Flea Market Anyone?

My husband and I are homeless, well practically. BUT we do own a flea market. Is that news to you? It is to us too. We welcome you all to come on in and pick up as many fleas as you can attract before leaving. We would be happy to share the wealth of our abundance. 

To back up a little… we own a dog named Abby, she is a German Shepherd and a real sweet heart if you pass her inspection and criteria. She has one problem, she has fleas (or I should say, had). Now dogs often have fleas and we were not too worried about it. Get some flea stuff and get rid of them, right? At least that’s what I thought. So being a use-the-least-amount-of-chemicals-as-you-can type of person, I decided to use diatomaceous earth which is reported to be a very good flea killer and I have had good success with it in the past. That weekend Patrick and I gave Abby a good long bath, (she hates those) and when she had dried off, I rubbed the DE into her fur. She was completely white and looked quite ridiculous, but hey, at lease she would be rid of the fleas, ha. Since we were about to leave for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that evening  for a week of work, I sprinkled the DE all over our house just in case, of the probability, of fleas residing there. We took Abby with us since we had found a hotel that allowed pets. We left with the happy thought that any fleas in the house would certainly cut themselves on the microscopic razor blade sharpness of the diatomaceous earth and would be no more!

During the week Abby seemed to be quite relieved and feeling much better, so I was very pleased and looked forward to going home and cleaning up the DE all over the floor and being done with it.

……..(Long rabbit trail alert!)…… The Lord has led us to a new job that requires a whole lot of traveling for now. Patrick is building prefab sheds at customers homes, as a subcontractor. He now has a large truck and goose-neck trailer and two employees to work with him. He has to have a DOT (Department of Transportation) number on the truck and in order to drive that with the trailer, he has to have a health certificate. We spend the week in a hotel and come home on the weekends. Traveling is not something we really want to do, but for now this is where the Lord has us and we continue to work towards the goal and vision the Lord has given us of full time ministry.

Because of the way Patrick’s work week went, we ended up heading home on Saturday (9^th) morning around 2:00 am. Patrick was absolutely exhausted from an especially grueling week of work and since we were pulling the goose-neck trailer and I don’t have my health certificate yet, I could not drive for him. So every fifteen to twenty minutes he had to pull over and sleep for fifteen to twenty minutes. We would have slept longer but we had an appointment at 9:00 am that we had to make and which could not be moved. It normally takes about an hour and a half to get to our friends house where we were dropping off the trailer, but it took a whole lot longer than that. Finally we made it and I could take over the driving. By that time I had become very tired and made it only for an hour before having to pull over, but since Patrick had slept for that hour very soundly, he was able to get us to our appointment and we were only a few minutes late. Then we had to get to a Title office to get plates for the truck which were about to expire and come to find out the only one open until noon on Saturday was a good ways away and since we had to leave for Buffalo New York on Sunday there was no other time to get them. So we took off and got there in time to get the plates, praise the Lord! Then our helper, who was riding along with us, told us that the only way he could cash his pay check was at his bank and it was closing at noon…it was quite a long way away! Off we went again and somehow we made it at 12:01 and since they saw him running for the door they let him in. Praise the Lord! Then we still had to drop him off at his home, get our mail and make it to our bank before their 1:00 pm closing time. Whew! ...... (End rabbit trail)…..

We were very thankful to the Lord and relieved when we finally made it home and were ready to get some much needed rest, before getting ready to leave on Sunday for Buffalo NY. I took Grace out of her car seat and was talking to Patrick for a moment as he brought things in from the truck, when I felt something on my leg. Looking down, I saw fleas, what seemed like millions of them, crawling and jumping up my legs!!! I ran out of the house jumping all around brushing them off, it took a little while to get them all off. Patrick grabbed the few things from the house that he had taken in and closed it up. I climbed into the truck and began to cry. It felt like too much, more than I could bear. Yet the Lord was there and He so gently took the burden from us, letting us rest in the knowledge that He knows best and is allowing this for a purpose.

We went to Patrick’s parents who very graciously let us spend the night, feeding us and everything. They are such a blessing to us! Before leaving for Buffalo we bought some house foggers and bombed the house,

chemicals or not we have to get rid of the fleas! We took Abby to our land where she would be safe and cared for. So we went to Buffalo content that the fleas would certainly be dead now.

Home again on the 16^th we walked into the house to check around, I was probably in there for about one minute when I looked down at my feet and saw my white socks turning black with the tiny things, which for some reason now looked larger than they had before! Again I ran out doing the flea dance. Again we stayed at Patrick’s parents, this time until Tuesday night when we left for Buffalo.

Patrick’s Dad helped us get in contact with an exterminator who told Patrick that the reason the fleas look different this time, is because the fogger we used had birth control in it to supposedly kill the eggs and that sometimes causes the fleas to become twice their normal size! He said that he is unable to come do it himself but is sending all the sprays and things that we need to do it ourselves. So…. We will be home next week for a much anticipated break, but we don’t really have a home to go to.

I love being home, I love keeping my home and to have this happen is a great trial for me. Looking through the windows, I can see the rocker, couch, kitchen, etc. all the comforts of what we call home and it makes me cry because I cannot even walk in the door. For some reason the Lord is allowing this to happen, somehow He is using it to shape us more into the image of His Son and He will be glorified. Yet, I must say, it is not fun. Patrick’s family is so sweet and loving to us, I am so thankful to the Lord for them! So many emotions! Yet that must not be my focus, only Jesus. I pray we learn what He wants us to learn through this.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Mat 6:19-21)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

(Heb 13:15)

Praise Him even when we don’t feel like it!!!

Forgotten Blog?

No, I did not forget I had a blog, though it may appear that way! We have just been far too busy with garden work over here, and finally it is all in...almost, there is a little more to do... oh well, if I think about it, gardening is never really done until winter comes in force, and even then we are often canning tomatoes into December. :-) I am very thankful to the Lord for good weather, we have had several days now that are in the 80s and that is great for the garden!

We celebrated Father's Day by planting potatoes together, Michael barbecued chicken and I baked a chocolate cake...Happy Father's Day Daddy!

My brother Michael turned twenty...Happy Birthday Michael! Wow, that is hard to believe!

I gave away the kitten I was keeping "Hope" because her temperament did not work for our family and I am now keeping a kitten who seems to fit much better into our family.

This is Jenny

We also received our meat bird chicks in the mail, or I should say my Mom's chicks since she does all the work with them, and it is a whole lot of work!



Here are some random pictures:

I love where we live!

Beautiful storm cloud

The Sunset illuminating that storm cloud.


My dog, Abby

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise ye him all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created." Psalms 148:1-5

Busy time of Year!

We are having a very busy time right now as planting season swings into full gear. This is also one of the most beautiful times of the year, so I wanted to share some pictures...

This is a part of our yard with three of our yet-to-be-planted garden beds. The yellow flowers are dandelions. I just love dandelions! Doesn't everyone?

This is another part of our yard

Ornamental Crab Apple Blossoms

Crab Apple Blossoms

My Mom weeding the needy strawberry patch

Michael and I were hired a couple of days this week to "pick rocks" from two separate fields. Here Michael drives the tractor a short way, hops down and we scour the ground looking for rocks that would be hazardous for haying equipment. Every year the deep frosts squeeze up more rocks, and the fields must be cleaned again.

My Dad went into our little wooded area to cut posts for a fence we are putting up around the gardens. Why do we need a fence? Because of deer? rabbits? cows? No, because of our chickens! Those pesky fowls lay wonderful eggs and we like them to free range, but they love to destroy gardens!

Here is my Grandma at a historical mansion in Duluth called Glensheen. She and Michael visited on the day they were giving free tours. We love being cheap! :)

Every year we place a half orange on this wire hanging in front of our picture window and every year the Baltimore Orioles come to feed. This year we have two nesting pairs on, or near our property. They drink the juice out of the orange, then use the fibers to build their nests which are hanging, woven baskets.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)

An Update on Happenings Here

I have been busy, busy, busy, with transplanting tomatoes and herbs and studying Spanish. The plants are going from their seedling soil-less mix to potting dirt and there are a lot that need to be transplanted. I have way too many tomato plants and herbs this year, so I hope to sell some at our local farmers market. I have begun to study Spanish in earnest and that is taking up most of my computer time, but I love it.
Here are some recent pictures, first in the "growing room":

In the foreground are cabbage seedlings.

Out side we have some things growing happily:

Garlic, planted in the fall.


Peas


Pepper Mint
and
Chocolate Mint
I love this stuff, it really tastes like chocolate mint!


Daffodils
and...

Kittens! This is Maria.

Mother's day was a fun day as we had my sister and her four children over. There were three mothers to celebrate! I decided to forget about being an adult for a while and played with the children...it is 1841 and we are pioneers out west, we have finally arrived at the place we wish to settle. There are no cars, planes, phones or computers. Sorry, no flame-throwers either! Oh no, lookout here come some Indians! Actually, we can't understand their language, if we want to trade with them we will have to make them understand by signs....you get the idea, we had fun. :-)

The three Mothers!

The three Stooges..oops, I mean Devin, Ashely and Brittany. :-)

and Matthew
in Grandpa's truck. He is taller than me now!

On Tuesday last week we were out at the abortion clinic bright and early as normal. It had been especially impressed upon us to make sure we share the gospel as we talk to the mothers, pleading for their babies lives. It is wonderful to open our mouths in praises to God as we stand on the streets. We sing hymns, read the Bible, pass out gospel tracts and pray, pray, pray, while we wait for the mothers to come. Spiritually, it is a lot of work! This Tuesday my Mom talked to one mother who said that she was "undecided" about getting the abortion. My Mom talked to her about her baby and told her that God has created her and He has created her baby. She asked this lady what she would say to God when she stands before Him to give an account of what she did to her own child. My Mom asked if she could pray for her, to the which she agreed and afterward gave my Mom a big hug and left the area. A little later we saw her drive away and she smiled and waved at us! We praise God for this life spared from the pains of death and pray that He will draw this dear lady to Himself for salvation.

As we were preparing to leave, a young mother and her mother came out of the building smiling and crying (this is always a good sign!). When asked if they had changed their mind, they said Yes! Praise God again! This young mother said that she was not sure what made her do it, but she asked to see her ultra-sound and changed her mind when she saw her baby. They were both so excited, the Grandma of the baby said, "he looks like me!" and "we're going to have a baby!" They were very happy to receive the gift of a diaper bag with baby things and a $100 gift certificate, (we try to give these gift to all those who tell us they have changed their mind). We also gave them a Bible and gospel tract and my Mom was able to share the gospel with them.

You should have seen us after all this happened, we were so excited and praising God! What a joyful time that was, but it was damped by the thought of the seven other mothers who did not come out.

Later on that same Tuesday we went to UMD to hold gospel signs and pass out gospel tracts. There were several good conversations that took place, we pray that God will turn the hearts of these young people to Himself. Steve brought his two daughters Amoriah (3) and Maylea (almost 2) and they helped pass out tracts as well. People enjoy taking tracts from these adorable little girls. Though we were saddened to see how many young women would harden their heart and turn away from that little out-stretched hand. This is most likely because they have had an abortion, since the statistics show 1 out of 3 woman in the US have had an abortion.

Here is part of the crew, my Mom is taking the picture and Josh was somewhere else.

Yesterday abortions were done again and there were thirteen mothers who went in. None said they changed their mind but one did leave early. One pedestrian passing by on the sidewalk began yelling at my Mom. She was very angry that we talk to the mothers who are going to kill their children, she kept saying "I see how things are, you are in your own little box and don't see what is happening." This made my Mom call to mind John 9:39-41, so she asked, "You say you see?" The lady answered "Yes, I see!" My Mom said, "So, you are blind." The lady soon left, but this was a sad reminder of the state many people are in. They believe themselves capable of sight and reason, but do not know that a veil of blindness is yet over their eyes and heart. Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not justice: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

Today I am meditating on this scripture: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..." 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

It hit me that here we are given a very good reason to share the gospel, the terror of the Lord! If we take verse ten seriously, than how much do we have to hate someone to not share the gospel with them?! (in the words of an atheist who said, if the gospel is true than that is what he would ask.) and yet so often I let opportunities slip by without a word. Oh Lord, teach me to have the terror of the Lord!

After an impromptu blog break I say,

"It has been too long since I have posted here!"

The sun is streaming through my window and there are now tiny leaflets on some of the trees, the grass is up enough to make the ground green and birds are everywhere and a few bugs are out. On the warmer nights I enjoy hearing the chorus of the Spring Peepers and the song of the American Woodcocks. We had our first T-storm of the year go by with thunder and lightning, I was jumping up and down I was so excited! I do so love spring!

We planted some cold weather crops in the garden and they are slowly coming up...spinach, radishes, peas and soon carrots. Last falls planting of garlic is growing strong and the strawberry plants look good. In my "growing room" there are tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli and several different herbs, growing under lights. How kind our Heavenly Father is to give us such good things, to show forth His glory in little things!

All this new life around us, makes me think of the new life God gives to those whom He saves. He said, if anyone be in Christ, they are new creature, old things are passed away and all things are become new. (2Cor. 5:17) This is so true! The sin which we once loved becomes the thing we hate and the righteous things that we once hated, become the things we love. This is the work of God, no one can make this happen of their own accord. God creates within us a clean heart and a love for Him! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His atoning sacrifice and triumph over death!

I finally finished crocheting the gift which I had hoped to give my friends at the birth of their son...he is now four months old. Oh well, at least it wasn't infant clothes!

It was such fun to make this and pray for little Jesaias.
(The pillow is just for contrast.)

Here we are when he was a bit younger.


And more recently. You can see that he is growing fast!

My Dad and I built a compost bin together, he cut the boards and pounded the stakes and I nailed it together. We needed it! Behind me in the picture, you can see the pile which served as a compost pile in the past.

It's not beautiful and is crooked (my fault!), but it is serviceable.


My cat Joyce had five kittens, they are so much fun!

Four weeks old.

And for those of you who are curious....here is a picture of a Spring Peeper!

Tiny little things, but they sure can make a lot of noise!

And here is an American Woodcock!

I think these are about the cutest birds I have ever seen! In the evening the males fly very high, fanning their tails in such a way that it makes an ascending sound like...woowoowoowoowoo.

(Neither of these last two pictures are mine.)

It is March...

...and I am very happy and ready for spring! Even though our weather does not seem to know the difference, as the temperature continues to hover around zero...oh well I guess I will have to keep waiting, but it is coming, soon... I hope, ...it should be soon, ...but we are up north and we have had blizzards in March...ah, be quiet mind, don't think about that, spring is on the way!

We had my four nieces and nephews over this weekend. Since a cold is going around it was more of a "quiet" time, (that is in comparison with other times :-). We played games, read stories, cooked and crocheted. They really enjoyed it when I read "Old Yeller" to them and would beg for more. Yesterday morning when I woke up, the first thing Ashley asked was, "When can you read 'Old Yeller?"

Brittany had brought some yarn and a crochet hook with her and asked if I could help her make a purse. I showed her how, then gave it back to her to do. Soon, she began complaining that it was "too hard" and asked if I could 'help' her. I explained that doing it for her was not helping her and if she did it herself she would learn patience, it would build character. She then settled down to work at it and proceeded to persevere at it for hours on Saturday and most of the day Sunday! She finished it and I was able to help her sew the ends together, it turned out beautiful! I asked her if she remembered what I told her, she did. Then I asked if it had built character, she said "yes".

Not yet finished but looking good

For the past few weeks that the children have been here, Devin has spent hours outside, standing still as he holds bird food in his outstretched hand. He has chickadees come to eat food out of his hand, this is so much fun for him and my Mom finally got a picture! And this is a child which has been "diagnosed" with "ADHD"?!

Matthew enjoyed playing scrabble with Michael and I. He was hit the hardest with the cold, but we had some good games with him, despite his condition.

On Saturday I did some more sewing, the jumper is coming along nicely.

And finally, here are the four of us "girls" wearing the aprons that a kind friend sent. Thank you Brenda!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well. Remember to keep praising our dear Lord Jesus in and for all things!

Winter Days

These last few days have been gloriously beautiful, with the sun shinning brightly over the sparkling snow covered ground, fluffy white clouds floating lazily by in a deep blue sky, while temperatures hover around zero. There is not much that can compare to such wintry days, unless you count these wintry nights. A brilliant full moon casting diamonds over the snow, millions of stars glittering in the dark sky, silence, oh the silence of such nights, with hundreds of trees raising their bare branches to the sky, while beneath them lay the soft light moon shadows on the snow. Moon shadows, I love shadows cast by the moon. I love the soft glow of moon light over field and forest. It makes me grow quite, it makes me think of the Creator of all these things and it makes me wonder in awe of Him, who though immense beyond comprehension, He cares for me. Tiny little me and yet He cares, He sees, He knows. Thank you Lord.

Let it Snow!

We have snow! A snow storm blew through yesterday, dumping seven or eight inches of snow on us. It is hard to tell how much we actually have because the wind was blowing pretty hard, causing the snow to drift.

We also had my sister's four children here for the weekend, who caused our ordinarily quite home to buzz. We all enjoyed each others company, working together, playing games, telling Bible stories, etc. This morning the temperature stayed under zero degrees, which combined with a stiff breeze made forays to the out of doors short lived.

Ashley

Brittany shoveling our driveway

Ashley and I

Ashley's shadow!

It really does not seem like a lot of snow to me, compared to years past but I am glad that it is finally here! As I have often been heard to say, "If it is going to be cold, there might as well be snow and lots of it!"

And because I couldn't resist...

Does any one else love snow?

God is merciful!

Last week on Tuesday we were able to help some friends move. Michael helped with the actual manual work while I was the official babysitter for their two little girls. I would ordinarily say that I had the best job of all, and don't get me wrong it was fun, but the Lord gave my Mom an incredible task as He used her to save the lives of two babies!

You see, the abortion clinic was open on Tuesday morning.

My Mom dropped me off to watch the children, then went (with Michael for a short time before he left to help with the moving,) to plead for the lives of the unborn. About fourteen mothers went into the place to destroy their child and each were asked not to do that terrible thing. God gave my Mom scripture to use and she told many of them: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. That is what God says." Also exclaiming, "Don't do this, Fear God!"

When all the mothers were in, the Sidewalk Councilors (SCs) gathered around to pray. Just then, a couple came out of the building holding hands and smiling, (this is always encouraging). They were asked, "Did you change your mind?" they answered "Yes"! They received many hugs and gifts and they gave their phone number saying that we can probably hold the baby when he or she is born. They are a married couple and already have two children. My Mom asked the man "What was it that caused you to change your mind?" He answered, "It was all that 'fear God' stuff, it really gets to you."!

Praise God!

But wait, that's not all!

After that couple had taken their leave and the SCs had given heartfelt thanks to God, my Mom began to talk to a young lady who had come out of the clinic to smoke. There is a fence in front of the court yard where we cannot go because it is privately owned, so we have to raise our voices to be heard at the door where this girl was located.
Below is a view of the Building for Woman, the side walk with us SCers standing around and the fence.


As my Mom talked, the girl was smoking up a storm and finally walked over to the fence asking, "What was that you said?" She was shown pictures of her unborn child at almost twelve weeks along and was told what abortion would do to her little one. She said that she had never seen or heard those things before. She then began to say how stressed she was because she had locked her keys in her car and didn't know what to do. Long story short, they were able to get her car unlocked and she went out to coffee with my Mom and another SC. My Mom was able to give Dana the gospel and to get her contact info. We are praying that the Lord will allow us to continue to have a part in her life.

So, we are rejoicing! Praise God for what He has done and is doing!

On our normal end of life...um what is normal anymore?

We have been preparing our yard and home for winter, which includes, cleaning up the yard, cleaning off and partially turning the garden hills, canning some more, cutting, chopping and stacking fire wood, butchering some nuisance guinea hens...

and more.

It all ends up to be more than enough to keep us very busy.

And....

My brother got his drivers license! Yikes, look out world!

For your enjoyment, here are some pictures form the past month.

These two are views from my Dad's work on the North Shore of Lake Superior

Sunset

This is The Old Fort that my brother and I made when we were little.

Now our leaves are all gone from the trees and we await the arrival of... snow?!