Word of Mouth...

Do we really ever realize just how powerful our tongue can be??


It all started as a summer job...a way to save money for college.



Since Maine is "Vacationland", and we live on the coast, we are surrounded by what the locals affectionately call "Summer People."

And naturally, for the most part, summer people do not like to mow their lawns...not when they are on vacation.

So, my oldest sons began mowing lawns...through high school...and college...to help finance their tuition.

And then, amazingly quickly, four years went by. Undergraduate school was over. One of my sons decided to go on for his masters degree...in theology...

The other...the job market.

It's an age old story...fill out job applications...write resumes...go for interviews...Joshua had graduated with a degree in business administration. He loves working with numbers. With many addtional accounting classes under his belt...banking seemed the logical avenue.

During his search...several of our neighbors asked him if he would continue to mow lawns until he found a full-time job...or if his younger brother would be taking over "the business"...

Up to this point, Joshua had never really considered what he did in the summer as a "business"...but he started to notice that he was getting more and more calls...for mowing...for yardwork...just by "word of mouth."

And since he loves the outdoors...he continued to mow...and search for a "real job."

Finally, the offers came...Josh accepted a banking position on a "trial basis" to see if it was really what he was looking for...

It took less than a week for Josh, and for us, to realize that this was not what God had in mind for him...

"Do you think I could make my lawncare business work?" he asked us one day. We knew that Josh could do anything he set his mind to...so we encouraged him to try.

He began applying all those skills he'd learned in college to his business...marketing, advertising, accounting...

But, we noticed, that his business continued to grow...not so much by the advertising and marketing...but by "word of mouth."

This summer...most of his new "clients" are folks who heard about him "through the grapevine". Josh has been studying up and learning new skills to add to, improve, and expand his business...

And...praise God...Joshua's business continues to grow...but mostly by "word of mouth".

Joshua shared with us the other evening during our family devotions that he had received a lovely note with his payment for doing some "clearing" work for a first time customer. She also included more payment than he had asked for. Funny thing, Josh was more excited about the encouraging note than the extra money.

It made me think...do I carefully consider my words before they leave my mouth? Are they an encouragement...helping to build rather than destroy? Do they bring glory and honour to my Savior?

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:29-30

Dealing With Disappointment...

I saw the first signs of fall around here yesterday...bright orange pumpkins and baskets of juicy red apples. There are so many things that I love about the fall...


I usually look forward to the next season...here in Maine the seasons are so different...each one has its own unique characteristics...and there is never enough time to get "too used to" one season before another one starts...



I know that autumn is quickly upon us because we are starting to collect seeds for next year...



Seems like lately though...I've been hearing a lot of talk about summer passing too quickly...and not being able to accomplish all that was planned...and winter being here before we know it...

I read some wonderful words of wisdom somewhere recently (Sorry, don't recall where...or I'd give credit!)...

Disappointments are like weeds in the garden...you can let them grow...and they will take over your whole life...or you can yank them out...and let the flowers bloom...

It is so difficult sometimes not to be disappointed when things don't "go our way"...when we plan and pray for something...and it just doesn't come to pass...

In times like these I try to remind myself that this is where faith comes in...

That God is bigger...and He has a perfect plan...even if I don't...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end..." Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 11

Gettin' My Goat!

August and September...County Fair Time in Maine!

We love to visit the fairs...it is such a wonderful opportunity to talk with farmers...share ideas...get tips...and make new friends!



We have seriously been considering adding a milking goat (or two!) to our "little farm"....for milk, cheese, yogurt, and, of course, soap!



So...I have been asking lots of questions...and watching...we are leaning toward a Nigerian dwarf...If any of you have had experience with dairy goats and would like to share...I would welcome any comments!

"And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens." Proverbs 27:27

"Fruits" of Thy Labor...

After two winters of some pretty intense wind storms, we spent four long days this spring cleaning up...dragging "blow downs" to the garden to be burned, cutting up salvageable wood for firewood, trimming, raking, burning, hauling some to the dump...did I mention that these were four very LONG days? I don't think that we have ever been so dirty...or so tired...in our lives...

But...God is so good...yesterday, when my husband was out at the mulch pile, I heard him call my name. "Come look!" he cried. Out behind the pile, in a spot that we had "cleaned up"...we found...





Loads and loads of wild blackberries!



So...our four days of labor...really produced "fruit!"



My brother-in-law had shared with me recently that he had been told by a person from the agricultural department that berry bushes can lie dormant for up to 100 years...and then show up after cutting is done and sun gets in to the spot.


And so we thank you, Lord, and we praise your holy name, for all the many sweet blessings you bestow upon us each and every day. May we never be "too busy" to notice these blessings...and may we always be grateful.

Today, we will pick, and freeze, and maybe eat just a little!



On a side note, I find that plastic milk or juice jugs, with a hole cut like this, make great containers for picking berries, or beans, or cherry tomatoes...or just about anything!



"For thou shalt eat (the fruits of) the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee..." Psalm 128:2

What A Nice Surprise!

Don't you just love nice surprises?

Last evening, upon returning home from a visit with my parents...I discovered that I had be chosen to receive the book, "Amish Proverbs," by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Mary Ann Kinsinger, over at A Joyful Chaos, was having a give-away...and (what a special blessing for me!) I was chosen to receive this book! If you have never visited Mary Ann's blog before...you are in for a treat. Mary Ann grew up Amish...and shares wonderful stories about her childhood with her readers.

Thank you again, Mary Ann, for this nice surprise!

"A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it..." Proverbs 17:8

F.R.O.G...

Time for evening chores....

Removing dry clothes from the clothesline...watering the gardens...checking for eggs before closing the "ladies" in for the evening...grabbing a few "select veggies" for tonight's salad (don't you just love veggies fresh from the garden?)...

Part of the daily routine around here...





Still...there is always time to stop and to marvel at God's small wonders...






My youngest found this little critter on his way to the spring to get water for the "ladies". Of course, we had to stop and check him out...you just never get "too old" to frog (or toad or snake...) hunt around here!


I remember my youngest had a T-shirt given to him when he was just a wee one that had the cutest little picture of a frog on it...with the following saying...

F.R.O.G...Fully Rely On God!

Wonderful words of wisdom...but do I really do that? Or do I just rely on Him for the things that I cannot control? As "keeper of the house"...I am used to taking care of things...making sure that our days run like a well oiled machine around here...

But is this "fully relying on Him?"

Just a thought as the sun goes down on the coast...


"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it..." Psalm 127:1

Old Ones Die...New Ones Born...

A funeral...

and a baby shower...

all in the same day...



An emotional roller coaster, for sure...

It is days such as these that remind me how very precious each and every moment is.

How very important it is to not live our lives in fear and uncertainty...afraid to take chances...or wait too long...because we might fail...

Tonight, I am weary...

But He is more than able...

"I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." Psalm 69:3

Lowering the Net...

More fellowship with family...Pennsylvania departs...Vermont arrives!

My sister, brother-in-law, grandniece, and grandnephew arrived Monday evening from Vermont to spend the week with us.






Little Noah...only 5 years old...watching...
wanting so much to be like his "older" cousin.






I caught a glimpse of them playing basketball...Samuel scrunching down to "Noah height"...letting him steal the ball...









lowering the basketball net so that Noah could make a "dunk shot"...







And I wondered...How often do we realize that people may be watching us...looking at our example...our lives...our witness...perhaps thinking that they want to be like us?

Because we are representatives of Him...we need to be ever mindful that folks do watch us...and we need to constantly strive to never do things that would embarass or disappoint our Lord and Savior.

Seems that I find more and more that, although we try to live a simple life that is honoring to God, some may find our lifestyle "intimidating"...simply because they really don't understand us...or Him.

We need to be aware of this...and make every effort to "lower the net" and invite many to be a part of the "glorious catch". For we are all called to be "fishermen".

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."
Luke 5:5-6

Get Out of The Boat...And Stay Out???

One final fantastic evening yesterday with family from Pennsylvania...for today they will make the 10 hour trek back home...until, Lord willing, next summer.



Cousins..."brothers"...not willing to "let go" of the moment







One last paddle to to the island...to race...and laugh...and splash...and explore.






We sat on the shore and laughed about an afternoon...10 years ago or so...when 3 adventurous lads (our youngest was just a wee bit too small to join in) paddled out to the island in a little skiff...for an afternoon of crab hunting and splashing and fun...but forgot to keep their eyes on the tide...and the boat...



Alas, praise God, all turned out well...the boat, as well as the boys, was rescued...



Which brings to mind another adventurous lad...Peter...who ventured out of a boat...but took his eyes off what was Important...and for a moment was stranded.

How many times have I stepped "out" in faith...adventurously at times...eagerly...but all too quickly...took my eye off "what was Important" and retreated back to the boat...perhaps forsaking the true blessing of the adventure...


Sometimes...I think...I haven't got a Clue...

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Matthew 14:28-31.

Keep Your Eye "On The Ball!"

A fantastic summer afternoon...


Full of fun, food, and fellowship with family from Pennsylvania.











Of course, no afternoon would be complete with a rousing game of lawn croquet!









Amid laughter, "amended" and newly invented "on the spot" rules, lost balls, stubbed toes, and non-competetive spirits...we "spectators" heard the following comment more than once...










"Keep your eye on the ball!"







As I sat knitting in my lawn chair...laughing with the others...snapping photos...watching the seagulls swoop down for their "catch" on the shore...I thought about that phrase...keep your eye on the ball.

And it's meaning... to remain alert and attentive.

And a thought crossed my mind...am I remaining alert and attentive?

Attentive to the things of this world that "really matter?"

Alert to His coming...at any moment?

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:32-37

Are Ye Prepared?

It is a hot, humid August evening...

We have just finished reading the Scriptures...

Thunderstorms are looming in the distant skies...

The boys have gone for walk...to check in on Gram and Gramp...

My husband is reading...


And I am knitting...winter socks!



I love this pattern book. It was an old one of my nana's...and it has some of the most wonderful sock patterns in it. One down...one to go.



Now to some...it may seem silly to be knitting winter socks when the temperature is hovering around 85 degrees. But I have learned from experience, as many of you have, that I need to prepare for winter during the summer months.

Which is why we have a garden in the summer, and we can and freeze fruits and vegetables.

And we fill up our oil barrel mid summer because it is most inexpensive time to do this.

And we spend several weekends cutting, chopping, splitting, and stacking wood...during some of the warmest spring and summer days...so that it will dry out and "season" for burning the following winter.

We have also learned over the years how important it is to teach our children these skills as well. For some day...they will be on their own...and we will not always be here...

But, more importantly I know, that although we should "be prepared" for the every day living of our lives here on earth...this cannot compare to how crucial it is to "be prepared" for eternity...and to live each earthly day in "preparation".

And, how important it is to teach our children to "be prepared" as well...

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." 2 Timothy 2: 20-21

Merge???

There is a dear elderly gentleman who summers on our road...a lover of signs.

It is always a treat to take my walk in the morning...for I never know when one of these new signs will "pop" up.

Almost always, these signs are instruments in conversation starters amongst the residents of our point...and many are cause for a little chuckle or two.



Like the day the "Dirt Road" sign went up...not at the beginning of our road, mind you,...but about a mile in...as if you hadn't caught on yet that you were driving on a dirt road!






Or the day that the "Children" sign lovingly was placed near the edge of our property. A gesture of caring, for sure. Many folks laughed...for our youngest was already in his teens...but in the eyes of an old man...my boys were still "children".




For a short time we had a "Lobster Crossing" sign placed near a flooded portion of our road...where the culvert washed out after a severe rainstorm. This sign caused a few giggles...since the flood water was from a frog pond.

As I said...many of the signs are cause for a little chuckle or two.



Until the "Merge" sign...



Everyone is puzzled about this sign...



First of all, because nobody seems to know just who put it there. Our elderly neighbor claims that this was not his handiwork this time. Of course, everyone is convinced that it must have been him.

Secondly, there is no cause for or possibility of "merging" at this point on our road. It is simply nailed to a tree by a little winding curve.

And so I ponder as I walk...

Webster's Dictionary gives the following as definitions of the word "merge".

to plunge or engulf in something : immerse, to cause to combine, unite, or coalesce, to blend gradually by stages that blur distinctions, to become combined into one, to blend or come together without abrupt change

And I am reminded...isn't this what our Lord is calling us to do??? To "merge" into becoming Christlike...day by day? For we are called to "plunge into" and "immerse" ourselves in the Word...which will cause us to "blend gradually by stages that blur distinctions" as we grow to be more and more like Him... as we "unite" and "coalesce" (grow together) with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For most of us,this "blending or coming together" will not be an "abrupt change"...but a continuous flowing process...just like "merging".

Perhaps it wasn't my elderly friend who placed this sign here after all...

"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit"
1 Corinthians 6:17

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ...But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" Ephesians 4:13,15

Wash Me Clean...

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes..." Exodus 19:10

It has been over five years now since I have purchased laundry detergent...

Now, before you all begin to think that I am neglecting my family...let me clarify that statement. About 5 years ago I stumbled across a recipe for making my own liquid laundry detergent...I know that many of you use the same recipe. It makes a five gallon batch...and lasts a long time! This turned out to be a wonderful blessing for me...especially with three very active boys and a very hardworking husband!

I shared the recipe with all my friends and family...I even made up some "homemade laundry detergent" kits to give away as bridal shower gifts.

My mom began using the recipe...but found that it took her a really long time to use up that much laundry detergent. It was also difficult for her to lift the 5 gallon container when she first made it. And then there was the issue of taking it "on the road" when they traveled...she didn't like having to transfer it to another smaller container...anyway, she asked me if I had ever thought about a "dry" version.

And so, I came up with a new "powdered" recipe version of my laundry detergent!It works just as well, is easy to transport, and one of the greatest advantages is that you can make different "flavors" and have them on hand for your different laundry needs!

Here's what you need...


Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
1 bar of soap (homemade or store bought)
1 cup arm and hammer washing soda (not baking soda)
1 cup borax


Take your bar of soap (my dad likes Irish Spring) and using your cheese grater, grate the soap into a container. Combine the cup of washing soda and the cup of borax with the grated soap. I then pour it all into a zip-lock bag and mix it together. You can leave it stored this way or transfer it to another container with a lid. It's so easy!


All it takes is one tablespoon for most regular loads. If I have a really dirty load...I might use two tablespoons. This dry mixture is good for about 20 loads or so...which makes it very economical .You can make up several versions to have on hand depending on your laundry needs...for instance...make a mixture with ivory soap to wash baby clothes...or perhaps lava soap to wash dirty work or athletic clothes. If you have a special fragrance of soap that you like to bathe with...well, why not make a laundry detergent of the same scent! It stores so easily...and is great to take with you "on the road".



I've even made up several batches using different soaps, placed them in cute little plastic containers with labels, and then put them in a basket lined with a handmade clothes bag...as a shower gift! Don't forget to include the recipe on a cute little recipe card and to tie a plastic tablespoon to the handle of the basket with some ribbon!

I enjoy sharing these types of gifts with young brides-to-be because I feel it is another concrete way that we "older" women "may teach the younger women to be...keepers at home...that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:4-5

The Family of God

I'm so glad I'm a part...of the family of God;
I've been washed in the fountain,
Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family...The family of God.


My oldest son and I had the sweet privilege of spending this past weekend with a wonderful "family of God". Though we were, for the most part, strangers, from the moment we arrived we were made to feel at home. The food was incredible...the fellowship was uplifting. It was truly inspiring to be with a family where the parents lived God's Word as Truth. The evidence was overwhelming...in the upbringing of their children, in their conversation, in their worship. The blessings we received from our brief time with these very special folks...will remain with us throughout eternity.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Colossians 3:17