Mom's Feeling Better

I'm sorry it's been so long since I wrote (again, I have to say it!). Thanks to those of you who've prayed for my Mom. She's doing much better after the Doctors found that she had yet another hernia. The operation was a week ago last Tues. and as of Thursday night this week she walked down to our house to have dinner, just like old times! I wish I had a picture of her walking down the road to meet Ruger and I. Of course, she met Ruger first, as he runs up to greet her. She was bearing bread and cookies, her offering toward dinner. We were having eggs, sausage, cereal and toast! Yes, even cookies for dessert after 'breakfast' are good.

After we ate we sipped coffee and enjoyed some R & R. As you can see, Sturm was SO glad to have Grammy back too!

No other pictures from that night, but these certainly show how welcomed she felt.

In Strain or in Sunshine

It has been so long since I've written and I haven't even been home to say "hi" to those of you who've walked up Darling Hill to stop in and chat! My mom has gone into the hospital and we've been spending days and nights staying with her there. What a blessing that God gives strength and stamina as we wait upon Him.

Today I was reading in Matthew 5 where it says, 

"Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men. Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."       vs. 13-16

Though these verses were spoken by Jesus to His disciples and we Christians are to take them as examples for us also, it's such a blessing to look at the fact that God is actual SALT and LIGHT, we who know Him as Savior are the salt and light that men here on earth look at and watch. They see our good works (or bad ones). Am I bringing glory to Him in my walk? In the strain of life, can I be relied upon because I am relying upon God's grace moment by moment?

I read a quote: "Worship aright in your private relationships, then when God sets you free you will be ready, because in the unseen life which no one saw but God you have become perfectly fit, and when the strain comes you can be relied upon by God."

I am happy that we can walk with our Lord whether in the strain or in the sunshine! I hope to be able to write more soon, but for now it's off to work then the hospital. We would thank those of you who are "pray-ers" and will pray for Mom at this time.

Double the Love!

We had a really delightful time with Dustin, Bethany, Katelyn and Madison last night at my brother & sister in law's house. I took many pictures but have these handy at this time, I'm still editing some. Syd took them with his phone camera, so some had to be lightened, etc.

Katelyn Olivia and Madison Nicole
Born Tues. August 13, 2013

Aren't they sweet?! They had eaten, been changed and swaddled up to take their sleep. We had fun passing them around, watching their facial expressions and of course, kissing them.

Great grammy Dotty gives little Katelyn a smooch

I wish I had some of the other photos ready. Uncle Syd and Katelyn were both looking to the right, neither of them smiling, in the first photo, then they looked over toward me and smiled. It was so funny!

We're a little fuzzy here, but happy!

Daddy's pretty good with that bottle. See how tiny Madison looks?

Aunt Cyndy got a turn too...actually, lots of turns (:

Aunt Cyndy and Madison, color-coordinated!

We were happy to spend this time, as tonight is the shower and I have a feeling we won't get to hold them as much - everyone will want to!!

When the family left, they came upon a bad accident down the road. A car, with a young driver in it, had gone off the road, through the wall and INTO someone's living room! They said the car was just sitting like it was parked in the middle of the room. Evidently the young person (people?) was o.k. The woman who lives in the house had just gotten up to go to the kitchen for something to drink! I do hope that she knows how absolutely fortunate she is, and that the Lord got her out of there at just the right moment! This is a perfect opportunity to be a witness to her. Please pray for the testimony of us and the other Christians here, and that she'll have an open heart toward the Lord Jesus.

Glad you stopped by to gawk at these new babies. It's really special to meet twins this young - my first time!
Take care.

Late Summer Senses

Today was one of those hot, humid but breezy August days. These thoughts came to my mind as I see Summer coming to an end.

Gossamer mountains, there in the distance;
barely able to make out their shape and whether covered with the low hanging clouds~
or do they simply disappear between nothingness and sky?
The color drains from once-vibrant trees. Ah, late August.
All of September we will watch as one after another,
the leaves turn the corner to their end of life.
A little brown dog pounces on hopping prey.
Crickets and grasshoppers seldom escape his watchful eye and deft movements.
I'm sorry for the insect when he lingers between agility and the ability to stand any longer.
There he's left to die a slow death while the hunter moves on to livelier game.
         Such are the end-of-summer sights.

The familiar voices are gone.
Once echoing, gleeful cries of children and the sharp bark of small dogs;
they had covered the hill in past months.
At evening the quiet talk around a campfire,
slowly hushed as one by one we would leave to take our sleep.
Back and forth goes the lonely porch swing now;
my feet 'pumping' in time while a gentle and regular
squeak of the chain drones overhead.
No longer is heard the hiss of the locust
but steady breezes whisper across the treetops
       ~the sounds of summer's end.

This day is heavy with dew that presses against my skin
and squeezes as one would a sponge.
Likely it will be one of the last of its kind.
We'll welcome the drier and cooler period
when we feel the soft fingers of
       the touch of late summer.

I reach into the tomato patch to pluck little red balls of goodness.
The leaves brush across my arms and the bitter-sweet odor rises;
      the summer garden scents, soon to be put to sleep.

-Cyndy Veysey

At Liberty, and Choosing Joy

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4

I just noticed that it has been two weeks since I visited my page and wrote you all a note! At the time of the last post I had no idea the turn of events that would come. Not that it is of any consequence to any of you (and I won't bore you with it for long), but a situation has been dropped in my lap that I would never have chosen. The above verse is the one that I have been hanging on to and trusting God to perform in me. As our pastor went through the book of James years ago, he brought to my attention that, "when ye fall into diverse temptations" means "when you find yourself in the midst of a testing that is 'all around you'".  At this time, without my choosing, I am working full time (five and 1/2 days per week) at my post office job, which is a testing that is suddenly "all around me", and there is nothing I can do about it except choose to count it all joy! I keep being reminded that a neighboring PO clerk only took her position in another office for a two month period (this decision directly affected two other offices). For me that seems like a long time, but I know that it is not. 

Today the Lord used the chapter that constantly reminds me to choose God's precepts. 

Psalm 119:41-48 "...for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgements. So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts." 

I understand 'at liberty' here to mean 'in a wide place'! The Lord brought to my mind that as long as I am walking with Him, claiming His Word and obeying it, I am at perfect liberty even if feeling hemmed in and 'bound' by my circumstances. What joy, that a Christian who is walking by faith is walking in a wide place with their Lord. I am thankful to the Lord that I have this freedom in Jesus Christ. 

I'm glad that you walked by Darling Hill and hope that you have a good day.

Tomorrow evening, Lord willing, we will be going to see the new babies. Our nephew and his wife had their twins: Madison and Katelyn were born on Tuesday the 12th. Thank you to those who prayed (as it's listed as one of the requests here). I will post a picture or two when I finally get to see them!

Choose Joy even amongst unchosen circumstances!

Pick Up Things Set Aside

It is 5:40 a.m. and still quite dark this morning; overcast, 'tis true, but you can surely see the shortness of the days reflected already! It's going to be a morning to pick up "something set aside". Do you ever set things aside and just say, "I'll do that when I get a minute"? I do! After spending time in the Bible this morning I looked around and saw a few things that were still waiting for me to finish them up. A wall to be painted, emptiness where the backsplash is supposed to be, two jars of oil steeped with comfrey and plantain...that's the one that I plan on accomplishing today. Over 6 weeks ago I got this recipe and lots of comfrey from my friend, Dottie.  As soon as I got home that day I picked my plantain, which is growing profusely from the edges of our dirt road, and got all the greens washed, blotted dry and into the oven (I have a pilot light) to dry. They've been well steeped now, over 7 weeks later (supposed to infuse for at 4-6 weeks).  Here is the very simple recipe:

Comfrey and Plantain Salve (one of the very best for healing cuts)

Supplies: 1 quart mason jar; small pot; small kitchen scale (optional, I eyeballed)

Ingredients: plenty of good, cold-pressed olive oil; 3 oz. dried comfrey leaves; 2 oz. dried plantain leaves; 2-4 oz. beeswax, shaved

Process: Place dried, broken up comfrey and plantain in mason jar. Cover with plenty of olive oil, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Leave on counter for 6 weeks (this is where the "setting aside" starts). Strain  infused oil through a cheesecloth into a small pot. 

For every 8 oz of oil you end up with you will add 1-2 oz. of the shaved beeswax; as you can see, the measurements will vary. I have always tended not to be too picky with weights, etc.

Over very low heat allow the oil to heat while the wax melts into it. To check if it's the right consistency, place a tablespoon of the mixture in a small cup and into the freezer for a minute or two. If it stays too soft, add a little more beeswax to the pot; if it becomes way too hard, just add a tiny bit more oil. Spoon the oil into small jars or tins. As they cool they will harden nicely. An herbal salve prepared in this fashion can keep in a cool dark place for up to 5 years, though mine doesn't stay on the shelf that long.

A comfrey salve should not be used on deep puncture wounds. This is because it has the power to regenerate new cell growth over the top of the wound before it has had time to heal the deeper tissue. This salve, as well as the calendula salve (which is the one we have made and used for many years) are for scrapes and normal cuts, or healing the skin after deep, inner healing is well underway. It is also good for healing very dry skin and many rashes.

Have I set the Lord Aside?
"Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" I read, in Luke 2:49 this morning. Just as Jesus Himself was occupied always with God the Father's business, aren't I supposed to be? I am a child of God. Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in innocent, constant contact with my Father? or is my life so filled up with hurrying and scurrying that I have set Him aside, only picking him up in small spurts or when it is convenient? I read a quote today, "am I continually saying to my common-sense life - why do you want to turn me off here? Don't you know that I must be about my Father's business?" When I pray, am I one with the Father's heart? or am I dictating to Him? These were good reminders to me, not to set Him aside (even for one minute) but to be constantly, honestly, innocently walking in communion with Him, every step of the day.

I hope you have a wonderful day. Here it is 6:20 and it's getting quite light, though it looks like we may get some rain. I actually had to water the garden yesterday, so it is needed rain! Take care, all.

broad-leaf plantain

comfrey

A Short Account

It's chilly on the hill this morning. August loves to bring us those cool mornings; the ones where the furnace almost wants to come on. I had to turn Mom's down yesterday morning, as I detected the "smoldering dust smell" around 5:00 a.m.  The zinnias have just started bursting and there's a nice month of Summer left, but doesn't time pass so quickly?!

This morning I read from Hebrews 3. The Holy Spirit exhorted me to guard against an "evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God". It's amazing how one "little" evil thought can come in, and if left unchecked and unconfessed, can grow into more and more "little thoughts" (the little foxes that spoil the vines) until our whole thinking can get cloudy and confused! Days pass so quickly and one day rolls into one month in no time. It's easy to get "preoccupied" with worldly things and stop being "occupied" with a moment by moment walk with the Lord, isn't it? Keeping short accounts is the only way to avoid it. Sin deceives and hardens our hearts. As the writer of Hebrews used the nation of Israel an example, these reminders challenged and blessed my heart today. I cannot enter into "rest" without being obedient to God in this all-important area!

Our weekend was special, resulting from a day with "the Mothers" and Syd's stepdad on Saturday, then a special blessing with the church family on the Lord's day. This clear air over the weekend was so welcoming as it wafted through the window screens! We all enjoyed a long sit out on the back porch. Of course there was a lot of eating going on too!

We don't use sugar much, except in cooking, therefore I don't have a sugar bowl (usually just dump a little out into a shallow cup to serve to guests). I was outside when Bob needed sugar for his coffee. He used the BIG sugar bowl! I couldn't resist a staged picture, after the fact.

This is golfing from your living room chair. The guys checked out the leaders on the PGA Tour, via computer...

...while the ladies put the dogs to sleep, I guess! We had a delightful visit.

I hope you will enjoy your day and am glad you took a minute to stop by Darling Hill.

"For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12