Friendship Is A Precious Stone!

I have had my share of best-friends. Each one was special, important, loving, and wonderful. I am also thankful for the ones I have today. And even though my husband is also my best-friend, I am leaving him out, because he is in a class all by himself. Luckily, I stand by his side with pride. =)

One of my best-friends stands out. She was my best-friends during my lowest time. I knew her during her lowest time and prayed deeply for her. She knows my faults and still loves me just the same. She is all those wonderful definitions for a best-friend. When we were young, I called her "mother hen" behind her back. She didn't approve of anyone I went out with and kept telling me that they were not good enough for me. (she was right) When I met my husband, I didn't introduce her to him. I thought she would tell me he wasn't right for me. I knew he was different and special. But I was wrong to do that, because she would of approved. As annoying as this was to me. I knew she was looking out for me and wanted what was best for me. She wanted me to strive harder. She kept me from repeating costly mistakes.

My long time, best-friend, Kim and her wonderful smile with her son!

This best-friend also encouraged me, kept my confidence up, was empathetic, stood by my side no matter what the situation was, and still remembers the truth in everything. There is no "should of" or "could of" around her. It does not exist. What is done is done, and it had it's reasons. Move on......



And today, she is just as loving as she was 20 years ago. Older, wiser, and more beautiful. I appreciate her deeply. She makes today's best-friends a hard comparison. There is no one just like her. I hope I can be that kind of best-friend to her and to my close friends of today.



Thank you Kim for your acts of love, kindness, friendship and more. And for showing me the way I should be towards my friends.



You might be asking why this comes up. Yesterday, Kim called me and told me how much she appreciates me. She had no idea about the timing. Later that day, I watched hurtful words about my friends in a group that I helped start last summer. A group that I had visions of everyone helping each other and those new to homeschooling. A place that others welcome newcomers. I had realized my vision was not going to happen last January, but dear friends who shared my vision were shown the reality. And some new ones were unwelcome and one was called "scary". I was sad and hurt for them, but because of Kim's loving words from earlier, I was focused on loving and praying for my friends instead of taking any of it personally. Tomorrow is much brighter. And I LOVE MY FRIENDS!!!!

Chickens

We posted our 2 year old hens on Craigslist to a good home. Wow! There was a lot of interest!

They will be living out in the country with 2 roosters and other hens. And with a home that knows more about chickens then I do. :) They will get to free range all day long. They will be very happy in their new home.

We spent the week-end stripping down the coop, removing the roof, and removing all of the litter. We sprayed it down and washed out the inside of the hen house and nesting box. Now I just wait for the sun to finish sanitizing and drying out the ground. Our plans are to rebuild the chicken walk and build in a frame for my roof. I like my chickens to live in a dry coop.

The chicks are now 6 weeks and 4 weeks old. The big ones are ready to live outside. All of them have spent their days outside in our old bunny run and come inside at night. They are really enjoying the grass and the room to stretch their wings and fly across the run.

Misty is enjoying the entertainment of the chicks. She has less interest in them and seems to understand that they are pets, but I don't allow her out when the chickens are out. Our Misty is a bird dog breed. and I don't want to chance it with instinct.

We are hoping to move the chicks into their clean coop in a couple of days.

Prayers Lead to Answers and Peace

As I am in the car crying away, my friend Terry calls out of the blue. She ministered to me and we prayed over the phone. And she urged me to pick up one of my favorite books are start praying. It is called "Power of a Praying Wife." And it works. I have read it many times, loaned it out once and didn't get it back and then bought another copy. It is that good.

I spent yesterday at Angie's house for the last time. I helped her clean (the high spots - yes, that was a friendly jab at Ang.) and watched her home become empty. Very heart wrenching for me and I know it must have been more painful for Angie.

It was a very tough day.....

The best thing that happened yesterday, was Pat and I had a much needed family prayer AND LISTEN for God's voice. We tend to do a lot of family prayers, but few of them are with silently waiting for answers. The girls were involved and even though they didn't quite know what was going on, they jumped in with their own concerns, which happened to be about the stress that we project. God continued to give us answers though out the night and morning. I realize that I have a problem with submitting to my husband, when I am unsure if he is being led by God. Although I do know that their is more to it and I am not the only one to blame, at least it is more information to pray about. If anything, I am at peace..... and that is good.

Today will be another tough day, as we go to the park and say good-bye to Angie and her boys.

Depressed - Where is the sand?

I am always the last one to admit depression, but this month has done me in. I am usually diagnosed and then arguing about that diagnosis. But now I honestly know that I am depressed and have no control of any aspect of my life now. For a control freak girl, this is not good. If it wasn't for my Angie moving, I would be trying to find a place to stick my head in the sand and wait as the world goes by.

Most of all this stems from the economy. I don't even have control of my menu, because I can't even get all of the groceries needed for my menu. And then their is the complaining that goes on when I try to stretch out the meal with beans. I am in need of clothes and my daughter broke my cute pink sandals. Pat's truck has problems and we can't figure it out. There goes the last of my inheritance from my Grandma. Gone and unable to face my Dad. And what does my grandmother think from heaven? And then when I protest and try to voice my opinion, I am not being submissive. Heck, I am a failure in all areas of my life.

The only good thing right now is that Pat is exploring ways to stay and not move us out of state.

I do have a plan today. I am going to Angie's, most likely for the last time. Until my husband calls me back home so we can strip away dignity and close out some accounts. :(

A Prayer and My View About The Economy

Common sense keeps telling me that if we survive this last winter and then use our money wisely through the summer and save up for the next winter, we will be just fine. May is usually the calm before the busy season for us. The economy does better during summer months. Consumers should gain confidence during the summer.

So far, God has taken good care of us. We are doing better then others. It hasn't been easy and our boat is taking in water. I have a strong calling to go to work. I am trying so hard to trust my faith and not allow fear to make decisions for me.

This week-end has brought me confusion and has cost me my energy. My dear husband is talking about moving us 2000 miles from my Oregon home. Yes, there are benefits, I admit. But I am confused about our reasons for moving us away from our home, family and friends. They sound like they could be intellegent reasons, but they feel so wrong. All I see for our reason for leaving is out of fear that the economy will not improve. To me, I feel we are running away and becoming refuges. This goes against what common sense is telling me about my prediction about the economy. I am no expert, however.

I admit, I am not good at being submissive when things don't feel like they are the smart thing to do. And so I am praying for a lot of things and seeking God word for peace.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray for our nation, who needs your mercy. Please bring this out of this recession. We not always know what we want, please give us all the wisdom to make choices that make this country the nation it was set up to be. Help the people to not live in fear, but have the confidence that we will recover (with Your great strength.)

I pray that you will use our President for Your glory (even if he doesn't realize it) and every decision he makes is in Your hands. Please protect us from turning into a socialist country or losing our freedoms.

I pray for companies to continue to operate and keep their American employee's working. I pray for the American unemployed to find jobs that can take care of the needs of their families. I pray for our financial institutes to operate the way they were originally set up to operate. I pray for the manufactures (auto and rv, just to name a few) to be able to go back into full production manufacturing in the states. Lord, I pray they happen soon.

I pray that You will keep me from living in fear. I pray that my faith will stay strong. Help me Lord by closing doors You don't want us to go through and opening doors that will keep us on Your path. Please bring us the work needed to survive this economy. May You place Your will in our hearts and minds. Shout if you have to. Replace our worry with peace.

Thank you for all of your blessings you bring us. And loving us so much. Forgive me when I worry and complain. Thank you for giving us the strength we need to endure what we must.

In Jesus name we pray, Aman.