Bible Verse Memorization!

This is possibly the cutest little girl! I wish I had her perserverance!

http://vimeo.com/6874186

Spring Has Sprung!

... and this lent season is drawing to a close as we await the precious Easter morning. Rather than giving something up, I've devoted myself to growing closer with my Father. In doing so he placed in my path a few very meaningful resources that I would like to share with you.

http://www.ylcf.org/

http://www.feelinfeminine.com/

and finally a book shwap for us that like to turn pages :) I've just recieved my first book actually!

http://www.paperbackswap.com/

I hope these will prove as valuable to you as they have been for me.

God Bless,
Anna

REST. Sweet sweet REST.

Happy Sabbath. :) I've felt this nudging "rest.rest.rest". God has really been speaking to me since last Wednesday, but you know, I think it's more that I've really been listening. Anywho.. He placed it in my heart to share this today. Something that I think has been watered down.

"Rememember the Sabbath"


"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. " Exodus 20:8-11

What does the word "sabbath" actually mean anyways?

I did a little e-search, and was delighted to find that our "sabbath" comes from the hebrew word "shabbāt" , meaning rest.

So today, I HAVE rested my body and my mind. After church, Dad and I looked at trees in the pretty weather (I let him teach me- it makes him feel good when I'm intrested in his kind of things), cuddled with kids (goat babies, that is), napped, read a little online, and then it was off to church again. It's been a great day,

AND I'm actually ready for Monday, instead of being on brink of tears on my way out the door every morning. He has really refreshed me and brought my spirits up for the upcoming week.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!

It's the season of Lent again. Going deeper than ever before!

I've been raised in a somewhat lent observing church/ family, but I have to admit that I have honestly never understood nor seen it's importance in my faith until now. Lent observances are one of those traditions that I so admire the Catholics for, and I feel like it's importance has been smothered out in most protestant churches if even observed at all.

So what is is Lent?

It's not what you find in the pockets of your jeans. It's a Christian season, beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) and going until Easter Sunday. It is a time of prayer and fasting so as to be closer and more humbled to the Father. I think of it as a spiritual retreat- an early spring cleaning of the heart to prepare for the ultimate spiritual high we Christians ride come Easter morning.

Lent should be a humbling season, a quite season, a season for reflection. Some people do not observe lent because it "depresses" them. So you fail your fast, don't be discouraged and miss the point... fasting's purpose is to humble yourself before the Lord, to clear your mind. Seems like in our church, it's a thing to boast about. "I'm giving up sweet tea", "Well, I'm giving up ANYTHING sweet". Don't they realize how intimate a time this is?

And if it's reflecting on the suffering of Jesus that depresses, then I say grow up. You cant omit this. Jesus DID suffer, it was real hurt that he felt, and more than we could ever imagine. Until we've felt the weight of the cross, we will not be able to truly feel the awe and splendor of the resurrection.

SOOOOOOO.....................

I'm going deeper this Lent. Care to join me?

School Clothes Shopping- Modestly Feminine

So it's time to go shopping. I've actully given away a lot of my nicer clothes leaving the bulk of my wardrobe to t-shirts and other not always wearable items. I also am down to a pair of nicer jeans and my favorite old warn out farm jeans as far as pants go.

For school shopping this year, I really want to focus on frugal, modest, and undoubtedly feminine clothing. I'm thinking I may just have to reintroduce "the skirt" to my closet and my highschool. If I wear jeans, I want to pair it with feminine top. I don't want to wear anything a man could consider wearing if sizes werent an issue. God made men and women different.

I'm a lady, I want to be treated as one, not equal to man and not a garden tool. And above all, I want God to be honored by my apperance.

I'm so excited as I havent really been shopping with my Mom in a couple of years. Good Mommy/Baby time. I think we'll checking out a couple of the thrift type stores too. You never know the steals you'll find, plus I need a Graco Play Pen to keep new kids in when the time arrives.

My nose has been in the books and it's not even school time yet!

Well, I'll start by saying it's been a little while since I last posted. I'm so sorry, I haven't been super busy... in fact I've spent most my free time on the computer, I've just felt the need and calling to be researching a possible career path.... Midwifery. I am completely fascinated with the ends and outs of it. With every article or study I read I have an even more intense burning desire to learn a little more.... I'm praying and praying, becuase I know people around me are not going understand this, they will not all see this as a higher calling and will question my logic, my faith, and maybe even my sanity for it, but I'm going to trust God on it. I know he wouldn't spark this passion inside me for no reason, and I intend to persue it be it as a career or just as an activist, this is a part of me now.

Women are amazing. The last two weeks has completely transformed my view of the whole female and has shown me how birth should be much more than just bringing a new baby into the world, it's a spirtually empowering journey rather than a life threatening disease. Doctors are trained for when things are NOT normal, and pregnancy and labor ARE normal. God designed women for this,and he doesnt make mistakes. I trust the body he gave all of us. A 35% c-section rate is WAY to high... especially as compared to other countries. It really doesnt make any sense. Imagine the mission opportunities I could have as midwife too. I could go on and on but I'll save it for later... I dont have to justify this to anyone right now.

I have HUNDREDS of different options regarding schooling and training to go through should that be what I decide to do. I just thought I would share what's been on my heart and mind lately.

Will You please keep me in your prayers. For those that dont know me, I'm a planner, I'm stressed when I dont know my path, and as it getting time for me to start looking to my future I can feel the crunch. Pray that I find and fufill my calling and that other be accepting to it be it vet, couselor, nurse, midwife...or whatever. I need some prayer warriors behind me here!!


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On a more farm oriented note.

Myrtle Lee, one of my beautiful nubians is due to kid in just 4 weeks now. She is looking so cute and pregnant. The babies are VERY active at the moment and I've been able to feel them kicking several times now. I'm so excited for these kids. As the weeks are narrowing down, keep us in your prayers as well for a healthy delivery and kids. I'll keep ya posted.
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Eggs at last!

I just arrived home Thursday night from a wonderful vacation with my best friend, and guess what?! One of my hens had started laying! Woo hoo!! Having animals has to be one of the most rewarding experiences. Honestly my chickens give me so much joy in just being chickens that I probably wouldn't care if they layed eggs or not, but what a special treat it is to receive this little gift to sum up my love and dedication to their well being... I love being a chicken's mom :) I think the same principle applies to my dairy goats. I love those gals to death. The milk is an added bonus that I'm so very thankful for. Milk means my does are healthy, happy, and truly trust me. Work paid off in the pail. in the carton, and in the heart, what a great feeling....

Thank you God, for giving me the knowledge and the perseverance to care for a few of your amazing creations. They have blessed with all they are and all they could possibly offer, so humble and honest. Help me parallel this in my walk with you. Amen.

*Anna