Greetings!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Praise Reports and a day in the Wood family
The Wood family would like to share some answers to prayer. We have had so many of you continue to pray for us and we thank you again for your love toward us. We have decided to boast on His good work and share continued needs of prayer.
Praise Reports:
We had asked for prayer regarding the sale of two trailers that we used to move from CA to KS. God answered those prayers quickly and both trailers are now sold.
We asked for Joy and Peace on our home as we went through this time of transition. This move has to be one of the most peaceful and joyful experiences for each member of the family that we have ever experienced.
We had prayed that He would allow us to be a blessing to our neighbors-we are seeing this prayer answered daily! They too are a blessing to us!
We asked for His grace and mercy as we left my parents and oldest son in CA we also asked for patience as we wait His timing to bring us together again. It has been the Lord that has comforted our hearts- we trust Him to work out all the details for our good and His Glory! By His strength we have been able to do what would have been impossible in our own strength.
We had asked for prayer for Joe's new work. God has given him favor and is blessing the works of his hands! We thank the Father for going before us and making a way!
Prayer requests:
For continued vision to see how He sees and do as He would have us to do.
For those lives we are touching. That we would be a testimony of His love and the enemy would have no room to divide the body of Christ.
For the home in CA to sell.
Okay, so now to answer all those that have been asking, "What exactly do you do with your day now that you live in the city?" Well, let's see... I do believe our days are much quieter and yet so much heart work is being accomplished. We are spending a great deal of time reading, studying, and writing out the Scriptures. I would guess several hours a day but I haven't kept track. It has been more of a living activity and not a task.
We have been taking time to get to know our neighbors as well as the area we are living. Monday the children and I took a bus ride with our neighbors to the state capital. They had a wonderful time and scrap booked about it later that night.
We enjoy the Farmers Market and meet others with the same goals in nutrition as our family. The Lord went before us and gave us favor with a local bee keeper who wants to meet Timothy and offers scholarships to children to start their own bee keeping. What an answer to prayer that was for him!! He loves bees! We also met a blueberry farmer and will be going out and picking blueberries later this week or next. We were able to stop and pray with the owner of the farm that has cancer. I praise God for allowing our paths to cross so we can be prayer warriors on their behalf!
The home is peaceful and quiet. The Lord has "made us to lay down in green pastures." Our days still begin early and end when the sun goes down. We stay on top of all the house work so that our home is clean and orderly. This enables us to minister to others without restrictions or the burden of clutter. The boys find gardening and yard work to do. They cleared a sidewalk area that had overgrown with grass. The neighbors said it hasn't been done for at least the last six years. They were delighted to see the sidewalk again (It is a brick sidewalk that weeds can easily grow up between). Josiah does several of the neighbors yards for money- He is enjoying this opportunity. Elisha continues his art work and is using it to minister to others. Some of the pictures the Lord has given him have been amazing! I will have to share them with you soon. Bekah, Beth and Sarah delight in ministering to the little children here in our area. They consider it a reward to hold the baby across the street and discuss who gets to hold her first when they see them coming to visit.
There are so many other things I could share- glimpses of His grace in our lives. However, I had sent the toddlers up to my room ahead of me so I could write you all a quick note- it is nap time here in the Wood Home. I'm afraid if I don't get laid down with the toddlers quickly I'm going to miss this sweet time with them. I just love to cuddle with the little ones while they sleep don't you?!
Until our next chat dear friends, may all His blessings abound in your heart and home all for His Glory!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Praise Reports:
We had asked for prayer regarding the sale of two trailers that we used to move from CA to KS. God answered those prayers quickly and both trailers are now sold.
We asked for Joy and Peace on our home as we went through this time of transition. This move has to be one of the most peaceful and joyful experiences for each member of the family that we have ever experienced.
We had prayed that He would allow us to be a blessing to our neighbors-we are seeing this prayer answered daily! They too are a blessing to us!
We asked for His grace and mercy as we left my parents and oldest son in CA we also asked for patience as we wait His timing to bring us together again. It has been the Lord that has comforted our hearts- we trust Him to work out all the details for our good and His Glory! By His strength we have been able to do what would have been impossible in our own strength.
We had asked for prayer for Joe's new work. God has given him favor and is blessing the works of his hands! We thank the Father for going before us and making a way!
Prayer requests:
For continued vision to see how He sees and do as He would have us to do.
For those lives we are touching. That we would be a testimony of His love and the enemy would have no room to divide the body of Christ.
For the home in CA to sell.
Okay, so now to answer all those that have been asking, "What exactly do you do with your day now that you live in the city?" Well, let's see... I do believe our days are much quieter and yet so much heart work is being accomplished. We are spending a great deal of time reading, studying, and writing out the Scriptures. I would guess several hours a day but I haven't kept track. It has been more of a living activity and not a task.
We have been taking time to get to know our neighbors as well as the area we are living. Monday the children and I took a bus ride with our neighbors to the state capital. They had a wonderful time and scrap booked about it later that night.
We enjoy the Farmers Market and meet others with the same goals in nutrition as our family. The Lord went before us and gave us favor with a local bee keeper who wants to meet Timothy and offers scholarships to children to start their own bee keeping. What an answer to prayer that was for him!! He loves bees! We also met a blueberry farmer and will be going out and picking blueberries later this week or next. We were able to stop and pray with the owner of the farm that has cancer. I praise God for allowing our paths to cross so we can be prayer warriors on their behalf!
The home is peaceful and quiet. The Lord has "made us to lay down in green pastures." Our days still begin early and end when the sun goes down. We stay on top of all the house work so that our home is clean and orderly. This enables us to minister to others without restrictions or the burden of clutter. The boys find gardening and yard work to do. They cleared a sidewalk area that had overgrown with grass. The neighbors said it hasn't been done for at least the last six years. They were delighted to see the sidewalk again (It is a brick sidewalk that weeds can easily grow up between). Josiah does several of the neighbors yards for money- He is enjoying this opportunity. Elisha continues his art work and is using it to minister to others. Some of the pictures the Lord has given him have been amazing! I will have to share them with you soon. Bekah, Beth and Sarah delight in ministering to the little children here in our area. They consider it a reward to hold the baby across the street and discuss who gets to hold her first when they see them coming to visit.
There are so many other things I could share- glimpses of His grace in our lives. However, I had sent the toddlers up to my room ahead of me so I could write you all a quick note- it is nap time here in the Wood Home. I'm afraid if I don't get laid down with the toddlers quickly I'm going to miss this sweet time with them. I just love to cuddle with the little ones while they sleep don't you?!
Until our next chat dear friends, may all His blessings abound in your heart and home all for His Glory!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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Sunday, July 20, 2008
Most...
I found this today and wanted to share it with you. I know that most of us don't sit and watch or read too long on the computer and our time is often rushed checking in on friends and such however, I felt this was worth the six minutes it would take of your time. Enjoy!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Hope...
I have been waking at 5am and using this time to prepare for the day both spiritually and physically. Elisha kept asking me to wake him a half hour before the other children so that he too could have some quiet time with the Lord. Yesterday, I woke him at 5:30 a.m. as we entered the library to read the Word I was filled with a sense of Hope. At that momen,t the reality hit me that because of Christ I can awake everyday with Hope! Hope of seeing the impossible made possible, Hope of being a witness to God in action! An excitement sprang forth in my heart; there are so many "impossible" needs in my life and yet at any moment my God, the God of the impossible, could speak life into them and they would become possible!
I shared my thoughts with Elisha and we both pondered our lives as His children! What Hope and Joy fills my heart to think about it. I walk with expectation that at any moment, at any turn in life, I could bear witness to the impossible becoming possible! Amazing.. simply amazing! Just think about it, Our God has been doing the impossible since the very beginning! Nothing is impossible for our God. As I type this I am reminded of how many "Impossibles" I have personally seen become possible only because of Him! Let me share with you a few things I have found in His Word as I pondered this Hope that lies within me! Grab yourself a cup of tea and come... come study His Word with me!
Hope is mentioned 133 times in the Kings James Bible.
The World defines hope as: a feeling of being hopeful - wishing for a positive outcome. (The hope we have within us is not based on "wishing" is it dear friends? It isn't based on feelings either! For a hope that was grounded on emotions would not stand the test of time nor would a wishful thought carry us through the storms of life! Only a hope rooted in Truth can stand the trials of time and the storms that come!)
The Bible defines hope as: confidence (Job 31:24 strongs #3689) a place of refuge, security, trust (Psalm 16:9 strongs #983) expectation, faith (Romans 4:18 strongs#1680)
It is the Lord that makes us hope (Psalm 22:9)
I just love Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Did you notice that it said our "flesh" shall "rest" in hope!! It is in our faith of Him and all He is that our flesh is quieted and we find rest! Praise God!!!
I love Romans 4:18 which says: Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be
How many of you have reason to be "against hope!?" Your situations looks "impossible" right? Take heart dear friend! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR OUR GOD!! Let it be said of us, "Who against hope believed in hope" so that we too may receive the blessings and the promises of the Lord!
Oh, there is just so much more to share... so many more verses on HOPE! Share your favorite verse on Hope with me. I would love to enjoy His Word right along with you!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
(on behalf of the entire Wood family who is living every day with HOPE)
I shared my thoughts with Elisha and we both pondered our lives as His children! What Hope and Joy fills my heart to think about it. I walk with expectation that at any moment, at any turn in life, I could bear witness to the impossible becoming possible! Amazing.. simply amazing! Just think about it, Our God has been doing the impossible since the very beginning! Nothing is impossible for our God. As I type this I am reminded of how many "Impossibles" I have personally seen become possible only because of Him! Let me share with you a few things I have found in His Word as I pondered this Hope that lies within me! Grab yourself a cup of tea and come... come study His Word with me!
Hope is mentioned 133 times in the Kings James Bible.
The World defines hope as: a feeling of being hopeful - wishing for a positive outcome. (The hope we have within us is not based on "wishing" is it dear friends? It isn't based on feelings either! For a hope that was grounded on emotions would not stand the test of time nor would a wishful thought carry us through the storms of life! Only a hope rooted in Truth can stand the trials of time and the storms that come!)
The Bible defines hope as: confidence (Job 31:24 strongs #3689) a place of refuge, security, trust (Psalm 16:9 strongs #983) expectation, faith (Romans 4:18 strongs#1680)
It is the Lord that makes us hope (Psalm 22:9)
I just love Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Did you notice that it said our "flesh" shall "rest" in hope!! It is in our faith of Him and all He is that our flesh is quieted and we find rest! Praise God!!!
I love Romans 4:18 which says: Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be
How many of you have reason to be "against hope!?" Your situations looks "impossible" right? Take heart dear friend! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR OUR GOD!! Let it be said of us, "Who against hope believed in hope" so that we too may receive the blessings and the promises of the Lord!
Oh, there is just so much more to share... so many more verses on HOPE! Share your favorite verse on Hope with me. I would love to enjoy His Word right along with you!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
(on behalf of the entire Wood family who is living every day with HOPE)
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Some things just SHOULD NOT be improved upon!
Okay, so I know this post is going to be WAY OUT THERE however, I just have to share my two cents on this matter!
Having lived very remote and "off the grid" I understand the love of the "good old days" and the reasons why our ancestors improved upon ideas. The Simple days weren't at all easy -believe me I know I have lived it first hand! With that said, I do believe there are some things that just should NOT be improved upon!~ What in the world could I possibly be talking about?
FLUSHING TOILETS!
You remember the "old fashion" style of toilets at the stores and restaurant where you actually had to flush the handle right? Well those have been improved upon with "Motion Sensor" toilets! Yep! You know exactly what I am talking about now don't you dear friend?! The other day, it finally hit me how much I despise those things. I was once again doing this "Peak A Boo" dance trying to get the toilet to flush before I left the stall. I must have been DANCING there in front of that sensor for what seemed like 5 min. (I know in reality it was probably only 45 seconds) however, Beth Joy was outside the door waiting patiently. When I finally did get it to flush I exited the stall exhausted! I had just completed a ballroom dance in a Wal Mart bathroom! "SHESH!" I said. She must have known not to ask me what the problem was because she only smiled her sweet little Beth-Joy grin! I said, "I'm sorry baby! Let me wash my hands and we will be leaving." Still no words from Beth, only a smile. I think she knows words would have got me talking about how frustrated I was and she didn't really need to hear the story. So there I was exhausted from dancing with the Wal Mart toilet walking to the sink only to discover what? That now they have replaced the "old fashion" faucets with Motion sensor faucets!!!!! No! Why me?!?!?! Okay, I took a deep breath gathered my composure and proceeded to put enough soap on my hand to clean them properly. Of course I was going to need to use the faucet to get water to wash my hands so I started waving at the motion sensor, and I waved and waved and waved and waved.. still nothing! I smiled, giggled and looked at my sweet Beth Joy standing behind me with that smile of hers. "Beth?! I don't know how to get this thing to work can you try for me?" Her first words were, "Sure Momma. I'll help you!" Now that made me feel OLD... my 13 year old is going to show me how to use a faucet! Beth began waving at the faucet and had the same results as I... NONE! The soap on my hands was now a sticky substance and I felt I needed to wash them all over again. We both tried waving at each faucet in all sorts of directions until finally the Lord had mercy on us and a Wal Mart employee walks in to say, "Oh, those sinks are broken!"
Rolling my eyes and laughing Beth Joy and I felt a sense of relief! At least we have an explanation for why they weren't working and it wasn't because we were motion sensor challenged. As I tried to wipe the sticky substance, once called soap, off my hands Beth and I giggled and at the same time said, "some things just shouldn't be improved upon!"
Just thought I would share in case any others out there have had to do the "Peek a boo" dance with a toilet and "wave" at a faucet. It's NOT YOU!!! It's simply that some things really should NOT be improved upon!!
Having lived very remote and "off the grid" I understand the love of the "good old days" and the reasons why our ancestors improved upon ideas. The Simple days weren't at all easy -believe me I know I have lived it first hand! With that said, I do believe there are some things that just should NOT be improved upon!~ What in the world could I possibly be talking about?
FLUSHING TOILETS!
You remember the "old fashion" style of toilets at the stores and restaurant where you actually had to flush the handle right? Well those have been improved upon with "Motion Sensor" toilets! Yep! You know exactly what I am talking about now don't you dear friend?! The other day, it finally hit me how much I despise those things. I was once again doing this "Peak A Boo" dance trying to get the toilet to flush before I left the stall. I must have been DANCING there in front of that sensor for what seemed like 5 min. (I know in reality it was probably only 45 seconds) however, Beth Joy was outside the door waiting patiently. When I finally did get it to flush I exited the stall exhausted! I had just completed a ballroom dance in a Wal Mart bathroom! "SHESH!" I said. She must have known not to ask me what the problem was because she only smiled her sweet little Beth-Joy grin! I said, "I'm sorry baby! Let me wash my hands and we will be leaving." Still no words from Beth, only a smile. I think she knows words would have got me talking about how frustrated I was and she didn't really need to hear the story. So there I was exhausted from dancing with the Wal Mart toilet walking to the sink only to discover what? That now they have replaced the "old fashion" faucets with Motion sensor faucets!!!!! No! Why me?!?!?! Okay, I took a deep breath gathered my composure and proceeded to put enough soap on my hand to clean them properly. Of course I was going to need to use the faucet to get water to wash my hands so I started waving at the motion sensor, and I waved and waved and waved and waved.. still nothing! I smiled, giggled and looked at my sweet Beth Joy standing behind me with that smile of hers. "Beth?! I don't know how to get this thing to work can you try for me?" Her first words were, "Sure Momma. I'll help you!" Now that made me feel OLD... my 13 year old is going to show me how to use a faucet! Beth began waving at the faucet and had the same results as I... NONE! The soap on my hands was now a sticky substance and I felt I needed to wash them all over again. We both tried waving at each faucet in all sorts of directions until finally the Lord had mercy on us and a Wal Mart employee walks in to say, "Oh, those sinks are broken!"
Rolling my eyes and laughing Beth Joy and I felt a sense of relief! At least we have an explanation for why they weren't working and it wasn't because we were motion sensor challenged. As I tried to wipe the sticky substance, once called soap, off my hands Beth and I giggled and at the same time said, "some things just shouldn't be improved upon!"
Just thought I would share in case any others out there have had to do the "Peek a boo" dance with a toilet and "wave" at a faucet. It's NOT YOU!!! It's simply that some things really should NOT be improved upon!!
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Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Quilt give away!
Another homestead blogger friend gave me the information on this give away and I just had to pass it on to you. Partly, because those are the rules of the give away but also because SOMEONE is going to win a beautiful quilt and I "think" it should be one of us! Giggle!!! 
Now the Wood family doesn't seem to win things for some reason. We often tease about it here in our house when one of the children hear about a give away or contest on the Christian radio or such. However, I love to pass on good news for those of you that DO WIN contests.. so here it is....
Go over and visit Old Red Barn Co.
There you can read all about the quilt and the contest. I also checked out their store and was really surprised by the simple beauty of the site and their items. Enjoy friends!
With lots of love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Now the Wood family doesn't seem to win things for some reason. We often tease about it here in our house when one of the children hear about a give away or contest on the Christian radio or such. However, I love to pass on good news for those of you that DO WIN contests.. so here it is.... Go over and visit Old Red Barn Co.
There you can read all about the quilt and the contest. I also checked out their store and was really surprised by the simple beauty of the site and their items. Enjoy friends!
With lots of love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
