Change of Seasons & Seasons of Change

I am ashamed to see that my last post was in June, and now it's September! To put it in a few words--we've been busy, even busier than usual. And I'm not sure if that will ever change! I know I thoroughly enjoyed soaking up some sunshine while I worked in the garden and hung up laundry, but I feel like most of my Summer was spent in the kitchen--making meals and canning & freezing for the months ahead. Our garden did well, and we have been blessed! I'm now ready to put the "preserving" season behind and focus more time & energy on school...and moving. The goal is for us to be out of our house before November, so we have a few short weeks to prepare. It is exciting but also looks quite overwhelming at this point! And in case you're wondering, we're planning to move to the farm, just a short distance away. Joel's parents are purchasing a neighbor's house that became available recently. The next few weeks have a lot in store for us--Revival Meetings, auctions, Love Feast, finishing field work, and all that goes along with moving. We are thankful that God is with us each step of the way and we can put our confidence in Him because He is faithful.

Titus turned 6 the end of August, joined the Primary Sunday School class, enjoys reading his new Bible, and is excited about losing his first 2 teeth.

Joshua is riding a two-wheel bike now and has fun pedaling through the barn. He likes to play outside, go along with Daddy to the farm, and says he wants to be a "farmer and auctioneer" when he grows up.

Talitha will turn 2 this week and tries to keep up with her busy brothers. She enjoys helping Mommy, playing with dollies, going shopping, and being in the barn.

The Faith of a Child

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Happy Father's Day!

Children, obey your parents in the Lord:

for this is right.

Honour thy father and mother;

which is the first commandment with promise;

That it may be well with thee,

and thou mayest live long on the earth.

(Ephesians 6:1-3)

The Patriarch

More noble than the valiant deeds of shining knights of yore,
More powerful than earthly plights that make the rich man poor,
More kingly than a royal throne or a lion with his pride,
Is he whose babes sleep well at night sure Daddy will provide.

There is a spirit in this land and Jezebel’s her name.
She’s calling you to leave your home for power, fun, and fame.
She wants your wife, your children too — she’ll never compromise,
Until your house is torn in two by listening to her lies.

But though a hundred thousand million men may fall prey to her lures,
And wives en masse leave home in search of “more fulfilling” chores,
Though preachers praise, and friends embrace, her pagan plan of death,
Stand strong and quit you like a man with every blessed breath.

Stand strong and rise, O man of God, to meet this noble call,
The battle is not new, you see, it’s been here since the Fall.

Your wife is your helpmeet, my friend, and not another man’s,
So care for her and keep her far from Mistress Jezi’s plans.
Protect, provide, and give to her your undivided life,
This is the dear one of your youth, your precious bride, your wife.

And rally to those tiny ones who trust you for their care —
A lifetime spent discipling them’s a lifetime pure and rare.
For when they put their hand in yours and know a Daddy’s love,
You’re showing them a picture of the Father from above.

Look not toward worldly goal or gain, or for your liberty,
Look only into their sweet eyes to find your ministry.
Devote your heart and sacrifice and make your manly mark —
There is none so great as he who finds his call as patriarch.

~ Douglas W. Phillips

Blessings on Mother's Day!

The Children Visiting Our Neighbors' Lambs

Folding Your Flock

Above Rubies Devotional by Nancy Campbell

One of the most beautiful revelations of God is that He is our Shepherd. He is our personal Shepherd and He is the Great Shepherd of His flock--His people Israel and the church. Not only is He our Shepherd, but of all the animals God created, He chose to call us His sheep—and a sheep cannot survive without a shepherd.

The Chief Shepherd wants to shepherd His precious flock through His under shepherds. He raises up shepherds to watch over His flock, the church. 1 Peter 5:1-2 exhorts the elders to “Feed the flock of God which is among you… being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” The word “feed” means a lot more than giving food to eat. The word is polmaino, which involves the full responsibility of the shepherd—leading them to nourishment, but also guiding, guarding, tending, and folding the flock.

When Jesus spoke to Peter after His resurrection, He exhorted him three times, “Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep… Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). The first and last exhortation to “feed” literally means to feed. However, the second time Jesus said these words he used polmaino, the word that means the fullness of shepherding.

I love the term, “folding the flock,” don’t you? In biblical times the shepherd folded his flock each night. He counted each one and made sure they were all in the fold, safe and secure from any wild beasts. He often slept in the opening of the fold to protect his sheep. During the day, he watched over them constantly with his rod and staff, and led them to green pastures.

God also wants you, as a shepherding mother, to fold your flock. One of the biggest things you do as a shepherdess is feed your children. That’s what sheep do all day long--eat! They rarely lift their heads from eating grass! Now do you wonder why God calls us sheep? Don’t think you are wasting your time when you seem to be preparing meals all day! This is a huge part of your shepherding.

But you do more than prepare meals. You tenderly nurture your flock. You gently shepherd as you nurse your baby and lovingly teach and train your little ones. But, you are not only a sweet caring mother. You are also courageous! You have the enormous task of protecting their minds, souls and spirits (1 Thessalonians 5:23). You are guarding them from evil—from all deceptions, delusions and the detours from God’s paths that are everywhere in this society. When the enemy comes stalking your children you are like a wild watchwoman as you grab your child from the jaws of the destroyer. That’s what David, the shepherd of Israel did. Such was his courage that He would grab a ferocious lion by the beard and rescue his lamb from its mouth (I Samuel 17:34-36).

The farming shepherd works hard and sacrifices for his sheep because he loves them. Shepherding involves laying down our life for our lambs. Dear mother, you are doing a beautiful work each day as you reveal God’s shepherding heart to your family.

Shepherding is so much part of who God is that He continues to shepherd us even in the eternal realm. Revelation 7:15-17says, “He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed (polmaino) them, and shall led them unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

God will never stop folding His flock. Because He is the Chief Shepherd, He will continue folding us throughout all eternity, leading us continually to greener and greener pastures and fountains of living waters. We will be totally satisfied and contented sheep, and yet always being led to more and more.

Do you notice that He is not only the Shepherd, but also the Lamb—the Lamb that was slain and who bears the marks of our salvation in His body. And although He sits on the throne, He also dwells with us and enjoys the eternal days with us. He is now, and always will be, the “dwelling” Shepherd who loves to dwell with us and be part of our lives. You also, as a shepherdess will always want to be with your sheep, to dwell with them, and to be part of their lives. Even an earthly shepherd would not take a lamb away from its mother or take the lamb out of the family flock. In the same way, a shepherd mother cannot part with her little lamb, even for a few hours. As they continue to grow, she still wants them around her to enjoy them and teach them in God’s ways.

Don’t only observe your flock.

 Fold them into your heart.

Fold them into your secure and godly home.

Fold them in to your daily prayers.

NANCY CAMPBELL

May God bless each of you mothers as you fold the flock He has given you.

Happy Mother's Day!

~ Karen

Li'l Heisey Humor

Joshua came up to me

 with his belly sticking out and asked,

"Am I fat enough to have a diet?"

BIBLICAL FAITH APPLIED TO HEALTH CARE

I decided to update and post this again in light of current events.

BIBLICAL FAITH APPLIED TO HEALTH CARE

We have been a part of Samaritan Ministries for a number years,

going back to when I served under OBMM in Grenada.

 Each month we receive an informative, encouraging newsletter

including the share slip that tells us to whom we should send our gift.

We have also been on the receiving side--when Titus injured his foot, 

when Joel was tested for sleep apnea, and of course for our four maternity needs.

 It was such a blessing to receive notes of encouragement

 and have all of our bills paid.

 It is wonderful to be able to share with other Christians in this way,

 knowing that our monthly share is going to an actual person with a real need.

If you'd like to know more about this ministry,

feel free to ask us, or continue reading.

"If you are a committed Christian, you do not have to violate your faith by purchasing health insurance from a company that pays for abortions and other unbiblical medical practices. You can live consistently with your beliefs by sharing medical needs directly with fellow believers through Samaritan Ministries’ non-insurance approach. This approach even satisfies the Federal health care law’s (Affordable Care Act) requirement that you have insurance or pay a penalty-tax (see 26 United States Code Section 5000A, (d), (2), (B)).<br />The IRS will be issuing details explaining how your participation in health care sharing through Samaritan Ministries will exempt you from the penalty-tax. Since those details will not be needed until 2015 when you file your 2014 tax return, it may be a while before the information is released. Samaritan Ministries is working with the IRS to develop these procedures and will notify all of its members as soon as finalized.
Every month the more than 25,000 households of Samaritan Ministries share more than $6 million in medical needs directly—one household to another. They also pray for one another and send notes of encouragement. The monthly share for a family of any size has never exceeded $370, and is even less for singles, couples, and single-parent families.
For more information, visit our blog. You may also find additional information in our Press Releases and at the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries website. REASONS SAMARITAN MINISTRIES CAN HELP REDUCE YOUR HEALTH CARE COSTS

1. God answers prayer.

2. Share money goes for needs, not administration

3. A Biblical lifestyle is healthier.

4. Members work hard to keep their own medical costs down.

5. Samaritan Ministries is a not-for profit ministry.

Samaritan Ministries Video

visit http://www.samaritanministries.org/

or call 888-2-OTHERS for more information

Save More with YaySave!

                In case some of you haven’t heard yet, there's a fairly new website called YaySave.com.

YaySave is an online merchandiser that provides you with household essentials,

Health & Beauty products, Baby & Mom items, toys and more!

You can become a member for free, and save on all of these items,

or you can become a premium member for $19.99 and receive even more benefits!

I have been a member of YaySave! almost a year

and have enjoyed the benefits of a premium membership for several months.

I usually order from YaySave during the promotions that award swagbucks for purchases,

and we have saved on diapers, soap, toilet paper, and much more.

You can create a free account by clicking on the banner above,

and along with me, enjoy the savings!

Cheers, Chest Colds & Changes (The Past 3 Weeks)

We enjoyed our annual weekend away with Joel's family

 at God's Mountain Retreat Center

in Wayne County, February 17-19.

The previous days were used to plan, prepare & pack.

It is a highly-anticipated time that is over all too soon!

Photo: Karen's Kaptures Photography

Spending 2 hours in the pool with cousins

on two different days was a favorite for the children.

Some good food, great fellowship and time to relax

was a favorite for us adults.

Photo: Karen's Kaptures Photography

All of us except Joel got chest colds

that lasted most of last week.

I'm thankful those days of being sick

while caring for the sick

are over (at least for now).

This week brought changes to our home and schedule.

Shawn was here during the day

from Monday till today (Thursday).

We got accustomed to some extra noise & dirt 

(no big deal around here!) 

as well as making a daily trip to Dad & Mom Heisey's

to have school and use the bathroom.

But all of this inconvenience was well worth it.

Shawn is from Bath Fitters,

and we are now experiencing the

shocking results of a remodeled bathroom.

We feel like we're in a hotel now

 --the change is truly amazing!

 Even Talitha agrees!

We are thankful for the good times and the bad times,

knowing God is with us and He is GREAT!

"I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it:

and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."

Psalms 52:9



"Going Green" Printer Tip

We have an HP Color LaserJet CP1215 Printer that gets used frequently for Church bulletins, auctions, and other stuff. It was frustrating to have the printer stop and need to change the toner every time one color was low. Recently we learned that we could change the setting to override and it has saved us a good deal of ink. I opened HP Toolbox, clicked on System Setup (under Device Settings), and changed the override to ON. This tip has helped us greatly and hopefully can help someone else save some dollars as well!

Eating Grenadian Roti--Without Even Leaving Our Home

We took a trip down memory lane on Valentine's Day, enjoying one of my favorite, mouth-watering delicacies from Grenada. This wouldn't have been possible without a visit and a special gift from my friend and former roomate, Joelle. She had visited Grenada recently and brought some roti skins back to the States, and eventually to our house. These are the best roti skins on the Island (in my opinion), made in the home of some Indo-Grenadians, just a short walk down the road from where we lived. Roti skins are like large, thick tortillas, and though I don't know the recipe, I'm guessing that they are made out some sort of mixture of flour, cornmeal, dried beans and red pepper, and then fried in oil. All I had to do was season and cook chicken, and add potatoes, water and curry powder. I put this filling in the roti skin and folded it up. The children thought it was a little too spicy for them, so they ended up eating just the filling. I thoroughly enjoyed not one, but three meals of roti that week. What a treat! Now, anyone care to share some oildown? That's something I've been craving for about eight years. :)

Road Construction

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