For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivereed us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
~Colossians 1:9-17
The last few months have been a time of personal trials and tribulations for me in many ways. My body came unto the enemy's attack, first with flu, which turned into bronchitis, and in turn went into pneumonia. It took many, many weeks to overcome this and be restored to health once again, and I am ever so thankful our Lord has had mercy once again upon me! During all of this I continued on with our normal holiday celebrations and taking care of my grandchildren. I know that there is no way any of these things could have been accomplished without His constant flow of strength being poured into me.
Through all of this, I have continued to keep all of you in prayer. While you may not have "seen" me here, or had the opportunity to read anything new from my pen, rest assured that I was still hard at work and keeping myself immersed in the Word--studying, learning, and continuing to grow in His knowledge and wisdom.
This is how God works. While we may not "see" what He's doing, while we may not "hear" any new evidence of His power, while we may not always "feel" His presence, we have the assurance that He is still on the throne, still in power, and still the everlasting Jehovah God!!! Our faith is not based on what we see, hear, taste, smell, or feel; our faith is based on our knowledge of Who He is and what He's done for us. Never give up! Don't give up on God or His saving grace or His mercies that are neverending and everlasting!
I make no promises that I will be writing daily, or even weekly here, but I do promise that I shall continue to work and study for the Lord. This is a new year and a new decade--I don't know where He's going to take me or what He's going to be having me do once I get there, but I do know that He is moving in my life in a mighty way. Just as you see my blog format has changed, you will be seeing changes in my personal life, as well. I'm not at a point where I can say more than that, but I can say that all of those involved have been very patient with me. They know that we have to wait for the Lord to move in His time--not ours. And they know that I follow His leading, and no one else's.
The last decade was a long road to travel, but we've all come through it. One thing I've learned is to continue moving forward and don't dwell on the past. Past glories, past mistakes, past triumphs--they're all gone. One doesn't rest on their laurels, one moves on to the next hurdle and overcomes it.
If you've made mistakes in the past (as we all have), learn from them and then leave them where they belong--in the past. You can't go back and change them, but you can live your life now in such a way that you don't repeat those mistakes again. If you've hurt someone, apologize. Say, "I'm sorry. Will you please forgive me?", with all sincerity, and then go on. You've done what you're supposed to do. We don't have to make amends to God...we simply have to ask His forgiveness and He is faithful to forgive.
This is how we need to be as people. If someone has hurt us, we shouldn't wait for that person to apologize and ask our forgiveness. We need to forgive them and let go of the pain. Yes, I know this can be a long process at times, but it's a process that will never end if we don't begin it at all! Step by step we need to let the Lord heal our pain and fill us with His forgiveness in our hearts. He is faithful to forgive us, and we need to do the same, not only to others, but to ourselves. Forgive yourself for your mistakes--and yes, this can be the hardest thing of all! But once again, you won't finish the process until you take the first step of beginning it.
I didn't realize this was where I was headed when I began writing this a few moments ago, but I believe it's something that we all need to learn from. Allow the Lord to minister to you today through these nuggets of wisdom and fill your heart with His love, His peace, and His forgiveness. And remember--never give up!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Today I am thankful for...the legacy my Mama and my Mom left me in the kitchen, as well as several of my sisters teaching me their "secrets" too!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
...the opportunities available to reach out and help others in so many ways.
During the upcoming holiday season, look around you. There are ever so many doors open to help those in need. You may think you're having it rough yourself, but when you begin to look at other's situations, you will find that yours is much more tolerable. God won't allow more to be put on you than what you can handle, with His help. Allow Him to help you through your own difficulties and allow Him to use you to help others through their difficulties, too!
This is a wonderful lesson to teach our children and grandchildren, and easily incorporated into the homeschool setting, as well as with children who attend public schools.
I'd love to hear how you and your family are reaching out to others! Just leave me a note by clicking the comment button under this post and share it with me here.
Have a most blessed day!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Physical, Emotional, and Mental strength!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
I always have mixed feelings during this time of the year. I feel a touch of sadness that the warm summer months are coming to an end...and at the same time, I feel excitement that a new season is beginning. The leaves change color, the air becomes crisper, the fresh vegetables in season become a bit hardier, and more layers are added in my wardrobe.
My cooking takes on different aspects in these cooler months, too. I tend to focus more on savory dishes and comfort foods. Yes, we still eat plenty of salads and raw veggies, however, oftentimes I will add meat to the salads and more root vegetables to the veggie trays. Unfortunately, I also bake more during this time of year--sweets that should not be consumed very often. Brownies, cakes, pies, cookies...yes, all of them. However, I am trying to use more whole grains in my baking, and having some success.
I tend to spend more time indoors now, too, and this gives me more opportunities to spend in the Word. A passage of scripture has been in my mind quite often here lately, and I thought I'd share it with you...
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
~Isaiah 55:6-11
As some of you know, we have faced a few difficulties here recently. I was laid off from work late in the summer, and have been unable to find a new job yet. Also, my son was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. However, while these things may look devastating, there is much to praise God for! The bills are paid, and God is continuing to prove Himself to be the Source of all good things in my life. Also, His Word has not returned void in my son. Words of healing have continually been spoken over him since the diagnosis, and when the doctors did their exploratory surgery last week, they found no cancer at all! Hallelujah! Yes, we do serve a mighty God and He continues to bless us in many ways!
I have been working on my newsletter as I find the time, and am hoping to have it out very soon. I hesitate to give a definite time or date, though, but will say I am trying my best to get it out as quickly as possible.
Thank you so much for being faithful and loyal to my blog and my writings. Many of you have walked this journey with me for several years, and many of you are relative newcomers here. I keep all of you in my prayers daily and look forward to hearing about the wonderful things God is doing in your life!
I am going to try to begin posting what I am thankful for each day here as I have been doing on my Facebook profile.
Today I am thankful for....words of encouragement and exhortation from unexpected sources!
I would like to ask you to remember my precious sister, Joyce, in your prayers. Her husband passed away Thursday night. They were married for several decades (around 50 years, I'm not certain of the exact number), and as to be expected, this is hitting her hard. He had been going through kidney dialysis for the last year, and she's holding on to the fact that his body has now been made perfect and he is no longer suffering and in pain. Hallelujah! Thank you for your prayers.
There have been many other prayer requests given to me, as well, and they will be included in my next newsletter (which has been delayed due to so many upheavals in my own life lately). I hope to have it out to you in the next week or so. Thank you for your patience.
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Oh dear...somehow, some way this month has just flown by! I sure stayed busy through it, and will share with you a bit of it in this post. Last weekend my son and I took his 2 children to King's Island in Cincinnati, Ohio (with the tickets he won from the Hot Dog Eating contest). My goodness, we all had a wonderful time! There were so many rides for the children (and us!), and the children took turns pushing me in a wheelchair, although my son did most of it (he thought it best that I use one since we would be there many, many hours and my legs don't last much longer than a trip to the grocer's these days). Let me share some of our pics with you....
They had fun "meeting" Patrick from Spongebob and Squarepants:
And they got quite wet on Congo Falls:
And I, of course, enjoyed the beautiful landscaping:
On the drive up we went through Amish land, and saw horses and buggies and roadside stands run by the Amish. There were beautiful farms (Amish and non-Amish), and many corn and soybean fields.
We had dinner in the park at Skyline Chili--I had heard so much about it, but none of us cared much for it, unfortunately. We prefer what I make here at home (it's nice to know your family prefers your cooking). All in all it was a lovely day, and one spent relaxing and enjoying our time together as a family.
I do hope you and your family have been enjoying times of joy together this summer!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
As usual, there has been quite a bit of activity going on here in my home! 
Let me share with you last weekend's activities for a moment...
Friday night was the County Fair for us. My youngest son, his 2 children, his ex-wife, and I all loaded up and headed to Milton for the County Fair. We had a wonderful time (I'm sorry--I forgot to take my camera with me that evening!), and the children were completely enthralled with everything. We enjoyed browsing through the 4-H exhibits--everything from home-canned goods and baked goods, to fresh produce and handmade quilts. I was amazed at the skills these precious children had on display! I give a huge thumbs up to their parents and 4-H leaders for taking the time and energy to teach these skills and wonderful qualities to the next generation. I know the time and effort I put into my own grandchildren with these teachings and am always amazed when I see it done on a much broader scale. Hallelujah!
The FFA youth had some great livestock shown. Such beautiful animals and very, very well cared for! My co-worker was able to win a pig during the auction and will enjoy its bounty this winter. I think its great that we can buy meat like this and know who raised it, and know that there are no hormones or other additives given to the animals. Locally raised, free-range, and hormone free--yes, a true blessing! I didn't win anything at the auction this year, but hopefully will next year. She and I have talked about maybe going in together on a cow next year--unless they choose to raise their own instead (they live on a farm in the country). We'll just have to wait and see.
After making it home late that night, we were up early on Saturday for the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival, held downtown here in Huntington. My son entered the Hot Dog Eating Contest, and that was a lot of fun. I did remember my camera that day!!! Let me share some pics with you here....
This was taken before it began. It all looks so nice and neat! The gentleman with the camera behind the table is with a television production company. They are filming a reality series with Jamie Oliver about healthy eating and basing it here in Huntington (I think because we were named the unhealthiest city in America--hmmm). Anyhow, it's supposed to be out this fall on ABC channels, to my understanding. Next...
In the midst of devouring as many hot dogs as possible in the time period of 12 minutes! Slow and steady there, boy! Remember the tortoise and the hare!!!!
THE GRAND CHAMPION!!!!!
Yes, my Robert ate 14 hot dogs on their buns in 12 minutes and was named Champion for 2009! You see his children there--Allen is holding the big trophy that will be kept in Stewart Hot Dog's offices with his name engraved on it, Cayla is holding the trophy he keeps, he's wearing his Champion bib, and I now have the 4 tickets he won to King's Island! He'll also receive a $100 check soon (maybe for the antacid I know he needed afterward???). He was also interviewed by the film crew of the reality show I mentioned earlier and will appear on that this fall. Not bad for a few moments of eating!
Anyhow...on with the weekend. I also managed to make the time to can 14 quarts of pickles. Seven quarts were Kosher Dills and seven quarts were Bread-and-Butter pickles. Whew! Of course, some have already left my home for other refrigerators and pantries, to be enjoyed in a few weeks (if they'll wait that long!), but I did manage to hang onto 4 or 5 quarts here. Seems like every time I can, most of it goes elsewhere. Oh well, as long as its enjoyed and the jars and rings find their way back home I don't mind. It's a blessing to me to share like that. (No, I didn't grow the cukes I used--they were a gift from a customer at work! Hallelujah!).
So, as you can see, things tend to stay a little bit active around here. Tonight I plan to do a bit of writing, tomorrow is a trip to the Farmer's Market in the West End of Huntington, and perhaps a bit more canning tomorrow afternoon, depending on what I find. I'll be freezing some breaded green tomato slices and breaded squash slices tomorrow, for sure, too (gotta love Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Squash when the snow is flying). I also have a bit of ironing to do and some homemaking to be taken care of. Sunday School and Church services on Sunday and then back to work on Monday morning! Whew!
I'll be starting soon on some sewing that is begging to be done. I have some table linens to make (I haven't forgotten, dear Sis!), a quilt to make my granddaughter for Christmas, some aprons to get made that have been requested, and some other goodies for Christmas gifts. Have mercy, if I don't start them now, they'll never be done in time! It's hard to believe this is already the end of July! Yikes!
Well, anyhow, I hope you've enjoyed my sharing here with you and some of the pics from last weekend. Maybe I'll remember my camera tomorrow and take some at the Farmer's Market!
I pray you're having a blessed weekend!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
~Psalm 22:4
I am always amazed when I think of our country's forefathers. The first settlers from England have always fascinated me...their bravery, their fortitude, their inner drive to move to a new place and start their lives all over again for the sake of freedom--freedom to believe in and worship God, freedom to live the lives they knew they were supposed to live without persecution. How many hearts were broken when they boarded the ships to leave the only home they had ever known? How many women were blindly following the leading of their husbands? How many children didn't truly understand what was going on, but were being obedient to their parents? What was life like on those ships? What was life like when they first stepped on the soil of North America? How many fell to their knees and gave thanksgiving prayers unto God?
How did our nation become the nation it did? Through the suffering, the trials, and tribulations endured by our forefathers. Where did they get their strength? By crying out to God Almighty and asking Him to guide them, sustain them, provide for them, and lead them. And then they allowed Him to do so. That is the key. That is the principle this wonderful United States of America was founded upon. Faith in God, albeit blind faith most of the time, was the element most needed, and our forefathers followed through with that element. They trusted God. How many folks in America are trusting God today? And I do mean truly trusting in Him and Him alone. Trusting Him to lead them in the paths of righteousness, trusting Him to provide for all of their needs, trusting Him for their health, trusting Him to speak to our nations leaders, and then praying our leaders listen to Him.
It is my prayer today and every day that God will once again be Lord of this country and that our leaders will turn to Him in all aspects of their lives. Not just in the decisions made in the Senate or in the White House or in Congress, but in the day-to-day lives they live. What they'll eat that day, what they'll wear, what they'll say, what steps they will take to insure this nation is once again the thriving country it once was. I pray that our unborn babies are once again safe, that our infants and children will not know the horrors of poverty and perversion, that our young adults will forge ahead and become the future leaders and be the godly men and women they were created to be. I pray that once again God will look upon this nation with favor and be pleased with what He sees.
Won't you join me in agreement with this prayer?
Hugs and Blessings,
Cynthia Robin
The Legacy of Home blog with Mrs. White is having Today's 20 Things and I thought I'd join in. Here are 20 things I've done today (and its not quite 1:00 p.m. here):
1. Spent time with God, finding out His Will and plans for me today.
2. Had my devotions.
3. Watched the morning news with my coffee.
4. Read emails.
5. Made a pitcher of iced tea.
6. Washed the bathroom walls and fixtures.
7. Cleaned the tub, sink, and necessary.
8. Washed the knick-knacks from the bathroom.
9. Visited with a friend who dropped by, and then another friend joined us, and all 3 of us gals enjoyed chit-chatting together for a little while.
10. Went downtown and picked up 2 cases of bottled water, giving one to a neighbor without a vehicle (free due to a water main break that shut down water to 90% of Huntington and parts of southern Ohio last night--we're now under a Boil Water Advisory until tomorrow morning--and yes, my tea was made with boiled water, my coffee with bottled water I already had).
11. Stopped at the produce stand and picked up some tomatoes, peppers, and cukes.
12. Tidied up in the sewing room a bit.
13. Made my bed.
14. Put away some laundry.
15. Called my son to tell him about the water advisory--no answer.
16. Balanced my checkbook.
17. Watched a home improvement show on the television.
18. Caught up my Day Planner.
19. Planned next week's menus.
20. Read the Legacy of Home blog.
What have you done today? I do hope that first and foremost, you are keeping God in control of everything that you do this day, and every day. Now I'm off to have a bit of lunch and then dust the living room and tackle the floors downstairs! After that, I'll sit down and return a call from a dear friend over in Ohio, have some supper, and then read a bit this evening. Have a blessed weekend!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin