PrairieLady

Roll on Daddy till you get back home....

Posted by Mrs. Joseph Wood
09:12, Friday, December 19, 2008 .. 5 comments .. Link

Hello Friends and Family! As some of you already know my Joe is on the road in blizzard conditions. Last night the hand of the Most High was guiding, providing and protecting my husband; I trust He will continue. Joe left yesterday for a run that won't return until late Monday however, now we don't expect our daddy till late Tuesday due to his truck breaking down in the cold. At one point the truck was sliding backwards on ice until it rested safely on the side of the road. I thank the Lord for His ever watchful eye and protection! Please remember to give praise to Him dear friends for He alone is worthy!!! While my husband and his partner sat waiting for emergency crews to arrive they had a few incidents. The first being that the truck was sliding on a hill (a very slight incline) and they needed to get it to stop. They learned that Frito Chips actually melt snow (now that should tell all of us they have WAY to much salt) so that they could get traction and get to a safe place in the road. The second issue was that the truck wouldn't stay running so they sat in single digit temperatures trying to stay warm. Gods grace is sufficient! Joe called to tell me that the crews had arrived, a few hours later,and they would take him to a hotel and tow the truck to a garage to be fixed in the morning (today). He said it would be too late when he got in and settled and asked me to go to bed. He prayed for God to give me peace and Hope and He did. I slept soundly and knew that my husband rested safely in the hands of our Father! It was early afternoon before I was able to hear my Joe's voice. His cell phone didn't get reception in the town they were in. It was a time for me to cast down vain imaginations and rest in the Lord that He was working on our behalf. When I did finally hear his voice my heart rejoiced as did all the children! Today, started late for my Joe after much time at the garage. They learned that an electrical part had frozen and once replaced they were ready for the road again. I just talked to Joe (9 pm) and learned he is trying hard to beat another blizzard that is coming his way- he asked for prayer- perhaps you could keep him in your prayers too. Timothy asked me to put this song that we like up on the blog. I am sure many of you have heard it. It is a country song from the 80's and while we don't agree with "thinking or expecting the worst" (Those are vain imaginations that the Lord tells us to cast down.) We also don't know Him as the "man upstairs" (Elisha actually asked me, "Who was upstairs?" :-) ). We do know Him as the One who listens to our every cry and comes running to rescue His people when they cry out to Him with humble hearts! So, with all that said enjoy the song. Perhaps it will give you a glimpse into the Wood family home. :-) With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood By the way, I can't seem to get the blog to work right so it clumps my entire entry together with no breaks. I will have to get my Bekah girl to help me figure out what I am doing wrong. Thank you in advance for your patience!

Some updates and notes

Posted by HandsNHearts
04:43, Monday, December 15, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Seems winter has hit hard for most the country. Here, it's running typical rainfall...lots of rainfall.

The news this morning was practically screaming about the inhumanity of this years' winter season hitting as it has been.

Am I the only one who realizes what 'winter' really is for most folks in the US? Granted, it's rough in most of the Northern states right now, and they haven't had anything of a serious winter in many years, but this is winter...it's what winter means. Some years you have great amounts of snow, and some years you have that and deep frigid cold temps. This is the year for both it seems. Old timers down here are saying the same thing...ice storm in 1987 did some serious damage to the lifestyle around here. Same thing again, 14 days without power and phones for those who had them here on the mountain, in 1994. It's simply due to strike hard again soon.

I'm just goofy I suppose. I miss that. I miss the waist-deep snow drifts having to be shoveled just to get to the barn to do morning chores. I miss the cold temps, the bone-numbing temps even, where I felt that much more blessed to be heading back from the barn and into the warmth of the house, all cozy with the woodburner going, a kettle steaming all day for cups of tea and hot cocoa.

Winter is winter. It's not out of the ordinary, harsh or otherwise. The weather of the past handful of years is what's out of the ordinary. Lack of snowfall amounts, a distinct lack of typical cold temps. I am sad at the numbers of people caught unprepared for this year's winter hit, but it's even more sad that the cities themselves didn't prepare for what they have always dealt with. I don't understand not being prepared, I guess. It's something that just makes sense to me to do, on at least some basic level. Not even so much for the potential variance in weather anymore, but for the events of the past year with the financial world. Unless you live under a rock, this has all been coming on for some time, and the signs were there to prepare to some degree. Individuals I can see not thinking ahead as much, they usually don't, but the city government I would have thought would have had some better plans in place for at least a winter that is normal and typical for their regions.

Dewey doesn't miss any of it at all. He spent most of his life working outside in that bone-numbing weather, plowing parking lots and such, getting power back up and running for folks, etc. He doesn't miss one single flake of it. I'd trade the breath-taking heat of the southern summer in a heartbeat :o)

Our wood cookstove is ready to go. I'm still no carpenter, so it sits waiting on Dewey to get home next week for a visit. If he feels up to it. He's been battling illness there same as we have here. Finally talked him into getting to a doctor. Good thing -- he has bronchial pneumonia. Not into his lungs or bloodstream, thankfully, but still bad enough. And his blood pressure is outrageously high. Could be in part due to the illness, but still...not a good range on that at all. So, maybe we won't deal with the wood cookstove at all next week and it will wait again. Maybe I will hone those carpentry skills :o)

Question: With a cookstove...it has a couple of dampers already on the stove, do I still need one for the stovepipe itself? I haven't gotten one yet...I have everything else we need, but the cement board and will get it this week in town. It's been such a mess here with the rain lately.

Time to rework the schooling routine again. My sewing machine is set up full time in the living room/dining room to allow easier access to teaching and such, but also to allow me the ability to get some very much needed sewing done. Still, we are lagging in schooling and it needs to be looked at differently. No one is completing tasks without my holding their hand and that's getting rather old. I could understand it with the youngers, but my olders have no need for a babysitter with schooling. They are more than capable -- it's not a matter or can't, but a matter of won't with them lately.

Worst part is, we deal with this periodically. It's hardly a first-time thing with us. So, back to rigid and strict routine again I guess. I've allowed too much freedom and play with the schedule and routine lately and as usual, its come back to bite me. Ugh, why do I do this? I know what will be sown when I reap, and still I reap away thinking maybe, just maybe, this time it will be different. Never is. And I write the same set of words in my blog. Might as well just cut and paste this paragraph or two here...I'll be needing it again later on down the road.

Goodness...to live and learn without repeating history so much!

Here is some reading I've been doing. I need reminders like this every so often. I truly believe that teaching The Law is strongly needed in far more churches these days. Too many "Christians" are being spoon-fed a religion that doesn't include anything remotely close to the Truths of The Law. They are just receiving the soft 'Grace' teachings, and even those are watered down to the point of a slew of disoriented and distorted Christians walking through life believing they are on the right track 'just because'...just because they go to church; just because they have labeled themselves Baptist, or Methodist, or what-have-you; just because they have picked up a Bible a time or two. People don't spend any time in studying for themselves anymore. They take the word of a preacher as gospel and the Bible hits the shelf until next church day.

I certainly don't have all the answers. I know enough to know I won't ever have them. I just know what I know and believe what I believe based on what I've studied ad what I've been led to through Preachers, The Bible itself and prayer. I'm not trying to be your Bible -- and I don't expect you to be mine. I just like to study things out for myself and not put my trust in men who are made the same as I am...flesh and full of mistakes.

The Spirit of The Law

What Christian Leaders Said About the Law

Was Martin Luther, the great faith reformer, against the Law? Not at all, in fact he said, "The first duty of the Gospel preacher is to declare God's Law and show the nature of sin, because it will act as a schoolmaster and bring him to everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ." John Wesley said, "Before I preach love, mercy and grace, I must preach sin, Law and judgment." Wesley later advised a friend, "Preach 90 percent Law and 10 percent grace." Charles Spurgeon, who is known as the "Prince of Preachers," said, "They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy Law." Charles Finney who is labeled as having a 80 percent success rate in his ministry said, "Evermore the Law must prepare the way for the Gospel; to overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the church with false converts." John Wycliffe, the "Morning Star of the Reformation" said , "The highest service to which a man may attain on earth is to preach the Law of God." D.L. Moody, who is credited with having over one million disciples for the Lord, put it in perspective when he said, "God being a perfect God, had to give a perfect Law, and the Law was given not to save men, but to measure them."

If we were to ask the Apostle Paul why the Law was given and if it had any effect on the world today, the Scriptural Text gives us his answers. We would expect to receive the same answer he gave to the Romans "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" [Romans 3:19]. The most significant tribute to God's Law comes from the Saviour when He said, whosoever does and teaches the Law will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven [Matthew 5:19]. The sad truth is that since the turn of the century, various new ideas have been substituted for the teaching of God's Law and standard in Christendom to the extent that Mr. Finney's above three areas of warning concerning the Law have been self-fulfilling.

The Nine-fold Purpose of the Law

Even in the New Testament and apart from being the guideline of God's covenant people Israel, the Law has at least a nine-fold purpose to all people. This is not to say that all the Law applies to all people, for much of it was a direct covenant to Israel alone. Note the detail of some of the universal aspects of God's Law:

First - To teach the believer how to serve, worship and please God [Psalm 19:7-9; Acts 18:13,14].

Second - To instruct the believer how to treat his fellow man and have healthy relationships with him [Leviticus 19:18; Galatians 5:14; Galatians 6:2].

Third - To teach believers how to be happy and prosper here on earth by manifesting the power and authority of God's reign in their lives [Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Luke 12:32].

Fourth - The Law was given, not to save, but too measure man's deeds both toward God and his fellow man, straightening out all matters contrary to sound doctrine [I Timothy 1:8-10; II Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 6:1-12; I Corinthians 3:13; Romans 2:12; Revelation 20:12, 13].

Fifth - The Law is a schoolmaster showing that we are guilty and then leading us to Christ our Messianic justification [Galatians 3:21-24; Romans 3:19].

Sixth - The Law gives us both the knowledge and depth of our sin [Romans 3:20; Romans 4:15; Romans 7:7, 8; Luke 20:47 - greater ****ation].

Seventh -The Law reveals the good, holy, just, and Perfect nature of God and serves as the visible standard for God's will [Romans 2:17, and please God [Psalm 19:7-9; Acts 18:13, 18; Romans 7:12; II Peter 1:4].

Eighth - The Law is to be established or accomplished by our faith, therefore, it is called the Law of faith [Romans 3:27; Romans 3:31].

Ninth - The same Law today is written on our hearts, and through God's Spirit we can delight and serve the Law of God [Romans 7:6-25].

Survivng Another Depression...a quiz

Posted by HandsNHearts
04:40, Monday, December 15, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

Several folks were doing this, so I hopped on just now and tested our homestead here. There are a couple of things I think we need to work on, but overall, we are in pretty good shape really. I wouldn't have expected to rate this well, really.

You Are 85% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression

You have been saving for a rainy day... or a rainy few years.

While most people may not have as grim of an outlook as you, they're also not as prepared as you.

If society collapses, you'll have plenty of food and resources for you and your loved ones.

And plenty of ammo for anyone who wants to steal from your stockpile!

Could You Survive Another Great Depression?

How much credit card debt do you have?
- So much that you don't know when you'll pay it off
- Some - you could pay it off in a few months
- None

We haven't had a credit card in years.

Are you employed?
- No, you can't be employed right now
- Yes, full time
- Yes, but you don't get the hours you want
- No, but you are actively looking for a job

Ahh, yes, we're employed...Dewey in Arkansas and me here on the homestead with 8 children and some animals.

Do you have an emergency fund?
- You have enough money to cover six to nine months of expenses
- No
- You have a couple weeks expenses in the bank
- You have enough money to cover a year or more of expenses
- You have a couple months expenses in the bank

The paycheck is direct-deposited. That really bothers me. Sure, if the world fell apart, I couldn't cash the paycheck anyway, but at least it would be in my hand. I tend to hit the bank on payday and remove the money.

Do you own a home?
- No, and you can hardly afford you rent
- Yes, you own a home - but you can't afford your mortgage
- Yes, you own a home - and you have over 20% of paid for outright
- No, but you have affordable rent
- Yes, you own a home - but you have very little equity in it

Yes, we own our property. There's no equity in it, but I don't think I'm too concerned with that, really. I'd rather own it outright and have nothing in it, than still have a mortgage and some equity. I'd be too tempted to borrow against it.

Do you know how to build a fire?
- No
- Yes

This has been a family joke for some time. Yes, in an overall sense, I can build a fire. By the same token, you could give me a box of matches, a load of kindling and some firewood and put me in front of the woodstove and I'd likely freeze to death before anything would take hold for me.

Do you have any silver or gold?
- No
- Yes, jewelry
- Yes, coins

How much non perishable food do you have?
- Enough to last you a year or more
- Enough to last you months
- Enough to last you a couple weeks
- Your pantry is pretty bare

We could certainly use more, but overall we are far better set here than most folks I know in real life. And we have the ability to make-do with what we have...again better off than most folks I know in real life.

How much do you rely on prepackaged foods?
- Not much, you cook pretty much everything from scratch.
- A fair amount, but you can cook from scratch if you need to.
- Not much, because you rarely eat at home.
- Almost completely. You cook from a box.

We don't. My grocery shopping generally consists of baking things and the occasional can of spaghetti sauce and dried pasta, some crackers, powdered milk, and recently some candies for the cookie baking. I'm changing that this year -- we will really work harder to have our own pasta on hand at all times, as well as the sauce.

Do you grow your own food?
- You have a small garden for herbs
- You have a decent sized garden
- No way
- Yes, you grow so much food that you have extra to give away to neighbors

That's a two-sided question there...we had a pathetic garden in real terms, but good grief, we had a ton of okra out there! We always plant far too much of many things, and need to do more of a few things.

Can you get around to shops and work by bike, public transportation, or walking?
- Yes, you are car-free or practically car free.
- It's about a 50-50 split between using your car and using another mode of transportation.
- No, you drive everywhere.
- You only use your car on occasion.

The goal is to be self-sustaining, which means no car usage really. Right now, we don't really get out much at all. We could work around using other transportation if needed, but we are about 13 miles of mountain roadway to town. If the world falls apart, I don't see us really leaving the homestead for much anyway, and we can easily walk to church 2 miles away.

How much of your salary do you spend each week?
- 75% or less
- Around 90%
- 100%
- You spend more than you make

Right now, all of it is 'used' -- but if the world falls apart, none of it will be used....and we'll still be fine.

Can you easily go without extras like cable tv and restaurant meals?
- You already do
- You're pretty sure you could
- Only if you absolutely had to

LOL....we can't get cable out here,and I sort of doubt we could get much going with even a satellit...come February, when digital comes to fruition, we won't have any television...and we don't really do restaurant/fast food meals unless it's rare and far far between.

How is your health?
- You are in poor health, and it's expensive to take care of
- You are in excellent health
- You are in fair heath - you have a couple minor health problems

We aren't too bad off, and we have no medical bills. Could work on the health same as anyone -- especially with Dewey's blood pressure rating right now!

Do you own a weapon?
- You have a weapon of some sort
- No
- You own a gun (or guns) and ammo

Ummm...yes, and then some. We are adequately supplied here, thank you.

What describes the area you live in?
- City
- Country
- Suburbs

I listed 'country' but we are a bit farther down the road than that...or should I say, farther over the mountain from there?

What sort of climate do you live in?
- Temperate - it doesn't get very cold or very hot
- Warm / Mild - The winters are tolerable
- Average - It snows a good deal in the winter
- Cold - Winters are long and rough

Ugh...not too cold at all but oh the heat! I may have to build an underground house.

Do you trust and know your neighbors?
- Yes, on both counts
- You know them, and you trust a few of them
- You know them, but you don't trust them
- You don't know your neighbors

Do you know how to use tools and fix things?
- You know the basics
- Yes
- Not really

Yes, and honestly, I think we have far too many tools here. We have things we don't even know we have. We need to pare it down to the essentials...of course, Dewey would say the same thing about my sewing supplies...

Compared to most people, how much stuff do you have?
- Compared to the average person, you have hardly anything
- You have less stuff than the average person
- You have more stuff than the average person
- You have about the average amount of stuff

Depends on who you rate us with...around here on the mountain, we have way more "stuff" than most folks. They mostly live a sparse kind of lifestyle, with essentials and not so many 'wants'. Compared to the majority of my friends and family, we have far less 'stuff' -- we are working to get to even less stuff.

Are you good at entertaining yourself if the electricity is out?
- No, you go crazy if your cable or internet is out
- As good as someone can be
- Reading by candlelight sounds sort of fun

We have been using only the oil lamps for lighting lately...we need to adjust the routine here and follow the chickens...rise with the roosters and go to bed with the hens -- but I'll need a different rooster first, this one gets to crowing at 3:30 am!!! I think it's the pole light out there that sparks him on!

Just a reminder...

Posted by mamaof2andtwins
09:25, Sunday, December 14, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I just wanted to remind everyone that I am still blogging over at

The Fruit of Her Hands...

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations...

Snow in Kansas!

Posted by Mrs. Joseph Wood
03:44, Tuesday, December 9, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

Hello Friends! There's snow in Kansas! Snow in Kansas isn't at all like the snow we had at the cabin in California. In contrast, the snow here in Kansas is very dry where California snow use to be so wet and mushy making it difficult to work outside. The snow here in Kansas is dry and is easily blown by the wind in gusts- it is simply breath taking to watch. The children remembered testimonies of missionaries we have read in the past who had to travel in the snow to fellowship. In fear of being caught for worshiping outside the government church the people would walk backwards so that the police wouldn't know what direction they had truly went. As I walked into our library, I overheard one of my little ones talking through the window to Josiah saying, "Josiah your plan is working!! I see your footprints really are going in the wrong direction. However, the missionaries must have traveled at night because I can still see you so I know what way you are really going." I had to giggle; the children are simply precious. I so delight in being a mommy to the Kings people! I love to see them grow, explore and learn about Him through everyday life events. I thank the Father for the continued work He does in each of our hearts. I can't put my finger on it yet, I am confident that the Lord is doing something precious in our hearts and home. I can feel His presence stirring and motivating us to grow in His grace! The children and I have been busy making the home lovely for my parents arrival the day after Christmas. Children are finishing the final touches to their music lessons, as a group they continue to practice our favorite songs, and they continue memorizing their birthday proverbs. My Joe and I are also trying to get our birthday proverbs memorized before mom and dad arrive. I need to go and help Beth Joy finish a present she is making for her little sister. I have enjoyed our chat dear friends and will look forward to hearing from you soon. I love to hear what He is doing in your hearts and home as well! With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood

The Bible is ONE Book...not two

Posted by HandsNHearts
09:43, Monday, December 8, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

THE BIBLE IS ONE BOOK

The Bible is not a composite of two books nor sixty-six books with
conflicting concepts and teaching.

It is, rather, one book recording the acts of
God under two primary covenants (Old and New Testaments).

Doctrinally there is no conflict between the two. They are altogether compatible and in mutual
agreement.

We believe literally that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The themes in the Old and New Testaments are the same: God’s holiness,
righteousness and mercy; and man’s alienation and estrangement from God
through disobedience.

It might surprise you to know that the Jewish people do not rely on works for salvation—they know the only way to salvation is through the Messiah.

The basic significance of the New Testament is uniquely a Jewish one: the fulfillment of the messianic hope. The New Testament writers, with perhaps the exception of Luke, are all Jews.
The early Apostles and followers of Jesus are also Jewish. There is nothing in the New Testament that is non-Jewish or anti-Jewish.

Quite the contrary, Jesus’ entire message taught that:

Only the merciful were to receive mercy, only the forgiving could expect forgiveness and that love would be the sign of His true disciples.

Send A Soldier a Card...free :o)

Posted by HandsNHearts
09:39, Monday, December 8, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I won't get into a discussion of whether or not anyone agrees with the military in general, the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever they are pushing it these days. I am simply passing along some information for those interested.

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.

Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.
Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

Winter Colds...and Horses

Posted by HandsNHearts
09:37, Monday, December 8, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I know...late with posting again. Sorry. We didn't go to church yesterday with the colds and such here, and most likely we will not be doing the nursing visit this week either. The joys of the winter season, I guess...

We have had an ongoing battle here with scratchy, itchy throats and now it's moved along to stuffy noses to boot. Poor Emily has a hard time sleeping at night...lying down, her poor little throat is just coated with her nose trying it's best to drain. She wakes off and on all night. I'm about to move on to something OTC for her after all of this. I haven't yet, but the temptation is there.

We haven't had so much as a strong 'cold' in a long time. Scratchy throats are expected this time of year as we turn heat on and the air outside battles with itself. But it's dragging out this year and moving through the whole head.

We have missed church a lot over the last month, and I don't see much difference this month really given the path of illness/discomfort right now. LOL...I know, not much of a Baptist am I? Skipping church because of a little cough and sniffle? Baptists like to share those kinds of things :o)

Seriously though, we don't go to church when we have anything going on. I've never been one to drag coughing, sniffling, gooky-nosed children off to church to share the illness with everyone. As the day progresses here we'll determine who goes and who stays, or if we all stay. Could be I'm the only one going tomorrow. Having a hand with the Sunday School class, I really should be there if at all possible.

This week we were getting the teens together to bake bread -- well, to teach them how to bake bread :o) Only my girls have the least idea how to do it. We will probably stick to the Quick Rise bread we do as it's easy and quick and makes a delicious bread. We'll keep it basic, just plain white wheat. They are also making and decorating sugar cookies. All of this is for Thursday -- the teens are visiting a couple of nursing homes here in town, handing out cards the children's class made, singing some carols and handing out a mini loaf and some cookies to the residents. This will be our second trip to the nursing homes, and they are all really excited about it. e only have one teen (out of the 7 we have) who is uninterested. She made a couple of cards, but spends her time sitting with her cell phone. She won't be coming along.

I'm terrible -- I'm glad she isn't coming with us. She has a tendency to put a shadow over everything we try to do. Her attitude spreads, slowly and quietly, to a couple of the other teens. It just makes for a bad time for everyone involved. She will stand with that blasted cell phone and make snide ccomments the whole time, like she does at church. I
hoping if she continues to not join in and sees that everyone else is interested, having a good time, sharing and such, maybe she will come around. And no, her parents aren't interested in how she behaves at church either. Already tried that approach.

Today's agenda...keeping warm and cozy in such cold windy weather. Making a pot of chicken soup...carrots, onions, celery,green peppers, lots and lots of garlic, and home-canned chicken. It's simmering now and smells soooo good! Later we'll make some egg noodles to add in. I like lots of noodles, but I think we need more broth today than anything.

Sewing...I finished a dress for Debi, 3 for Miss Rachel that still needs buttons, and countless boxers and bloomers waiting on elastic in the waist. Now for a dress for Jennifer. We moved the sewing machine to the dining room...it's sitting under that side of the island.. Really, it's in the way of regular daily life, but we need to get sewing done, so it will work well out there. The sewing room is rather open to everything, but I'm more in the mix being in the actual room now. The table was covered yesterday with fabric laid out, patterns all over and odds and ends. The cookstove is all but hidden with the ironing board :o) It's very compact on that side of the room right now, but it works for the time being.

I'm making our bread for the week today so it's done. I think we'll use the new mixer and give it a test run. I'll double the batch -- making 12 loaves -- and we'll do some cinnamon rolls as well. If we end up at church tomorrow, I'll take a few pans along, otherwise we'll freeze them to bake later. One full batch will be our bread for the week. I'm itching to play with that mixer :o)

Horses...Rebel is ready anytime we are.

We are not anything near ready.

We have barn work, lots of new fence to run around the pasture area behind the barn. More hay to get as well.

No where near ready. Personally, I'm not even interested in having a horse out here, but Jennifer gave Miss Escapee away, and she misses having her here. Our mail lady and family felt terribly taking her, and have been working with Rebel all along to bring him out here. He's very calm, very laid-back around even young children, and will be perfect for each of them to learn to ride and such. George trains horses (it's his true calling in life, but doesn't pay the bills just yet) and has done wonders with our wild green Miss Escapee in the months he's had her. She's just beautiful to see in the field. Rebel is probably a perfect match for us, given the age ranges of the children and all. Sharon and George want to start training Jennifer in horse keeping, as well as get her on some of their weekend trail rides. She's excited. I suppose I am as well, for her. Just wasn't looking at a horse on this homestead. Not yet, anyway.

So, I guess the next couple of weeks, we will try to get more T-Posts put up and run some wire out there. Right now, Rebel is pastured with several other horses, but just 2 strands of wire for them, so I think he'll do fine here.

I'm not fence-builder, and I certainly can't manage those decent wood corner posts in this clay muck out here, but given some time, and remembering to wear my wrist braces, I'm sure I can pound a couple dozen or so T-Posts in and run some wire. I won't guarantee his arrival by Christmas week when Dewey is home, but maybe after New Years.

Back to sewing and baking...

End of week rambles...a bit late

Posted by HandsNHearts
09:35, Monday, December 8, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Ok, I am limping along with the computer now at home. Seems I can at least reinstall the modem by bypassing this and that in the gene pool of the OS here. We'll see how long that lasts. It's aggravating, to say the least. Stupid technology.

Today is meat and fabric here.

Yes, quite a combination, I know. I have to get some things stitched up and off the "waiting" pile here. Of course, I say that knowing that as soon as the "waiting" pile is lessened, I'll start cutting and rebuilding it again.

The meat, well, that's a given. I tell you, I've seen and handled more raw meat that a person needs to lately. We may well go vegetarian for several months....my prideful side wants to see that pantry filled with the fruits of this bounty for a while before anyone dare touch a jar.

I have all the pipe and such needed to fire up that cookstove now. I'm no carpenter, though, so it's not getting done. We need to remove a window, reframe it with the spacer pipe sleeve, enclose it and then install my pipe. Sounds so easy, doesn't it? Well, I won't even attempt it -- it's been far too cold at night, and only in the middle 40's during the day to pull out a window and not have a clue from that point! I'm not a patient person though...I fight God on that all the time...I don't know that I won't attempt to do it before Dewey gets home again for Christmas!

Why do you homestead?

What a loaded answer that question could produce! Everyone has different visions that have led them to that word homestead. Some days I know I don't homestead at all. Not by anyone's description. I have one foot and half the toes on the other in the world around me. Other days, I just know I am not only on that path, but running down it full bore.

If I went off the grid today, bugged out and left society completely, we would not last long at all. We'd half-starve before next harvest due to very bad planning on my part, we'd freeze in the winter because I have not moved strongly enough to alternative anything, and I'd have a definite mutiny brewing within a short time because I have not trained well enough, and I have allowed far too much from the outside into my home.

Why do I draw myself a connection with the word homestead? Simply put, I live in the country because it's where I belong. I've always felt that way. Yes, once upon a time, I had visions of a great warehouse apartment in the center of New York City, smack in the middle of life and concrete. I just knew that that was the place for a dancer-to-be. LOL...that was long, long ago. I couldn't find my ballet positions, let alone execute them now if my life depended on it! Not to mention my tu-tu would be more akin to a six-six or something :o)

But, common sense (and reality) prevailed upon me to be a country gal instead. I am a combination of Olivia Walton and Ma Ingalls, with a good dose of Ma Kettle thrown in for good measure. Since first married, and even a bit beforehand, I have envision my family living out...way out off the beaten path. I have always wanted to be far into the country. Rural beyond rural. I pictured a small cabin, nothing fancy or elaborate, just cozy and practical. I could see the barn yards, the fenced areas here and there. I saw several garden plots, even some pretty areas of just useless-but-eye-appealing flowers. My days would be filled with the simple but necessary tasks of Ma ingalls...survival tasks, to be sure, but done without the drudgery of what some tasks bring me to mind of today.

I also envisioned my husband, our leader and provider, being much closer to home with his work. Everything was a family affair, from building to animal husbandry to church going. Everything was so intertwined, not a single thread could be coaxed away alone. Maybe we were off the grid, maybe not. That isn't important really. It's how that grid is used and the importance it plays in our daily life that matters, really.

There wasn't a sense of urgency in my dreams. Things flowed along together in a simple drifting of importance. No one complained about doing this duty or that. It had to be done. Rural beyond rural depends on everyone working together no matter what. There wasn't any intrusion from outside things...like computers, televisions, radios or people. Family life and family time was guarded strongly, as strong as any military base might be. Dad and Mom were the gate-keepers, and anything coming in was suspect and thoroughly analyzed for the better good.

I imagined long days of working side by side, Dad, Mom and children. I imagined talkative family meals where the plans and goals of the homestead were always top of the conversation. Where after dinner, other plans were made...a quiet walk together, a peaceful rock on the porch watching children run around in the yard, quiet humming as a baby was rocked to sleep.

But, my present reality is a bit different. Not that I havve foregone those first dreams really, but they have adjusted to meet the life around me more than I cared for them to. My life is far more directed by the ebb and flow of the world around me than I like and I don't see a clear way to move out of that. I see some paths here and there, and I work toward steering toward them, but there just isn't a light at the end of that tunnel just yet. I don't see the same distance I once did in my visions of homestead and family. I have muddied visions because of the worldly influences that surround me daily.

My reality at present is against everything I have ever wanted. I have a husband working in another state. I truly feel as though I am the single parent I always felt a bit of grief for growing up. I just never saw 'parent' and 'single' as going together as it should. Rose-colored glasses, I know, in this society of divorce and plain old single parenting without any marriage involved. In my heart, it's always been Dad and Mom together, though, a force so strong that nothing short of death could pull apart.

My rural beyond rural homestead is close to being the dream I once had. We could get more rural here, but it would take some looking and hunting to do so. We are removed by a mere handful of miles from small town living, but our surroundings are hundreds of miles apart right here in sense. There is a vast difference in the folks living in that close small town and the folks living in another decade here on this mountainside.

I also don't have the strength of connection I thought we'd have to church and family. Extended family is on the other side of the moon in practice and in motive. I think that is why I like reading about the Amish and such. There is close community and closer family ties. I don't have that, and I know it won't ever happen. I can still imagine it, though. It would be wonderful to have.

So, why do I homestead? Because I have always felt a pull to the land. A pull to nature around me. A pull to peace and quiet, simple living and no-fuss existence. Because I know that this world offers nothing of any substance. Sure, I have been goaded into using many of the trappings the world has to offer...my large van, the grocery store, the Super WalMart, this computer...but my heart just isn't in it. Never has been. My heart is in a garden, a root cellar, a full pantry. My heart is at my sewing machine, in the school books we teach our children with, in the barnyard and in the hay field.

My heart is in my husband and that original dream of homestead and family...still. My heart is learning Scripture as God breathed it into existence. To not blend it with the implanted thoughts and theories of the world around me, but to take it simply for what it says, and what it whipsers into my heart of hearts and into my soul.

My heart is to simply live a quiet and peaceful life without intrusions from that which surrounds me daily in this life. To maintain my focus...to find my focus again. I want to unplug and disconnect from all that surrounds me.

Is that even really possible these days? I just don't know.

Homeschooling

Posted by Paula
05:05, Sunday, December 7, 2008 .. 6 comments .. Link

It is hard to imagine that in about 2 years, we will begin to officially homeschool our little ones. Abigail will be old enough to start Kindergarten level and Micah will be doing Preschool. In preparation, we have been looking at homeschool curriculums for the children. We have certain criteria that we are looking for that we feel are important considerations to make.

1. The curriculum must be Christian-based. No exceptions. The curriculum must come from a reputable Christian resource that will not only teach the courses needed, but also include the Bible's teachings along with the material.

2. We want their curriculum coming from a single source. We realize that many homeschooling families use the "buffet" method in choosing curriculums. Math form one source, science from another, language arts from yet a third source, and so on. For the sake of simplicity and also a continuity of the scope & sequence of the curriculum material we want to use one resource for all the curriculum.

3. We want the curriculum to come from a source that offers accreditation. We wish for our children to be able to receive a diploma from an accredited school once their homeschooling years have been completed.

4. We do not want to use a correspondance school system. We do however want a curriculum that will allow us to homeschool & grade the children's work with us sending in reports so that the school can keep the records.

Part of the reason for the accreditation requirement is that we want our children to have the advantage of having a recognizable diploma after they finish their homeschooling. We are also looking ahead. Oklahoma has very few requirements made of the homeschooling families at this time. We want to be prepared in case this should change at some point in the future. By already being established with an accredited school program, we would be able to continue as we always have with very little changes needing to be made to accommidate any new regulations or laws that should come up in the future years.

We have been looking at Bob Jones University's homeschool program and are very impressed with it. We are still researching though to make certain that the Bob Jones University program is what we really want to use before making the final decision.

We have 2 years yet to make our choice. There are so many options available that it is taking time to find the one that will be best for our family. I would love to hear from other homeschooling families who use accredited school programs. What program do you use? What made that curriculum stand out and become the one you chose for your children? Are there any out there that we should use caution with?

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