Happy Birthday my Friend-eth

August 26

Today is Val's birthday. Maybe you know her as Mrs. Wold, a title she accepts with joy. So many call her friend. Even those who call her "teacher" call her friend. She is one of those rare souls who put their own life on the back burner for the sake of others. We have laughed together, prayed together and just been together in silence (more her than me).

There were moments in my life when someone spoke a cruel word to me, she was there to lift me up without a single ugly word about the one who spoke. When church people avoided me because of the path my precious son was on, she came to me, hugged me, prayed with me instead of for me. She has approached me, worried not that she offended me but that she offended our God while speaking to me. Honestly, sometimes I am at a loss, not knowing how to respond, not feeling offended, but seeing her pain, her desire to make sure she is right before God. I love her.

Anytime I show her some new found do-da on the school soft-ware she lights up and talks to me like I am brilliant. The truth is, I just had too much time on my hands.

There was a time when I would wonder, "What does she want from me?" because just about EVERYONE who flatters me is setting me up to give something to them. Not Val. It was difficult to not brace myself for what may come next when she voices something positive about me, something I am sure is not actually true. When she tells me something honest, it is not to ask for anything from me. She gains my heart. A friend who loves at all times.

Happy Birthday dear Val.

"The Man Before Me" by Ray

Ray and Jason last 4th of July

I felt I had lost my son and desired desperately to get him back from the addiction which had taken him from me. An addiction to meth had stolen the life, happiness and exuberance from the youthful boy I remembered. At one point during a time of serious lament my wife graciously suggested I learn to accept who he is. I did not want who he is, I wanted my son back. What would it take to get him back, what kind of man was hidden in this mask of drugs?  

The battle began not long after his graduation from high school. He would come to visit us, most times under the influence, sometimes not, I never knew what to expect. Today he admits to not remembering some of those visits, but I do, they were the memorable because of the heartache I felt.

  Then my father came to live with us because his health was failing and he needed constant care. This stretched my emotions even further, dealing with his needs and worrying about my son.

 I had to decide how to approach my son about his addiction, there needed to be a confrontation. That same week there were floods in the area and his trailer was washed away. He asked to come home, I only had one condition, no drugs allowed on the property He hesitated but he came home, our confrontation had been provided for us.

 Jason was a blessing in disguise. He would be all night with his grandpa, who suffered from sundowners, a form of Alzheimer’s. They would talk all night allowing my wife and me to sleep. It also gave my Dad a chance to have an influence on his grandson. I had installed an intercom system in the room to monitor dad at night before we knew Jay was coming home, consequently I was privileged to hear most of their conversations. The topics surprised to me, the depth and compassionate wisdom from this man who suffered dementia and the coherence of a young man fighting drugs was amazing. His grandpa was able to say things to him and have an impact; if I said the same thing it would be an instant fight. I so desired to have that influence and not start arguments.

 After his grandpa’s funeral Jay disappeared for a week, where I did not know. I found out later he had gone to a friend’s house where he quit drugs, including meth, cold turkey. He did not want me to see him go through that, feeling I had dealt with too much already. My wife and I had been praying for him continually. Thankfully things began to change as the effects of the drugs wore off, his attitude slowly changed to that of a sober person. As the process continued I began to notice he was changing into the person I remembered. As the weeks wore on he continued to heal, I began to notice a definite change in attitude.

 Would I get my son back? I was learning to accept who he had become, but longed for the boy that was easy to love. Then standing in the kitchen one day, talking about what the next step in his rehab, I realized we were having a conversation that I had desired. And as I realized this, there in this man before me was the son I remembered. He had grown into a man to be proud of. I had to break away and give thanks to God for answered prayers.

July 21, 2012 "After" the Warrior Dash

Preparedness and The 2012 Drought

Consider the lilies how they grow. For they do not labor nor do they spin. But I say to you that not even Shleemon/Solomon in all his glory was covered like on of these. Luke 12:27

What are you doing (if anything) to prepare for the coming price jump in food? That was the question posed on one of the many blogs I enjoy.

My answer is, "As much as possible." However, everything we are able to do, we did last year when Kimberly-Clark quit on Everett selling off all the parts of the mill, garenteeing that the citizens of Everett would no longer have that option for work that pays a family wage. It was great while it lasted but, just as the Romans destroyed the Temple of YHVH when it was time for a change, so the Everett paper mill has been destroyed...... OK, that was a bad comparison and I digress.

What is left of the old Scott Paper, Kimberly Clark paper mill

Last year Ray knew he did not have much time left as a wage earner. We have a morgatage and all that goes with that. We like to eat, travel, play on the internet, heat the house, keep the cars running. What could we do? Both of us wanted Ray out of the mill, but on our terms, in our time. What do we do? Rage, complain? Ask for prayer to bring a stop to this? What?

"But first seek the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, be not anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow is anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its evil."  Matthew 6: 33-34 AENT

Task 1. Seek the Kingdom of Elohim/God, of which I am a citizen-bride in good standing because of the sacrifice of my Y'shua/Jesus! Elohim takes care of my needs through many different and sometimes surprising ways.

We do our best to be wise with what we are stewards over. You would have thought we were "preppers" from the type of groceries we bought with the last few checks from KC. Flours, cornmeal, beans, oatmeal, rice, all in huge bulk bags. Meat packs, sugar, basics that I suppose I will need for holiday cooking, all of it in safe storage.

I have been a passionate vegetable gardener as a hobby. Now I have turned my passion into a living. I count my main occupation as suburban farmer. My 2nd job is working with home-schoolers on the internet through my church's private school. That ministry provides $400.00 a month for 10 months of the year. If I cannot grow something, my school income provides the means to obtain it. I am so thankful!

So, just what am I doing to prepare for the drought? Not much has changed. We are trying to put aside an extra bag of feed and scratch for the chickens, but beyond that we have stores of food to last a while. As we are able, we put local beef and chickens into the freezer for meals to come. If the drought is only a year long we are already ready. It occurs to me that Elohim is gentle and kind to those who seek Him. He took away our fear of tomorrow when KC quit Everett. He has allowed us to change our lifestyle in gentleness so that we might be ready to help and encourage others in their time of transition. We are abundantly blessed and long to pass that blessing on to others.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.  Proverbs 31:25

I have spent too much time avoiding the Proverbs 31 teaching. Some man, intent on telling of an ideal woman, always makes her sound like another reason why I will never be good enough in anyone's eyes. But in this season, I am not offended and understand her laughter. It is the laughter of Joy from a woman of faith. One who does not know what tomorrow will bring but who does trust the Elohim who holds her tomorrows in His hands AND holds her in His heart as she does Him.

Seek the kingdom beloved friends. Everything else belongs to the King who loves you.

Debs of The Toy Box Suburban Farm but more important, of the Kingdom of Elohim.

Expanding the gardens while we still had an income.

Birthday shopping, the movie

Garden to Table Potato, Leek, and Celery Root Soup "The Movie"

I have not meant to ignore this blog. After school started again in January I have been busy with students and blogging on my Urban Farm page. Here is food from my winter garden just to keep me in the loop. I promise I am still studying my Hebraica and doing my devotions (do not know what else to call Bible study). Travel is history due to finances so I have less opportunity to blog about that. But I still cook and cooking is part of this blog. Thanks for watching!

Compassion

From "Edges of His Ways" by Amy Carmichael
January 26

Snow in the Garden (by Ray)

For those who have to do with forgetful people.

"I have compassion", our Lord said as he looked at the multitude. (Mark 8:2) I have often found it easier to have compassion on the multitude than on the individual, especially a rather tiresome individual. But our Lord Jesus never failed in this keener test of compassion.

You know how a tune heard before recalls, when you hear it again, not only the place where you heard it, but all the surrounding circumstances. It seems to me that when our Lord used exactly the same words, "How many loaves have ye?" (Mark 8:5) He was trying lovingly to recall to the Twelve what they had forgotten, even His boundless power and mercy. (Mark 6:38)

When next we have to deal with a forgetful boy or girl, perhaps this way of His will help to guide our ways. It is so easy to feel inwardly impatient, but He Whom we follow never did.

"Jesus Master, I would be

More and more made like to Thee."

(link) Good pre-christmas reads.

Happy Holidays

I have spent the last 8 days in bed....mostly in bed. It has been a long time since I was this sick. YUCK. I did not do any writing (or shopping or visiting) but I got a little bit of reading in. I am just happy that school is out so that I did not have to keep up with my students.
Deb's favorites at Music of the Rain