Good morning, from the mountains of Kentucky! It’s a quiet morning on the homestead! The sound of crickets outside the window, the calm stillness in the air, the hum of a tractor in the far distance, and the crows from the chicken coop stir a desire deep within me to reflect on our bountiful blessings from God. I am thankful for our salvation, our family, our health, our church family, and for His amazing grace. As the sun rises, the world outside our window comes to life… what a beautiful fall-like day we have been gifted!
Early morning visitor!
With the recent surge in heat we have been experiencing, the fall-like temperatures are a welcomed change. This change has brought many of the summer leaves down early over the course of the past few weeks. The crunch of the dry leaves beneath my feet this morning feels as if it were late September in the mountains. I am reminded of time this morning and how precious it truly is. Time is something that we often take for granted. Many of us count down the days until Christinas, a birthday, summer vacation, the birth of a child, a holiday, graduation, and even retirement. Just as many of you are guilty, I too, have counted days until an event or date.
During the quiet morning meditation, prayer time, and Bible study, my heart aches for a friend who received the news that no one wants to hear… you have cancer. I know God is bigger than cancer and He can perform miracles that man cannot. This news made me think even more about life. It is truly as described in the Bible as vapor on water. In other words, it is temporary and we have it for a borrowed amount of time.
This thought lead me to be even more thankful for life and the time that I have been blessed with and a question on my thoughts. What are we doing with this time? Once time has passed, it cannot be reclaimed… it’s gone. This lead me to the urgency, even more than before, to stop counting days down until some big or even small events. I am reminded to cherish this day, make the most of this day, live it to its fullest, be thankful for what the day brings, and be content with this specific day and know that tomorrow is a new day and then today becomes a yesterday… a day that is past and finished.
Early morning fog in the mountains.
I hope this short post inspires you to slow down, stop wishing your life away, take time to enjoy the day to its fullest, and cherish the days one by one we have been given. Remember, each day is a day that we are gifted. As the Bible tells us in James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Feel free to like, share, or follow. Also, head over to Apple Podcasts and check out our latest episode on Homesteading in the Mountains. God bless, from the mountains of Kentucky and happy homesteading from our homestead to yours.
Good morning from the mountains of Kentucky. As I writing we are awaiting and preparing for the biggest winter storm for Kentucky this season. Meteorologists are calling it a crippling storm of rain, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. In the natural we began preparing, we made a quick run to the store to pickup a few things, filled our gasoline jugs with gas for the generators to be ready if needed, picked up extra feed and straw for the animals, and made sure our water reserve tanks were full. I spent yesterday baking extra bread in case we lose electricity. I think we are as prepared as we can be. Now comes the wait.
Radar this morning. Screenshot credited to Kentucky Weather Center.
With that being said, I awoke this morning, looked out the window to see if the expected storm had arrived. The land was and is very still and quiet other than the stirring of our chickens, and a couple crows calling. It’s almost eerie quiet as the winds have made their presence known for the past couple of days and have totally ceased this morning. The roads are very still with no traffic moving at all. It feels like the world has stopped in expectation for the storm that is predicted to hit our little community this morning.
With that thought, I began to think about our spiritual preparation. The word tells us that Jesus is returning to take those who have prepared through accepting Him as their savior, and are ready to go home to be with Him for eternity. But yet, many are not preparing for His returning as they are preparing for this winter storm. This leaves me to ponder and reflect on my own efforts. Am I doing enough? Am I preparing daily for His returning? Have we heard of His returning so often that we are taking it nonchalantly? Am I spreading the word enough about His returning? These and other questions and thoughts stirred my mind.
As the new year is still fresh and new, instead of making resolutions that are often not kept, or insignificant, I feel compelled to take the time to ensure daily preparations for His returning. To spread the word to others about this glorious day just as the meteorologists hype the public up about the physical storm that awaits us. They are blasting the news on television, the radio, through text messages, and social media. Should we not be doing the same thing? Indeed we should! For His returning will be a glorious day for those who are ready. We, as Christian’s, must help spread the word, He is coming, in effort to help everyone be prepared and ready for His coming!
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (KJV)
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (KJV)
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (KJV)
Snow in the mountains!
The snow has begun to fall on the homestead and in within a matter of moments has covered the tops of buildings and sticking to the trees. I am so very thankful today to be prepared both physically and spiritually. Be safe, stay warm, prayers for all during this uncertain weather event, but most of all, prayers that everyone will be ready for His returning. God bless from the mountains of Kentucky. Feel free to like, comment, and or subscribe.
Hello, from the mountains of Kentucky! I hope the weather where you are is a bit dryer than it is here. Rain has once again returned to the mountains making it difficult for garden work, vegetables ripening, and also for picking. Uncertain weather can be challenging for homesteaders.
Tomatoes and beans from our garden. I find so much peace while working in our garden.
However, the rain has been a blessing in other ways. My eighty-six year old mother was hospitalized over a week ago, and I’ve spent the majority of my time with her. The rain falling outside the hospital window reminds me that God is aways in control of all things. Had my mom’s hospital stay have been during a hot and dry season of summer, I would have been worrying about the garden work. With the rain falling, I was reminded that I couldn’t have picked, even if I were home. This thought provided me some peace, and allowed me to focus on the most important thing, my mom. For now, the veggies can wait.
My time spent at the hospital has been nothing short of miraculous. I am amazed all over again at the diverse population of people that I have and continue to come in contact with within the hospital. I have had lengthy conversations with a few, encouraged others, have been encouraged, prayed with some and others have prayed with and for me. I have encountered beautiful and friendly smiles, have laughed with one or two, and shared my heart and warm hugs with others who were grieving. Through the encounters of others, I am reminded that God places people with us, around us, and near us, when we need them.
God’s beautiful creation. We can beauty all around us, if we have eyes to see.
One gentleman who was at the hospital with his wife who was in very serious condition, shared his testimony. He said he was worried and felt helpless. His wife wasn’t getting better. He explained, “I said, Lord, I just need a little hope.” He said, as soon as he had said those words, a nurse came into the room and introduced herself as, Hope. She explained that she would be his wife’s nurse for the day. He finished his testimony by saying, he just looked and whispered a thank you prayer to the Lord. He truly is an on time God. He’s ever-present.
I also met an older lady the other night in the waiting room. After chatting with her for a few minutes, I discovered she was there for her brother whom only had an estimated few days of life remaining. I noticed a young man who seemed to always be near her and who talked with her. I assumed he was her son or grandson. Later that night when the waiting room had emptied, other than my husband, myself, and the elder lady, I noticed the young man was gone. I asked her if he was her son or grandson. She smiled and said, “I don’t know who he is. He just kind of took a liking to me and had been hanging out with me.”
God provides friendship and companionship in different ways. He knows just what we need and when we need it.
I felt a warm feeling of comfort from the Lord. Instantly, I thought about how the Bible speaks of entertaining angels unaware. Had we entertained an angel unaware? Had He placed someone who could bring comfort in the time of need? Either way, the company of the young man was a blessing to the elderly lady. As suddenly as the young man had appeared, he was gone, just as the nurse, Hope, didn’t return after that night.
Even if he wasn’t an angel, he provided comfort for a lonely soul in the time of need just as the nurse named Hope, provided comfort for the man whose wife was so ill. God sees us where we are and meets us there with His presence or someone he temporarily places in our lives. Remember, to be kind and be thoughtful, to others. You may be their temporary angel, or you could be the one who is entertaining angels unaware. God’s ways are not our way.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. KJV
I hope you have enjoyed this post, and it brought you some peace and comfort. God truly knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Remember, He is alive, and miracles still happen. As I write this post, I am encouraged. My mom has been moved from ICU to a regular room. She is making baby step improvement. The testimonies of others helped lift me up. If you have an encouraging testimony, don’t be afraid to share it. There are people all around us who need encouragement. Feel free to comment, like, and or follow. For now, God bless, from the mountains of Kentucky.
Good afternoon, from the mountains of Kentucky! It’s a windy spring day in the mountains. The trees are beautiful! All of the blooming trees are in full color. Friday finds me busy with assignments that signify the spring semester is winding down. During this time, there is always extra work consisting of year end meetings, various writing assignments that need to be scored, classroom observations, and numerous interviews with students entering the education program. Thus, comes added stress to complete work in a timely manner. So, how do I deal with this added stress?
First and foremost, I like to rise early to pray and spend time in the word. Anything we need or questions we have, can be found and answered in His word. Secondly, I love to cook and bake. Cooking and baking are both therapeutic and help relieve anxiety and stress. While in the kitchen, I find it to be an opportune time to focus on Him. I love to listen to good gospel music, inspiring podcasts, and videos about the goodness of God. Today, I listened to a good friend of mine speak about sounding the alarm! This was the topic of the sermon at church yesterday! It’s time to sound the alarm. Time to be about our Father’s business. it’s time to be out in the highways and the byways and asking others to come to church, get to know Christ, and form a relationship with Him. During my time in the kitchen listening to and being inspired by others, it was also a wonderful time to pray.
Spending time in the word is a way to grow and learn.
As I chopped vegetables for a big kettle of homemade soup I called out the names of neighbors, friends, and family. I lifted them up to the Lord for their various needs, and most of all for their salvation. It’s time to sound the alarm! While I kneaded dough, I thought of the process of baking bread. We should follow the instructions in the recipe. If a step in the process is overlooked, the bread may not rise. Likewise, we must always follow the Lord’s instructions. If we overlook others whom the Lord is bidding us to invite to know Him, they may not be saved. If we don’t follow what He asks us to do, we may not grow to our full potential in Christ. Let’s follow His instructions. Sound the alarm!
Homemade crusty seeded yeast breadfresh from the oven! Homemade vegan beef less veggie soup
So, for now, I’m off to bake my bread! I’m anxious on this rainy spring day to enjoy a bowl of homemade vegetable soup with a slice of crusty homemade bread. This has been a prosperous and insightful Friday in the mountains. I’ll leave you with the message from our Thursday night service! Sound the alarm! Work while there’s time! Sound the alarm! Invite those you may see in the grocery store, witness on social media, encourage all those whom you meet. During her live, my friend shared about a young couple she recently invited to church. They were anxious to come, and they came. It was sad to find out they had wanted to go to church before she asked them, but hadn’t been invited by anyone and didn’t know where to go. Be that person who loves and invites others to get to know Christ. You never know when the person behind you in the checkout line at the store, may be waiting for someone to invite them. Don’t pass opportunities up, instead, sound the alarm! Jesus is coming back! God bless! Feel free to comment and follow.
Good Monday from the mountains of Kentucky. I awoke early this morning to make time for prayer, reading scriptures, and a little quiet time before preparing for the busy day ahead. There’s something about the early morning hours that brings a sense of renewal to my spirit. The stillness of the still dark sky, a quiet house, and the ability to meditate and truly listen for the Lord’s voice. Having a healthy relationship with God is part of being physically happy and being spiritually happy, which helps us be better prepared for the day or days ahead.
Our pastor’s wife once spoke on the voice of God. It was inspiring, reassuring, and confirming. The voice of God can be heard, sensed, and felt. It can be heard through His word, anointed preaching, the stillness of the night, a distant cry of a Hawk, in our thoughts, through words of wisdom given from others, and many other ways. His voice can be loud, soft, bold, and it can also be sweet and tender through prophetic words. We cannot put limitations on God. He is the Great I Am. He is the Alpha, the beginning, the first, the Omega, and the last. He is everything in between. We must recognize Him and reverence Him for who He is. To hear Him, and or recognize Him, we must calm the voices in our heads.
God’ promises are the same today as they were yesterday!
We are in a spiritual warfare with the enemy. The only place he can access is our thoughts, which if we allow his ideas and discouragement to linger, can become toxic. At this point we have allowed the enemy’s voice to overpower His voice. I have learned to pray for a watchman over my heart and mind. The enemy has no right to invade our peace. We must command him to go in the name of Jesus! He trembles at the name of Jesus! Speak the name of Jesus with boldness. You have authority of the enemy. I have countless testimonies about the voice of God but will only share a few of those with you today.
Years ago a friend of mine was having a difficult season in her life and was praying for answers. She prayed, trusted the Lord and waited on Him. One evening as she was checking her mail as she did on any given evening, she asked the Lord for confirmation that He would work this situation out. She needed help. She needed answers. And an answer came. She described how a gentle soft wind suddenly swept over her. She knew in her heart the gentleness of the unexpected breeze was God reassuring her that it was going to be okay. She worried no more but waited on the hand of God to move in what seemed like an impossible situation. And… He did.
He is with us even in the eye of a storm!
During a horrific spring storm a couple of years ago. The trees were swaying in the wind, rain was pouring down, and the creek water was rising fast. The sky was dark and we were under dangerous storm warnings. I was at home alone and was walking the floor praying for protection for myself, my family, for our homes and for our neighbors. I began speaking the name of Jesus. I quoted scriptures and continued to pray as the storm around our homes was raging. It felt as the storm was mocking me and trying to intimidate me and dissipate my faith that the Lord would take care of us. As I quoted Psalms 91, while peering through the window of the back door, I saw a sight that stopped me in my tracks and words. Hovering ever so gently near a set of wind chimes was a tiny hummingbird. Beyond the porch the winds lapped, the rain poured and the creek waters raged. The wind chimes were stilled and tiny bird hovered gracefully. I knew at that moment that the Lord was saying, “I’ve got this, trust me. I will care for you as I care for the fragile hummingbird. Trust me.” I snapped a quick picture of the hummingbird and as quickly as it arrived, it was gone. I relaxed as I knew the Lord was in control. The storm finally ceased leaving behind little to no damage. Since that day, when the enemy tries to scare me or intimidate me, or make me doubt, I think about the tiny hummingbird and words of comfort that I felt. We now have feeders gracing our porch to feed the tiny birds that God used to show me that He was in control of all. He is our protector, our guide, and God almighty!
Taken through a screened window during a raging spring storm. The creek was a small stream minutes before this picture was taken.
Many years ago, when we were praying about buying our home, there was chaos surrounding the situation. Some family members wanted to sell their parents home place, while others didn’t. I knew the home that had been their home was supposed to be our forever earthly home. I prayed and was continually being pulled to and fro. First we could buy the home and then others would change their minds. I continued to pray for His will. I felt compelled to visit a church one Sunday evening that I visited occasionally. Not really knowing why I felt lead to go, I went. During the worship service an elderly lady came to pray for me. She had no reason to know that I was praying about the home.
As she prayed for me, I felt an instant comfort and a closeness to the Lord. She spoke in my ear and said the Lord told her to tell me that even as soon as the morning, He would move in this that I had before Him. The peace resonated throughout my being. I can’t really recall what happened in the remainder of the service, or what the sermon was even about. I was enveloped in His presence and already planning how I would prepare for the move! The move to our new home. The next morning a family member who was an heir of the land we wanted contacted us to let us know they had made the decision to sell the home. A few months later we were living in our new home where after twenty seven years, we still reside today. God is faithful!
Early spring garden on our forever earthly land. God is good!
The voice of God can be soft, gentle, loud, clear, concise, and sometimes He uses the simple things such as the hummingbird to speak to us. Nevertheless, we must be willing to hear and receive what the Lord is telling us. Once we recognize it, we have to stand firm in our faith that He will do what He says He will do. Keep in mind the Lord spoke to people throughout the Bible through animals, nature, audible voices, angels and much more. We are no different than those that heard the Lord’s voice all those years ago. We, too, are His children. Finally, God don’t change. He was, and is, and is to come. He is the Great I Am.
God’s creation. Fall in the mountains.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my testimony’s about God’s voice. Feel free to comment, like, and or follow. I am excited to share more testimony’s of His voice next week. For now, God bless from the mountains of Kentucky.
A Healthier Me...Homesteading Simple & Clean 