The View From Here

This is the view from the top of our hill.  You can see a long way. 

It seems like you could see forever. 

Seeing forever....

Do I have an eternal perspective?  Am I easily bogged down by today's problems? 

 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.


For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:6-9, 16-18

Blessings,

New Look

Well, here it is!  All fixed up and ready for spring!

A special thank you to my sweet daughter Julia for her talented efforts on my lovely header.  She is so creative and always does such a beautiful job!  I am so blessed that she is my daughter!!

She also helped me with the many little details of getting the blog to coordinate so nicely.  I appreciate you, Julia!

Also some big news, we have decided to NOT SELL OUR HOUSE!!  Yay!!  After much prayer, we believe God wants us here for the present.  So we plan to take dominion of our land and use it in a more productive way.  We cleared two areas up the hill for large gardens.  The larger one is about 50' x 25'.

The second area is about 30' x 20'.  Two weeks ago, Bob rented a roto-tiller and started to break up the ground.  It was pretty hard and had some rocks.  He was able to get it broken up but will have to go over it again. 

Here you can see the boys clearing some of the weeds that we had to cut down to clear the area.  This part of our property is very steep.  Bob built steps so that we could get to the top without sliding down the hill. 

This is looking down on our house from the top area of garden. 

Hopefully, we will have a bountiful garden this year.  If not this year, then maybe next.  :)

Anyway, that's some of what is going on around here.    

 

This is the new garden under about 8 inches of snow.  It melted by Saturday afternoon but it sure was pretty while it was here!

Blessings,
 

Under Construction

Hang in there!  I've got my personal blog designer working on the header.  It is coming soon so this blog will look all put together.

Thanks for your patience.,

Arrayed Like One of These

" And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Luke 12:22-31

Lord, help me to seek your kingdom today, to not fret or worry about those things out of my control.  Help me to place all things in Your hands and to trust you implicitly this day.  Your Word is true and You will provide all we need. 

Thank You.

Do You Morph?

Do you morph?  Change?  Conform?

What I mean is, when you are with someone who is different than you, do you tend to take on their characteristics or mannerisms?

I admit, this happens to me sometimes.  Mostly in speaking with a similar accent.  When I hang around with my friends from the South, it is easy for me to talk more like that. 

Is morphing a bad thing or good thing? 

That depends on what you are changing into.  Some traits are admirable and worthy.  We would do well to emulate Godly people.  Good role models are important. 

Some things are neutral like accents or laughing style. 

But what about foolishness or sarcasm?  Making fun at the expense of others?  No, these things are bad and should not be copied. 

Be careful who you emulate, copy or resemble. 

"Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2.

Let's seek to be more like Christ, daily, in all things. 

Seeking,

SNOW! And LOTS of it.

Yesterday, we had the most amazing experience.  Tons of snow.  Ok, for Georgia it's tons of snow.  All of you north of the Mason-Dixon line can stop snickering now.  :)

Here are the chicken coops and garden area.

We got even more by the time it stopped.  Needless to say, my children were very excited.  They spent quite a bit of time outside romping and taking pictures. 

Check back for more. I have to see if I can get the video to work.

Blessings,

Grace in Time of Need

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;  but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

Seeking that grace,

Good Gifts

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

Matthew 7:11

Believing the promise,

It's a Promise

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee:  he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

Believing the promise,

Refined Focus

This blog will serve as my place to share more personal thoughts, reflections and spiritual truths that I am learning.  The plan is to post resourceful, frugal, creative and crafty ideas on the "So Dutch" blog,  

The newest post is about free math worksheets.  So hop over there to read about this great freebie.


What do you do when you feel agitated and stressed?  How do you relieve that pressure that builds up from frustrating situations?  Feeling overwhelmed?  Fearful?

Pray!  Pray and take all those concerns to God.  He is waiting to hear you.  One by one lay them at His feet.   Repent, if need be.  Forgive, if necessary.  And then, above all, TRUST.  Trust your Heavenly Father to go before you, fight your battles, provide and lead. 

Then, rest.  Rest in His peace which passes understanding.  Know that He loves you and will take care of you. 

Focus on Him, not the storm around you.   He is willing and able to meet your needs. 

Praying and resting,