The Lord is my Shepherd, I Shall Not Want

Samaritan's Purse is a ministry we love so dearly. They are a humanitarian aid and relief organization that provide medicine, food, shelter and other desperately needed assistance to people in the U.S. and around the world in the name of Jesus. Many of these people have been living in these dire circumstances for years due to famine, war, and natural disasters. They build and rebuild communities and respond in emergency situations as well.

Operation Christmas Child is just one of the projects they facilitate. We pack shoe boxes filled with necessary items such as toothbrushes, combs, pens, pencils, paper, shoes, clothing, candy and toys, and take them to the local collection center, they are packed into large shipping cartons and driven to processing centers. From the processing centers they are sent to very needy children in hospitals, orphanages, remote villages, slums, prison courtyards, etc., all over the world. Each child receives a gospel book in their own native language, and is invited to participate in a 10-week discipleship course through a local Samaritan's Purse supported church. Upon graduation, they receive a graduation certificate and their very own bible. For most children, this is the only present they have ever received.

Although we have been packing shoe boxes for years, this year our family had the privilege of serving at our local collection site. The children could not wait to go. I have so enjoyed hearing their prayers at night and all the things that are on their little minds. My prayer is that our hearts would yield to the work that Jesus is doing in us. To be completely satisfied in nothing but the love that comes from a relationship with Him. To be completely grateful for the grace that He gives beyond measure. And to be cheerful givers of the abundance He provides.

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Psalm 23
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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I Cannot See!

There is always that temptation in my life (of which I find myself taking quite often) to figure things out, to make things happen in my timing, in my way, or to my benefit;

"This is how I see things, and this makes perfect sense to me."

But God says in Isaiah 55:8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says Jehovah.

I want to look ahead down the road and see. I want to have control.
God is lately challenging this area of my heart again. There have been many circumstances over the years, especially in pain or discomfort, that He has allowed me to choose to trust Him or not.

I want to trust Him when I can see where He is taking me, and what will happen along the way.
He wants me to trust Him when I cannot see.
This is faith.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jesus is our eyes.

2Co 5:7 states "for we walk by faith, not by sight".

For we walk by faith, and not by sight. Faith is a grace which answers many useful purposes; it is the eye of the soul, by which it looks to Christ for righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation; the hand by which it receives him, and the foot by which it goes to him, and walks in him as it has received him; which denotes not a single act of faith, but a continued course of believing; and is expressive, not of a weak, but of a strong steady faith of glory and happiness, and of interest in it: and it is opposed to "sight": . . . . .it is but seeing as through a glass darkly; it is not that full sight, face to face, which will be had hereafter, when faith is turned into vision.

The rest and peace of heart that comes from trusting in Jesus.

Heb 4:9-11 So then there remains a rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.

Lastly,
Isa 43:1-3 But now so says Jehovah who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle on you.
For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

I love being blind.

Nothing Without You

Take these hands and lift them up

For I have not the strength to praise You near enough

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

Take my voice and pour it out

Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs

Is all Your love to cover me

So all the world will see

That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up

May it be broken as an offering of love

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs

Is all Your love to cover me

So all the world will see

That I have nothing

But I love You

With all my heart

With all my soul

With all my mind

With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth

And let it glorify all that You are worth

For I am nothing,

I am nothing without You

Some of My Favorite People

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ECLECTIC CULTURE FARM, now MAPLE VALLEY OFF-GRID FARM

I have been following this blog for over a year now. A true inspiration and a joy. A courageous God loving family who moved their 5 children to an off-grid 40 acre Amish farm. I have learned so much. At times I wished I could show up on their doorstep and be God's hands for them in their trials. They have fought through 1 Year with laughter and tears, and are celebrating! You can follow them at:

Living off-grid at Maple Valley Farm

An ever growing love of life, farm, earth, Jesus and learning...

http://eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com/

My favorite post is Thursday April 16, 2009 when she challenges the goat to see who will have their baby first! I also love the ice cutting with the team of horses. If I never make it to their neck of the woods, I look forward to meeting them in heaven.

I hope you are inspired as much as I am:

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"Do not part with your dreams or aspirations

for when they are gone

you will still exist,

but you have ceased to live."

-Henry David Thoreau

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My Tank is Full

I awoke yesturday morning to a beautiful blonde 8 year old smiling, fully dressed, leaning over me on my bed.

"We are going to the pumpkin patch" she whispers.

Looking towards the clock I see Starbucks on my nightstand.

"He stayed home today."

Knowing my husband, he NEVER stays home. He could be on his death bed and he will still get up and go to work.

Upon going downstairs I see my sweetie cooking breakfast.

"It's my Birthday!!!" I sing, and he begins to dance.


All the children have made me hand written sweet cards all rolled up like a scroll, tied with my special craft string and little flowers from the yard. Jumping around,excited for me to open them.

We all enjoy potato pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs with pepperjack cheese.

A brand new french press is waiting on the counter and it is tshirt weather. YES!

We then drive to Country Mercantile and spend the day browsing the market store, wandering through the corn maze, admiring pumpkins, climbing the hay bale pyramid and eating a fabulous lunch in the cafe.

In no hurry. Nowhere else to go. Lots of other things to do.
But not today.

Who doesn't love ice cream?

Giving Good Things

Quite often people ask me what curriculum I use for homeschooling. Each year has been different, since my children are young I have been making an effort to research and try different types in order to find the best fit for our family.

In the past I have used My Father's World http://www.mfwbooks.com/ and http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/ . I love http://www.amblesideonline.com/ , it is free and is a very thorough resource, as is http://www.simplycharlottemason.com/ . Both follow the modern philosophy of the famous educator Charlotte Mason.

Currently I am teaching through Beautiful Feet Books http://www.bfbooks.com/ . And so far I am loving it!! We are studying Early American History, keeping a thorough notebook with their best work on all we learn, and I am able to teach all the oldest kids together.

For spelling and penmanship/copywork we went with http://www.queenhomeschool.com/ and the boys also have some fun Brainquest books, boggle spelling games, and flash cards.

For Grace who is in the 2nd grade we are using Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons which was orginally printed in 1911 and reprinted by Lost Classics book company.

For geographyand science, we are mostly just incorporating that in our History studies, but I found this fund book A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp http://www.achildsgeography.com/ based on Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world..." The book in it's own words says:

"Knowledge without love is an empty, heartbreaking gong. It would be a very sad state if our young geographers knew much of His world... but had hearts that were indifferent ...What are we without love?...We are called to be Christ's hands and heart to a hurting world."

For Math, I have not made my final selection. Grace is finishing some concepts from last year. We have had fun with the Cuisenaire Rods and Pattern Blocks with books through Learning Resources. These help with problem solving and logic, spatial relationships, counting, etc with a hands on approach.

We will be studying a famous composer, a famous artist, and a well known hymn, hopefully once per month. All of which can be derived from ambleside online or simply charlotte mason schedule on their websites.

With all that being said, I would like to emphasize;

1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This is the greatest gift you can ever give to your children.

"Welcome Autumn"

When the weather begins to change, I can feel myself smile inside.
I absolutely love fall.

I have been pouring over recipes for the "comfort food" that I love this time of year. Heidi Swanson has a fabulous vegan blog http://www.101cookbooks.com/ . She is a wealth of information on cooking with natural foods, how to build a whole foods pantry, she has great photography (which I appreciate), and she highlights many good cookbooks and chefs as well.

Tonight I made her Rustic Potato Chowder; and everyone loved the Spinach and Zucchini Soup (including the kids).

I think I'm needing to make some good rustic bread, pull out my sweaters from spring, and make sure my camera is ready to capture this season with my loved ones.

These days will never come again.

A Few Black and Whites...I Just Couldn't Resist

I Love This Little Man

On My Heart Today

I thought I would share a verse with you that the LORD has been bringing to my heart and mind lately....

Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Although most of the book of Psalms was written by David, there are some that were not. This song in particular was written by Moses, an amazing man of God. The psalm brings great perspective and humility of heart.

I will be pausing here at Psalm 90 for a few days.....