how was the moon?

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Shanda

“It’s not what you look at that matters, but what you see.” Thoreau

My family, along with five friends, sat under the light of the moon last night to watch it turn from a light so bright it dazzled the eyes, into an orange-red shadow.

We had a fire and chairs pulled up all around it. One of the boys roasted a potato in the coals around the fire. I roasted a hot dog. We all had apple cider.

My little ones wriggled and adjusted themselves over and over next to me, sometimes exchanging “words” for “taking my spot!”

The first thing sleepy eyed daughter said to me this morning was “How was the moon?” because she had to go to bed at 9:30.

Toward the end of the night, the endless noise of talking, laughing, and music stopped, and we could hear coyotes and other sounds of the woods and the night, our faces upraised to the clear sky, eyes open wide, trying to take it all in.

As the moon became darker, the stars seemed brighter. The sky was gloriously full of them.

We thought about the people of the past, ancient Bible men and women, populations from other countries, our own Native Americans, even the heavenly beings, and the wonder of the connection we felt to them all as we sat under the very same moon they also observed and knew so well.

We praised the God who made it.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Shanda

I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Always be humble and gentle.

Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

For there is one body and one Spirit, just has you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Milkweed pods are crispy dry and opening, spilling their soft warm seeds into the air, waiting for a breeze to carry them away.

Ferns are turning yellow and brown.

There are many variety of wild berries and it’s a good time of year to be a bird-watcher.

There are raccoon tracks in the mud by the solitary beaver pond.

A late blooming wild cardinal flower, found in a hidden spot. It’s hard to hide completely when you’re such a red.

acorn-triplets

Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19

meeting together, a blog post of friendship

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Shanda

What do I look for in my friend?

Someone who can feel what I feel. or

Someone who doesn’t have as much emotion as I do, and can balance me out and tell me the logical facts, and calm me down. or

Someone who likes the same things I do, whether it be books, nature, fiestaware. maybe

Someone very similar to me. what about

Someone who tells me when they are hurting and struggling, so I can help.

Or, someone who is almost my opposite who can teach me things I never thought of before. perhaps

Someone older, someone younger.

A listener. A person with heart and soul. or

Someone who lets me love them.

A person who cares, loves, is kind and patient.

But most of all, the person I want for my dearest friend is a woman who has Jesus in her heart.

Not a pretender, not a “head knowledge” of truth, but the heart that is just like mine, a Jesus-heart.

In other words, I have found in my own experience of friendships, that there is no formula whatsoever but a foundation through Jesus Christ, for the purpose of “whatever reason”–that certain something she can give to me, or I can give to her to help us both be better people and keep pressing on the upward way. The Holy Spirit draws us together, He writes that woman’s name on my heart, or my name on her heart, and we have a relationship to enjoy for as long as we can.

God has put women in my life that I simply cannot forget and will not forget. We will be as loyal as the day is long. I know this because we annoy each other at one point or another – – but we can never do anything to cut the tie of friendship we feel is ours to keep.

I do have my own very priceless circle of friends that is written in stone, but there is room on the stone for more. I am always open for more kindred spirits. But I don’t go searching for them, God puts them in my path, whether at church or wherever.

Some of my friends even live “in the computer” and even if it sounds far-fetched, I know it’s true and I love it! I love that I have friends whom I have never seen face to face, yet can share common interests, encouragement, prayers, and so on.

Social media is the modern age’s pen pal system!

God’s people are everywhere and He can use all kinds of ways to draw us together. He wants us to have close relationships with others. It lifts my spirits to hear from my friends, and it’s wonderful to be a blessing to my friend, as well. I need it in order to live because life gets so heavy at times. The burdens are great. Things happen to shake me, and I can reach out to a friend and see how it is….she stops what she is doing and prays for me in love and concern.

It’s such a beautiful thing, I cry.

Anyway, one of these friends is someone I am blogging about today. Her name is Bridgette and we met years ago at church. Some of the fun things we have in common are the love we have for our families, pinterest, and fiestaware. We also have the foundation, which is Christ. Bridgette’s friendship humbles me because I can’t always see why she cares for me so much. I feel shy around her at times. I love that she encourages me by sending me happy emails of chickens wearing sweaters, or by sending a text message of a picture she took of a spider. She loves keeping up with me by reading my blog and she remembers things I wrote even a long time afterward and that means a lot to me.

We had years of time together as members of the same church, talking and visiting at those functions and also getting together, just the two of us. I remember one night after church we went to Crackerbarrel together and drank ice tea with our meal…I didn’t sleep a wink that night from the caffeine. Also, we were pregnant at the same time…several times..which was fun. And, when she and her family moved away I was heartbroken, as a matter of fact, I’m still sad about it. But such is life.

Mostly what I sense around this special woman is the quietness of a life lived close to God, and a heart warm and open to love anyone and everyone. She truly has a grace-filled heart for encouraging other people, and what a gift that is!

When Rich and I took the children to Georgia recently I was able to arrange a long-overdue visit with her. She was a lot more excited about it than I could have imagined. Thank you, B, for your faithful friendship to me. I love you and care about you and yours. I’m here for you anytime you need a friend, day or night.

We met at a pizza place. She has five children, one of the girls is hidden next to Sarah.

She talked about Sarah to her daughter so much that it was love at first sight.

We only had the time it took to eat the pizza, because we had such a long drive ahead of us. Bridgette and I would have liked to have a longer visit of course, but were thankful for what we managed to squeeze in. She sent me on my way with snacks, a journal, coffee, and chocolates, which I am still enjoying.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

“Dear Jesus, please bless any woman reading this today with friendships that will lift her spirits, make her laugh, and help her along in whatever plan you have for her life. Help her to be a good friend to others, too. Give her someone she can trust, in Your timing and in Your way. Help us to obey your prompting when you place someone on our heart. Thank you for supplying our every need. If we need a friend, you will give us one.”

Jacob’s first car, Jacob’s first day of college

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Shanda

It’s going to take me a little while to get used to this.

Will I ever get used to it? Please tell me I will.

On this very morning, the last day of August, Jacob and I went to the car dealership to finalize the purchase of his very first car.

I sat in my vehicle as he pulled away, with a police car following him (it just so happened).

I felt extremely nervous for him, the same kind of nervousness I feel at every major event, and full of adrenaline…I know in my logical brain that all is well and that this day is not as shattering as I feel that it is. But there is a disconnect between my head and my heart. Or is it a battle– a battle that my heart ALWAYS wins in these situations?

I watched him drive away, slowly and carefully, with a police car right behind him and several more cars, too. They were all probably wishing he would go a little faster but it was his first drive in his own car. (other than the test drive)

He was on his way to his first day of college. English class started at 11 in the morning.

I went next door to the grocery store and picked up groceries feeling completely alone, with heart palpitations, shaky hands, and burning eyes. Thank goodness for Rich, who was texting me that he loved me and everything was going to be okay. I saw young moms with their small children in the carts and I couldn’t stand it……I wanted one or two of mine back……but then, think of all the many times I went grocery shopping wishing I could concentrate and just get it done without the little voices asking me for everything they saw or little feet trying to run away from me in the parking lot?

A few times I caught myself talking to myself out loud in the store.

I kept wondering if Jacob was getting into an accident. I know it sounds terrible, but he is a new driver and the roads can be so busy…he has to drive the highway every day, he has to merge and change lanes and …… (!!)……

There was nothing to be done but go on my merry way, trusting my Jesus, but feeling a little bit lost just the same.

I came home and put the groceries away, let out the chickens, changed into shorts, made salisbury steak in the crock pot.

I finished my book and ate Cinnamon Bun Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I had to! It was therapy — and it was delicious.

I finished up my Bible reading for the day. I love the book of Job. I’m also reading 2 Corinthians. There were two verses that “jumped out” at me today (you know what I mean?)

“As God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving and God will receive more and more glory.” 2 Cor. 4:15 (*more and more* I love that!)

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Cor. 5:7 (what an unusual way to live, a way that works only by the “magic” and power of God Himself, through faith and constant communication with Him. I love how life in Jesus is so strange and wonderful. Think about it, there are probably angels all around me, my family, your family at this very moment, and I know for a fact that God Himself is always always near!).

Jacob texted me at 12:15 to let me know that he had made it to school and had his first class. I was so relieved. His day is done at 2 (right about now!) and I will wait like Forrest Gump at the end of the movie until he pulls into the driveway. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

I am proud of myself because I didn’t let on one bit to Jacob that I was nervous for him. I didn’t want to be anything but supportive. So don’t tell, ‘k?

Having conversations with no one at the grocery store AND the blog today….I’m getting scared now. LOL

2011 VW Jetta TDI and my grown up son…

Simply trusting every day;
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him, whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Singing if my way be clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger, for Him call,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth is past,
Till His gracious advent call,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Edgar Page Stites

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Shanda

For the beauty of the earth
for the glory of the skies
for the love that from our birth
over and around us lies
Lord of all to Thee we raise
this our song of grateful praise.

Seth caught two tiny fish, and by tiny I mean approximately one centimeter and as thin as a wire. One for him and one for his sister. Sarah’s face says “oh, it’s so cute!!!” –painfully cute. She loves babies.

Good morning my friends. Today is Monday. It’s sunny outside and I just got home from taking my oldest daughter to her babysitting job.

My babies are six and five years old and are currently watching “The Boxcar Children” on netflix. The rabbit is in the living room in her cage and Parker the dog is staring at the children as they eat breakfast…bread and cheese, blueberries and milk. A breakfast inspired by their favorite story.

We finished reading the book on Saturday.

I took three pages of notes at Bible study on Thursday, given by a dear older woman of faith who recently lost her beloved grown daughter. Her heart spoke and filled my own heart and soul so that the tears flowed…..I read over her words in my journal and find so much truth and so much Jesus in them.

I thank God for her, please pray for His grace to continue to fill her as she grieves.

With her reminder, I kept an open heart and said “yes” to my husband more than usual this weekend.

“I need fruit. Do you want to go to Costco with me?” yes
“Shan. Let’s sneak down to the diner for breakfast together.” yes

Those were two times I would have typically said “no”. Costco is too far for fruit. I’m too tired and just woke up and am not hungry enough for breakfast just yet.

Putting aside the excuses and selfishness meant more fun and closeness with this man of mine.

My 17 year old’s morning hair.

We went to the diner two times this weekend. These are the times I will always remember. When the children are grown and gone and we go to the diner again we will think of them always. The laughter, teasing, spills, eyes too big for the tummies.

The chicks have turned into chickens.

We spent several hours outside on the lawn Saturday afternoon. With blankets, books, and towels we rested in the glorious sun…Rich and I…and whatever children came along.

Samantha-Cat caught a frog. I held it in my hand & it’s little body pressed anxiously into my palm. I checked it all over and there were no mortal wounds — so back into the pond it went.

The pretty-pretty beans are close to producing. I’ve finally found little white flowers in the vines. We’ve been eating peas and watching the watermelon grow bigger every day. Tomatoes are beginning to ripen and sunflowers growing tall.

the comfort of God

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Shanda

“A pond without dragonflies darting above it or without the exquisitely iridescent damsel flies clinging to the leaves of its border would be a lonely place indeed.” (this and all following nature quotes are by Anna Comstock)

Dragonflies are common at our place as we have two ponds and a stream. It is always a pleasure to stand on the road and lean over the guardrail to peer into the water of the stream and watch the bright green bodied damsel flies, or to walk along the edge of the lawn where the tall grasses grow and observe the various dragonflies fluttering. And it is always a feeling of accomplishment if I can get close enough to one with my camera and snap a clear photo.

“The grasshopper has some means of defense as well as of escape; it can give a painful nip with its mandibles; and when seized, it emits copiously from the mouth a brownish liquid which is acrid and ill smelling. This performance interests children who are won’t to seize the insect by its jumping legs and hold it up, commanding it to ‘chew tobacco'”.

What delightful and beautiful insects grasshoppers are! Watching them jump is highly amusing, their back legs are like springs.

When I look at this photo of a grasshopper, I am struck by an urge to try to draw it.

This was an exciting surprise. I was hunting the trees along the edge of the field for birds and my only thought was determination to take a pretty BIRD photo in the evening light. And what do I see? A tiny, chubby chipmunk way up high, frozen in fear as I photographed it. Look at those tiny ears.

“The lay of the bullfrog, which like the song of some noted opera singers, is more wonderful than musical; the boom of the bullfrog makes the earth fairly quake.”

Even the bullfrog is lovely with it’s green and brown skin and gorgeous round & golden eyes shinier and prettier than any marble. You can see the sky reflected within it’s black iris. The round circle to the right of the eye is the ear. My sons love to catch bullfrogs and consider them friends of the pond.

Notice anything special about this chicken?

The hydrangeas are continuing to dazzle.

Another surprise! Just one week after seeing a baby chipmunk in a tree, I was sitting on the porch talking to my husband when my eyes landed on this one, way up high in the bush by our porch.

“While the chipmunk is a good runner and jumper, it is not so able a climber as is the red squirrel, and it naturally stays nearer the ground……a second glance showed me that it was a chipmunk lying close to the branch, hanging on for ‘dear life’ and with an attitude of extreme caution…”

So what was this chipmunk doing up in a bush? I believe the answer was this:

Kitty on the porch probably chased it up there. And after giving up on the chipmunk ever coming down, went back to his cozy seat on the porch to take a bath.

A chipmunk observer.

The children played a game of catch over by the chicken coop.

*******

I had many real and imagined worries about the children and their future and by the end of the day yesterday I gathered my journal and my Bible to me like a lifeline…knowing that I needed most of all to saturate my mind with the truth of God, that He is in control of all things and that I can trust Him with my (His) children whom I love so much that I never want to let go of them or these days.

How Does God Comfort us?

Through His very nature, He is faithful. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

Through His Word. “I delight in your word every day.”

Through Prayer. “Morning, noon and night I complain to you, Lord, and you always listen to me. I rise before dawn and cry for help.”

Through His Holy Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit.”

Through others. “Let us stir up each other to love and to good works.”

“I believe, Lord, that as I seek you I find you. You will always show me the way that is good for my life, You will lead me along the right way and I know that you always love me. You pour your love into my heart so that I praise you because of your faithfulness; my innermost being says ‘thank you.’ Through the cross of Christ I have been brought back to you: how I praise you! Through the cross my life is transformed. For Jesus Christ’s resurrection and for my new life I praise you.”

From a little booklet published in 1985 by Gospel Light Publications, “Enjoying God who Comforts”

waffle summer

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Shanda

This is fun.

I love making breakfast for the children. The best thing about summer vacation is that the extra time we have makes it possible to do so. I’ve been making waffles.

I suppose it has something to do with the moment a few weeks back when my Mom and I were organizing my pantry and we discovered that one of the boys had put my waffle maker back with waffle stuck all over it. It was shocking. I remembered the day years ago that Rich bought me that wonderful waffle maker from Williams and Sonoma. I was so proud of it, but had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I immediately felt like nurturing my waffle maker again. As soon as I had extra time again (days later), I took it outside and cleaned the crumbs out of it. The dog was by my side, eating them out of the grass. Waffle makers have the potential to be the filthiest appliance in the house if they aren’t perfectly cleaned after each use. Even the cord itself was coated in old batter. (I blame the boy who used it last.)

Of course once it was clean again I immediately wanted to use it.

This morning I made cornmeal waffles from a Bed and Breakfast cookbook. Before I mixed them up, I thinly sliced 2 quarts of strawberries into a fiesta bowl and sugared them. The kids could put strawberries on their waffles, maple syrup, or both.

Cornmeal Waffles
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons melted butter

In a large bowl beat the eggs and add the milk. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and store into the egg mixture. Gradually add the melted butter. Spoon into a greased hot waffle iron, and bake.

Notes: I use one of those silicone pastry brushes to grease my waffle maker. Also, I added extra flour to this recipe because I like waffle batter to be thick.

When I made them, only Caleb, Seth, and Sarah were awake. So all the rest are waiting in a 200 degree oven, waiting for the big kids to wake up and eat them. Last week we had someone spending the night with the boys and he was so amazed that I had made waffles from scratch that he took a picture of the recipe.

(star wars and elsa)

I have something to say to you that has nothing to do with waffles!

God is Sovereign, is in perfect control of all things.
Jesus had harsh words for hypocrites.
Self-righteousness is a terrible attitude and scares people.
Strange and Unusual Joy is a mark of a Christian.
A key to a content life is purposefully living the one God gave you and enjoying each part of it.
Continuous study and learning…having a curiosity about life and living….is another way to grow in grace.
If you believe in the blessedness of marriage, put extra time and effort into your own.
At some point in the very near future all the children of God will experience the best happy ending in History….and I just cannot wait!!!!

“The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

thirsty?

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Shanda

I’ve been pondering my hydrangea bush. I counted 25 blooms on it this morning as I leaned over the porch railing.

This summer is the first time it has bloomed…..in years.

It bugged me a great deal to see it year after year, all green with none of those big puffy flowers that are so beautiful. I did a little research about hydrangeas this spring and guess what the solution was?

Water. Lots and lots of water. Therefore, I’ve been watering this plant religiously day after day.

It just simply needed water.

As a believer, I can’t help but compare this plant and it’s need for water in order to bloom to my soul and how much I need Jesus, Water from the Rock. I also need His Word, the Bible. I need church services, I need prayer, I need spiritual songs, I need to praise and worship, I need to meditate. Another way to say “need” is to say “thirst”. I thirst for these things…..and as I drink deep they satisfy my soul.

Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.

If I neglect these spiritual disciplines, I won’t flourish and grow. I’ll still be alive, but I’ll be stagnant. I’ll still be HIS, because nothing can ever take me from His strong hand, but life will lose some of it’s beauty, it’s peace, it’s abundance if I’m not drinking long and deep from the streams of living water. I thank God for the thirst He gives me that causes me run to him.

Let but your heart become a valley low,
And God will rain on it till it will overflow.

“I will send down showers” Ezekiel 34:26

“He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” Isaiah 49:10

*****

Sarah and I discovered the first Tiger Lily blooms this morning.

My cat followed me around as I weeded. I had to pick him up out of the zinnias.

My children are on summer vacation. Now is the time when I remember how content I felt when we homeschooled them years ago. There is nothing like the feeling of a child wanting waffles for breakfast and saying yes because you have all the time in the world…….

Grace wants to be like Beatrix Potter. She came downstairs for breakfast with these things in her hands….sketch book, drawing pencils, her latest paperback, and a horse (her model for the drawings)….I encouraged her to try to be HERSELF and not a copy of an original. “I don’t know how.” I can so relate. We live in a world that is full of information and great ideas, it’s hard to even know who we are in the midst of so many people. Well, we do have similarities, but God made us unique and different, too. The little something he gave to Beatrix Potter is apparently within my daughter, too. We’ll see what she does with it.

Speaking of growing, Sarah is steadying gaining new marks on her growth line. I do need to wash this wall a little though.

Conversation during Waffle-Making:

David, chewing on waffle: “I wonder if we’ll ever get a new baby.”
Me: making waffles with my back toward him: “Um.No, the baby factory is closed. The baby factory is tired.”
David, finding my answer unsatisfactory: “Hmmf. Just think of all the babies that will never be born because YOU do not have the COURAGE to have them.”

*****

Look up today, you who are dried and withered plants. Open your leaves and flowers and receive God’s heavenly watering. Charles H. Spurgeon

though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Shanda

“When Victor Hugo was more than eighty years old, he expressed his faith in this beautiful way:

‘Within my soul I feel the evidence of my future life. I am like a forest that has been cut down more than once, yet the new growth has more life than ever. I am always rising toward the sky, with the sun shining down on my head. The earth provides abundant sap for me but heaven lights my way to worlds unknown.

“People say the soul is nothing but the effect of our bodily powers at work. If that were true, then why is my soul becoming brighter as my body begins to fail? Winter may be filling my head, but an eternal spring rises from my heart. At this late hour of my life, I smell the fragrance of lilacs, violets, and roses, just as I did when I was twenty. And the closer I come to the end of my journey, the more clearly I hear the immortal symphonies of eternal worlds inviting me to come. It is awe-inspiring yet profoundly simple.'”

From Streams in the Desert, by L.B Cowman

“This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

greeny green dress

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Shanda

When you have Jesus in your life, in your heart, you cannot help being beautiful.

Never underestimate or take for granted the Holy Spirit….what is the Holy Spirit doing inside of us and around us, for surely the Spirit of God is always at work? Giving life, producing sweet fruit, guiding, helping us to pray, helping us be our real selves. Without saying a word the people around us can sense His love.

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis of Assisi

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4

So do not struggle in your soul, do not strive, do not burden yourself in change….rest your spirit in Christ, but yes, work your body and mind in living the life He gave you to live, your own personal little spot in the world is a light for God just because you are you, wrapped up in the righteousness of Jesus.

In this way, God gets the glory for everything.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

It’s not the greeny green dress that Grace wears that makes her beautiful.

It’s not what you wear that makes you beautiful.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…….. Galatians 5:22 (in salvation by the mighty power of God, these fruits WILL appear, you can’t stop them, praise God!)

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38 (a believer WILL refresh others! You can’t help yourself! And it will happen when you are not even aware of it. You will probably never know what a huge BLESSING you are!!)

And now for a word from the boys.