expectation

It's almost midnight and i just can't help myself. Something about spending time with my accountability gals just makes me feel inspired to write. Perhaps its the sugar in the chocolate chip muffin that I just shamelessly consumed. Maybe its because my kids are all sleeping peacefully and I can see an almost full moon out my window, whatever the reason, I feel compelled to blog.
Today we had our accountability meeting at 22 year old Mists house. In case you don't remember, Mist is the one who lives in a one room cabin with no electricity or running water. This is quite contrary from the live she once lived in California. Her bathroom is an out house without a door. Her running water comes in the form of a creek running by the cabin. Her cabin is so old that if a strong man pushed on it, he might be able to break the wall. Its so poorly insulated that when I'm hot from her wood stove, all I have to do is sit on the floor. The breeze keeps me cooled off. Her biggest concern when she leaves is the havoc from the mice who quickly invade her dwelling.
I don't say these things to insult her at all. On the contrary I admire Mist and am even a bit jealous. She is truly one of the most incredible women that I have ever met. Mist is almost always sporting a smile. She is incredibly content. She is kind, generous and knowledgeable. I can't think of many women who would know how to be content in Mist's place. When you walk into Mists cabin, you forget about your surroundings. Everything is clean, neat and orderly. She cooks like no one I have ever sampled of. She really knows how to make her abode into a comfortable home.
As I got out of my truck about a quarter of a mile from Mists house, I packed Moonbeam into my baby backpack. I examined the melting snow wondering how the trek back to her house would be. I said "hello" to her husband who was driving away. It dawned on me that packing everything in and out by hand 1/4 of a mile would be quite challenging. It would be quite challenging especially because it isn't plowed. Its more of a packed down foot trail.
Since nobody wanted to stay in the cabin on such a beautiful day, we commenced on a 6 mile hike together. We encouraged each other in the Lord. I told the women a lot of stories about how God has supernaturally provided for me. I could see their faith increasing as I spoke. This got me encouraged. The fresh air and sunshine felt wonderful. The hike was a great work out.
When we got back to the cabin Mist sauteed us sprouted wheat berries for lunch. I had brought along a few fresh vegetables which she added in. It was the best meal I've eaten in weeks. She is an incredible cook.
After lunch, we prayed for each other and for our husbands. I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do next. I have this expectation beginning to build.
When I got home from Mists I decided that I've had a pretty bad attitude about my washer and dryer. Its been on its last legs for some time now. I randomly get angry with my husband for this fact, though its not any fault of his. I had my artist son draw some large pictures on his easel. Then I taped them up with scriptures in my laundry room to remind me that I need to have a better attitude. I need to trust God for a better washer and dryer. I need to ask Him for one, but more importantly I need to be grateful for the ones I already have. I need to be thankful for my husband too. He is a generous man. I am almost giddy wondering what kind of miracle God is going to do. Every time we set our hearts on Him and pray something exciting happens.

Don't Feed The Bear!!

Here are a few fun pics taken recently. Moonbeam was dragging herself around the floor when my husband put this bear hat on and growled at her. As you can see, she's not too impressed.

The rest are of our hike to the lake nearby. Catman thinks of everything by cleverly hanging his puddle boots off of his bike handles. Moonbeam spends her first time on the ground playing with dead leaves. I am smiling in earnest expectation wishing for the ice to melt off of my favorite place to swim!!!

Tricked Out Shed Hunters

Pictured here is Catman wanting yet another "rest stop". Also my husband and I with my first official "shed" find.

OK, I usually don't post this many days in a row, but today I did something new I've never (officially) done before hence today's post.
After a busy night working as an Emergency Room Nurse in a small rural hospital, I was ready for something relaxing. The clock ticked by way too slow last night making my 12 hours seem like eons. Not to mention any time I am 12 hours away from my baby I begin to fixate on parts of my anatomy which begin to become rather swollen and uncomfortable. In my mind I have monstrous appendages which are ready to explode upon impact. There are hazard signs flashing all around me and patients and doctors alike are fearful that the great milky volcano may erupt at any time. My wild imagination places me preforming a very delicate job assisting with sutures. Under high pressure, we cauterise the patients bleeding wound. Just as I relax, the great milky bombs unleash their fury and the doctor and patient are horrified as my shirt becomes soaked and dripping, contaminating a sterile field. Am I the only one who entertains such fears? Please, don't answer that. Luckily I didn't assist with any sutures last night and my scrub top remained dry with the help of Lasinoh.
That was totally off subject. Well anyway, after I slept the morning away and the children had finished their school assignments I was ready for some fresh air. I tried rather half heatedly to get my husband to go kayaking with me. When that attempt failed, I tried for a hike. At last we settled on their latest favorite pass time, shed hunting.
The idea of hiking around the forest looking for dead deer horns is not all that appealing to my sense of adventure, however, it is close enough to exercise to be palatable. The children piled into the back of our old Toyota and my husband was off down a remote unmaintained road. I will never fully understand what thrill he derives from driving down untravelled roads. Driving through snow and slush where no one has gone all winter makes him happy. It makes me nauseated. I began to feel rather grumpy. Eventually he had conquered what he needed to and we were off on a remote hillside.
The children spread out with a sense of great excitement. Just these past few weeks they have again discovered the monetary value of antlers. Not only is it a cool discovery from an animal, its like finding money out in the woods.
I, on the other hand was not as excitable. It suddenly dawned on me that this was going to be a lot of exercise. Not only were we hiking up hill where the snow was freshly melted, but I was also packing Moonbeam on my back along with water bottles and whatever else junk I had stuffed into the baby pack. Realization began to painfully dawn the higher I climbed. Suddenly I saw it!! It was a 4 point antler in perfect condition! I yelled out "I found one!". Every one came to look. They were all quite impressed. "That one's worth $5 or $10" one of my children informed me. It takes quite a bit to impress my kids. Suddenly I became a celebrity in the family and I became much more interested in becoming a mighty shed hunter. The fresh air was nice. The workout was challenging. The family time, priceless.

My Son, The Honorable Archer

Psalm 127:4 (New King James Version) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.




I've been thinking for some time about writing a post about my eldest son. He is an incredible man. As a young child, he was very obedient, good natured and even took 4 hour naps! The naughtiest thing he ever used to do (that I know of) was to hide in the bathroom for untold hours when he was supposed to be doing his school work. I finally got wise and started sending work in with him when it was time for "the big job".
My son, The Archer, never ceases to amaze me. He hikes for miles out in the vast wilderness. He has encountered all manner of wild animal. He's been stalked by predators and he has stalked more than his share of wild game. He's come face to face with a host of animals that many people just dream of seeing. He's athletic, rugged and strong. Most importantly, he loves God with all his heart. Though he's tough and smart, his heart is soft toward God.
Many times he's been out in the wild and felt God speaking to him to go somewhere or not to. By obeying God, he has literally avoided many manners of danger including a Grizzly which he later encountered coming from the direction in which he was told not to go. God has blessed him with a keen sense in the forest and with wisdom beyond his years.
He has always tithed his money from the time he started earning it. I find it amusing that he has more than most teenagers and its not because we've bought him all that much. Just last weekend he found a $20 bill laying in the mud when we were in town. He took that money and invested it into something that instantly was worth $50. That kind of ability to gain wealth is a supernatural blessing that comes from being obedient to God with your finances.
He has always helped us out a lot. He babysits the younger kids when I am working. He does chores without complaining. He is kind to his sisters and brothers. I have come to depend on his strength in our family. Last winter when my husband was gone at work, he used our other 4wd with chains to pull me out of snow ruts several times when I was trying to get to and from work myself.
In fact, I don't know of any other 17 year olds who are so mature, dependable and honorable as my son. Certainly he will do great things in his life time. The other day he gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek. He said "Mom, thanks for raising us. Thanks for raising a big family". Because he honors his mom and dad, I am counting on this scripture coming to pass for him: Exodus 20:12 (New King James Version) “ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

I'm so proud of my oldest son. He never ceases to exceed my expectations of him. I don't always express my appreciation for him like I should, but I hope that he knows I'm very proud of him and that I love him lots :-)

don't get them wet or feed them after midnight

Today we had our weight loss/accountability meeting at Hazels which is evolving into more of a Bible Study. Hazel lives in a one and a half room cabin with a loft. Her bathroom is an outhouse behind the cabin. Her kitchen sink drains into a 5 gallon bucket. Hazel and her husband Matthew bought land, built a simple cabin and live there happily with their 3 girls. In order to maintain a sense of privacy, the rest of the family is kicked outdoors since there is no place else for them to go. While Matthew worked industriously on his garage type outbuilding, the two oldest girls played outside - well kind of. They walked by the window multiple times with pained expressions on their adorable faces. Though it was quite warm out, they figured they needed some kind excuse to be in with the women. One even claimed she was tired and needed a nap. To no avail, their mother made them stay outside. We had a nice get together. Then we hiked to a nearby waterfall. It was refreshing. I continue to covet the attitude of contentment I find in these women. I find it quite ironic that some of the older women in our church think I am the one leading this group. Though I'm 10 years older than most of them, I'm probably the most immature and carnal one in the bunch.
I also took my kayak out for the first time this spring. It was incredibly peaceful. A Canadian goose flew in front of my kayak for a short distance. Pussy willows are beginning to emerge along the river banks. Other than almost tipping myself in the icy depths getting in, it was pure tranquility.
Later we all played a rousing game of badminton and watched the old movie "Gremlins", an 80's flick my husband and I watched when we were kids. Our kids just aren't impressed with 80's graphics. Well it was a good day anyway.

feeling sorry for myself - not

This morning i woke up to an insurmountable pile of laundry overflowing into the hall out of the laundry room. It was kinda like one of those beastly growths from a horror movie. Dirt and crumbs invaded every inch of usable space kinda like the scifis where little bugs come to get you. Angry dishes and filthy counters screamed out agonizingly to me as if they were being tortured by some unknown assailant. When I got to the breakfast table I heard the third comment about needing laundry washed, or some such drivel. I began to sink into a mire of self pity.
After working my two 12 hour night shifts this week, I slept all day after I got off. We've all been conquering colds. When I got up I was so overwhelmed with the mess I decided to go back to bed. I bet you've all been there. I figured I couldn't sleep any longer than the entire day I already wasted so I drug myself out of bed. After the laundry comments I began to feel quite unappreciated. The more I dwelled on it, the more unappreciated I decided that I must be. Soon violins filled the room and strangers began to sob intermittently. My house was really becoming depressing indeed.
I decided to catch up on some phone calls. The phone is always a good tactic to avoiding housework. This didn't last long. Most of my friends and relatives had things to do. It was then that I decided to face the beast.
After I recruited my daughter and youngest son to help sweep and scrub the floors I was feeling better. At least there was finally a safe place for my baby to drag herself around. Then my daughter persuaded me to help her put up our badmitten net. You must understand that this is no ordinary feat. We have almost no flat usable space. I am not kidding, you heard right. We live on top of a tall hill, almost a mountain. Most of it is incline. Our house is located on the very top. There is hardly any yard or parking space anywhere. Anywhere we set up the net, someone will have to look around down a hill to search for run away birdies and balls. This just propagates the unusualness of the lives that we live. Any simple thing becomes more complicated living on a small mountain or large hill.
Take for example the time we got a bed for my daughter one Christmas. That year we couldn't even get 4wd with chains up our driveway. My husband put the corner of the mattress and box spring in a children's sled. He pulled the sled and my teenager pushed it. That's how they got it up to our house!! Another time my husband fixed a truck up to sell. He fixed the engine, did some body work and painted it. He had just pulled it out of the garage and was admiring it. He went inside for something and off it went rolling down the hill. It hit a tree and did some unfortunate damage. As I said, nothing is normal here.
Anyway, we put up the badminton net, ignoring the fact that we had to chase birdies down a hill to get them. We played for a while in the fresh air. Then I drove our old pickup 4 miles down the road to get to some black top so I could push the stroller with the baby. Catman was also able to ride his bike. This gave him some pleasure. It didn't last long however, because he had worn puddle boots and his feet were getting sore.
At last I washed dishes for untold hours and did laundry. The house is beginning to once again resemble a home I am willing to abide in. I am nursing a feeling of accomplishment rather than self pity. I even cooked healthy and made some wild rice with bear for dinner. Things are looking up. Tomorrow is our weekly weight loss and accountability meeting. I am sure I will have some interesting things to blog about then.


1 Samuel 30:6B "but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

My Monthly Miracle Memory

Well, I'm working again tonight. It seems like I go from one busy thing to the next. As usual, my house has evolved into a disaster zone that few would dare to enter. I also had the rare privilege of writing one paragraph for a national magazine. I am excited about this rare moment of fame. I was limited to 50-60 words in my paragraph and as most of you are aware I am a wordy woman. This created an insurmountable challenge for me. I turned it in over the allotted amount. Perhaps I will be recognized for my writing abilities and be given a monthly column. Later I will be discovered and eventually go on to become a world famous author. I suppose you may be thinking that there are better chances of my gaining elf like archery and acrobatic abilities as I have been day dreaming about. I suppose either of those fantasies coming to pass would be all right.
Since I know you have all been waiting to hear about my monthly miracle memory I will hold back no longer. Years ago, in my early 20's I was just learning about being a good submitted wife. That "S" word has always been a struggle for me, and continues to be. Anyway, I was working a night shift doing pediatric home care at the time. I felt like the Lord was speaking to my heart about going fishing that day. I was just sure that He was telling me that I could go. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got. On my way home that morning I met my husband on the road. He was driving away to go fishing with some friends. I told him I was going with him. He was determined that I wasn't going. He wanted me to stay home and get some rest since I had to work that night. I felt really confused. I knew it wouldn't be right to argue so I just drove on home. I had felt sure that God had spoke to my heart about it. I was trying very hard to keep a good attitude.
At home I wondered how it would happen since the place he was going was a long way away. I knew I couldn't drive there since I had worked all night. Just as I was wondering to myself how it was all going to work out, my husband came driving back down the driveway. The presence of God had convicted him. He said he literally couldn't drive any further. He had to come back and get me.
This may sound like a strange miracle, but it has been an example to me ever since. When I keep my heart right, God always comes through for me. I believe that great power is available to us when we submit to divine authority, particularly when we submit to our husbands in a Godly manner. I hope it will inspire you.

Ephesians 5:21-23 (New King James Version)

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.