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...