Prairie Oak Homestead

Yea, "new every morning," though we may awake, Our hearts with old sorrow beginning to ache; With old work unfinished when night stayed our hand, With new duties waiting, unknown and unplanned; With old care still pressing, to fret and to vex, With new problems rising, ours minds to perplex; In ways long familiar, in paths yet untrod, Oh, new every morning the mercies of God! His faithfulness fails not; it meets each new day With guidance for every new step of the way; New grace for new trials, new trust for old fears, New patience for bearing the wrongs of the years, New strength for new burdens, new courage for old, New faith for whatever the day may unfold; As fresh for each need as the dew on the sod; Oh, new every morning the mercies of God! By Annie Johnson Flint

The sun going down early is really messing with me.  I'm usually up with the sun, but the sun doesn't come up fast enough and then goes away too soon.  I always feel like going to bed after supper.  When we used oil lamps in the evenings, we would always end up in bed early.  Sure, we would play a game or something, but we would always be tired because of the dim light.  Then we would be up with the sun to make the most of our day.  These kind of nights make for good cozy time in the living room with the woodstove.   Hunter did his sound effects for a "movie" last night at the library.  He did a good job. :)  He was one of the youngest ones in there and the rest of the students were college age. He is interested in technology things and picks it up so fast.  I'm really proud of him...God has really blessed me. He's been doing a great job with the new homeschooling approach.  I know I've said it before, but it's true.  H...

"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for." Job 6:8 What do you hope for?  Is it more money? Happier marriage? To see someone you haven't seen in a long time? To be a better Christian?  To experience more of God's love through His people?  To become more like Christ?  To be loved? Are the things in which we hope for and request from God also His desires? What are our motives?  Is it to glorify God by doing things He commands us in His word? Or do we have selfish motives?  I would have to say that I've been on both ends of this spectrum at sometime or another.  There are many things I hope for. I believe most of what I hope for is His desire, also.  I'm sure there are things I hope for that may not be in His plan.  One thing I can think of is my trip to Montana next year.  I hoped for it and it's not meant to be this time around.  We have some debt to pay down before we go.  I want to pay ca...

I went into the church today to volunteer. It's nice getting back out after my surgery. This week was my second time back and it was better than last week.  Last week I was really weak.  The house is warm today from the morning fire in the woodstove.  I am so thankful for our free heat. :)  It just makes me feel so much better when I'm not freezin'. Hunter has been going to the library on Mon evenings to take part in a film.  He is doing sound effects and tonight they are doing the movie.  I hope to get some pics. :)  Our pastor talked about living for the day yesterday.  I thought it interesting because that is something I've been talking about and struggling with.  He said, "Leave tomorrow alone"  That's hard to do.  But, I know in order for me to live for today and live in the moment, I need to.  It is very hard to be strong sometimes.  To stand up strong and face the enemy with shoulders back and head held high, ...

Are you passing through a testing? Is your pillow wet with tears? Do you wonder what the reason, Why it seems God never hears? Why it is you have no answer To your oft, repeated plea, Why the heaven still is leaden As you wait on bended knee? Do you wonder as you suffer, Whether God does understand, And if so, why He ignores you, Fails to hold you in His Hand? Do black doubts creep in, assail you, Fears without--and fears within, Till your brave heart almost falters And gives way to deadly sin? All God's testings have a purpose, Someday you will see the light. All He asks is that you trust Him, Walk by faith and not by sight. Do not fear when doubts beset you, Just remember - He is near; He will never, never leave you, He will always, always hear. Faithful is He who has promised, He will never let you fall, Daily will the strength be given Strength for each and strength for all. He will gladly share pain with you, He will gladly give you peace. Till yo...

My husband was laid off yesterday for the winter....earlier than normal.  Work has been a bit scarce these last few weeks.  It will be nice to have him home. The weather here today is rainy and cooler.  I kinda like it today.  It helps me rest. :)  On days like this I like to stay home and bake.  I'm going to be baking these today.  They sounded good to me. :) http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/coffee-fridge-cookies/ Thinking about trials the last couple days...Today in my devotional was this... "God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not.  It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be.  God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it." Streams in the Desert. It helps to know that God knows I can stand the trials He ...