NZ Budget
Yesterday brought NZ Budget.
Tax cuts will only compensate many households for the general rise in food & petrol (now $2.00 litre). Many people have moved into higher tax brackets over the last 8 years eg in 2000 when Labour increased the top marginal tax rate to 39% (up from 33%) for income bracket over 60K there were approx 5% of taxpayers in this top bracket. Currently there are approx 15%.
Labour are bringing in staggering tax cuts over the next 3 years - this has left the door wide open for National (opposition) to give substantial early tax cuts as their main carrot leading up to the election.
| Current |
15% |
21% |
33% |
39% |
| |
up to $9,500 |
$38,000 |
$60,000 |
over $60,000 |
| NEW |
12.5% |
21% |
33% |
39% |
| from Oct 2008 |
$14,000 |
$40,000 |
$70,000 |
over $70,000 |
| From April 2010 |
$17,500 |
$40,000 |
$75,000 |
over $75,000 |
| From April 2011 |
$20,000 |
$42,000 |
$80,000 |
over $80,000 |
So it will we be one and a half years away before a decent tax cut applies to most New Zealander's under the Labour Government
PRAYERS for the Chapman Family!
Singer Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Dies in Tragic Accident
By Rennie Dyball
Originally posted
The Chapman family Photo by: Chapman Family / AP
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Grammy-winning Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman suffered an unthinkable tragedy Wednesday when his 5-year-old daughter was killed in an accident involving her brother.
Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of her family's Franklin, Tenn., home by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, the Associated Press reports. The brother, whose name was not released, apparently did not see the girl.
Several family members witnessed the accident, according to the AP. Maria Sue later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
"It looks like a tragic accident," said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. No charges are expected.
"Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago," Chapman's manager Jim Houser wrote on a blog dedicated to Maria that was set up for condolences. "These words are unthinkable to type."
Longtime advocates of international adoption, Chapman and his wife adopted three daughters from China, including Maria, and have three biological children as well.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing – our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman said on his Web site.
The singer also wrote a book about being a father titled Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess.
PA trip and a few pictures

covered brige in Paradis PA

Friends heading home to farm

My son Chri and I the sun was really bad I had a hard time seeing..lol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had a great time in PA the weather wasn't all that great. My son Chris came down from DC to visit it only took him a couple of hours of driving.He spent the day with us we ate at Harvest Drive resturant it has great views of fields..
It took us 11 hours from Maine to PA and gas one way cost 100.00 .. some different from the past.. We did lots while we were there, visted lots of our friends. We went to several produce and flower auctions..Had a great time there as always..
Several of our friends have greenhouses and we brought back so many plants it was great. Ray and I built a new flower bed I will download pictures later of that.
It was so nice to see so much farm land being worked. We had great food while we were there and my Amish friend Anna made us two shoo-fly pies and one is gone and the other one has gone in the freezer.. I don't like them but Ray does.
I have lots more pictures but I've put them on a dvd already wasn't thinking..
Well I have to get to the garden and put in sweet taters I picked up 25 plants while I was there.
Do stop in again thanks for visiting
blessings Sister Brenda
Daily Devotion 143
May 22
The Deep Things of God
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10
Most of us are intrigued by mysteries. Mysteries fascinate with their captivating plots. Paul writes about “the wisdom of God in a mystery” (1 Corinthians 2:7). He says that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians
2:9). Some people have applied these words to heaven, and this is not a wrong application. But verse ten tells us that “God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” This intrigues me. Through the Holy Spirit the deep things of God (mysteries) can be discovered by the believer.
As I meditate on God’s Word, I learn more about the deep things of God. It is there that I see my shortcomings. It is there that confession is made. It is there that blessings come down.
“The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” As I seek to know more of the deep things of God, my soul overflows with praise. For God, as Isaiah writes, is able to measure the waters in the hollow of His hand, and yet, He reveals Himself to us as we search His deep things. Our challenge is to apply them to our lives so that we may grow. How often I have failed! But the desire is there. The Psalmist says, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God” (Psalm 42:1).
Allan Miller, Sarcoxie, MO
You can see God best on your knees.
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2
One Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 8:21–36
1 Chronicles 6, 7
Used by Permission of Vision Publishers
PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Phone: 877-488-0901
E-Mail: [cs@vision-publishers.com]
Chamomile for Pink Eye Relief
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is an irritation of the conjunctiva or the clear thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye. If you have suffered from pink eye in the past you know it can be itchy, irritating and usually causes your eyes to tear. Relief is a pantries reach away, just grab your box of Chamomile tea and place a cool, moist chamomile tea bag on each eye for about 10 minutes, repeating every couple of hours.
A Sneak Peek!
Here is a sneak peek at my next project.
This one is called Bear's Claw.
I think it is going to turn out really nice. In the picture the squares are just placed up on a felt board that I had made a few years ago for a Sunday School class that I was teaching. It's been sitting behind my dresser ever since. This morning I remembered it and boy, is it a big help in quilting!
Happenings around our Homestead
Hello friends.
I don't know about you, but after hearing of the news of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter being run over... it makes me want to go and round up all my little ones and sit with them around me and squeeze them a little tighter, love them a little longer, and thank God for them a little more. My heart is breaking for this family... please pray for them.
Today is of course my favorite day, THURSDAY! I LOVE em, as you know. And today looks to be in line with my love. I have some garden work to do and some other good homemakey things to do and I look forward to the day. Yesterday was especially wonderful as well. My Alan (my Mom's husband) came over and built a deck on the back of the house for us... oh talk about glorious!!!
I can see many an evening sitting on the back deck, with some coffee and a blanket and watching the sun go down... it is going to be wonderful!
Of course I captured pictures of the process, so for your enjoyment, here is the building of the deck!
I missed him tearing off the steps...
Framing it up...
The skeleton and a wee head peeping out... do you see?
Laying the floor...
Who needs fancy toys??? Wood blocks that are leftover are GREAT!!!
TADA!!!!! The deck is ready except for the railings...
I am not the only one who is in love... Cameo is too! 
Thank you Papaw Alan, we LOVE it, and we love you too!!!!
12x12 finished size and perfect for some sun chairs I do believe!
Have a great day my friends, I am off to enjoy my family!
My Cup Runneth Over...Chas
Devestating
My husband called me less than 20 minutes ago. This may be old news to some but we don't watch television so we had not heard. Steven Curtis Chapman the Contemporary Christian singer, his youngest daughter was run over by a car... It absolutely broke my heart... Please pray for this family, what a heartbreaking, heart wrenching, horrible thing to happen. God be with this family!
My Cup Runneth Over...Chas
Catching up!
We are still busy up here! What is new, right? I can't believe that June is right around the corner! I am feeling a little pressure to squeeze in a bunch more lessons before the school year comes to a close.
So, what's new? Our son turned 8! He is our baby, growing up so quickly! He has been helping us with putting the gardens in. Here is what we have thus far:
Cabbage, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine, Jalapenos, Tomatos, String Beans, Pickling Cukes and Peas. We have much more to plant this weekend. So far, only two of the vegetable gardens are complete. I planted garlic and shallots in with my herbs too. The garlic has taken right off. Speaking of my herbs...I am running out of room. Weather permitting, I hope to till more and expand that area. My Lavender is doing so well that I really would like to split it a few times so I can harvest more. I would like to use it in my soaps. Last year it did not yield very much, do to the fact that it was my first year growing it and didn't know what I was doing! Our strawberries have gone crazy! That is another area that I need to till additional space for. I am willing to sacrifice lawn for yummy strawberries! It is kind of funny. As of late, neighbors, friends and family have noticed our lawn is shrinking! We have something growing everywhere! You would think that it would choppy or messy, but that it is not the case. It looks great and organized. I am so glad the good Lord blessed me with a green thumb!
Yesterday, the city held it's first Farmer's Market! Yeah! We were so excited! We went down about an hour after it was due to start. We waited because we had a bad Thunderstorm. Well, I guess we should not have. Their were about 6 vendors and everything about sold out. One vendor in particular was so rude! Told me to come back next week! Yeah, right! In her dreams! I will return to support this venture, however I will not be purchasing anything from that person.
On brighter news, we are in the process of gaining approval from city council to house chickens. I pray that this turns out in our favor. The children love them. Matter of fact we are still taking care of a relatives chickens and my son has really taken on all the responsibility. I supervise to be sure all is tended, but really he is very thorough and truly enjoys the fruits of his labor. He loves fresh eggs!
That is it for now. I wish everyone a terrific day!
Jennifer
P.S. I had to delete the picture that I mentioned on 5/14. I did not realize that the picture had too many pixels and it made my blog crazy.
I am hosting The Homestead Carnival, Please help!!!!!!
I will be hosting The Homestead Blog Carnival for Monday, May 26th. I think I may be in over my head, but if you will help and send me in your submissions I may be alright.
HUGS!!
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