottes, Red Star and Black Star.

A couple other breeds we were introduced to from our homestead friends, and plan to also purchase are Araucana and Dominique Chickens. They produce green and blue eggs. Our friends called them "easter eggs". They're both pretty friendly and by exeperience with our friends when we were there, they are pretty good natured and do well in the winter months. Check out a Youtube video above that I found on the breed.

How exciting to have made our choices. We hope to introduce them late summer, early fall when we close on a home of our own. Woohoo!

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?????

I love the song, "Held" by Natalie Grant. I have sang it and cried tears over it for some time now, but when they played it on the radio the day after my mom died, it became even more near and dear to my heart.

You see so many think bad things happen to good people, and why would God do this. Why would God take that person away, or let this or that happen. If He can do all things, and if He is all knowing, why didn't He stop this??? Simply put??? That isn't who God is....and it isn't who He promised He would be either.

Now, before you turn away and close this blog, hear me out. God never told us we wouldn't have bad times, and trials in our lives. He never promised to keep us from sadness, sickness, etc. He didn't say as a child of His that we would never experience these things. He simply said, when we do.........He would be there for us!!!

No, life isn't fair sometimes. A 3 year old dying while swimming with his family.....is not fair. A 3 year old having her life taken by her father and then killing himself...........certainly not fair. Loosing both of my parents at age 63 was completely not fair. I remember speaking to my pastor after they died, and saying it isn't fair!!! He said you are right. You got cheated out of more time with your parents. You feel like you didn't get what you deserved and it is ok to feel that way, as long as you don't STAY there long. I think I was there for months, probably longer than I expected to be. But then I realized, I didn't want to live in the shoulda coulda woulda life. I wanted to make my parents happy, remembering the good times, not focusing on the unfair moments.

This song talks about that......when all else fails....and you feel like giving up.......that is when, you will be held. Close your eyes dear one, fall into his arms, and let Him hold you. Cry on His shoulder. He is always there for you. If you will only stop accusing Him of hurting you, and let Him hold you, and help you to heal. He didn't do this TO YOU!!!! And he didn't glory in your trials. NO, like any loving father, He doesn't like to see you hurting. Read the words to this song, and if you have the means, please listen to the song. Just close your eyes and listen.

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

Making You Fall Dinner Menus? (Fall Dinner Ideas and recipes)

Here are some wonderful fall recipes that my family loves. I hope your family will love them as well!

This is a recipe my mom has been making since we were little. I remember taking the recipe to school with me for Home Ec one day and fixing it. All the class were supposed to make something, and then everyone voted on which ones they liked the best. These meatballs were one of the winners. Now after reading this recipe you might think, as my home ec treacher did, uncooked rice??? YES!!! I am sure Ms. Pauling...uncooked!!! She called my mother to make sure before she would let me make them. LOL

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT water and tomato soup in a bowl. Combine and form meatballs and place in a Dutch oven. Mix water and soup, and por over meatballs. Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until done.

Brown pork chops on both sides in oil until done. MIx BBQ sauce and apple juice together and pour over pork chops. Reduce heat; simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

Place rice into a greased crockpot and top with chicken, set aside. Combine soup and chicken broth and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, adding more broth if neccessary.

Brown sausages in a skillet, reduce heart and cover. Mix remaining ingredients together and add to skillet. Cover adn simmer until apples and sausages are tender, about 30 minutes.

Srpinkle pork chops with seasoned salt. In a large skillet, brown chops on both sides, in butter until browned, and set aside. In the droppings, saute' onion until golden brown. Add the water, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and worchestershire sauce. Return chops to skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove porkchops and keep warm.

COmbine cornstarch and cold water until smooth, and stir into skillet. Bring to a boil and cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Serve this over pork chops.

For some reason chicken and apriocots were born to be together. LOL This is a simple quick dish!

In a medium skillet, cook chicken in oil for 7-9 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook for 2 minutes or until heated through.

Cook whole grain blend according to package directions. IN a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until tender. Season porkchops with salt and pepper on both sides, and cook in skillet until browned. Stir in cracnberry sauce adn orange juice. Heat just to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Serve pork with whole grains and fruit sauce.

I love this lemon sauce, but hubby doesn't. So I fix the chicken, and the sauce separately, and put the sauce on my chicken and vegetables while Matthew eats his without the sauce.

Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. Dredge lightly in flour, reserving the excess. Melt butter and oil over medium-high heat until it sizzles. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes, turning once, until done and juices run clear. Remove chicken. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes. Which in broth and lemon juice; heat to boiling and let thicken. Return chicken to pan and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

A favorite of my mom's cooking. When I miss her, I fix a dish from her favorite recipes to make me feel near her again, and this is one of those.

Cook potatoes and celery until tender; add frozen vegetables and cook another 5 minutes; drain. Saute' onion in butter until softened. Blend in flour and salt and brown slightly. Add broth and cook until thick and bubbly. Add chicken adn vegetables. Prepare pastry for the bottom of the pie pan and trim edges. Pour in filling and top with 2nd pastry. Seal edges and flute. Cut steam vents and brush with melted butter or milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

This is one of my hubby's favorite dishes. While we were dating, we didn't have much money, and we ate at my apartment alot instead of eating out. I fixed this dish with bow tie pasta the night that Matthew kneeled on the floor and proposed to me!!!! I should have known something was up when he pushed his food around the plate and barely ate any of his favorite meal. LOL

Place milk, egg, and flour in 3 separate shallow dishes. Combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese in a 4th dish. Dip chicken in milk, roll in flour, dip into egg, then coat in bread crumbs. Brown chicken in butter over medium-high heat, until golden and juices run clear. serve with pasta and sauce and cheese.

Saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes.

Hatfield House (in the city)

Daily Devotion 250

A Reply to An Anonymous Commenter:

Saturday

Saturday's ramblings

Pondering Palin

Daily Devotion 249

hello all

Chickens

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?????

Making You Fall Dinner Menus? (Fall Dinner Ideas and recipes)

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