Saturday, December 31, 2011

The End Of Another Year, Been Precious With You



found and pinned on my Pinterest

Good morning precious sweet ladies, who I know without a shadow of doubt the Lord has brought to my blog.........for one purpose........so that I can tell you......that you are someone special.....to remind you that you are loved......by God and me. I want you to know Jesus personally and if you don't somehow I can tell you who He is, in my daily walk with Him. My heart prayer is that I would never lead you astray from the truth of His Word........please pray for me.

I want you to be encouraged that as Momma's of children....... that Home is the best place for us to be. That training them to serve the Lord is the most important job we will ever have on this earth. To tell you that even though they may wander in their latter years, to stay faithful to the Lord and stay on your knees on their behalf until they return to their first love, Jesus Christ. To make our Homes a place of refuge for our families and to work hard to make it that. I know some of you Momma's have to go outside the Home and work, because of circumstances you have no control over. I am so sorry. Life here in an imperfect world and sometimes makes life very difficult. Some of you are so weary.....but the Word says to "not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"! Galatians 6:9. 

As you know last year our family had to go from the farm to work in a college. To serve in the bakery and kitchen to 450 young people who needed encouragement. They are far from their families homes. The fact that I had to leave my home, ladies this broke my heart, after working alongside my sweet man and our children for all our married lives. The fellowship the Lord has given our family has been a delight to my heart big time, year after year........working the soil! As you know I still work along side our girls in the bakery. I can go and see my sweet man and help him at the grill whenever he needs it. Our boss is a CHRISTian man and understands being a help mate to your husband. God you are amazing!!!! We had to do something to keep ourselves going. We went to the Lord and asked what He wanted us to do. We prayed specifically because we wanted to stay as a family. Some told us it was impossible.......we already knew that, that is why we prayed!!!!!! About 5 days before the college was to start a young man called (who was going to help my sweet man learn to compost). He said that he couldn't come that week, because he was hiring 9 people in the kitchen at the college. We knew "4 of those people" who he was looking for. smile! We were hired......as a family......together. Precious.......but not without a cost on this Momma's part or our girls. I will never be comfortable leaving our Home everyday nor are they.  Our hours were until early afternoon. That left half the day.......another blessing! I can see the golden thread woven into the tapestry of our lives. Our girls are learning a lot as we learn together and it has been fun. I couldn't bear to give the time up that we have always had. They have also made some very sweet friends, who also love the Lord. We had prayed for good friends......God gave them. 

All that to say, run the race ladies, trust Jesus to be your all this next year, that if you are married....... your sweet man will be your priority, if you have children, that you will teach them throughout the day about their Father in Heaven and to love and respect their Daddy........it is important, it is our calling as Momma's. How will they know, if we do not teach them. And ladies, when life is hard.......press in to the One who knows you best........trust Him and His Word.......He will walk you through to the end. 

This is so precious. Yesterday received an email from a sweet friend who lives in France.  Emma asked if I knew about a ministry called, Amazima Ministries. I had not. I didn't look it up at the time I read her email (but was going to later that evening). Later in the day.........no KIDDING, the Lord took me via another site to AMAZIMA Ministries. God is so WONDERFUL! Just another way He shows me He is in the details!  God wanted to bless me......so I could tell Emma!!!!!!  I went to this precious young lady named Katie's blog. She runs Amazima Ministries. This morning I listened to the rest of her testimony (along her sidebar). This precious young lady was a breathe of fresh air to my soul. She talked about her plans when she first started her ministry.........then how He came to set her plans in place. I so agree with this. We have our hearts desires.......but He wants us to know that "we are His heart desire and He knows what is best for us". That is what He has done with my precious family... I am realizing even more deeply that.......... this morning.

Here is Katies blog called "On earth as it is in Heaven"
You will love her! 

Ladies last year when I started working, I had to think about my life at the bakery as my 2nd Home, truly it made it tolerable and every time I served food on a plate for a young person that came to my line....I was serving them, as if they were sitting at my own table. I would think, I am here for one purpose. To be hands and feet for Jesus. To love the kids He put in front of me.  I remember a long time ago a husband and wife poured their life into Phil and I. They said, "there is no better gift to give your children, then to live out a good marriage of love before them". Ladies I am truly seeing my God move mountains in my heart.....I give my husband sweet pecks on the cheeks at work.......hugs when he needs it.......just like I do at home. It is okay! I have encouraged one women who got married last year......without me even realizing it, to be a Keeper at Home and helpmate to her sweet man! Thank you Jesus! I have learned to trust Jesus in a whole new way. Still working along side my sweet man and children. A gift and I know the "GIFT GIVER".

Katie has a video on the her side bar, worth listening to. She talked about when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water. In his disbelief  he shouts out to Jesus, "Lord if that is you command me and I will come to you on the water".  And Jesus says, "Come", Peter steps out of the boat and for an instance he does the impossible and walks on the water, with Jesus, of course he gets scared and he starts to drown, but Jesus pulls him back up into the safety of the boat. Katie goes on to say that she is just like Peter.........this is when I thought......that is me too! Leaving my Home for me seemed impossible. This is where I had been all of my married life.  It hasn't always been easy......lots of hardships have come my way.......but I was still in the safety of our Home. My sweet man and I have seen how all those years prior when we adopted kids from the college.......now we are in the midst of them every day serving them. There is a lot of untruths that are being taught to young people, especially in the CHRISTian colleges and we have been able to help steer some of them to look at the Word and find truth. Time and time again we see Him using us in small ways. Are we perfect? Absolutely not, but the Lord has taught us to study the Word and our heart cry is to not depart from it's Truth. It is the only thing we can hold onto in this world. On my side bar I have "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him". Proverbs 30:5

Here is the story of Peter.
Matt 14:22-33
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”


"Let's get out of the boat.........walk on the water with Jesus"!
said, Katie a single young lady.........with 14 children..........I want to join her.............that will take trust! 

I know this post is long.........but my prayer for us this year is that we can be women of courage in the hard times...........that we will love the unlovely........that we will not quit being who God wants us to be, even in the toughest times. Have you ever thought that He has placed people in our lives that are difficult and hard to live with, so that we might be the very example of Christ being lived out before them? That when we fail God's best we can confess with our mouths that we are sorry, that we are wrong and He is right. That we would be in the Word daily.........so that we might live supernatural lives before our Father and as His Holy Spirit directs our way. How will we know Him if we don't read His Love Letters written to us? 

Precious ladies may the Lord bless you as you bless your families and those He puts in your path......and may we be the JOY of the Lord to many!!!!!

Hugs and may the God of the Universe wrap His arms around You..........for me!

Linda

P.S. If you have not received the name of your tea party friend, look in your trash on your computer. Just had a lady find hers there! I also know that some ladies have been sick also, so it might be there soon! Thank you to all who have written me your experience. It was a blessed time doing the tea party. Any ideas of what we should do next time? I did a seed party once last year!

Oh and if you are not a friend on facebook (side bar will take you there) you can sign up. I put up little hello's during the day.  I did a post last night of the cat that snuck into the dryer.........oops! It was a little noisy when the dryer got turned on. 

I am finishing up the stitcheries!!!!!!!! Turning out fun! Coming soon!!!!


On the top side bar, I put these recipe cards down to $1.oo. They are in two sizes,  print them off and cut out!






15 comments:

  1. What an encouraging post Linda! Thanks:)) Your words are so peaceful and God glorifying!

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  2. Hi Linda,
    Thanks for this beautiful post. Thanks for your encouragement in all areas of life ;) :) I'm going to check out that blog that you mentioned. I'll listen to her video while I sip on some nice ginger tea ;) :) Happy New Year to you and your family. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)

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  3. Those recipe cards are really sweet ;) :) That's definitely something to keep and pass down :) :) Happy New Year to you and your family. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)

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  4. Crazy Farm, I am so praising the Lord that He spoke peace to your heart. I am so blessed to call you friend. One day we will be in heaven with your sweet boy.......please come and get me....I want to meet him! Amazing hug, that we will all be together!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! I will introduce you to my two children.

    Heather......you are so welcome sweet pea. When you listen to the video, wait, there will be two more after the first. Preciousness!!!!!!!! You are so nice to comment about the cards!
    hugs, me

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  5. Loved your post today. Happy New Year to you and your family. I pray the Lord continues to bless us all abundantly in 2012.
    Sisters in Christ,
    Susan in GA

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  6. Linda,
    Don't let anything rob you of being a help mate first and having a desire to be at home. God is blessing you in all your learning by working along side your husband. I'm so glad your daughters still have a love for home. They will make wonderful help mates one day. Keep having a love for home and your man. Keep loving the college students while your there and show them Jesus and what a wonderful marriage looks like. Thanks for being an example to me.

    Happy 2012!

    Love, Michelle

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  7. Oh how I wish I could stay home always! But I have been in the work force full time since 1972. I am tired but the Lord keeps me where I am for whatever reasons He has! I wish you beautiful and happy healthy New Year 2012! May Gods goodness shine on you always! I will check out those websites. Thank you Love and Hugs Anne

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  8. Wonderful post, Linda! I especially like little saying in the picture at the very beginning!

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  9. Dear Linda, If we all would start our day by asking God what His will for us each day,it will be a blessed day.We have to remember when we ask him to direct us,we must be still and listen.I think we get so busy we forget to stop and listen. Thank you for making me smile each time I read my e-mails,my heart is always blessed. A blessed New Year,Sharon

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  10. You are always encouraging Linda. I pray that you continue to be a blessing to the young folks at the college. Keep your heart on serving the Lord and you will always be blessed. Great post! Blessings to you and yours!

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  11. I so enjoy reading your blog, Linda. I may not always comment, but be assured I do read it. You are such a sweet lady and a wonderful encouragement to many. I pray that you and your family will have a happy and blessed 2012!♥

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  12. Linda,
    You are a breath of fresh air and just what I needed to hear tonight as we have and hour and a half left of this year.
    We too, have had a difficult year and as I sit here and reflect on all that we went through, I see all of the blessings God sent amidst all of it. I am ashamed that I did not look to him more and yet he was still with us all along.
    Thank you for this post and we will be working on making Him first in our lives again!
    Charity

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  13. Pretty good post! I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.

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  14. What an encouraging word for us, Linda. I praise the Lord Jesus that I found your blog. Going through a hard time recently and yes, you are so right, through those times, just press into Jesus. He will bring us through to the other side. Heard a beautiful song this morning...."LOVE will roll those clouds away..."

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  15. I love reading your blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend on the farm. Love the pictures of your farm and the ladies.
    I am going to try your calendar makeover.

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God Bless your day!