Livin' my life on the farm

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Don’t we all just need a closer walk with Him? I know I do. I’ve been so busy with this week I haven’t really taken the time to study my Bible as I usually do, and I can tell. I’m angry with people - People label me all sorts of things, talk about me behind my back, and I get nasty, condemning emails. I wish people would see me as I am, not as they see me once they’re offended from what they read because it might’ve hit home. I’m weighed down spiritually.I’m agitated. I’m tired, especially of taking Wilbur out to eat every four hours. I feel like my work is never ending. I need a closer walk with Him because I am weak but He is strong! I love singing this song.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Just a closer walk! Amen! All for Him until I go safely home!

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

Quote Of The Day

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the thoughts and happenings of a fourteen-year-old girl from the country. “You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!” Philippians 4:13

A New Blog for a New Purpose...

Digital Camera...

Please share with me your favorite camera.  I am planning to purchase a small one that will fit in my purse.  I want one that takes good pictures.  I am not concerned with the video, although, it could come in handy???  My main hopes is to find a small camera that takes very nice close-up photos.  Our current camera is a large canon and it used to take nice close-ups, but recently in the past 6 months, all the close-up photos have been blurry, it will not focus on items closer than about 2 feet and if I am further, will not zoom in to get a nice close-up...like getting a picture of a caterpillar or a flower.   

I was looking at a samsung S860 and it had good reviews, but when I went to the store last night to get it (I got a raincheck)... I tried it out and I would take pictures of the sale tags and it wouldn't focus on the text (details).   I then got to trying different cameras and I realize I need to know how to set the camera up and this may affect some of the photo details, but on the portrait setting (close up), I only got a handful of cameras to work for showing details.  One was a Sanyo for $139.   I really liked the $79.99 price tag of the raincheck samsung, but now I am not so sure I want to spend that and still not be able to take those up close shots.  

Please share any cameras that are small, take nice close-up photos with all the details you want to see!, and are fairly affordable.  I would like to know if you have had luck with any cameras and are really happy with them. 

Thanks, ~Melissa

Chickpea pot pie

Last night for supper I made chick-pea pot pie and chicken pot pie.  I mixed up pie crust, steamed some onions, potatoes, and carrots and added them inside.  I actually made two dishes, one for real chicken and one with chick-peas.  So, I had two square pans and put pie crust inside.  Layered the potatoes/carrots/onions 2-3 cups, 1 cup of frozen corn, and either one chicken breast already cooked up or one can of chick-peas (garbonzos).  I then poured the cashew gravy over the top and then added some pepper to the chicken one (Dh likes pepper) and a little salt to both.  I then put another crust over the top and baked for about 35-40 minutes. 

It turned out really good.  The girls requested:  chop the onions up with the gravy next time, LOL.  They said adding green beans as well might be nice, too.  But flavor wise... it was good.  And they all asked... there's no dairy in this???  I said nope.  Then my one daughter says she likes this gravy much better.  I laughed and said it is the same gravy, but then I remembered I did not put the garlic into it. 

They all agreed they could handle having this dish more often... as a regular on the table.  So, I officially have my first meal approved by the entire family.  The garbonzo dish was good as well.  I really enjoyed it.  Though, no one else  was willing to try it with there being a real chicken pot pie right next to it.  I told them I would make it for potluck sometime and they agreed to try it there. 

My little one who needs the dairy free... didn't touch either dish.  She chowed down on pineapple banana salad and a noodle pasta salad.  Which was fine... I prefer light meals for supper and hope to have this little one learning it early on, rather than having to think you need a huge meal before plopping down for the night.  Anyways, she is also just three and she will learn to eat the food if we continue to eat it with her.  My hardest part is satisfying the older half of the family, a 3yo has time.  And, if we eat within her guidelines, then we all win.

Warmly, ~Melissa

Farmer's Market....

I have been doing a little competition with myself.  I am trying to not buy groceries for the rest of the years (4 mos.).  I have a few stipulations such as:

I can buy meat from our neighbor (a butcher) if any comes available (deer season).

I can also buy pumpkins from the farmer's market.

Lastly, I can buy fruit (oranges, apples, and grapefruit) from the FFA (Future Farmers of America) kids when they sell it in Nov/Dec.

Well, I cheated.  I went to the farmer's market yesterday and bought:

lettuce

green onions

bell peppers

okra

and bison liver

I couldn't help myself.  I have been wanting salad and okrafor so long.  My lettuce died, my okra is producing about 2 a week, and I have no self control.  Hey, it's not like I ran to Walmart and bought a family-sized bag of Snickers or something.

Dinner last night was:

Chili with local beef and venison

a fresh, local salad (some of which was home grown)

and okra cooked in bacon grease

It was delicious!

I would call it a complete failure, but I am going to try to do better in the future and fight off those craving for fresh veggies, haha!

Kindness...

On my way to work this morning I saw a small deer in the ditch alongside the road.  As I drove by I saw it jump up to run like it had been sleeping.  I drove a little bit further wondering if it was okay and couldn't talk myself out of turning around to make sure it was okay.  I didn't see the deer the first time by and thought, "good, it was okay" and turned around to head back to work.  As I was driving back by I saw it move in the ditch.  I pulled over, shined my lights sort of in the direction of the deer, and got out of the car to see what was wrong with her.  I got a foot away from her before she tried to stand and turn toward me.  She fell instantly due to what looked like a broken back or rear legs.  I cried all the way to the car to call my husband to get the phone number to call someone (Sheriff, Wildlife and Parks, etc.) to come put the dear down.  It is bow season here, but from the looks of it she wasn't injured by a careless hunter, but a careless driver.  I think someone hit her on the highway and kept right on going.  She wasn't a full grown deer, merely a baby, and probably didn't do a whole lot of damage to the vehicle to warrant double checking to see if the deer was okay.  People make me sick.  Maybe I'm wrong and the driver was not at fault for leaving an injured animal behind to suffer and die in the ditch.  I hope I am.  I hope people are not in such a hurry they can't show any decency or kindness to an injured animal.  I cried for the next 5-6 miles, wondering if the person on the other end of the telephone line would really do their part and call someone to take care of the deer.  This is the second time in the four years I've made my morning commute I have had to call in for an injured deer along the side of the highway that someone else had left behind. 

Life needs to slow down.  Life needs to have meaning and purpose and compassion.  I’ve always wanted to do something more with my life.  I want to be a missionary, to help abused or abandoned animals, to change someone’s life by simple human kindness.  This morning was just another reminder of how I want more out of life than the motions I’ve been going through.  I don’t want to look back and wonder why I was even put on earth.  I want to look back and know that I changed someone or something, that I made it better for them.  I may never get to be a missionary in Africa, I may never get to save primates or their jungles, and I may never be able to save every abandoned dog or cat or child, but each day I can try to brighten someone else’s day by a simple smile, warm conversation with someone who’s lonely, or donate to even one organization I believe in. 

I went to lunch with my grandma Tuesday at a little deli down the street from where I work.  The minute we sat down a mentally handicapped man next to us began talking to us.  At first I was kind of annoyed.  Here we were trying to chat and have a nice lunch and this man kept asking us questions and telling us small stories.  After a couple of minutes of being annoyed, I realized this may be his only conversation all day, all week, or even all month.  I get to talk to people all the time (like it or not).  Here this man, Hamilton, is starving for conversation, for someone to listen to him and respond to what he says.  I realized it wouldn’t kill me.  Not only would it not kill me, it would change me and it might possibly change him.

Have a wonderful day and take the time to show kindness to someone or something today.   

Homeschool Seniors '09

Fall Favourites

Felecia at Flower In The Rain tagged me with listing my fall favourites, and since I haven’t done any tags in awhile I thought I’d give this a go ’round. Now, I love fall, especially here in Indiana where you can watch the trees turn to beautiful colours of red, orange, maroon, yellow, and brown. However, I do NOT like the freezing cold weather that slowly moves in! Eeeek! I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t get lower than 40….but here are my favourite fall things.

1. Favorite Smell? fading leaves as the wind blows more than usual
2. Favorite Food? pumpkin pie or bread
3. Favorite Color? burnt orange
4. Favorite Drink? hot tea with honey and creamer
5. Favorite Treat? egg-nog
6. Favorite Place to go? walking through the harvested fields back the woods
7. Favorite Candy? I don’t care for candy
8. Favorite Movie to watch? Little Women
9. Favorite Clothing to wear? my 6yr old blue hoodie that used to be Danielle’s sister’s… years ago.
10. Favorite Outdoor Activity? walking
11. Favorite Football Team? Uh none
12. Favorite Fall Holiday? Jesus’ birth (he was actually born in Setpember, not December)
13. Favorite Haunted place? you know haunted means “frequently visited”? I’d say the woods or the fields.
14. Favorite Food at Thanksgiving Dinner? greenbean casserole and turkey
15. Favorite Pie? pumpkin
16. Favorite Fall Hobby? looking at all the pumpkins or finding interesting leaves
17. Favorite Fall Memory? when Amanda, Rachel, Eric, Hannah, Mother Dear, and I went down the hill, made a leaf pile, and all played in it.
18. Favorite Fall Sight? the trees far off that look like a painted-masterpiece…. oh wait they are.
19. Overall Favorite thing about Fall? the colours
20. Overall Favorite Season? summer changing into fall

I guess I’m suppose to tag someone, but instead I shall put a linky on and if you post your fall favourites you can link it.

I do wanna know one of your fall favourites though!

Grab icon code here: » Fall Favourites

Blessings!

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