A "Must Read" for Your Husband and Son

Here is a web-log that I would love for all men and boys to read. Inspiring!

Go Here

A Hope Chest Party For a Dear Young Lady

On Saturday, Ashley and I were privileged to attend a Hope Chest Celebration for Bethany. She has turned thirteen, and her parents wanted their friends and family to gather around them as they look toward her future, and thank God for her.

The following is the charge I gave her, as her dear mother translated it into Spanish.










Bethany, it has been my privilege to have know you from your birth. You have been blessed to be the member of a family whose parents have hearts that seek seriously after God. Our family has been blessed to see your Father’s intensity of love for God, and his manly integrity. It has been with much joy that I watched your Mother wisely guide and nurture your heart through your youth. You have a very special place in my heart personally, because of our families love for your family.








Now, you and your friends are gathered here to celebrate a time of life when you begin leaving the days of your youth, and are entering the courts of womanhood. This is thrilling, because you were created for a great purpose! You are the daughter of The King! You must realize that. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, as has been told us very clearly in His word. You must honor your Lord by being his special ambassador in this world and living a life that is worthy of so great a position. Your failure to do this will reveal the unbelief in your own heart.


You must know that we are living in very perilous times. The world has always contained much evil, but as the Day of the Lord approaches, you must be keenly aware of the warfare all of God’s children are engaged in, and not flee from the fight. The culture around you will try to lure you with glossy magazines which instruct simple young women that they can have all they want-and should stop at nothing to get it! They should put aside modesty and true beauty for cheap thrills. Unfortunately, they have never found anything in life that has any lasting worth because they are “simple women laden with sin”. They value the “freedom” to sin. You should value the “freedom” from sin!

You are to be a good faithful solder who does not pass her days in “fun” and frivolous activity. Your purpose for living is not to bring yourself pleasure and satisfaction. Rather, it is to serve your King. This service is for the noble of heart: those who have a cause much larger than their own life, and wish to leave great legacies to future generations. It is for the future great things are done in the present.





Bethany, your parents have been given the special responsibility to guide and protect you. They do not take that lightly. Honor them with your love and obedience as you would one day wish your own children to honor you. Remember the admonition to all of us to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” This principle of honor is what sustains the preservation of a Godly line.












As a woman of God, Your area of service will be in the home. The home is intended to be a much loved haven for the family and a vibrant center of hospitality to friends, neighbors, and strangers. The home is truly where hearts are. It is your realm over which to reign. Your attitude and disposition will greatly influence the people who come under your roof.







You will be responsible to “wash a lot of feet”! Many menial – yet absolutely necessary tasks will be your great privilege to perform for the Kingdom of Christ! Remember, even Jesus Himself was not above serving his own disciples, the very ones who followed his example. It requires much humility and strength of character to impart to the home a service oriented outlook, and a cheerful disposition to add the small details that are the essence of gracious living.



One of the most important parts of your education is to be a well-prepared home maker. Now is the time to learn the skills that will enable you to function as the Proverbs 31 woman. This is a serious undertaking and one not to be undervalued. There is no “job” more important that this one. Not one. The culture around you will look down on the homemaker, considering her unskilled, and unable to make it in the workforce. What they fail to realize is that the homemaker, in order to be highly effective, must be highly skilled in diverse areas of expertise. She has the wonderful freedom to rule her OWN domain, to use high levels of creativity in limitless areas, and to develop skills for the advancement and pleasure of her own household! Furthermore, it is all done with great purpose-the Glory of God and love of her family!






We read in Titus 2 that the young women are to learn to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. It is a woman’s faithfulness in nurturing her home that gives credibility and weight to her testimony and influence to the lost. It is necessary that the work of God in her life be the impetus for her faithfulness in her home –which is her first responsibility- and will in turn, naturally touch the lives of others.






You must also be a great learner. It is a great waste to possess a lazy ignorant mind. Seek to acquire discernment for good reading. You will only learn this by reading quality writing. Develop your mind, as well as your heart with much purposeful exposure to the Bible. It will enlarge your heart for thoughts that are substantial and meaningful. It will impart virtue into your heart if you put it into practice. It will also prepare your heart for Him to come in and fellowship intimately with you.







You will one day be the gentle Mother passing on your own knowledge to your children, so be sure your mind is filled with an abundance of great thoughts. You will make the difference in their lives by inspiring them to great deeds for the glory of God, or deadening their spirits, causing them to follow after lackluster, unimportant pursuits.





The great hope of civilization is in its children. You are not a product of this godless culture, but instead your parents have faithfully taught you the Holy Scriptures and have shown you by their example how to live. Their hope is in you; that you will be faithful to the good work that God began in their lives, is doing in your own life, and will continue to do in the lives of your children yet to be born.








May you build upon the foundation that has been laid in your life and be faithful to raise up the next generation of faithful servants.

Wedding Anniversary

This week, my husband, David, and I celebrated our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary. It seems like yesterday we exchanged our vows and set off on this adventure of life together. He was ~ and still is ~ my knight in shining armour. He takes care of me.
Before we married, my Dad was my protector and he had my heart. I desired a man like him to be companion too. God had it all planned.





We spent today in all the antique shops in this area we could find. What a wonderful day, because we both love the old ways, and all things old.
We found a wonderful place for you to visit (in addition to many other great stops) if you are ever in the area. Visit Bottle Tree Farm
The owners are very nice and have a wonderful collection of old stuff. They specialize in old bottles, and the owner even gave us a little lesson on the old purple bottles you occasionally see.









I hope and pray for many more wonderful years together, until our purpose in this life is completed.

I'm so thankful for a husband who wants me to stay home and keep his home. Thank he considers it his duty and delight to provide for me and the children.

He also desires to be our daughter's protector and provider, and enjoys her laughter and energy as she goes about her tasks at home.


Happy Anniversary, Dear.

A Stroll Through the East Garden

This spring, a lot of work has taken place in this garden. It is located on the east side of the house, and receives partial shade. In this picture, which was taken last month, you see I have a good crop of grass growing! It has since been pulled up by hand and the entire garden is mulched.

Here is a little plant that grows next to the Lentin Rose. It blooms in the autumn, and has not yet been identified. These gardens hold many surprises.



I planted sweet peas at the base of the tower last winter. They are now coming up and smell so nice.


This part of the garden is visible from the kitchen.



I remember the first time we drove into the driveway, nearly two years ago, how my breath was taken away at the possibilities this place offered.

This is an unidentified perenial in the east garden.






Here is another one as it emerged from it's winter retreat.



These seed pods were found on the ground where it had been last winter.



These become . . .


THESE!


Here's what it looks like in full bloom!


Every day I marvel that God has allowed me to live here ~ the home in the country my dear husband and I have dreamed of all our married life.

On Being A Mother

I always wanted to get married and be a Mother. Don't you think most women have that same desire? God created us for that purpose, so of course he put that drive within our hearts. I love this picture of the nest because it pictures so well how it is with women. We are all nest-makers, whether married or not.



It is a blessed privilege to have a family. There is NOTHING as fulfilling as this. There is nothing so exhausting as this, but God gives us just one day at a time and the strength to do the things he wants us to do.


When my older children were much younger, I remember how physically exhausted I was at the end of the day. Mother's of young children need to be strong; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She also needs to be prepared in all areas of home making. The prepared wife and mother is in the best position to be her husbands helper and companion, as well as rear children that seek after God and are noble in character.



Unfortunately, young Christian women of today have not had this focused preparation. Instead they are prepared to be exceptional schoolteachers, capable nurses, and frustrated accountants. And for the most part, they do very well in these occupations. Many of them really WANT to meet the needs of their families but they just do not know how. Some would love to learn, but are not given the opportunity to stay home and do it. They know that there is no such thing as "supermom".
These dear ladies have the admiration of many who consider it a virtuous thing for a woman to have children AND a job. However, this idea is completely contradictory to what we read in scripture. In Proverbs 31 we read that the virtuous woman was very accomplished! AT HOME MAKING! It was her husband that was praised in the gates!
I believe young women are under much pressure to "make something of themselves" because that is what this con fussed culture tells them. It is not a concept that comes from scripture.
Somewhere, early in childhood, the God-given nurturing instinct and nesting desire is discouraged. Little girls are encouraged to be tough; their Mother's don't want them to be too prissy. After all, they have to take care of themselves someday:(



I like this image above, of the older lady, offering a cup of coffee to the mailman on such a cold day! I suppose it doesn't take much skill and formal training to make coffee, but it does require a bit of preparation of the heart to care about someone else. And that is just what being a homemaker is all about. Caring about others ~ the others in your nest. Others who come under your roof.



If you are a young or older woman who finds her heart is turning toward her home, I encourage you to look to the women of the Bible for direction. They were not perfect because they, like us, were frail flesh. However, the Lord can use their example to show us the way He intended for us to live. When I think of how I have failed as a wife, mother, and homemaker, my heart is lifted in praise of His mercy, love, and kindness. His grace is sufficient to do what I can not for my loved ones.

Strawberry Time!

Last weekend, Ashley took us strawberry picking. We had a very nice time in the early morning hours, procuring enough of these luscious fruits to make strawberry jam, as well as strawberry shortcake.



Here I am, having the time of my life!

I found this little doily in a local thrift shop.



Ashley cleaned them all for me when she got home. What a blessing! We brought home four gallons.





I found a receipt for strawberry shortcake in this 1923 cookbook my mother gave me.



Strawberry Shortcake

2 1/4 C flour
4T sugar
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
6 T butter
1 egg
2/3 C milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Cut butter in with spatula or mixing spoon. Beat egg light and add to the milk, the combine the dry ingredients, milk, egg and vanilla.
Knead into a soft dough and roll on floured board to thickness of about 1/2 inch.
Cut in individual shapes larger that for biscuits. Bake in quick oven for about 10 minutes, browning to a delicate brown.
remove from oven and while warm, split each cake and spread a little butter on under half. Have half crushed sugared strawberries ready and spread between the split cakes. On top of cakes spread strawberries after they have been rolled in powdered sugar. On top of strawberries place a generous spoonful of whipped cream with one red berry on top of this.

Hymn For The Lord's Day: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

James Rowe

How sweet and happy seem those days of which I dream,
When memory recalls them now and then!
And with what rapture sweet my weary heart would beat,
If I could hear my mother pray again.

If I could hear my mother pray again,
If I could hear her tender voice as then!
So glad I'd be, 'twould mean so much to me,
If I could hear my mother pray again.




She used to pray that I on Jesus would rely,
And always walk the shining gospel way;

So trusting still His love, I seek that home above,

Where I shall meet my mother some glad day.

Within the old home-place her patient, smiling face
Was always spreading comfort, hope and cheer;
And when she used to sing to her eternal King,
It was the songs the angels loved to hear.

Her work on earth is done, the life-crown has been won,
And she will be as rest with Him above;
And some glad morning she, I know, will welcome me
To that eternal home of peace and love.

If I could hear my mother pray again,
If I could hear her tender voice as then!
So glad I'd be, 'twould mean so much to me,
If I could hear my mother pray again.

Spring Just Keeps Springing!

This has been one of the busiest springs I can remember! It has been a race with the weeds to see who was quicker ~ they, to take over the gardens or me. I think I have won. So far.
All the credit goes to my boys. They can sure get a lot more weeds pulled than me.
One of the flowers I want to show you is the one pictured above. It is growing on a bush and is called "Mock Orange". It is very fragrant, but not as fragrant as the bush my parents had growing beside the old well house back home in Michigan. I tried to bring starts back to the south and get them to grow, but always failed. How delighted I was to find two bushed growing here at out place in the country.


I'm not sure what this is, but it may be called "Widows Tears". If you can identify it, I would love to have you do so for me.


This is Lanium, "Beacon Silver". This acts as a non-invasive ground cover. It just so happens to be in bloom right now, but I think it's great beauty is in it's leaves. The first time I saw it, periwinkle blue pansy's were growing amongst it. Beautiful!


I was surprised to see this bush bloom. I posted pictures of the same bushes in an earlier post, but they were pink. This one is coral. Still have not been able to identify these bushes.


I'm so thankful for all God has done for me. I'm thankful He saved me from all my sins. I'm thankful He gave us His Book to be instructed, rebuked, and edified. I thank Him for allowing me to be married to my dear husband, David; for giving me children-these six children; for wisdom as we rear our nestlings and His blessing our efforts; for his mercy as we have made a lot of mistakes with them, but how faithful He is to bless.