Let Your Light Shine

One of my Easter devotionals this morning was about Nicodemus and Joseph, two Sanhedrin that had become followers of Jesus. 

It spoke of the enormous sacrifices they made in order to give honor and bury Jesus Christ. 

Those who were crucified weren’t given a proper burial. No. Rather they were discarded into unmarked graves beneath piles of rocks. There was no embalming process, no service, no grave marker. Nothing.

But Nicodemus and Joseph went beyond to honor him.  Joseph gave up his own tomb and Nicodemus offered up myrrh and aloes (a LOT) for embalming. Both of those are extremely costly sacrifices. 

Passover had just started so embalming Jesus would have made Nicodemus ritually impure. Having any contact with the dead would make them unclean. As a religious leader that was just unheard of! But he did it anyway.

Next, they could have risked their reputation. Seeing as their peers just murdered Jesus, the act of burying him and giving him due honor could cost them their stature, their jobs, and possibly their lives. 

This act of faith could have and did cost them much. It got me to thinking about how many leaders (specifically in the social selling industry) encourage you to not share your faith or talk about politics, etc. (“You don’t what to alienate half your audience!”) This morning it hit me so hard that THAT is of the enemy, the destroyer. He doesn’t want you sharing about Jesus, your faith, or the fact that salvation is an ask and belief away. Of course not! He wants you to be as far from it as possible. 

My response to that is this; if I don’t share my faith and my Savior, it’s HIM that I have to answer to. Not any one else. You aren’t going to lose out on business because you share the Truth. If you do, then it wasn’t your business to begin with. Because what is for you, will not pass you. Nothing can stop what God has in store for you! All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  That means, Christian, you were called to this position, to use your platform, to use your testimony and experience, to do the will of the Father. 

Like in the video I shared yesterday from Alex Bryant, we are not to remain silent. About our faith, our political standings, or our convictions. It’s precisely how we got where we are today. It’s how we let everything just slip away. We must speak up. We must speak Truth. We must share the gospel. 

It’s time to stand up and speak out, Believers. It’s literally our job as Christians. So don’t hide your light under a bushel. Put it out there for the world to see! 

I don’t know about you, but when I stand before the throne on Judgment Day, I don’t want to hear, “Depart from me I never knew you.” *shudders* Ugh, that is the most horrifying thought! Nothing in this world scares me more than that. 

How about you? 

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32

Garden Update! 🌱

Garden update!

Brought the babies out to harden them off and give them some suns and some warms. My gifted basil along with the seeds I started indoors. 3-4 of which are lavender! There are tiny little growths in there! I hope they keep growing. My lavender didn’t make it back for a 3rd year, unfortunately. Tomatoes, green beans (‼️), green peppers, sage, savory, dill, chamomile, and parsley.

My ‘salad bar’ is growing nicely! I wasn’t sure the red lettuce made it, but it’s growing! And I have baby spinaches!

My gifted elderberry are starting to leaf out!

Elderberry row & ‘salad bar’ (far left(

My gifted oregano in the large pot on the table will much enjoy this. It can probably stay out there since it’s already a fairly established

And this week we will be out there foraging in our own backyard for dandelion, violet, clover, and purple nettle (the good kind).

There is a lot of work to be done, but it’s finally warming up enough to be able to get out and get busy. After Easter, though.

This week I will be a busy baker as I prepare 5 cakes (plus our own!) and 4 dozen bunny buns (bunny shaped rolls.) plus our own!) for Easter orders. Plus I have a crochet order to get finished before Easter.

It’s fine! I’m fine! Everything is just fine! Because I GET to do what I love!

Plus, it’s Holy Week! 🙌🏻🌿✝️

So thankful for His amazing grace!

So You Want to Homestead, eh?

Homesteading. It’s quite the buzzword these days, isn’t it? But what exactly is homesteading?

Never mind what Merriam-Webster says. Of course, that’s a true definition of the word. But let’s look at it in the 21st century’s lens.

Homesteading today is as much a way of life as it is a place. Homesteading is more about becoming self-sustaining and self-reliant. Learning ‘old timey’ skills, going back to our roots and living a more peaceful life.

Here is what homesteading means to this nostalgic old soul:

*Learning skills that seem to have died with our grandmothers: crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery, sewing, cooking and baking everything from scratch, re-using and re-purposing everything –yes, maybe even cleaning off the perfectly good piece of tinfoil, because waste not want not, amiright? Growing and raising our own food, and on and on.

*Homeschooling our kids. I’m done having small children, but my young adult son is already on board with homeschooling his children–good Lord willing he should be so blessed.

*Trading and bartering with neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ. You know how to do something they don’t and they know how to do something you don’t, so do what you know how to do well and share the love, mmkay? Yes. Let’s do that.

*Keeping money local. Buy, sell, trade in your own community, amongst like-minded folks. Keeping money in your own community is the best way to ensure stability in your community.

*Teach others how to do what you know how to do. Share the wealth and the love.

*Bring back ‘barn raisings”. The Amish still do it to this day. It’s economical and often faster than hiring out help. It also builds community.

*Bring back Sunday/family dinners. Ideally, you’re already eating together as a family at the table, but if your work schedule doesn’t allow for that, at least make sure you can gather for a family meal at the end of the week.

*Plant a garden and have chickens. Planting a garden is soooo therapeutic and rewarding. Raising chickens for fresh eggs should be on your list, too. Check with your local ordinances to see if that is allowable for you before you run off and build your coop and get your chicks. 😉 Plant some herbs especially for your chickens. It will help them stay healthy and enrich your eggs!

*Learn to bake fresh bread. I promise, it’s not as a hard as it looks and it is so cathartic and therapeutic. Also rewarding. And, bonus feature, it’s a natural room freshener. You’ll thank me later.

Live in an apartment? No sweat. You can do a small container garden on your patio or balcony, or even in a sunny kitchen window. You can grow tomatoes, green beans, herbs, and yes, even a dwarf lemon tree! Pinterest is a gold mine for how to start a container garden.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. As I learn more about how I can homestead where I am, I will share with you on how you can homestead where YOU are. It can be done anywhere! It’s more of a way of living than a physical place.

Stay tuned for more homesteading posts, tips, and ideas!

Season of Change

Just remember that when you grow, the things you once rocked don’t fit you quite the same anymore and it’s ok.

It’s ok to move on and try something new. Think of it as a caterpillar transitioning into a butterfly. We all go through seasons of change.

Some times it’s hard to let go of the familiar to make room for the new. Why? Because change is HARD. Change is scary. But when you hand it off to God and let Him have the reigns, you can rest assured and have peace that everything will be just fine.

So let go of what was and embrace what is to come. Because God’s gotchoo!

Out of Touch

This past Friday my phone just up and died. Out of nowhere, zero warning. It just so happens that it was the same day a big white balloon was spotted floating over our state. Coincidence? Who knows. But I digress. At first, I thought it was the battery, so I took it in to have the battery replaced. That wasn’t it. So that was a waste of fifty bucks. So I ordered a ‘new’ one and it should be here by Thursday. Let me just tell you it’s been a really long 3 days already. I am not ok. 

What this period of darkness has taught me is that we have become grossly dependent upon our devices. I can do NOTHING without my phone. I don’t wear a watch, so unless I’m home or in my car I have no idea what time it is. I can’t just shoot a text to let so and so I’m on my way or look up an address. I can’t look up that recipe I saved for dinner or research that thing I thought of the other day. I can’t just check my email or see how my friends are doing on the socials or watch TV on my Amazon FireTV. Because not only is that thing glued to my hand, it is the source of internet for my entire household when we are home. I have also realized that I can’t even listen to music because my iTunes library hasn’t been synced properly and all I have access to is Christmas music. I can’t even write a blog post! I’m currently using the TextEdit ‘app’ on my MacBook Air. And let’s not even get started on trying to get into websites and apps on your computer because they need to confirm your identity by sending you a code on, you guessed it, your phone. So I can’t even check my bank accounts. That’s pretty scary. Of course, I could call, but…. I don’t have a phone. 

Yes, of course, I could go to the library, my mom’s, or a handful of other places to use their Wi-Fi, but that’s not always convenient when you have other things to do at home, like testing some recipes or working on crochet orders. It’s in between batches or hand/wrist breaks that I catch up on emails, socials, etc.  Quite the conundrum.

I feel like the Lord allowed this to happen for me to come to a deeper realization of the deception and dependency to help encourage others to maybe step back and take a look and see just how dependent they are on their devices and to encourage everyone to take some time unplugged as often as possible.

It’s time to get back to basics, friends. Remember those? Many of you reading this will not. But people my age and older will remember the days of going to the library to research all the things, going to the video store to rent a movie (sadly those are gone, but save a few), calling your friend on the phone to catch up (which sounds really weird going from an introvert who would much rather just send a text), sending a handwritten letter, going out to the movies, reading physical books, taking classes for painting, pottery, knitting or crochet, etc. Meeting friends face to face for lunch or dinner, or even just a coffee. Have people over in your homes to enjoy each other’s company.

We really don’t need ALL the apps and to have the news smack us in the face every time we open it up. There is so much more joy and peace to be had without it. The enemy wants us to be dependent upon these things, upon him. He prowls around looking for whom he can kill and destroy (John 10:10). He has a done a splendid job thus far. Just look around you! 

Perhaps I will only use my cell phone as a modem for the internet for business purposes and remove all social media apps and other time wasters from the device and leave them strictly desktop access only. I don’t know. But I do know that something has to change and I am mad as hell about how dependent they have made us on these things.  

My advice to you: 

Unplug. Often. 

Read The Word. Daily.

Buy chickens. 

Plant a garden.

Buy local, USA made. 

Support your local farmers. 

Avoid big box stores. 

Buy & read out of print history books. 😉 

**Update: I have my ‘new’ phone and am back online. It was a long week!

Thoughtful Thursday

Just a few thoughts this Thursday:

•I am too blessed to be stressed. Repeat.

•I get to bake cupcakes today. Something I LOVE to do.

•The Lord is my Great Provider and will provide ALL my NEEDS according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (and some of my wants, too!)

•I have some of the best and sweetest friends in the world.

•I want a dog. And a cow. And a donkey. And chickens. And ducks. And 20 acres.

•I have a new dream on my heart and mind. More research is needed. And prayer. It may help get the previous bullet point.

•I have a good life. It’s far from perfect, it can be messy, but it’s mine. And I’m thankful for it.

Blessed Thursday, friends. I want to hear what’s on your mind. Share with me in the comments below!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Out With the Old, In With the New

Fair thee well, 2022! Welcome 2023!

Others are waxing tales of woe and angst, some are thankful for a great year. And others still are just feeling quite meh about it all. I, and my son, fall in the latter category. We’re not 100% sure why. I think it mainly has to do with a ton of uncertainty about so many things right now. I can’t say that I’m not looking forward to all the things that God is and will be doing in the next year, because I most definitely am. And also not to say that I am not thankful, because I have had a ton to be thankful for over the past year. I can’t say that it was a terrible year. We’ve been quite blessed and we’ve learned a lot. At least I have.

I, personally, over the last few years have struggled greatly with my goals, visions, and dreams. Not with having any, because trust, I have big ones and lots of them. But I have been struggling with knowing if they align with the Lord’s will. Are these goals and dreams coming from ME, or do they have the hand of God in them? Were they planted there by Him? Or is that just me in my sinful humanity? I have been praying that the Lord give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Daily. All day. I stink at decision making and making sense out of a lot of things, so I’m sure you can see my hesitation.

Until the other day when I came across this Bible study on the YouVersion app. I feel like it ‘gave me permission’. It gave me questions to ask, things to pray over and for, and helped give a little clarity. This one also helped find places in Scripture that were reassuring.

A few verses that repeated throughout both plans (as well as other readings listed below) were…

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3, ESV

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:6, ESV

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9, ESV

As I do several different little studies and readings in my daily time, I get wisdom shared from lots of places. Such as Lifeway’s Journey; daily devotions for women and Truth for Life by Alistair Begg. (I don’t get anything from these links, just sharing what I love!)

One writer in the Journey devotional shared her thoughts about when they sold their dream home and had to move and how hard it was for her to step out in faith into this new endeavor. She writes, “…but if I wait for perfect clarity, I will never step out in faith. Faith does not often make sense at the onset, but in hindsight we see how God was leading.” (December 16, 2022) That first part hit me in the face. Combined with all that I shared above about needing clarity and discernment, following His will, etc., it just seemed to kind of wrap it up in a big ol bow.

I just need to remain in faith that the Lord has it all under control. He has a plan for me. He sets these desires on my heart, He will make a way. Provided, of course, they align with His will.

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:4-5, ESV

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13, ESV

I learned that as Christians, it’s ok to have goals, dreams, and plans. We just need to give them over to the LORD to do with what He wills. We must make sure to pray over our visions, our goals, our lists, our days. Day in, day out. I learned that the dreams that we can’t seem to shake were placed there by God. And whatever God’s will is will find a way. He will make the way and we won’t know what hit us.

So step out in faith this year. Write down those big hairy audacious goals and dreams. Then boldly and specifically ask for them and pray for them. Without ceasing. If you can’t stop thinking about it, take action. Because He doesn’t want us to remain idle! We must do the work He calls us to. It will probably be really hard. It might cost you money you don’t have, but He will provide that, too. 😉 He IS the God of provision, after all.

I haven’t yet gotten to where I’m quite ready to share all my goals and dreams and visions for 2023 yet, but I’ll be sure to return here when I do.

Meanwhile, my wish for you and yours is that you have a healthy and abundantly blessed 2023 and that you go after those dreams that you just can’t shake.

Happy, Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, friends!

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

It’s not even 2:00 and I have all of my sides prepped for Friday’s Thanksgiving dinner. 🙌🏻

Yesterday I made our fudge and Rice Krispies treats and pie dough.

I have yet to do my pies, dinner rolls, and cinnamon rolls. The rolls I will make up to the point where they would need to rest and rise and then I will stick them in the fridge until tomorrow morning and complete the process.

I made our stuffing from scratch this year and I am convinced I will never do it any other way from here on out. It’s all ready for the bird on Friday morning. The only shortcut I took was buying a loaf of French bread. I’ll attempt the French bread for Christmas.

I’m killing myself now so that I can enjoy the next two days instead of driving myself crazy with all the things. I want to be able to relax and watch the Thanksgiving Day parade and eat my cinnamon rolls and drink my coffee and orange juice.

Tomorrow we will have dinner at mom’s and on Friday I will host dinner at my house for my dad and Other Mother.

I’m so looking forward to all the things. Especially the stuffing and pumpkin pie. 😋🥰

May you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

The Waiting Game

Hurry up and wait. Society today knows no patience. Everything is sped up and hurried. Instantaneous. At your fingertips.

Microwaves | Drive thrus | Delivery | Fast food | Instacart | Amazon | Next day shipping | pre-packaged meals | The list goes on and on.

No one has to wait for anything these days. And that has done us a huge disservice.

We need to rely on God’s timing. Because His timing is sheer perfection. I have never been a patient person. God knows this. Therefore, He ensured that my life be a waiting period. And yours, too.

You know how they say, “Good things come to those who wait”? We have been conditioned to bypass that. Instead, these days it’s, “Good things come to those who hustle”. I used to believe that. The last few years have changed my thoughts on the matter. They have taught me to slow down and appreciate things more. Enjoy the process more. And you know what? I rather like it and prefer it. I’ve learned to make things from scratch. To grow things. I’m discovering skills and arts that have gotten lost in the hustle.

It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted the ‘next best thing’, but even in the last few years, the desires of my heart have drastically changed. I no longer seek wealth, I seek joy and peace. I no longer seek the recognition, I seek the fellowship and connection of family, friends, and neighbors.

Do I still have material wants? Of course. Hello farm life! Donkeys, cows, and chickens…Oh my! But they aren’t just things to HAVE. They are a way of life and each serves a purpose.

I’ve gotten a bit off track. Waiting. We were never meant to have ALL THE THINGS RIGHT MEOW. Hello? Moses. Israelites. Wilderness. 40 years. Going in circles because they couldn’t quit complaining and being grateful for what the Lord gave them? Sound familiar? It sure does to me. I have been in my own wilderness for the last 17 years. Because I haven’t been content and thankful for what I have been given. Including the struggles. This isn’t a post about contentment, though we need to have it in the waiting. The last few years the Lord has shown me to be content in the waiting. It wasn’t until today during my devotional reading that it hit me that the waiting is preparing my heart and mind for what He has in store for me.

I know what I think I want and need. But God knows better than I. And I can’t WAIT to see what He has in store for me. Because what I want sounds pretty amazing. A loving godly husband, a farm life, taking care of the family with the things we have grown and raised together. It sounds downright heavenly. But only if it’s the Lord’s will. Naturally, I hope it is. But I will learn to be content in whatever situation He places me. And in HIS time. Not mine.

What are you waiting for God to do in your life? While you wait, prepare for what He has coming, dive into His Word, ask Him boldly and specifically, pray for wisdom and discernment, and wait on the Lord.