Trodding this soil....

T

hey came before me,

trod this same hard-packed soil,

labored, toiled, laughed, cried and lived.

My heart knows but few of their stories

And yet, I do know, because I too am living, laughing, loving and yes grieved, cut to the core by this, this life.

How quickly the years pass... can it be? At 45 I could very well be more than half-done.

I keep pondering these photos, knowing that I too am merely a wave upon the ocean, a passing breeze. In a very short period of time my life, the things I am passionate about, the things that most grieve me, all will be forgotten.

"As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them."
Ps. 103:15-18

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Isa. 40:8

Yes, life is fleetingly running ahead of me,
deftly moving ahead,
not pausing to look behind
and see if I can maintain this pace.

But I smile, rejoicing in my secret
as I hide God's Word in my heart,
my investments are secure.

The path will be rock-strewn
but I am confident that my stumbling feet
can find secure footing.

His Word strengthens, equips and readies me.

I tuck verses in apron pocket,
prop on wet kitchen countertops,
pull them out to review during the fray,

confident that His Word lasts
and is an investment that will equip.

My life, the stories that are dear to my heart
will, no doubt be soon forgotten,
but I can leave a legacy

As His Word changes me,
I can impact those I rub shoulders with the most

I pray memorized verses,
desiring to see children and children's children
impacting future soil-trodders for Him for His glory.

How can I do otherwise?
susan

*photos at top really are wonderful old family photos that I was recently given. (thanks Mom and Linda!)

Today I join Ann and so many other Christ-following soil-trodders in writing about Scripture Memory. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting Ann's blog for additional resources and inspiration in memorizing God's Word.

Some writing resources for you

I

recently came across two resources that I wanted to share here.

The first is a super-motivating program for writers called "Write or Die."

I frequently find my writing slowed or even brought to a complete standstill by my overactive inner editor. "Write or Die" is a web-based (free version), or downloadable ($10 version) program that prompts you to enter a word count goal and time. (100 words in 10 min, for example.) You then choose how harsh your penalty will be for not completing your goal. Depending on what you choose, when your writing slows or stops, the screen gradually changes color to red and assorted sound effects prompt you to keep going.

This has been tremendously helpful for me! Granted, there are times when I need to work more slowly and contemplate what to write, but most often I simply need to "get going" and get something down. Then I can go back and edit.

The paid version even has the nifty feature of allowing you to upload your writing directly to several prominent blog hosts.

I find this helps my productivity not only in writing articles for my blog, but also as I write journaling for scrapbook pages, etc. I plan to place the paid version on the computer that my children use for homework. How fun for them to set up their own challenges in completing homework writing assignments!

Here's a promo explaining how the paid version works, with screenshots.




Secondly, check out this creative resource for memory-keepers.

I am a huge fan of notebooks. Inexpensive notebooks are super-helpful recepticles for all sorts of information. I have notebooks for:

• recipes I want to try
• our dairy goat herd
• my bills notebook
• sewing patterns (just the packages, slipped in plastic page protectors)~ the tissue paper patterns themselves are in large manilla envelopes filed by pattern number in file drawers.
• decorating ideas
• PSE tutorials
• Sewing ideas
  
• Soapmaking "recipes" and info
• Garden notebook
• Home education notebook

Log Your Memory is an incredible resource for systematically keeping track of the stories that so quickly get shuffled to the bottom of the heap in my memories. For me, scrapbooking is mostly about documenting God's faithfulness in our life. Certainly the techniques and embellishments are fun to work with, but my time is very limited.

The pages that I most enjoy looking back at don't simply narrate a birthday party, for example ("Tim turned three. He received _____, and _____ as gifts. A fun time was had by all."), instead they document life. The pages I love most are meaningful stories that give me a glimpse into what the Lord was teaching me at a certain time in my life, or provide a window through which I can view my children's character development. The most meaningful journaling documents God's faithfulness to our family so we won't forget.

I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
Ps. 40:10

Enter Log Your Memory. Available in three different formats, perfect bound, spiral bound and as a downloadable PDF file which you can print and place in a notebook (my favorite, 'cause I can add pockets folders as well), this resource provides not only daily places to record life, but also is full of prompts, suggested photos to take each month, journaling challenges and so many other goodies. It is simple, but very well organized. I think even the notebook itself will be fun to look back at once it is faithfully filled out.

Nope, I don't recieve anything from Log Your Memories, just thought someone might be interested, with Christmas fast approaching and all!

happy writing, friends!
susan

Seeking Beauty....

W

hen I was a little girl I was intrigued and delighted by some glass jars that my grandmother had on the windowsill above her kitchen sink. The jars were not anything extraordinary, but she had carefully filled each one with water that was tinted with food coloring.

These brightly colored jewels delighted me. Now I have my very own kitchen sink (which I love) and I get to have my own little jewels.


The majority of the jars in the window above my sink were found on our old farmhouse property. I think the only one that I actually purchased is the blue flower frog glass. My boys love to fill it with blooming wildflowers during the warmer seasons. I have even found an occasional feather there as well!


My heart yearns for beauty amid the harsh chaos of life. As I seek the Lord, I also seek to infuse our home with small testimonies of Him.

He is beauty and creativity. I so yearn to be more like Him and to reflect Him in all I do. When I can find or create a small oasis of beauty in our home I do it to mirror Him.

This heart-shaped ivy wreath frames a view of the birdhouse in my late autumn herb garden.


I find great delight in simple, found and discovered beauty. I derive so much more satisfaction from finding or making beauty in our home than I would if items were purchased.

These things though, are only a dim reflection of true Beauty. The Lord Jesus is not only the one Who's beauty satisfies my soul, but also the inspiration for seeking and creating beauty in my ordinary life.

That which is sought after is most appreciated.

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Deut. 4:29

Truly the Lord Jesus is beauty worth seeking after.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
Ps. 27:4

Seeking and finding His beauty in so many unexpected places,
susan

Can you stand a little more baby goat cuteness?

Today I join Ann at Holy Experience in finding beauty in the everyday...

Come and see what others have found!

Soaring

W
hen I was little, I often pretended to fly.

On occasion, I would even soar in my dreams. Swooping low over awestruck friends, I reveled in the freedom of flight.

As I grew older, I "flew" as a runner and on my bicycle. (my bike's a little bigger now...)



More amazing, as I matured, I learned that, while I was tethered to earth in spite of my best wing-flapping efforts, I could soar in different ways.


In many ways, my feet are tethered to the ground as I invest in my busy large family in this season of my life, but my heart soars as I learn in new ways to "wait upon the Lord." Indeed, He does "renew my strength" so I can "soar with eagles."

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Isa. 40:31

I am learning to rest in Him and rely on Him in new ways. I find Him faithful at every turn.

Yesterday I caught these pictures of Timmy "flying" just like I did when I was younger.

Soar, little bird. I pray that as you grow and mature you will learn to fly spiritually as well.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4

learning to soar on the homefront,
susan

Autumn blessings around here...

N

ovember already?

I recently came across this fabulous idea for creating an atmosphere of thanksgiving in your home! I intended to post this a few days ago, but this week has been busy. I still think it could be incorporated into your plans though!

How about a free class from Jessica Sprague? She is a well-known instructor in the digital/hybrid scrapbooking world. Holidays in Hand should be great! And free is a definite bonus!


At our home, you would never guess that it is November.... look what arrived today!





These little guys will be egg layers for us... 25 heavy brown egg layers and 10 Araucanas.

Not only those cuties, but look what else!

Twin girls! One of our Nubian does picked the most beautiful warm November day to deliver~ it was 75 degrees! Typically they choose the coldest weekend of the year (but only if an ice storm is predicted!)


Have a fabulous weekend, friends! We'll be playing with babies here!
susan

What is Poverty?

Poverty is so much more than a lack of clean water of material possissions....

Seasonal blessings...

The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Is.40:7-8

I take comfort in the predictability of seasons, sunrises and tides. They are all evidence to me of His divine nature. Steady and trustworthy.

Truly my life is but a vapor, but God remains the same... His Word is everlasting.


susan