A New Year Of Possiblities & Blessings

 The Christmas decorations are all put away. The only indication of our festivities are the boxes of Christmas candy and Christmas cookies on the kitchen counter. I love Christmas and all the Christmas decorating that comes with it but by the end of December I crave clear counter-tops and simple, almost bland home adornment. I finally got my thank-you cards and a few very late Christmas cards off in the mail and now am preparing practically  for the new year around here.

 Today I separated my pregnant ewes ( female sheep ) from the ewes I did not have bred this past year. The un-bred ewes will be wormed & vaccinated Sunday, while the bred ewes will have increased rations. I put my ewes in with the rams later this year so am not expecting any lambs before the end of February. Here are a few of my favorite ewes. I can't help myself, I just love their faces and love to watch them.

 I also cleaned poultry pens today. Boy, that was back-breaking work and my husband came home just in time to help. And he was a big help ! He shoveled & carted at least 6 wheelbarrows of poultry poop & built up shavings from their pens to his vegetable garden. I shoveled and carted at least that many to areas in the back of our home needing such precious fill. I also dusted my chickens with the powder that rids them of poultry lice , added hen grit to their pens and contentedly watched them settle in for the night in freshly cleaned pens & nest boxes. I have to admit that all this heavy work takes a toll on me now-a-days and after this much work I need aspirin, hot tea, and rest. But tomorrow I'll be fine.

Now I feel I can begin again to craft with my wool , making more little sheep, weaving more rugs , and spinning up the wool my beloved flock produces into yarn. There is of course the anticipation of new lambs and new chicks in the spring, more special times with my husband of over 40 years, and the joy knowing we are able to spend much time with our grown children and their children. My home is clean, my animal pens are clean, a new year of possibilities lies ahead . My cup of blessings is full to overflowing. God is good, praise Him !

Yikes , What a Year ! ( There's always hope for the coming year.)

Yikes, and how was your year? I hope your year was one enabling you to take not only the good, but the bad and all the in-between with a perspective allowing for optimism and hope. Optimism because this world can be a rough place, a sad place, a place of fear , worry, and evil, but in spite of all this, it is a world of beauty , kindness,small mercies...fun,laughter, and hope."we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...and we exult in hope of the glory of God, and not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance , proven character, hope ; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1,3-5 ~picture above taken in our home and in front is our great-nephew.

Lift Anchor and Sail Into 2009 !

~We received a Christmas newsletter that very much impressed me and as soon as I read it I knew I wanted parts of the letter to be my post for New Year's Eve. The letter came from Hubby's cousin Delores and her husband,Terry. I am only going to post the end of their newsletter....... ........"considering the times we live in I feel that it is good to be reminded of the verses in Jeremiah 9: 23-24. The Lord says, "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him that boasts, boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord which exercises kindness , justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight" declares the Lord. I am convinced that the only way to be sustained in the times ahead is by persistently seeking after the real treasure in life- Jesus Christ. He is where authentic purpose and life flow from. There is no other endeavor in this world that has greater reward then immersing yourself in the pursuit of seeking God's face. All other fires of pursuit burn cold in comparison to the fire that is stoked and burns in knowing Him. It is in this walk of faith with God that all the storehouses of Heaven become our supply. So, prepare to lift anchor- the weight of past regrets, anything holding you back. Raise your sail- the expectation in God's great ability to do all things. Catch the wind of God's Spirit and sail forward into the future with the "God of All Hope' at your helm." Terry and Delores Christian

~May you sail into the new year with the hope and expectation of great things He can and will do in your life, even with stormy seas and leaky ships! Kathy B.~