Please Give me Patience...NOW!

The Beauty above is a "Mountain Laurel". - From Pennsylvania.

Why is it so hard to be patient? I try and try not to think about this property we want, yet, I am failing miserably. I have the house cleaned, our furniture moved in, gardens planted, cows in the pasture waiting to be milked, chickens in hunt for dinner, and a pot roast in the oven, clothes on the line, .....Oh yeah, we haven't even put in a offer yet. One small technicality. :)

I don't know if it'll work out but we are praying the Lord's will...I feel we are in line with what He'd want, but then again I don't know what He has in store...we'll see.

I think I have moving fever...or "self-sufficiency" fever, or maybe it'd just be nice to be out in the country to let Bekah and whoever else is at our place run free to explore with out the threat of getting in the road, or walking off with a stranger.

I want a cow to make our own dairy products...or at least alot of them, and the milk! Agh....raw milk, free of unnatural ingredients and things that have adverse effects on our bodies...
Chickens. I would love to have our own chickens...well at least for the eggs and natural pest control. I am really not keen on the idea of butchering....That's one chore I really think I've done my share of. Although, knock on wood...I also thought I'd never find myself antsy to move out to the country!!! Eeks.

Well, on to chores that acutally need to be done, rather than anxiously awaiting the decision on getting our acreage...of which I can do nothing about at this time...

Agh....the Simple Life...

Our family recently returned from a reunion on my husband's side in Pennsylvania. I've been very blessed to have married into such a great family and don't take it for granted at all. But, (as I give a wistful sigh at missing them) I have another thought to write on... The Amish.

The first few pictures are some I took in Pennsylvania as we rode a steam train. The First 3 pictures are special to me because... The reason's number corresponds with the picture.
#1 The fathers and sons were home with their families. Although working as they must, they are really following the Biblical mandate for the Man to be the ultimate providers.

#2 The Women are home, tending to their family's needs as well, not to others' purposes, families, and rules. To their own husbands and families is their duty. Another Biblical mandate.

#3 I loved their pulley system of drying their clothes. It's a great way to maximize the space you have for hanging out laundry. It's so refreshing to see your handiwork. Unfortunately I'm not there yet, but this is one of my goals. Start hanging our laundry out and keeping abit more of our income to ourselves! ~Not to mention I agree with the idea that sometimes it's the chores that we take the time to do, that gives us that few minutes of peace from crying kids, or anything else that challenges our sanity as mothers.

The other two pictures are self-explanitory. Bekah in a Betsy Ross hat we purchased at Christ's Church in Philedelphia, and our little family. We had hiked with Chris' step-sis and her little family to this waterfall.

~It was so much fun seeing the way the Amish & Mennonites lived and even getting the rare chance to spend 2 hours at a Mennonite Family's home. Asking questions and learning about them. Their family and church practices as well. I joke now that the only thing I forgot to ask is how to convert!

Chris and I were so smitten with their lifestyle and close family ties, that we are trying to purchase an acreage in attempt to try our hand at "being Mennonite". Hmmmm.......

Large tasks for little hands

I'm trying to incorporate Bekah into more of my tasks that I know she can do. Some of them include dusting (even the breakables as long as they are in easy reach and not too heavy), folding clothes (washclothes, and all her clothes), sweeping the kitchen with her childsize broom, and picking and washing spinach for supper. Of course there are other tasks she does like setting the table and wiping up spills etc. but this one of late (pictured above) has been such a help to me and so much fun to her.

How many times do I take on too much and then it results in my getting frusterated because she gets under foot and I feel like I'd go faster if she'd just go in the other room while I finish all my tasks. Which in reality isn't desirable because she's not learning, I'm not teaching, and there's usually stuff left undone.

I'm working on my patience with her and realizing each day that she'd rather wash spinach with me then play with her dollhouse. Not only is she doing a "big girl's job", she's getting attention from me whom she idolizes, as do all children this age. Of course I may correct her on a technique and it may not be all fun, but this is one step in teaching her the responsibilites of being an adult.

I want Bekah to learn the responsibilities and joys of being an adult, a wife and a mother, and the only way I can do that is to have her at my side....most of the time. As long as I continue to see this as my purpose and goal my patience will grow, along with her desire to fulfill the role that God (Lord Willing) has for her as well.

We as moms (since we are to be the primary caregivers) have a duty to raise our children yes, for the Lord, but also to set examples for our children to be content and industrious within our roles God has created for us, as wives and mothers; husbands and fathers.

Whether they go to school, or are homeschooled, it doesn't negate our responsibility from teaching them the way of the Lord if we are Christians. I am striving to do this with Bekah. Many days I fall short of what I had in mind, but through the grace of God, I hope to show her how to be content and find fulfillment by following Jesus' teachings on how to be as a woman, wife and mother if the Lord allows her to be. To see her do this and find her place in Him, would be the utmost joy I could hope for.

So, on to the next task....

Inexpensive Book swapping from around the U.S.

This is really going to be short, but here is a great way to get rid of your books and get books that you would like to read.

I've used this a number of times and have really been pleased. The first step is to register and then post 10 books of your own you'd like to share with others (all you have to do to post is type in the ISBN). I believe you get a couple free books (choosing from the huge list of books others have posted) right away for signing up. Each time a person selects a book of yours, you must send it to them. You will gain a credit (for a free book) once they receive the book. It's very simple and fun. It does cost for the media mail postage which is about $2.23 and time wrapping it and mailing it. However, when you select a book you don't have to pay anything and get it quickly. You also get credits for signing people up. So, if you take a look at the website and decide to join, mention my name? There are thousands of books because it's an assortment of people's books they are ready to unload.

I really enjoy it, because I've gotten books that I wouldn't have taken the time to go to the store for, much less buy at the retail price, since I'm on a tight budget and books are a luxury. I do use my public library, however there are some books that I desire to keep and this is a great way to to go with the recycling trend!

Another great feature of the www.paperbackswap.com is that you can make a wishlist and as people post the books you're wishing for, you'll be notified via email that they are available. It's great!

Green Slime & Sticky Minds....V.B.S.

Well, tonight marks the middle of the week for VBS at our church. I am over the K-6th grade crafts and loving it. As much as I really enjoy crafts and being with the kids, I'll be ready for it to come to a close.

A few of my thoughts from this week have been:

1. I can not keep my house under control while my mind, energy, and time is being used to prepare and carry out tasks outside of my home. My laundry pile is high, dishes too, and the house is in need of major TLC....after just 3 days! Eeks.

2. While I have had a blast getting my hands dirty and interacting with the children, I have been watching to see (and conversing with Bekah, too) how much they seem to be retaining from their lessons and activities at VBS. I am constantly amazed at (even Bekah's 3-1/2 yr. old mind) the children's attentiveness to the stories and songs they learn. So many times adults seem to think children don't pay attention or comprehend, but how wrong that is. Even the preschoolers are listening and putting in their hearts what they see and hear.

The kids today had to fill out a poster (basically a story about their experience so far, favorites Bible story, verse, song etc. ) for our parents' night. I was so proud to see that even the more difficult kids that seem to care less, had listened to what was being taught. They recited verses, and drew pictures regarding the lessons, and even a couple of the youngest....more difficult :) ones, were explaining the whole Gospel message. WOW! It was a blessing today. Although I'm physically tired, and have alot of catching up to do, it's been a real blessing watching the children soak up truths that will stay in their hearts forever....whether they choose to follow Christ sooner or later, those principles and truths will be there waiting to be called upon.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide them in my heart that I may not sin against thee. - Psalms

One thing that Chris and I have decided for Bekah and other children to come, Lord Willing, is that she will sit in church with us. Period. Until she was 3 and was too old for nursery, I battled with taking advantage of the break I could receive if she wasn't with me. Once she turned 3 that wasn't an option anymore and now she's with us in church during singing and the sermon. Our has no Children's church.

We have dealt with tantrums and talking and still have to remind her occasionally to be good or we'll have to head to the bathroom to discipline her, but it's been so rewarding having her in church. Here are a few reasons:

1. She's learning the songs....we sing them close to her ear so she can hear them since she doesn't read yet and she sings with us. Her favorite song right now is Come To Jesus.

2. She sees us and others worshipping and singing to Jesus and follows suit. No, she doesn't understand the meaning, but she should be comfortable in the enviroment and be familiar with worshipping over playing.

3. She loves greeting time. I enjoy this because she isn't afraid to say Hello and shake people's hands. Old or Young there is no difference. I want her to respect the old and enjoy the young. The elderly people deserve young people to respect them, and be kind and we are teaching this at an early age so that it's second nature.

4. She carries her purse with all her stuff, including her coin purse and gets so excited to put some of her money in the offering. We will eventually teach her why and how much and the details, but for now, she's not stingy and loves to give for the offering.

5. She loves our Pastor. I'm not sure why she's attached to him as much as she is, but she loves him. She will color, but all the while her ears are tuned to what is being said. She comments on the sermons, and has even asked me questions as to why something was said or what did he mean. I usually have no clue she's paying attention until she pipes up and asks or asks after church.

Church isn't a break day for parents to get away from their kids, but is another excellent opportunity to teach them about the God, respect for Him and for the Church building, and people of all ages and walks of life.

I'm guilty of just using it as a babysitter, but as Bekah has grown, at 3-1/2, I see how much she understands, absorbs, and retains and see it's much better to use it as a teaching opportunity and save the break from parenting for when I can leave her with a relative and go to town.

Later I'll add a picture and recipe of the slime we made in VBS! It was soooooo cool!!!!