Getting there

It has been a long time , and I have come a long way! I am not the same person I was when I started this blog ! I have learned so many things, if you want to be happy and appreciate what you have, you need to help others , so many people have worse issues than you. We all need to pay attention to what we put in our bodies and remember where our food comes from. Anyone can make a change to reach a dream.. you just have to work hard , pray a lot and be patience and realize it does not happen over night. I think I am more content and happy then I have been in along time! I have good friends I can count on , I am actively helping others and I have come along way in my goal to self-sufficiency We make our own bread , have chickens for eggs and meat, grow our own veggies and herbs. We have all sorts of fruit growing, and will have our first goats soon! Then when they are older we will have milk to drink make cheese, soap and other goodies! We are working on making our own strawberry wine and mead , and our own cleaning supplies and stuff. It feels good not to be so dependent on grocery stores and large companies who puts whatever in their products! .
 I work with a group called Scarf It up that helps others in need in a wide variety of ways! It feels really good to make a difference and to see how God uses others to meet a need! We will be having a cookout for the homeless the last weekend this month , with food music and a lot of fun! We also had a craft auction to raise money for bus tickets for them. We are raising funds to buy blankets for the CARE Clinic too. So many activities and I love it! You should check out our facebook page ..  Scarf it up
   Today try to make a difference to someone else , and think about what dreams you have that you thought you would never reach.. set a goal..try again...til next time

Christmas Spirit

Wow! I haven't done this in awhile,but here it goes..lol.. It is surprising how time and age can change a person.God has blessed me with some truly compassionate loving people at this place in my life.  So many years I have gone through life, worrying about getting by, or judging others and their motives, wishing for a better house,more money,or things. I have wondered "why me?" or "why not me?" I have lived with jealous over what others have, anger over others different viewpoints, and overall dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Now?..I see things so much differently,the injustice saddens me, the incorrect judgement of others, the holier than thou attitudes..but you know what?.. that was me!! Now , I just want to help others, to make others lives just a little bit better,a little easier,..who am I to whine over not having money to go , say see a movie, or get a new outfit, when there are those who do not have the money for a coat to keep out the cold, or food to take away the hunger pains, or for a shelter to get out of the rain or snow. How selfish is it of me to witch about my long hours at work, or the stain on the carpet ,when there are those who haven't got a job, or a change of clothes.

Proverbs 22: 2 says" Rich and poor have this in common The Lord is the Maker of them all." Do we forget that? What makes us feel like some are made better than others, more deserving then others? We are told to take care of the poor , the fatherless, the widows, so why do we make excuses? Have you ever gone to another door in a store to avoid the bell ringer or  changed the side of the street when we see a homeless man wandering down the sidewalk? What would it hurt to throw in a little money, give a homeless man a coat and a hot meal, in this generation of me first attitudes , we need to reconsider! If you want to appreciate what you have , and what you circumstances are , volunteer, help feed the homeless, hand out coats and gloves, pick an angel off the angel tree.. there are so many hurting, lonely, needy folks in this world.. show some compassion!

 People say, there is too much of the hurting and the  poor , there is nothing I  can do to make a difference to them all , and you know what they would be right, but you CAN make a difference to some of them! You feed one who is hungry, clothe one who is naked,show love to someone who feels unloved, then you ARE making a difference in THAT individuals life! 

Christmas is so commercialized, it is all about what we get , what we have to buy , do we have enough money for the decorations, the food, the gifts, but that is not what it is about! Why not try to help someone who needs it this year? Why not start a new tradition, be a secret Santa, or gather coats you do not need and give to those who are cold, give food to the food pantry so those who have to chose between paying the rent or electric bill or groceries, will have a meal on the table for their family this Christmas! Don't broadcast it, do it quietly, anonymously .. I can promise you, it will give you more of the Christmas spirit than all the baking, shopping and opening presents combined.Next time you feel like , I need a new outfit, or why cant I have a bigger, house , or nicer car.. think of those who do not have at all.. The rich are not those who own more.. they are those who love more! Just some thought on my mind lately...

Fathers Day

Today is a special day, its Fathers Day! I was very blessed to have an awesome Dad who taught me a lot of things.He was a very hard working blue collar worker, who put in a lot of hours to support his family. He has taught me the importance of  being a reliable, honest, hardworking person.He has strong beliefs and stands by them solidly. His faith is something that is unshakable, and I have learned through him that God is always there and will always provide if you only have faith and follow Him.. I have always been able to talk to my father,  and I still go to him today if I need advice or encouragement. He has never beat around the bush and you never ask him what he thinks if you really do not want to know! He gave me his love for camping , and I have some fond memories of those days when we all went. I am blessed to have him as such a great example to my sons Ric and Ryan. It has not been until I have gotten older that I have realized how blessed my sisters and I are to have him for a dad. Growing up I took him for granted , all fathers were the same, providers for their family,stern disciplinarians, and a great listener, but now I know that is not true. It is a shame some dads are not there for their children , some dads love seem almost conditional, and that's a shame. We need more good examples for our boys! I see friends and my children's  friends who do not have good relationships with their fathers. My heart breaks for them. I pray they have a man in their lives  for a  father figure who is stable and will give them the guidance, support,encouragement and the love they need!So, to my Dad, thank you for everything, I love and respect you so much!! You are an awesome person! To all the men out there who are fathers, or a father figure to someone.. Happy Fathers Day!!

Helping Others

Yesterday, I helped out at the Salvation Army in Fayetteville. A group of awesome folks I work with sometimes ,went down and served supper to over 100 people! We had a raffle of items and gave out items as sunscreen,sunglasses,sleep mats, and other stuff. It was a great time , and they were so thankful for everything!Once a month or so we prepare and serve a meal, as well as gather useful items to give them. It is something I really look forward to.This has gotten me to wondering how many homeless people we have here in Moore Co? I have looked and cannot find any numbers. I know there are people living in cars and out in the elements, I just am not sure how many! When I became aware there were young teenagers and such, out on the streets because of family issues or bad decisions it really upsets me. When you are that age you choose a path, if you are homeless and hopeless lots of times its not a good or safe or healthy path. This is the time they need hope and to realize someone cares, that mistakes can be learned from and that a bright future is possible. The worse thing is giving up, on yourself and life in general!I want to find a way to help them! To give them a hot meal or a blanket or warm dry clothes! I want to give them HOPE!! If they see someone cares, and believes in them maybe it will turn someone around. The Bible tells us we are to go out and show Gods love to others. That means all others, not just our family and friends.If it takes us out of our comfort zone ,then GOOD! We need that sometimes.Scarf it up is an awesome group of people, started by a couple of amazing loving women who do this every month in Fayetteville every month, they inspire me, and amaze me! I am not sure how to do this , or if I can do this, but with the help of a very good friend who is brilliant on things like this, I think I am going to try!The question I have is who is with me? who is willing to help provide that meal, or blanket or clothes? Who will give a couple of hours a month to help?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scarf-it-Up/272782342752074?fref=ts

New directions

 Well only 2 more days to work this week, then a long week end! I am looking forward  to it! I plan on working on my future plans  for around here.. and maybe some baking! I really enjoy trying new recipes or throwing together something  to see how it turns out. Tonight I took ground beef, onions, peppers,garlic, fire roasted tomatoes, spices, strips of tortillas,black beans and cheese in a cast iron skillet.. it turned out pretty good! 
 Ric's last night at his third shift job is tonight, and I am soooooo glad! He starts his new job on Thursday, which is his birthday! He's very excited, I on the other hand am a little nervous, I  don't like the idea of him climbing those high cell phone towers!This opportunity came to him after a lot of prayer on a new job, so I will just trust this is the direction he is suppose to take! I know he will enjoy the travel and new experiences!
Well our bantam hens have had 10 baby chicks! Half of the chicks are black and the other are yellow! They are so cute, but now we have way to many chickens! So we either have to build a new coop for the bantams or find  homes for some of them..anyone want bantam chickens?..lol Their eggs are a lot smaller but just as good as the bigger chickens! .
I have had on my heart lately that we need to get involved back with a church. We have tried a few, but then we just don't seem to have that gut feeling its the right one..so we are going to start actively finding a church home.. I am truly excited about  the journey and where God leads us! I miss the fellowship of a church, the activities that draw you closer together, the thought provoking sermons and the closeness of a church family! 
Well Ric has gone out to check on his bees, and Catie and I are headed out to feed the chickens,gather eggs and pick some lettuce for a yummy salad! Have a great night!

Renewing self

I read a devotion this morning on complicating our lives, it got me to thinking about the way most of us do things. It seems to me we feel like we have to fill our time with doing stuff. Most of our free time is chocked full of stuff, going places, running errands, catching up on our to do list..What ever happened to the simply life? Focusing on God, and not trying to do everything? Do you remember when Sundays really were a day of rest? When you went to church, had lunch, then relaxed on the front porch swing, or visited with family and friends, maybe tossed a football around or took a walk? It renewed us, prepared us for the busy week ahead. Now, sometimes when I go back to work after a couple days off I don't feel renewed at all.Its not like I rested at all, I get so caught up in getting everything done that I do not relax , and I get frustrated at what I didn't accomplish!So my goal is to get back to simple! To focus on God, to have that day of rest, and let everything else fall into place!Why don't you join me?

Good Morning!

Good Morning!One of our Bantams had baby chicks yesterday! They are so cute! We have 6, 4 black and 2 yellow!Not only that but we have 2 more setting on eggs, so we may have a lot of baby chicks...anyone want some chickens?..lol They bees are doing great,Ric is still feeding them sugar water until they get more established and use to the area. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, so far anyway!We will see how it goes when he stops with the sugar water. 

I am going to sit with my friend in the hospital today and overnight tonight! I am glad she is doing better and I am excited to see her. God is good! She is slowly on the mend, The doctor said she was lucky to be alive, but I know its n
ot luck, its the Lord looking after her!Its funny, I do a devotion every morning to start my day, and it still amazes me how God speaks to me through it! So many times I have a situation in my life, and the next day my devotion addresses that exact topic! Yesterday I was worrying about several things going on in my life,from my friend in the hospital, to things going on in my family, to how I was handling these situations in my life. Then my devotion this am was on stop worrying!It pointed out when you realize you cannot fix every situation, it should make you calmer, and when you realize God CAN fix every situation it should           ` cheer you up! So start off today with the advice of Joyce Meyers..".Calm down and Cheer up!" Let God handle it,just don't forget to pray about it! Have a great day!