Chatting on the Deck

chatsonthefarmhouseporch

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Today’s questions:

From Suzanne at p.s. Annie!: Are you part of the back to nature/ecological group or are you more of the mindset of “I’ll do what I want and everything will work out in the end”?

I’m not a tree-hugger nor do I recycle (we have very little to recycle). I do watch electricity usage and plan my errands to conserve gas.

From Stacey at Happy Bride to be: What’s a favorite dinner dish to make?

That would be either meatloaf and baked potatoes/broccoli and cheese sauce or chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. (Frying steak as I type) yum.)

From Melanie at Melanie at A Year of Jubilee Reviews: What animals have you seen give live birth?

Cats, dogs, guinea pig, cow and pig, at the fair, and was midwife to a goat.We had Nubians, like these:

Lucky and IrisI love their Roman noses and floppy ears

From Anne at Homeschool on the Croft: If you had the opportunity to teach something, what would you teach?

I haven’t wanted to teach groups,; I like teaching one on one — knitting & quilting

From Madonna at Butterfly Acres: What did you love most about school?

Grammar/diagramming sentences and bookkeeping were my favorites.

Visit with others on the Porch

picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalzoo/5955191091/

Published in: on April 17, 2013 at 12:37 pm  Comments (6)  

April 17, Today’s thought – “IF” by Rudyard Kipling

April 14 flowers 008The Roses are starting to bloom at Cozy Acres

Good Morning

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. ”
Proverbs 25:11

Here is a real treasure;
one of Kipling’s best offers to the world of Literature;
his insightful poem, simply entitled “IF” —

If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
but make allowance for their doubting, too;
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting;
or being lied about don’t deal in lies;
or being hated don’t give way to hating;
and yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.

If you can dream, and not make dreams your master.
If you can think, and not make thoughts your aim.
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,
and treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
or watch the things you gave your life to, broken;
and stoop to build them up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings,
and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginning
and never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
except the will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run;
Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it,
and (which is more) you’ll be a man, My son!

Cast all your “IF’s” on the Lord . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 17, 2013 at 9:59 am  Leave a Comment  
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April 16, Today’s thought – Peace I Leave with You

April 14 flowers 011

Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth,
give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

from Clarke’s Concordance:

Peace I leave with you –
The Jewish form of salutation and benediction.
A wish of peace among them is thus to be understood:
May you prosper in body and soul,
and enjoy every earthly and heavenly good!
My peace I give unto you –
Such tranquility of soul,
such uninterrupted happiness of mind,
such everlasting friendship with God as I enjoy,
may ye all enjoy!
And such blessedness I bequeath unto you:
it is my last, my best, my dying legacy.
Not as the world giveth –
Not as the Jews, in empty wishes:
not as the people of the world,
in empty compliments.
Their salutations and benedictions
are generally matters of custom and polite ceremony,
given without desire or design;
but I mean what I say;
what I wish you,
that I will give you.
To his followers Jesus gives peace,
procures it,
preserves it,
and establishes it.
He is the author, prince, promoter, and keeper of peace.
Neither let it be afraid –
Let not your heart shrink back
through fear of any approaching evil.
This is the proper meaning of the word.
In a few hours ye will be most powerfully assaulted;
but stand firm: – the evil will only fall upon me;
and this evil will result in your comfort and salvation,
and in the redemption of a lost world.

Accept the promise of peace . .Today
With my prayers,desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 16, 2013 at 4:20 am  Leave a Comment  

Keep Faith Fresh — Have Faith in God.

Good Morning

I was looking back through this blog for a post
and bumped into this one.
I am thankful to say,
the reconciliation continues,
my daughter and I are closer than we have ever been.
I am also thankful that God hasn’t changed either,
His word is still true.
I am still learning to lean on Him.

Mark 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Several years ago in October our middle daughter of five children, at 18 years and 3 months old, decided to leave home. We had some issues, but  hadn’t had discussions because I didn’t know how to talk with my children. (I was raised, as most in my generation,  that  children were not explained to and or encouraged to express their opinions, we were expected to be quiet and obedient, and I was. )  She had finished high school, didn’t have a job, and her only transportation was a bike. She left to live with an old neighbor who had listened to her.

She told us she was leaving, still with little words, she didn’t expect us to listen.  I don’t know how she felt.

I felt like everything I had taught her was being rejected, all the good, all the morals, all the teachings of Christ. At this time I didn’t feel personally rejected, that would come later.  I felt betrayed by the neighbor. I felt crushed and empty. I couldn’t even stay the day she moved her things out, I couldn’t watch her go.

Day after day I cried.  I questioned. I felt so empty, such a huge gaping hole in our home, …in my heart. I tried to look for solace and comfort from my husband but he was hurting, too. I couldn’t talk to family, I felt like a failure and was so ashamed of the failing.  I went to church, I prayed but as some have said, heaven seemed like brass,

Then one night, listening to the song, Yesterday, sung by a gospel group (I don’t even know which one) the Lord spoke to me: you aren’t in control, you can’t make things stay the same or change any thing, other people will change and there is only One who will never, never change.

It was there I found comfort. It was then I could picture those huge hands that hold the world, empty of the world, but waiting for me to place my daughter  into those Hands. She looked so very small. She looked so safe.

Yesterday by George Younce
(Chorus)
Yesterday things were different,
Today they’re different again
Jesus will never change,
Jesus is always the same

1. The sparrow will find a new dwelling,
The eagle will change its nest
But I’m holding on the changeless One,
And I’m leaning on His breast

2. The river will change,
change its course,
The mountains may crumble and fall
Time will leave its mark,
they say Upon us one and all

The line ‘Jesus will never, never change’
carried me and I was safe.

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;

About four (5) years ago,
my daughter and I started down the road of reconciliation,
it has not been without its  pot holes. 
I trying to learn to talk,
she is trying to temper her words.

My begining scripture, Have faith in God,
isn’t just a nice saying on a plaque
or to be cross stitched on a pillow.
It is a rock,
a firm foundation,
a shelter from the changes,
a healing for the brokenhearted….

Have Faith in God. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 15, 2013 at 10:43 am  Leave a Comment  
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Sunday Bible Reading

Feb 18 13 003Fig Tree, February, 2013

Good Morning

Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength,
and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet,
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

As for God, his way is perfect:
the word of the LORD is tried:
he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the LORD?
or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength,
and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet,
and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war,
so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:
and thy right hand hath holden me up,
and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Psalm 18:30-35

Published in: on April 14, 2013 at 4:36 am  Leave a Comment  

April 13, Today’s thought – Rise Above Worry

10-28-09 015from Memory Lane in Sydney

Good Morning

Rise Above Worry

‘God…is the…controller of all things.’ 1 Timothy 6:15
We all worry from time to time, but wise people have learned to:
1. Define the situation clearly.
What exactly is it you’re worrying about?
Be specific.
Often when we take time to clarify the problem,
a way to solve it will present itself.
2. Face the worst that can happen.
Would you lose your job? Your relationship? Your investment?
In most cases, even if the worst did happen,
chances are it wouldn’t ruin you.
It may be inconvenient or painful,
but does it really warrant all the anxiety you’re giving it?
3. Resolve to accept the outcome whatever it is.
Most of the stress of worry comes from denial,
from not being willing to face the worst that could happen.
Once you make up your mind to accept whatever happens,
you’ll find worry looses its power over you.
4. Work to improve the situation.
Renowned neurologist James H. Austin said,
“Chance favours those in motion”
Do all you can to ensure the best possible outcome,
and “after you gave done everything…stand” Ephesians 6:13.
Stand on God’s promises!
5. Give the problem to God.
He’s “the…controller of all things.”
The Psalmist said,
“Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord,
have never forsaken those who seek you” Psalm 9:10.
Remember, nothing can happen to you today,
or any other day that God is not aware of,
in control of,
and able to bring you through.
written by Bob and Debby Gass and Ruth Gass Halliday

Trusting God . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 13, 2013 at 10:17 am  Leave a Comment  

Five Minute Friday – Here

5-minute-friday-1

Lisa-Jo Baker:

‘On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.’

Prompt – HERE

It was four years ago
sitting on our deck in the sun
Home= half acre, beautiful garden, fruit trees, grape vines
P10301732600 sq ft home – that after 10 years
I still couldn’t believe was ours.
I looked around thinking
I am so content
I have everything I need.

then
employee betrayal
and loss
a circle of employees
handing out final checks
loading up tools in a grave yard silence
good byes
locked doors.

sorting
separating
leaving
moving

to HERE
sitting on our deck in the sun
Home = 7 acres Church property
assistant caretakers
beautiful garden, fruit trees, grape and berry vines
27ft Komfort RV – that I am so thankful is ours
one year later 007I looked around
I am so content
I have everything I need.

For God has never left or forsaken or changed.
God is Here.

Stop.

PS We all know that when we begin to write; we don’t know
what our fingers are going to type.
I didn’t write this for sympathy or pity.
These are just the steps the Lord ordered.
Different from what I imagined,
but confident God’s way is best.  I’m content.

To read what others have to say in 5 minutes  click here.

Published in: on April 12, 2013 at 11:44 am  Comments (13)  
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April 12, Today’s thought – At the Time Appointed

Picture 009 Almond Blossoms

Good Morning

My Bible Study teacher has been bringing lessons on child-like faith. She gave us the book Touching Incidents complied by S. B. Shaw, a book filled with stories of children’s faith in God and His answers to their prayers. We were to pick out a story and a scripture to share with the class. Some members read/told their story. Some shared a story of faith and answer from their past. All were encouraging. I was so surprised when the bell rang that class was over, I could have listened longer.
I choose the story: Praying for Wood, page 129:

E. B. Slade tells an interesting instance of answered prayer. One cold winter he was forty miles away from home, holding revival services, when , in the midst of a terrible snowstorm, during which travel was almost wholly impossible, his wife, at home ran out of wood. To save the little that remained, she put her children to bed, and wrapped them up in blankets. AT last baking must be done, and making a fire of her last wood, she began to pray that help might come, and persevered until her faith won the victory. She then went about her work in perfect peace of mind, assured that relief would come. In the course of a few hours her nearest neighbor a lady waded through the snow saying that she had been impressed that she must come over and see what was the matter, The facts were stated, and relief promised. Hardly had she gone when another lady came in with the same statement, and the same offer was made. A little while later a gentleman came in, expressing a similar feeling; and when he learned the facts, he took them all to his home, and cared for them until Mr. Slade returned home.

I thought nothing to hard for God!

Jeremiah prays in 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth
by thy great power and stretched out arm,
and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Jeremiah continues to extol the might power of God,
in verse 27, God says to Jeremiah,
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:
is there any thing too hard for me?”

Genesis 18 verses 13-14 God speaks to Abraham and Sarah:
And the LORD said unto Abraham,
Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?
At the time appointed I will return unto thee,
according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

In these verses the phrase ‘At the time appointed‘ spoke to me.

I ask and God hears and the answer comes at the time appointed.

And Jesus said unto them,
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts 1:7

Trust God for His time . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 12, 2013 at 11:11 am  Leave a Comment  
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Chatting on the Deck

chatsonthefarmhouseporch
“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

1.Are you enjoying spring?

I love watching the newness of spring: the  new leaves, the flowers, the longer days.

2.Where would you take Patrice for her birthday, if you could spend a day together. Wendell hopes you would bring her back!

We would spend the day at Monterey, CA at the beach.

june30-july1.12 monterey 004

Our route home would take us along San Fransisco Bay and we would watch the sunset

june30-july1.12 monterey 016
3.What’s your favorite spring flower?

Spring bulbs are my herald of spring!

Mar 8 bulbs 005

4.What do you do when you are going through a really stressful time?

My first response is to want to run and hide; but I always come back the my foundation scripture:
Malachi 3:6 ‘For I am the Lord, I change not’.
It doesn’t matter how hard the storm, my Lord is always the refuge.

5.What kind of birthday cake would you get for Patrice? And Wendell?

for Patrice:   At our house the favorite birthday cake is simply a chocolate cake with white icing and candy multi-colored round sprinkles. We always have ‘bonilla’ ice cream with chocolate syrup ‘uppa top’ with it.
for Wendell: the Farmer has growing in the winter garden – carrots tender and fresh, tops and all.

Come chat with us at Patrice’s.
There’s an empty chair, or two.
july 7

Published in: on April 11, 2013 at 10:11 am  Comments (4)  

April 11, Today’s thought – God Listens

April 5, grapes & berries 001Blossoms and berry babies

Good Morning
You and I live in a loud world.
To get someone’s attention is no easy task.
But when someone’s willing to silence
everything else so he can hear us clearly,
it’s a privilege.
A rare privilege indeed!
You can talk to God because God listens.
Your voice matters in heaven.
He takes you very seriously.
No need to fear that you’ll be ignored.
Even if you stammer or stumble,
even if what you have to say impresses no one,
it impresses God—
and He listens.
Intently.
Carefully.

Your prayer on earth activates God’s power in heaven,
and Scripture says,
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10

Your prayers are honored as precious jewels.
You may not understand the mystery of prayer.
You don’t need to.
But this much is clear:
Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth.
What an amazing thought!

Max Lucado from The Great House of God

Begin an ‘action in Heaven’ . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 11, 2013 at 4:28 am  Leave a Comment  
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Yarn Along – Hot Pads

yarnalong_gsheller_gray

On Wednesday’s knitters go to Ginny’s to share all the wonderful projects being worked on, finished, frogged, cried over, and learned from. They also tell what they are reading and a little of the storyline or provoking thoughts. I think it is great. So many books, knitting ideas and hints on how to make knitting more enjoyable.

A lot of Knitting and Crocheting is going on at Cozy Acres.
Whippoorwill is on the last two rows,
after a bump in the knitting about 15 rows back.
Granny square afghan is growing round by round.
I think I’ll do 1 or 2 more repeats of color;
then a scallop row in green to finish it.

A friend brought me some red and purple cotton yarn,
“Can you make dishcloths out of this?
I use them like hot pads”
April 10 hot pads I made hot pads.
Dishcloths, one each from the red and purple, are on the needles.

Re-reading On the Beach by Nevil Shute – 1963 catastrophic war – no life left on western hemisphere.
51C0cB-tFNL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_
Radioactive winds heading south scheduled to arrive in Australia in three months. Good Read.

You’ll find neat projects and good books to add to your reading list at Ginny’s

Works In Progress at Tami’s will have you checking Ravelry for patterns, I do.

tami_wip

Published in: on April 10, 2013 at 7:41 pm  Comments (2)  
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Ten on Tuesday – Packing for Vacation

ToT-Button

On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.

10 Things You Always Bring on Vacation.

(listed not in order of priority, just as items came to mind)

A lawn chair, sturdy and my size, with room for my elbows for comfy knitting
june30-july1.12 monterey 014
Books, my Bible and pleasure reading

Paper, graph and lined, pencils, and a pencil sharpener

An extension cord, outlets are not usually where I need them

A cushion for under my knees when lounging or sleeping

A camera

My I-pod & charger with stories for listening

Snacks; pretty snack plates and cloth napkins; my favorite cups;
coffee with filters and tea bags (one time I even took my coffee pot).

Comfy pj’s for lounging and knitting

And then there is the knitting
dec5 004

Current knitting projects (more than I could finish in a month)
Fresh yarn and needles,
cause I just never know, I might finish one
Directions to Local yarn shop
Pattern that needs yarn
Money to buy yarn

I don’t always take my laptop,
because the Farmer always takes his.

Click here to see what others take on Vacation.

Published in: on April 9, 2013 at 11:12 am  Comments (10)  

April 9, Today’s thought – Ashamed?

April 5, grapes & berries 002Grape vines are so beautiful. I love them in every season of their growth.

Good Morning

Jesus said, “Whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38.

We live in a culture that has all but quarantined faith;
holding virtually any public display of love
for God in contempt and ridicule.
Nevertheless, as Paul said,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16.

Perhaps we need a spiritual boost, like young Timothy;
something to encourage our boldness to stand up for Christ.

“God has not given us the spirit of fear,” Paul wrote,
“but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:7,8.

Our shameless response to Christ’s persuasive love
makes Him proud to stand up for us as our God!
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb.2:11),
and, “God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Heb.11:16).

Since He is not ashamed to be associated with us,
shouldn’t we be able to say the same in return?
Turning the pages in an old book,
I came upon this wonderful poem by Joseph Grigg,
entitled Ashamed of Jesus?

Jesus, and shall it ever be,
a mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?
Ashamed of Jesus!
Sooner far let evening blush to own a star!
He sheds the beams of light divine
O’er this benighted soul of mine.
Ashamed of Jesus!
That dear Friend on whom my hopes of heaven depend!
No! When I blush, be this my shame,
that I no more revere His name.
Ashamed of Jesus!
Yes, I may, When I’ve no guilt to wash away;
no tear to wipe,
no good to crave,
no fears to quell,
no soul to save.
Till then, nor is my boasting vain,
Till then I boast a Savior slain.
And, O, may this my glory be,
that Christ is not ashamed of me!

Be not ashamed . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 9, 2013 at 10:10 am  Leave a Comment  

Five Minute Friday – After

5-minute-friday-1

Lisa-Jo Baker:

‘On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker.

We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.’

Prompt:   after

after
when it’s all said and done
when it’s over

what then?

after

is after dark and shadowy?

is after full of light?

is there hope in after

or is’ it finished?

As the Easter message still rings in my ears

AFTER is just the beginning!

a NEW day – bright
a NEW walk – didn’t our hearts burn within us
a NEW compassion – Thomas, touch my hands
a NEW determination – arise, let us go. . .

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias
And . . . he saith, Follow me. John 21:1, 19

tissot-christ-appears-on-the-shore-of-lake-tiberias-741x484Picture credit – http://www.joyfulheart.com

Published in: on April 5, 2013 at 11:10 am  Comments (4)  
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April 5, Today’s thought – Gentleness

Good Morning

And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Timothy 2:24

All human heats hunger for tenderness.
We are made for love–
not only to love, but to be loved.
Harshness pains us.
Ungentleness touches our sensitive spirits
as frost touches the flowers.
It stunts the growth of all lovely things.
Gentleness is like a genial summer to our life.
Beneath its warm, nourishing influence
beautiful things in us grow.
There are many people
who have special need for tenderness.
We cannot know what secret burdens
many of those about us are carrying,
what hidden griefs burn like fires
in the hearts of those with whom
we mingle in our common life.
Not all grief wears the outward garb of mourning;
faces ofttimes veil heavy hearts.
Many people who make no audible appeal for sympathy
yet crave tenderness–they certainly need it,
though they ask it not–
as they bow beneath their burden.
There is no weakness in such a yearning.
We remember how our Master himself
longed for expressions of love
when He was passing through
His deepest experiences of suffering,
and how bitterly He was disappointed
when His friends failed Him.
We can never do amiss in showing gentleness.
There is no day when it will be untimely;
there is no place where it will not find welcome.
It will harm no one,
and it may save some one or despair.
J.R. Miller

Bear one another’s burdens . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 5, 2013 at 10:33 am  Leave a Comment  
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