We Quit

We quit watching "The Bible" on tv.  We watched the entire 1st week, and about an hour of the 2nd week.  The discrepencies between what the Bible actually says and the re=enactment on the movie are 2 different things.  The Bible is exciting, sobering, convicting, uplifting, full of warnings & prophecies, full of love and forgiveness.  The entire Old Testament points to the Messiah, Jesus ~ the entire New Testament is the new covenant  fulfilled to God and His people.  They aren't showing any of that in show.  They also aren't showing the "thread" the weaves all the books together ~ Jesus.

There were too many "wrongs" that we couldn't justify into "rights" or even "maybes"

If you want to know the REAL story ~ READ The Bible!

I am praying everyone has a blessed weekend & a glorious Resurrection Sunday.

Fervently Praying

Please join us in praying for Billy & Sarah ~ Gregs cousin & his wife.
Sarah is 33 and 31 weeks pregnant with their first child ~ a daughter.  Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer, 2 days ago.  They have scheduled an appt. with the surgeon and an oncologist.  I don't know any timeline for anything ~ but I do know they are discussing surgery and chemo.

I am praying that the Lord would send them doctors and nurses that will be believers and rely on the Lord for His wisdom, strength, and guidance to handle this delicate situation.  And that the Lord would give Billy & Sarah ~ love, comfort, guidance in decisions, ease, health, stamina, safety (especially for that precious baby girl), lots of help, good sleep, accurate information, and medical staff that will take the time to talk, listen, understand their concerns, guide them accurately & safely along this path.

Thanks for the prayers!

Traditions

The kids and I have been listening to Drive by Church History sometimes in the mornings. The cd's start at the beginning of the church and rapidly move to the present age. Its interesting (& a little scary) to hear how church's started, where their "traditions" came from, which extremely large denomination has influenced all our calendars on their whims, superstitions, and desires ~ and none of it is found in the Bible.  This series is a good place to start the education/information process about churches & denominations.  When we purchased it ~ we were getting it out of a desire to learn more about History ~ the kids and I have had many interesting discussions stemming from what we listen to.

You can purchase this set for your own home by going to the following ~
http://www.wretchedradio.com/store/product_details.cfm?id=346.

And if you are curious as to the tradition I am talking about...

it is impossible that the Lord was crucified on Friday afternoon and rose from the dead early Sunday morning.  The Gospel of Matthew 12:39-40.

"But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be give to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Many folks do not realize that the Sabbath can happen on any day, not just Saturday, if it is one of the High Sabbath's commended to Moses in the Old Testament.  The Passover is to be held on the 14th day of the new year according to Exodus 12:6-8.  This day can land on a different day of the week each year, not just on Saturday.

In Mark 16: 1-2 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might anoint Him.  They did this when the Sabbath was past.  In verse 2, Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the came to the tomb when the sun had risen.


Luke 23:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

These verses makes no sense if Jesus was buried on Friday, they had to rest on Saturday, and went to the tomb on Sunday.  There was no chance to buy the spices and prepare them, because it was forbidden to work on the Sabbath.

Mark has the women buying the spices when the Sabbath was past and Luke has the women resting on the Sabbath after preparing the spices.

To reconcile Jesus words about his death in Matthew 12, and to reconcile the accounts of the women preparing spices before and after the Sabbath, there had to be 2 Sabbath days that week.  The crucifixion had to occur on Wednesday.  Thusday was the the High Sabbath for the feast of unleavend bread.  Friday was a normal work day, the day the women purchased and prepared the spices, according to Mark 16:1.  Saturday was the weekly Sabbath, when the women rested according to Luke 23:56.  And Sunday was the day they went to find the empty tomb.

Jesus was in the tomb from Wednesday evening until Saturday evening.

That is 3 days and 3 nights.

Just like He said.

Its interesting listening, it makes you think, it makes you question your own traditions/views, it shows how if something is repeated often enough it could be viewed as fact, it shows how easily we can all be influenced.  We are listening, then comparing to scripture, and researching ~ sometimes we are really surprised as to what is truth and what is fiction (or tradition).

Then comes the hard part ~ what are we going to do about it in our family?  Is what we've done ok ~ as in the Bible does not specifically forbid it, does the Bible speak to this or any issue specifically, is this a "gray" area ~ where its up to each family to decide for themselves?

The best part of this part of scripture is in Matthew 28:5-7  

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.  Behold, I have told you."

Happenings in Miss.

Wow!  The weather is crazy!  We've had some gorgeous days mixed with crazy days.  We've had sunshine, rain, hail, tornado watches, more rain, cold temps, warm temps....and all that can happen in 24-48 hours.  I've read on some other blogs that folks are forming a posse to find that groundhog and string him up.  He got it wrong this year!

Here are a few pictures ~~~~~

Hail from the storm last Monday afternoon

The new "puppy proof" lattice around my garden boxes

Greg's .02 per package tulip bulbs coming up ~ great, cheap investment!

The new tin roof on the chicken coop, It will keep everything drier in there!

More tulips!

Rose bush James bought me

New planter boxes made from my old shutters ~ with pvc pipes to form the frame for my pole beans to climb.

The sides are 2 shutters, the outside ends are a shutter cut in half, and the opposite end of the box is using the fence as support.  Greg used the air gun nailer to attach them to each other and to the fence.  He then measured the pvc pipes to the proper length and attached them to both the fence and the front face of the box.  Elbow joints hold the top and the sides of the pipe trellis together.  Then we will plant our tomatoes near the little picket fence shown beyond the boxes. 

We are going to string a climbing trellis for the green beans!

Greg has been busy making my garden wants into reality.  The shutters were in mine and James Room at moms house.  I don't know how long they will last outside...but a couple of growing seasons would be great.  We are going to add some soil and fertilizer to the boxes, but not fill them up.  This is where stuff was planted last year and the area has been tilled several times. We may attach the chicken wire we took off the other boxes to the pvc pipes for the beans to climb.  I decided last year, that bending over to harvest bush beans wasn't for me.  So I found the trellis idea and Greg brought it to life!  Amy and I bought Sunflower seeds to plant in between the boxes against the fence. 

Almost all of his .02/package tulip bulbs have bloomed and they are gorgeous!  My strawberries transplanted pretty well and I've got one berry.  The potato plants are coming up.  Most of the fruit trees that still have life in them have started budding and leafing out.  We've got a few that might have died over the winter.  I am ready for the weather to calm down, so I can really garden.  I am craving a fresh tomato!

Happy Springtime!

Oh, emb. machine update......it took a week but they figured out the problem!  The good news is ~ its fixable.  The computer board in the emb. module is fried (of course, not in warranty anymore!).  They have ordered me a new one and I could get everything back this weekend or early next week.  We did go get my laptop on Sat.! 

How True!

"I Can Only Imagine"

10 or 12 years ago, Mercy Me released a beautiful song that I instantly loved.  The lyrics are very special and make you think or "imagine".  What will we do when we are face to face with our Lord/Creator/Redeemer?  I imagine my tears, my sacrifice of praise, being awestruck, bowing down in worship!

"I can only imagine"

What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the sun

I can only imagine
When all I will be
Is forever
Forever worship You

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net ]
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine
I can only imagine
yeah
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine
yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever,
forever worship you

I can only imagine

We will all come face to face with the Lord God one day.

Book Review

"Moms Raising Sons to be Men"
author: Rhonda Stoppe

As a Mom of 5 sons ~ this is an interest, passion, desire of mine.  In today's world, so many boys are being raised to just be "big boys" and not being raised to be Men.  The encouragement sections for Moms in this book are 1. Life Lessons froms Moms of the Bible, 2. Guide You Son toward Godly Manhood.  Each section contains 5 or 6 chapters full of  tips, encouragement, and ideas for Moms.  We aren't alone in this Mission of Raising Sons ~ we are on a Mission with and for God.
The following is encouragement for us and our sons (taken from the book)
*God knows you intimately ~ Psalm 139:1-4
*God loves you more than you can imagine ~ Ephesians 2:4-5: 17-19
*You are a "temple of the living God ~ 2 Corinthians 6:16
*God chose you to be His child 2 Corinthians6:18, Ephesians 1:4-6
*God is watchful over your every trial & opportunity ~ Psalm 34:15
*God will direct your steps ~ Psalm 32:8: 34:15, Jeremiah 10:23
*God has a specific purpose for your life ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Our plans for our sons need to take a backseat, so that the Lord can work His plan in their lives.  Mine are all gifted in different ways ~ we have great musicians, hard physical workers, gifted mathmeticians, builders, detail oriented sons.  These gifts are from the Lord.  We can encourage, cheer, love, guide, PRAY, teach, mentor, and PRAY continuously.  And watch the Lord work in and through them!

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
Proverbs 12:11 "He who tills his land will be satsified with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding."

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this:  If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.  For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all but are busybodies.  Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread."

I would recommend this book to Mom with sons or grandsons.  And the book would be a help and encouragement to Dads also!

****I was given this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion and review from NetGalley.

Spring has Sprung in Mississippi

We've had off and on warm temps for a month.  The allergies started acting up on wedding weekend for me and Amy ~ Bryant even suffered allergies just from being here a couple of days, and he's not had this problem before!  By Friday the pollen started flying and covering everything in a green/yellow haze.  But that didn't stop us from being outside.  With beautiful sunshine and 80 degree days, we took advantage and got several projects completed.

Greg took off at lunchtime on Friday and came home ~ and we hooked up the trailer and all headed up to Lowe's.  Bought lots of supplies for various projects to keep us busy over the weekend.

Greg built me 3 new planter boxes out of my old wooden bedroom shutters. And constructed PVC pipe trellises for my beans to climb up, when planted.  I don't know how long the shutters will last outside, but it was free and they should at least last this year!  They are bolted to the back fence for stability.  Now, we just have to fun the strings or chicken wire for the beans to climb (pictures another day).

We removed the chicken wire from around the tops of my other boxes (there to keep out the dogs) and Greg built a frame and made much nicer looking wall build ups of lattice.  He got the white "plastic" kind.  It really looks nice and quite sturdy.  One of the boxes is already planted with strawberries.

Then he built the chickens a new roof using some tin from James' place (leftover from the pig pen).  So we the rain comes, the chickens can remain a little drier.  They, however, were not impressed with someone banging on their home.  They have been liking all the weeds from the yard that I keep tossing in there.

Its almost time for the run to the plant store for all our garden goodies.  Can't wait for fresh tomatoes and green beans!

My new sewing machine is great.  I started working on a quilt top using jelly rolls (thanks Angel).  The colors are so bright and cheerful....actually so bright that I may put a plain fabric row inbetween each pieced row.  Just to break it up a little bit.  Since the fabric was already cut, its taken a bunch of time off the "preparing" process.  I think this one is going to be the size of a lap quilt ~ about 36 x 42 or so.  I will probably machine quilt it using all the cool features and quilting table on the new machine!

My embroidery machine is still having issues.  I tried to hook it up on Thursday ~ then Greg came up to help.  After working on it for 7-8 hours over the course of 3 days, we hauled it up to the store.  They worked on it for 2 hours (repeating all the steps Greg had already done).  We ended up leaving the machine, all the attachments, and my laptop for them to work on.  I while I KNOW that everyone has to make a living ~ I'm not looking to upgrade my software (about $500) or my machine (several thousand), but I was asked that question more than once on Sat. morning.  I guess updating the software is a possiblity IF thats the only way for it to work.  BUT, we updated software 2-3 years ago, and I haven't used all its functions yet.  I am really hoping its just a connection problem thats pretty easily fixed.  I did find out that they don't make embroidery modules like mine anymore that are solely powered by laptops ~ because folks were having problems with them (me,me,me,me,me!).  Oh well, the girl did try for a long time and I got to watch folks work on projects and look at beautiful fabric!

Today is laundry, and sewing!

Surprise!

Yesterday my wonderful husband surprised me with a new toy....

a toy I wanted but did not need....

A New Sewing Machine!!!!!

I've talked about getting a new one for several years just for convenience.  I've got a sewing/embroidery machine that I've loved for 7 years....except sometimes its a pain to hook the embroidery parts up to the machine, and the computer, and get everything to "jive" together.  And once its all hooked up together, I embroider lots.  Because I know it won't be put together again anytime soon.  I've got a stack now to be embroidered ~ of items for the fair in the fall.

What finally pushed me over the edge ~ from want to stongly desire ~ was not being able to get everything to work to embroider the quilt squares for Amy Kate.  That was the day, I called my buddy Angel and she embroidered them for me!

I researched online...found one that had what I wanted and was afforable, and put it on our wishlist with Amazon.  Greg said he looked at it and almost bought it but didn't know if I had made up my mind yet, for sure.  So I went back on there, kept looking and left him a little note on the item
"Yep, this is the one.  I also need the bobbins and a 1/4" foot for sewing quilt pieces".  I had also put those 2 additional items on the list (had to make it easy!)!

And he bought them!  I am blessed!

Here are the first 2 quilt pieces I sewed this morning with it.

These will go on a quilt that Amy is making for the fair.  We started our home ec this morning and this quilt is her first project.  I did these 2 for her & now I am just ironing and sewing the 2 halves of each block together ~ she is doing the rest. 

And the other machine?  Its been moved to a new table home....and I've started putting the embroidery machine back together.  Prayerfully, everything will connect the first time!  Then I can start to work on the stacks of embroidery that are waiting!

Homeschool news~~we are officially done with Geometry!!!!!  Hallelujah!  The last sections of the book started an into to Trigonometry ~ neither of them need that knowledge..and if they do in the future ~ they can learn it then!

Thanks Greg for my new toy!  So far it works great!  And any issues have definitely been because of the operator!

Appreciation/Thanks/Gratitude

Weddings involve alot of commitment from many people.  With all the plans, excitement, schedules, out of town visitors, etc. ~ folks sometimes forget 2 very important words ~ they are ~ Thank You.

So I want to publicly thank all the folks who helped me in the last weeks before the wedding.

*Granny/Mom ~ Thank You for coming to MS early and all of your help.  Potato Salad fixin' for 75 is incredible & yummy!  And thanks for all the flower arranging on Friday for the rehearsal dinner!  You were great!  And thanks for buying pizza on Sunday night for dinner...it was great not to have to cook that day!

*Allen & Jennifer ~ thanks for taking off work on Friday to drive over and be here in time for the rehearsal dinner ~ I know you don't get paid if you don't work, and I want you to know how much it meant for me to have you both here for the weekend! And for running errands for me after you got here on Friday!

*Bryant, Katie & Robert ~ again...thanks for taking off work on Friday to get her in time for the dinner!  I appreciate y'all giving up a day of pay also!  AND traveling with a baby is not easy sometimes, but it made my weekend to have him and y'all here.

*Will ~ I appreciate your help in house cleaning, giving up your room,  potato peeling, loading and toting heavy boxes, set up, and general errands.  And I appreciate you sharing your birthday with the bride and groom ~ this way...they will never forget what day your birthday is!

*Amy ~ Thank you so much for everything!  House cleaning, helping with meal, baking/icing/decorating a zillion cupcakes, making yummy lemon bars, giving up your room, and being a gracious little sister through all the hoopla.  You went above and beyond the call of duty with getting up at 6 on Friday morning to ice cupcakes and finish lemon bars.  Your dessert table was beautiful!  I greatly appreciate your help with everything, everyday ~ and I know I forget to say thank you sometimes!

*Greg ~ Thank you for sharing your children with me...I am proud to be part of your family!  Thanks for taking off work on Thursday & Friday ~ it helped keep me calm and organized.  Thanks for our yummy breakfast out on Thurs., for all the meat smoking, for Wills birthday dinner on Thurs., and for your help in shredding 40 pounds of chicken.  Thank you for keeping everything going in the kitchen on Friday, when I felt like I was being pulled in 25 different directions.

*To the groomsmen & bridesmaids ~ thanks for table set up, rolling silverware into the napkins, carrying heavy boxes, and being available for assistance.

*Especially thank you to Maloy ~ Wow...a young man I don't think I had ever met before Friday ~ he washed many dishes for us, cleaned all the celery, cut up vegies, and your yes m'ams were very appreciated.  He was a volunteer extraordinaire!  You saved me lots of time!

*Angel, Emmalyn, Dawn, & Amber ~ thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping ~ serving, setting up, ice in cups, washing up afterwards, dealing with leftovers, and your smiling faces!  I appreciate each of you ~

*To James, Andy, Rob, Allen, Katie, Will, Amy, Bryant, Amy Kate, & Jennifer ~~~~~~ thank you for my new family pictures!  Its not easy to get everyone together and I love getting my updated photos!  At A & J's wedding in Sept. little Robert will have to join us and not be napping!  But a nap is important to an 8 month old!

*to the folks who Pin their great ideas on Pinterest ~ thank you!  I used quite a few ideas I found for the rehearsal dinner!  Borrowing someone elses creative ideas is great!

If I forgot anyone ~ I am sorry!  It was a busy time and I am sure I missed some folks!

Now, a little break before we dive into our Sept. wedding for Allen & Jennifer!

You Knew they were Coming.....Grandson Pictures!

(blog content and pictures are copywrited)

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Rehearsal Dinner

We are used to cooking for many folks ~ from our limited kitchen facilities in Honduras to our church dinners for 125 or more folks.

Cooking for our son's rehearsal dinner for 75 friends and family on top of the weddings schedule was a bit taxing.  We started cooking on Thursday morning.

Greg smoked the pork (yummy),  I got the chicken barbequing in the roaster ovens, and Mom & Will started peeling potatoes and cooking them for the potato salad.  About 1/2 way through the afternoon, I checked on the chicken ~ yikes...it wasn't cooking well.  Turned up the temperature and kept going ~ this made me thrilled I cooked it on Thursday and didn't wait till Friday ~ that would have been a disaster.  I've always started the chicken while frozen and its been fine but these were 10lb. bags of chicken and 2 of the bags went into each roaster ~ so it took alot longer.  It was finished cooking about 10 Thurs. night.  Greg and I stayed up to shred 40 pounds of chicken for the dinner.  And he used my food processor to shred the pork ~ worked well!  Then we put all in gallon bags cleaned the kitchen (again) and fell into the bed about 12:30 Friday morning.

Amy baked and baked and baked and baked ~ ALL day on Thursday.  We ended up with 90+ cupcakes ~ chocolate with chocolate icing, spice with cream cheese icing, and vanilla with vanilla icing.  She made piped icing decorations for the chocolate cupcakes and then decorated with edible candy "pearls" for the rest.  And she baked her lemon bars recipe x 6.  We borrowed our friend Rosana's white cake plates for the dessert table and took our clear cake pedestals also.  The table was gorgeous.  All the compliments made her day!  By Thursday night she was sick with her allergies, but she hung in there and even was making icing on Friday morning at 6:45 am.  In her words ~ it was her cupcake reputation on the line and she had to finish!

Friday morning I woke up at 5 (just 4 1/2 hours after I went to bed ~ argh!).  But that gave me plenty of time to pray for the day and all the festivities and for everyone that was traveling for the weekend to attend the wedding.

We had to pack just about everything but the kitchen sink to haul over to the place for the dinner.  The venue had appliances ~ nothing else we could use.  So measuring spoons, cups, serving utensils, pans, etc. all had to go, plus all the serving stuff for the dinner, tablecloths, centerpieces, flowers, etc.

My van was packed from the back door to right behind the drivers seat.  Mom's Yukon was packed with room for the driver and 2 passengers.  Then all had to be unloaded and sorted & the set up had to start.  All the groomsmen were there so they did all the tables.  Amy iced cupcakes, Mom arranged all the flowers in the centerpieces, Will and Greg smoked 2 hams, made tea, etc.  I started cutting the vegies and we just worked till we got it done.  One of the groomsmen came into the kitchen and volunteered to wash dishes for us (thanks Maloy) and then he cleaned all the celery and started cutting up vegies. My kitchen angel helpers came about 4:30 ~ many thanks to Angel T., Emmalyn, Amber, and Dawn ~ y'all are the best and I owe you big time!

In the midst of all the cooking, setting up frenzy~ Jennifer & Allen got there (& they ran a few errands for us), Katie, Bryant & Robert got there (yippee baby love), and Greg's parents got there (his mom sewed the ribbons on the quilt block "wreaths" for me).

Dinner was a huge success.  We fed about 75 folks ~ but probably had enough food for 100.

Here are the pictures.....

Amy ~ our Cupcake Queen

AWESOME dessert table!

Raw Vegies in cups with Ranch dressing ~ thanks pinterest for this idea!

Angel, Amber, Emmalyn & Dawn

Yummy meat by the Grillmaster Greg!

Yummy potato salad by Granny!

Yummy!

Greg & I

The bride & groom ~ with their redneck stemware & mason jar centerpieces (pinterest)

Grandma & Robert had some bonding time over cereal and fruit!

And we get to do it again in Sept.!  

Our next child getting married is Sept. 14!!!!!

Together Again = Happy Mama

Another Wedding

Another Daughter added to the Family

Another excuse for everyone to be 

Together Again !

our 7 blessings from the Lord~Will, James, Andy, Amy Lynn, Katie, Allen, Rob

Happy Mama & Daddy with their children

Adding in our newest blessings ~ Jennifer (Allens fiancee), Amy Kate (now Amy Kate Jackson), and Bryant (Katies husband)  & our baby blessing Robert was asleep!

 The next time we will all be together is Sept. 28, at Allen and Jennifers wedding!

We are tremendously blessed and very thankful for ALL our children~

Languishing

This is still languishing in the quilt frame upstairs ~ I saw it again yesterday...

 I decided that after the wedding,

its coming down stairs to sit in my way so that I will work on it.

Languishing upstairs is easy to forget.

I haven't touched it since we moved it upstairs

(it has held some junk off the ironing board)

So next week....its moving time for the quilt frame!

It would be awesome to have all the hand quilting done and enter it in the fair this year ~

plus, its our new quilt for our bed in the RV.

AND, its been languishing long enough!

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Got a wedding this weekend!

Gregs pool table is covered in stuff we need for the rehearsal dinner.

Cooking a barbeque dinner for 75 on Friday night.

My Mom is on her way, driving over from GA.

By Friday afternoon, all my kids will be here ~ yippee!

Amy Lynn is cooking all the desserts ~ all from scratch for the dinner.
Trays of lemon bars, + spice cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes.
Will is our all round "gofer", toter, and barbeque support staff.
Greg is our Grill/Smoker Master.
He is taking off work Thursday & Friday which will help alot!
Granny is going to make our potato salad.
Hummm, sounds like everything is covered and I can relax ~ NOT!

I've made the centerpieces ( picture next week), am cleaning tablecloths I borrowed from the church, am trying to remember everything to take.  We are getting the house clean for all the visitors.
Today is the last day of the school for the week.
The rest of the week is home ec ~ with a heavy cooking emphasis.

Yesterday was gorgeous here ~
Bluebelle hopped around the yard.
The dogs weren't real excited that the furball bunny was hopping in the yard & they were locked in the house!  Somehow, chihuahua's and a lop eared bunny don't mix!
The chickens are happy scratching in all their new hay.
I planted some strawberries and potatoes yesterday.
Did some general yard cleanup.
Tremendously enjoyed the sun and warm breeze!

This grandma is ready for some grandboy love and playtime!
Can't wait!

The Bible ~ On the History Channel

Last night started the beginning of the mini series "The Bible" on the History Channel.  We've debated back and forth about if we were going to watch it.  And decided yesterday to watch.  Overall, I believe it was kind of "true to the text" but there were some moments in different stories that just didn't ring true.

One was the Ark ~ just who were those younger children?  And why was the Ark leaking in the storm?  Neither I felt were entirely accurate!  The Bible tells us that the Lord chose to save Noah, his wife, their 3 sons (Shem, Ham, & Japeth) and their wives ~ Genesis 6:18 and 7:7 & 13. In Genesis 6:14-16, Noah was given specific instructions on how to build the Ark ~ those instructions including covering the Ark with Pitch (tar) inside and out, which would have made it pretty waterproof.  There is no depiction of them hammering pieces into knotholes when the Ark sprung a leak.

During the Abraham/Sarah/Lot retelling.  The depiction of the 3 men appearing to Abraham was accurate~Genesis 18, in fact some believe that one of the men was Christ.  This is one of the Christophony (an appearance of Christ on earth before his Birth~Genesis 18:22).  One man remained with Abraham while the other 2 (Angels) traveled to Sodom.  While in Sodom, the Angels were sheltered in Lots home from the evil in the town.  The following morning the men took Lot, his wife, and 2 daughters out of the city to protect them ~ there was no big battle with the evil men of the city that is retold in the Bible...Genesis 19:15-29.  The series "failed" to mention WHY the Lord was destroying Sodom ~  Genesis 19:5 states the men wanted into Lots home to get the 2 angels so that they might know them Carnally~ homosexualtiy, exchanging the natural for the unnatural.   Lot's children were girls of marrying age, not children as shown.  Their betrothed were urged to leave with them, but did not.  After escaping, the two girls used alcohol to seduce their father which lead to the birth of the Moabite and Ammonite nations.  These two nations were at war with the Israelites.

Abraham was called upon by the Lord to sacrifice his only son, Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19.  However after the 3 days journey (not a couple of hours like in the movie), as Isaac was laid on the altar he and Abraham had built, the Lord did provide a sacrifice (a ram not a lamb).  The part about Sarah following and running up the mountian was not in the Bible.

Jacob, Joseph, Leah & Rachel, Josephs slave captivity, the famine, etc. were completely skipped.  I know you can't cover everything in 5 weeks but Jacob was the next in Abrahams line as Isaac's son.

Then we get to Moses.  The depictions of the river turned to blood, the plagues, and the Passover are all revealed to us in Exodus.  In Exodus 13:21-22, it tells of the Lord protecting and guiding His people from the city on the beginning of their journey...a pillar of could to lead the way by day, and by night a pillar of fire to give them light.  In Exodus 14:1-4, the Lord told Moses ahead of time that the Egyptians/Pharaoh would follow them ~ it wasn't a surprise when they showed up.  The Lord provided a cloud to stand between the Egyptians sent to destroy the Lords people (Ex. 14:19-20).  The Lord did part the sea and His people made it safely to the other side.  Now, here is where my mind and watching didn't line up exactly to what the Bible said...I assumed or thought I remembered that when Pharaoh's army went into the Red Sea after them,that Pharaoh was with them ~ but in reading this morning, I find no mention of that ~ it does say that while Pharaoh's army was in the Red Sea, the Lord closed the waves and all were destroyed (none remained).  In my brain, that means Pharaoh died also, but its not mentioned in the text.

The 10 Commandements were revealed to Moses in Exodus 20:1-10, however the movie just called them laws/statutes of the Lord.  But never told what they were...They are
1. You shall have no other gods before me
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image & bow down to it (idol)
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord you God in vain (its not a slang word or a curse word)
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (day of worship & rest)
5. Honor your Father and Mother
6. You shall not murder
7.You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (lie)
10. You shall not covet (want what your neighbor has)

That was a significantly important part of the Bible to leave out in my opinion!

The movie ended with the 2 men being sent before Joshua into Jericho ~ and did show a small introduction to Rahab.

Overall, I do think they stuck pretty close to the Bible.  The 4 of us sat through the 2 hour show and talked about the different storylines, what was correct and what was "story telling embellishment".

As Christians, this should enhance our knowledge of our Bible, the Holy Lords revelation of His history to His believers.  Its a good test to us, to question what we are watching as opposed to what the Bible actually says.  I will say, the most dramatic storyline to me was the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Very well done.

This could be a powerful tool the Lord uses to draw others (unbelievers) unto Himself and save them. 

It will be interesting to watch the rest of the episodes and see if it remains true (or as close as can be) to the Bible.