Prairie Oak Homestead

Our family started reading the bible again together last night.  We tend to read individually, but not together. So we started last night. Some of our problem of doing it together was that we could only do it in the evenings when my husband comes home, which is sometimes later. We would read a chapter and take turns reading verses and we would end up yawning, being distracted, and tired. Sooooo, last night we discovered that the bible app we have on our smart phones has a feature that you can click to have someone read the scripture. My first reaction last night to this was "oh this is going to be computer animated and drive me crazy!" But, when my husband clicked on the NIV version to be read, a nice male voice with some sort of comforting accent started to read. I got goose bumps. The Word came to life! We followed along in our own bibles (not on the phone) and underlined what jumped out at us. It was great! The voice made the stories come to life and I could easily visu...

 I have created a group on facebook for like minded people who are homemakers and/or homesteaders. Come check it out and share your experiences. :) Homemakers and Homesteaders Group on Facebook Thank all!

There are two ways of getting out of a trial. One is to simply try to get rid of the trial, and be thankful when it is over. The other is to recognize the trial as a challenge from God to claim a larger blessing than we have ever had, and to hail it with delight as an opportunity of obtaining a larger measure of Divine grace. Thus even the adversary becomes an auxiliary, and the things that seem to be against us turn out to be for the furtherance of our way. Surely, this is to be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. --A. B. Simpson

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and I cooked one of his favorite meals. Stuffed acorn squash. These were pretty ones that I picked up at the farmer's market. I like them better than the green skinned ones. :) I simply cut them in half and seed them. Put them in the microwave cut side down for 5 to 7 min until tender. Take out and put on cookie sheet. Stuff with cooked sausage of your choice. I use a natural sausage and add a bit of real maple syrup to it. Sprinkle the flesh of the squash with salt and pepper and pop in a 350 degree oven for about 30 min or so. Take out and enjoy!

Happy 34th birthday to my wonderful husband! He is such a hard worker and a blessing to our family. He is the head of our house and I'm so thankful for him. He is my cheerleader and encourages me when I need it and is firm when I need it, too. He is a man of steel and velvet. I can't wait to serve with him in Venezuela next month. I hope to celebrate many more birthdays together.

Oh how it seems that I have struggled with this lately...:( I am being honest with you when I say, that I can have a tendency to be selfish. Here is an example... Last night, at the end of church service, we found out that Ryan's grandpa was taken to the hospital and we needed to go there. I was exhausted, weak, and hungry. Those were the first things that came to my mind. I am ashamed to say I didn't immediately think of his grandpa. :( I didn't choose the right thing...I chose self. We went to the hospital and found out he has pneumonia and is ok. I repented from that selfish behavior and strongly desire not to repeat it. I am working hard on not being selfish. It's not a character trait I want to have. I am so thankful for God's grace and forgiveness and another opportunity to chose the right thing...