The Cole Homestead

Being Used by God...

Our pastor had an interesting sermon today. And considering his past week, I imagine he has been dwelling on the good and bad parts of life and how do we take all of that and live. While we often say we trust God, are we willing to be uncomfortable if in the end we understand the plan? He talked about betrayal and how Judas betrayed Jesus, yet the plan wasn't to take Jesus and murder Him, it was God's plan that Jesus GIVE it up and save us. He also talked about how we have the choice to make each day... each hour, each minute to live for God. Are those always easy decisions? Are we willing to give up self daily... hourly, each moment to live for God?

Much to ponder on when in the midst of cleaning up a house fire I see ultimately many things happening... of one big thing is my tiredness of the situation. Yesterday we heard back from the owner of the cleaning company and he wishes to come out on Monday with the crew leader who led out on the job to see what was done and what improvements can be done. The insurance adjuster will not be there... he told Dh he had made it perfectly clear what he expects done and he will not pay until the work is done. The owner does not want this on his reputation, considering he has an insurance company that recommends him and this adjuster works for 3 companies and he would lose a lot of business.

The owner told Dh that he will see what needs to be done and they will clean as long as it takes to get the house clean, even if that means starting over. My heart just sank... another week of cleaners??? I just want to get on with my life! The peas will be ready to can or freeze just about the time we get our replacement stove...maybe some sooner, but we can eat those. Tuesday is the day the stove arrives.

Dh and I have talked over our hopes and expectations for the summer and GONE... they are all gone. My garden is a mess, even though it is producing items, it is far less than expected due to rain, flooding and lack of time to keep on top of weeds. I can replant another crop for fall if I get it done in the next two weeks... I could replant beans, peas, lettuce, summer squash, etc. But will that happen?... likely not. Mulberries went by with no canning (no stove/oven). Raspberries are almost gone. Strawberries... no stove. My jelly canning is way behind and my only hope is... using juice from the store, which is a mite bit cheaper than regular jelly, but still... not a huge savings and not fresh fruit.

My time to get caught up on school is gone! The girls were to finish up one month's work of school over the 3 months of summer. That didn't and won't happen. In some ways, I can see here where that is OK. I just had to give up on my plan for the summer. My one daughter got a volunteer job in the kitchen at camp and is doing ok, but the work is hard and she is not used to the long hours, she got sick for a couple days, but has seemed to bounce back. Work is good, it builds character and I've never been upset to lay aside studies for good honest work. Perhaps God allowed this opportunity to come at just a time so that it might ease my own discomfort with giving up my plan for school for the summer.

Here, I come back to the current situation. I consider why are we going through this uncomfortable situation. Why the fire? Why the clean up? Why the problems with the cleaners. Am I willing to trust God’s plans? Oh how I do not want to see the cleaners come again on Monday. It seems my life has been on hold the last two weeks and another day is ultimately gone for any sort of plans of our own. Is that selfishness? Perhaps. I wonder why as does Steve as to why we have to be the ones to point out the problems to the boss? The insurance adjuster says he doesn’t want it to happen again, as does the cleaner company boss. Why did it have to happen to us? Why not someone else? The insurance adjuster says we are such honest people, and yet I hardly feel worthy of being called that. What makes us more honest than others? I guess I don’t completely understand.

I know that I hate confrontation. It just makes me physically ill. Headaches, back aches, etc. My ailment this time…. Bad breath! UGH! Nothing is helping to get it to go away. Is that so I don’t talk??? LOL. Let my husband do the talking, eh? Fine with me!!! After hearing the sermon, I was confronted with the fact that often times our lives are simply a seed planted to others. God is asking at this moment for our lives to be an open book to others. Are we willing? Yes, Lord, we are willing to be used by you. I found when confronted by the sermon that thoughts of wanting to duck out of the meeting on Monday are quite high. They don’t really need me there. I could just go shopping at … 8 AM in the morning! Ha! Not likely to happen, either. I realized I was dragging my feet. This is uncomfortable! Dh also realized he likely will miss overtime on Monday because of the meeting, but he didn’t want me to be alone. So sweet. I’ve got a husband willing to hold my hand through all of this and he is not enjoying it either. He says we have nothing to be ashamed of, we did not lie. The house is not soot free as it should have been left. The insurance adjuster verified that the job was done poorly as we did not know what to expect and the fact that he refused to pay for paint because cleaning was not done well… surely testifies to the poor job.

Anyways, I am seeing things and learning things in this situation. I am learning so much about myself, about our family and about how Satan wants so much to make our lives miserable often convincing our thoughts in selfish and vain ways. I also am increasing in awareness of God’s mercy, his wisdom and unending resources to pull from upsetting situations and circumstances and being able to create so much opportunity for growth out of them. Amazing!

Warmly, ~Melissa

*** I Found It!! I Finally Found an Area Rug! ***

It's Called Garden Border and it fits my Country Kitchen ((with roosters)) REAL Well.  I have to find one to fit underneath our new kitchen table that will still be big enough when guests are seated.  It's slightly pricey, but will last a lifetime if taken care of properly.  I should say it's pricey for US.  While it fits within our budget, it's slightly over what we had planned to pay for it.  However, alot of the 8 x 11's we've been looking for have been over a thousand dollars.  That price just ISN'T an option!  The price of this rug fits between what we had planned to pay and what we absolutely will NOT pay.  In my opinion, it's the most affordable for the quality.  So we're going to give it a month and if we STILL think it's what we want, and it's still available, we will purchase it.  My hopes of waiting till fall is that they will clearance it off slightly because it's floral.

8 mins of What I Saw At *** Beck 08' *** You REALLY need to see this!

****Please be sure to go to the bottom of the page and silence the music so you can hear this.  Enjoy!

God's Goodness This Week!

 I am so blessed this day! My computer is finally working  and I can freely blog and get online again! I was trying to figure out how and where I would get the money for a new computer. Praying all the while that this one would be fixed. The later happened and I am back online! Happy Dance here!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!

I have had so many other blessings this week. The Lord has been so good to me and my family. He is always good, I just don't praise Him or even recognize His goodness at times. Forgive me Father!

The best blessing this week happened in the dentist office. I know you are probably wondering, "How can being in a dentist office be a blessing?" Well, I was there to get another tooth filled. It was a tooth that is pretty close to the front. The dentist asked me if I wanted the silver or the tooth colored filling. I told her to use the silver. (I have no dental insurance and the white enamel was a lot more expensive.) I was just thankful to have the money to get it filled. Anyway, she filled my tooth and I left.

When I got into the car, I looked at the tooth and discovered that she had used the white color and not the silver. I thought she had made a mistake and I needed to pay for the white. When I got home, I called and told them that they had charged me for the silver filling when the dentist had used the white. They said that they would bill me the difference and it was left at that.

Later on in the day, the dental assistant called me back to say that they would not charge me for the white filling. She said that dentist used the white because she felt it was best and I would not have this silver tooth showing so "loudly." (does that make sense?)  I was so happy! The Lord used that dentist to bless me that day by not having to have an ugly silver tooth showing when I spoke. It blends in with my mouth and you would never know it was a filling.

It may seem like a small thing to some, but it was a blessing to me. That dentist could have charged me for the more expensive filling but chose to give me a gift instead. (I call it a gift!)  Thank you Dr. Victoria!  Even though she may never read this blog, I must always remember to "give thanks where thanks is due.) I also thank you Sweet Jesus for all that you provide for me. Praise and glory always to my Lord and Saviour!

I did make sure to tell the dental assistant to tell the Dr. that she had been a blessing to me and I thanked her for her act of kindness. To God be the glory ALWAYS!!!!!!!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

To all of you coupon saving people.....Help!!!.....

I am one who buys the cheaper brand whether it is name brand or off name brand.  I once in awhile use a coupon when I have it.  But I never got the hang of sitting down and making it like a business like my dear friend Miki told me.  What are you secrets?  What are some of the sites you use like couponbug.com or coupon.com.  I have noticed their coupons are basically the same.  Do you have any other sites you use?  I need to find ways to save.  I do plant my own garden so I save their. But I need to find ways to save more for my family.  Times are harder now, as we all know.  So, if you don't mind sharing with us all I would love to know how you do it.

Blessings,

Sherry

A much better day, thanks for letting me vent.

Thank you to those of you who commented.

Isabella: thank you for your prayers.

Tiredmamaof5: thank you for listening.

HopefulHeart77: thank you for your prayers.

SherKeith: my other two childern have left home. so there is only 3 of us left. My husband (61, and has bone cancers, and COPD), myself, and 11 yr. old daughter. But our farm is still the same size it was with 5 people here. My husband and daughter do all the can do, which is the 1/3 and 1/2. And we need the farm now, even more than before. 

Linda: Thank you. I too, feel it's a calling from God. and I thank Him daily for helping me get though an other day. Thank you for the seed part, as I have not thought of it that way. Thank you for your friendship.

Kitty:Thank you. Sometimes it's make life a little easier, if you know that you are not the only one. thanks.

Sweetmama2: Thank you for your friendship, and your prayers.  And I'm here when you need me.

 The day I wrote the last post, I took the day off. I only did have to farm chores, and made eggs, bacon, toast for dinner. The rest of the day was mine. and oh, how I enjoyed it. I really needed it in more ways than one. Some of you might think that is selfish of me, and I'm sorry, but I needed it. I knitted, looked up things on the web, just slowed down some, it was great. Than yesterday my hubby called in help for me, he is a wonderful Godly man. This lady "Mrs. Ann" came and helped my daughter and I do all those apples. with out her it would  have taken us 3 days to do. So thank you Mrs. Ann, you are a blessing.  So from those two big tugs of apples, we got: 16 jelly jars of apple jelly, 10 1/2 pints of apple butter, 17 quarts and 1 pint of apple sauce. Thank you Lord. And next week I'm to go and get some more apples. This was my first year for the apple jelly and butter, and for those of you who make it all the time, I really look up to you. As I have found them to take the most time and work to make. They both turned out great. I add apple pie spice to the apple butter, and everyone loved it. I only added enough to give it just a little kick, and they want me to make more. so we'll see with the next batch  of apples.  Well I need to do the never ending job of washing clothes. So I hope you all have a great weekend. And thanks again for letting me vent, and for all your prays and friendships. Becky

Just 4 Fun

Oldie but a goodie!  Can U Read this?

 M R Ducks
      
      M R Not
      
      M R Too
      
      C M Wangs
      
      L I B...M R Ducks
      
      M R Mice
      
      M R Not
      
      S A R...C M E D B D Feet?
      
      L I B...M R Mice!
      
      M R Puppies
      
      M R Not
      
      O S A R...C M P N?
      
      L I B...M R Puppies.
      
      M R Farmers.
      
      M R Not!
      
      O S A R...C M M T Pockets?
      
      L I B...M R Farmers.
      
      === Translation Follows ===
      
      M R Ducks = Them Are Ducks
      M R Not = Them Are Not
      M R Too = Them Are Too
      C M Wangs = See Them Wings
      L I B...M R Ducks = Well I Be - Them Are Ducks
      
      M R Mice = Them Are Mice
      M R Not = Them Are Not
      S A R...C M E D B D Feet? = Yes They Are - See Them Iddy Biddy Feet ?
      L I B...M R Mice! = Well I Be - Them Are Mice
      
      M R Puppies = Them Are Puppies
      M R Not = Them Are Not
      O S A R...C M P N? - Oh Yes They Are - See Them Peeing?
      L I B...M R Puppies. = Well I Be - Them Are Puppies
      
      M R Farmers = Them Are Farmers
      M R Not = Them Are Not
      O S A R...C M M T Pockets? = Oh Yes They Are - See Them Empty Pockets ?
      L I B...M R Farmers = Well I Be - Them Are Farmers

Daily Devotional (Reprint of Proverbs31 Devotionals)

I Hate to Burden You

Renee Swope

  “Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.” Ephesians 6:18 (CEV)

Devotion:

Although my email was intended to be a prayer request, it started out more like an apology. I needed my friends to pray, but I was hesitant to ask them. I didn't want my request to be a burden. After all, the group of friends I was sending the email to already had so many burdens of their own: illness, job loss, death, stress, relationship strains, overloaded schedules, etc.

I wondered if my need rated high enough on the urgency “Richter” scale? Was it bad enough to ask for prayer or should I wait to see how things turned out?

The first sentence in my email went something like this: "I hate to add to your list of burdens, but I need prayer for JJ."

My husband had signs of a health problem and was having tests done that week.  I didn’t know whether it was going to be anything serious in the end. I just knew that I didn’t want to walk through it in fear, in denial, nor in my own strength. I didn’t want to go through it alone either. I wanted my man to have as much spiritual protection as possible. I wanted those doctors to be anointed in prayer, and I knew if my girlfriends were praying, it’d be all right!

Within fifteen minutes after I hit “send” my friends who were on their computers started telling me they were praying. Not only did they pray, they thanked me for sharing what was going on and for letting them be there for me. One friend shared how someone she knew had been through a similar situation. Another asked questions and made some great suggestions. Then another cracked a funny joke that made me laugh, which I really needed to do!

The night before we went to the hospital, I got an email from my friend Amy saying, "I've been lifting prayers heavenward for your family since your last email. Know that you'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Let us know as soon as you hear results. We're all in this with you, friend."

As I read her last sentence, it was as though I could feel the softness of her hands gently squeeze my shoulders and hear her voice saying, "We're all in this with you, friend." 

What if I had not shared our need with my friends? I would’ve missed out on the comfort of having them “with me” and the peace that came as a result of their prayers.

They would’ve missed out on the opportunity to be the “Body of Christ” by guarding our hearts and minds with God’s promises and the power of prayer. They also would have missed the joy of celebrating medical tests that went really well, peace that surpassed our understanding and recovery that was quick. Even as we wait for the test results, their prayers and God’s peace remain as our constant companions.

I am so glad I didn’t listen to those thoughts that made me feel like my request was a burden.

God is teaching me much about prayer. For someone who hates to impose on others, I need to be reminded that asking for prayer isn't about putting burdens on my friends. It's about letting them walk by my side down a path that I was never intended to walk alone. In return, they let me do the same.
                                                                                                                                                                     

Lord, thank You for never seeing my prayers as a burden. Please teach me more about the power and the purpose of prayer in my life and in my friendships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Renee Swope’s blog for the rest of the story, and for more ways to connect with God and your girlfriends through prayer.

A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer, by Cheri Fuller

Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman

Application Steps: 

Ask God what friend He wants you to pray for this week, and who He wants you to ask to pray for you as well.  If you don’t have someone (or if you want to have more than one), visit Renee’s blog where she’s connecting women through prayer – sharing requests and praying for each other - for the next few weeks.

 Reflections: 

Is it hard for you to share prayer requests with others? Why or why not?

 Power Verses:

Psalm 68:19, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (NIV)

 Philemon 1:4, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.” (NIV)

 Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (NIV)

 © 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

***Beck 08' ***

Went to the show last night.  We got the live feed from Texas in TWO HUGE theatres here in Central NY which were SOLD OUT. 

An HOUR and a Half BEFORE the show was to start.  There are more seats below.  HUGE theatre and we had TWO that were sold out in minutes.  I felt bad for the last minute walk ins who had to sit away from each other.  Everyone got there over an hour early for good seats.

Mr. Thinker and I at the Show.  PEACE!  Before we break out the pitchforks and flame throwers to make "We The People" be heard to the dummies in office in Washington.  Will someone PAlease tell them who they work for?!

Totally wish Glenn would run, but I think he just like's being a host of HIS show to shed light on Politics. Debunk the myths and lies and find a way to educate the public with what the Candidates will do to us If they are voted into office.  PRETTY SCAREY I must say. 

We can sit and talk "Change", but it won't do a bit of good if we sit and wait for it with no agenda.

We can fight for the people., but when we allow immigrants to enter ILLEGALLY, we're going against EVERYTHING our Founding Fathers based the Country on.  It even says on the Statue of Liberty: "

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883

My goodness, I hope there's a third party candidate besides BARR who can REACH between party lines. I think it would really tell our Washington Leaders something if the new President beat the barriers of Republican and Democratic parties. Why isn't Glenn running Conservative?


In a nutshell Glenn Beck spoke about:

~ the right to bare arms ((Stop taking the rights of people to defend themselves))

~ stupidity of our governement/state officials making laws on TOP of laws that were already made (i.e. making it illegal for people to use ILLEGAL Ammo....umm, hello, it's ALREADY illegal...this was done in PA., TONS of odd stuff done in CA by CA officials too. I.E. 500.00 fine for anyone setting off nuclear bombs in that area...umm STUPID! Don't you think number 1, they'll be dead and number 2 it's ALREADY illegal ANYWHERE in the U.S.?!

~ the need for the Gov't to STOP bailing out banks that KNOWINGLY make bad deals and the people with minimum wage jobs who knowingly accept mortgages for 400 thousand dollar homes on a grocery store clerks income. (no offense, but if you can't afford it, you shouldn't buy it. Why should the rest of us who either have mortgages we CAN afford to pay or those of us in Rentals who are paying our debts, foot the bill for those kinds of dumb choices).

~ giving people the right to succeed or fail.....its the American way. Our Ancestors came and WORKED HARD for the American dream. They started from NOTHING. Just as doug and I learned from our mistakes and had to come out of them, so should every American (and most have) learn from their mistakes and come out on top with the strength and hope of our Lord.

~ Our ideals the country was founded by our Founding Fathers recognizes That God has given us everything, NOT by ourselves....and transmitting those ideas into a Government and a Country.


If HE were president He would do the following:

Economy- for every 19.00 America spends 20.00 thats 1.00 TOO MUCH. Think of how many BILLIONS we're in the red to overspending.

Glenn suggests a scale down of government with only essential services to keep the army funded, roads open, post offices running as well as the court systems. NO MORE SPENDING WHAT WE DON"T HAVE! For crying out loud these are basic financial principals and alot of Americans know that when there is no money in the checking account...there's NO MORE MONEY. Why can't the Gov't grasp that concept?!
Illegal immigrations....Put a fence up and LET EM COME IN through the Golden Gates as it says on the statue of liberty. The Right way!

Lets not forget that He says we need diversification when it comes to CLEAN Energy.


Do you know they're FINALLY drilling in Anwar?! FOR ICE To see what happens when Ice is hot....Umm, I think even a 5 year old knows it MELTS! They're doing this dumb study when we need OIL. Maybe it won't wreap for 5 years, but it will be available when they need it 5 years from now. He also says get EVERY means of Clean alternative energy: Nuclear, water, air, even HEMP if thats what they need.

One thing he said that made sense. Thomas Edison never asked for gov't funding when he invented the lightbulb. Ivy Leage Colleges shouldn't need MILLIONS of taxpayers jobs for their own studies when they make TONS already and the monies they get from taxpayers is used for luxery things for the heads.

God Bless America is what he said.


We need to FIGHT For our Country.....protect our soldiers who are in the center of harms way...PROTECT THEM and they're families.

We need to research each candidate and question they're agendas. We The PEOPLE need to DEMAND MORE. If it doesn't come from the two parties, then we DEMAND it from elsewhere. Vote em Out...Alll of Em.

And Glenn says, Be a part of it. Don't wait for Gov't to change AMERICA, Go out and do it! Make that Impact....thats What Americans Do.


*** That's it in a nutshell. I hope I didn't affend our beloved Canadians and Europeans. I believe we each have significant roles to play as members of society for each of our Country's. It's just ours right now is during an Extremely IMPORTANT decision that could possibly impact the world if a wrong candidate gets in. I for one would like to see God back where He belongs. Back where our Founding Fathers placed Him ((the Head)).

To Learn more about Glenn Beck see His site for Radio and TV times go to Glennbeck.com. Check out His blog Entry about what we say yesterday HERE.

Questions from Mrs. Incredible!!