A Long Week........behind me!

Hello Sweet Friends,

Today I got home from working what seemed like an extra long week. The weather was 45 degrees outside........ so I changed and went back out to take care of my chickens. The first thing I noticed was all the birds...........there were tons of song birds singing in the trees rows. It was like they were all excited.......about spring coming. All the snow has pretty much melted and with it warmer then it has been. They say more snow is coming. I just enjoyed listening to all the birds.........it seems like they have been gone for so long.

Went into the coop to check on the girls. They have been laying 12-14 eggs a day! They are such good girlies.........I am selling the eggs at work......so that is a huge blessing........for me and for the buyers. They love fresh homegrown eggs! Filled their cubby holes with nice straw.......they keep scratching it out. I think if I was a chicken I would want a nice bed of straw.......not them. I fixed them all up anyway. It makes me feel good. The girls that I received last year for my birthday are so big and pretty. Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks are laying a lot of the eggs. My Cuckoo Marans are doing well also. They are the chickens that have very very dark dark brown eggs. They look like chocolate milk color......or maybe even a little darker. I have a male and at least 2 of the 3 females.........I thought the bob cat had killed them......he didn't! Sooo thankful! Can't wait to see an egg.........never seen one before..........one of my blogger friends said I would like. It just felt so good to walk around the farm........it has been to cold so my honey has done all the chores. He has had to work extra hard to get all the work done so the pipes don't freeze and all the animals have water and food. He has had to hand carry most of the water. He is a sweet man........he takes good care..........of us ladies of the house.....so we don't have to go out.

Tay asked if I would talk some pic's of her and Kansas. Love how this one turned out. She is such a pretty little horse!

Oh I have to tell you............. Thursday our boss told us there was going to be some changes in the kitchen. We were all going to get new jackets and we also were going to have to start "ALL" wearing our little black berets. I just about croaked! Ladies......these are the ugliest little hats and I am not the only one that thinks so. They are awful! Beings that I love the Lord and want to be a blessing........so.........I kept my mouth shut. You can't do anything with your hair to make the hats even look halfway cute. Inside I kept thinking..........I don't want to do this! I know the Lord was working on my character.................again! It is a life thing isn't it. I could pretty much do my own thing when we lived home and farmed. Our own boss........you know? Now I have to obey someone else. It truly is good for me to respect authority. The girls look adorable in them. The other bad thing is it makes your head itch. I prayed alot that my attitude would be pleasing. I made it through the day and when I got out the door.........off it went! Felt wonderful...........now I have two days to enjoy....and..............I will! Smiling!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be putting up the recipes.........I talked about the other day tomorrow. You will really like them!

No news on Vitaliy.......waiting. Thank you so much for keeping our family and V in your prayers...........you are so precious to us!

P.S. Two ladies have told me that they have been having problems loading my blog..........please let me know if that is happening to you also. Sorry.........I will try to find out what might be happening with it. Please email me at prairieflowerfarm@gmail.com........ if you need to comment or you can tell me if you are having problems also.

Welcome new followers...........you have been noticed.........by me!

Hugs from my farm to your HOME!

Linda

Hello.........

Hello sweet ladies............I haven't been able to write for awhile..........spending time just resting in the Lord........listening and reading the Word. It has been a quiet time for my heart. With Vitaliy leaving and now living in the Ukraine........ it has been a difficult time for me. I never knew that when our son's family had Vitaliy come to America ........it would have such a huge impact on this Grammies life. Just felt like I needed the nearness of the Lord..........so I used my spare time these last few days....... just learning more about HIM. Praying for our Vitaliy's saftety.......and that he would share his Bible with his friends.......please pray with me please. We can write which I am so grateful for. I will use Imtranslator.......so he can read the letter in Russian. It will be interesting to do that.......sometimes our English doesn't sound so good when I translate it in Russian.

Vitaliy kept pressing into Tonya......precious picture. Kept saying, "Mom.......you okay"?.......over and over. He is the most thoughtful little boy. The orphanage has done a wonderful job. He loves Tonya.........she loves him.

Vitaliy looked back and gave his Mom (Tonya) the "love"....... in sign language.........precious! All the other children just waved..........he did this. What a picture memory he gave Tonya. Please keep their family and their children in your prayers.........they lived everyday with him! Thank you so much!

Tonya's friend Angie took these pictures for Tonya. I asked permission to use them. Angie said yes. Thank you Angie!!! Angie and her husband Kevin adopted a little boy Nathan. From New Horizons. I spoke of him back in December. He was on the Fox News story? Anyway Nathan really needs our prayers. He had to have a small procedure done and he hasn't been doing well. Please pray for Nathan and his Momma and Daddy. Thank you!

If you have some things you need prayer for......... please write me in an email (top right side of my blog). I have heard from some of you and I so thank you for letting me pray. I love you all bunches!!!!!!

I will try to get two new recipes up that we made today in the cafeteria........they were so nummy and I think you will like!

Sorry if I am on the sober side.........it will get better.........just need the time to absorb everything.

Hugs from my farm..........which will be getting some snow as we sleep. The roads were so icy coming home and there have been lots of accidents. It will be interesting getting to work tomorrow morning wish I could stay HOME. Smile!!!!!!! Only two more days of work..........and then I will be HOME! Will like! A LOT!!!!!!

The Lord says He is close to the broken hearted..........He IS close to me!

God bless you sweeties,

Linda

Oh........welcome new followers.........you have been noticed........by ME!

Sunday Ride

Urgent prayer request....I received a email this morning.......please pray for this young lady and mother of 2 had a major stroke.......I do not know her, but said I would put her up so we could pray and follow. Thank you ladies. The blog is The Simple Wife

Hello sweet ladies,

Sunday was a really nice day. We went to church with our youngest son and his family. I was able to sit in the middle of two of my precious granddaughters. I call that "wonderful." I needed some grandchildren today! Missing Vitaliy and realizing he is really gone. Very far away! But I have hope.........and that is a wonderful thing also. The message was precious to my soul. It was what my heart needed.......course going to church does that anyway doesn't it?

Later in the day our daughter wanted to go horse riding. I took a few pictures of her horse Kansas. She is a mustang. The sweetest horse you can imagine! Except today Kansas decided to........

leave Tay in the dust or rather snow. Taylor went to get something out of the car. Kansas decided to go back home. You should have seen her gallop. She was enjoying her run and she knew exactly what she was doing. Naughty girl!!!!!! She had to be tied to her post for a time. She will learn that running away is not a good thing.

My girlies are laying...........11 today. With the snow they are giving not so clean eggs. Vitaliy and I put in brand new straw in their boxes..........didn't help. Snow is starting to melt!

I love how our Mr. Rooster went into the place I made up for the kitties to sleep in. To much snow for the cats..........Mr. Rooster thinks it is just fine!

Well......... off to work on Monday.............doing a catering, so have to make some focaccia bread. Haven't had to make it for awhile............I will enjoy making it. It tastes so nummy!

Are you baking anything good today..........tell us and we will come and see!

Hugs and thank you everyone that wrote to encourage us. It was so precious of you and the prayers were so appreciated. Leave me a note....... if you need prayer. I would love to do so for YOU!

God Bless You!

Linda

Blessings To Your Day!

Little sparrows and our cardinal...........love that they are right out our kitchen window!

You are welcome to use the photo.... if you like.

"take captive every thought to make it obedient to CHRIST."

2 Corinthians 10:5

Hello sweet ladies,

Resting in the Lord today....a little on the weary side.........it has been one week. Vitaliy is on route to Ukraine.......Tonya is HOME............now the prayers are needed as to what God has for them to do. So thankful He will lead them with a straight path. Some have said "why do you adopt from afar.......while there are children to adopt here..........not sure of the answer........but I know that God places choices in our path each day..........Vitaliy is part of the plan and choice of what He wants our son's family to do. If you could meet Vitaliy.........(a little boy that needs Jesus no matter where he lives)..........you would pick him also. He has a joy....... that is so contagious! He needs rescuing..........from a country that does not have "truth". He knows of Jesus by name........he just doesn't know Him personally, but we are praying that he will, even if we are not with him. We gave him seeds......now the Lord will do the watering.........can't wait to see what the Lord will do with his little life! It is a sad time because he will be so missed, but I wouldn't want to miss out on the journey that God has had for all of us. I can't wait for it to unfold......because my favorite verse means more to me now than ever before.

"I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places, so that

you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

Isaiah 45:3

My love for the Lord has grown in this last month .........my dependency on His direction has also.............He has given our whole family joy in the midst of the sorrow.......that is our God! "AWESOME" He is so worth following. We are all orphans....He wants to adopt us.............I have been! Now maybe we can adopt Vitaliy! Pray as our son and his family......... walk hand in hand with Jesus......it will be an adventure......but when it is with Jesus.......it is a wonderful trip!!!!

Jesus will never leave nor forsake our Vitaliy.......no matter whether he is in

America or the Ukraine! What a comfort for us.......as a family.......... to hold onto!

Thank you for praying for us!

This Grammie has a new grandson.......Vitaliy is his name........he will forever be in my heart.......now if he could only have the last name Stubbs.....I would be very happy!

Hugs from our farm...........to your HOME!

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Linda

Please Pray For Vitaliy As He Goes Back. Thank You!

Good morning..........wow is it cold outside today! The sun is shining and the snow is still on the ground. I love snow........I understand that there is a lot of snow across our country. If you have a lot and it has been difficult......know that we are praying for you all.

We are watching Ellie and Ian until Tonya gets back from taking Vitaliy to the airport in Atlanta.

Ian....."Grammie do you have any boots?" Me....."Sure Ian there are some", they were pink and grey boots)........Ian......."Grammie......I said boots!" I don't think that I can talk him into pink boots. Heehee. He cracks me up!

Today Vitaliy leaves at 4 eastern time. Tonya will then fly back to Kansas and get in late at night. Appreciate your prayers. She will have sadness of heart...........she poured her everything into him. He saw Jesus in their family..........it was a good thing!

In the morning I opened my devotional book Streams in the Dessert. That book has helped me so many times when I am in a hurry to have some nuggets of truth for my mornings!

Here is part of it: (maybe you will need it for your day)

January 14

When He has brought out all His own, He goes on a head of them. John 10:4.

This is intensely difficult work for Him and us---- it is difficult for us to go, but equally difficult for Him to cause us pain. Ye it must be done. It would not be in our best interest to always remain in one happy and comfortable location. Therefore He moves us forward. The shepherd leaves the fold, so the sheep will move on to the vitalizing mountain sloops. In the same way, laborers must be driven out into the harvest, or else the golden grain would spoil.

But take heart! It could never be better to stay once He determines otherwise; if the loving hand of our Lord moves us forward, it must be best. Forward, in His name to green pastures, quiet waters, and mountain heights! See (Psalm 23:2) "He goes on ahead of us" So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him, and the eye of faith can always discern His majestic presence out in front. When His presence cannot be seen it is dangerous to move ahead. Comfort your heart with the fact that the Savior has himself experienced all the trials He asks you to endure; He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that the paths were not to difficult or strenuous for you.

This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far down the road nor over concerned about the next step not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.

The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to be take him into account first. Now God is out in front. He is in our tomorrow, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.

This was so good for my soul.

Tonya made up a book that she bought from Hallmark. It had pictures of our family and a little place where you could leave a voice message. On my picture I was able to leave my message for him. He will get that when he gets on the plane. It will be wonderful that he will have our voice there for him to listen to whenever he needs. I love my Tonya......she thinks of the most precious things for her family. This will be very hard for her beings she does not have her Josh with to say good bye to Vitaliy. Can't imagine. Please pray for her, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you precious ladies!

Last night as we were all sitting together and each getting to talk to Vitaliy........Vitaly told us each that "he loved us sooooo much!" Ian his new buddy, friend, and new brother, ........said "I love you Vitaliy......soooo much! What a precious way to leave it....... until the Lord decides what is best for them both. I love the Lord........soooooo much..........He is worth trusting in this hard time!

Today we will love on Ellie and Ian..........Ian and poppa just walked out the back door with gun in hands to go hunting........Ian said.......something about the cookie in his hand......Poppa said......"what is your favorite kind of cookie (?)".......they will have their "man talks".........it will be a good day...........we will just take one step at a time until we know what God has for us in the future...........trusting it will be Vitaliy back in our HOME..........if not......I will again learn from the Lord what He thinks is best for my precious family and it will be........HIS PERFECT WILL AND ALSO HIS BEST!"

I have a new song........a new favorite.........for my Vitaliy....the Lord gave it to me this morning..........a prayer for our little orphan boy..........my God will protect him for HIS PURPOSES! I will choose to keep my eyes on the LORD! At the end of the song......my heart leaped.........there was a Farmer (Poppa)...........and His Vitaliy! You will see......precious gift for me.........from the Lord!!!! He is so in the details.

I received a card (at the top of post) in the mail from a sweet blogger friend, Nancy.........during CHRISTmas Thyme. There were twelve beautifully stitched 3 1/2" nine patch squares in ADORABLE fabric! In her penmanship she wrote me, "The other day I was thinking of you and a picture of these popped into my head and it just seemed as if I was supposed to make them for you....you either wanted to make some and ran out of time, or that you needed them for something"...............now is that the sweetest thing or what? I thought it would be fun if you might help me with something to make these into. I thought some new potholders........a border along the bottom of a towel for my kitchen and save it for next CHRISTmas, or a plate warmer for my table............do you have any ideas? If so....... just leave me a comment and if you have something on your blog or a place to go..........I will come and see! I will be keeping my hands busy today.

Hugs and asking for blessings from the LORD for you!

люблю тебе так багато разів

(it says.......love you so many times) in Russian

Linda

He Came Into Our Life.......We Will Never Be The Same!

Ian our grandson had it right when he made Vitaliy a CHRISTmas present.

To: The Stubbs Family! From: Jesus

I just want to thank all you PRECIOUS LADIES for writing such sweet words of encouragement to me, so that when I got HOME from work I had something to read. I have to tell you that the Lord is using this hard time even at work. I walked into the bakery this morning early and I was met by one of the young workers. He is a very sweet young man. His story is a sad one. As a child he lived in 25 different foster homes as he grew up. Can't imagine!!!!!! He doesn't trust many. I do realize that there are millions of wonderful foster homes that are out there helping children cope with sad situations. I asked him way back when we knew we were getting Vitaliy what things we should look for or ways we could encourage him. He said........."Don't make him a slave." Wow I said why would you say that.........and he said "that was my life." Made me so sad. Any way when I walked in he gave me a big hug and said "how is it going for you." That was so kind I thought. It gave us a bond.........he understood what goodbyes were. It was very precious to me that he cared.

The other thing that happened, was when I went to a quiet place to pray (like I do a few times a day at work)..........I was praying about Vitaliy. The Lord gave me a picture. I am not kidding. I saw Vitaliy reading his little Bible with children all around him in their own LANGUAGE! You see Josh and Tonya read every night with their family the Word and Vitaliy would read his Bible. God impressed on my heart that he was taking Vitaliy back and HE was going to use him to share the Gospel. It was a comfort to my soul..........because I am a Momma and a Grammie that loves to have my family close (kind of like a Momma Chicken)........and safe...........and I like knowing that! But with this whole thing I feel the same way as when we had to leave the farm and go working outside OUR HOME. It felt like everything I held dear was slipping through my fingers. God let me know that Vitaliy was not slipping through my fingers.....because I never had him in my hands. God did and he does a very good job of holding the WHOLE WORLD in His Hands. Nothing slips through Them........not you.......not me........and definitely not our Vitaliy! I will still be sad....and that is okay.......because Vitaliy is so precious to me.......but as a precious lady wrote on my comments today....... God has good in mind for all..........I believe that........with my whole heart! So I will wait.........and see.........what the Lord has for us........and I will probably take things back.......and then give them to the Lord again.......but one thing........He will love me......and my family.....and our Vitaliy...........because that who Jesus is!

We typed up a whole bunch of love notes for Vitaliy in Russian. Tonya will put them in his pant pockets.........shirts.........all through out his suitcase. Vitaliy will find them and he will see that we love him........we put scripture in also. The one we wanted him to know is...........

Бо так полюбив Бог світ, що віддав Свого Єдинородного Сина, щоб кожен, хто вірує в Нього, не згинув, але мав життя вічне. Івана 3:16

For God so loved the world........that He gave His one and only Son........that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting Life! John 3:16

What a comfort........that God knows how we feel..........He gave up His Son..........we will give up our Vitaliy.............and I hope and pray............He will give Him back.........I will let you know.........if He chooses to do so!

They will leave tomorrow at 1:00 central time.........I would so appreciate your prayers..........it will be okay that we will be sad. It was good that we got to love...........in Jesus Name.

I love you ladies..........you are so precious to HIM...........and me!

Linda

A Tough Night

Vitaliy and His Poppa

Hello sweet ladies,

Tonight was a very sad night for our family. Saying good bye is never ever easy is it. I knew that Vitaliy was going to win our families heart the first night we met him.....his personality was adorable. I have never seen a child smile as much as he did. His manners were so sweet........and made me think about being more grateful myself. When he would come to our farm he was always out finding Poppa to go feed the horses or go in the chicken coop to gather eggs or pick up the turkey. He always had so much fun on our farm.

One of our grand daughters went to her school library and got this Russian picture book. They all spoke with him. It was a precious time.

He loved Josh's dog Drake! Vitaliy said they do have dogs, cats and pigs at the orphanage. I think the pigs are some of their food supply.

Vitaliy did so well at picking up the English language...........his "Aunt Rae" did a super job teaching him.

He loved "Mittens" the cat.

He also loved riding his bike up and down the lane.....usually crashing........ a lot. He would never sit on the seat for some reason. He was so funny! He loved his helmet!

Josh will also need prayer........he has a lot on his shoulder as he leads his family in some huge decisions. Please pray for him..........thank you so much! He loves Vitaliy!

Tonight they came out and sure enough Vitaliy was wanting his Poppa. We ate together and had to say our goodbyes. He hugged me........Tress......Taylor and before he went to Poppa, Josh said, "Vitaliy this will be the last time you see them before you go to the Ukraine". He gasped and looked at Poppa and said "oaww" and then hugged him so tight. I lost it!!!!! Please pray that the next steps would be smooth and protected by the Lord. I will be able to say more later. Thank you so much. Jesus loves Vitaliy more then we ever could........I need to remember that. For one thing we will never be the same~ my heart is with the orphan like never before!

He told Tonya today that she was going on the airplane to the Ukraine.........and that he was going to stay in America. He really is a cute young man!!!!! We have lots of memories.........so does he! He will fly out to the Ukraine on Saturday.

Also ask that the truth of the word in Vitaliy's Russian Bible will touch his heart and he will know Jesus and what He did for him on the cross.

Thank you ladies for being so precious to our family! I will tell you my heart is really really hurting........like our son said. It is better to love and hurt then to never love to begin with.

Hugs from my farm to your HOME!

Linda