EYLR Follow-Up

Hello, to the gals from the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat!
 
It was such a privilege to share with you on Saturday morning. I was very honored to speak to you all on my "redirected relationship" experiences and I hope it was helpful information. I was very edified to spend the morning in your company and I was inspired by you all. I wish I could have gotten to know each one of you... but hey! Maybe I'll get to meet you someday at one of the Forster's retreats for married ladies.

I'd like to post the rest of the misconceptions and red flags I wasn't able to cover during my presentation on Saturday. I'm going to do a series of posts because no one wants to wade through a super long post.  So keep checking my blog through the month of February. I'm not sure when I'll stop posting but I'll let you know when I get done sharing all of the information I have for you.
Please feel free to comment to say hi or even share some of your own thoughts or experiences. I'd love to hear from you!

May God bless you and may the fellowship and wisdom you enjoyed at the retreat last with you throughout the year!

-Mary Ellen

Congratulations Courtney and Kyle!!!

January is here without it's usual frosty ways. Just a week or so ago it was so warm that the family was out doors cleaning the lawn and the farm with nothing more than a light spring jacket! There's barely snow on the ground, just patches of ice from the rainy, misty days and a few mounds of snow from December. A very unusual January, indeed.

Just yesterday Jeff and I received the most wonderful phone call. My dear friend Courtney is engaged to be married to her now-fiance Kyle! We just spent this past weekend with them and it was so nice to see how well suited they were for each other. We'd only met Kyle once before exactly a year ago at a New Year's party and they were "just friends" at the time. My heart is overflowing with joy for them and I look forward to see what more God has in store for them as they build a life together!

It's also Courtney's birthday today! 26 years! We'll be the same age for less than a week. She's such a great friend and has stuck by me through the seasons of life! I'm thankful to God for her.

A little overdue humor.

How do you like that title? LOL .....that's my pun for the day. ;)
Anyway, in spite of the fact that it takes a lot of work responding to the many people who want to know if my baby has arrived yet I really don't mind answering their questions. It just boggles my mind as to why they ask since I'd let everyone know if the baby had made it's appearance. But I guess I've been guilty of being curious and pesky so I can't really get too feisty about it all.

Nevertheless my friend Hannah sent me these memes this morning that made my day! I had to share them with you!

My friend Nora shared this hilarious website with me. People would probably get offended if I actually suggested they visit it but I get a good laugh out of the thought....
 haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com


A line from one of my favorite movies always pops into my head. I did actually post a clip of it from YouTube on Facebook with this caption: "When people want to know why the baby hasn't arrived yet and overdue mom's be like..."

Anyway, I suppose I have too much time on my hands and should take such things more seriously. I know most people are just concerned and have the best intentions because they care and wish the best for my little family. I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and don't know what I would do without such a wonderful support group! People who I can bounce my random pregnancy symptoms off of and who assure me that everything will be all right. I'm very thankful for the people in my life. Yes, even the snoopy, extra curious ones. ;)

A Wild Month

November's been a whirlwind. From the big Thanksgiving feast, to a ton of various appointments and events each week, I've barely had a minute to sit a write.

Well, truth is, I've started writing for the local newspaper again. After taking almost a year off I figured I'd better get back into journalism before I get too rusty. It's fun because one of the editors of the newspaper is working with me so that I can improve my writing skills. To start things off I've supplied an article on gift giving for the December edition of the paper. I plan to read some books as well to see if I can sharpen my knowledge of the art. Words can make a great impact on the reader so I find it to be one of the most inspiring and powerful tasks I can set about doing.

I've also started a Facebook page for my photography. A few recent and impromptu sessions reminded me of how much I enjoy the hobby. I'm hoping that by advertising on Facebook will help me get more willing photography subjects. I'm not looking for paid deals, just more opportunities to gain experience.

It's officially been over a month since I quit my CNA job. It feels like much longer then that for some reason. The house is noticing my presence though and projects that have been neglected since I moved in are finally being completed. It's exciting to see things coming together.

Well... I'm headed to a coffee shop with a few of my old co-workers from the nursing home. We haven't had a chance to visit much since I "retired" so I'm looking forward to catching up with them. And there will be live music to top it off! I hope your November is coming to a warm and cozy close as mine is.

CNA

Last Thursday I woke up bright and early to go take the CNA state exam. It was nice to wake up and watch the sun rise on my drive. My body is still used to waking up in the early morning, so even though I've been getting up at 8:30 most mornings, 6:30 felt strangely refreshing. I was fortunate enough to take the test with most of my classmates, and to make it more amusing my friend Tony was my partner during the skills test. It was funny as we'd spent our lunches together in the facility cafeteria during our month of class, when all the other classmates went out for lunch. We had some great conversations during those 30 minute lunch breaks. He was a nice guy and I always encouraged him in his life endeavors. We were able to talk about God and Christianity. He was open to the topic. He was also just out of an 8 year relationship and wanted to be with somebody who was committed. He'd tell me stories during the month of going to the bar with friends and meeting a really nice girl only for her to not want to reconnect later. I told him to be patient and a really nice girl would come along without him having to go to the bar to find her. Well sure enough while we were all waiting for our turn this past Thursday he was telling us excitedly about this really nice girl who'd come in to the gym he worked at. They hit it off right away and they're in a relationship now. She's a Christian and he's changing his work schedule so he can go to church with her. It was wonderful to hear him happily talk about this wonderful gal he'd met. Patience pays off.

I did pass both the written exam and the skills test! Quite exciting. I went in expecting not to pass. I didn't feel I had prepared and studied enough, and the test is so picky where if you do one thing wrong you could be failed. You have to perfectly perform 5 out of 5 skills. I had to do Hand Washing, Dressing a Client with an Affected Right Arm, Denture Care, Recording Urinary Output, and Female Peri-care (on a manikin). I almost botched the whole test on the 2nd skill. I started dressing the resident (a.k.a Tony) with the wrong arm first. The examiner loudly hinted, "You're dressing the client with the affected RIGHT arm." ...and I didn't get the hint so she suggested again, "...the affected RIGHT arm!" *whew*!!! Then I realized!!! Yikes. During the skills test you're allowed to correct an error as long as you state what the correction should be and when you should have done it BEFORE the skill is complete. I lucked out.... and completed all of my other skills appropriately. Only one of my classmates didn't pass and that was because she had to count and record someone's pulse. That's one of the hardest skills of all, and she new she'd gotten off count but didn't specify a restart. What a bummer! We all felt her pain because not one of us desired to get that skills.

Anyways, I was also out of there and done with the exam by 12:30pm..... and they'd said it could last till 5pm. So it was like having a day off. Celebration!!
Now I'm an official Certified Nursing Assistant. I still have a long way to go in learning how to work in the LTC environment and be the most efficient and supportive employee I can be. It's a challenge and occupation that I'm enjoying so far. My time is spent helping people that can't get by without assistance. I feel like it's a ministry of sorts and caring for the disabled, needy and elderly is something God expects of all of us in some capacity or another. 

Psalm 71:9, "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

Leviticus 19:32, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD."

Galatians 5:14, " For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Last Day of Class

The 15 days of CNA class are already coming to an end. Today is the last class and actually it's more of a State Exam practice round, or a "mock exam", to help us students prepare for the big test. On Tuesday we had a Final Exam for the actually class. It was a written exam and a whole lot easier than I'd imagined. Everyone in the class passed and so we'll each be moving on to the new chapters we'd hope to open in our lives. It's pretty cool because it's a group of 7 students, myself included, and we've all gotten along so wonderfully that we're more a group of friends than we are a bunch of people dutifully rolling through the motions. Our instructor is wonderful. Her name is Bobby and she can be both wise and professional, yet at the same time, fun and flexible. We've all fallen in love with her, and it's evident that everyone else in that healthcare facility loves her, too, so we're very privileged to have such a great instructor. All of us classmates decided to pitch in and get her a gift and a card to show our gratitude. It's incredible, the people you meet at the most random times and the friends you make in the process.

I made a batch of cupcakes as practice for Channing and Rachel's wedding. I'm supposed to make 130 total so I made a little batch of 21 cupcakes, frosted and decorated them. I'm going to take them to class with me for all of my CNA friends. It's been a good experience.

Well, I'd better run or I'll be late for class! Adios.

When It's Hard To Say Sorry

Not all events are appropriate for blogging about. Let's just say this week started out on a rough note. I came down with a cold, there were some temporary vehicle issues and so-on. One or two issues aren't so difficult to deal with but when there are several it seems to be enough to tip the scales of insanity. What started out as an average Monday turned into a manic Monday and I got caught up in the worries of the day. 

Talking to Courtney is always a relief. She understands the craziness of what happens to a woman's mind when worry sets in (which reminds me of Mark Gungor's hilarious description of how men and women think differently in The Tale of Two Brains). A phone conversation left us laughing at our mishaps. I think Mark Twain was onto something when he said, "The secret source of humor is not joy but sorrow; there is no humor in heaven." 

My biggest problem was really that I had let my emotions run away with me. Whether it was exhaustion or other circumstances that caused my trouble, there wasn't much of an excuse and I needed to apologize to the offended parties involved. I returned to the situation still thinking I wasn't in the wrong. That the fault of the situation wasn't mine. I knew I wasn't going to make it very far with this attitude though and in asking for God's help to face the situation a verse I'd learned as a child came to mind.

Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Proverbs 21:2 says, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." I certainly thought I was right in this situation but I decided to just try it God's way. Even though it seemed dumb to apologize to someone who I thought didn't deserve an apology.

Then with forgiveness, came understanding... and a softer heart. In forgiving the other person it removed the big obstacle of pride and they apologized as well. I could see my mistakes and we were able to work on rectifying the problem. God's way takes faith. It doesn't always immediately make sense to do things His way but it says in Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." 
...and in Proverbs 2:6-8, "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints."

Sometimes I just need to be reminded to yield to the Spirit of God. Letting Him work through my life creates such better results than when I try to accomplish things in my own strength.
Galatians 5:22-23 pretty much sums up my week:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Elton

Every morning at a quarter to seven, the barn door slowly opens and in walks Elton. He'd had a friend make him a special walking cane that's handle looks just like a hand-held saw handle. He wears glasses, a ball cap (the type all farmers wear), leather boots, a buttoned & collared shirt with a stripped or plaid design and overalls. The coolest thing he wears however, is his smile and his enthusiasm for life. Though signs of age have grown on him you'd hardly be able to guess his age by his attitude.

I've been working at this dairy farm since last October and one thing that I can count on is seeing Elton every morning. I work for Ted and Corey, Elton's son and grandson and when I first got the job dealing with the grandfather wasn't something I'd expected to be part of my work routine. Getting used to the fast pace of their milking set up and learning the ins and outs was hard enough without having to visit with a stranger. I don't think Elton was too excited about me either. In spite of the "inconvenience" I always tried to be friendly and get to know him, and he tried to be nice and friendly with me. Don't get me wrong, he's the friendliest guy you'd ever want to meet.We'd greet each other, comment on the weather. He'd ask if Corey was around and I could usually tell he'd be disappointed to have me to talk to instead of his grandson. Then he'd say goodbye and leave the barn.

It was just hard to get anything more than the business of weather out of him. As the days turned into weeks, I realized that Elton wasn't going be an easy nut to crack and that it would take a little faithfulness on my part to get him to open up to me. I put in a little effort but it never seemed to make a huge difference. Every once in a while he'd come in and forget himself and tell me all about something exciting in his life. So eventually I came to look forward to him stopping by the barn each morning. I'd get to the point where I'd forget I was supposed to be milking the cows because I was chatting with Elton for a few minutes.

Last Fall, Elton and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She'd been in the nursing home for 10 years with Alzheimer's and I'm not sure if she knew they'd made it to 60 years. It was a part of Elton's daily routine to go visit his wife. Talk about faithfulness. Well, she passed away a year ago, this past week. I was surprised at how well Elton took it, but I suppose she'd mentally been gone for a number of years already. One morning he asked me if I had any stocking caps, and by this I think he meant winter hats. It turned out he'd brought me a light blue winter hat with dark blue snowflake patterns. It had been his wife's hat. I felt like this was a huge honor that he would give me something that had been his beloved wife's.

After receiving this hat I decided I wanted to thank him in some way. His birthday came and he turned 88 years old. To do something special for him my mom, sister and I whipped up a little dish of lasagna for him (because I'd heard he was a fan of lasagna). He stopped in one morning, about a week after his birthday, and I snuck out and put the dish and a birthday card in his truck. Later that morning he returned to the barn (which is unusual) with a big grin on his face. He thanked me for the dish and it turned out he'd brought me another gift. It was some coats that had been his wife's! Almost a year after her death I suppose he'd decided it was time clean up the house. I felt extremely honored once again.

Yesterday morning, Elton came into the barn as always. We talked about the weather. As always I asked him if he had big plans for the day... to which he sort of grinned and said, "Oh no." He chatted with his grandson a bit about the latest small town gossip, crops, tractors, etc. Then before he left he let me know that he'd put a bag of clothes in my vehicle. Some more things that had been his wife's. I'm not sure why he's chosen to give some of her things to me and I don't dare ask. I take it as a huge honor. Though he's not my grandfather and I'm simply the milkmaid on the farm, it's a sort of sweet, unspoken friendship we have. It's these little, unexpected relationships in life that bring warmth to the long days and spontaneity to the rigid schedule. No words needed... just giving, sharing and being. The sort of person you never expect to meet and can't believe you'd missed out on knowing for so many years. It makes my heart full.

Pies, Pies, Pies.

I'm waiting for the kitchen space to open up. The little farmers have come inside from their chores and are just now eating breakfast, so I must postpone my baking endeavors until they've been fed. It didn't work out for the motley crew to feast yesterday so we're having Thanksgiving tomorrow and baking today. This arrangement works out wonderfully actually because of the three siblings with significant others. We miss my brother Daniel and Jacqui and their two boys but we heard they had a nice day of Thanks in AZ (where they live) and are headed to the mountains today for a mini vacation. Channing was gone yesterday to celebrate with Rachel's family. It will be a beautiful day when I can call her my sister, but I'm excited for now to have her come today/tomorrow to celebrate with my family. 

In spite of the fact that we're baking today, we are also having a family gathering with my mom's two brothers. One family will be coming from Minnesota and will be sharing tomorrow's festivities with us. Then there's my other Uncle and his family who live across the valley. We can see their house from ours and it is a pleasure to have relatives so near. Yet, as our families have grown it makes it difficult to fit everyone into one house on thanksgiving so we haven't had thanksgiving with them in a few years. Tonight we'll all eat soup... something easy with minimal prep and clean up. This is fine by me as it affords more time for visiting. Visiting is far more important to me than any pie or turkey.

Anyways, I know the rest of the world is frantically hitting the stores for some black Friday shopping, decking the halls and listening to the beloved Christmas melodies, I am relishing this Thanksgiving.

I like to think about the Pilgrims and the Indians. The hardships they endured, their different way of life, and their focus on God's blessing. They'd come to the new world to seek freedom. Freedom to serve God and to raise their families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

William Bradford wrote this of the first Thanksgiving feast,
"They begane now to gather in ye small harvest they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; fFor as some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which yey tooke good store, of which every family had their portion. All ye somer ther was no want. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besids water foule, ther was great store of wild Turkies, of which they tooke many, besids venison, &c. Besids, they had about a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, Indean corn to yt proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not fained, but true reports."


Gotta love that old English!
Until this year I had not read Abraham Lincoln's proclamation for the United States of America to set aside one day of each year for Thanksgiving. Not only do I love the eloquence of the words but the gravity of their meaning. How has America strayed so far from this state of reverence for our Creator?

I've shamelessly copied and pasted the proclamation from this website, which says, "The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise." According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary how he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops."


Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Happy Thanksgiving, my dear friends. May God bless you in this next year with the grace to appreciate all the good you've been blessed with and the strength to find joy in times troubles as well.

What It Means to Be A Person, Part 3

Understanding.... Being understood...
I like how Robert Fulghum puts it,
"Hide-and-seek, grown-up style. Needing to be sought. Confused about being found."

In continuation of my train of blog posts, like What It Means to Be A Person, Part 2.... 

If a friend were to hand me a book and say, "Please, read this book. I'd like for you to understand me better," I would certainly read that book. It is the essence of being human, this desire to understand others and most especially, the desire to be understood. Yet, I suspect there are people who care more about being understood and less about understanding others. It is not always selfishness in the case of these people but maybe just how their personality works and what their interests are. What the ratio of understanding to being understood is in each of us is probably chalked up to how we were raised, what our interests are and what type of personalities we embody.

For me the desire to understand others is top heavy. Not that I don't not want to be understood, but there is something about humans, who they are and how they interact that fascinates me. I want to know about body language, voice inflections and speech patterns. I want to know what they think, why they think it, what their hopes and dreams are and what they're doing to make those dreams a reality. I want to know about their mothers and fathers, their siblings, their friends, their education, their hobbies, their favorite foods and their feelings on politics. I probably come off sounding like an interviewer and I think a lot of people feel uncomfortable when asked a million questions. Questions make us feel vulnerable, especially if we do not know the purpose that the questioner is asking them. It is only over time that I can prove that my questions are 100%, genuine interest.

Perhaps this interest I have in people is due to my personality? I know that Myers-Briggs Typology isn't the be-all and end-all. There are flaws and misgivings about the science behind the psychology. However, I've read up on my personality type and it feels like finally someone understands me. Or perhaps more than being understood, it is the fact that I'm  not the only one with the crazy traits that define me. I'm not the only person who is care free and childish, at the same time as deeply wishing to understand the universe. I'm not alone in my tendency to procrastinate. I'm not the only one who doesn't one to be follow just one profession, but many chase many interests. There are other like me in the world, and I'm not crazy for being who I am... in spite of the many folks who disapprove of or fear my unconventional ways.

What brings this to my mind in particular is a book I read this Summer titled, The Comprehensive ENFP Survival Guide, by Heidi Priebe. It made complete sense to me and explained traits that I've felt so overwhelmed by or that have made me feel like an unsuccessful human for possessing. I don't say that in the worst sense, but just the frustration we all feel when we're trying to wade through life with our strengths and weaknesses. The book was an eye opener. It showed me that I'm not alone, there are other people who are just like me, and it showed why I am the person I am. It was easy to read and easy to understand. I found myself laughing with delight because I could relate so much to the author's words!

I generally kept to the privacy of my room while reading, as if to guard a secret. Mostly because I am a private person when it comes to my feelings. In fear that my poor, sensitive self will be hurt I gaurd my feelings at all cost. This is of course something I never realized about myself, and hope to overcome one day.... to be less sensitive and more open.
Anyway, one night I was determined to enjoy the company of my family and sat in the living room with them, while reading this book. My older sister asked what I was reading, and when I told her, her first response was and eye-roll and, "You've got to be kidding me...." She wasn't trying to be mean, but it just struck her as ridiculous that I'd be reading about personality and putting so much interest in the matter. Isn't life about being selfless, after all? I understand her thoughts on the matter but if we cannot understand our own feelings and thoughts how are we ever to get along with others? How are we to mature and grow? If we cannot understand how we are different from other people how are we supposed to appreciate others for their differences?

My mother comes to mind. She and I are very different. We're both extroverted and strong-willed, but lets just say she's the type of person that prepares, plans and is precise. Whereas I am the type of person that procrastinates, is spontaneous and go-with-the-flow. Granted we are not always such extreme opposites, but when we have contrary opinions it generally makes for a mini war. For many years I never knew why we disagreed on so many stupid, little, unimportant things. Then I learned about typology and discovered that more often that not, we are coming to the same conclusions from different perspectives. I learned that I we can see the other's viewpoint we can then compromise or try to relate, or perhaps stand our ground to the death.  But it doesn't have to be a mess of confusion.

It seems that what Paul the Apostle write in Romans 12:3-4 relates to the matter,
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

As I've stated before and will state again, personality stuff isn't the most important thing in the world. It's good to stay open and not let these things dictate your view of others. But if it offers a few helpful hints along the bumpy roads of life, then it's worth giving a chance.

PSH Results

Okay, so I checked all of the comments (some on Facebook and some here on this blog) regarding the photo scavenger hunt. Here are the results:

Points for each team based on the whole list showed that it was practically a three way tie!!! I tallied up all the points and team 1 & 3 both had 13 points and team 2 had 12 points. SO CLOSE!!! 

So I decided to add up the points for each photo since that's how most everyone who'd commented had given their score.

This is who won for each photo:

1. "We broke it!" Team 2!

 2.  A creation in sand. Team 3 won without any competition!



3.  Shadows. Team 1!



 4. Everybody with somebody with a birthday in July. Congratulations team 1, 2 and 3! It was a three way tie!

5. A Bible verse. Team 1!

6. Wedding. Team 3!

7. A song title. Team 1!

What a fun challenge and a fun group of people. Thank you, to everyone who voted!! We all appreciate your help!

A Photo Scavanger Hunt

We've enjoyed a few Photo Scavenger Hunts in the past and so this past weekend we did another! A few new faces, a few new ideas and a whole set of new pictures.
*if you want to see some of the older scavenger hunt pictures check out Sept. 2013 and Oct. 2013*

We split into three teams. Each team had a camera (or a phone camera in the case of team 3) and designated one member to take all of the pictures. I had the privilege of being the photographer for Team Uno, but I'm not sure who the other two photographers where. The goal was to attempt to only take one picture to demonstrate each number on the list. Then we'd judge to see whose picture turned out best in portraying each objective.

It was such a challenge for each team to come up with creative ideas and we agree that everyone did a great job. Which is why....

We need YOUR help to judge the photos! Please leave a comment and let us know which group you thought captured the best shot for each task. Normally I would say that anyone who participated in the hunt cannot vote, but I think this time around we'll open up voting to everyone. I'm trusting that if you participated you'll vote without bias or favoritism.

Each team's photos will always be listed in the same order: Team 1, Team 2, Team 3.... as I'll demonstrate in the first set of pictures:


1. "We broke it!"

Team 1:


Team 2:

Team 3:














2. A creation in sand.




*person in sand is named Sandy*



3. Shadows.


*photographer also made it into this picture*




*the shadows are "<3 br="" love="">
4. Everybody with someone with a birthday in July.


*the sign says "Happy Birthday", and
Patrick the driver turned 16 in July, hence the vehicle*


*Rachel was the July birthday girl and if you didn't notice,
those bodies on the lawn spell "J U L Y"*


*the signs say "Happy"  "Moo" "Day" as the calf was born in July*

5. A Bible verse.


2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,*the bags say "SINS" but it doesn't show up in the photo very well*



Acts 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.


Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6. Wedding.


*a bunch of the adults were awesome enough to join in this photo*






7. A song title.


 The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock


Rescue The Perishing


Give Me Thine Heart


THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR SCAVANGER HUNT!!!
*cast your vote in the comment section below*

Hello, August.

Hello, August.

It's a beautiful morning here on the farm. I'm sipping coffee and listening to the sound of applause coming from bacon on the kitchen stove. As I peak out the window I can see the robust rays of August sun lighting up my bed of zinnias. Zinnias are, without question, the best flower.

My employers gave me the morning off even though I'd already asked for tonight and tomorrow off! A whole two days free of milking, cows and the excitements of the farm life. It's very kind of them! I'll be camping over night with my two friends, Sandy and Jae,and thankfully we're blessed with nice weather. It's more of a domesticated camping trip. We're paying for a plot on a campground a few miles from my home were there will be people and bathrooms and electrical outlets. Not that I mind the conveniences but it just isn't the same as roughing it in the sticks. Maybe we'll try that next year.

Yesterday was my friend Rachel's birthday. A ton of friends came to surprise her at church from various parts of the state. It was a really fun day and it was also nice to make it to church for the first time in weeks.

We haven't been to church since we've been working every weekend to get the dairy ready for inspection. The inspector came on Friday and we now have our grade A license! We aren't shipping our milk yet because we're waiting for the organic certification to go through... and that process was on hold till we had our grade A license. Maybe we'll be ready to rock and roll by the end of the week?!

Leela resting on her mommy.

Yesterday also marks two years since little miss Leela went to heaven to be with Jesus. I can still see her cute, pale cheeks and her wisps of red hair. I can hear her little coos that she'd make when she was glad to have company. I miss her and if I live to be 100 I will see her in 76 years.

Well, it's a beautiful new day that the Lord has made. I need to get ready for camping and maybe get lost smelling flowers outside for a while. ....and the beans need to be picked. Couldn't be a better morning for gardening.

Until next time...

Free... just like this land.