Living the Country Life

October 13

What’s the Message of Your Countenance?

Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Have you ever wondered about the message your facial expressions send? As a youngster, I noticed the ministers’ faces as they sat facing the congregation Sunday after Sunday. They looked very sober and heavyhearted! I wondered where the joy of the Lord was. The face of another man I knew was always twisted with anxiety as he drove down the road. As he leaned over the wheel, his face was drawn into wrinkles and frowns. Was there fear in his heart? Stress? A severe struggle?

We dare not evaluate others on the basis of their facial expressions, but David mentions twice, “the health of the countenance.” Facial expressions may be friendly, serious, fickle, sad, or joyful. A Belizean brother Mark Meighn told me that during Hurricane Mitch people looked as though they did not believe that God is in control.

What is the remedy for an unhealthy countenance? David relates it to trust! “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Shouldn’t hope in God bring a healthy countenance? A heart that is neither fickle nor gloomy, but stable because it trusts in God will bring a healthy countenance. With that enhancement in the heart, how can we help but have a healthy countenance?

Elmer Schrock, Stuarts Draft, VA

A spiritually healthy heart eliminates the need for a pasted-on countenance.

Bible Reading: Psalm 42

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

Colossians 4

Isaiah 48, 49

Hi Everyone,

We went out to eat with my brother and found out that his oldest son is in debt, for over 500,000.00.  About 15 years ago he bought his first home after he was married.  The prices then were pretty low compared to today. He borrowed approximately 95,000.00.  About a year ago he borrowed  $300,000.00 for another home and rented his older home to another family.  He recieved his taxes and now has to pay $5,000.00 for his new home and about 1,000.00 for his other home .  They both have good jobs.  He works for UPS for 17 years and his wife is a nurse for about 12 years.  They both have good jobs but he is the kind of  person who likes to spend money.  He always charged everything.  He's been this way ever since he graduated from school.  Looks like he will have a foreclosure on his new home.  My brother told him the prices were way to high.  Only thing different about it is their pool outside.  Same amount of bedrooms and baths.  He will not able to sell is for that prices since the values of homes have dropped a lot here. 

I've been doing a lot of exercising with my right hip and knee.  I have noticed a change with the muscle in my right leg.  :) 

I went to help my neighbor Pat at school today.  Getting everything ready for the students starting tomorrow. 

Thats all for now.  Cya all later.  Jeanne

Friday was a blur. I will NEVER EVER EVER go to the Civil War Days on 'education day' again. Ever! I had to cover JOey's ears half hte time from STUDENTS cussing! The way they treated Abe Lincoln made my stomach churn!!!!!!!!! There was a plethora of other things, but it's water under the bridge and a lesson learned. The few presenters left who would talk were good. The surgeon took out part of Mat's skull.;)  They also got up close and personal w/a gatlin gun and 2 different (time period) blacksmiths. From there we killed some time (and Mat spent all of his money) at Pet Smart. His hermit crabs are much happier tho!LOL Then to the Sunday school class party. That was lots of fun as well. We got home about 9 (left at 10:30).

Saturday was more of hte same. We left at 7:30 for Mat's 8am soccer game. WE killed the hour in between games by going to the dollar store and a garage sale.  I did well there! Two plates (I give them away when I give away food), a denim jumper (.50!), a vase and a water gun (Mat!LOL) for $2.75. Then we hung out in town since I had a crop at 1. DH picked up the boys about 2 I guess and I got to crop until 5. Then home and spent an hour getting the house put back together!

Today was church. It was interesting. The pastor guided us thru a visual (?) meditation. Definitely stretching the congregation!LOL  And that Sunday school class that I spent an hour prepping for and making 24 small star sandwiches (studying Abraham and Sarah and God telling them that their decedants will be more than the stars) was for naught! They took all the children to the other church service to sing! I thought that at least TELLING the teachers would've been appropriate! OH well.

After church, we went back to the woods for mom's party. That was fun.

I wanted to go to Marshall's and mom had a $10 off a $50 purchase. I thought there is NO WAY I'd spend taht much, but my sister and I together might. I found some nice black pants for $7 and a Tshirt for $7. Then I found a dress that I was iffy about for $10. My sister said it was not too 'young' looking, but I still wasn't sure!LOL She decided to buy a stock pot so taht sent us over $50, making that dress $5 w/my half of the coupon. She wanted to look for other stuff and I decided to browse the boys. I very rarely find anything there. Low and behold that had not one, but TWO pair of Levi's 14 SLIM! For TEN DOLLARS! Dh was picking me up so I left him a message to have Mat come in and try these pants on. HUGE MISTAKE! Dh wound up finding dress socks, a new belt (which he desperately needed) and dress pants! That sent us WAY past $50 alone! But we only had one coupon so we still split it!LOL

My mom loved all of her bday stuff. She did really like the zip 3 ring binder and organization stuff for her medical stuff (along w/all the rest!). She took them to get pumpkins while we shopped!LOL

In my devotional reading today in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers said:

"The test of a man's religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting on."

When you are dealing with the day to day ordinary things, what is revealed about you?  Does your daily life exhibit your spiritual life?  Something to ponder....

October 12

Response or Reaction?

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.

Job 42:10a

How do we cope with the trials and afflictions of life? Some trials may be the result of our own doings. We then need to confess, accept God’s forgiveness, and go on our way rejoicing. At other times, trials may be the results of that over which we have no control, such as an illness, an accident, or a death. In such circumstances, we can accept them as something the Lord has allowed for our good, or for the good of those around us. We may react, act in opposition to—which will result in a miserable life. Or we may humbly accept our lot and profit, learn, and grow thereby.

Unless we are motivated by the divine nature, the root of which is love, it is almost impossible to respond to trials in a way that is pleasing to God and brings satisfaction in life.

Job is a good example of a man who stood the test of loss and affliction. He had many questions. He lost everything but his trust in God. Faith in God was enough to see him through.

There is still unlimited grace and strength for those who thank and praise the Lord when it is the hardest to do so (Isaiah 50:10). Why not praise the Lord?

Kore Yoder, Belleville, PA

God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own.

Bible Reading: Job 1, 2:9, 10

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

Colossians 3

Isaiah 45—47

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Dora and her family from church came by last night for me to worm and give their dogs a set of shots.   It is so funny how people see things .   Dora was watching Jeffie how he was with Michelle (she stopped by for a bit) and she also watched how Jeffie is with Shayna. 

Dora told me with tears in her eyes " Shayna is his mom"  I gave a sad smile and said I know.   She remembers them from church events and other home schooling events.  Dora knows Shayna is his aunt (tea as he calls her) and that Shayna has raised him for a lot of his life.

We are blessed that Shayna at 15 years old took on the roll.  They have such a strong bond.  He cries every time he has to go.

Here are some of Shayna's senior pictures taken last year at this time.  Shayna was 17 and Jeffie was 2.5.  We bought the hole cd so we have the funny ones too:

Jeffie will be 4 in January.

God Bless, mj

Our Daughter-In-Law got a four point buck a few days ago with her bow. After work she went to our sons tree stand and sat there he came and she got it. It was her first deer with her bow she is the same Daughter-In-Law that got a moose last year. She loves to hunt.. Three cheers to her..

Brenda

It's been a busy week... 

**As always, Little A was here      

**Doing the *getting started* paperwork filled out, notarized, faxed and mailed for the WAH company

**Library x2

**Grocery shop

**Bank

**Baby R was here all day Friday

**A friend, who works I T, came Friday evening to clean up this computer.  She and her husband and daughter brought the pizza's and I made the salad and a pineapple upsidedown cake.  She is looking into my options for some updating and increasing the RAM.  This computer is about 8 years old...a hand-me-down from my Dad.

**********

So now, the weekend is here.  No childcare or cleaning jobs today or tomorrow.   Not good for the bank account, but a nice break for me to get some projects done around the house. 

**I will be baking bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls and possibly trying some English Muffins.

**Raking out the flower beds.  It was still too wet to do it yesterday.

**Possibly re-arrange the living room to the Fall/Winter arrangement.  I have a decorative fireplace that adds coziness for this time of year.  It goes in my bedroom in the Spring/Summer months...just to keep it out of the way.

**HouseChurch fellowship Sunday AM at Kim's.  A breakfast buffet is on the menu.

With all that being said, I guess I'd best get moving.

Hope ya'll have a great day.

In Him,  Jill (the big sister)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.   Psalms 23:1