Prairie Oak Homestead

I'm remembering today my step-dad that was killed 3 yrs ago. It was a tragic work accident and you never believe it's going to happen to your family.... I'm remembering my husband's dad who died 5 yrs ago...no one thought he would die of cancer at age 50. I'm remembering all the soldiers who fought for our freedom and lost their lives...their family never thought they'd be the one... And I'm remembering Christ who gave His life for me and is there to comfort me in the remembering...

America is the land of wealth, plentitude and prosperity. We have been blessed by our forefathers who have sacrificed and lived out godly lives before us for they had paved the way. Today we have our big homes, multiple automobiles, cushy furniture, entertainment galore at our fingertips----what does this make a Christian? We are too comfortable. Sinfully comfortable. In the legendary classic The Foxes Book of Martyrs, Christians gave their lives on behalf of the cross. They were thrown alive into boiling oil--they were bound in bags of scorpions and poisonous snakes and thrown into the sea. There were people who's stomach were cut open and corn was thrown onto their intestines and while they were still alive pigs would eat the corn right out of their bodies. And we have trouble just calling a Christian friend and encouraging them. We have trouble even remembering to pray for someone let alone reaching our lost neighbor for Christ. (How many times have people come

I got my results back from checking to make sure the cancer hasn't come back in my cervix (sorry to any male readers *blush*) and it was clear! I'm so happy about that. It seems my endometriosis is acting up due to hormone fluctuations and I just need to get that straightened out. I can do that herbally. :) Now that I'm not taking the small dose of chemo anymore, my risk for cancer again should be very low. :) I'm feeling particularly well from not taking it anymore. As many of you know after praying about it and talking with my husband, we decided to let my neuromuscular disease take it's natural progression. It's been a wonderful decision so far. :) I pray God continues to give me strength to do the things that need to be done around here and to have strength to spend time with friends. :) The specific areas of weakness that I need prayer for are for my swallowing and for my heart muscle. The other areas of usual weakness have been behaving quite wel

Sometimes life can throw you a curve ball. We cannot forget God's sovereignty through it all. His hand divinely orchestrates all things for good and for His glory. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is believing His word and trusting Him for the outcome. I sat, one time, under a wonderful Titus 2 woman (Mrs. Norma Whitcomb) as she was teaching about the canvas of life. She said in a beautiful piece of artwork there are bright colors which represent all good things that have happened in a life and there are dark colors which represent the opposite. She said the a beautiful piece of work needs both. See, the dark colors make the bright colors stand out and look more beautiful. Both is need to complete the picture--like the one above. I know the Lord is not done with my canvas. I know He is making it beautiful in its time. He wants me to know the true meaning of His words: "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want." and this powerful verse: "For I

Have you ever asked God why you have to remember certain things? I do...why do I have to remember the painful things? My brother has moved back to town after living several years in North Carolina. The last time I saw him was soon after my dad was killed three yrs ago...of course memories were stirred. I was reminded that I don't have a dad, at least not a full fledged one. I have one that wants to be...which is something else in my memory. I will say that God sure does direct our paths. My mom wanted to take us out to lunch today and do you know where she picks? Perkins. The restaurant no one really eats at anymore because the service is terrible EXCEPT for one employee there. My "dad's" son. And guess what...he was working. He got to meet my brother and the question "how do you know each other" came up. I think I looked like a deer in the headlights, so graciously, he answered for us. He told them that we met through his mom and dad and at chu

Do you listen? Can you recognize His voice? I find that God speaks to me when things are quiet. When my mind is still and my heart is open. I wake up about 6:30 every day and I have the morning to myself. I love it. I can sit outside in the coolness of the morning and watch the Earth move with creatures and the breeze that sways the trees. It's quite wonderful. During these times I pray and ponder on things. This morning I was pondering about being overwhelmed and disappointed in myself that I didn't get to the laundry yesterday and Ryan was scrambling around to find things. (I hadn't gotten things put away) It bothers me when I am not fulfilling my duties as a wife and helpmeet due to being overwhelmed with "other things" (Hence yesterdays post on being too busy) During that ponder, God said to me..."When life throws you out of the saddle, dust yourself off and get back on the horse." I kinda chuckled because I can just picture this. :) The

As many of you know, I'm a homebody. I love to be home baking, sewing, cleaning (mostly), schooling, sitting outside and enjoying God's creation, playing my fiddle, etc. Lately, this has not been the case. My weeks have gotten away from me. I used to drive into town just about two times a week. It's been all five days as of late. :( I am not home enough it seems to do the things my heart desires. So I've decided to take some things off my plate. Hallelujah. :) I am not the best organizer and I'm trying to work out my week when I have to go to town. My heart is in my home and I want my body to be there more. ;) So, I think I have it worked out to make that happen. I'm much more comfortable being home then running around in town doing errands, etc. Looking forward to rest and less stress. So thankful for the things God has given me and thankful for a husband who has noticed the stress of running and has helped me reorganize things. :) Happy trails to

It seems I have been struggling a bit lately with modesty of speech. I know that modesty is not just what you wear (although I am modest in my attire), but it is also of speech and attitude. Sometimes when I open my mouth lately, something inappropriate or bold or harsh comes out. This is NOT my desire! I want my speech to reflect Christ just as my clothes do. I'm just in a bit of a slump in this area. I have really been praying about this. I don't want to lose my personality, but at the same time I don't want to offend God. I know there is a balance. :) God reminded me today that I'm not quite there yet with this area of my life, so I will continue to work on it. :) This post helped me. :) I'm also struggling today with the desire to hug my dad tight and tell him I love him. I do it so many times in my dreams. He is a good man and praying someday I will again be able to do that. He is an important part of my life and I'm trying to be content with t

It was pretty hot this weekend and despite the humidity, I loved it! :) My only disappointment was not getting some skirts done. I'm running out of cool summer skirts. *shrug* Maybe I'll find time this week...or maybe I'll MAKE time this week. ;) It's gonna be hot this week, too, so maybe that will motivate me to find the time. Had an interesting day yesterday...I've been working through some things with God about my dad. I keep asking Him if some things are just not meant to be or if they are that they can be hindered by others. Of course the answer to both of those was yes. But, He keeps giving me bits here and there of not letting go just yet and to keep giving it some time. So I shall. :) Believe me, I want to because if someday the freedom of love is there, it will be worth it. :) I keep having dreams of my dad praying over his wife outside our house and then them coming inside to talk to us. (Don't ask me, I just dream it. I don't always under

HOME DESTROYERS Part 3 Proverbs 14:3, "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride." Today we talk about the third tool that can pull down our home. 3. PRIDE Proverbs 15:25 , "The Lord will destroy the house of the proud." God hates pride. It is always destructive. Yet how easily we succumb to this sin. Sometimes women feel ashamed if their house is poorer than their friends' homes. They want to keep up with the Joneses. They want their children to wear designer clothes. They want them to go to the best schools and best colleges. They want them to have degrees after their names. How are they going to do this? Maybe they will be lured into the workforce to gain these aspirations. But the root of it all is pride. Instead of bringing blessing, it weakens home life. Children can enjoy a richer life and receive more blessings by having a contented mother in the home than wearing designer clothes and liv

It's gonna be warm today! :) It's gonna be HOT tomorrow! (93) :) I like it warm, but I don't like it muggy too much. It will be muggy...but, I am thankful anyway. :) I will be able to get some yard work done today and plant some more flowers that I haven't been able to get to. I just love flowers...not really a fancy flower person, but I love wild flowers. :) They make me smile. :) We finally have our mower back and will be able to mow our yard today. :) It will be warm, but at least the yard will look nice again. I pray everyone has a wonderful day!

HOME DESTROYERS Jeremiah 4:22 RSV, " For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are stupid children, they have no understanding." Today we continue talking about things that destroy the home. 2. FOOLISHNESS Proverbs 14:1, " Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands." What does it mean to be foolish? Simply, it means to do it my way rather than God's way. God's way, although different to my way always ends in blessing. My way, although it may look good, always ends in destruction. If we are not building our home, we are pulling it down. How do we pull it down? We pull it down by vacating the home . God wants the mother in the home--nurturing, nourishing and training her children. We can't do everything successfully. We either build up a business (usually someone else's business) or we build up our home. God has given us a full time job

HOME DESTROYERS Part 1 "Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." -1 Timothy 6:8 Reading through Proverbs recently I noticed that it mentions five things that destroy the home. I prefer not to write about negative things, but, on the other hand, we can't wipe any of God's Word under the mat. And God's negatives always turn to positives. When we read His warning signs which mean, ROAD BLOCK, WRONG WAY-GO BACK or DEAD END we know that it is not the road to take, even though it looks beautiful and such an easy road. We must swerve back on the road God has planned for us from the beginning of time. God has never changed his plans. His ways are still the only ones that work effectively. Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Let's look at some of these WR

In my quest for meekness I came across this writing: "The meek man is like a ship that rides at anchor, movetur, sed non amovetur --"is moved, but not removed" The storm moves it (the meek man is not a stock or stone under provocation), but does not remove it from its port. It is a grace that in reference to the temptations of affront and injury quenches the fiery darts of the wicked (as faith in reference to temptation in general). It is armor of proof against the spiteful and envenomed arrows of provocation, and is an impregnable wall to secure the peace of the soul there, where "thief cannot break through and steal," while the angry man lays all his comforts at the mercy of every wasp that will strike him. ----Matthew Henry There is nothing more beautiful to witness than a meek spirit. Meekness and gentleness stands out in a world today that rewards pride and ostentatiousness. Women are no longer gentle and quiet but instead are loud, rude and

Life has its highs and lows---unexpected change can come, death, a move, financial issues, marital problems. If we are not careful to think biblically, something dangerous can set in. It is called bitterness. Here are some of the signs: Common Signs of Bitterness : 1. Gossip and Slander 2. Ungrateful and Complaining 3. Judges Motives 4. Self-centered 5. Excessive Sorrow 6. Vengeful 7. Brooding 8. Loss of Joy 9. A Critical, Judgmental Attitude Entertaining bitterness can result in a woman who acts out and yells at her husband & children, pouts to get attention, name-calls, criticizes, manipulates by crying (or silence) to get her way, and acts no less like a child who is throwing a tantrum. Only now, the scary thing is...she is a full blown adult! It truly defiles her family and herself. (Heb 12:15) Are you that woman? It is so easy to take our eyes off Jesus. Like Peter who began to sink in the water as he took his eyes off Jesus--we are no different. We simply

I'm so glad we serve a God who comforts His children in times of well, all the time. I have been burdened a bit lately with frankly being discontent and envious. I have been discontent with what I have and need to be content with what I do have. I'm not talking about material things. ;) I have also been envious of the children that can openly, in front of God and everyone, express their love to their dad verbally. I'm working on those things and God has been a comfort to me during this "working out" of such things. I can become disappointed in myself because I felt this way, and I have, but it's not very productive for me. I get "stuck" if I do that. So, I have decided to face how I feel and give it to God... I had my ultrasound today and God was there to comfort me during that, also. I've been in quite a bit of pain and just hoping it's nothing to worry about. I should find out something on Wednesday. I know that this body isn'

I find myself having a hard time at times of getting past not having a full relationship with my dad. I'm still uncomfortable with not knowing how to act or what to say and often just stand there with a blank look on my face. Today at church I was telling them how my uncle had a heart attack and because I was so uncomfortable, I smiled when I said it. Who does that? I wasn't happy my uncle had a heart attack...sigh. I can feel the tears just welling up inside me and often, almost every time, when we speak the tears are in my eyes. I feel bad for that. I don't want him to see my heart breaks because I cannot tell him I love him or because I can't hug him or because I can't hang out with him and glean advice about raising boys from him...This is something I really have to work on...it's just hard. I am thankful for the relationship we do have...at least I can talk to him about general things and see his face every Sunday. I really am thankful for that...

Ok...I know the ladies will know what I'm talking about...why is it that when we go to the "girl" doctor they keep the room like an ice box and give you these tiny little paper "sheets" to cover up with. Why oh why do they do that? :) They have to know that those things are no way gonna keep you warm in room that feels like a refrigerator....Talked a bit about hysterectomy, but she doesn't think I will be approved to have one. I'm too young. Even with my past history of problems and cervical cancer, she doubts it will be approved. I told her I can handle being in pain if I know that nothing serious is going on again. So she scheduled me for an ultrasound on Monday afternoon. She did the routine cervical cancer check today and I should have results in about 10 days or so. I will probably be making an appointment with a new doctor soon. A fresh look at my situation and all that... On to something more pleasant... I'm feeling a bit better today

That's me...started with a sore throat and now has turned into a cold. It has wore my body down and zapped me of most of my energy. Hunter has the same thing and it has done the same to him. He's usually going a million miles an hour and now he just wants to sleep. Despite all that I have tried to keep busy...this morning before 7 I went out and worked in the garden and the captain helped me put some cardboard down. I came inside and baked some blueberry muffins (which were really good gluten free), washed up the dishes, and started some laundry. This afternoon I'm making an angel food cake to take to the gluten free store tomorrow to see if she likes this recipe. She is thinking about selling them. I'll probably only make 4 a week and it will be special order. But, I thought it was kinda cool do be able to do (while God allows me) Tonight Hunter has camera club and they are showing his picture that won 3rd place in a contest of 216 entries. He's pretty ex

Christian women cannot effectively begin to build and strengthen their families if they do not discern some of the key lies that are cleverly interwoven into our culture today. Sadly, these lies have pervaded our churches and homes as well and many biblical lines have been blurred. Feminism has distinctly played a key role is disguising these falsehoods as truth and deceiving too many unsuspecting families. When Christian women and men believe and embrace these obvious perversions to the scripture we end up with a problem... We now have given birth to what is known as 'Christian feminism' in the church. This is dangerous because it teaches Christian women the opposite of scripture. It does not seek to build their homes but instead tears it down. The world uses every medium of communication to dispose their misleading forgeries upon unsuspecting families, but we must be wise to discern our lifestyles and philosophies today- especially among the body of Ch

I think it is pretty hard for women today to find contentment because of all the temptations of this world. The rush is on to have the best, the newest, the latest and the trendiest. Advertisements seduce us from all sides against our better judgment. A simple woman who wants to live a simple life finds it so challenging to turn her eyes away from all that the world has to offer. She is tempted to think that she needs material possessions in order to have joy when in reality ---she possesses it all along . In fact, she is overlooking the truth: that she possesses great treasure that mere money cannot buy. See, money cannot buy eternal life in Christ or the riches found in Him. Money cannot buy the new work God is working in you. Money cannot buy the forgiveness you have been freely given. Money cannot buy godly character. Money cannot buy a godly husband. Money cannot buy that sweet little baby growing inside of you. Money cannot buy all those sweet little children that

I'm here at the library...our internet has broke down and the company needs to put up a new tower. It will take 3 to 5 days at least. :( It's funny because with being a stay at home mom and a homeschool mom, the internet is my access to the outside world. :) It is the way I stay connected to the people I love that I don't see everyday. It's here that I can say I love my dad and that I'm praying for him. I can share things that God has laid on my heart on being a better wife and mother to lots of other women that I wouldn't normally get to. :) I enjoyed yesterday for Mother's Day. It was beautiful outside and I planted some flowers. :) My husband and I laid in the grass and watched our chickens run. It was so nice just laying there in the sunshine. This was before he decided to rescue some of the kittens that got away from their mother under the back deck. The mom was not looking for them and acting like she didn't have any kittens. So he took

There is a freedom that God has given us as women. That freedom is the umbrella of authority that He has placed before us to protect us. The umbrella of authority that protects a women is first: 1. God 2. Her Husband Once a woman understands that submission to her husband is true freedom and woman can begin to truly enjoy and experience peace with true abandonment simply because she is acting in accord to what the Lord has purposed for her life. It is very freeing to know that the many weighty decisions that must be made for our families are ultimately our husbands responsibility. We will not be held accountable for our families the way our husbands will be---for God called Adam into account and not Eve. It is a good thing to ask our husbands advice on all matters. We should not look to our family, parents, church leaders or other Christian woman first. Whenever woman ask me for advice I try to ask them 'What did your husband say about this ma