Spring is here!

I know it has been a bit since my last update, but it seems like I blink and a month or more has gone by.  Everyone always told me that the older I got, the faster time would go by.  I didn't believe it then, but now I know it to be truth.  My kids were just babies, and I was young, too.  Now, they are half-grown, I am old, and time is running away from me.

Let's start with an update on Frank.  He is thriving!  We still have him on a bottle, but only during the day.  He sleeps through the night, and has moved outside to the barn, which means I am no longer buying diapers FOR A GOAT!  Ha!  As I've mentioned, goats are herd animals and need companionship.  We looked and looked, and finally found a beautiful female to be Frank's special friend.  She is a bit older (about 6 weeks) but neither of them seem to mind.  They love each other already, and spend their days running, playing, butting heads, and snuggling up for naps in the sunshine.  They really are super sweet to watch.  What is her name, you ask?  Well from the beginning, Natalie wanted to name them after my grandparents, whose farm we now call our home.  So, Frank now has his Mable.  It's a beautiful thing, really.  And the next female we get will be called Beans.  We would love for Frank and Beans to have twins, whom we will lovingly call Beanie and Weenie.  Life with goats is so much fun!

Frank loves me!

Sweet Mable

Mable is a tri-color with blue eyes.

Frank getting a bottle, while Mable treats Natalie like a playground!

Teenagers...selfies with goats!

As for the homestead garden, it is coming right along.  Slowly but surely everything will be planted and growing.  The Farmer's Almanac has indicated we may get a late freeze this year, so I have been impatiently holding off on the planting so my work isn't ruined.  I hope the waiting wasn't a bad idea, but nonetheless, I am waiting just a bit longer.  In the mean time, we have uncovered the soil that we had tarped to kill the weeds, and put out some organic fertilizer - meaning manure!  My dad gave everything a good till with the tractor tiller, which saves tons of time and does a beautiful job - remember the garden is over 1500 square feet!  We have been building our mulch supply, and just yesterday Levi and I spent a lot of time spreading it over the entire garden.  We are planning to follow the Back to Eden gardening methods this year, and need 6-8 inches of mulch covering the whole thing.  My muscles are sore today, but it was a great workout and very fulfilling.  I love garden work, and the hope of a great harvest!  In the next week or so I plan to get seeds in the ground, but for the next 4-6 days, we are expecting lots of rain.  I'm going to let the mulch and soil soak up as much as possible in preparation for planting day.  The more rain God sends, the less water I have to pay for.

Mulch for days

Spreading organic material - manure! 

Natalie caught a baby snake while we were working.  She's fearless!

The kids are doing well.  Levi has really been enjoying the moderate temperatures, and has been outside quite a bit.  He is not a fan of hot weather, and knows that it is on the way, so he has been taking full advantage of the tolerable weather.  He reads like a crazy man...several hefty chapter books each week.  It is such joy to see BOTH of my children loving books as much as they do.  I know that even when I fail them as a mom and a teacher, they will be able to learn anything they are interested in because they love to read! As for Natalie, she has been having trouble with her wrists for quite a while, so I made an appointment for her with a specialist.  We saw him this week, and he suspects carpal tunnel in both wrists, but sent her for some testing.  He also gave her an injection in her left wrist, which is the one that is worse.  Between the stress of the doctor visit, the injection, and then the testing which included 45 minutes of electric shocks in both wrists and arms, she has been in quite a bot of pain this week.  We follow-up next week, and we are praying for a diagnosis and easy treatment.  The pain has hindered her ability to play her piano as much as she wants to, and also impacts her art and hand-lettering.  We need answers and for her to no longer be in so much pain.  Please join us in praying for this!

These two have my heart.

Marks for guides during the electric shock testing.

Me and my girl waiting at the doctor's office.  Still smiling...she's one tough girl!

The chickens on the homestead are doing as well as can be expected with a bobcat on the prowl.  We've had to resort to keeping the gun close at hand, so I can accompany Natalie outside each morning when she goes to let out the chickens.  One morning she found the bobcat waiting patiently under a nearby tree, just waiting for her to come out there to open up the egg mobile.  Scary!  So I walk her out in the mornings, armed with my trusty weapon (I am not a violent person, and don't think guns are toys, but this predator is threatening my family!)  The other day I walked out and saw it, and was able to take a shot.  It was too far for a kill shot, but I was close.  The bobcat lept 5 feet straight up in the air before pouncing off into the woods.  Just this morning, it was back - brave or stupid, you decide!  I grabbed the gun, but it was not in a good spot for me to shoot, and it ran off.  I waited quietly, and within 3 minutes it was back.  I wasn't able to get a good shot, but we baited the trap and are hoping for a win later today.  As much as I love animals, this one is prowling around for my animals, and also threatening my kids, which means it has got to go!

Just call me Ma Ingalls.

I spent a few days in Houston for a recording project.  We completed a full-length, 25-song album in four days.  It was exciting and exhausting all rolled into one.  It is always such a joy to spend time with friends, singing and worshiping together.  This album was Christmas music, and should be ready for release in early fall.  I can't wait!  About the same time, I will be traveling to record yet another disc of beautiful worship music.  These projects feed my soul.

Farmer Jones is still enjoying his work in Waco, while also tackling projects on the farm.  There are always projects to complete, and sometimes I think he wishes my lists weren't so long so he could tackle some lists of his own.  Ha!  There are always grasses to mow, fences to mend, barns to patch, washing machine drains to fix, animals to feed, pens to clean, trees to trim, gardens to weed, and the list could go on and on.  Around here, it takes the whole family to accomplish our homestead living goals a little at a time.  We strive to teach the kids that we must all work as a team!  Someday, with lots of hard work and determination, we hope to find ourselves living more and more sustain-ably.  This homestead dream is slowly becoming a reality!

I'll update more from the homestead as time allows.  If you don't hear from me for a bit, you can rest assured that I am up to my elbows in planting season, trying to get seeds in the ground so we can enjoy healthy, organic fruits and veggies from the garden this summer.  And just maybe, if all goes well, we will have some extra to sell and share!

Be blessed, dear readers!  Spring is here!

Homestead Garden Plans

This winter hasn't felt much like a winter so far.  We have had a few cold days, but over-all, we have had lots of wonderful sunshine and plenty of moderate temps.  Of course, because of the beautiful weather, I am already thinking and planning for the garden this year.  As you may remember, last year we did not have a garden, but instead did some tarping in order to kill off some weed problems.  The Johnson Grass was taking over and we had no other choice!  Since it has been two years since I have been able to plot and plan for a beautiful garden, I am especially excited this year!

I found a wonderful heirloom seed company based out of Oklahoma that is a small, family-run business.  I love to support family business whenever I can, and pray others will do the same.  We dream of turning our little farm into a small business someday, and we will depend on the support of you all to make it work!  Anyway, I am making my lists of what seeds I plan to purchase this year, and I am looking forward to placing my order soon so I can get some seeds started!

Here are some of the things on my list:

Vegetables:

Asparagus

Burgundy Beans

Harvester Green Beans

Beets

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cucumber

Kale

Romaine Lettuce

Honey Rock Canteloupe

Clemson Spineless Okra

Onions

Poblano Peppers

Jalapeno Peppers

Serrano Peppers

Sweet Banana Peppers

Big Max Pumpkins

Spinach

Dark Green Zucchini Squash

Summer Squash

Black Cherry Tomatoes

Red Cherry Tomatoes

Moneymaker Tomatoes

Roma Tomatoes

Flower Seed: 

Henry Wilde Sunflower

Red Sun Sunflower

Crimson Queen Sunflower

Tiger Eye Marigolds

Dwarf Marietta Marigolds

Herbs:

Large Leaf Basil

Cilantro

Lemon Balm

Lavendar

Whew, that is a long list.  But truly, I cannot wait!  It is going to be lots of work whipping the garden into shape this year, but I have big dreams, big plans, and willing helpers (well, they will be willing if they want to eat ;). 

What about you?  Any garden plans for this spring/summer?  Will you grow only enough to eat right away, or, like me, will you try to grow enough to store up for the coming fall and winter?  Are there veggies that I am missing on my seed list?  Speak up!

Love is Patient

Lately I have been thinking about 1 Corinthians 13.  Maybe it's the political drama...I'm not seeing very much love there.  Maybe it's the struggles, pain, and grief so many around me are experiencing, and my desire to love them well.  Maybe it's because I want the 'love' passages woven into the fabric of my family so much so that we cannot help but to ooze it to all around us.  Maybe it is a combination of all of those things, as well as prompting from the Holy Spirit that has me pondering this section of scripture, carrying it in my heart.  So here is the section I am talking about...we've probably all heard it a thousand times.

1 Corinthians 13

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, 

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

 ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom

 all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can 

move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give 

all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, 

it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor

 others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  

⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres^{. 8} Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

 where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge,

 it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child,

 I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. 

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  

¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we 

shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

 

It's known to most of us as the love passage.  There is so much goodness in this short little chapter; so much wisdom.  I want to unpack it a little bit today, and maybe we can walk away with a re-newed passion for loving others.

 

First, the chapter begins by basically saying we can check-off all the little boxes, and appear to have it all together.  We can have all of the knowledge, and we can tithe, and we can have gifts of tongues and prophecy, BUT if we lack love, it's worth nothing.  I'm a list girl, and checking off boxes makes me feel successful.  It's my jam.  But here, it's pretty clear that it is about more.  Our testimony and witness for Christ is nothing if we do not first love.  It's all about relationship.

 

Then we are given a way to define love.  It is patient, kind, not envious, etc.  So we know that it isn't just a feeling, it is actions.  Years ago, I had this section of 1 Corinthians 13 made into a sign for my home.  It has always hung in a common room, where we would all see it daily.  We've talked to our kids about this verse, and basically said every single decision or action in your life can be measured by these verses.  We use it as a training tool...a discipleship tool.  So, someone hurts our feelings and we want to yell at them.  Check the verse...love is not easily angered.  So no, pick another response.  Struggling to forgive?  Love keeps no record of wrongs.  You get the idea.  Love is the greatest command, and we can use this verse to help us live it out! 

 

Interesting thought, though.  The very first attribute of love that is listed is patience.  Ugh, that's not a word we like to think about, and we certainly don't like to practice it.  In this time of technology and instant gratification, patience is a dying practice.  But I can't help but wonder if God has it listed first for a reason.  He has SO MUCH patience with me.  I am a hot mess most days, and I make lots of mistakes.  I neglect my relationship with Christ, I say things I shouldn't, I treat people in ways that are not loving, I am lazy, I fail.  But He is filled with patience with me.  He never loses His temper with me, He doesn't turn His back.  He just continues to give me second chances over and over again.  He realizes that all of my failures are not who I am, but are just bad decisions I am making.  He sees ME as His beloved, and not as the sum of my behavior.  His patience is life-giving.  But me?  I don't always have patience.  I am impatient with God when my prayers are not answered the way I want them to be, or in MY time.  Ugh, typing that admission is just yucky.   I am not always willing to be patient with my family, friends, traffic, the waiter at the restaurant, the teller at the bank.  I am impatient, and my actions show it.  And all too often, I define people by their behavior, not loving them as children of God, but rather reducing them to all of their failures.  But patience is love, and I must grow in love as I try to live my life for Christ.  I have no way of knowing if He ordered the attributes of love the way He did for a specific reason, but I do know that since patience made the list, it is very important! And like I tell my kids often, "Love is not waiting, but it is HOW YOU ACT while you are waiting."  Lord, forgive my impatience with you and your children. 

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of this chapter comes at the end:

¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we 

shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 One day soon, I will see Jesus face to face.  I am made in His image, and I will one day see exactly what that looks like.  Me and Jesus, face to face.  And I don't think this means physically, but rather my heart and soul.  'Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  I will know Him fully.  What a glorious day that will be.  Amen.

Obviously I am no expert.  I don't have any fancy biblical knowledge.  But I do love Jesus with my whole heart, and I love to read and study to try to see what He has for me in His Word.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on 1 Corinthians, so leave me some comments.  Let's share here, and learn to love more fully, deeply, and completely. 

A Few Bits Of News

First things first!  It's a BOY!  This last week, we adopted a 2-day old baby goat who had been rejected my it's mother.  We are now deep in the work of caring for a newborn goat, including round-the-clock bottles, and all of the peeing and pooping that accompanies a small animal.  Frank, the new kid, is thriving, and loves to eat, sleep, poop, and play.  We are having a good time caring for him and bonding with him, even through all of the hard work.

Sweetness

Tired boy

Naptime

Funny story, when we adopted the baby goat, the owner told us it was a girl.  We brought it home, named her Greta, and tried to find a new routine.  The next morning, we discovered Greta was in fact not a girl.  She was a he.  So we started again, named him Frank, and never looked back.  He's adorable!

Late night feedings provide some time to think while everything around you is still and quiet.  One night, as I was rocking Frank after his bottle (yes, we rock him after his bottle to help him get back to sleep...spoiled much?), I sat there thinking about rejection.  This sweet innocent baby goat was rejected by it's mother.  Heartbreaking.  But he is just a goat.  A loved and beautiful goat, but still, a goat.  The same thing happens to people.  To beautiful humans...kids (and adults) are rejected by their parents.  Heartbreaking.  And all I could do was pray.  I rocked and I prayed for all of the children in this world who don't feel love from their mamas and dads.  For those who are rejected by the very ones who are to love them no matter what.  I prayed that God would comfort them, and put people in their lives who would show them and tell them constantly how precious and special and loved and wanted they are.  I prayed that deep in their hearts they would know love and acceptance.  Just so much thinking and churning in my heart, all because of a sweet baby goat, Frank.

In other news, this week held two big days for me.  January 23, 2017, I celebrated 15 years cancer free!  So many emotions swirling.  I am filled to the brim with gratitude for the healing I received, and for the joys life has brought me as I have been able to LIVE!  And also, thinking about so many others who are deep in their own battles with cancer.  Those who are losing their hair, feeling sick from side effects of treatment, and who are having to completely change what their life looks like in order to fight the battle.  Then there are those who have lost loved ones to the awful disease.  This very week, some very precious and dear friends have had to say goodbye to their 15-year-old daughter, taken by brain cancer.  Alyssa won, and she is now in Heaven with Jesus, smiling and pain-free.  But her family is deep in grief, planning a memorial for a sweet girl gone too soon.  And their faith inspires me.  I remember times we would go and stay with them, and our babies Alyssa and Natalie would play together.  I can remember lots of giggles with that sweet girl.  And she has her victory now, after three years of hard battles.  Heaven is sweeter because Alyssa is there.  So many emotions.  Ultimately, though, gratitude.  I am thankful for my healing and my life, and I am thankful for the strength the Lord provides when we are in the battle, and also for the precious HOPE we have of Heaven.  We will see Alyssa, and so many more, again someday soon.

Then January 27, Nathaniel and I celebrated 16 years of marriage.  It sounds so cliche, but I truly do love him more today.  He has my heart.  I can't imagine doing this life with anyone else.  As I said on Instagram, "The day marks 16 years that I have been married to my very best friend.  On that rainy January day in 2001, I said, 'I do', and today, I still do.  We've had some better and some worse, some richer and some poorer, some sickness and some health.  We've laughed until our sides hurt, and wept in each others arms.  We've birthed children, grieved the loss of our children, celebrated the lives of our children, and are now parenting teens and tweens together."  My life is better beautiful with Nathaniel by my side.  He is strong, yet tender.  Serious, yet hilarious.  A hard worker, yet fun-loving.  And smokin' hot!!  Praying we have many many more years together!

So that's the news around here.  It's been a big week!  God is good, and He is faithful.  My life on the homestead is beautiful.

Family Photos

I know you all may tire of seeing the latest family photos we had taken, but I love every one of them!  I want to be sure to put a few of them here so I can scroll through and see them whenever I want to, ha!

These are the kids' faces every.single.time we kiss.  And that is often!  I remind them how blessed they are to have parents who love one another so much.

Hen Hollow Homestead Family

These two are my heart...walking around outside my body.

More kissing...can there ever be too much?  This man.  So thankful he is mine!

A New Year

Happy New Year from the homestead!  While 2016 was not a bad year, we are always excited about a new year ahead.  We cannot wait to see what blessings God has for us in 2017.  It is fun for me to look ahead and begin dreaming about the spring, when we will uncover the garden and plant lots of delicious food.  I've been spending some time watching videos and doing research online, figuring out what I want to plant this year.  I am hoping to can lots of yummy food this year, so a large garden is a must!

Before I completely put 2016 to bed, I want to share a few pictures from the last couple of months.  I've wanted to write here, and had several posts mulling around in my mind, but I think the Lord wanted me to just be quiet for a bit because each time I would sit to write, the words would not flow.  After several attempts, I decided to just listen to that little voice and not write for a bit.  I am thankful to be back now, and have some fun (and some not so fun) pictures to share.

Levi has re-discovered the joys of whittling, carving, and woodworking.  He made a few Christmas gifts to give to family, but unfortunately, there was a whittling accident before he could finish all of them.  He was working on a coaster for my brother-in-law when his knife slipped and he cut his finger.  He is very cautious, but accidents just happen sometimes.  We took him to the minor emergency clinic and had him stitched right up!  Now, after a couple of weeks, his stitches are out and everything is healing up well.  He can't wait to get back to work, and already has big plans.  Brave boy!!  The doctor even said he was the toughest boy she'd ever seen.  The LARGE needle full of numbing meds took a while to go in, and was given around two of his knuckles...and he squeezed my hand pretty hard, but was SO brave! The cut took ten stitches!

Levi soaking the wound before the stitches were put in.

After the stitches were removed.  He is a trooper!

Natalie is loving photography as always, and is developing lots of talent!  She enjoys outdoor pictures as well as pictures of people.  She likes to be creative and took these pictures the other day.  She used a small bundle of LED lights, and took the photos in a dark room.  I think they are awesome!

For a little adventure, we took the kids down to the stockyards to walk around, enjoy some lunch, and do the cattle pen maze.  We had a great time together, laughing and talking and enjoying the day.  Natalie took some great photos there as well, but I don't have any of them.  She will have to share some soon.

Lunch!  Our burgers were delicious!

Of course no post would be complete without an update on our hens.  They are not liking the short days, and the lack of sunshine means we aren't getting very many eggs.  But they are still mostly happy, though chilly. 

The girls!

We are so thankful for the two of you who read here ;)  We continue to enjoy life on the homestead, and can't wait to see what God has for us in 2017!

Hand Lettered Love

Natalie, who is now 13 years old, has worked diligently to become quite skilled at hand lettering.  She loves to doodle and read.  When you put those things together, you get a love for beautifully written words.  She enjoys lettering meaningful scripture and also great quotes.

With the holiday season upon us, Natalie has decided to turn her hobby into a small business.  She is offering her hand-lettering services for a small fee, and I will also be posting some of her work for sale here.  If you are interested in having her letter something special for you, or for a gift, please let us know.  We will mail the completed project to you in time for holiday gift-giving! 

Here is an example of her work...she does some simple black and white lettering, but also uses quality watercolors to enhance some of her work as well.  I know I am partial, but I think she does an amazing job! 

My Soul Finds Rest In God Alone

Have a quote or scripture you would like to see? Contact us by commenting here, or send and email to:

carrieannejones2001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Citizenship

With it being election year, we are constantly bombarded with political opinions.  Everyone feels bold and thinks that spewing hatred on social media will somehow win over or convince their 'friends' so that their candidate will win.  I am not on Facebook, but sometimes troll on Nathaniel's account in order to see what's going on out there in the world.  Honestly, I am so thankful that I don't have Facebook.  What a way to be continually frustrated, jealous, and discontent with life!  Seriously!  Between this, and all of the people re-connecting with old flames and then leaving their spouses, I think I am better off without it.  I've always said that I should have been born as Ma Ingalls, and she didn't worry with Facebook, so why should I!  Ha!

Anyway, this post isn't really about Facebook.  It's about my citizenship.  I'm a registered voter.  In fact, I turned 18 my senior year of high school and I remember how excited I was that I could register and cast my very first vote in an official election.  I thought I had arrived!  I continue to try to make solid, educated choices when I cast my ballot in an election, whether it be a local race or a vote for a presidential candidate.  I've long said, though, that sometimes choosing who to vote for is like picking your favorite mosquito out of the swarm.  There aren't any good choices. 

I've been shocked at all of the hatred and mud being slung in the current presidential race.  Sadly, I'm not talking about the hatred that the candidates are throwing at each other.  That is what I have come to expect from any candidate.  But the shock has been to watch and read as Christians, those who wear the name of Christ, say terrible and awful things with great gusto, justification, and confidence. 

Here's the truth for me.  Folks, I don't ever want to ruin my testimony for Christ because I feel the need to speak harshly in order to support or oppose a candidate in an election.  I love America, but the bottom line is, my citizenship lies elsewhere.  I am a child of the King, and my citizenship is in Heaven.  I am only passing through here, and while I love this country and all that it was founded upon many years ago, my freedom is in Christ alone.  I believe with all of my heart that God will fulfill His plan for me no matter who wins the election. I've said to others in recent weeks that it isn't about a donkey (Democrats) or an elephant (Republicans).  For me, it is all about a lamb.  THE Lamb.  Jesus Christ.  Maybe I should have a t-shirt made!  Who wants to hook me up?  Ha!

So there it is.  The National Anthem brings me to tears often, but even more-so do songs like Amazing Grace and It Is Well With My Soul.  Because it is.  My life is filled with amazing grace, and it truly is well with my soul.

So what about you?  Are you more concerned with a donkey, and elephant, or The Lamb?  Choose wisely, your life really does depend on it.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

--Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)

Favorite Book Characters

Recently, the kids enjoyed dressing up as some of their favorite book characters.  They both love to read, and enjoy the adventures they take with the characters in the books.  Natalie has recently been re-reading the Little House on the Prairie series.  She read them years ago, but has especially enjoyed reading them again, and viewing them through a different lens as a teen.  Levi has finally embraced reading, and is enjoying the Harry Potter series, along with other quality books I have helped him to choose. :)

Levi as Harry

Natalie as Laura Ingalls Wilder

When Life Seems Ever-Changing

---I know.  It has been too long.  And how dare I leave the last post as the one with all of the *ahem* awkward potty humor?  Seriously, I should be punished.  Someone please send me to my room for some quiet time and a nap.  PLEASE?!---


But back to the post.

Isn't it true that things often don't end up the way we expect them to?  How often do you think you know how things are going to go, only to discover that there are changes, kinks in the plan, surprises?  Sometimes it even feels as though nothing goes as you expected it to.  We've all been there at some point in our lives, yes? And if you haven't, well...just give it time.

Such has been life here on the homestead.  We've had plenty of normal, and also, plenty of not-what-we-expected.  It's just life, I suppose, but it does keep me from writing here.  Time runs away from me, and since I am now forty *cough-cough*, it is running faster than I can keep up.  Who am I kidding, I've never been a runner.

We are well into our sixth year of homeschooling, and every year there are changes.  Just when I think we have things down, and know what our rhythm is, there are twists and turns.  Along with the new, and harder curriculum (Natalie is now an 8th grader!) comes other things.  This school year (since September) has been peppered with many doctor appointments and tests for me.  I have some damage to my throat/voice that we have now decided is from a rare type of reflux that I was having no symptoms for until June.  I have had scopes and tests and studies, accompanied by the bills that go with them, ugh.  I have what I hope will be a final appointment next week, and then we will have a definitive plan to move forward and solve the problem.  I just want relief from the near-constant discomfort, and I NEED to be able to sing again.  I've been very limited, and even when I do sing, it is pretty uncomfortable for several days afterwards.  As a vocalist, this must be fixed.  I'm trusting that it will be, and I'm hoping it will be sooner rather than later.  Pray with us for this?

So needless to say, with all of the unexpected's, we are a little behind where I would like to be for school.  BUT, that is the beauty of home education, right?  We can be a bit behind, and then we can catch up or even get ahead if we want to.  We can follow the ebb and flow of life, and accomplish what needs to get done, all the while learning to work together, care for one another, and laugh along the way.  The most important things I can teach my children are life skills, and how to love others.  How to reach out to the broken and the lonely, how to root for the underdog, how to trust Jesus in ALL THINGS, and how to share Jesus with those around us.  To me, this is much more important than math or science or spelling.  Don't get me wrong, we see great value in those things and study them here in our homeschool, but FIRST comes our Christian walk.  Heaven is more important than college or career.  Truth.

Fall is supposedly here on the Homestead.  We have yet to feel it, but the calendar declares that is is fall, and so we trust it is coming...eventually.  We anxiously await the turning leaves, brisk mornings, and wearing our scarves and boots.  Even the seasons change in their own time, and are not forced to follow rules and calendars.  They, too, can be unexpected and ever-changing, just like this life we live.

There are lots of projects going around here, between our farm and my parents' farm across the way.  Working some more on my dad's new barn, planning a new entry for our place because of crazy road construction, keeping the grasses mowed and the bushes trimmed, and always trying to catch the elusive bobcat that likes to feast on our chickens.  (We have seen him, but have yet to be able to catch him.)  Winter is the quiet time on the farm, without gardens to tend and other outdoor things to maintain.  It is a time for reflection and then a time to renew our energies and plans for the next year of growth and work on the farm.  We look forward to time indoors, complete with yummy smelling oils diffusing, cozy blankets, and curling up on the couches with good books.

More change has come our way, as we have begun attending a new church gathering.  Truth be told, as with many changes in life, it has not been an easy one.  Being welcomed is one thing, but being included and accepted is a whole different thing.  Maneuvering that as an adult can be a challenge, but walking teens and tweens through it can be downright painful  The pain is real, the tears they fall. We are growing as a family through the challenges.  We are learning life lessons.  And we are learning that things aren't always what you expect them to be.  For me personally, I am seeing that there are some beliefs that I hold dear to my heart.  I believe that God put them there, and they are precious to me.  But because they are non-salvation issues, and we were not finding them at any of the congregations we attended, I thought I had to let them go a bit.  The truth is, through the struggles at our new church home, I am seeing more and more that God blessed me immensely with those beliefs, and that I should not let go of them.  I know it seems vague, but I just don't want to call out things, or stir up debates here.  I need this to continue to be a place where I can share my heart sometimes, and so I am choosing not to go into specifics.  If you really want to know, email me! ;)  Sometimes things just don't go the way you expect, but we trust God.  Our hope is found not in earthly things, or people, or even congregations.  Our hope is Jesus Christ.  He is the ONE that matters.

Just as life is always changing, so are my sweet kids.  Natalie is a teen, and is growing into a beautiful, smart, funny young lady.  We share lots of laughter, which I treasure in my heart.  Just a few weeks ago, she chose to be baptized.  It was a day of JOY for us!  Knowing she has chosen to follow Christ all the days of her life, well, there is nothing better.

Natalie's Baptism September 22, 2016

These two share a special bond.

The JOY of new life!

 

Levi is a tween and is maturing before our very eyes.  His dedication to daily scripture reading both morning and evening make my mommy heart smile.  He is smart, and so very witty, just like Nathaniel.  He loves to build and create, and continues to have an amazing imagination.  He is a delight.

These two are my heart!

Nathaniel still loves his work, which is a blessing, and of course I am happy to be juggling all things related to our home.  Spending my days with the kids is fun (most of the time), and I wouldn't trade this job for anything in the world.  It takes great sacrifice, especially financially, for me to be at home with them.  I don't take that for granted, not for one second.  And when I have crazy ideas and schemes, everyone usually follows along.  Ha!

He loves me!

Yes, life is ever-changing.  The weather, the schedule, church homes, attitudes, and even your underwear will all change, some more often than others.  Ha!  Sometimes we feel in control of those changes, and other times, it seems as though everything just swirls around us.  Either way, we can always rest easy.  There is One who never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Nothing surprises Him.  He knows what the day holds for us before we even get out of bed.  And thankfully He holds the day.  He holds us.  Jesus Christ, the solid rock on which we stand.  Trust Him.  Be still...  

The Jones Family 2016

A Lesson Learned

WARNING:  This story does include some bathroom humor, but the story must be told.  It is much too funny to keep to myself!  Be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt, and you'll have tears streaming down your cheeks.  Trust me on this.

Not long ago we were in the health food store in our neighboring town.  We love to do some of our shopping there, and we were out of a few things so we stopped in.  I needed to run to the restroom when we first arrived, so Nathaniel and the kids went their own way, perusing the aisles for something new to try.  I headed to the back of the store to the restroom, and then went to gather the things on my list.  A little while into my shopping, Natalie comes to me in a bit of a panic, hides behind me, and attempts to tell me a story while laughing/crying all at the same time.  Here is the story that unfolded:

Natalie had tired of shopping with Nathaniel so she had gone back to the restroom thinking she would find me.  She was standing in the restroom, and heard some...noises from the next stall.  She, as teenagers tend to do, thought the worst and assumed that it was ME making the ummmm....noises.  Yes, can you believe it?!  So she decides to spray the bathroom liberally with peppermint essential oil air freshener that is on the counter.  After spritzing the room well, waving it all around dramatically, she decided it wasn't enough.  Sweet Natalie decided to say something in an attempt to be funny to her mother, whom she thought was the one in there making those loud, un-graceful bathroom noises that come after you've eaten something that didn't agree with you.  So she says in a most sassy tone, "Good Luck!!" and giggles.  ***crickets***  There was silence (except for the noises).  No quick and witty response from mom.  Then she noticed an eye, perring at her through the crack of the stall door.  And IT WASN'T MOM'S EYE!!  ***Cue terror***  She realized it wasn't me, and apologized before darting from the restroom mortified of her mistake.  That is when she came to me, hiding behind me and the cart, red as a cherry! 

I could not stop laughing.  Truth be told, I still laugh every time I think about it.  It was mortifying for her, but I find it hysterical.  Nothing better to keep a teen humble that a bad bathroom humor experience.  Seriously, still laughing!  HAHAHAHAHA!

**Note:  This story was retold with permission from Natalie.  I would not embarrass her intentionally (okay, maybe I would, but not like this!).  Next time you see her, simply utter the words "Good Luck" and she will know what you mean! HAHA!

Thought I had better hop on and post something here before it had been a whole month since my last post!  I'm working up a fun update, complete with pictures, of course.  I love to read posts that include pictures...so much more fun!

Until then, I will leave you with this sweet picture.  Check back soon :)

This girl turns 13 in a couple of weeks!

It Must be the Weather

Here in the great state of Texas, we have been enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures.  We are smack dab in the middle of February and yesterday it was 80 degrees.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Eighty.  Eight-oh.  It has been beautiful, and the warmth and sunshine have me pining away with plans for our vegetable garden, and also some new rosebushes for the back yard.  I'm wise enough to know that despite the beautiful weather, it is not yet time to begin planting.  But oh how my heart longs to be out there in the dirt, sowing seeds that will grow into delicious and healthy food for my family.  Since I cannot actually do it yet, I just dream about it and work on my famous lists.  Soon enough, spring will come and I can plant our garden!

I guess it is the beautiful warm weather that has encouraged the wildlife to be out and about more-so than usual.  I've already shared about the possum in the henhouse, and also, the deer that wanted to wrestle with Nathaniel in the car.  (We are still in the rental car, but cannot wait to have our beloved Honda back from the shop!)  As crazy as it sounds, the funny wildlife stories don't stop there!  It is only Wednesday, and we have already had two more crazy experiences here on the homestead.

On Monday afternoon, Natalie was out taking photos when she heard lots of squawking from the side of the barn.  She went out the gate and around the corner, and what does she see but a bobcat clutching one of our hens in its jaws!!  She had grabbed a pool noodle and began to chase it away, hoping to save the hen.  When it saw her, it dropped the chicken and went towards the back fence, but as it got to the treeline, it stopped and turned to stare at her for a while before finally heading back into the woods. Did I seriously just type that my 12 year old daughter chased a bobcat with a pool noodle?!  We can laugh about it now, but when I first realized what had happened, I wasn't too happy.  When Nathaniel got home from work, because of course the bobcat had come when he was not home, he took the gun out back and located its path.  Unfortunately, the path was littered with feathers, and we now know that it was the predator who enjoyed devouring our large rooster, Uno, just a few days before.  Despite the serene homestead that we all picture, with chickens pecking the grass, cattle grazing in the field, and mama's shelling peas on the back porch while the children play tag in the yard, the homestead can, in fact, be a dangerous place!

And just this morning, Levi came bounding in the door after feeding the dogs to tell me that there were two raccoon fighting on the banks of our tank. They had come out of the tree line squabbling, and had fought their way over to the tank where they both fell in.  The cool water did not dissipate the fight, and they fought their way out of the water and back over into the trees.  A funny sight for sure!

So I guess it is just the warmer weather that has all of the wildlife out and about, and feeling frisky.  I love these warm days, but I could do without some of the crazy that we have been experiencing, ha!

"The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."  Isaiah 43:20-21

  

Love

Just wanted to hop on and share from my scripture reading today. 

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

I'm meditating on these words today. 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:9-18

Love others today.  Love them well.

It's a Jungle Out There...

...though around here, it's not the jungle you imagine.  Last week held a couple of encounters with wildlife that we were not expecting!  It all started on Wednesday evening as the sun was setting and it was time to lock the hens up for the night.  The dogs were barking like crazy, which was an indicator that something was up.  I went to the back door to see what the fuss was about, and the dogs were both barking at the back gate.  I opened the door and called for the dogs to come in for the night.  They weren't interested which is very unusual for them.  They are always more than ready to come inside and snuggle up on the couch or on the floor with one of the kids.  This night, they were too focused on something back in the chicken pen to even listen to me.  I sent Nathaniel and Natalie out to investigate...I am not a fan of varmints.  Natalie thought it was nothing, and pranced right into the chicken house to gather eggs for the night, but it was only a second before her flashlight was bouncing and I knew she was QUICKLY headed back towards the house.  I yelled from the back door, asking what it was and she let me know "It's a possum!!"

I, of course, suggested the gun as a great solution, but my husband, in all his wisdom, knew that would not be the best idea.  Instead, he used a rake to literally scoot the possum out of the hen house!  He expected the animal to "play possum", which would have made the scooting easier.  Instead, the possum decided he would try to escape Nathaniel's raking attempts.  All of this is happening in the dark, with the kids each trying to use their flashlights as spotlights on the action.

Once the possum was out of the hen house, he ran underneath the barn.  Crazy animal!  He had also successfully scared half of the hens off of the roosting poles and out into the chicken yard, which meant Nathaniel and Natalie had to round them up.  You see, chickens cannot see in the dark.  This is why they head to the roost at dusk and stay there until sunrise.  Thankfully I was able to step outside with my flashlight and watch the two of them wrangling and chasing the chickens back into the hen house.  One of them was terrified, and when Natalie grabbed her, she screamed like a girl.  The chicken, not Natalie!  I truly thought it was someone else screaming out there, but it was just the hen screaming for her life.  I guess she thought she had been gotten by the possum!  Haha!

Fast forward a mere twelve hours, and there was another encounter.  No, it's not the possum as one might think.  We wondered if it would return the next morning, but it didn't.  The second encounter was with a deer...and in the car!  Nathaniel left for work in the dark of night as usual, but called me once he arrived about 7:30AM.  It is unusual for him to call me that early, so I knew something was up.  He went on to tell me that as he was leaving for work, not even 100 yards from our driveway, several deer had run across the road in front of him.  He had seen them, and was able to slow down and allow them to cross.  There had been three hop the fence of my parents' farm, cross the road in front of Nathaniel, and then hop the fence onto our property to head on into the woods.  This is not altogether unusual...we live in the country and both properties have tanks which the deer love for drinking.  Anyway, after the three had passed, it seemed there were no more, so Nathaniel went on only to be blasted on the side of the car by a fourth deer!  It decided to ram right into the car hitting the passenger front panel, then banging down the passenger side of the car, leaving hair and hide in the cracks, as well as quite a few nasty dents.  Nathaniel had checked the car, deemed it drive-able, and had gone on in to work. He was just calling to let me know.  Typical man!!! 

Most importantly, Nathaniel was safe.  The only damage was to the car, and now Nathaniel is driving a loaner car while ours is in the shop for a fix.  The deer bent the panel so much that the passenger door wouldn't even open.  Seriously, paying the insurance deductible is not my idea of a good time.  I would much rather enjoy dinner out, or a manicure, or some other fun.  But I am so very very thankful that my man is safe! 

So yes, lots of experiences with difference wildlife this last week.  It really is a jungle out there!

Prayers

You know how I said this world was a mess?  Well, I meant it.  It still is.  Since I wrote that post just last week, a young boy of 11 has gone to be with Jesus, ending his earthly battle with cancer.  A mother lost a son, sisters lost a brother, brother lost a brother.  My precious friend Alyssa is facing her third major brain surgery today, at the young age of 13.  She is a fighter, and a lover of people.  She is nothing short of amazing.  I have a family member in the hospital with an infection.  He's improving greatly, but will still spend several days battling to rid his body of the infection that had moved in.  He's strong and he is blessed by a loving family. So much pain and struggle.

I find myself uttering lots of little prayers to God lately.  Not longer prayers surrounded by quiet, but small, silent prayers lifted throughout my days.  God hears them just the same.  And the pain and struggle around me send me straight to the Father.  He is the one who comforts and provides hope through all of these situations.  Our family prays together also.  I am hopeful that my children understand that when things seem to be spiraling out of control, and when the mess keeps getting messier, that they will always.always.always turn to Jesus.  I want prayer to be their first response in good or bad.  Every.single.time.

What about you?  Is there suffering and pain in your life or in the lives of those you love?  I hope you know where hope and comfort are found, and that you are talking with the Father, the Great Healer, the Comforter each and every day.

Clinging

This world is a mess.  There, I said it.  It is a big.fat.mess.  So much so, that there are days that I simply want to curl up in a ball and weep over the ugliness of it all.  The pain, the struggle, the sickness, the heartache.  It's overwhelming to say the least.  The darkness looms all around, and often it seems there are no easy answers, no way out, no light at the end of the tunnel.  A mess, I say.

My heart has been heavy lately over the many troubles swirling around me.  Friends with a child facing a third brain surgery for cancer.  So young and absolutely precious, yet having to face such big questions, big surgeries, big pain.  I cry out to God for her healing, and for peace and strength as they maneuver more hospitals, more surgery, and more medication.  Another young boy, who had completed his treatment and is now facing new medical challenges.  A scary time for the whole family, as well as those who love them.  Our earthly bodies struggle. 

We don't even have to watch the news to know there is trouble all around.  Murders, fires, car accidents, explosions, tornadoes, blizzards, droughts, politics, campaigns, disease outbreaks, and on and on the list could go.  It is a jungle out there.

Add onto that the burdens and challenges of everyday life that many of us face at different times...financial woes, job loss, anxiety, parenting challenges, busy-ness, health, dental woes, etc. It can feel absolutely overwhelming.  At least that is how it makes me feel.  Overwhelmed.

But it only takes a minute to find a perspective shift.  One that helps put my heart and mind in a better place.  The peace we can find, even through the yuckiness of this world, is that we are not alone.  There is one who is always with us, always walking beside us, always loving us.  And though the waves come crashing down around us, though the flames seem to be growing wild, God is with us.  So for today, I am clinging to this verse from Isaiah 43:  "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name;  you are mine...I will be with you."  

Lord, we need you now.  We trust You to always be with us, through good and bad.  You never leave us.  You love us...we are yours.  Amen.

Piles, Piles, Everywhere!

I am typically a person who tries to keep my home picked up and organized.  I am not necessarily a clean freak, though I could easily fall into that if I let myself.  I love a tidy environment, and truly enjoy the process of organizing and creating systems.  The reality, though, is that my home is a shared place where life happens.  If I was the only person living here, it would be much easier to keep it just the way I like it.  But I am not.  I am so thankful to have my people here with me, and I try not to make big battles out of keeping the house perfect.  Sometimes, as life is happening at a fast pace, the piles begin to appear.  I'll have several projects going on at once, and without any extra space, it all happens in the common areas.  My living room and dining room become the office/warehouse/workroom.  That has happened this week.  AHHHHHH!  The truth is, the piles make me twitch.  I find it hard to relax when the mess surrounds me.  But I am working on what I can do each day, and trying to remind myself that it's not the most important thing ever to keep a perfectly clean home.  Messes happen, piles appear, and life goes on!  Just take a look at some of the piles around my home:

I cleaned out my closet and these hand-me-downs are going to a friend.

Items for one part of our business.

More business supplies.

Shipping supplies...boxes are everywhere!

Egg cartons from a co-worker, ready to be filled with eggs from our hens.

Only PART of my Dittos for Kiddos consignment inventory, needing to be entered and tagged and sorted and packed away for transport.

Sadly, these aren't even all of the piles!  Ha!  Yes, there is a lot going on here, but it is mostly good stuff.  Working together with my family on these projects is invaluable...we are learning great lessons by working together.  Hopefully, several of these projects will also yield a paycheck!  Ha!

Okay, I'm off to homeschool coop, then back to tackle some more piles!  I have a feeling the piles will get worse before they get better, but that's okay.  Work is good for us!