Mon-Wed.-Spent these wonderful days at the Outer Banks with Susan, Philip, Chace, Erik, Jordan, and Tommy. Enjoyed photographing a beautiful pink sunrise with Tommy and Susan. Celebrated Philip's 25th on the 11th. The day before served up a birthday treat for lunch. Waffle bowl banana splits outside on the picnic table. They came out of the pool and drip-dried while eating and then went into a food comma and watched movies and took naps. We'd go out on the beach from mid morning to a bit after noon. They played in the waves and tried their hand at the surf boards. They played round circle volleyball and a Frisbee game with cylinder plastic baskets. It was a great three days of really relaxing. Weather was perfect, friendships were sweet, food was great. It's hard to sum up in a few words what heaven is like on earth.
Susan and I drove home Wed. eve. We stopped at an ice cream cone drive through and ordered large. We ate about a foot of ice cream. Each. I've never had a cone like that before in my life! I won't need ice cream for a long time which is a good thing since we're jumping back into our clean eating today.
Thank you Philip, for sharing your raffle draw winning of this beautiful beach house for these days. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Thurs.-It's hard to get back to work after being on vacation. But we did. Washed, unpacked, and made 7 quarts of salsa.I listened to Zig Ziglar's Goal Setting CD's while working. So good! Susan went out to volleyball practice and their team almost won in the eve. I was too busy making salsa and catching up to go. We now have beef in the freezer so I made hamburgers for Phil and I for supper and he went bear hunting while I finished up some jobs. Davi has been so excited to see me that she has tripped me up numerous times today and my foot is really hurting and my hip is out. Trying to be patient and remember that she just wants me to play with her. Phil and Freeman working at R's this week finishing up a chicken house. Michael headed down to the beach house after school and got there before 10. Lindsay's blog award came in the mail today-a door organizer. She had asked what we would do with one if we had one and I think I was the only one who responded so I won. I said that I'd use the pockets to organize the stuff on my desk. But the real prize was the photos of Lindsay and the girls. 5 of them. So precious to me.
Fri.-Susan found a baby piglet today. She brought him into the house and we wrapped him in warm towels and fed him milk replacer with a dropper until Susan went to the vet with Davi to get her shots and brought back a little bottle. Meanwhile, Janelle and Micah stopped by to pick up the turtle shell Phil had found for Micah. He enjoyed feeding the little piglet and we got in some cuddle time and I don't think he even realized it. I made some chocolate chip gluten free pancakes that were amazing and Janelle went from having a bite of mine to having 1 1/2 of her own. Made gluten free soft pretzels in the eve. They had much room for improvement and the chickens ate more of them than we did.
Sat.-Did some wash and then decided to can vegetable soup instead of canning tomato juice and making the soup later, I just cooked the tomatoes, strained them, and made the soup right away and I've been making it all day. We had some to eat and we'll have some tomorrow too so I think, all told, we would have 28 quarts worth. I browned 8 pounds of ground beef and added 4 packs of our corn, plus green beans, limas, soybeans, turnips, celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, garlic, a pepper, and peas. Plus a quart of frozen yellow tomatoes. And 3 cans of beans-black, white, and kidney. Delicious. I'll be up late. Have another batch of 7 quarts to do and 4 more to do another day.
Piglet died in the night. Kind of sad but kind of a relief. Full time job to feed a baby piglet. Davi wanted it to come out and be her chew toy. But now we don't have to protect the little piggy anymore. Philip got home this afternoon some time. We have yet to see Michael. He's hanging with the guys and probably going to see someone special. Phil's been working on the farm since he got back from Suffolk. Had a work day at a hunting camp that he and Susan joined. Susan weed whacked today, got in her winter clothes and washed them, did other wash, helped me with the soup and cleaning the house, etc. She loved the beach but is happy to be home.
Sun.-Canned soup until 11:30 last eve. and slept in until 8:30. Really good morning at church. Pastor Bill spoke on relationships. His sermon series has been on The Rocks in our lives, as in Solid Rocks on which to build a foundation. First week was on Hearing God's voice and obeying it. Second week was on making the most of our time. (I missed this as I was making the most of our time at the beach.)
This week was on Relationships-Loving God and loving each other. It's important to bridge the gaps in our lives between God and one another. Seek to understand each other and to find out each others' interests.
1-Be quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to become angry.
2-Keep your word-do what you say. Builds trust. Underpromise and overdeliver!!!!
3-Honor one another. Respect each other's property and time. Be humble. Think of other's as better than yourselves.
4-Offer encouragement. ''What she didn't see in me, she began to praise in me, and it became part of my life." PBill regarding Jenny, his wife. 'Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.' To encourage means to be pour courage into. When you see and verbalize greatness in others, it raises their value, in your eyes and theirs. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that 'our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be the one we want to be.' Andrew Carnegie-steel industry-"Go into the mine looking for gold. Don't look for the dirt-look for the gold." The people who are the happiest are those who find gold in others." (Faith at work.)
5-Give and ask for forgiveness. Give the person the benefit of the doubt. Let it go. 'I don't need to win this fight.' "Forgive the inexcusable in others because God has forgive the inexcusable in you." C.S. Lewis. (Unless otherwise noted, all comments were written down in my sermon book as quotes from Pastor Bill.)
Came home after visiting and watched 'Emma' and rested and went back in the eve. for church business meeting with Phil. Susan was still sleeping when we left. She slept until 8.
Four points of focus Pastor Bill shared in regard to the direction of New Life.
1-Connect-with God and each other.Matt.22:37-39
2-Grow-in relationship with God and each other; become more Christ-like. Eph. 4:15
3-Serve-provide opportunities to use gifts and talents for the Lord.
Everyone involved in ministry- 1 Pet. 4:10,11
4-Go-missions minded. Locally. Globally. Matt. 28:19,20
I think the emotion that best describes how I feel right now is the word written vertically on a beautiful painting as I walked into the ladies' restroom. HOPE. I feel hopeful. And I am thankful.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Hertzler Doings~Sept 2-8, 2013
Mon.-Planned school day schedule with Susan. She had a headache that increased into a full migraine complete with nausea. Rested most of the day and then slept when it got better. Was able to join the family for supper. Freeman made pig and bear ribs. Delicious. Phil home chopping corn. Weeds complicating things. Bear damaged over half of corn. Mitch and Mickey were here before supper. Brought us an apple cheddar cheese pie which we ate with ice cream after supper. Mitch just hugs and hugs Phil. It's pretty precious.
Tues.-Susan's first official day of school. And I planned and created a curriculum for a full credit of speech/communication/leadership, using Dale Carnegie's, Zig Ziglar's, Great Teacher's DVD's, and 'Secrets of Great Communicators.' I'm excited because I want to do it with her. Next year she'll be doing writing and research. Perhaps a blog on nutrition. Thesis. Book. We shall see. Phil here working on books all day and working on silage at night. Philip out to shoot a bear after work. Susan to volleyball practice and a movie with some friends. Michael to Chace's to study and use the internet. Finished up writing special checks today thanks to Mother. It's so much fun, I want to do it more often. I am sure God will provide.
Wed.-Visited with Helen. Saw girls painting projects-clothespins and rocks. Micah was playing happily on the floor building a castle with blocks. Interesting. He likes to build buildings with his ipad too. Michael had wisdom tooth trouble. Canned 6 Quart tomato sauce. Guys home early from a new project. Philip went hiking for miles. Phil went bear hunting. Susan went to the chiropractor and to volleyball practice.
Davi is getting on my nerves. I net to set aside time to just play with her and give her attention. She demands it by walking right in front of me and around my ankles and nipping my toes. I am not a patient person and I am sorry.
Thurs.-Big day. Went shopping in Appomattox and met DDF at Baines for a rice and bean wrap. Came home and put things away and then went to Farmville to meet a friend, get a haircut, and go to the chiro. Which I never did because I would have had to wait for an hour. Went to Goodwill and found two new shirts from Gap for Michael. Plus some books of course. Went to Susan's first volleyball game. They did well but didn't win. Susan is an aggressive player. She's not afraid to get down, dive, or spike. Can't believe she's only been playing for 2 weeks. Melissa M. is a really good coach and the team of girls are really nice. It's fun to see people again. Sat with Amy and Jenny and Michael and Sarah came over and joined us. Jenny is doing a beautiful job decorating the church. It's a good thing I'm not in charge. Went shopping afterwards at Walmart. Susan went out with Julie and two of their friends. Phil and guys spent the night in Fredericksburg because they're working on a military job. Davi did not let me have as much sleep as I would have liked.
Fri.-Made tortilla bean/bear/salsa mix, monster cookies, rice, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and bok choy and spinach with garlic. Froze it. Did some packing. Susan and I are hoping to head for the beach tomorrow. She mowed both places. Davi was outside with me to catch some rays but she begged to come back in. I wonder if being all black makes her get hotter quicker. She enjoys riding on the gator out the lane to get the mail. Michael has school. Guys will be home before long. Syria and America's involvement in the crisis over there is in the news. I wonder what it is all about. Micah was with Judy today and she took him to Grandparents Day at New Life. He has been talking a lot to her and standing shoulder to shoulder with her in the kitchen. I think he likes her size and I think he likes her responses to him. She'll be taking care of him next week. She said that she asked him to get Dane out of his crib and he did and had a big grin on his face.
Sat.-Phil and Susan checked out a family hunting camp about 3 hours east of us. Susan drove there. Left around 5:30. On the way home, she discovered hundreds of seed ticks had made a home under her jeans. Phil stopped at a pharmacy for tweezers, tape, and nail polish. They got home after picking up frozen meat and another errand and an hour later, she and I were on the road to the Outer Banks. Philip won a beach house for a week at the Abbey Sports raffle. Got here after 9 in the dark and couldn't tell how far away we were from the beach.
Sun.-Enjoyed the hot tub this morning. Drove to the beach. It's just a little over 1/10th of a mile away. Came back. Susan and I lazed around and then went to the beach for several hours. Came back. Rested. Got in the pool and went shopping about 10 miles South. One store has everything 50% off. Got Susan two hoodies, sweatpants, and a swim suit. The guys-Tommy T., Chace and Erik, Jordan and Philip, arrived soon after 6. It was so much fun showing them our house! Ate supper of hot dogs and baked beans and Tommy's pumpkin whoopee pies. Then we went to the beach. They played volleyball in a circle and then went into the waves. PJ came jogging down the beach soon afterwards. They are just a mile and a half away. Staff has a working retreat. Played some sort of Frisbee until it was too dark to see. The crescent moon is out with Venus, I think, by his side. Walked back to the house. The guys showered outside and ran off to the hot tub while Susan and I made ourselves scarce. They are playing a game around the table and I am thinking about hitting the sack but it is kind of noisy above my head.
Tues.-Susan's first official day of school. And I planned and created a curriculum for a full credit of speech/communication/leadership, using Dale Carnegie's, Zig Ziglar's, Great Teacher's DVD's, and 'Secrets of Great Communicators.' I'm excited because I want to do it with her. Next year she'll be doing writing and research. Perhaps a blog on nutrition. Thesis. Book. We shall see. Phil here working on books all day and working on silage at night. Philip out to shoot a bear after work. Susan to volleyball practice and a movie with some friends. Michael to Chace's to study and use the internet. Finished up writing special checks today thanks to Mother. It's so much fun, I want to do it more often. I am sure God will provide.
Wed.-Visited with Helen. Saw girls painting projects-clothespins and rocks. Micah was playing happily on the floor building a castle with blocks. Interesting. He likes to build buildings with his ipad too. Michael had wisdom tooth trouble. Canned 6 Quart tomato sauce. Guys home early from a new project. Philip went hiking for miles. Phil went bear hunting. Susan went to the chiropractor and to volleyball practice.
Davi is getting on my nerves. I net to set aside time to just play with her and give her attention. She demands it by walking right in front of me and around my ankles and nipping my toes. I am not a patient person and I am sorry.
Thurs.-Big day. Went shopping in Appomattox and met DDF at Baines for a rice and bean wrap. Came home and put things away and then went to Farmville to meet a friend, get a haircut, and go to the chiro. Which I never did because I would have had to wait for an hour. Went to Goodwill and found two new shirts from Gap for Michael. Plus some books of course. Went to Susan's first volleyball game. They did well but didn't win. Susan is an aggressive player. She's not afraid to get down, dive, or spike. Can't believe she's only been playing for 2 weeks. Melissa M. is a really good coach and the team of girls are really nice. It's fun to see people again. Sat with Amy and Jenny and Michael and Sarah came over and joined us. Jenny is doing a beautiful job decorating the church. It's a good thing I'm not in charge. Went shopping afterwards at Walmart. Susan went out with Julie and two of their friends. Phil and guys spent the night in Fredericksburg because they're working on a military job. Davi did not let me have as much sleep as I would have liked.
Fri.-Made tortilla bean/bear/salsa mix, monster cookies, rice, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and bok choy and spinach with garlic. Froze it. Did some packing. Susan and I are hoping to head for the beach tomorrow. She mowed both places. Davi was outside with me to catch some rays but she begged to come back in. I wonder if being all black makes her get hotter quicker. She enjoys riding on the gator out the lane to get the mail. Michael has school. Guys will be home before long. Syria and America's involvement in the crisis over there is in the news. I wonder what it is all about. Micah was with Judy today and she took him to Grandparents Day at New Life. He has been talking a lot to her and standing shoulder to shoulder with her in the kitchen. I think he likes her size and I think he likes her responses to him. She'll be taking care of him next week. She said that she asked him to get Dane out of his crib and he did and had a big grin on his face.
Sat.-Phil and Susan checked out a family hunting camp about 3 hours east of us. Susan drove there. Left around 5:30. On the way home, she discovered hundreds of seed ticks had made a home under her jeans. Phil stopped at a pharmacy for tweezers, tape, and nail polish. They got home after picking up frozen meat and another errand and an hour later, she and I were on the road to the Outer Banks. Philip won a beach house for a week at the Abbey Sports raffle. Got here after 9 in the dark and couldn't tell how far away we were from the beach.
Sun.-Enjoyed the hot tub this morning. Drove to the beach. It's just a little over 1/10th of a mile away. Came back. Susan and I lazed around and then went to the beach for several hours. Came back. Rested. Got in the pool and went shopping about 10 miles South. One store has everything 50% off. Got Susan two hoodies, sweatpants, and a swim suit. The guys-Tommy T., Chace and Erik, Jordan and Philip, arrived soon after 6. It was so much fun showing them our house! Ate supper of hot dogs and baked beans and Tommy's pumpkin whoopee pies. Then we went to the beach. They played volleyball in a circle and then went into the waves. PJ came jogging down the beach soon afterwards. They are just a mile and a half away. Staff has a working retreat. Played some sort of Frisbee until it was too dark to see. The crescent moon is out with Venus, I think, by his side. Walked back to the house. The guys showered outside and ran off to the hot tub while Susan and I made ourselves scarce. They are playing a game around the table and I am thinking about hitting the sack but it is kind of noisy above my head.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Hertzler Doings~Aug. 26-Sept.1, 2013
Mon.-I kind of took my Sabbath Rest today. Philip and Tommy were working around here and Happy Valley. Susan went out to town and enjoyed volleyball practice and grocery shopping and dropped off Lindsay's box at the Post Office. Michael is out late at Liberty. Davi adores Susan and sits outside her bedroom door looking expectantly at the door knob. Oh-Helen brought Tommy over this morning and we enjoyed a cup of tea out on the front porch. I was wrapped in my big white terry cloth robe. How lovely to catch up a bit. There is a big bull who seems injured in our meadow. He may be roast beef next week. Poor thing.
Tues.-Living in the land of new motherhood. Half dazed from lack of sleep and shoulder and hip still in so much pain from holding puppy on 12 hour trip home from Fl. Highlight of today-a nice long catch up talk with Deb Lahr.
Wed.-Tom T. died this morning after a long battle with cancer. He played on the worship band at Hopewell with Phil and Paul for many years. Phil is very sad about this. Hopes to have Michael fly him up for the funeral.
Tonight I went to Micah's cat's funeral. Janelle, Micah, John, and Jeanne were also there. Buddy let his presence be known. We sat outside on chairs Janelle read a poem about Rainbow Bridge and we shared stories about Necko. Then we wrote things on the stones that were on top of the dirt on top of his remains. I wrote, "I wish I had known you, Necko. You were one smart cat. Aunt Annette" Micah had Janelle write, "I wish I had played with you more." He said 'group hug' when I was hugging Janelle good bye. He hugged us both hard. It was really a difficult experience for him, to lose that cat. And I sobbed the whole way home.
Thurs.-Phil took Davi to work with him and Susan and I left the house around 11 and got back after 8. Had a wonderful day of shopping in Lynchburg. The Abbott blessed Davi by wearing his special garments, praying for her, and sprinkling her with holy water.
Fri.-Feel better. Davi slept until 4 and then I slept longer until 7. Canned 16 pint of salsa. Went for physical therapy. Feel much better. Shoulder, hip, neck are back in place. Stopped in to see Catherine on the way home and had a nice visit with her. Made tortillas for supper. Philip went to see little Elizabeth Brooke-Joel and Ashley's baby girl. Michael and Sara had a date down at the river. He is making her a special supper. Susan is super cleaning her room and getting rid of lots of things. Phil got his tractor ready for tomorrow. Davi is anxious today and we are not sure what is wrong. Her one ear is flopping. They used to both stand straight up. Not sure when this happened but the other day, she walked between my legs and I caught her head between my knees as they passed each other and I said, "It's a wonder I didn't just break her neck." Maybe that's when her ear was hurt. She doesn't seem quite as sure of herself with her one ear down and her one ear up but she is so cute.
In the news-Syria. And I keep thinking of the verse in Amos 6:1-"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion." There's more to it of course. Thinking they have it together and that all is well.
Also, I posted over 270 blogs on face book. Probably two a day for the past 135 days? Now, I want to download them all into a chip and take it to the print shop. Then I'll go through the 'book' and pick out favorite devotionals to make a real book of some kind. So help me God, if this is Your idea.
Oh, big brother Abe called today and talked a little business but first he asked me how my puppy was. I guess that means he was tracking me on Abby's face book page or else checking out my blog. It's nice to know he cares.
Sat.-It was a nice day. Davi slept until 4 again and then slept until 6. Starting to feel human again. Saw Freeman pulling in around 6:30 and when I went out he lifted his arms in victory. He had been over at the other farm less than 10 min. before he shot a bear. He did that the last time too. Officer H. came over to check it and gave us a few more tags for crop damage. Janelle and Micah and I hiked to the river. I walked. They hiked with walking sticks and heavy back packs, getting ready for the trip to the Grand Canyon in 5 weeks. They have to hike 7 miles down and 10 miles back up. They're going with Naomi and Mim and will stay down at the bottom for a night/day/night before hiking out the next day. Phil worked on harvesting corn most of the day but had lots of trouble. So much grass had grown up between the stalks. Tom and Tommy came over to help them. Philip went bear hunting in the eve. after working at cleaning up the barn for most of the day. Michael went to spend the eve. with Sarah. Susan helped Philip castrate some little piggies and super cleaned her room for most of the day. I did some cleaning too. Susan and I watched part of a movie in the eve. and then we all hit the sack early.
Sun.-Good things happened today. Good talks in the morning with my children. Good service. Good fellowship. Good worship. Good rest. Good ride to the river with Davi. Good visit with Steve and Diana. Good fun with Lindsay on face book.
Philip had a great day floating and fishing down/on the James River with some friends from New Covenant Church. Michael spent the day with Sarah and Susan took the truck out and watched the fireworks sitting on a futon mattress on the back with Julie and Colton. Rained before and after the fireworks.
Tues.-Living in the land of new motherhood. Half dazed from lack of sleep and shoulder and hip still in so much pain from holding puppy on 12 hour trip home from Fl. Highlight of today-a nice long catch up talk with Deb Lahr.
Wed.-Tom T. died this morning after a long battle with cancer. He played on the worship band at Hopewell with Phil and Paul for many years. Phil is very sad about this. Hopes to have Michael fly him up for the funeral.
Tonight I went to Micah's cat's funeral. Janelle, Micah, John, and Jeanne were also there. Buddy let his presence be known. We sat outside on chairs Janelle read a poem about Rainbow Bridge and we shared stories about Necko. Then we wrote things on the stones that were on top of the dirt on top of his remains. I wrote, "I wish I had known you, Necko. You were one smart cat. Aunt Annette" Micah had Janelle write, "I wish I had played with you more." He said 'group hug' when I was hugging Janelle good bye. He hugged us both hard. It was really a difficult experience for him, to lose that cat. And I sobbed the whole way home.
Thurs.-Phil took Davi to work with him and Susan and I left the house around 11 and got back after 8. Had a wonderful day of shopping in Lynchburg. The Abbott blessed Davi by wearing his special garments, praying for her, and sprinkling her with holy water.
Fri.-Feel better. Davi slept until 4 and then I slept longer until 7. Canned 16 pint of salsa. Went for physical therapy. Feel much better. Shoulder, hip, neck are back in place. Stopped in to see Catherine on the way home and had a nice visit with her. Made tortillas for supper. Philip went to see little Elizabeth Brooke-Joel and Ashley's baby girl. Michael and Sara had a date down at the river. He is making her a special supper. Susan is super cleaning her room and getting rid of lots of things. Phil got his tractor ready for tomorrow. Davi is anxious today and we are not sure what is wrong. Her one ear is flopping. They used to both stand straight up. Not sure when this happened but the other day, she walked between my legs and I caught her head between my knees as they passed each other and I said, "It's a wonder I didn't just break her neck." Maybe that's when her ear was hurt. She doesn't seem quite as sure of herself with her one ear down and her one ear up but she is so cute.
In the news-Syria. And I keep thinking of the verse in Amos 6:1-"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion." There's more to it of course. Thinking they have it together and that all is well.
Also, I posted over 270 blogs on face book. Probably two a day for the past 135 days? Now, I want to download them all into a chip and take it to the print shop. Then I'll go through the 'book' and pick out favorite devotionals to make a real book of some kind. So help me God, if this is Your idea.
Oh, big brother Abe called today and talked a little business but first he asked me how my puppy was. I guess that means he was tracking me on Abby's face book page or else checking out my blog. It's nice to know he cares.
Sat.-It was a nice day. Davi slept until 4 again and then slept until 6. Starting to feel human again. Saw Freeman pulling in around 6:30 and when I went out he lifted his arms in victory. He had been over at the other farm less than 10 min. before he shot a bear. He did that the last time too. Officer H. came over to check it and gave us a few more tags for crop damage. Janelle and Micah and I hiked to the river. I walked. They hiked with walking sticks and heavy back packs, getting ready for the trip to the Grand Canyon in 5 weeks. They have to hike 7 miles down and 10 miles back up. They're going with Naomi and Mim and will stay down at the bottom for a night/day/night before hiking out the next day. Phil worked on harvesting corn most of the day but had lots of trouble. So much grass had grown up between the stalks. Tom and Tommy came over to help them. Philip went bear hunting in the eve. after working at cleaning up the barn for most of the day. Michael went to spend the eve. with Sarah. Susan helped Philip castrate some little piggies and super cleaned her room for most of the day. I did some cleaning too. Susan and I watched part of a movie in the eve. and then we all hit the sack early.
Sun.-Good things happened today. Good talks in the morning with my children. Good service. Good fellowship. Good worship. Good rest. Good ride to the river with Davi. Good visit with Steve and Diana. Good fun with Lindsay on face book.
Philip had a great day floating and fishing down/on the James River with some friends from New Covenant Church. Michael spent the day with Sarah and Susan took the truck out and watched the fireworks sitting on a futon mattress on the back with Julie and Colton. Rained before and after the fireworks.
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