I am focused on simplifying my life. I've been thinking less complicated thoughts and getting rid of junk. I read a portion from Stephen F. Winward's book, "Fruits of the Spirit" recorded in my Benson book. Writings such as his help me focus on what is really important.
He encourages us to take a piece of paper and write out a question at the top. Jesus asked a man in need this same question. It is, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51)
Then write down three desires you have;
what you want more than anything in the whole world.
(I kept reading and missed out on the benefit of this exercise.
Perhaps you could learn from my mistake.)
He goes on to say,
"Now, look at your three chief desires.
Do you want to have, to do, or to be?
Do they refer to possessions, achievements or character?
When the question "What would you like me to give you?"
was put to young Solomon, he asked for a quality of character.
"Give me the wisdom I need." (I Kings 3:5,9)
I hope that one at least of your three desires has to do with character.
For the grand purpose of God is that we should
"become like His Son"(Rom. 8:29).
No Christian could possibly have a greater ambition.
So, happy the person who can truthfully give this answer
to the question put by Jesus,
"What I want you to do for me, Lord,
is to make me a loving, joyful, peaceable,
patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle,
disciplined Christian." "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think that is another way of saying
that you want to be
like Jesus.
Jesus Himself, learned obedience
by the things He suffered.
We don't want to hear about suffering.
I don't anyway.
And sometimes,
we refuse to allow our loved ones
to suffer the 'cause and effect' consequences
of their own behavior that comes their way,
or even the lessons of living and getting along with others.
We rescue them and protect them and by doing that
in an unhealthy way,
we stunt their growth in character
and make them weak.
(There are times however, that it is necessary
to do so. This is why we need wisdom and a secure
soul in order to discern what's what.)
God does allow difficult things
to touch our lives
and the 'all things that work together for good'
is the fact that we are actually
conformed into the image of His Son.
That is the good.
Sometimes we cause the difficult times in our lives
and sometimes God allows them
and sometimes He plans the trial of our faith
so we can become like Gold tried by fire.
Sometimes, it is a no-brainer.
Sometimes, it is a mystery.
But His ultimate purpose
whether the difficulty is caused by our own failings,
or God, or life, or satan,
is for us to be conformed into the image of Jesus.
He can use anything to make that happen.
And Jesus is
loving, joyful, peaceable, patient,
kind, good, faithful, gentle,
and disciplined.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit
is the Spirit of Jesus
made manifest in our lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love that Jesus asked so many questions.
The questions of Jesus would make an interesting study.
"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Do you want to be well?"
"Where is your faith?"
"Do you love me more than these?"
I think He also asks,
"Do you know how much I love you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post script:
Our pastor preached this Sunday on something similar to what I just wrote.
It helped me see how God is always keeping me in balance.
I wrote here about what we are looking for God to do for us.
That is a valid question and it is one that Jesus Himself asked.
But God is also looking for something from us.
"Lord," we pray. "What do you want from me?"
Here are some of the notes from this morning's sermon.
God is looking for people to love Him. The first commandment
is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
He is seeking for worshippers who will worship Him
in Spirit and in Truth.
His eyes look to and fro across the earth to find those whose
hearts are loyal to Him. He wants to show Himself strong
to those people.
He is looking for those who want His presence more than anything
else. His Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals
them to those who hunger and thirst for Him.
He is looking for those who are lovingly longing
for His appearing.
To sum it up:
He wants our love,
our worship,
our loyalty,
our desire,
our depth,
our hunger and thirst.
He wants us to look forward
to seeing His face.
Look at those words.
They all have to do with pressing into Him.
Pushing through the crowd.
Forgetting all else.
It makes my heart ache just to read them.
Oh, God!
Help me love you with the love You
and Jesus loved
each other.
Make me into the person that you are looking for.
Help me worship You in Spirit and in Truth.
Let me be that Eve you long after.
Let me fill the void in Your heart
that only I can fill.
Let me walk with you in the garden
and not hide my face from You.
Lord,
I believe.
Help Thou my unbelief.
Lord,
I love you so.
Help me love you more.
With my whole heart
have I sought Thee.
Help me seek You more.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Hertzler Doings-May 30-June 5, 2011
Mon.-Memorial Day. Yesterday I ate wrong and last night I got little sleep thanks to Sheriff and his hourly desire to drink and pee. I was tired all day and didn't exercise or do anything quite right. Phil said that maybe I should give him away and we could both focus on Princess. He also said that maybe Sheriff should be an outside dog. He's been a bit more than I can handle at night and when we walk, he pulls on his leash and strains my already strained neck and shoulders. My heart broke and Susan came and hugged me and asked what was wrong and when I told her that I was thinking about giving Sheriff away, she said, "No. We can't give him away. He's already attached to us and we're attached to him. I'll walk him for you, Mom." And I thought about how good it would be if we had an outside dog and an inside dog. Princess loves to be in with Phil and Sheriff loves to pee on Phil's things and bite through his cords, etc. so it would be better for him to be outside. I wonder if he is secretly jealous of Phil. Or not so secretly. Regardless, for the time being, I am allowing my heart to love him more and more.
Susan and I went down to the river today and I sat with my chair in the river and she swam and got tan. We went over to the neighbor's where she put in some time pulling weeds. I cut up a ham and made some of it and took the rest down to the river to roast over the fire. I did not have energy to host a party but Tom's came down to the river and had a family supper and invited us and we enjoyed their fire and their food and contributed chunks of ham, s'more ingredients, and carrots. It was nice to have a party that I didn't have to do anything for. Tom even cut up a tree that had blown down to make room for us to sit. The other tree that fell was used to prop roasting sticks and fishing rods against and to hang up extra pieces of clothing.
We brought the little girls up with us and let them go in the puppy pen and Isaac and Sheriff backed away from them and barked and wouldn't let them pet them. I don't think they liked their wet swim suit dresses. They sniffed suspiciously at them and the little girls just stood there, unsure of what to do. So, I got Sheriff and put him on the front seat of the gator and the little girls sat in the back and off we went out the lane after communicating our plans to the rest of the family who were just coming up. On the way back down the lane, I held Sheriff on my lap, and he put his huge paws on the wheel and relaxed his whole body on my lap and he 'drove' the gator back home. It was the cutest thing. I had to show Phil when he got in from the field. We put Princess on the front seat and Sheriff drove on my lap and we went around the yard and after awhile, Sheriff just wanted to lay down on my lap and go to sleep, just like Adi did yesterday. Phil said, "He Loves it!" and laughed.
A few days ago, Phil brought Princess in and left her with me in the bedroom while he went into the bathroom to take a shower. He closed the door so she couldn't get into the bathroom and get into the trash can, etc. But she would have none of it and wailed outside the door, wanting to be near him. So, he laughed and let her in. She wasn't thrilled with the whole idea of his taking a shower either and barked a bit but then she found her own fun in the toilet. Fortunately, the lids were up and the toilet was flushed because she put herself head first into the toilet and dug and splashed and had a high old time. Her back legs were sticking up and her front legs were pawing away and water was flying everywhere. Phil wanted me to see it and sure enough, she did it again. I have never heard Phil laugh so hard in my entire life.
I froze some quart containers of water and hung them upside down over Princess's cage right over her water dish and as it thawed, the drops kept her dish somewhat filled. Otherwise, she wants to dig in her water dish. All of them want to do that. It must be instinctual. Wild animals dig in order to find water. I guess humans do too, if you think about it.///
I am thankful for the nest of turkey eggs Phil found as he mowed today. He was pretty sure the mother wouldn't be back to take care of them with no grass growing around it so he rescued them and put them in a nest of grass right under the tractor seat and kept them with him the rest of the day. This evening, he ran over to the Jone's to borrow their incubator and we hope to raise the little turkeys ourselves. I am thankful that I heard Philip's truck pull in. He spent the day at Bug's Island on the water with friends. He must have been tired because he didn't come in to tell me about his day. (He did later. Had a great time.) I am thankful for Tom and Helen and their family. I can be tired. I don't have to dress up. We don't have to do anything and it is enough.
Tues.-Took Sheriff down to the river for our walk today. That puppy loves to swim! He never ceases to amaze me. He likes to drive. He likes to swim. He likes to eat cow poop, I am embarrassed to say. I say, 'No Poop!', in a very stern voice, and he runs ahead of me to get away from the shame with his ears drooping. So I say, "Good boy. No poop! That's a good boy!" and he comes by my side again, happy as can be and avoids the piles of poop thereafter. I worked in the old house Pig Roast room for an hour today. I have a goal to work over in the old house for 1/2 hour day until it is all organized. That is my goal for this year. One of them, anyway. Susan and I went out to town and ran some errands. We stopped in to drop Adi and Emma's shoes off and Lindsay fed us rice and bean tortilla's which was great because we were getting hungry and we still had a few more hours to go. In the evening, Susan made some watermelon smoothies. She blended watermelon and then added ice cubes and blended it again. Refreshing and filling. Philip checked on Cynthia L. via phone while we were around. She had split her jaw open at Bug's Island yesterday and got at least 9 stitches I believe. She sounded good. I am working on washing more summer clothes. Susan bought some shirts today. We split the cost 50/50 this time around. It's time to take Sheriff for a drive on the gator. Maybe we can find Phil on his tractor somewhere.///I am thankful that Makenzie is going to be closer this summer than originally thought. Her dad will be working in Danville. I am thankful that Susan gets tired of shopping about the same time I do. I am thankful for the sweet note of encouragement I received from the sweet daughter of my soul. It was just what I needed. I love her so.
Wed.-Went out to Loy's and visited with Doreen and Graham. What a beautiful farm and vineyard they have. Came home for a short time and left at 3 to go out to church. Susan helped decorate the youth building for the graduation ceremony. I met a new younger friend at Country Cookin' and 2 1/2 hours just sped by and we were both happy when we left. After running a few errands I shared the excitement of a new marriage, a new life, and new beginnings with some folks in the youth building. Got to bed late and couldn't sleep.///I am thankful for the opportunity to watch God redeem a sorrowful situation. I know He will. I am thankful that the little birdies living in my shoe on the back porch are so big that any day now, they will be tumbling out of their nest. I am thankful that I found some yard toys at the dollar store so I didn't have to go into Walmart.
Thurs.-Day at home! By the time I took a walk to the river, it was hot. Worked for 1 1/4 hour in the old house. Did some wash and fulfilled insurance on-line educational requirements. I put big blocks of ice in the dogs water dish and they insist on digging it out and letting it melt on the dirt. ///I am thankful that Makenzie and her family will be closer than Kentucky this summer. I am thankful that Susan knows how to mow with the big mower. I am thankful that it was Isaac who got into the horrible smelling stuff and not Sheriff. I am thankful that I am about to take two little puppies on their gator ride. I am thankful that Sheriff likes watermelon.
Fri.-Went to Joanne Fabric with Alli, Erin, and Susan. Met Lynn and Makenzie there. Makenzie is staying with us for a few days. Alli, Erin, and Susan found sundress patterns and material. Then we went to Sweet Frog and ate frozen yogurt. I got chocolate, coffee, and cappuccino. Amazing! When we came home, we cut out Erin's dress. It is green and has golden elephants on it. Looks very Thai. Alli went back home to wash her rental car and exchange it for her red car which had been side swiped a few months ago and is now fixed up. Erin and Philip went to the Benson's for a pond party. We used to make rafts and row boats. Now they have jet ski's which make me a bit nervous. 'Fun' gets more daring with each generation. Makenzie and Susan watched '17 Again' which has a few good points and I made them some popcorn and enjoyed part of the movie with them and talked with Janelle on the phone. Phil is out making hay.///I am thankful that I am going to start getting ready for bed and its not 8 yet. I am thankful that the girls want to learn how to sew. I am thankful for Ezekiel bread, soy cheese, guacamole, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and peppers and the wonderful sandwich they make when grilled together in a waffle maker machine that's been sprayed with olive oil.
Sat.-Slept in today. When I woke up, Phil was in bed too. He said, "I bet its 7:30." I said,"No, it's 8:12." "It is?!" he exclaimed. "I don't know if I can make it to Sunday School." "This is Saturday," I said. "It is?" he asked with surprise. "Yes, and besides, our last Sunday School class was last week." Phil and Philip made all of us sausage and eggs for breakfast. Makenzie and Susan weeded the flower bed out front and then went to cool off in the river. Alli and Freeman came over. Freeman weed whacked and power washed the porch to get it ready for staining. Alli and I cut out her pretty pink eyelet sundress and its pink lining and Freeman finished his work soon after we were finished. Phil ran down with the four wheeler to get the girls who were sitting in the river and we all raced around and got ready to go to Calvary Chapel for Cynthia L's and Becky G's Graduation ceremony. It was a moving service and Marv's teaching from Timothy directed to the two young ladies was a strong and gentle reminder for all of us to live well with the call, authority, and vision of God. My highlight was Ms. Fisher's hug. Oh, I miss her and her warm loving ways. She said that I am the sweetest person she knows and she was bragging about me to others around her as I was bragging about her. It's nice to be bragged on once in awhile. We visited for awhile and then came home and started our work day all over again. Makenzie vacuumed. Susan took care of garbage and trash. I washed the floor and worked some more in the old house. Then Susan and Makenzie burned all of the boxes I had accumulated on the old house porch and made quite a large fire. Susan and Makenzie were screaming outside and here a black snake bit Susan and they were rather excited about it as most of us would be. They came in to watch 'The Ringer' and I washed several more loads of wash and took a walk and took Sheriff for a gator ride. Phil and Philip worked in the fields and Philip went to visit with Erik at his place for supper. ///I am thankful that Rosie has the same idea to go up to Pa to visit her parents a week out of every two months just as I want to. Her parents live not 5 min. away from my mother. We'll take my car because she has a car available to her up there. She loves to drive and that would be a relief to me. We are so excited about this arrangement. I am thankful for the reminder today to not neglect old friendships even as we cultivate new ones. I am thankful for calm deep teaching and sweet unhurried fellowship. I am thankful for the energy to work and to organize the old house. It is proof that I am feeling better. I am thankful for the opportunity to see Christy getting around on her crutches. I am so glad she is doing well and recovering nicely from her four wheeling accident and hip surgery. I am thankful for the book I finished reading this morning, "The God I Love" by Joni Eareckson Tada. I love when someone is real about their struggle with questions about God and what He allows. This book has some hard earned answers that helped me settle some things in my soul. For the time being anyway. I also recently read "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. I read it at least once a decade. He taught at Lynchburg College. I would highly recommend both books for book club and personal reading. If you are looking for an intellectual challenge, read 'A Severe Mercy.' It will stretch your mind, soul, and spirit. Joni's book will help ease the stretching pains in your life.
Sun.-Overslept but got to church on time. We need to get the Pig Roast invitations out to everyone. Tim consented to sing at the Pig Roast today. He does an Elvis impersonation and we are hoping he will do it for us that day. Church was sweet and good and deep. I applied some parts of the sermon as a post script to a blog I wrote yesterday about 'Season for Fruit.' The other part of the sermon had to do with the anointing of God in our lives. We need the breath of God poured out on our lives and we need to be engaged with that anointing. We need to DO something with it. And as we do something with the anointing we will become established in our identity as the Bride of Christ. And when we are anointed, engaged in the anointing and acting on the gifts and calling that God has imparted to us, we will begin to walk in the authority we have as the Bride of Christ. And that affects the harvest. We will be witnesses of Him in our daily lives. And as we are witnesses of Him, we will in turn be a witness of the things He can do. Signs and wonders will follow those who believe.
After church, we had Susan's missions meeting. I am so excited about her upcoming trip to New York City. Then Philip treated us to Pizza Hut and we came home and Phil and I slept and Philip took the girls fishing and when I woke up, Erin was here, and everyone was watching, "The Night at the Museum." I made some popcorn and an Israeli rice dish. The kids played a card game after the movie and then watched another movie. They banned me from watching since I can't handle 'scary' so I am back here writing. It is after 9 but I must go out and visit Sheriff for a little bit.///I am thankful that Michael went to a little Mennonite Church 5 min. away down from his street in Winchester. I am thankful for a day to completely relax. I am thankful for a little puppy who loves me more than he loves any other thing in the whole wide world.
Susan and I went down to the river today and I sat with my chair in the river and she swam and got tan. We went over to the neighbor's where she put in some time pulling weeds. I cut up a ham and made some of it and took the rest down to the river to roast over the fire. I did not have energy to host a party but Tom's came down to the river and had a family supper and invited us and we enjoyed their fire and their food and contributed chunks of ham, s'more ingredients, and carrots. It was nice to have a party that I didn't have to do anything for. Tom even cut up a tree that had blown down to make room for us to sit. The other tree that fell was used to prop roasting sticks and fishing rods against and to hang up extra pieces of clothing.
We brought the little girls up with us and let them go in the puppy pen and Isaac and Sheriff backed away from them and barked and wouldn't let them pet them. I don't think they liked their wet swim suit dresses. They sniffed suspiciously at them and the little girls just stood there, unsure of what to do. So, I got Sheriff and put him on the front seat of the gator and the little girls sat in the back and off we went out the lane after communicating our plans to the rest of the family who were just coming up. On the way back down the lane, I held Sheriff on my lap, and he put his huge paws on the wheel and relaxed his whole body on my lap and he 'drove' the gator back home. It was the cutest thing. I had to show Phil when he got in from the field. We put Princess on the front seat and Sheriff drove on my lap and we went around the yard and after awhile, Sheriff just wanted to lay down on my lap and go to sleep, just like Adi did yesterday. Phil said, "He Loves it!" and laughed.
A few days ago, Phil brought Princess in and left her with me in the bedroom while he went into the bathroom to take a shower. He closed the door so she couldn't get into the bathroom and get into the trash can, etc. But she would have none of it and wailed outside the door, wanting to be near him. So, he laughed and let her in. She wasn't thrilled with the whole idea of his taking a shower either and barked a bit but then she found her own fun in the toilet. Fortunately, the lids were up and the toilet was flushed because she put herself head first into the toilet and dug and splashed and had a high old time. Her back legs were sticking up and her front legs were pawing away and water was flying everywhere. Phil wanted me to see it and sure enough, she did it again. I have never heard Phil laugh so hard in my entire life.
I froze some quart containers of water and hung them upside down over Princess's cage right over her water dish and as it thawed, the drops kept her dish somewhat filled. Otherwise, she wants to dig in her water dish. All of them want to do that. It must be instinctual. Wild animals dig in order to find water. I guess humans do too, if you think about it.///
I am thankful for the nest of turkey eggs Phil found as he mowed today. He was pretty sure the mother wouldn't be back to take care of them with no grass growing around it so he rescued them and put them in a nest of grass right under the tractor seat and kept them with him the rest of the day. This evening, he ran over to the Jone's to borrow their incubator and we hope to raise the little turkeys ourselves. I am thankful that I heard Philip's truck pull in. He spent the day at Bug's Island on the water with friends. He must have been tired because he didn't come in to tell me about his day. (He did later. Had a great time.) I am thankful for Tom and Helen and their family. I can be tired. I don't have to dress up. We don't have to do anything and it is enough.
Tues.-Took Sheriff down to the river for our walk today. That puppy loves to swim! He never ceases to amaze me. He likes to drive. He likes to swim. He likes to eat cow poop, I am embarrassed to say. I say, 'No Poop!', in a very stern voice, and he runs ahead of me to get away from the shame with his ears drooping. So I say, "Good boy. No poop! That's a good boy!" and he comes by my side again, happy as can be and avoids the piles of poop thereafter. I worked in the old house Pig Roast room for an hour today. I have a goal to work over in the old house for 1/2 hour day until it is all organized. That is my goal for this year. One of them, anyway. Susan and I went out to town and ran some errands. We stopped in to drop Adi and Emma's shoes off and Lindsay fed us rice and bean tortilla's which was great because we were getting hungry and we still had a few more hours to go. In the evening, Susan made some watermelon smoothies. She blended watermelon and then added ice cubes and blended it again. Refreshing and filling. Philip checked on Cynthia L. via phone while we were around. She had split her jaw open at Bug's Island yesterday and got at least 9 stitches I believe. She sounded good. I am working on washing more summer clothes. Susan bought some shirts today. We split the cost 50/50 this time around. It's time to take Sheriff for a drive on the gator. Maybe we can find Phil on his tractor somewhere.///I am thankful that Makenzie is going to be closer this summer than originally thought. Her dad will be working in Danville. I am thankful that Susan gets tired of shopping about the same time I do. I am thankful for the sweet note of encouragement I received from the sweet daughter of my soul. It was just what I needed. I love her so.
Wed.-Went out to Loy's and visited with Doreen and Graham. What a beautiful farm and vineyard they have. Came home for a short time and left at 3 to go out to church. Susan helped decorate the youth building for the graduation ceremony. I met a new younger friend at Country Cookin' and 2 1/2 hours just sped by and we were both happy when we left. After running a few errands I shared the excitement of a new marriage, a new life, and new beginnings with some folks in the youth building. Got to bed late and couldn't sleep.///I am thankful for the opportunity to watch God redeem a sorrowful situation. I know He will. I am thankful that the little birdies living in my shoe on the back porch are so big that any day now, they will be tumbling out of their nest. I am thankful that I found some yard toys at the dollar store so I didn't have to go into Walmart.
Thurs.-Day at home! By the time I took a walk to the river, it was hot. Worked for 1 1/4 hour in the old house. Did some wash and fulfilled insurance on-line educational requirements. I put big blocks of ice in the dogs water dish and they insist on digging it out and letting it melt on the dirt. ///I am thankful that Makenzie and her family will be closer than Kentucky this summer. I am thankful that Susan knows how to mow with the big mower. I am thankful that it was Isaac who got into the horrible smelling stuff and not Sheriff. I am thankful that I am about to take two little puppies on their gator ride. I am thankful that Sheriff likes watermelon.
Fri.-Went to Joanne Fabric with Alli, Erin, and Susan. Met Lynn and Makenzie there. Makenzie is staying with us for a few days. Alli, Erin, and Susan found sundress patterns and material. Then we went to Sweet Frog and ate frozen yogurt. I got chocolate, coffee, and cappuccino. Amazing! When we came home, we cut out Erin's dress. It is green and has golden elephants on it. Looks very Thai. Alli went back home to wash her rental car and exchange it for her red car which had been side swiped a few months ago and is now fixed up. Erin and Philip went to the Benson's for a pond party. We used to make rafts and row boats. Now they have jet ski's which make me a bit nervous. 'Fun' gets more daring with each generation. Makenzie and Susan watched '17 Again' which has a few good points and I made them some popcorn and enjoyed part of the movie with them and talked with Janelle on the phone. Phil is out making hay.///I am thankful that I am going to start getting ready for bed and its not 8 yet. I am thankful that the girls want to learn how to sew. I am thankful for Ezekiel bread, soy cheese, guacamole, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and peppers and the wonderful sandwich they make when grilled together in a waffle maker machine that's been sprayed with olive oil.
Sat.-Slept in today. When I woke up, Phil was in bed too. He said, "I bet its 7:30." I said,"No, it's 8:12." "It is?!" he exclaimed. "I don't know if I can make it to Sunday School." "This is Saturday," I said. "It is?" he asked with surprise. "Yes, and besides, our last Sunday School class was last week." Phil and Philip made all of us sausage and eggs for breakfast. Makenzie and Susan weeded the flower bed out front and then went to cool off in the river. Alli and Freeman came over. Freeman weed whacked and power washed the porch to get it ready for staining. Alli and I cut out her pretty pink eyelet sundress and its pink lining and Freeman finished his work soon after we were finished. Phil ran down with the four wheeler to get the girls who were sitting in the river and we all raced around and got ready to go to Calvary Chapel for Cynthia L's and Becky G's Graduation ceremony. It was a moving service and Marv's teaching from Timothy directed to the two young ladies was a strong and gentle reminder for all of us to live well with the call, authority, and vision of God. My highlight was Ms. Fisher's hug. Oh, I miss her and her warm loving ways. She said that I am the sweetest person she knows and she was bragging about me to others around her as I was bragging about her. It's nice to be bragged on once in awhile. We visited for awhile and then came home and started our work day all over again. Makenzie vacuumed. Susan took care of garbage and trash. I washed the floor and worked some more in the old house. Then Susan and Makenzie burned all of the boxes I had accumulated on the old house porch and made quite a large fire. Susan and Makenzie were screaming outside and here a black snake bit Susan and they were rather excited about it as most of us would be. They came in to watch 'The Ringer' and I washed several more loads of wash and took a walk and took Sheriff for a gator ride. Phil and Philip worked in the fields and Philip went to visit with Erik at his place for supper. ///I am thankful that Rosie has the same idea to go up to Pa to visit her parents a week out of every two months just as I want to. Her parents live not 5 min. away from my mother. We'll take my car because she has a car available to her up there. She loves to drive and that would be a relief to me. We are so excited about this arrangement. I am thankful for the reminder today to not neglect old friendships even as we cultivate new ones. I am thankful for calm deep teaching and sweet unhurried fellowship. I am thankful for the energy to work and to organize the old house. It is proof that I am feeling better. I am thankful for the opportunity to see Christy getting around on her crutches. I am so glad she is doing well and recovering nicely from her four wheeling accident and hip surgery. I am thankful for the book I finished reading this morning, "The God I Love" by Joni Eareckson Tada. I love when someone is real about their struggle with questions about God and what He allows. This book has some hard earned answers that helped me settle some things in my soul. For the time being anyway. I also recently read "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. I read it at least once a decade. He taught at Lynchburg College. I would highly recommend both books for book club and personal reading. If you are looking for an intellectual challenge, read 'A Severe Mercy.' It will stretch your mind, soul, and spirit. Joni's book will help ease the stretching pains in your life.
Sun.-Overslept but got to church on time. We need to get the Pig Roast invitations out to everyone. Tim consented to sing at the Pig Roast today. He does an Elvis impersonation and we are hoping he will do it for us that day. Church was sweet and good and deep. I applied some parts of the sermon as a post script to a blog I wrote yesterday about 'Season for Fruit.' The other part of the sermon had to do with the anointing of God in our lives. We need the breath of God poured out on our lives and we need to be engaged with that anointing. We need to DO something with it. And as we do something with the anointing we will become established in our identity as the Bride of Christ. And when we are anointed, engaged in the anointing and acting on the gifts and calling that God has imparted to us, we will begin to walk in the authority we have as the Bride of Christ. And that affects the harvest. We will be witnesses of Him in our daily lives. And as we are witnesses of Him, we will in turn be a witness of the things He can do. Signs and wonders will follow those who believe.
After church, we had Susan's missions meeting. I am so excited about her upcoming trip to New York City. Then Philip treated us to Pizza Hut and we came home and Phil and I slept and Philip took the girls fishing and when I woke up, Erin was here, and everyone was watching, "The Night at the Museum." I made some popcorn and an Israeli rice dish. The kids played a card game after the movie and then watched another movie. They banned me from watching since I can't handle 'scary' so I am back here writing. It is after 9 but I must go out and visit Sheriff for a little bit.///I am thankful that Michael went to a little Mennonite Church 5 min. away down from his street in Winchester. I am thankful for a day to completely relax. I am thankful for a little puppy who loves me more than he loves any other thing in the whole wide world.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Hertzler Doings-May 23-29, 2011
Mon.-First real day of summer vacation. So exhausted. Janelle presented her whatchamacallit at EMU and finished up 6 years of study and has another master's after her name. One year and two months after Johnny died, she went back to school and it changed her in many ways. Now she has a website, which was actually her whatchamacallit, and now gets 900 hits a day. http://www.journeythroughgrief.com/
We kept Buddy for her and after she picked up Micah, they came here and relaxed a bit. Micah said we should have a 'Congraduation Party' for her and watch a movie and eat popcorn. Sounds good to me.
I did a few things today. Some wash, face booking, blogging, exercising, eating right, made roasts for supper, and watched 'Gone with the Wind.' The whole thing. I've read the book a number of times but never saw the complete movie. Too tired to do anything else so Susan and I rested and watched. I sound like I'm defending my actions. I guess I feel a little guilty for spending several hours watching a movie.///I am thankful for rest. I am thankful for the smell of moss and damp dirt as I walk out the lane. I am thankful that in my childhood, we had a cabin at Greenwood Furnace that we rented and the outdoors smelled the same way. I am thankful that I married a man who was part of a hunting gang that owned a cabin in the woods. And I am thankful that I don't feel the need to go away to a cabin, because I like it here, and I have woods, moss, rippling brooks in my back yard. Last week, Phil saw a bear on our property too.
Tues.-Day two of eating healthier. I seem to have to start over again and again. I love to cook too much to just eat raw foods but I am working on it. Typed up minutes for Women's Ministry, fb-ed, e-mailed pig roast invitations, unpacked the boxes from school that were plopped in the back room, rested and read 'The Cross and the Switchblade', and took Susan out to Wendy's to help raise money for the NY missions trip. She will be serving along with others who are going and will receive a percentage of what Wendy's makes from 5-8.
Met with Lindsay to plan menu for the Premiere party coming up for the women at church and then we walked and talked on the Longwood Campus where God's Spirit hovers.///I am thankful to discover that classical music helps me work better. It's not just good for the mind. I am thankful that Susan did not get too badly hurt when the barn swallow who has it's nest under the front porch roof literally attacked her head and followed her as she ran to the old house. I am thankful that Phil is getting some help for his back pain which stems from having his back wrenched in the four wheeling accident he had two years ago.
Wed.-Went to chiro. She told me that I think too much-that my scalp is like a vice grip. Said I am always processing and my brain is overworked even when I sleep. I do often go to bed with something that needs to be worked out and wake up with a solution. So, I am trying to simplify that part of my life as well, since simplify seems to be the new word for me. It's really an old new word but it's come around again. Obedience...Humility...Simplicity...Sounds like Christ. Holy Spirit, take what is Christ's and reveal it to me. Went out to school and sorted and organized all my papers and brought home two more boxes of my own stuff. And that's it. Some of the teacher's children kept saying, "I'm going to miss you." I told them I will stop in to see them whenever I can and that I will miss them too. Doreen brought us lunch which was so sweet. Then I took Graham and Susan grocery shopping and we came home. Phil took them out to church when he went to help Freeman cut pork. They were having a Luau at church for the youth and Freeman roasted a pig out there after they killed it here in the morning. They named him Clarence and I've been seeing his head on face book. He has an apple in his mouth. Naomi and I talked in the eve. until it was time for me to go out and get them. We're planning an extra shore trip every year. We've gone in the winter after a storm, just the two of us. Once I saw a news story about the storm in Ocean City and called her up and screamed, "Let's go." And we did. That's when I lived up there. The City was basically shut down because they didn't have snow removal equipment. We bundled up and walked all alone on the boardwalk, skirting piles of snow. Once I stepped into a big pile of snow on the road and freezing water got in over the top of my boot and I had to walk for awhile with that cold sloshing going on and gradually it became warm from the heat of my body. My dad would take us in the winter as well, and I remember seeing icy waves.///I am thankful for Naomi's dream about me loving our land and the peace that gave her. I am thankful for the baby birds finding refuge in my old shoe on the back porch. I am thankful that Sheriff stayed by my right side the whole way out the lane and back. He's getting used to a leash and collar. When we'd stop, he'd sit and look at me. I looked down at him, close enough for a puppy kiss and saw my reflection in his eye. I thought how I am the apple of his eye-the reflection in his eye, and that the only way to really be the apple of Anyone's eye is to be always before Them and to have Them be the apple of our eye as well.
Thurs.-Day at home. Hung wash up on our Amish Clothesline. It dried quickly on this hot windy day. Cleaned the fridge/freezer on the old house porch and wiped off the silver tables. Rested several hours in the afternoon. Hot and muggy. Susan mowed. Philip shared some of his Chinese food from last night's supper. The guys worked around the farm. Philip took Susan fishing in the eve. and Phil and I took a drive over to Crewe to pick up a tractor part. ///I am thankful that the puppies are figuring out who their owners are. Phil's dog, Princess, is dark, feisty, and little. He put a red collar on her and she looks sharp. Philip's dog, Isaac, is sleeping in Philip's room with him. He has what I would call 'bedroom eyes'-kind of dreamy and lovey looking. But Sheriff's eyes are my favorite. He has wise eyes. Knowing eyes. And he's beautifully silver coated with sharp black markings on his tail. I am thankful for a drive with Phil and time to catch up. I am thankful for meadow tea. I am thankful for the nice conversation with Michael on the phone. I am thankful that I miss him so.
Fri.-Got four hours of sleep last night due to puppy training. Sheriff slept on the floor beside me and I held the leash in my hand, looping it through my wrist and later my ankle, so I would know when and if he'd get up to do something he shouldn't. Finally put him out after 12:30 and got some sleep after that. Princess, Phil's dog, was sleeping on the floor on his side and she was passing some mighty puppy gas. It was asphyxiating. Phil was snoring louder than usual and well, it was a rough night, and I felt emotionally unstable for awhile this morning. I felt as if I had just had a baby and wasn't getting any sleep. Major accomplishment today? Cleaning the front flower beds of weeds. I am not going to plant any flowers in them this year due to puppies. Walked out to mailbox with Susan, Alli, and Sheriff. Alli had to go get groceries at Walmart and she was just about as thrilled as I am when I have to do the same. Sheriff fell in love with me today for sure. I took him on a gator ride down to the river and he sat up and let the wind blow through his ears and then he laid down on the seat. We almost ran into a black bear just as we were getting ready to go down the slope to the river. It poked its head out of the bushes and quickly turned back. Angel thought about chasing after him but then she thought better of it. I couldn't have been 7 feet away from him. Probably less because he was basically right beside me as I drove by him. That was nice. Had phone meeting with the insurance company counselor and discovered that my BMI is fine and just have to bring my waistline down another 1/2 inch and my cholesterol level down one more point and for that we are being charged an extra $60 a month until I shape up and trim down. If only I had known that the goal wasn't that far away, I would have been more careful those weeks before I was tested. I had given up because I thought I was so far away from their goals. (But their requirements had lightened up quite a bit unbeknownst to me. ) There is a sermon in here somewhere and I'll think of it some day when I am back to thinking again. Right now my brain is on vacation. I find myself starting to think as I walk the lane and I pull my brain back to just enjoy the little butterflies flitting about and the bluebirds who swoop along beside me from post to post and the gold finches showing off in the meadow and the musky fragrance of moss and I let each thing be its own moment of simple joy instead of thinking things beyond it. Went over to Dianna's around 4 and we talked inside her screened in porch while it rained and ate almonds and raisins and drank ice water and then we went over to Nanette's on the pretense of dropping something off on our way into town. Meanwhile, I saw Missi's vehicle pull in followed by others and when Nanette asked me if I wanted a tour of the house, I said, "Yes!" and off we went to tour the upstairs, giving a chance for many of her friends to come in the door and hide around the corner. Someone asked us to come down and they yelled, "Surprise!" and so she was. She got many beautiful and fun gifts and we shared some food, tears, laughter, and prayers with each other. ///I am thankful for friends. I am thankful to God for giving wisdom when we ask for it. I am thankful for Nanette and the gift she is to so many of us. I am thankful that Philip took Susan and a friend fishing while I was out partying and Phil was working the fields.
Sat.-Took Sheriff for a walk out the lane. Freeman and Alli came as I was puffing up the last few yards of the hill. Tom was here and we talked about a dream and its meaning. He's been sick this week with some sort of bronchial junkitis. Phil's fighting it now. I wonder if spraying corn bothered Phil's lungs. Freeman did some work outside and Alli helped me clean the house. She cleaned and shined all the fans and made a new lawn chair from an old one out of duct tape. I wanted her to sign her name on the top with black marker but she said, "No, because if it breaks, they'll all know who made it." We washed the curtains and the windows too. After she left, I dusted, vacuumed, and washed all of the floors and Susan cleaned her bedroom and the bathroom and did some other odd jobs. We were tired mid afternoon so we'd watch 1/2 hour of "Miss Congeniality-2" and then work real fast for 1/2 an hour. Back and forth. I got sick in my stomach after most of our work was done and just made it out the back door in time. The floors were wet and I couldn't run to the bathroom. Susan took care of me, getting me ginger ale, and doing the things I wanted to finish up, and so I rested and read Joni Earickson Tada's book about her life. It's after 7 and I am still queasy. Hoping I got sick on a vitamin instead of having some sort of virus. Philip was helping around the farm this morning and in the afternoon went to a softball tournament. Michael's in Winchester hopefully having the time of his life. His car broke down earlier this week and he had to rely on others around him for a ride back and forth to work while his car was at the garage.///I am thankful that the clothes line held my heavy dripping wet towels since they didn't wring out in the washer for some reason. I am thankful for Phil's happy face when he comes in from working in the fields. I am thankful that he gets time to think and pray when he's driving the tractor. I am thankful for the reminder again today of our personal priorities-Family-Farm-Church, and how they help us make decisions every day. I am thankful that when Sheriff bit through Phil's alarm clock cord that only sparks flew and breakers blew instead of anything worse happening. I am also thankful that Phil didn't get bent out of shape when Sheriff peed on the blueprints he had spread out on the floor.
Sun.-After church we came home and started to put a late lunch together. Several people were chopping vegetables. I browned some sausage and Philip made his terrific chili over a fire while homemade mac and cheese baked in the oven. Chase, Travis, Jordan, and Erin were here for lunch and Bantons came a bit later. The young people played volleyball in the pond and I drove Emma and Adi over to see them on the 'gatorade' as Adi calls it. When they came back, Gil joined them for a game of soccer in the back yard while Lindsay and I talked on the porch and took a ride back over to the pond to retrieve Susan's camera. I had a fun time painting with the girls on the kitchen table. Made popcorn and watched part of a late movie with those who remained. Took Sheriff in our bedroom and was awakened every hour until 2 and I gave up and took him outside. ///I am thankful for the sweet Spirit at church today. I am thankful for how much Phil is enjoying a large book written by a hunter in South Africa. He's been reading us excerpts from it. I am thankful for family ties with friends.
We kept Buddy for her and after she picked up Micah, they came here and relaxed a bit. Micah said we should have a 'Congraduation Party' for her and watch a movie and eat popcorn. Sounds good to me.
I did a few things today. Some wash, face booking, blogging, exercising, eating right, made roasts for supper, and watched 'Gone with the Wind.' The whole thing. I've read the book a number of times but never saw the complete movie. Too tired to do anything else so Susan and I rested and watched. I sound like I'm defending my actions. I guess I feel a little guilty for spending several hours watching a movie.///I am thankful for rest. I am thankful for the smell of moss and damp dirt as I walk out the lane. I am thankful that in my childhood, we had a cabin at Greenwood Furnace that we rented and the outdoors smelled the same way. I am thankful that I married a man who was part of a hunting gang that owned a cabin in the woods. And I am thankful that I don't feel the need to go away to a cabin, because I like it here, and I have woods, moss, rippling brooks in my back yard. Last week, Phil saw a bear on our property too.
Tues.-Day two of eating healthier. I seem to have to start over again and again. I love to cook too much to just eat raw foods but I am working on it. Typed up minutes for Women's Ministry, fb-ed, e-mailed pig roast invitations, unpacked the boxes from school that were plopped in the back room, rested and read 'The Cross and the Switchblade', and took Susan out to Wendy's to help raise money for the NY missions trip. She will be serving along with others who are going and will receive a percentage of what Wendy's makes from 5-8.
Met with Lindsay to plan menu for the Premiere party coming up for the women at church and then we walked and talked on the Longwood Campus where God's Spirit hovers.///I am thankful to discover that classical music helps me work better. It's not just good for the mind. I am thankful that Susan did not get too badly hurt when the barn swallow who has it's nest under the front porch roof literally attacked her head and followed her as she ran to the old house. I am thankful that Phil is getting some help for his back pain which stems from having his back wrenched in the four wheeling accident he had two years ago.
Wed.-Went to chiro. She told me that I think too much-that my scalp is like a vice grip. Said I am always processing and my brain is overworked even when I sleep. I do often go to bed with something that needs to be worked out and wake up with a solution. So, I am trying to simplify that part of my life as well, since simplify seems to be the new word for me. It's really an old new word but it's come around again. Obedience...Humility...Simplicity...Sounds like Christ. Holy Spirit, take what is Christ's and reveal it to me. Went out to school and sorted and organized all my papers and brought home two more boxes of my own stuff. And that's it. Some of the teacher's children kept saying, "I'm going to miss you." I told them I will stop in to see them whenever I can and that I will miss them too. Doreen brought us lunch which was so sweet. Then I took Graham and Susan grocery shopping and we came home. Phil took them out to church when he went to help Freeman cut pork. They were having a Luau at church for the youth and Freeman roasted a pig out there after they killed it here in the morning. They named him Clarence and I've been seeing his head on face book. He has an apple in his mouth. Naomi and I talked in the eve. until it was time for me to go out and get them. We're planning an extra shore trip every year. We've gone in the winter after a storm, just the two of us. Once I saw a news story about the storm in Ocean City and called her up and screamed, "Let's go." And we did. That's when I lived up there. The City was basically shut down because they didn't have snow removal equipment. We bundled up and walked all alone on the boardwalk, skirting piles of snow. Once I stepped into a big pile of snow on the road and freezing water got in over the top of my boot and I had to walk for awhile with that cold sloshing going on and gradually it became warm from the heat of my body. My dad would take us in the winter as well, and I remember seeing icy waves.///I am thankful for Naomi's dream about me loving our land and the peace that gave her. I am thankful for the baby birds finding refuge in my old shoe on the back porch. I am thankful that Sheriff stayed by my right side the whole way out the lane and back. He's getting used to a leash and collar. When we'd stop, he'd sit and look at me. I looked down at him, close enough for a puppy kiss and saw my reflection in his eye. I thought how I am the apple of his eye-the reflection in his eye, and that the only way to really be the apple of Anyone's eye is to be always before Them and to have Them be the apple of our eye as well.
Thurs.-Day at home. Hung wash up on our Amish Clothesline. It dried quickly on this hot windy day. Cleaned the fridge/freezer on the old house porch and wiped off the silver tables. Rested several hours in the afternoon. Hot and muggy. Susan mowed. Philip shared some of his Chinese food from last night's supper. The guys worked around the farm. Philip took Susan fishing in the eve. and Phil and I took a drive over to Crewe to pick up a tractor part. ///I am thankful that the puppies are figuring out who their owners are. Phil's dog, Princess, is dark, feisty, and little. He put a red collar on her and she looks sharp. Philip's dog, Isaac, is sleeping in Philip's room with him. He has what I would call 'bedroom eyes'-kind of dreamy and lovey looking. But Sheriff's eyes are my favorite. He has wise eyes. Knowing eyes. And he's beautifully silver coated with sharp black markings on his tail. I am thankful for a drive with Phil and time to catch up. I am thankful for meadow tea. I am thankful for the nice conversation with Michael on the phone. I am thankful that I miss him so.
Fri.-Got four hours of sleep last night due to puppy training. Sheriff slept on the floor beside me and I held the leash in my hand, looping it through my wrist and later my ankle, so I would know when and if he'd get up to do something he shouldn't. Finally put him out after 12:30 and got some sleep after that. Princess, Phil's dog, was sleeping on the floor on his side and she was passing some mighty puppy gas. It was asphyxiating. Phil was snoring louder than usual and well, it was a rough night, and I felt emotionally unstable for awhile this morning. I felt as if I had just had a baby and wasn't getting any sleep. Major accomplishment today? Cleaning the front flower beds of weeds. I am not going to plant any flowers in them this year due to puppies. Walked out to mailbox with Susan, Alli, and Sheriff. Alli had to go get groceries at Walmart and she was just about as thrilled as I am when I have to do the same. Sheriff fell in love with me today for sure. I took him on a gator ride down to the river and he sat up and let the wind blow through his ears and then he laid down on the seat. We almost ran into a black bear just as we were getting ready to go down the slope to the river. It poked its head out of the bushes and quickly turned back. Angel thought about chasing after him but then she thought better of it. I couldn't have been 7 feet away from him. Probably less because he was basically right beside me as I drove by him. That was nice. Had phone meeting with the insurance company counselor and discovered that my BMI is fine and just have to bring my waistline down another 1/2 inch and my cholesterol level down one more point and for that we are being charged an extra $60 a month until I shape up and trim down. If only I had known that the goal wasn't that far away, I would have been more careful those weeks before I was tested. I had given up because I thought I was so far away from their goals. (But their requirements had lightened up quite a bit unbeknownst to me. ) There is a sermon in here somewhere and I'll think of it some day when I am back to thinking again. Right now my brain is on vacation. I find myself starting to think as I walk the lane and I pull my brain back to just enjoy the little butterflies flitting about and the bluebirds who swoop along beside me from post to post and the gold finches showing off in the meadow and the musky fragrance of moss and I let each thing be its own moment of simple joy instead of thinking things beyond it. Went over to Dianna's around 4 and we talked inside her screened in porch while it rained and ate almonds and raisins and drank ice water and then we went over to Nanette's on the pretense of dropping something off on our way into town. Meanwhile, I saw Missi's vehicle pull in followed by others and when Nanette asked me if I wanted a tour of the house, I said, "Yes!" and off we went to tour the upstairs, giving a chance for many of her friends to come in the door and hide around the corner. Someone asked us to come down and they yelled, "Surprise!" and so she was. She got many beautiful and fun gifts and we shared some food, tears, laughter, and prayers with each other. ///I am thankful for friends. I am thankful to God for giving wisdom when we ask for it. I am thankful for Nanette and the gift she is to so many of us. I am thankful that Philip took Susan and a friend fishing while I was out partying and Phil was working the fields.
Sat.-Took Sheriff for a walk out the lane. Freeman and Alli came as I was puffing up the last few yards of the hill. Tom was here and we talked about a dream and its meaning. He's been sick this week with some sort of bronchial junkitis. Phil's fighting it now. I wonder if spraying corn bothered Phil's lungs. Freeman did some work outside and Alli helped me clean the house. She cleaned and shined all the fans and made a new lawn chair from an old one out of duct tape. I wanted her to sign her name on the top with black marker but she said, "No, because if it breaks, they'll all know who made it." We washed the curtains and the windows too. After she left, I dusted, vacuumed, and washed all of the floors and Susan cleaned her bedroom and the bathroom and did some other odd jobs. We were tired mid afternoon so we'd watch 1/2 hour of "Miss Congeniality-2" and then work real fast for 1/2 an hour. Back and forth. I got sick in my stomach after most of our work was done and just made it out the back door in time. The floors were wet and I couldn't run to the bathroom. Susan took care of me, getting me ginger ale, and doing the things I wanted to finish up, and so I rested and read Joni Earickson Tada's book about her life. It's after 7 and I am still queasy. Hoping I got sick on a vitamin instead of having some sort of virus. Philip was helping around the farm this morning and in the afternoon went to a softball tournament. Michael's in Winchester hopefully having the time of his life. His car broke down earlier this week and he had to rely on others around him for a ride back and forth to work while his car was at the garage.///I am thankful that the clothes line held my heavy dripping wet towels since they didn't wring out in the washer for some reason. I am thankful for Phil's happy face when he comes in from working in the fields. I am thankful that he gets time to think and pray when he's driving the tractor. I am thankful for the reminder again today of our personal priorities-Family-Farm-Church, and how they help us make decisions every day. I am thankful that when Sheriff bit through Phil's alarm clock cord that only sparks flew and breakers blew instead of anything worse happening. I am also thankful that Phil didn't get bent out of shape when Sheriff peed on the blueprints he had spread out on the floor.
Sun.-After church we came home and started to put a late lunch together. Several people were chopping vegetables. I browned some sausage and Philip made his terrific chili over a fire while homemade mac and cheese baked in the oven. Chase, Travis, Jordan, and Erin were here for lunch and Bantons came a bit later. The young people played volleyball in the pond and I drove Emma and Adi over to see them on the 'gatorade' as Adi calls it. When they came back, Gil joined them for a game of soccer in the back yard while Lindsay and I talked on the porch and took a ride back over to the pond to retrieve Susan's camera. I had a fun time painting with the girls on the kitchen table. Made popcorn and watched part of a late movie with those who remained. Took Sheriff in our bedroom and was awakened every hour until 2 and I gave up and took him outside. ///I am thankful for the sweet Spirit at church today. I am thankful for how much Phil is enjoying a large book written by a hunter in South Africa. He's been reading us excerpts from it. I am thankful for family ties with friends.
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