Set Your Hearts on Things Above

I'm taking part in monthly writing prompts with the Scarf Sisters. Heaven knows how much this is needed.

February's Blog Prompt:  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

There is a great rift in our nation and the world that is tearing folks right and left with much passion and angst.  Name calling, political fodder being slung, nasty comments, division in every topic of discussion.  This reaches into our homes via the radio, internet, news, sports, etc.  Families become divided and pitted against each other.  

Much has been the result of public media ~ do you really think it's such a good idea to 'say what's on your mind' in a short snippet on Face Book or a Tweet on Twitter?  Is your opinion important?  Yes.  Should your opinion render you to rant and rave and raise your blood pressure?  No.  

With a presidential campaign starting up, the mud slinging will once again tear into the fabric of the candidates ~ sordid 'laundry' will be hung on the line for all to see and the churning of stomach acid will be inside the bellies of countless numbers as they chime in their personal opinion for all the world to see or ignore.  In speech, remember one thing before speaking your mind:  LESS IS MORE.  

May your words be edifying to God.  May your mind be kept captive to the King of heaven and earth.  May your speech be peppered with grace and kindness. 

There is nothing new under the sun.  Mankind has gone through each and every thing in our current affairs over and over throughout history; maybe minus the media .. but still the same.  Guard your heart and eyes, keep your family rooted in the Good Book, stand firm, be kind, and be in prayer ~ most importantly ~ Set your hearts on things above!

Net Zero

How do you zero out the effects of springing forward? 

1.  Give hubby and special needs son permission to sleep in and not go to church.  Why fight the need for sleep and mess up the whole adjustment period?
2. Take naps.
3. Eat take out (I know .. eww)
4. Open the windows to let in fresh air.  Hooray .. it was 52F outside. 
5. Take a walk.
6. Sit on the front porch rocker.

OK .. That was hubby and son.  I on the other hand did not take my own advice and got up two hours early (4:45 AM .. which was really 3:34 AM) to bake bread, prep a Sunday school lesson to teach our church's preschoolers.  Tis true:  A husband works from sunup to sundown .. but a mother's work is never done.  Touché!

Whatever Happened to Mrs. Mac?

I do a little more posting on my other blog, The Thrifty Garden Home. 

The Mr. retired on New Year's Eve .. so we're on our 'honeymoon' period of retirement.  We have not gotten tired of each other's company (yet). 

August!  Really, that was the last post before this shorty!

Nathan is growing leaps and bounds .. he'll be 18 in two months!  Transitioning to adult services is quite the challenge.  And, we're in the process of becoming his legal guardians.  So much paperwork!!

About now is the time I pour over my garden plans and order a few seed packets.  I've learned over the years to only plant that which my family will eat.  So we stick with green beans, carrots, potatoes .. and skip some of the exotic things like eggplant. (I like eggplant.)

I'm glad the Christmas stuff is put away, but I really have no idea how to put things back in order.  Should have taken pictures before I decorated.  Everything looks so blah!

Well, that's enough of coming out of hibernation.  Go visit my other blog if you want to keep up to date on the Mac Family.

OH THOSE MEAT BEES!!!

I've about had it with trying to spend anytime out doors this summer.  We've been under attack from an overload of meat bees.  At every turn, they are in your face, buzzing your feet, and dive bombing near and far. 

Two days ago I stumbled upon a underground nest out back in an area that is natural vegetation .. yet a place that gets mowed a few times each summer.  From a quick google search on how to eradicate the pests, most advised to leave late summer nests alone to let the first good frost kill the nest .. at which time closing it off.  This nest has an entrance hole 3 inches wide.  Hubby got stung while watering in the general area .. after I warned him about the bees.  (Knowing him, he probably let the hose spray water over the nest ... he's a guy .. just saying). 

I've seen these little buggers completely devour dead birds and insects .. bones and all in the course of a day.  Not one to wish away time .. the first good frost is mighty appealing right about now.

I'm So Over Technology!

Give me the good old days with party line rotary dial phones!  No computers sucking the life out of my brain!  Actually .. a couple of tin cans and some string would be a big improvement to what we've had as phone and internet service of late.  Living in the mountains has it's plus sides .. and it's drawbacks .. technology here is dismal at best!

To counter the fried brain and pulled out hair, I've been ripping through the underbrush in the backyard to help reduce fire fuel.  My chainsaw and metal blade shrub cutter buzzed and sawed for several hours today .. and now I have a big mess to clean up ... but the mental tension is gone!

After seriously considering smashing my not so smart phone .. and dropping my brand new laptop computer out the second story window, I paused for reflection and decided I'd be a grown up and just take a moment to pray.  Walk away from the (junk) problem .. sit on the front porch rocker, water my flowers .. and tease the cat with some cat mint .. gather my composure .. reenter the house with all of the techie gadgets on the fritz .. only to find out that they are now working ... HUH!  My computer service is working (fingers crossed) .. and I updated a software on my telephone antenna .. that restored my home phone service ... All I needed to do was to remember to give my problems to God .. how could I forget that??? 

To My Pop

Thank the Lord that: 

• My Pop is a Godly man and stood up to claim my fatherless family and mold it into his own. 

Thank the Lord that: 

• He loves my mom and together they have made a house a home.

I Thank the Lord For:

•   Being rescued from a broken home and placed into one that has nurtured and filled my life with direction and promise.

Thank the Lord that:

• My children and their children have been able to know and love my Pop.

A Letter To Fatherless America

It's Been A Year ...

Since we kissed and said our goodbyes to our little granddaughter Rowan.

 You know .. we have this little wonderful way of remembering her .... every day we spy a heart somewhere along the way ... in the shape of a stone, cloud, pattern in wall plaster ... you name it .. our hearts are bent on never forgetting her .. and our hope is in one day being reunited when we pass from this world into the loving arms of the Creator. 

Now our days are blessed with another wee grandbaby AND his big brother.  I LOVE being a grandmother and try each time we're together to imprint a little bit of family knowledge, tradition and love for God upon their hearts, minds and souls.  These are wicked days we're living in ... and there is a struggle to preserve history, truth and wisdom in this next generation.

Dedication Day

 

 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14