Happy Easter

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God's paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all!  Isaiah 53:5-6

Jesus did die!

A good man named Joseph, a member of the Jewish Council went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.

Luke 23:53-54  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.  It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.  

 

This was a very sad time for so many!  However, little did they know, this was not the end!  It was the Beginning!

In Luke 24:1-7 we read:  

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus!!  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'"

 

Jesus returns to his Disciples.  He returns and says "Peace be with you."  They were all startled and frightened! 

Can you imagine what they must have felt?  They had just witnessed the death of Jesus and now he has come back and is standing with them once more!  

He said to them, "Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself?  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." Luke 24:39 

 

Jesus tells his Disciples to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation!  Whoever believes in Him will be saved!

 

Then when it was time Jesus ascend in to Heaven!

Then Jesus led them to Bethany , and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them.  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.  So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.  And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Luke 24:50-53 

 

I am not a writer...sometimes I just don't know what the perfect words are to say.  In this case I don't know how to describe with words the feelings I have about our Lords death and resurrection!  I don't feel I deserve such great love and compassion.  I am so imperfect!  I am flawed in every way.  I am a sinner!  

I am incredibly thankful for what Jesus did for us.  He went through complete agony and pain for all of us.  He died and rose again for all of us.  

All we have to do is believe!  Believe in Him with all our hearts and bring Him into our lives.  In return we will live with Him forever in Heaven!

 This is His promise and I am so thankful to be apart of it! 

 

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.  And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Romans 3:22  

 

 

His is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

Our Easter Eggs this year!

God Bless you all and I pray your Easter was great!

Remember to reflect on what this Easter has meant to you and your family.

Spring into the Knowledge of Jesus

Spring weather here can be so confusing! One minute raining, the next beautiful and sunny, and then down comes the hail! After all that, right back to sunny! I love it though. Love to see spring creeping in with grass growing, birds chirping, kids running and the dog rolling! Good times!

Hen ladies out enjoying the starting of the green grass.  Even if a light hail came down!

The Big Boy Bison enjoying the kids, chickens and sun!

Crazy kids saw the hail and went out to lay in it!  It was super sunny at the same time! 

It lasted only 3 or so minutes.  Kids!

Our sweet youngest daughter is our chicken master!  All the hens like her and she likes all of them!  Even our new baby chicks love her!  She has a way with the animals.

I love chickens!  Have I said that before?  I just love them!

Here is a professional chicken catcher!  She did get her too! 

So, I know we are in a time with Easter bunnies, baskets, eggs and candy.  What I really want to know is what does Easter really mean to you?  Have you sat back a taken the time to know what all this is about?  What is Easter?  Why do we celebrate it?  

I don't mind the egg dyeing, candy, baskets and bunnies, but I fear we are completely losing what this time is about!  I love that kids do Easter egg hunts and stuff like that, but my desire is to have our kids know what the true meaning is.

JESUS!

Should I say it again?  

JESUS!

JESUS is the reason we celebrate Easter!  Whether you know it or not, JESUS is the reason!

I know the Bible series on the History Channel has been a huge success and I highly recommend you watch it.  Yes, they haven't covered everything in the Bible, but it sure gets you thinking and talking and wanting to learn more!  Please, watch tomorrow nights show!  The Bible Series on History Channel, 8pm/7c.

Tomorrow nights show will be of His Crucifixion ( means:  The execution of a person by nailing or binding them to a cross.)  

JESUS was a humble man.  He did no one harm or wrong and yet He was a huge threat.  Even the chief priests and elders went against Him; Matthew 27:1-2.  One of his disciples betrayed Him.  One denied Him.  He was mocked, spit on, beat, flogged.  They made him wear a crown of thorns, shoved on His head to make Him bleed.  He was made to carry His own cross.  

Read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...each man records the details of JESUS' death.  

Luke 23:44-46:  It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.  And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."  When he had said this, he breathed his last.

I hope that we can reflect on what this all means.  Jesus knew He was going to die.  He knew that He was going to be nailed on the cross for a greater purpose.  He did this all for US!  Yes, US!  Jesus was the final sacrifice.  For all us sinners.  For you and me!  So, that now we are saved by Grace.  We don't need to do any payment for our sins.  They have been washed away by His blood.  If we should believe in Him with all our hearts and ask forgiveness of our sins, we will live in eternity with Him!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son.  That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life!

But just wait...this isn't over here!  NO!  Jesus died, but He also rose up!  There is more to this story.  I hope to write more for tomorrow.

...to be continued. 

Update

I have no idea why I struggle to keep this blog updated! At least once a week is what I was hoping for.  I seem to let "life" get in my way! There has been a lot going on, but mostly just regular life! Here's a recap:

We have been working hard at school!  Here my daughter was reading Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography.  It was a very good book.  She has long since finished it and is onto reading Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright.  So proud that my girls love reading.  I struggled with it as a kid and I prayed that the Lord would help our girls to love it...and they do!  
Always lots going on during our Homeschooling.  So happy with how the year is going.  Love our Heart of Dakota curriculum for Olline.  Melina is doing super well with her studies, but we are looking forward to a change for next year.  Still praying as to what curriculum we will be using!  Possibly the one from My Fathers World.  She also finished her Science project she had to present infront of her peers and teacher.  She did her report on popcorn!  She did a super duper job!  Aced it!  Yeah!!!

On this day the girls had fun making Valentine cupcakes!  YUM!  They were delicious!

This was the start of February!  Look at that snow.  However, the glorious sun came out and it was a great time to throw a toy for our Bison Boy!  He has grown up so fast!

Olline loves to hold the chickens!  These girls are so sick of the snow and we all can't wait for some green grass!  (Update: Snow has melted, the grass is seeing the sun!  Can't wait to get into that garden!)

Come on Bison!  Bring it!  Bring it!  Good BOY!  Good Dog!  I love you buddy!

This was on Feb. 9th.  Our poor Hen...named Duck!  (I know...isn't that crazy?  My husband named her!  She lays big huge eggs like a duck too!)  She got egg bound.  Her egg was stuck inside her.  The scary thing is they continue to produce eggs even if one is stuck.  So we tried to give her a water bath.  Melina sat with her for a while to dry her off.  Today, she seems to be better.  She still isn't laying, but she is eating and drinking and seems full of life.  Hmmm?

YEAH!  This picture I just took today.  We decided to get new chicks!  We got them on March 6th!  EIGHT of them!  Two Rhode Island reds, two Barred Rocks, and four Buff Orpingtons!  WE LOVE THEM!  They have grown like crazy and they are only two weeks old.  Their cute little feathers are coming in and they are the most active critters ever!  LOVE THEM! (I think I already said that, but I just love them!)  The only sad part is, we are going to have to cull our other girls.  This will be my first experience with this!  I am nervous.  I just can't have 15 chickens in my backyard.  Plus our hens are not laying, but maybe two eggs here and there.  So it's time.  Not sure how I feel about it though!

My husband and I just finished our Bible study group last Sunday as well!  It was the most wonderful thing we have done.  I am so thankful we joined that group.  We have met the greatest people.  We have learned so much as well.  Learned a lot about ourselves and about God!  The Holy Spirit has guided us in growing closer to our Heavenly Father and I am so excited to see where He takes us next.  We will have a Life Group starting on April 7th here at our home!  This is really stepping out of our box!  I am a little nervous, but mostly super excited.  To actually watch and see how God works in all our lives is the most thrilling thing someone can go through!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.  Galatians 5:24-25

Bible Study - Creation

This is just for fun.  Pictures taken with my phone.  The top left is of my girls.  Top right is my sweet Kiwi girl!  Bottom left was taken at 10pm the other week!  The alpine glow was awesome!  You could see everything.  And then of course bottom right is the Bison boy!

Today I wanted to write a little about Creation.  I have been thinking long and hard about this.  Even my daughters homeschool curriculum starts with a program called Creation to Christ.  I just thought I would pick your brain about how you feel and believe on Creation.

I am not talking about creating dinners or desserts.  Not even creating a master piece of art work.  Or creating a piece of awesome sheet music.  

I wanted to talk about God's Creation.  The knowing that a bigger power created "Everything".  In our Bible study group we are diving into a book called Starting Point: Find Your Place in the Story.  Starting Point: Find Your Place in the Story

Amazon link for Starting Point book

Now, I have grown up always believe that our God created all things.  Just like we read in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth,"

For me, I believe that God did all these things.  He did create everything, the heavens and earth, light and darkness, waters and sky, plants, trees and fruit, separating the night skies and the day time, all animals, fish, etc., and also man and woman!  He created us so well that He said "it was good"!  

However, many people ask, "How do we know that all this is true?", "We weren't there, so how can I trust the Bibles words?",  "Some of these statements are so Far out there, too supernatural for me.", or "I only believe it, when I see it."  So how do we answer these questions or statements?  

Why are we here on earth?  What's it all for?

One thing that amazes me is that the Bible has held it's own.  It has survived for many years.  Yes, I think that some of the words have been changed for us to understand better.  I don't feel it has been changed in a way that it is "completely" different than it was in 95 A.D. (when Revelation, the last book in the Bible was written).  I believe that the authors of the Bible have preserved it for all generations to know and understand our history.  The purpose for us being here.  It is the only book that has lasted as long as it has. 

It is a true testimony in history of knowledge we can still learn from!

Have you ever climbed a mountain?  Went for a hike?  Watched the sunrise or set?  How about planted a garden and watched it grow?  Or have you or know someone that's pregnant?  Talk about a miracle!  I think the blessings of children is a miracle in its self.  It should make you know that there is a wonderful God that created that beautiful baby that hasn't been born yet.

When you get to the mountain top and see all the gorgeous land out there.  All the wonders and beauty.  Do you stop to think that maybe there is a one true God that made all that?  Just in nature we can find so many reasons to believe that God is real.

I certainly do not have all the answers...I guess what it comes down to is faith!  In Hebrew 11:1 it says:  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  In Hebrew 11:3 it continues with:  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
I know that when I have faith, I "feel it" that all is true.  It is hard to believe in crazy things it talks about in Genesis.  If you sit down and really read it, there are some really crazy things going on!  But, when I see all that is around me and when I live by faith alone.  I know all of it is true. 

How it all exactly happened?  Know one knows...but I do believe in what the Bible says.  But are we really suppose to know it all?  Are we really suppose to dissect every little bit in the Bible?  Sometimes...somethings...we are not suppose to know...or understand...but can we live by Faith?

I challenge myself and challenge you to dive into the Bible.  If you are struggling with faith, I ask that maybe you just read the Bible.  Find a group or church that could help you with questions.  Find people that have a good foundation of our Lord.  In believing that through accepting Jesus into your heart you will be saved and live for eternity.  

What will it hurt to read the Bible?  Either nothing will happen.  Or maybe great things will come out of it.  Maybe you will learn some of  HIStory. 

I pray that in doing so, we will grow in His word and grow in our lives to do His will.  The Bible is a book of books, written by real people.  They wrote this knowledge down for generations to read and learn from.  

I am just like everyone else.  I have questions.  I am so not perfect!  I struggle in life.  I get frustrated...and the list goes on.

However, I do know that from reading God's word I find strength.  Every time I turn to Him I feel stronger and more aware of what He wants me to do.

I look forward to more Bible study groups.  My husband and I are doing it together and we are surrounded by a great group of people.  People that have a strong relationship with God, some that have questions, some that have studied the History of it all, and one that just picked up a Bible for the first time 6 months ago.  We are blessed and I pray that you will be too.

Let me know your thoughts.  Maybe add more to all these questions.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Workout-???

 

I have been thinking whether or not to blog about working out!  I struggle in this area.  For one...truthfully I have a very hard time being motivated.  Second, I have very bad knees, shoulders, neck, and back...I am broken!  My knees flare up very easily.  My back gets sore quickly.  I have had surgery on my right should and my left is following!

I don't want to sound like a wimp, but maybe I am.  I used to be able to workout any way I wanted.  Through the years my body has slowly told me that "working out hurts".  However, I do notice that if I do not workout, my body gets worse!  I am confused. 

SO...a friend let me borrow her elliptical machine (super nice, thank you) and I thought I would try getting on that at least four day a week.  To tell the truth I think I have had this machine for a few months now and I've only used it maybe...5 times...(I think?)  SAD!

My goal is to use it four days a week (at least 30 minutes to start) with yoga afterwards.  I feel stretching is super important, especially when my joints get so painful and sore.  I do love yoga, so I'll give it a try.

I also thought, that blogging about it may help me stay motivated!  I need to be motivated!   I do feel like these days are flying by and I haven't made any effort to take care of myself.  I want to run around with my kids.  I want to feel healthy and well.  I want to take care of my body.  Why is this so hard?  I had swam for a couple years and I had to take a break due to homeschooling and the timing of the swim class.  I miss it and maybe someday I will go back, but for now, I need to work something out here!

Maybe talking about it will help.  I don't know.  If I come back and blog about it, you will know something is sticking.  If I never blog about it again...well...who knows.

I know God is there for me and all of you out there!  I know I can draw strength through Him.

God Bless

Rambling...

There are things that must be done, even if we are not wanting to do them... 

Our children have a chore chart they work on every week.  Most of the time, they do not like doing them.  However, we treat it like a "job" and the kids will get paid for the chores they finish.  So they enjoy the cash :)

Here is our daughter on dog "poo" duty!  She wasn't too happy about it, and not because she had to put on her dads jacket, mom's hat and boots, and go out in her PJ's.  It wasn't even because she had to scoop up that awful stuff.  It was because the poo wasn't cooperating with the shovel!  It kept falling off...

So when I saw this beautiful sunset and my girl in a bit of a down mood I had to take photos.  She willingly allowed me to, but she told me, "I don't want to smile today".  Okay honey, no worries, just do what your doing.    
Here she is:

Actually, in these photos she was finished with her job.  She was then just shoveling snow out of frustrations. 

I love the bright colored P.J. bottoms!

What a gorgeous evening!  LOVE sunsets.  Light is a gift from God.

In His Word - Sunday

After wandering for 40 years in the desert, a new generation is ready to enter Canaan.  Over these years these people had fallen; with failing faith.  They refused to obey God.  Finally, the new generation was ready for the promised land.  Joshua was chosen, after Moses, to lead His people across the Jordan River. 

 God prepares both Joshua and the nation by teaching them the importance of courageous and consistent faith.  The nation then miraculously crosses the Jordan River to begin the long awaited conquest of the promised land.  Like Joshua, we too need faith to begin and continue living the Christian life.

Joshua 1:6-9

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

This was the study we heard at church today!  I really enjoyed it.  I believe it speaks volumes to us today.  We are Gods people still; we are His chosen people!  All of us!  If we believe...be strong and courageous!  Notice how many times Joshua says this...be strong and very courageous.  I think we need these words in today's world, just as much as the people needed them then.  "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!"  

God is with us wherever we go!  If we follow His word and trust in Him, we will be successful.  He loves us so much.  He wants to bring us to His new promised land...heaven.  

I hope that these words from Joshua will speak to you as it has done for me today.  Sometimes I feel weak and courage-less, just as the Israelites were.  However, when I turn to Him and also read His word, I find much strength and I know I can continue on with much success and happiness.

Are you strong and courageous?  When you read God's word, do you find strength?  If you've never opened the Bible, would you like to?  Be strong and courageous...  I think it takes practice.  Let go and let God guide us.

I wanted to share with you my daughter during her art lesson.  Actually, this lesson comes from her Girl Scout book.  She is working on her Drawing badge.  I am encouraging her to work on a few thing she likes in her Girl Scout book and this is the first one she wanted to do.

Here she is concentrating on her "still life" drawing!

She drew with three different types of medium:  Pastels, Marker, and Colored Pencils.

She takes her art very seriously!  Very proud if her.

God Bless!

Food Friday

I am not sure, if I have ever blogged about any sort of food!  I am not sure what has gotten into me.  It started today during my daughter Olline's science experiment.  We were learning about anteaters and how their tongues are sticky and can stick in and out 150 times per minute!  Well, we took a 2 foot string to represent the anteaters tongue and dipped it into honey (so it would be sticky) and then tried to pick up "ants" like an anteater would.  Well our "ants" were raisins and white chocolate chips!  The kids also enjoyed trying to use their own tongues to get the yummy "ants".  So I had left over white chocolate chips and decided to make a batch of cookies from the recipe on the back of the bag.

YUMMY! Take a bite!

So glad I never made a New Years Resolution to loose weight or get super healthy!

However, after eating a few of these babies I think I will have to make that Resolution.

These are very sweet and super good.  Really, I could only handle about two cookies!   The family said they are delicious!  So go buy a bag of Hershey's Premier White Chocolate Chips and follow the so easy recipe on the back!  

Question:  Why is white chocolate called "chocolate", when I don't think it is truly chocolate? 

God Bless

Moose Time

In June we were surprised with Momma Moose and her two little ones.

They were so cute!  Life was new and everything was green.  Peaceful and perfect.

Here we are six months later, our big friends are back eating the neighbors trees.  Here is one of the babies.  (The sibling is in the back.)

The babies are growing big!

Bison boy was thrilled to see the moose!  He just sat and watched...and watched...watched!

and still watching...for about an hour!

Moose family eating the local trees! So fun!  Momma moose is on the left! 

Mom Moose keeping her eye on Bison.

Bison trying to get a better view!

I hope everyone is having a good Christmas season!  I pray we can all remember the meaning of this time of year.  To remember that our Lord Jesus was brought into this world for us.  For us to have a chance to know and believe in Him.  He saved us!  He loved us!  He gave His life for us!

Merry CHRISTmas to you all!

Woke up to the SNOW

Well, here it is!  Woke up to the big snow load!  Not sure exactly how much came down while we were sleeping, warm and comfy in our beds.  However, it's a big amount!

Bison loves it.  He loves us to throw his Frisbee so he can dive into the deep snow to get it! 

The chickens this morning had a hard time accepting the fact that there is all this white stuff around!  They didn't even want to come out of their coop.  They may just stay inside where its warm and plenty of food to eat!

My husband had to make a run to town.  All the neighbors are snow plowing and even towing each other out of sticky situations.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Can you see how the snow is higher than our front porch steps?

This is plain stupidity!  You think we needed to put our "summer" patio furniture away?  Oooops!  Better start digging!

I do say a prayer for all of us in this situation!  Please be safe.  May God protect you during this time of year.  God Bless

Sing to the Lord

After Thanksgiving Thank Yous

We had a good Thanksgiving day.  Just us four, together, relaxing.  Well, I suppose my other family members were relaxing, while I prepared a great T-Day dinner.  It was fantastic.  The food was filling and delicious.  Another year has passed and we are so thankful for the life we have.  Thankful for my husbands job.  My children.  Our home.  Our cars.  So thankful for our families and friends!  God has blessed us completely.  

Thank you Lord for all you have given us.  Without you and your love we would not be where we are today.  Nor the people we have become.  You are our guide and light and we love you so much!

I am even thankful for our funny chickens.  Though, they have slowed in their egg laying!  However, all the eggs these ladies have given is a blessing!  (except for the middle chicken you see here, she is NOT a good layer.  I think her egg maker isn't working, hee)

The ladies were enjoying the Thanksgiving morning!  I think they were thankful that they are NOT turkeys!!!

 Wait...don't run...I didn't mean to call you a turkey!  COME BACK!!!

  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I hope your Thanksgiving last night will not stop there.  I pray that we will take our thank yous and keep them going all year long.  To remember why we are here on earth.  That in all we do we can be thankful.  

God Bless