Potatoes in MY peas!

A few weeks ago, prior to the flood that had us held up in the house for a week. My peas were starting to get pretty tall. I wanted to weed them really good and hoe around them once before they got so big they bloomed and I might knock the blooms or fragile new pea pods off. There are 3 nice straight rows, not to many, just a few to eat right away. My plan was to plant some more in the fall and maybe can or freeze them. As I made my way down the row I pulled up many different kinds of weeds, some i recognized, some I didn't, but I knew they weren't peas. The sun was hot that day but I enjoyed the work, listening to the goats, and tiny frogs. Smelling the wild flowers, feeling the breeze was a refreshing in the warm sun. As I made my way down the row hoeing and weeding I found a plant I recognized. It was a potato! I didn't plant a potato there.... Well, at least not this year. I did have potatoes in this spot last year. I must have miss one, and now here it was growing in MY pea patch. I started to pull it up. The gardener in me wouldn't let me, however I thought about it. I couldn't see pulling up a perfectly good plant. It wasn't really hurting anything. BUT I thought about going back and pulling it up, it didn't belong there. This was a PEA patch after all. Then God used this to remind me about many times in my life. There are so many time, when I start a project, mind you, it is always a GOOD thing. I start the project and suddenly it takes a different path or someone or something I didn't plan ends up in the middle of MY project. Those things that show up, have always been sent by God. The true thing that was supposed to be my project in the first place. Instead of God putting a potato in MY pea patch, I had put peas in God's potato patch. Why is it that we plan, then expect God to show up and make it all great!! Why are we surprised when he doesn't show up, or throws something unexpected in our plan? Now I am not suggesting that God didn't want me to plant my peas in the place. I am quite sure God did not care that my peas were there. I am not even sure he put the potato there, but I am completely convinced that he used the potato. The potato was to remind me not to make any plans or start any projects without checking with him first. My life is HIS garden anyway, I am only caretaker. I did leave the potato, as a reminder.... I hope you plant your peas in HIS pea patch. God Bless!

Holy or Lowly??

As I have grown up I had always heard that Christ was born in a barn because he wanted to come lowly. I suppose I agree with the idea, that God wanted to present his wonderful son in a humble understandable package to the average man. I can see that it is a contrast to the idea of a king, born in a golden palace surrounded by those subservient to him from birth. Wrapped in fine linen, laid in a glorious cradle, sung to sleep by his loyal subjects. Definitely a sharp contrast to his actual birth. Or is it? I would purpose that the place of his birth was not only lowly, but also HOLY. He was born in the presents of HIS creations the way he made them, simple and exactly the way he made them. I am sure their knew the presents of their creator. I am sure they stood in awe with gentle bleats and soft noise to praise his sweet little name. He was in the fresh open air of the earth he created, wrapped with love by a young mother that he knew before her own birth, and laid in the golden sweet straw of the manger. He was worshiped by the angels, made just for that business. Worshiped also by the Shepherds in tune with the nature that surrounded them and with out great education understood this event. There in that barn, it WAS a holy place!
I still find God so easily in the barn, where his creations still function the way he made them so many thousands of years ago. They still know their place in the scheme of things, and no matter what happens they plug on, doing what they were created to do. They don't fight his will for their life, a goat doesn't try to be a dog, or cat a chicken. They are most generally happy and content being the creature they were made to be..... they are exactly how God made them, living as he intended, showing us his perfect plan in there very existence. With that said I would argue that for me a barn is not a lowly place, but a HOLY place. For if all those present are projecting the perfect plan of God, in just the way God made them, how much more Holy can you get.....

Here are several online definitions of Holy: (just for reference)
ho·ly (hl)adj. ho·li·er, ho·li·est

1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.

2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.

3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.

4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.

5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.

low·ly (ll)

adj. low·li·er, low·li·est

1. Having or suited for a low rank or position.

2. Humble or meek in manner.

3. Plain or prosaic ( Lacking in imagination and spirit; dull)in nature.

Pray with out ceasing.....

As I walk the well beaten path from the house to the barn, I notice that a wild rabbit has braved our yard. I watch it as it nibbles on the grass. It sees me and franatically bounds away. I say he braved the yard, because of our large white Great Pyrenees, Belle. She is just on the other side of the fence and would love to chase the little rabbit. Then you would think that our barn cat Cecil would detour the bunny from coming into the yard as well. I smile and think to myself, thank you for the sweet greeting this morning. I make it to the barn door where I am greeted with an ankle rub by the before mentioned Cecil. We greet each other in the familiar morning ritual, that always end with him pawing at my hand at the feeder wanting his food faster than I can get it out. The familiarity and warmth of this ritual makes me stop and say thank you for always staying the same. The world around me changes, the rules change, the people change, but you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you. I finish the chores and make my way to the garden. The trees are nearly leafed out, wow the green is so vibrant. You know that God could have made all of this in black and white, but he didn't he chose to give us the gift of color. As I think about the way my day has started, I am reminded of the verse "Pray with out ceasing" I think I use to believe that meant to ask God for forgiveness all day, to ask him to help you stay our of trouble, or even to ask him for things all day. I suppose there might be sometime that it is called for, or maybe there are people who are call to that. BUT for me I believe that it is more of an acknowledgment of GOD all day. In the breeze in a hot day, or the song of a sweet bird when you are feeling low, the colors of a fantastic sunset, or any of the number of moments in the day you can feel or see his presents. A continual breath of thanksgiving, of loving him in our praise. That is pray without ceasing to me. Just a thought for you. Hope you see him in everything in every way ALL DAY! God Bless!

Logan's really blessed weekend!

For those of you who really want to know what is going on with Logan, here is the scoop.
On Friday April 23 Logan told me on his way to school he had a headache. Logan as a rule never has anything wrong with him. Maybe some seasonal allergies from time to time, but nothing big. So, I thought no big deal. In fact he ran in a track meet the night before and got home late, so I thought he was probably tired, and maybe a little dehydrated. SO, I said drink a lot today and take some Motrin, as he ran out the door. I didn't think much about it, and went on with my day and the goat OB observation. Goat didn't cooperate and was hanging on to those babies, so I just kept watching, Nichelle and her room mate came over for dinner and I fixed dinner then went to the track meet to watch Logan run. When he was done he told me he had the worst headache all day and he needed something for it and a drink. I took him home he ate and I gave him some meds and he played UNO all of us. He went to bed and I went out to deliver the goat babies. I ended up pulling all 3 of them around 2 a.m. I took a shower, checked on mom and babies and went to bed for a much needed sleep. 3:45 a.m. He came to me almost in tears telling me I had to help him get rid of this headache. I gave him more meds, and put hot towels on his forehead. I changed the hot towel several times. I went out in the rain at 6 to check the goats, and when I got in he was pretty sound asleep. SO, I went to town to do some errands and start dinner. My parents were come over for dinner and to go Nichelles performance. He got up and told me his head was killing him, so I go him more meds, still wasn't worried. I thought with all the seasonal pollen, maybe he had a sinus headache, or a migraine. Mom and Dad came and Logan went to bed. Kind of strange as he really likes to do stuff with them. I check to see if he had a fever, the wasn't one. We ate dinner, and his headache got worse. It was getting close to time for us to leave for the performance and I checked his temp again and it was 99. I decided that we should take him to urgent care. Chad and I talked about it on there way there, we decided urgent care was best as there was no need to clog up the ER for a headache. When we got to urgent care they put him in the pediatric department. This seems so funny as he is 5' 10", and he weighs around 150 lbs. He is only 15 but we all kind of thought it was funny. Logan was having a little trouble at this point talking to us because he couldn't stand to hear it or to think much. His jaw had started to hurt really bad and he wouldn't open is mouth much. They took his temp and it was around 101. They talked about meningitis, but decided that since his neck seemed ok, it probably wasn't that. (THIS IS NOT CORRECT!!! YOU CAN HAVE MENINGITIS WITHOUT YOUR NECK BEING STIFF!!!!) (If you EVER have a VERY bad headache and a SUDDEN fever with no other symptoms, you need to see and ER doctor RIGHT AWAY) That day they gave him some antibiotics that they use when you have meningitis, and 2 liters of fluid, and 2 doses of morphine..... This STILL did not make his headache go away and around 9:30 they sent us home with the IV port still in place and told us to come back the next day so they could do blood test and see how he was doing. That night we gave him Ibuprofen or Tylenol every three hours all night. The next day we took him back at 10, he wouldn't eat anything much as his jaw and head still hurt too much. I really was starting to get worried at this point. They did a blood test and this white count was worse, if we didn't give him meds ever 3 hours the pain got worse and the temp started climbing. They decided to give him another 2 liters and more of the IV antibiotics. I questioned at this point if we should go to ER and have the CT scan they said they wish they had. Did he need to be in a hospital??? They said no they thought it would be fine to do the meds then go to our pediatrician on Monday. I said ok, but I was still nervous. They did the treatment and he felt sick from the meds. His headache was not gone, but they sent us home to see the pediatrician Monday with the IV port in. I talk to my sister that night by phone, she is ER doctor, and she was worried and wished we had the CT scan and even a spinal tap. That night Logan had swelling come up between his eyes and his left eye lid swelled and drooped. I called the nurse to talked to the DR and they told me it was ok not to come in unless he couldn't move his eyes without pain, his headache was worse than it had been, or his fever went up to 104. So we made him sleep in my bed, and continued the meds through the night. First thing we took him to the pediatrician, who was very worried, and believed we needed a CT then a spinal tap. SO we went to the ER where they agreed and did the CT right away. There we found that Logan had an infection in his sinus that had went through the bone and into the lining of his brain. They started him on more IV antibiotics and fluids. They decided then he would need a team of doctors to figure out what to do. Quickly they decided that since the antibiotics had been given to him before a spinal tap was done and we found something on the CT that we would not need to do the spinal tap. This was good news for all of us, Logan was really worried about that. They took him to do an MRI and an MRV. The MRI was used to be sure the infection that got near his brain had not gotten in his vain and caused a blood clog. I am not sure what else would have happened if that were the case, I just realized that would be bad. So they called in a Neurosurgeon, because in the beginning there was a belief he might need brain surgery. They called in an ENT and ear, nose, throat specialist to fix the sinus problem (the sinus was blocked and could drain), and infectious disease doctor, and a pediatric intensivist. They took him to the PICU where they decided on a plan. They did so many blood test, took xrays and watched him closely. The first step was to drain the sinus so the so the source of the infection would be gone. The neurosurgeon decided because the infection close to his brain was so small it wasn't worth the risk to take it out. We would just monitor it very closely and work on meds to get rid of it. They did the surgery and made the new outlet, which we will have to monitor to be sure it doesn't close up. They were able to get a sample to get a culture from, drain and clean, so that part is done. He woke up so fast, and did so well, that they moved him to the pediatric floor. He had a PIC line placed today ( kind of like a long term IV, they put it in the upper part of his arm and run a catheter up his arm into a large blood supply line in his chest). He has to stay here until the culture comes back, maybe tomorrow, for sure by Saturday. Then we will go home and the home health company will come and teach me to infuse the antibiotics he will need for the next 5 to 8 weeks. He will have to finish school from home.
SO, I say all of this to say, that as always GOD is watching out for us. He planned this out weeks ago. I quite my job 3 or 4 weeks ago, to do something different, maybe take classes, or take care of my child. Chad was scheduled for vacation and had enough people to cover for him so he didn't HAVE to go in if something happened. Logan had a VERY bad headache that made us take him to the doctor. He had a headache, and not BRAIN DAMAGE or WORSE! The infection didn't make it to his brain. He recovered from the surgery in record time. I could continue on and on and on. I have found that God prepares things for us when the worst is going to happen. For instance, when the goat couldn't have her baby I called my goat midwife friend (lol) it was 11:30 p.m. and her husband was out of town and she was sewing. She was free to come over. She not only helped me take care of the situation, she taught me what I needed to know so I wont be afraid if that ever happens again. I mean what are the chances.... God even cares about my animals. I know he heard the many, many prayers I said over that goat that night. And as my friend told me "how can God give us more faith if he doesn't answer our prayers". It is so easy to trust your kids in his hands when you know how he cares for everything in your life. Our God is good, and he shows us his nature and his love for us in the worst of situations. We are so grateful that he makes all the advanced arrangements, and know just what we need before we even need it. How could we ask for anything more.... Thanks for your prayers and concerns!

Morning Concert

A tiny stream of light slowly floats across the greenest grass, it inches upward highlighting the flowered trees. The light reveals a pair of birds, singing a new spring song, and the rustling of there frantic work, harmonizes nicely with the swaying of the grass in the gentle breeze. The ponds water joins in lapping against its muddy shore, along with humming bees already busy with their days work. Tapping the rhythm of the morning are the hooves making their way from the barn eager to taste the cool fresh grass of the morning. Soft purring of the resident cat seems to blend it all together, as the sun finally makes it through the barn window, this day has begun, the way they have for the thousands of years before, with a song to wake the day. This concert was created for his glory, to be enjoyed by the residents of the beautiful earth..... (and all creation sings his glory)

Panic before an event even happens, is a waste of energy and makes you look stupid!

Living in Missouri, I learned a long time ago, the weather is unpredictable! Period! The best you can do is just be prepared for anything and go on with your life. However, the weather persons still continue to do the predicting and they continue to be wrong. This in and of itself isn't the funny, it the people who listen to them that cause the comedy.
I guess in case you don't live in Missouri, I should catch you up. We have a wide variety of weather here. In the last month we have had negative temperatures, snow, a little ice, 60 degrees, rain, sun, clouds, 50 mile an hour winds, and well you get the point. A few years ago we had an ice strom that wiped out power for weeks, so now you say ice and people turn blue and start running around looking for things, who knows what they are looking for, but .... anyway.
For a week the forecast has been for a little ice followed by anywhere from 6 inches of snow to a foot. Everyone started the panic that ensues when they forecast such a storm. The storm was supposed to be here Thursday afternoon, through the night and into Friday. Thus, on Monday different organizations, and events, started canceling...... Yes, you read right!!! I was amazed at the confidence that people placed in the forecast. By Wednesday when I went to the store, to get bread..... it had begun. The hording of water, bread...... carts full of bread! Why a whole cart full of bread....???? It makes no sense to me.... We talk about prison being a place where you are fed bread and water???? Are they preparing for a prison??? BUT the funniest thing I have found is the dog food. Last storm, I went to the store to get a few things I needed, one being dog food. I buy one bag every two weeks for our Great Pyrenees, Belle. I went to the isle to get the dog food, and there was NONE, well that isn't exactly true there were a few bags left, little bags, broken bags, specialty foods. What is wrong with people..... why does a snow storm make you by carts full of dog food...??? Do they not feed their dogs unless it snows??? Is it that they themselves think that they may need to eat it should they be snowed in their house for.... 24 to 48 hours.... ( about the longest I can imagine anyone in this area would be stuck in their house). I guess I am out of the loop. I saw this Wednesday when I went to the store again, carts full of dog food....
So, Thursday came no snow, Thursday night came, NO snow..... Friday morning came and we have a 1/2 inch max.... it is still falling, but we will NOT get a foot of snow...
I say all of this to tell you I learned this lesson long ago..... I don't know what tomorrow will hold!! The weather man does not know, you do not know. I do not panic before an event happens! I know that I have enough food in my house to last us for..... who knows weeks maybe. It might no be food we are always excited about but it IS food. I know that I can't control the weather, or what MIGHT happen with it. I do know that I know the one who no only knows what tomorrow holds, but also controls it.... this is peace my friend!!!! No matter what might happen, and bad things MIGHT happen, he is still in control.... What shall we fear!!! I still buy a loaf of bread, and dog food if I am going to run out in the next day or two, but I will not panic..... Have a good one.