Letter From Jesus

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

(Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.)

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on...If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.

If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a "holiday" tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me any time you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. (I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.)

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing letters to someone complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell them that you'll be praying for them and their family this year. Then follow up...it will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone that you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees attend worship and spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one: There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me, and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to ME, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.

Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a Blessed Christmas with all those whom you love,
and remember...

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Merry CHRISTmas to all of you!


This came to me in an email from my friend Lorna Jean, I felt it was good to share. Photos are mine

GIFT OF THE OLD ONE

Tiny Tales Annie Oakley

GIFT OF THE OLD ONE
by Eunice Day, Washington , ME.

The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas

visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man And his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.

   The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year and the goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

    Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One?”    She is no longer of use to you.  It's been years since you've had either kids or milk from her.  You should cut corners and save where you can.  Why do you keep her anyway?"  The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears.  He replied softly, “We keep her because of love.   Only because of love."

     Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.

    So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.   None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One.”

     In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay.  With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved goats.  But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back.

He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury.

     By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife.  They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana.  Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.  Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair.   We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."

      And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand.   As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.   Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles.  And poised on its top most boughs, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass.  Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.  Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward.  There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.

      Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.   At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the goats through it.  Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow.  The kids were frightened and dashed about.  The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits.  The milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine.  And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved.  Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift Because of love, Only Because of love.

Nanqu

I let my goats out this afternoon, before I let them out I look to see where the cows are, and i didn't see them, so they took off south over the hill and I really couldn't see them, then I went and did chores, turn around and here come the cows,,humm,,, I get a bit worried,,,, the cows aren't used to  seeing the goats in their pasture,  they were curious, perhaps a bit too curious.   I could see the cows standing at attention, watching so I knew that they had seen them,  then they started walking towards the goats, I couldn't see the goats but I knew they were over in that direction, , I'm getting a bit nervous, I mouth a quick prayer for wisdom and protection for my dog Nanqu and goats,.  then a few minutes later here they come, he  brings them home (slowly), no panic,, standing in front of the goats  between the cows. bringing them back to safety. It was beautiful to watch, and of course i didn't have my phone or camera with me. I didn't want to turn away because I was really curious to see how and what he would do to handle this situation...He is definitely worth he weight in gold...and better yet he is only 1 year old..I look forward to many good years with this one

Second Trailer Full of Recycled Leaf bedding and Pumpkins

 Back in October I made a posts that told of my plans to put ads in the local paper to collect mulched leaf litter to be used as animal bedding and a later post of gathering pumpkins to be used as a feed treat for my goats.

everyone enjoying the pumpkins

Pumpkin is full of nutritional benefits and the seed act as a natural wormer. For FREE it sure was worth it !!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I admit i was sceptically jumping in with both feet so to speak. Someone posted a you tube video of how to make homemade laundry soap, and i thought WOW.. I have been having trouble getting my close to smell clean, especially if i didn't get it in the dryer as soon as the washer stopped. I think we might have a bit of sulfur in our well water, not enough to make the water smell bad as soon as it came out of the hydrant but it would sour dish rags in a hurry, apparently the smell settled in my washer.. Doing laundry was quickly becoming a nightmare, i felt defeated as the clothes still smelled bad afterwards. I even went and purchased the expensive stuff to see if that would help, it didn't.. So I didn't have anything to loose by trying this homemade soap.  

Recipe is as fallows:

                    

                  

1/2 cup of finely grated Ivory bar soap

1/4 cup washing soda (regular is what i used)

1/4 cup borax

mix thoroughly, use 1Tsp. per load (YA! WOW is right)

Now as with everything, I modified this recipe to fit my needs, we have hard water, so I used 1 cup each of the Soda and Borax.. and I probably will use soda feed grade, I simply can't tell a difference except the label and packaging.. And so then I fell in love with my towels again..I was TOTALLY AMAZED !! The expensive stuff  just perfumed the smelly closes. The HOMEMADE laundry soap made my clothes CLEAN!

Shortly after that I watched another video and this one was basically the same recipe except she diluted the bar soap into liquid form and made a liquid soap.. Take a look .. 

I am now sold on Homemade laundry soap. I will not purchase name brands again, and the money that i am saving AMAZING!!

Tarp Hut Update

finding billboard tarps was just not going to happen, the tarp company that i contacted shipped ups and the shipping was more then the purchase of the tarp,, so we back out of that,, I called a local sign company, and asked if they had any signs that they would salvage, "no, they still belonged to the advertiser" that they would ask the advertiser and let me know.. i haven't heard anything, and as with most things out of sight out of mind.. But GOD is good.. He laid on my mind the idea of posting an ad asking for salvaged simi tarps..with in a week i recieved 5 tarps WOW is right !! 3 are probably in the area of 40 ft long and 2 are a bit smaller. I am soo grateful. We will continue working on the tarp hut as soon as the snow melts.