Negative Thoughts?

Have you ever had someone do you wrong? Not just a little misunderstanding, but something really hurtful and just plain wrong.  Did you cry?  Did you curse them?  Do you want revenge?  Do you want to scream from the rooftops what really happened but know it's just not the Christian thing to do?

I've struggled with this the past couple of months quite a bit. The hardest part, for me is forgiving and working through those negative feelings. Especially when, in my case, these people are continuing on the attack,  and will probably never ask to be forgiven.

A Christian friend told me the other day the way you know you have truly forgiven is when you want to bless that person.  I'm not there yet, but I'm working at it.

God is where I must have my focus. Pray, pray, pray.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 23:7 "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

I have got to stop letting negative thoughts control my emotions and day.-- There are so many horrible things going on in the world but I must focus on the good.--Look on the brighter side!
Constructive, pleasant, and positive! This can change lives, mine and others and it will draw positive results my way.

Meditate on These Things
     "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
~Philippians 4:8-9

So here are a few things I'm so grateful for: (Positive Thoughts)

     Housework- I am blessed to have a home that is warm/cool and comfortable.
     Farm work- Even though on rainy days, I'm thankful I can care for our animals & in return I get food and companionship.
     Garden work- It's hard and hot but I know how to grow food and preserve it for later.

When I was homeschooling my children I used to have them keep a notebook and each day they had to say something they were grateful for and something they learned. If you can do that each day then you are learning and growing.

What are you grateful for today? I know for sure you can think of at least three things.

Do you struggle with negative thoughts? I'm hear to listen & give support.

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Faithfulness

Yeti- our Great Pyrenees
Memaw- our adopted  chihuahua 

Over the years we have had many animals on our little farm. Chickens, ducks, quail, pigeons, rabbits, goats, pigs, and cats. None are as faithful as a good dog though.  We have had several of them too. Some were trained very well. Some were purchased for specific traits, and some were strays or ones that someone just didn't want anymore.

Dogs are always happy to see you and even if they do something wrong it is as if they understand and really try to do better and please their owners.  They put in a lot of work for us. Guarding the livestock, protecting our property, and the unconditional love they show us. They are faithful to us.
They trust us.  When they get older it's up to us to take care of them until their dying day.

Many things here our animals do reminds me of things in the 'real world.' 

Take for instance someone who has worked hard at a job. They show up every day, do a good job, and are being safe. This is being a faithful employee.  They too should be appreciated but are often times not. The business owner that treats their employees with carelessness and only thinks of his own greed will never keep faithful employees.

If I threw my dog some scraps and never petted or showed affection would he still be a good helper for us or would he try to get out and run away? Would he be aggressive?  Probably so because he has to be taught what is acceptable and what is not. Teaching and showing love takes time. It takes effort and it takes an unselfish attitude. 

This is in everything in our lives, our spouses, children, friends, and anything else we do. Including how we treat our pets, managing our homes, and taking care of ourselves.

So what about our relationship with the Lord?  Are we faithful in our everyday life? Do we make time to pray and read His word? 

Do you trust God to help you with your every day life?  Are you faithful?

Honestly, in the past years I've gone back and forth with being truly faithful in my study of Gods word. I know he is there but I try to lead and solve my own problems too much.  I allow my emotions to take control and make bad decisions.  However, when you do allow God control he is always faithful and always gives us hope. 

I  believe on day we will all stand face to face with the Lord and we will be rewarded for our faithfulness.

Luke 16.10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.

Homemade Pizza Crust

Pepperoni, Onion, Bell Pepper, Olives, & Cheese
Yum!

I asked my friends what they would like to see on here and the most popular answer was food!  So here is my favorite homemade pizza crust recipe.

1 1/3 cups warm water
2 tsp. yeast
2 tsp. sugar or honey
2 T. oil
3 cups flour (wheat or white or a combo of both)

Put the yeast and honey into a bowl with the warm water. When frothy (about 5 minutes) stir in the oil.  Add the wet to the flour and knead for a few minutes until combined.  --I typically do this in my stand mixer but by hand is fine.

Allow to set and rise, covered with a towel for about an hour.

Shape into whatever size crust you like. Put onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet.  I find this makes 2 regular pizzas or 4 individual ones, which is the way we typically do it.

Add whatever toppings you like and bake at 400 until done!

8 Little Ducklings

I shared last week about the severe storms we had here and the damages. Well, something really neat happened just a few days later.

We have a mallard hen who had been sitting on a nest of eggs. When the heavy metal blew into their enclosure we thought for sure they would have been hurt or possibly flown away.  They did not though. There were three huge pieces of heavy metal thrown but they balanced on one side of the fence. Her original shelter was blown off but this piece of metal sort of made a new roof.  The ground was flooded but she had built her next up so it was dry. There she sat sitting on her nest and hissing, as all good mother ducks do,  as we went out to see.

We had other more pressing things to handle so we left that the way it was for a couple of days. 

Well, two days ago, on Easter Sunday we came home from church to find her and 8 little ducklings there! 

We've had the privilege of witness much new life here on the farm. However, each time it is witnessing a miracle. 

What a strong, protective, and patient mother she was.
These little 8 will follow her around and learn how to do everything from eating, swimming, and the fear of predators from their mother.  Similar to how our babies learn from us.

We live in a fallen world and at this moment almost everything you see in the news shows how depraved and far from God many people are. You must take your role as a parent very seriously.  Look around at children and adults who have so few values. We must teach our children to be responsible, good, God fearing people. Be an example, don't just SAY  it, DO it.  Even if your children fall away keep praying! Keep being an example. Don't wait on friends, teachers, or even preachers to do it for you. As you see this does not work.

Having a relationship with the Lord and being saved is not the same as just saying you believe in Him. In James 2 it states that "Even the demons believe."  What will you say on judgement day?

In the Eye of the Storm

The pictures throughout are from our farm in Louisiana.

The song goes: 

"In the eye of the storm

You remain in control

And in the middle of the war

You guard my soul

You alone are the anchor

When my sails are torn

Your love surrounds me 

In the eye of the storm"

This past Saturday around 5:00 am. we went through a very rough storm, literally.  We had four large trees come down, two on fences. Some metal siding and other building materials get thrown around the yard and a pen we housed our mallard ducks in was destroyed. All around us there were downed trees, power lines, and cars and homes destroyed. We were without power and water for about 36 hours and no internet for 3 days. -Those were the bad things.

The good things, for us, were our main outbuildings and home were spared!  All of our family, livestock and pets were spared!  No loss of life I'm aware of nearby either!

So the question is, why?

I do not know. Why do bad things happen to anyone? Most wouldn't say they "deserve it" or "had it coming."  It just is what it is. 

My devotion this morning in part says this:

"Danger is an inevitable part of living, and God's provision doesn't always come with the removal of dangers.  However, the presence of the Shepherd should help banish our fears.  Life's most strengthening experience is the awareness of God's presence in our lives, no matter what difficulties come our way." ~W.A.B.

Could there be a blessing in this some way? Could lessons be learned? For me the answer is yes.

Back in the day, 😉 when we first moved here, we lost electricity all of the time. It seemed as though the wind blew the opposite direction and we were out for several hours. We also have survived here in the winter with no power for 4 days and one baby.  Things have changed in the past several years though. There are more houses and businesses nearby so lines have been improved and replaced and we haven't dealt with that nearly as much.

So I did have some things that we needed here.  I'm going to post a list of a few things that we find helpful during power outages.

These are just a few easy ones anyone should be able to have on any budget. -Dollar Tree-

1. Jugs of water for washing hands, brushing teeth. You can use old juice containers, milk jugs, etc. I keep a few of these in my laundry room.

2. More jugs or containers of water for drinking. This can include small water bottles but keep them out of extreme heat as plastic can leach out in them. --We also had a few jugs for pouring into our Berkey water filter.

3. A non-electric can opener and a few canned foods that could be eaten at room temp or heated up quickly in a pan.

4.  Throw away items so you do not have to wash dishes.- Paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, trash bags

5. Basic first aid kit.- band aids, peroxide, hand gel sanitize, perhaps some pain reliever 

6.  A light source- flash lights (batteries), candles, oil lamp (lighter or matches)

7. Pet food

Larger items that come in handy:

1.  A non-electric water filter - We have a Berkey and use it everyday for drinking water but it can filter even very dirty water if you needed to.

2.  A gas stove or outdoor burner. - we have both

3. A generator - we raise our own meat so usually have a full freezer and would hate to lose all of that

4.  Another water source- we have a pond and a swimming pool so we have water to use for flushing toilets

I'm sure there are more but these are just a few we used the past couple of days. Feel free to comment and add to this list.

Being prepared is good for everyone. If possible do a little extra for a neighbor or church member. I know from first hand experience many are not prepared for even a few hours let alone a couple of days.

We have several days of work ahead of us but we are thankful we have the health, strength and ability to do it. 

Remember to thank God every day for his faithfulness and the wisdom to know how to be prepared.