This Is So God!!!!!!

My sister's devotion said,

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are

their children who follow them.

~ Proverbs 20:7, NLT

This is so precious for Shannon and myself. God spoke to us this morning. Now we will take the baton from Poppa and run. So our children can follow, as we keep our eyes on the Lord. He will not fail us.

Needing prayer this day, thank you!

Blessings,
Linda

My Daddy Is With Jesus

Dear Sweet Blogger Family,

I want the party to still go on, please. It is the one bright moment of my day, besides my walk with Jesus. Smile. So many of you have been so wonderful to my family in this last month. I cannot begin to thank you enough. I would come home from being in the hospital with my Dad and there in my inbox or on my bog would be emails or comments with wonderful prayers and just tons of sweet words. I know that you were sent by Jesus to be his words of encouragementto us. My sweet daughters have watched love being demonstrated by such precious ladies. I thank you all so much.

If you want to read all of our story please click here.

I have been getting some emails that are saying they can't get the story. I am not sure why this sometimes happen. Write me at my email, prairieflowerfarm@gmail.com. I will not have a problem sending it out to you!!!!! Honest!

For some of you who know my sister Shannon, she will be here tonight. Please pray for her also. Thank you again!

Trusting the Lord the with my days,

Linda

A LITTLE OL" POMEGRANATE.......

Now I have a picture of the pomegranates the girls bought me this year!

Last night our daughters went to town for us to pick up some things that we were needing. Tressa called and said "Momma we bought a pomegranate, in fact I bought two they were only .50 each!" Now they new what that meant, in our home that means the celebration of the holidays is truly beginning. Every year for forever that has been an essential part of our coming together. Isn't that funny and yet so simple. When I was a girl growing up times were hard (not living in a Christian home, but our momma would do her best to make traditions for my sister, brother and I to take into our own homes. One of those memories was a pomegranate. I would wash it and then we would start in. They now have it down to an art of opening a pomegranate. It is not as much fun as the way our momma taught us. It was a lot of work, but when it was cut then the work began. Working to get the beautiful pudgy plump red seed out of its little rubbery casing was half the fun. You would have to have at least 5 or 6 seeds in the palm of your hand, before you could plop them in your mouth to eat them. They squirt in your mouth with the most yummy juice. Mmmmm I can taste it now as I am talking about it. God is so good to give the memories that we hold so dear. Would I ever think, that that act my momma did all those years ago, I would be blogging about it to lots of other ladies that have the same memories tucked in their hearts? If my momma could be here with me I would share the pomegranate with her. I am thinking......... I need to go to the nursing home and give her a taste. Maybe it will take her back to a day that she had her children all around her laughing and eating a silly old pomegranate! Oh how I miss my mom during the holidays. She has Alzheimers and lives not far from our farm in a nursing home. So this act of kindness with my children is for you momma! You would enjoy seeing what you and daddy lived is now a part of me. I can't wait till heaven and we can catch up on all the things you have missed in the last 10 years. Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."No more crying momma, what a day that will be. Maybe Jesus will have pomegranates for you to eat with your kids and all that have come after you. It is not over for those in Christ. I praise our Heavenly Father for that!!!!!!!

A little note here. I was looking up the word pomegranate on Biblegateway. Exodus 28:33.

"Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them." I thought God designed yarn and embroidery. Wow. That is so precious to me. The fact that I enjoy working with my hands designing things that I enjoy. I know there is more to this chapter of scripture, but I did like thinking about the people (it doesn't say women or men) that were making the yarn and then embroidering the design of pomegranates along the edge, doing as the Lord had asked and making it just as he wanted. I often think of the scripture also in Prov. 31:13 "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." So many ladies are so creative out there in blogger land. Making absolutely the most beautiful pieces. It is a gift that we can even do the things we like to do.

A "silly ol' pomegranate." You hold more then just a sweet fruit. You hold a tradition that brings joy to my heart! Father you find pleasure watching your children down here on earth doing the best they can in loving one another. Wives loving their husbands, momma's loving their children and making homes of refuge. I am sure.

Do you have a story? Of a family tradition that you would like to share. I love reading them and I am sure those who follow my blog would love to hear. Please please, leave a comment.

Note for my sister: Shannon that means you. You are my sister and you need to share something. Not about me either. heheheh

Blessings ladies,
Linda

Our Tressy is 18!!!!!!!!!!

Last week our Tressy turned 18. Where did the time goooo!!!!!! After 13 years of us not having any babies in our home and brothers that were 13, 16 and 19 you came into our life with JOY that was contagious to all around you. You had artistic traits that were so fun to work with. Designing fabric, furniture and getting to design your own book with your momma has truly been a delight. What more could a little girl ask for! Now that you are helping us with our business with your computer skills, we say thank you. Today your family and friends are celebrating you birthday. Oh how I (we) love you!!!!!! The Lord has given you the gift of faith. When I feel like all hope is gone, you are the one the Lord has used in our family to point us to the Father, that He will pull us through. Thank you dear one.

Remember this in 2002? Did we have fun designing this book or what?

The other day on her birthday she came up to me and held me and said "Momma I will always be your baby girl". What more can a momma ask for? My prayer for Tressa is that she will love the Lord her God all the days of her life and that she will serve Him to the best of her abilities. Your family and friends love you sooooooo much!

You are my delight and I will love you forever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

Blog Party At "She Looketh Well"

Michelle from shelookethwell is having "A Mini Party and Giveaway. She said "that she is needing a little fun in her life right now". So lets do that for her!!!!!! It doesn't look hard to do. We only have today and tomorrow, sorry, I just found out about it today from Camille, Flowers in His Garden. Go to the blogs and enjoy!

I guess I need to explain a little. Michelle over at She Looketh Well is having every one tell alittle about who we are and why we blog on our blog........

So here goes, who am I? I am a momma of 5 precious children on earth and two in heaven, 3 wonderful daughter in loves, grammie of 9 adorable grandchildren, married to the love of my life, for 35 years!! I am a princess of the King of Kings and will enjoy living with Him for eternity in heaven. I can't wait to see how He has fixed up His place for those who want to be a part of His kingdom. I stand at awe of His love for us. I want to live out my life for Him.

The reason I blog, is because I want to be able to love and encourage women from my home. I live on a farm and don't get out much, because of all the responsibilities here, so this gives me a creative outlet to journal my daily life, loving my family and friends. As I do that my prayer is that the things I do might bless other grammies and mommies to maybe take a little idea and put it into their home. I love to make things pretty in our little farm house, that we just inherited from my honey's parents. It is going to be a lot of fun to start ripping up old carpets, paint walls and make it look like our home. You will be able to go on that adventure with us if you like.

I still have 2 daughters at home that I am investing my life into to prepare them to be keepers at home when the Lord brings them their husbands (if that is His will). They are learning to can, grow a garden, keep a house, cook and probably more than I know. My husband and I want them to have their own faith, that will carry them through the path that the Lord has for them. Teaching them who Jesus is and His Word is a major priority for us.

We also do Farmer's Market now that the farm has been divided, and my blogging will be our journey on what the Lord has for us during this season of our life! We have blogged about Farmer's Market.

Design for a fabric company that is located in New York has been a real blessing. It just happened and I never thought I would ever do that sort of thing. I have been doing that for 15 years now and can stay at my home and still enjoy farm life with my family. We also have a store on the web called PeaceCreek Collections Store. We carry some of our patterns and hand crafted products, that I have designed for sale. We will be adding new designs to it all the time. Hopefully new items will be up today or tomorrow. We always wanted to have a blog and a store and now we do. We have been blogging since April and I wish I would of done this along time ago. I love the ladies that have come into my life. It is a wonderful way to express who you are. As I train my precious daughters I will blog what we do like recipes, decorating and just things that happen in a day at Prairie Flower Farm. Blogging has truly been a gift to me.

I have had hard times and blessings, both have been used by the Lord to make me in His image. May I represent Him with my life, as I blog and share with all who come to my blog.

If you want to get my posts sign up on both my blogs and you won't miss out on what is going on here!!!!!!! Thank you so much for taking time and coming by.

Blessings,
Linda

Cottonwood Falls A Favorite Place!

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas is a wonderful place to visit and for those that live there, I am sure they love it. We were greeted with lots of hello's. Every Friday evening except for certain holidays, The Emma Chase Cafe hosts jam sessions of local and out-of -town musicians. It sounds like a fun place to be on a Friday night!

This is Sue Smith. She is more fun!! She wears many hats in Cottonwood Falls, but one thing for sure she loves people and serves her town. She has a gift store and a cafe. Yes, I bought this metal sunflower. I will take a picture of it when I put it in my flower garden. She also started a coop of other crafters called. Prairie Past Time opened May 1 - it is an antique and crafters' coop. I had fun. I met Kathy who was working that day at Prairie Past Time. What a sweetie. Cowgirl all the way, she does make some beautiful jewelry and even wears it and looks adorable!!!!

Here is Sue's Cafe.

We have stayed at this motel two different times for our anniversary. Each room is fixed so sweet. The owners Sharon and Richard are so pleasant!! The name is of the motel is Millstream Motel. Fishing and camping in the back. A deck in the back is so nice to sit out on and enjoy the birds singing and the Cottonwood River. It is truly a wonderful place to stay.

There is a dam just a little ways from the motel that you can enjoy.

This is the Cottonwood Fall Court house. It is magnificent. They have restored it and have done a fantastic job!

This is the spiral staircase inside the Courthouse. It was so beautiful. I think I would like to have a place like that to come down if I ever got to have a renewal wedding. I would truly feel like a queen.

Now this would make a beautiful bouquet. There is enough for each of you to have at least one. This is a home that a family built in Cottonwood Falls, that is my favorite place to come and see every time I come. I want to make our farm look like this and one day it will happen. I will start this fall. I just love it. My house will not be able to be stone, but I will have a fence like this.

Enter and leave with a happy heart. Yes!!!

This is exactly what I will be doing with my farm. Is this the cutest.

What a warm welcome this family has every time they walk into their place.

I love collecting these kind of tin buckets to put flowers in. This is just too sweet!

I have two of these planters. They are blue, they will soon be black. Is this just

not the cutest?

One for Pa and one for Ma that is when we get old-errrrr!

The zinnias are so beautiful each year. I want to do this

on my farm!

I would love to see pictures of your home or farm if you want to email me. If it is already up on your blog please let me see. I love how people decorate! Thank you also for all the encouragement that you all posted for our anniversary. We really had a special one this year!!!

Blessings,
Linda

PREPARE YOUR BRAIN!!!!!!

35 years with the most adorable man! My kids make fun of me when I say this

to them, but one day I hope they will remember and smile

about their momma and daddy who loved each other..

and wanted to live for Jesus

Alright now............ when you go to a blog and you read a blog, do you get an impression in your brain of what that person might be like? Well I do. So with that. This picture is going to have some of us who were married in the 70's going "I can identify" and others go "you have got to be kidding!!!!!!!" Whatever one you are, I want you to know that we have changed. Phil's hair is not long and I own a bra (glad men don't read my blog!!!) We were not walking with the Lord and for that I am so sad. I do know though that the Lord did not leave us and gently over the years brought pain to chisel off the things that did not please him. I know that He has given us a love for the lost and a passion to see people with Christ's eyes.

Today, I woke up and walked outside, looked to where our north garden is and saw where 35 years ago I married my Phil. As you can see in the picture Grandma Jo (Phil's mom) had planted a rose garden in front of the picket fence. She had welcomed this young lady that had just moved from Alaska, with battle wounds from the world and her precious 2 year old little boy. I saw a love with Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jo's marriage, that made me want to have what they had. One where you laughed at the dinner table and had conversations of kindness. The last 35 years with my Phil has been one where we have both learned by having a commitment to Christ. The Lord will take you to places to choose forgiveness where there has been hurt, love instead of dislike, encouragement instead of tearing down ,prayer for the other instead of unkind words and acts of kindness. I have done them all, the negative that is, but oh the faithfulness of my Father who has come to me as I would seek His word and he would transform my mind to line up to His will. Will I do this marriage thing perfectly? No, but thank you Mr. Phil for being the very one that God used to make me want to do what is right. You are adorable and I am so glad that when I brought you home to my momma and Poppa, that you proved them wrong. The long hair was only the culture we were in, but God had plans, for two broken kids, that wanted to do right, but just didn't know how. Thank you Mr. Phil for our 5 children. What a joy and sorrow we have had in our family, only to see the faithfulness of the Lord to get us through anything. When we start marriage all those years ago did we ever think that we would have the love we have today? May the Lord bless all those who stepped in to walk with us and encourage us over the past years. My precious children when God said "it was good and children were a blessing ". He was right. Even having our girls when I was at the age of 39 and 42 in a culture that said that I didn't have to, Lord you did beyond to bless Phil and I then we could imagine. We love them so. Also marriage brings the fruits of your labor and grandchildren. Each grandchild that we have, have a speciual place in our heart. Each is individual and unique. I will continue to pray that each one will choose to accept what Christ did on the cross to make a way for your salvation.

I am a blessed and grateful woman today. One that the Lord looked down and said, because you have given me permission with your life I will bless you and never leave you. I thank you Lord for this day, for my precious husband, children, daughters-in-loves, grandchildren and friends. Also I love you Lord for "your faithfulness", when I had none.

I will love you Mr. Phil forever!!!!!! The flowers you picked for me this morning are beautiful. The love note to be treasured by me and maybe read one day when we are gone. I hope they will want to have a marriage like we have, not perfect, but a blessing of commitment. Maybe the next generation will read of the love of two broken people made by God who made us one. Father you explain marriage best:

Eph. 5:25-33Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Phil. I will love you forever, with the Lord's help. Please continue to wash me in the word so I can be without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless .

Blessings,

Linda

Happy Father's Day Mr. Phil

"My special man"

I love this picture. We were able to go to Nevada this last spring to see my sister for her birthday and mine also. My niece and nephew blessed our family by buying tickets for us to come and surprise my sis for her birthday. My sis and brother-in-love are living on a horse ranch. It was surrounded by mountains and horses. I loved it! Well, so did my family. The girls enjoyed everything! They could ride horses anytime they wanted. Phil hadn't been on a horse for some time and was a natural. This picture was shot by our daughter. . It is one of my favorites now.

I do have a very special man. Phil got saved soon after we were married. I am so grateful to have the privilege to have lived with him for 36+ years. Can't believe that it has been that long. We have walked side by side in what ever the Lord put in our path. God has known what He has been doing to make our marriage strong. We have 5 precious children and 9 grand children.

Tonight we will honor him with a cookout. May he feel the love and gratitude that we all have for him. He has sought the Lord for our family and given his children a heritage. I am so thankful for the Dad that he has been to our children.

Psalms 127

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them...... Your quiver is full Mr. Phil. You are are a blessed man and so are we that God gave you to all of us!!!! Happy Father's Day. You are loved and will be loved forever! May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you and keep you safe!
My real daddy has been gone for a real long time. He is missed today. As I get older and realize the sacrifice that he did on my behalf as I was growing up I am so grateful. We lived in Alaska and we homesteaded 48 acres. It was hard in Alaska. My daddy did not know the Lord personally. I gave him a Bible and have it to this day. He never professed Christ. He lived a hard life and had a lot of sadness in it. I was able to be rescued from so much and he would love to come to my home now and see the husband that I have. Phil has given us such joy and happiness in our home. We have both worked hard to make it a priority to have a Godly home. Not perfect but always trying in the Lord's strength to do better.
Today I will honor my other dad. Mr. Leo Leach. He married my mom and has been very close to me. Poppa has a little house and lives close by. Being a wonderful grandfather to my children has not been hard for him. Poppa will be turning 80 this next Aug. Where has the time gone! Happy Father's Day Poppa! You are loved!
Blessings to all of you out there as you honor your father.
Blessings,
Linda

Grandson's pictures

Last Sunday for Mother's Day our children planned a picnic up on our "Kansas Mountain". It really is the highest hill in Reno County where we live, but beings I am from Alaska where the mountains were all around me it is all I have. Our middle son is in the process of buying it from the estate. It is absolutely one of my favorite places on the farm. It looks out over the fields and when the moon comes up it is a sight! Anyway, everyone hopped into trucks and up the mountain we went. The had a wonderful picnic just for me. I didn't have to do a thing. Talk about feeling loved! All my grand-babies were with me, what more could you ask. Before we went up the mountain though, one of my grandsons took these pictures. This is what I see every morning out my kitchen window. I thought he did such a wonderful job, so I told him I would put them up on my blog. I can't believe the bright yellow on the male.

Well, I am out the door to plant more tomatoes and beans. I will write later about the garden. It is coming along nicely. Can't hardly wait till the peas come up. God Bless you all. You are all in my prayers!

These are momma and daddy Gold Finches