Garden Gate Rabbit Park - Homeschool Blogger

Letters link hearts together!

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:11:00 -0600

Isn't it wonderful to get mail? In my younger years I was thrilled to get a letter in the mail!
Every year my grandma Jones would send me a Valentine! Valentines were beautiful pictures with lovely rhymes 40 years ago! I saved many of them and what a treasure they are today! While I love to look at them time and again it is really the loving words that my grandmother wrote that means so much to me! My grandmother is with the Lord and I look forward to seeing her again! Such precious memories of her are brought to mind when I hold those Valentines in my hand. They are links to her loving heart!
Letters link hearts together!
I treasure cards and letters even more as an adult! Today I received some special mail. One was a handmade thank you card. The front says "God works wonders through wonderful people!" The dear words inside expressed the gratitude of their hearts for the blessing and encouragement my husband and I had been for helping them through a most difficult time! Why do I share these personal experiences? So we will not forget to love others! We do not always know why the Lord lays a person upon our heart or brings them to mind, but we must certainly realize God wants to bless their life in a special way through us!
The beautiful results is that we are blessed too!

Links in Life!

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:36:00 -0600

Just can't help but check some of the links that I find on website of "Favorite" friends and places! There are great ideas and of course such interesting people!! The joy is when you have good friends-they have good friends that are worth knowing and learning from! COuntry people know more country people! Successful home schoolers know successful homeschoolers! (OH- Beware there are some home schoolers that are homesfoolers!!-made that word up myself! :)) There are some great links in life but not all links are strong or helpful because they are weaker links!!
Well I just keep adding those great websites to my favorites list and it grows longer and longer and then I realized that there are others that may want to hear about some of my favorites! I found this general store today! There is a contest going on now in January 2009 that you must go read about!

Living on the Sunny Side!

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:58:00 -0600

   There are so many lessons we can learn day to day and thankfully some of those lessons can help us all through life! The people that have had the greatest influence in my life have been older, wiser, happy people! I never found that advice from complaining, unhappy or aimless people was any good. I watched to see where people were getting their happiness, and whether it lasted through difficult times too! Some of the elderly people in our church were the most interesting and helpful! (I still think so-after 40 years have flown by! ) They were wise and content week after week! They always had a thankful word and love for God! That was the kind of person I wanted to be! I wanted to be smiling no matter what the weather was or what difficulties I was dealing with and trusting God to see me through!  I learned to trust God because I saw how God cared for the people that did trust HIM!
      One lesson that I will never forget was found above the clouds! When I had my first flight in an airplane the pilot told the passengers there was a storm ahead and we would experience wind and turbulence for a few moments. He flew the plane up through the clouds into the glorious sunshine where we saw the beauty and handiwork of God in the sky, and heavens above the storm! I sat spellbound viewing creation from heaven’s perspective! The brilliant sunrays made the clouds purest white as far as the eye could see! What a magnificient sight I was able to behold through the window of the airplane!
    Over the years whenever storms threaten I remember the sunny side above the clouds! The sunshine is a poor comparison to the light of our dear Savior's face, but I am reminded that one day I shall see Him and storms of life will all be over! Til that day arrives, God’s peace and the Light of His precious Word can be in our home and part of our daily life! Let’s live on the sunny side of life!

Autumn Changes at Garden Gate!

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:13:00 -0600

Our gardens have changed quite a lot since the frost came! The impatients were hanging limp over the sides of our hanging flower baskets! Poor things!! The day before they were lovely colored blooms standing tall and bushy and today their plant life is gone!! The countryside is bursting with color since autumn's cool weather arrived! It is wonderful! I love the walk to our creek just to hear the leaves crunching under foot! The squirrels were tossing leaves about while digging and hiding their acorns! That is noisy work!
We picked the remaining pears and will cook those today. Gloria was dividing the strawberry plants so that there will be a bigger row next spring. Our bunnies have their winter coats now and are chipper when we get them out for exercise! Our cabbages, brussel sprouts and cauliflours are doing fine. They grow in the cool weather and are so tasty when they are harvested! We put alot of our garden in jars and also in the freezer this year! It is so rewarding to make a crock of chili and taste all the garden goodness! Our tomatoes, peppers, onions, and even ground zuchini, blends their flavors with the beef , wild rice and pinto beans! We love chili with corn bread! Of course the left over chili is just as delicious the next day topping a cheesy homemade pizza, or added to a family size taco salad! Mmm-good!
Our frozen pumpkin will be baked into pies, muffins and breads this winter! Talking about it brings the memories of the warm kitchen and the sweet fragrance of cinnamon and cloves to mind! Of course we make plans early to get the baking done before Christmas arrives. We make ginger bread men and ginger bread bunnies (of course!) and freeze them so that they can be fresh when we need them for special company-like when you come to visit!

What Did I Notice Today?

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 22:07:00 -0600

I love to take pictures whether I am working on another project with our bunnies, or just preserving the beauty of creation that I notice at the time! Despite my schedule and appointments I do not want to hurry so much that I miss the lovely work that God has done! Some days I notice a hummingbird at the blooms outside my kitchen window. With summer's departure and the hummingbirds gone, I look at the beauty of our autumn days. Some of our bushes are blooming though the days are cooler. I took some pictures and savored the moments in the sunshine. How beautiful is God's handiwork in delicate flowers! There are times I gather a bouquet and display it in a vase on the kitchen table for everyone to enjoy. Flowers are such a pleasure when we behold their delicate beauty or fragrance!

While taking pictures of these blooms I noticed movement amongst the pollen covered stamens. A bee was working. The amusing site was seeing that the bee was totally covered in the pollen! He had gotten so immersed in his work that he was coated with the powdery pollen! The bee was covered with the lovely fragrance of the flower too! What a delightful object lesson was unfolding before my eyes! Just as the bee labored to gather pollen for sustanence and to take back to the hive he was supplied with God's abundance and totally captured the beauty and fragrance of the flower too!

That is just like our wonderful Lord-who loadeth us daily with benefits! Our time spent with Him in prayer and reading His precious word is sweet as the honey in the honeycomb! The more time we are immersed in His word and work the more glory and joy He pours over our soul. Our hearts are filled to overflowing and our tongue rejoices in God and His goodness! His tender lovingkindness becomes us! May the beauty of Jesus be seen in us today!!

If Gas Prices Keep Rising....

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:13:00 -0500

Celebrating 25 Years!!

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:02:00 -0500

Our wedding day, June 11, 1983, Glenn and I vowed to love and cherish each other until our Lord called one or both of us home to be with Him. What memories we made on the day of our wedding! What memories we have since that day!! 25 years ago! June 11 hundreds gathered in Murfreesboro Tennessee, at Franklin Road Baptist Church (where I had been teaching for several years in 4^th grade) to be a part of our wedding ceremony and celebration! Our parents and relatives came from Michigan and miles around to join in this wonderful time in our lives! My 4^th graders were there and sang as a choir in my wedding! They sang a beautiful song my mother wrote for this event! It was beautiful! One of the high school teacher’s was also a soloist and various musicians were also friends. Everything went beautifully that day! The professional photographer was an answer to prayer! He took pictures of our wedding, families etc. and made a beautiful album for us ! (at no cost to us!!) The reception was well done-all the cake & food consumed! We were visiting with friends and opening gifts a couple hrs later when my uncle & his wife and family arrived from Michigan---late! They had gotten the wedding times confused and thought it was to be an evening ceremony rather than that afternoon! Too bad!! Long trip to make and miss all the food and fun!! We left to begin our honeymoon and traveled to Williamsburg, VA. I now have second thoughts about wedding plans!! With so many families gathering for grand occasions like this- the wedding party should plan to stay together more than the day!! This is a rare time to all be in one place!Time to visit awhile together-enjoying each other’s company should be part of the Major Plan! I can understand why in some countries weddings last a week!! American families seem to develop traditions that are not the best patterns to follow!

We remember a few other things that happened 25 years ago!!

Major events in 1983

Ronald Reagan was President of the USA. He also gave a speech on National Security & Operation Staunch started where the State Department discouraged other countries from selling arms to Iran
Life Expectancy: Male: 71 years and Female 78 years.
Average annual income: $12,133.00
Price of a one story house is $36,000.
Price of a car--Ford Escort: $6,900, Buick Skylark: $9,350
Rubik's Cube invented, Cabbage Patch Kids were introduced to the market, and Boom Boxes were a fad!
"Baby on Board" signs were bought and displayed!
A Gallon of milk: $1.89
A gallon of gasoline $1.29
A loaf of bread was $.66 and a postage stamp was 20 cents!
A flood covers the California coast and kills 13 people
The coal freighter Marine Electric sinks during a storm off the coast of Chincoteague, Virginia, 33 people die
April 4 Space shuttle-Challenger makes its first flight (STS-6
A flood in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee kills 15 people
Challenger makes its second flight (STS-7). It is the first five member crew with Crippen, Hauck, Fabian, Thagard, and Ride. Sally K. Ride is the first woman in space.
Hurrican Alicia in southern Texas, leaves 17 dead. August-
Challenger makes it third flight (STS-8). The crew includes Truly, Branderstein, Thorton, Bluford, and Gardner. Gulon Bluford is the first US black person in space.
Sept 12 In the second largest theft in U.S. history, an employee of Wells Fargo makes off with $7 million in cash from a company warehouse in Connecticut. Victor M. Gerena, a company guard accused of staging the heist, was one of 19 people later indicted in U.S. District Court for the theft. He escaped to Cuba with part of the $7 million he allegedly stole.
Nov The Columbia Space Shuttle makes the first flight with a six person crew. The crew includes Young, Shaw, Parker, Garriott, Lichtenberg, and Merbold
Dr. Barney Clark receives first artificial heart implant, but dies 112 days later
Camcorders are introduced
The CD is introduced to the general public This will eventually spawn a huge nostalgia market for all types of music
The FCC authorizes Motorola to begin testing cellular phone service in Chicago. The Grandson of Alexander Graham Bell answered the first commerical mobile phone call.The Internet becomes a reality when the ARPANET is split into Military and Civilian sections
Oct 23 US Peace Keepers are killed in Lebanon. Over 200 Marines were killed when a truck loaded with explosives crashed into the US Marine compound at Beirut Airport. The Marines, who had been in Beirut as part of a multi-national force to promote peace in Lebanon, had after a short stay in Lebanon become a target of Syrian-supported extremists. Soon after the bombings US forces withdrew from Lebanon. 58 French troops were also killed when a 400-pound device destroyed a French base. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility

Ever feel overwhelmed?

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:15:00 -0500

As our Monday progressed things were not going according to plan!

Another day of 100 degree weather and several gardens to water (if we can connect hoses and repair the sprinkler.) The chores are almost done, but one of my sons comes from the kennel with the dog - miserable with fleas to report a terrible flea outbreak! (my poor son was under attack as well-!) How can this be? The kennel was cleaned out & sprayed 2 days ago and the dog has had a bath every day for a week! The auto mechanic calls and after 3 days with our Blazer, reports another problem with wires burning! My daughter reports one of our young bunnies died. Bread has to be baked before noon and my husband needs to be driven to work so my other son can be picked up from his job. Not to mention the invitations to four graduations, the neighbor dropped by and my business lawyer called requesting a fax! AS we worked our way through the morning, we turned on a CD of hymns being sung by a choir. Their songs of praise turned my mind to think of all God has done for me and my family and soon I was praising our dear Lord! Why, God has blessed our garden and we have been eating strawberries for four weeks, cucumbers,& squash, ...and the beans will be big enough to pick tomorrow! I am so thankful the ink came out of my blouse while I was doing laundry this morning! The family is healthy and we have a van that runs fine! The bread is baked and was soo delicious with our stew at lunch! Our dear daughter baked a cake that morning because she wants to do something special for Glenn & I as we have our 25th wedding anniversary on Wednesday! Wow- has it been that many years? The Lord provided our every need! Thank the Lord for our loving neighbors and our homestead here on Durbin Creek! It is so handy to run the dog and kids through the creek for a quick refreshing wash!! After Glenn was taken to work we gathered together for prayer and what a precious time to kneel and pray together. God can do the impossible! God can see us through the day!

"Dear Lord, we thank You for your faithfulness" ....................and then we prayed for many special requests and for protection for our loved ones, our church family, neighbors, our homeland-America. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

This land was entrusted to our care- Oh, that the people of God will turn back to him..." God is our help! God is the hope for America-

Got A Name for A Rabbit??

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 16:04:00 -0500

Here is our new litter of English Lop bunnies!! We now have over 124 rabbits! That is alot of work believe me!! We keep pedigrees on them all too! How would you like to help us name them? We are having a contest! Visit www.gardengatecards.us to help us out!! Please tell your friends about us!

Make This a Special Day!

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 15:34:00 -0500

I love to show my family that I love them in special ways!! I get a special platter out to serve them homemade muffins. I personalize cookies and even send them cards and emails! While folding laundry I call the "kids" (even though they are older teens) to help out and talk to them. When we are finished we have one read a portion of scripture and then we have prayer together. In prayer I tell the Lord how thankful that I am for each one by name and pray for their needs and ask God to lead them. When we work together I let the family know how much I enjoy being with them! We plan to do something together later that day whether it is a word game after supper or a hike up the creek. We like to sit on our swing outside after dark under the stars and tell stories!! We don't mind being outside when it starts to rain-we're together!! Being together is what makes everything SPECIAL!

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