I would like to take this opportunity to say "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" to a group of mothers. I am talking about the ones who have adopted children who needed a mother. We have known many adoptive parents over the years and have watched. And while each situation has been different in many ways, there is one thing that has stood out to us. Before I share what that is, let me digress (I know, I am good at digressing right out of the subject ) When you have a baby born to you, you immediately begin looking for all of the ways that show they 'belong' to you...daddy's one-sided grin, mama's large feet , Grandpa's dimple, etc. But as time passes you also note the 'other' things they have inherited that mark them as belonging to your family...a.k.a. good character traits...and bad ones too...which we call 'generational spirits' . Sometimes you are able to catch those generational spirits and 'head them off at the pass' before they get really in-grained in their lives. Sometimes in God's mercy, HE allows us to recognize, take responsibility for and confess and break the power of the generational 'stuff' in our lives and our child/children don't even have to deal with that particular issue. Hallelu YAH!! But, when you open your heart and home to a child from a different 'generational tree'...you don't even know what to look for...or when to look for its appearance. It is not as easy as some people make it look...and we have seen many heartbreaking scenarios over the years. Mostly, we have seen the adoptive mothers and fathers become much stronger in their faith as they walk through the 'fires' of raising children from different 'generational trees.' Please pray for the families you know that are walking this path. And today...I honor these mothers for their courage, love, and steadfastness in the job of training up and praying for the abandoned children.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Hello, again!
It has been way past busy. To begin with...my dear, dear husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on April 2nd. We went to Pigeon Forge for a couple of days to celebrate. We drove and hiked/walked through Cades Cove. Bobby had never been before and the weather was cool and rainy...but we had a thoroughly enjoyable time! It seemed strange to be all by ourselves. When we married and left on our honeymoon all those years ago...Bobby's grandfather died suddenly and we turned around 4 days into it and came back for his funeral. Just before our first anniversary I planned a 2nd honeymoon get-away to Gatlinburg for some skiing and ice skating...it turned into "National Lampoon 2nd Honeymoon" in which Bobby tore his ACL in his knee and other various, NOW laughable happenings. We packed up and came home early. I tried, once again that next Sept. to plan a Labor Day get-away on a houseboat. 1-1/2 weeks prior I began to throw up...almost continuously...couldn't even keep water down...uh huh, YOU have already guessed what neither of us figured out...so we went to the doctor...who announced that not only were we expecting!!! but, I was VERY dehydrated and needed to be hospitalized. So, I learned my lesson and NEVER tried to plan another trip. You will understand, then, when my husband asked what I would like for our 25th...and I said, "I would like to go away." He answered, "ALONE?!?" "You REALLY want to try that?" LOL But, we did...and it was WONDERFUL! Our children were fine without us...frankly, I wasn't worried about them...I was wondering how Bobby and I would do WITHOUT them! After all they are our best helpers. Some of you know that Bobby bought me a hammered dulcimer to learn on a few years ago. I have played the flute since I was 9 and taught for a few years before children came along. With everything else that I do...I have been very slowly learning the dulcimer...but greatly enjoying the process. I had one set of hammers and a few books. When we arrived at the campsite and unhooked the van, we went to Townsend to the same shop where he bought my dulcimer. He proceeded to bless me with CDs, another set of hammers and new books! I don't think I have come down from the clouds since! We had planned to leave on April first, but when I went for my walk that morning...I was praising the LORD for the clear skies and the bees working...boy, they sure were loud...except their buzzing was coming from a different direction than the hives...wow, there were a LOT of bees on the ground over there...whoa! a whole lot MORE in the tree...HEY! that is a SWARM! CHILDREN! call DADDY! So, we spent the next couple of hours capturing a swarm. Over the past four weeks we have actually had swarms come through! We haven't caught all of them. Robert did catch some of it on tape and our youngest 3 captured two on their own. You can watch a short version on ENN' site. In other news, we held a Passover Seder on 4/20 and had 31 people for dinner! The downside was washing dishes afterward. Then we packed the coach Sunday afternoon and took off for KY to play a concert for Family Week...at Kennlake. We had wonderful fellowship with old friends and new acquaintances. Then it was back home on Monday evening...we had some good friends come and milk for us Sunday evening and Monday morning...to jump back into the 'fast lane'. I had forgotten we had 2 hives of bees we had ordered long before the swarms started coming in on Monday. Thankfully our USPS employees are used to the rural life and kept them for us until I could get there EARLY Tues. morning. Our middle daughter quipped..."God said He would give us a land flowing with milk and honey!" Truly HE has! HIS faithfulness and mercy are continually surrounding and astounding me! I am praising HIM daily. We are crying out for the Moll family in the death of Duane. We are also continuing to pray for the Estes clan! We NEED to dig in and pray more fervently...especially as we see the days approaching. With spring coming on (it has been in the 80's all week) we are planting and trying to get the roof on the new hay barn. Each day is a NEW day to send treasure on ahead...after we get there it is no longer possible to send treasure. Even though it seems like a 'no-brainer' sometimes we need reminded to be fruitful and work...for the night IS coming. May each of you be blessed!
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Life has been MORE?!? full than usual...if that is possible. As an update our dear friends, the Foote family buried their husband, father and son, Doug, on Friday, March 14th. He passed away, never awakening from his 'coma' on Wed. the 12th. Doug and Ellen's oldest son came to know His Savior after his father went into the coma and is wonderfully exuberant in his new walk! He is telling EVERYONE! He was baptized yesterday. God is doing great and mighty things. At the same time, their family is mourning their separation from Doug. Their youngest daughter turned 12 this past Friday and wept for her daddy. We are also praying for the Fortin family. They have also buried their husband and father, without warning and young, leaving his widow with 7 children (3-18). Please join us in praying for them as well as continuing to pray for the Estes family. Little Noah is still struggling with his limitations. And Jeff and Kate need our continued prayers for strength, wisdom, discernment, peace and mercy. We had a wonderful time at Cowboy Church and arrived home to 'hit the road running.' We worked hard all week getting ready for the Purim party (read the book of Esther...from the Bible). We thought, at first we would have about 80-90 people...then by Friday, it had ballooned to 120-130 people. So, we made up more gift bags and added more food prep. On Friday, we received a call that a horse (Percheron) needed a new home and they were on the way here... He happens to be the 'half-brother' of our Percheron, so we know the horse a little. We had just got him settled in, when my dh said..."Oh! I forgot, some people are coming by to see our miniature jersey cows at milking time...tonight." Flexibility is a GOOD character trait...I think God thinks I must not have enough of it...so I tried to answer calmly...that it would be alright. By the time the people arrived neither my husband or I were at home...having to leave to pick up more supplies. Our children ended up showing the cows, giving 'horsey' rides to their child and handing out a child training book. LOL We did have a GREAT crowd, not only in numbers, but in people. We read through the entire book of Esther and had a wonderful meal, singing and fellowshipping. Our dear friends who travel back and forth to Israel for ministry spent the night with us and left after breakfast. After all that has gone on...and I haven't even shared half...we were exhausted. When I got up this morning...it was SNOWING! It didn't stay, just dusted the vehicles, trampoline, etc. So, after our Scripture, singing , Bible and prayer I sent everyone back to bed for 2 hours. I have never seen them RUN to bed that quickly. Of course, I think that is the first time I have ever sent them to bed in the morning! LOL When we got BACK up things went smoothly back into schedule. Now I am up too late again. We have NOT killed the roosters yet... ...maybe next week. Our son has prepared a special slideshow...hope it works and hope you enjoy it... I will try to write more later...oops! I mean sooner.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
I won't appologize yet again for not posting for so long...you see...here at the Fleming family 'compound' real life takes precedence over "non-real-life"...like computers. It has been a very busy season. I am in the middle of planning my parent's surprise 50th anniversary party...in another state. As the oldest of four, my husband instructed me to 'spearhead' the planning...so, in obedience to him, I am ...well, doing my best to keep ahead of the deadlines! LOL We have friends going through the valley...one family losing their 23 year old son in a terrible car accident, and another where the 'papa' has a lingering and ultimately fatal disease. The 'papa' is in the hospital (the last place he would have wanted to be) in a medically induced coma to try to help his body heal from the double pneumonia which was causing his other major organs to shut down. There have been broken relationships restored through this 'crisis'. We are praying for patience and endurance for his sweet wife (and 7 children 12-30yrs. and 9 grandchildren). It is difficult to NOT give God 'deadlines' to remove the 'crisis' and to complete the work HE has begun in us...but we are trying. We are also continuing to pray for The dear Estes family. On a lighter note...I am getting more ready every day to butcher the TOO many roosters! After being chased by a cowardly rooster half-way up the drive I announced today...I am NOW READY! It will be a joy to make chicken soup! The flu has been raging all around us...but so far...most of us have avoided it. Our oldest and youngest sons (who are also buddies) contracted a very mild version of the flu. My secret weapon this year..on top of extra vitamin C and lots of water, fresh air, and rest (read on a much better schedule than normal!)...is my home-made "brew" of elderberry syrup. Here is the recipe: 1 cup elderberries in 3 cups water...bring it to a slow boil...put the lid on and turn it WAY down to SIMMER for 1 hour. Strain out the berries and add 1-1/2 cups raw honey, stir well and store in the refrigerator. Sometimes I add a Tbs. of the same ...dare I say it...whiskey...I use to make vanilla. I can honestly say we do not now, nor ever have even tasted whiskey...except as it is in certain foods. To make home-made pure vanilla...take 6 vanilla beans...break them in smaller pieces and place them in a pint size jar. Add 1 pint high quality bourbon/whiskey...not having a background in this particular field...I asked someone who owns a liquor store...who told me that the brand Maker's Mark is good quality...it also has a lower alcohol content which is why I chose to use this in the vanilla. Cap the jar and leave it in a warm/sunny window...shake it up every now and again. Usually about 3-6 months later you can see that it has darkened considerably and smells like good vanilla...then use it. The alcohol is necessary as a 'menstrum' (spelling?) to draw out the good qualities in the vanilla beans and also preserves it. Store bought vanilla had gotten so expensive and has added ingredients, such as sugar and water...that I learned how to make this about 7 years ago. I have not calculated the cost differences lately, but originally it was MUCH cheaper to make it myself...and I am fairly certain it still is. ANYWAY...to return to the original subject of elderberry syrup...I made everyone take 1-3 TBS. per day. BUT, if they felt a sore throat coming on or any achiness...I upped their amount to 1/4 cup three times per day...or 2 TBS every 2 hours along with vit . C, A, and E and echinacea. During our school day we also schedule 'vigorous exercise' time where, unless it is thundering and lightening or they are deathly ill, everyone MUST go outside and jump on the trampoline, ride their bike, run, play basketball, volleyball, badminton, row the canoe or boat, swim, trick rope, jump rope, or anything else that gets their heart rate up! It is only for 30 minutes, but I am sure it helps us stay healthy. Julia, our youngest daughter sometimes rides her bike down to the chicken coop to collect eggs in the basket and then rides back up a very steep hill. Our middle son has been honing his trick roping and can almost do a pretty impressive Texas skip...he has already mastered many other tricks...some a lot harder. We are getting ready to play and sing for Cowboy Church in Franklin, TN at the Tn Horse Fair one week from today. The next weekend we are hosting a Purim party in our barn. The weekend after that we are scheduled to play/sing/ give testimony at a church not far from here for their whole evening service. After that comes our 25th wedding anniversary...and I am already tired. That doesn't even include all of the every day things that come into play. I am sooo glad that our Heavenly Father's mercies are new EVERY morning. HALLELUJAH!! I am on my very first diet...I paid for it on the internet...but, it is working fantastically, and I feel much better. I am also walking for 30 minutes twice a day. I haven't been able to ride my Paso Fino, Mr. Groceries...yes, that is really his name. He was limping and we have tried a number of different remedies from the vet and naturally. Now we have put "rubber" shoes on him...I think it is helping...but I haven't gotten to ride...so don't know. Oops! I just realized I hadn't reset the clocks down here at the business...it is past my bedtime! I have got to go! Still working on the schedule...with a few bumps here and there. May God bless all of you richly as you walk humbly with your God, loving and serving your husband and families.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
P.S. Here is the latest Fleming Family picture for the 2008 season of playing/singing taken this past Friday.
I am almost afraid to post! I haven't even turned on "my" computer in several weeks. The 'email computer' is in my husband's office at our textile business. My office is the front office and his is the 'inner sanctum'! LOL When I come to the office to do 'official' work...like the payroll or entering and paying the bills, I am usually on a tight time schedule and have to do my work and get back up to the house or off the property. The last time I posted I shared that 'things' had been coming into better order...and that included time management. In order to make a habit, as Charlotte Mason as well as a score of others have affirmed, you must do whatever the 'new' behavior is for more than 2 weeks...usually more like 30-40 days! We have been making excellent progress on a better 'get-up and go-to-bed' schedule as well as what gets done in the day. I also started a diet...my first. It is 'working' very well and the pounds are being shed. What has been interesting to me is that it has affected me spiritually and emotionally as well. Let me explain. On this diet, I 'get to' eat 6 meals per day. I don't count calories...but I stop eating before I feel full, while I am still a little hungry. In essence you are eating every 2-1/2 hours or so. I realized that I have relaxed. Knowing that I will eat again so soon...I can stop sooner and even if I feel a little hungry...I will eat again in a few hours. I am contented and don't need to keep eating. At the same time I had a GIANT stack of catalogs! I don't like to go out to shop...but I surely do enjoy browsing catalogs. Well, the Holy Spirit showed me I needed to get rid of that stack...so I did...in the trashcan! It felt so good...like more unwanted pounds coming off! I am also walking twice a day for 30 minutes each. Not your olympic walk, just a nice brisk-but-easy one. Sometimes Bobby goes with me and we have a nice talk/walk. Other times one or two of the children join me and we have one-on-one (or two) time. The times when I go by myself I have enjoyed generous outspoken prayer time. Our weather has been all over the board....yesterday mid-60's tonight low 20's! The forecast says snow showers and Bobby even consented to praying for a LOT of snow on the ground! (Will wonders never cease! ) There have been a lot of REAL life things to keep me on my toes too. My brother and his family came through on their way back up to Michigan and stopped for an overnight...all but their daughter had the flu. So, I made chicken soup and they rested inside while we took little Sarah Julia on a horseback ride and collected eggs and milked the cows. Our oldest son, Robert, had smoked a turkey and we had a full dinner...which Sarah and the rest of us enjoyed while their family reclined in the living room. They left for home still sick...but I understood...I like to be in my own home if I am really sick. I made up an elderberry syrup to dose our family. I forced everyone to take 1-3 tablespoons per day at first and if they started to feel 'flu-ish' or 'cold-ish' I upped their dose to 1/3 cup 3 times per day. No one so far has gotten anything like what our employees and others have had. Thank you Lord! We are getting calls for engagements to sing/play which means praying over the timing and 'if the answer is yes or no.' I would ask you to pray for the Boyd and Donna Hargraves family (we all began homeschooling together many years ago) as their 22 year old son Samuel was killed in a terrible accident on Sunday morning (Feb.23,2008). We will be going to the memorial service on Friday. He was their eldest son. Today is my sister's birthday as well as our 2nd son's birthday--he is 18...can't believe it! They grow so quickly. We are humbled and grateful to the Lord for sending Samuel to our family and quietly amazed at the Godly young man he is. When I come out in the early morning to go to my 'prayer closet'---which happens to be in the bus barn inside one of the buses.---he is already in his quiet corner chair reading his Bible and praying. Well, it is time for me to go and make his birthday supper...he has requested fried chicken (I rarely make this--2 times a year maybe), mashed potatoes and green beans. The children have a choice of a homemade cake or a bakery cake. We have a wonderful bakery that makes delicious...but, oh-so-bad-for-you cakes! LOL. Most of the children choose the bakery cake, but Samuel, year after year wants me to make a carrot cake for his. I made it this morning, and I am glad, because around lunch time the power went off...until around 2. I hope it stays on tonight. I hope I haven't rambled too much. I will try to post again...soon
Thank you for being patient with me.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Lately I have been convicted about getting our home in 'better' order...in several different ways. While we regularly sweep the floors, wash the dishes, clean the bathrooms and do the laundry, I have not been going through the clothes closets and drawers to 'recycle' the clothing too small or 'not fit to wear anymore.' Then there are the toy bins...while I wasn't looking our children have been growing up quickly. The toys that just a few short years ago were their favorites now are idle. So, we began by hauling out the bins and sorting through...which ones were to go to another home (either the trashcan or goodwill or someone we know) and which ones were to stay...for children who come to visit and future children or grandchildren. It feels very good to get this job 'under my belt.' But, then it came to me...that every day I have been praying that God would bring our home into Godly order. In my mind and heart I have been seeking to walk "in agreement" with God and Bobby. Let me go back...my old definition for 'submission' was..."duck, so God can get him!" It seemed funny and maybe appropriate at the time, but the LORD has shown me that HE is not amused by this definition...and really, it didn't work well at all. So, for the last few years my 'new' definition of submission has been: "to come into agreement with". It works Oh so much better and is more in line with what I read in the Bible. I also pray daily that God will bring my husband into agreement with HIMSELF. This has brought more order and peace to our home than just about anything else that I have done. Now, the neat part is...when I began praying this...my little 'pea' brain was thinking in the spiritual realm...but God has expanded it to include ALL of the realms!!! Isn't that just like HIM?!? What an awesome God! When I walk in agreement with Bobby, I don't have to worry about what anyone else thinks or does...because I am exactly where I need to be...which in turn brings great joy. It takes time and practice, but it brings great fruit. So, now I think I am up to beginning on the clothing...I think!?! In other 'news' it was 20 degrees this morning! (It was in the low 50's yesterday). I dug out Uncommon Courtesy by the Gregg Harris family. They also did The 21 Rules of This House and Rules For Young Friends which we have used since our children were young. I realized, the other day that I had not taught our younger set of children as rigorously as I had the older set in certain courtesies. So, while I was in the clean out mode I went looking for the rules of courtesy we had used with the older ones. We are still milking twice a day and making yogurt and kefir daily...but I am itching to make cheese...maybe this week! We are getting closer to getting my cinder block garden in place (http://cinderblockgardens.com/). To really understand what we are doing you have to have a little background on my husband...and myself. I am usually the VERY detailed one and he is usually the GENERAL one. But, on this issue, HE wanted split-face block (think the block Walmarts use), I didn't care. HE wanted it TOTALLY level...(think laser level, tractor with scraper attachment, and children with shovels), I didn't care. But, I wanted to walk in agreement...so, He is orchestrating the building of it...and I get to use it. Well, it is way past my cut-off time. Before I close, please remember to pray for the Estes family. They are continuing to gratefully walk in the valley. Also, remember Doug and his wife Ellen. Thank you!
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Wow! I just realized the month of January is almost over....and I have only posted once. That AND when I checked our emails an anonymous post left at my blog site asked me to post more... Sometimes I think of all the things I would love to post about...while we are doing all of these things...and when I come to the end of my 'bank of daily time' I am all out of minutes and must fall into bed before the next day is upon me! Sometimes I get a chance to dash down to the business and turn on the computer and log on...checking up on blogs that have interested me...leaving a post here and there and trying to catch up on all of my 'friends' list when I realize time is all gone...and it is time to run back up to the house to get supper on or...horror of horrors it is WAAY past supper and now it is getting to be past bedtime too! If I went back through just one week you would catch my drift! This is not to boastfully think/say that I have more to do than anyone else...I keep wondering how others do...and then the Father reminds me that this is MY story, not theirs. My prayer is that I would be redeeming the time...and not waste one minute. That is not to say that we don't plan for and actually rest. Each week we set aside the time from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday to 'rest' from our normal daily work and truly rest. That is probably the only way we accomplish all of our weeks! Yesterday we had our 6 month dental check-up and teeth cleaning which takes one whole afternoon for all 8 of us. Thankfully our dentist and his whole office staff are lots of fun and we ALL enjoy going and, indeed, look forward to it!! They are fascinated by this 'very different' family from the country. Believe me it is NEVER boring. Sadly, I was the only one with a cavity. I have been properly 'razzed' by the family. I heard the quote from the movie "Tall Tale".."Somebody 'ain't' been brushin'!" When we left the dentist's office we had the 'shopping' to attend to...SAM's...where we sang for the greeter, because she was depressed and needed a lift...then 6 more stores, fuel and food stops too and finally home right before 9 p.m. to do chores! Have scripture and prayer and fall into bed right before midnight. Did I mention that the temp was down to 10 degrees...so we had to rearrange some of the animals...take the cow and newest calf up to the horse barn, goats inside another barn, etc. On Tuesday...oops, time has flown again...and my husband is calling me up to the house...usually we are resting at home....tonight we have a special birthday party to attend for a young lady we have known since her childhood...it is her 18th and we are going to sing, play board games, eat cake (and nachos) and visit! I will try to grab more 'minutes' and post more often...there are many more things to write about. We are still praying multiple times daily for the Estes family and little Noah and Mary Faith. Please join us. Also, we have another friend with a very advanced and serious case of Hepatitis C. Please pray for Doug and his wife Ellen. Thank you.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
I have been greatly overwhelmed lately with the LORD's faithfulness. In the everyday things He is allowing me to see HIS goodness. On Friday, Dec. 28th my ONLY, but very dear sister gave birth to a wonderful, healthy baby boy!! This is she and her husband's 5th baby. Because of some 'mishaps' during her labor and delivery with baby #4 she was not able to have an epidural this time. She was a little anxious (understandably). We had all been praying earnestly for God to bless this birth...either with a painless one, or strength and grace to endure through the pain. We were also praying that it would be their 'best' birth experience. HE was faithful! We have been praying continuously for the Estes family . They have been pressing in, enduring AND praising the Father for a 'long' time. HE is faithful! Several of our children have been praying for snow...enough to play in and maybe a 'little' more. Actually, Julia's prayer involved the word 'blizzard'...although to be fair, she was VERY specific about its location; "on our property". Daddy has not been praying in agreement. I will have to say, as a girl who grew up in the midwest, that I frankly miss a little snow. I am not telling how I am praying. As of right this minute...it is snowing here!!! (I am hearing minute-by-minute accounts.) HE is faithful! Then, out of the blue, it hit me... HE has been faithful, not just in my liftetime...but ALL through the ages! I was congratulating myself that I had told each of our children as they came along, certain 'commands' hundreds of times (possibly thousands!) For example: "Put your clothes in the dirty clothes when you take them off." (IF they are dirty)--(I had one, who would put perfectly CLEAN clothes in the dirty clothes if it seemed inconvenient to put them away at the time.) But I digress. As I was thinking about all of the things I have told them repeatedly, it hit me...that the Heavenly Father had done it not just to me...but to every one of his children all down through the ages. How faithful is that?!? We have been learning about patience...THAT is patience. Then, I thought about all of the times HE had to tell me the SAME thing, for instance, "Close your mouth, Ruth" or "If you love me, keep my commandments."...what an AWESOME GOD!! Obedience is BETTER than sacrifice, is another thing we tell our children (oops! I mean myself). But that will have to be for another time...as my dear husband is calling me to get off of the computer.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
) When you have a baby born to you, you immediately begin looking for all of the ways that show they 'belong' to you...daddy's one-sided grin, mama's large feet 
, Grandpa's dimple, etc. But as time passes you also note the 'other' things they have inherited that mark them as belonging to your family...a.k.a. good character traits...and bad ones too...which we call 'generational spirits' . Sometimes you are able to catch those generational spirits and 'head them off at the pass' before they get really in-grained in their lives. Sometimes in God's mercy, HE allows us to recognize, take responsibility for and confess and break the power of the generational 'stuff' in our lives and our child/children don't even have to deal with that particular issue. Hallelu YAH!! But, when you open your heart and home to a child from a different 'generational tree'...you don't even know what to look for...or when to look for its appearance. It is not as easy as some people make it look...and we have seen many heartbreaking scenarios over the years. Mostly, we have seen the adoptive mothers and fathers become much stronger in their faith as they walk through the 'fires' of raising children from different 'generational trees.' Please pray for the families you know that are walking this path. And today...I honor these mothers for their courage, love, and steadfastness in the job of training up and praying for the abandoned children. 
The downside was washing dishes afterward. 
Then we packed the coach Sunday afternoon and took off for KY to play a concert for Family Week...at Kennlake. We had wonderful fellowship with old friends and new acquaintances. Then it was back home on Monday evening...we had some good friends come and milk for us Sunday evening and Monday morning...to jump back into the 'fast lane'. I had forgotten we had 2 hives of bees we had ordered long before the swarms started coming in on Monday. Thankfully our USPS employees are used to the rural life and kept them for us until I could get there EARLY Tues. morning. Our middle daughter quipped..."God said He would give us a land flowing with milk and honey!" Truly HE has! HIS faithfulness and mercy are continually surrounding and astounding me! I am praising HIM daily. We are crying out for the 
We have NOT killed the roosters yet...
I have got to go! Still working on the schedule...with a few bumps here and there. May God bless all of you richly as you walk humbly with your God, loving and serving your husband and families.
Other times one or two of the children join me and we have one-on-one (or two) time. The times when I go by myself I have enjoyed generous outspoken prayer time. Our weather has been all over the board....yesterday mid-60's tonight low 20's! The forecast says snow showers and Bobby even consented to praying for a LOT of snow on the ground! (Will wonders never cease! 
) There have been a lot of REAL life things to keep me on my toes too. My brother and his family came through on their way back up to Michigan and stopped for an overnight...all but their daughter had the flu