BitterSweet

Today my husband shared the message at our local church. I was beaming from ear to ear. I am SOOOO proud of him. He read the story of the 8 cow wife. Here is the link if you haven't heard the story. EVERY WOMAN should read it, but more importantly EVERY MAN Its just a FABULOUS true story.

Anyway, my husband shared this story and he read Proverbs 31 telling what is the mans responsibility in it. This is something that most people have never heard. The general idea of the message was that men should treat their wives well. To uplift and encourage them and help them to be all that they can be. Also to spend time with their families and to be generous to them. Oh I was TOUCHED. I think a lot of people were too. One man traveled a long way to see his family who live in our area. He said that the trip was worth it if only to hear my husbands message. Oh, I know it sounds like bragging, but I just can't help myself.
He wouldn't tell me what he was studying about yesterday. He acted real private. He went to the basement with the lap top. I was suspicious (because I have a horribly suspicious nature). I wanted to know what he was doing and what he was speaking about. He wouldn't budge. I contemplated using a ladder to look in the basement window. In my imagination all kinds of scenarios unfolded such as myself holding a baby hanging in mid air from a window groove. Eventually I forced myself to wait and find out what he would speak on like everybody else had to do. He used me in many examples while he was talking. Of course it was all good, but I wanted to hide behind the refrigerator. The church was packed and I didn't know what to do with all that attention focused toward me. The most important thing is that I really believe it will help marriages in our area and make life better for people as well as bring them closer to God. We also had incredible praise and worship. Some friends came from the city nearby to lead it.
On Friday we had Bible Study. It was bittersweet. The main couple we meet with are leaving for a week out of state. The foster children that they have cared for will be going to stay with a family member of theirs. They may not be coming back. It was hard to see them go not knowing if we would ever see the kids again.
My oldest son, pictured above, passed his GED this week with flying colors. He does not at all like the idea of being a "home school graduate". He has been quite reluctant to let me send out announcements and begin the hoopla. He would way rather go on with things just as they are. This is to his intelligence and credit. He knows life comes with responsibilities he's in no hurry to take on. A happy day for him is a care free one out in the forest looking for sheds, hunting or just hiking and observing undisturbed nature. Though he has looked at college programs, (other than on line college courses, we have all voted he enjoy some more years at home and take his time deciding what to do with his life.

My Recent Fitness Exploits

These photos include a deer on river bank, ducks i was never able to get close enough to get a good photo of, a tree which was willing to stand still (the local "rope swing"), Catman pretending to be "the King", and Moonbeam ready for an adventure.




After working a couple of days at the hospital, I was ready to embark on some type of athletic endeavor. As you may be aware, I am recently pretending to be a runner. For the first time in my life, someone was willing to run with me. This was an exciting new break through because I am "friend challenged", I live deep in the mountains, and I am afraid of running by myself. Since I haven't run (a straight mile) since high school (18 years ago), its been a good challenge. I am running with a 22 year old who was in athletics when she was in high school (not as many years ago). We started last week. I cancelled once because I got called to work. She cancelled once because of several inches of snow. Today was our second run together.
I have been preparing for these runs quite diligently. First of all, I dress like a runner. I wear 3 running bras, a running shirt, running legging leotard type things and a sweat shirt. I decided that the too big running shorts I got at a second hand store looked weird, so I put on some clearance wal mart stained up running pants that I usually wear when I clean the bathroom. I also dawned running shoes that I was not able to sell on eBay. Again, I consumed granola for breakfast (something I'm pretty sure runners eat). My next big move was to add "running" to my list of interests on my blog profile description. When I went grocery shopping I bought a copy of "Women's Running Magazine". I'm pretty sure that these things will some how mysteriously make me into a runner of sorts.
I thought I might hurl after the first mile of running with my friend, Mist. I didn't want to let on though. If I'm going to be a runner I have to fake their "no pain no gain" mentality. I ferverently wished one of the few cars that drove by would be someone who wanted to stop and visit with us. Much to my disappointment and anguish, they all just drove by and waved. Mist says that soon we will try running 2 miles without stopping to walk. I smiled and said "sure", trying to act nonchalant. Miss Belly Fat is panicking. She would put her foot down, but she doesn't have one.
Yesterday, after I got off of working 2 12 hour night shifts, the house was a disaster. I felt tempted to feel sorry for myself. Instead I took Moonbeam on a hike to a nearby lake. As I was sitting there, two men came down and stood on either side of me to fish. I was holding really still and they couldn't tell I was there. I feared one of them would decide to urinate so I decided to announce myself after I carefully stopped nursing. Then I took the kayak out on the river by myself for a couple of miles. It felt good to expend some energy after being cooped up.

Why Oil?

Just like straightening up my bedroom when the dust bunnies come to visit and sorting socks when they are over flowing out of the bin, I have another unusual habit you may be interested in. For my neighbors, its probably the epitome of Christian weirdness. Every so often, when I have it on my heart, I anoint my property or house with oil. Now if I lived on a city block, it would look strange, but people could probably accept the kooky behavior. The problem is that our property is located in a very steep section of the Rocky Mountains. Faithful to my convictions, I still climb up and down the boundaries of our property and sprinkle a little oil along the borders here and there. I haven't seen any mountain goats keeping me company as I entertain my pilgrimage, though I haven't had anybody offer to join me either. I, alone, entertain this ancient tradition.
One day, my son, Art Dog asked me what I was doing. I told him. Then he asked me "why?". I wondered it myself. Its just something that I've always done. I really didn't understand why I was doing it to be honest. I just knew it was something that I felt I should within my own personal convictions.
This got me to thinking. If I'm going to do something as bizarre as sprinkling oil around the borders of my property, or dumping it on my kids heads, or smearing some on the wood stove, perhaps I ought to have a solid conclusion as to the origin of my behavior. This would be especially helpful if I was ever questioned for my psychiatric well being.
I went about researching the uses of oil in Biblical times.

Often times, oil was used in the place of dedication, consecration, and as symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Numbers 7
Offerings of the Leaders
1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.

It was used on property and people as well.

Lev 12 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.

It was associated with the blessing of God

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.



It was associated with Supernatural Healing

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Freedom from Depression

Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

It was associated with a Spiritual Awakening

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.


When I anoint our house or property, I think of it as asking God for His Supernatural Protection. The closest thing I can find on a scriptural basis to this is where they anointed Lambs Blood to the top and sides of the door frames in Exodus 12 as a way of protection from a destructive plague that ravaged the Egyptians. Of course I would REALLY look weird sprinkling blood around my property, on my kids and house. I would probably have to call a shrink on myself in that case scripture or no scripture.

In conclusion, I would have to say that anointing (or consecrating) property, people and the like with oil is certainly scriptural and a good idea in general. Its a physical thing we can do to demonstrate our faith that God is going to work in a certain area of our lives.

Since the Holy Spirit is also associated with Oil,

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

we are inviting Him to habitate the place we are anointing.


These are just a few observations that I have found from a short (very short) scriptural search. I don't think its ever going to hurt you to add a little oil to a situation or problem in your life. In fact, I would wager that in involving God, if even with a sliver of faith, you will find He will come in BIG on your behalf.


note :
The only oil I do NOT advise is buying some "special" oil from somebody that is trying to scam you. God is NEVER for sale. As far as I am aware, any all purpose oil will due just fine. Its the ingredient of faith that makes it active.

My Baby Can Belly Crawl Part 2

My Baby Can Belly Crawl Part 1

Matching Socks and Hairbow by my sister Heather.

Really Exciting REALLY CHEAP Really Healthy New Meal Staple

I am REALLY EXCITED!! Thanks to some girlfriends of mine, I have been introduced to a whole new food staple. A couple of months back, I blogged about making sprouts. That was all good and fine. It was fun too. What I didn't understand was that people eat some sprouted grains as a main staple (like rice or pasta). AND the exciting part ......... Sauteed in butter and garlic with some onion and carrot added in, these sprouted rye taste fabulous! They don't taste at all like rye bread (which i don't like). Their more like a brown or wild rice / whole grain taste.
I paid $1.44 for 2 lbs of rye at a health food store. It can be bought cheaper in bulk. My friend, Hazel, taught me to fill the jar 1/3 of the way full with the rye berries and soak overnight. Then rinse them a couple times a day with the jar upside down until they sprout. The jar filled so full that I had to use a butter knife to pry them out. The pan was really stuffed full. Its a dirt cheap, full of nutrition, tastes great, easy way to stretch your budget type meal staple that will feed a big family like mine.
One of my kids announced after eating them "they're not that bad" this is translation for "it will take some getting used to". Moonbeam ate two helpings. My husband liked them (which was the ultimate test). I'm really psyched :-)

RUN LADY RUN

A very exciting event took place this weekend - monumental. It's something i didn't think possible. It all started with our girls accountability group. A couple of them were talking about going running together. Immediately I was feeling a little jealous. I always wish I could run. "Why don't you run?" I asked myself. Miss Belly Fat answered "You can't run" she explained. "Why not?" I asked. Fear of animal attacks has kept me from running since I've lived here. Now with Mist living so relatively close by, I started to think that maybe we could run together. "You haven't run a mile nonstop since junior high" Miss Belly Fat reminded me. I didn't care. I decided to do it by faith.
Early that morning I woke up several times. I was so excited. I dawned 3 running bras with a running shirt (I always thought I might start running someday), a running leotard with a pair of too big running shorts (that I got at a second hand store), and finally some running shoes. I had tried to sell the shoes on eBay but they never sold. I had an entire running attire (and then some). I even put my hair up to look like one of those runner type people.
Then I baked some granola. I'm pretty sure that runners eat granola. After that, I grabbed a few last minute things and headed out the door. Mist met me exactly at 8:50 am (ten minutes early) at our designated spot. I reminded her that I haven't run since high school. She said it would be o.k.. We started running. After about a block, I was ready to rest but I didn't want Mist to know. I kept going. "Something about you seems like you might be a runner" Mist informed me. "Its the leotard" I told her. After about a half a mile, we walked so I could catch my breath. Then we finished the mile with lots of encouragement from Mist. Then we walked another mile. We decided to try running the last mile back without stopping. HONESTLY I didn't think I could do it. I just kept saying "I think I can", "I know I can", (like the little train). I was amazed and shocked. I had run two miles (and walked two miles). Wow, this was very exciting. I hugged Mist fervently and thanked her as if she had just donated a kidney. She smiled.
I think we are going to start running together a few times a week. Maybe this is just the thing I need to defeat Miss Belly Fat once and for all!!!