Faith-Network -> Quoting a Post in Prayers And Duct Tape

Last 10 Posts [ In reverse order ]

beadnik	Posted on Jun 3 2012, 11:32 AM
	An analogy popped into my head while I was ranging the chickens. God stretches us like rubber bands. He stretches us for a bit, then lets up. We often pull back a little bit, though not as small as we were before. He stretches us again and again, with the ultimate goal that at the end of our lives we will be stretched to our full capacity - stretched as far as we can go without snapping. I told my husband my analogy and he said he felt like one of those old rubber bands that's been out in the sun too long
beadnik	Posted on May 16 2012, 04:31 PM
	We spent the day at a small farm yesterday. My dad had done a painting of the family's sheep, and they walked past our gallery and stopped in their tracks when they recognised their sheep. He told them if they were interested he would give them a super deal on the piece, and the lady said to be honest they've had a rough time and have had to go on food stamps. We really wanted the lady to have the painting since it was of her favorite sheep, so we all piled in the truck and brought her the painting and told her we would trade the painting for anything they had a surplus of. Here's the painting: http://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/im...t/display_order And here are a couple pictures from their farm: http://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/im...t/display_order http://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/im...t/display_order So after spending the day around real farmers I decided that real farmers wouldn't be cowards about a mouse situation. Last night I set out a catch and release trap and this morning I saw that it had been sprung. I put on heavy jeans and boots in case the mouse/mice accidentally ran toward me, then I nervously went to the trap. We had indeed caught something...a slug! It seemed right at home. After all that I took a closer look at the chickens' food and realised that was seed in their food, not droppings. Well, I know how to get rid of slugs now, at least!
beadnik	Posted on May 10 2012, 10:20 AM
	Our two chickens have had to get creative while their flock is so small. This morning they saw a wild rabbit across the street and took off after it! It was so funny hearing their feet slap the pavement, red combs glinting in the sun. They chased it about 100' before I could stop laughing long enough to catch up to them!
beadnik	Posted on May 8 2012, 09:10 AM
	I don't know if this is the beginning of a turn around for us, but at least it's a breather. My parents and I have had a small business since '93. Every winter is a challenge, but the past 7 months have been brutal. I just found out last night that my parents had been within two weeks of having their power cut at the house and they were seriously considering the possibility that they might have to live in my grandparents' 5th wheel until (?) they got on their feet again. We've learned over the years that hard times happen not because God isn't faithful, or doesn't care deeply about us, but because He has bigger plans for us. He means to refine us and help us to be ready for amazing things. And through it all we can help others and really understand what they're going through. The last straw for my mother was when I lost my Kahuna. She became Mother Bear and decided they weren't let it get to the point of us having to support the business (my husband has his own small business which is doing okay but can't float two businesses for long). So they wrote a letter to all our collectors and dear friends from over the years, telling them we may be closing. And our collectors are calling up and placing orders, telling us how much they appreciate us. It's amazing, and hasn't really sunk in yet. We're going to see this as an opportunity to invest in things like the spinning wheels, new pieces that might have a broader appeal. And, thank You God, it's an opportunity to pay our bills!
beadnik	Posted on May 6 2012, 03:08 PM
	Okay, here's a more cheerful post Kirk caught my cold so no one is going anywhere today. He's bundled up watching YouTube videos on model rocketry and also (of all things) Jane Eyre. He reminds me of The Hungry Caterpillar. So far he has eaten through... potato hash with ham... tater tots... toast and peanut butter... salad... watermelon... chicken club sandwich. And it's just now lunch time! I have a vision of his blanket being really a cocoon and I'll come in to find him fluttering at the window. Also, the chickens don't like bananas, they don't like bread, but they love banana bread! Go figure.
beadnik	Posted on May 6 2012, 12:33 AM
	My lost chicken and John the Baptist I lost my dear Kahuna to a coyote and it's been a hard thing to deal with. It wasn't her passing so much as her being taken. She was trusting, friendly, and innocent, and she was taken. We have lost family, dear friends, beloved pets; this, though, was innocence lost. When I'm faced with a difficult thing I search my memory for Biblical parallels. It may seem funny to some people, but what came to mind was John the Baptist. His faith and steadfastness to God were amazing, and yet his life was taken by Godless, arrogant people. I thought about how Jesus handled John's death. He cared deeply, but He didn't turn His disciples or the crowds away so He could grieve. That really humbles me. Righteousness and innocence being taken, violated, is a terrible aspect of this age, but it doesn't mean that God doesn't care. He cares more than we can even fathom. I'm still thinking this through, but I wanted to share and thought that perhaps a blog might be more appropriate than blabbing on and on in the forums. And hey, if anyone has input I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. I promise to post cheerful subjects as well Oh, and the title was inspired by the "roof" on our chicken run. That's a whole 'nother post, but it'll have to go way down in the grumbling section.

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