A Little Farmgirl Style

There she sits; skirt spread across the floor admiring the beauty of it. My oldest farm girl is a real rough and tough gal, but she has always loved a full skirt- especially hand made ones. This week I finished a new one just for her in blue bandana print cotton, as per her request.

French seams bind the panels of this farm girl wrap around skirt. The fullness and flutter drape just right flattering height and shape. A reinforced waist line gives definition and detail; top-stitched for extra durability. Hem- just 'tea length' flatters her long frame showing her summer sandals just enough. Paired with a white knit top and cotton crochet shrug, the skirt makes a beautiful breezy ensemble just right for sun and sandals. 

The finishing touch? A leather purse complete with silver horse shoes and flashy silver grommets - now that's a little farm girl style!

Treasures from Our Trip

   One of our farm girls needed to be at Leadership Lab hosted by a nearby university; not far from some great antique shops. Oh the smile that crossed my face when the farm boy suggested we hit a few shops before our drive home; yes!
   The treasures, the history, the memories stirred while strolling the nooks and crannies of every shop. So many things, so little space (and money); only a few well chosen items could come home with us. Being choosy and frugal, our selections are:
*cast iron ware: of course! Three pieces found at a great price will delightfully add to our collection. One small square pan (too cute for words), a cast iron sauce pan with lid (lids are so rare), and a deep small skillet (didn't have a deep one)- just love them.
*quilt top: there were so many I wanted but only one I could afford. Now, to finish it!
*cake pan: Raggety Ann has been a treasure in one of my girl's heart for so long- perfect for her!
*patterns: pretty thread work patterns thrifty and neat; maybe our thread work girl can use them.

   Our trip was so much fun; ending with a stop by the sweet shop (ice cream on a hot day) and a stroll through the local guitar shop (farm boy fave). All too soon life called us back..however, there is always next time.

Little Drops of Joy

   In the scorching heat of summer no one want to use the oven, yet, with a house full of teens - sweet snacks are necessary. My husband loves cookies (it's no secret) in his lunch; chocolate, even better. Though traditional chocolate chip are the standard favorite around here (with little tolerance for any other) I have a special summer cookie that satisfies the desire for chocolate and the lack of desire to bake.
   When I was a girl, my family made Joy cookies; simple, sweet and tasty. The blessing here is no oven necessary. Using a soup pot, spoon, some wax paper and to stove top- Joy cookies are simply joyful.

JOY COOKIES

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups oatmeal

Simply begin by placing sheets of wax paper on a counter top or table; I make strips the length of two cookie sheets per recipe (never make one batch at a time- they won't last!). Start the cookie by stirring the first four ingredients together in a large pot (soup pot, stock pot, or dutch oven). Heat the mixture over medium high heat until boiling; boil two minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth; add vanilla. Quickly stir in the oatmeal until well coated. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper allowing to cool and set.

   Simple and not too much work with delicious results. These cookies store well in the refrigerator or freezer; at room temp they are fine if you have a cooler kitchen than I do. For convenience, I place six to twelve cookies per sandwich size bag, freeze them, and watch the smiles as my family eats little drops of joy.

Stroll Through the Farmyard

Typhoon- our little blue-eyed buck.

Genesis our milk doe.

Whiskers and Mittens two farm cats who love to snuggle.

Gumdrop finds shade under the camper.

The herd in the hay stall razzing the farm boy.

He found poor little Samson under the tub; no one's telling.

Sunflowers heavy with seeds still hanging on in the garden.

One of the only crepe myrtle blossoms this year.

   We hope you enjoyed a stroll through the farm yard. Our oldest farm girl put together this set of pictures; so easy to find photo-ops around here. It seems all the farm animals love to pose; the flowers are rather cooperative too. What's growing on your farm this week?

It Is Sunday

 ALWAYS NOW

"We ... beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."

2 Corinthians 6:1

The grace you had yesterday will not do for today. Grace is the over-flowing favor of God; you can always reckon it is there to draw upon. "In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses"- that is where the test for patience comes. Are you failing the grace of God there? Are you saying- Oh, well, I won't count this time? It is not a question of praying and asking God to help you; it is taking the grace of God now. We make prayer the preparation for work, it is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God. Don't say- I will endure this until I can get away and pray. Pray now; draw on the grace of God in the moment of need. Prayer is the most practical thing, it is not the reflex action of devotion. Prayer is the last thing in which we learn to draw on God's grace. 

"In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors"- in all these things manifest a drawing upon the grace of God that will make you a marvel to yourself and to others. Draw now, not presently. The one word in the spiritual vocabulary is Now. Let circumstances bring you where they will, keep drawing on the grace of God in every conceivable condition you may be in. One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on the grace of God is that you can be humiliated without manifesting the slightest trace of anything but His grace. 

"Have nothing..." Never reserve anything. Pour out the best you have, and always be poor. Never be diplomatic and careful about the treasure God gives. This is poverty triumphant.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

The Last of the Peppers

   Rain has graced our area, however, it is not enough to end the terrible drought plaguing our land. Another crop to fall victim to the elements: the peppers. The bells were cleaned and frozen for later use; not the hot peppers. Our last harvest of chilies, jalapenos and banana peppers are preserved another way: drying.

   Way to hot for the dehydrator or the oven, our peppers were strung on cotton floss and hung around the kitchen to dry slowly; changing color and temperature as the do. I have found hot peppers to lend a slightly sweet-heat when left to slowly air dry; sometimes adding a hint of smokiness as well.
   Once completely dry, the peppers are generally left hanging- readily on hand for any cooking adventure. The year our home suffered intense tornado activity we placed our peppers in airtight jars and sealed bags to prevent moisture from ruining them. During our intense hurricane year the peppers were frozen instead of dried due to the wet soggy conditions.
    All methods work wonderfully, but my favorite way to save the last of the peppers is a beautiful string of peppers; changing colors and textures while decorating the kitchen.

An Old Familiar Sound

   The still quiet of night lingers around me. Fans whirl causing whisps of hair to brush my face. In the silence rest comes restlessly in the wake of extreme drought and local  wildfires; prayers are lifted in moments like these. Sleep creeps near...lightly lulling thoughts; deepening the breath.
   In an instant senses are jolted out of their slumber by intensity; thunder claps, lightning flashes rattling the room. Wait..breathe; let the calm return. There it comes..an old familiar sound...rain on the window. A day of relief has come...thank you, Lord, for this gift of rain.

Got One Right!

   After the let down of our last skirt flop we decided to try again. Using a pattern familiar to us was sure to produce success...and it did. Soft floral sprigs dance playfully across light rose all cotton fabric. Light weight and floral definitely says summer wear!

   Longer than the last pattern, this skirt will show just a hint of ankle. A strong re-enforced waistband wraps around the waist allowing the full skirt to flow gently from the hips with plenty of room for movement and breezy sway.

   In the end- happy teen- happy me. Ready for wear, her task is to find different ways to mix it up for new looks; shirts and shoes, accessories and such.  Sweet success! Now, one more to go...the older teen has one cut on the table as well.

Update on the Skirts....

   Well, it seems to have flopped. Two afternoons of sewing and pressing turned out a skirt that just didn't make the grade with the teens. Body type, fabric type, drape...ug; it just doesn't seem to mesh together.
   Chalking it up to a learning experience, the skirt made its way to the scrap pile hoping one day to be transformed into pretty quilt squares. So, what's the plan? Try something else.....another day.

Farm Fresh Tomato Sauce- Crockpot Style

   With tasty summer tomatoes in abundance right now sauce is being made and put up for later use. In the extreme heat (triple digits every day) there is no desire to use the oven or the stove. The compromise is - crockpot cooking!
   Using our standard flex-cooking style recipe, we simply added our ingredients to the crock instead of the oven. I cook the sauce on high heat for the first hour before changing to the low setting for four more hours. For a thicker reduction the sauce can cook for six to eight hours total.
   Our sauce works well frozen in two cup portions or pressure canned in quart jars; both methods keep extremely well. And there you have it...fresh tomato sauce another way!


Here's our recipe:
http://simplyscaife.blogspot.com/2011/05/farmhouse-cookingfresh-tomato-sauce.html

What's On the Table....

   The quilts are complete, mending is done, so...what's on the table? Today the sewing table is covered with cotton prints, tracing paper, pins and plans. It's time to make some skirts!
   Clothes today lack quality as well as modesty; our solution is to make our own. We shop sales and remnant bins at our local fabric shops for quality pieces in sizes we can use. Keeping a compatible color wheel helps if pieces need to mix and match; this works really well in a "prairie/broom skirt" style.
   Today's pics are cotton fabrics (great for summer) purchased as bolt ends- several yards in a pack. We are using a simplicity pattern this time to create -below the knee- length flare skirts. My teen girls are similar in size, but different in shape..this skirt should complement both body types giving us flexibility in wardrobe. Since the pattern comes in several sizes- and my girls are teens- we should be able to make a skirt for me as well.
    Now you have it...on the table today- skirts. Look forward to an  update later in the week.

It Is Sunday....

SERVICE OF PASSIONATE DEVOTION
"Lovest thou Me?....Feed My sheep."
John 21:16
Jesus did not say- Make converts to your way of thinking, but look after My sheep, see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Me. We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Discipleship is based on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on adherence to a belief or a creed. "If any man come to Me and hate not...he cannot be My disciple." There is no argument and no compulsion, but simply- If you would be My disciple, you must be devoted to Me. A man touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says- "Now I see Who Jesus is," and that is the source of devotion.
Today we have substituted a credal belief for personal belief, and that is why so many are devoted to causes and so few to Jesus Christ. People do not want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is a source of deep offense to the educated mind of today that does not want Him in any other way than as a Comrade. Our Lord's first obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of men; the saving of men was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a doormat. The secret of a disciple's life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of the life is its unobtrusiveness. It is like a corn of wheat, which falls into the ground and dies, but presently it will spring up and alter the whole landscape (John 12:24).
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Happy Father's Day, Dads!

Well, Dads, here's your day; a time to recall the blessings and treasures life brings you through the year. Here's to the dads in my life:
Do you remember?
*tea parties (especially when they couldn't reach the sink?) and butterfly kisses
*"watercolor ponies" on the refrigerator and the wall and the hall and...
*sitting by hospital beds; work and worry over little bodies so small
*hours and hours of homework i.e. math :)
*all those driving lessons ...such patience you have (I recall a phrase I'd like a pound of that)
*hoeing rows and picking beans..gardens were an escape from the day
*monkey grease under the hood because our hands fit better than yours
*the first dance; the first dates; hours of waiting and worrying
*the graduations, walking down the isle, babies of our own...

   Happy Father's Day to the fathers in my life...see how far we've come!

Another Quilt Complete!!

   Yes, it's true; another quilt is complete. Completely hand made little fans appliqued on cotton muslin playfully dance on this pretty baby quilt. Hand quilting provides detail and echo design to each fan as well as shadow imaging to the appliqued squares. Soft green fabric gives binds the quilt in a pretty frame, pulling together the playful colors of each fan piece.

   Special and unique in so many ways Grandmother's Fan is created from pieces of my children's clothing. Swatches of spring dresses and little boy's ties; vests and skirts they have worn hand-made over the years lovingly preserved in a pretty little quilt.

   Almost a year of time and love have gone into this pretty little treasure. Look for it later today on our Etsy shop (linked on the tab above). My hope for this beautiful piece is to bring happiness and love to a home soon...it could be yours!

Drying Herbs, Simply..It's a Good Thing

   Mints and thyme, rosemary and tarragon; herbs are abundant in the summer garden. This years garden season has brought uncertainty and concern- even in the herb garden. Dry heat sends the herbs to seed rather quickly, so harvesting and snipping must be done regularly. Since there is not end to the drought in sight we have started harvesting and preserving our herbs early.
   For this little homestead herbs are preserved ... simply. Early in the day, when the herbs are fresh and as cool as can be expected (smile) we slip into the herb beds and gather cuttings- trying to keep them separate and easy to identify. One way our garden gal - simplyjen- solves this dilemma is to prepare small note cards; labeled with a hole punched in one corner.
   As we gather herbs, the little card is placed with the herb it identifies. Once a basket is filled, I take the herb bouquets and gather them with kitchen twine- placing the card on the bundle using the little hole punched in the side. The bundles are hung in the kitchen until they dry completely.
   Once dry, the bundles are stored in airtight container until needed- our little card label is taped to the outside of the jar (our airtight containers are generally canning jars). Always on hand and readily available for the time when fresh herbs are scarce or unavailable.
   There you have it- plain and simple- herbs; harvested, stored and dried for later...it's a good thing!

Farmhouse Foods: Gazpacho

   Summer's heat drives us; and our cooking. Here in the deep south we have to adjust our habits to the intense environment we live in. With the outdoor temps hitting the hundreds, turning on the stove is just not an option so we kick into fresh mode. Taking a hard look at the fridge the answer is clear: gazpacho!

   Cold and crisp- ever so versatile- gazpacho is a gardener's best friend. For me, this recipe falls into place and ever changes with garden availability- lending well to our style of flexible recipe cooking. Let's share:

GARDEN GAZPACHO

 "FLEXIPE"

For every 5 tomatoes:

2 small cucumbers

1 small onion

1 stalk of celery

2 cloves of garlic

a hearty drizzle of olive oil

and a splash of cider vinegar

   Using the base recipe, chop all the produce; toss gently giving a hearty drizzle of oil and a generous splash of vinegar using salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate and enjoy. You can eat it immediately, but it gets better after a few hours. This recipe freezes well (I use portion-size containers); just thaw in the fridge.
   Now for some fun...let's talk availability flexibility. Tomatoes: use red or yellow, purple or stripped- a mix is even better. When cherry tomatoes are abundant, we simply use one cupped handful of cherry tomatoes as one tomato (therefore, five handfuls of cherry tomatoes--I cut them up).
   Cucumbers: If cukes are not in the fridge, use a summer squash or zucchini instead. With similar textures, the results are delicious.
   Other neat add-ins: Celery doesn't grow well on my property, so I don't often use it. Instead, we may have a bell pepper, a banana pepper, or a chili. Only one does the trick and gives a different element to the flavors. Sometimes sprouts are plentiful in the kitchen..they make a snappy addition right before serving. Then there are herbs; go wild! Any herb adds flavor and nutrients to this tasty cold dish. Marjoram, rosemary, thyme- basils, mints or tarragon...so many possibilities!
   

   With delicious gazpacho working its magic in the fridge, I think lunch will be set. For me, a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan finishes the dish perfectly!

Today...A Link

   Instead if posting my own today, I would like to share a link to a family that shares inspiration and encouragement even in the face of devastation.

http://www.generationcedar.com

It Is Sunday

GETTING THERE
"Master, where dwellest Thou?
...Come and see...Follow Me."
John 1:38-39,43
Where the self-interest sleeps and the real interest awakens. "They abode with Him that day." Thant is about all some of us ever do, then we wake up to actualities, self-interest arises and the abiding is passed. There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus.
"Thou art Simon, thou shalt be called Cephas." God writes the new name on those places only in our lives where He has erased the pride and self-sufficiency and self-interest. Some of us have the new name in spots only, like spiritual measles. In sections we look all right. When we have our best spiritual mood on, you would think we were very high-toned saints; but don't look at us when we are not in that mood. The disciple is one who has the new name written all over him; self-interest and pride and self sufficiency have been completely erased.
Pride is the deification of self, and this today in some of us is not of the order of the Pharisee, but of the publican. To say "Oh, I'm no saint," is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint, "I am much too weak and hopeless." Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God. Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not belief God can make you one. It would be all right, you say, if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is just what He will do! "We will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Make no conditions, let Jesus be everything, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but forever.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Recordbooks

Congratulations, Simply Jen and Farmboy! 4-H Recordbooks, a record of the past year's events including leadership, community service, and things learned, have been turned in to the Extension Office for judging. Simply Jen's recordbook, about Leap of Faith, EKWIP, and Needlecraft, has advanced to the next level of judging! Farmboy wrote a record about his poultry experiences and did well even though he will not be advancing. Congratulations to both, and to all other 4-Hers with Recordbooks!
-Simply Jen

Another Quilt Complete

   Little hands print flowers and leaves...bunnies and eggs frolic as they please. This little quilt was designed by our oldest farm girl; a memory quilt for a precious little one. Every aspect of the quilt hold a key to pieces of their time together. Little brown bunnies for bedtime stories told and retold and shared once more. Holiday activities are represented by eggs all colorful and tucked here and there. 

    Bright colored flowers - sidewalk chalk pictures from a long afternoon; houses and flowers and hopscotch, too. The blue/white sashes for late sunny days when we played at the park and stared at the blue sky- all the clouds look like animals and silly things overhead. Bits and pieces of memories made together- good times and rough times...victories and tears; a treasure to hold close all through the years.

   This little quilt left our home today making it's place in a family's beautiful home. Designed by simplynik, pieced and hand quilted my simplychele...with simplyjen's and farmboy's added cooperation.

Garden Gatherings

Gatherings from the Garden Today:

tomatoes: cherry, large cherry, beefsteak and celebrity

peppers: jalapeno, banana, chile, sweet bell

herbs: oregano, tarragon, rosemary, thyme,

tea herbs: lemon verbena, lemon balm, Thai basil, mint

onions: red and sweet yellow


Tomorrow: canning, drying, stringing

Restoring Rusty Cast Iron Ware

   Cast iron: timeless, strong, durable- practical. My family has been using cast iron ware as far back as I can remember. Grandmothers and great-grandmothers passed their wares on to us as we each married and acquired homes of our own. Virtually nondestructive, cast iron ware lasts for--oh, ever! Nevertheless, it does need some care.
   During a recent trip the farm kids and I came home with a few antique treasures- all cast iron. Unfortunately, they have been a bit neglected over time and need a bit of restoring before we put them to use on our little homestead. When cast iron is left in areas of moisture it will develop rust; the higher the moisture, the deeper the rust. All is not lost- this problem is easily solved with just a bit of elbow grease and a few house hold items.
   Gathering a few old cleaning cloths, some salt, oil and a few helping hands is all we need to get these wares in use. I did cover my table with paper; it's not necessary though. The iron ware gets a good rub down with oil; we use either a vegetable shortening or lard dependent upon what we have available. Next, the inside of the pan is generously sprinkled with salt which is scrubbed in to remove rust particles. Using a fresh towel, the iron ware is wiped down to determine if another scrub is needed; either repeat the process or move on to seasoning the pan.
   Let me add a note here. If there are layers of rust deep in the pan or if the pan is dimpled with gunk or rust flakes I slather it with oil and throw it in a fire or grill pit for an hour. Once it cools I use sand paper to scrub the surface well- removing the rust/gunk only until we have a smooth surface to work with. From here we start the oil/salt cleaning and then on to seasoning.
   After the pans give a clean towel (after salt scrubbing, the clean towel wipe down does not show rust on the towel) it is time for a healthy seasoning. Here, I heat my oven or outdoor grill to around 400 degrees while rubbing down my cast iron ware--inside and out with oil or shortening. Aluminum foil on the rack of the oven or grill will help catch any dripping that occurs during the curing. Pans are placed upside down and left for one hour. Heat is then turned off and the pans are left until they cool completely.
   A well seasoned pan after curing will be dark black with a nice sheen to it. If the pan was extremely rusty or damaged (i.e you had to use sandpaper) the pan will look dry or "off" so repeat the seasoning process (oil/oven one hour) until the pan develops a black "sheen" to it. The worst pan I ever restored only needed the process done twice- so don't panic. If you have a new pan that was unseasoned (grey when you bought it), this curing process will season the pan, though it will take at least two runs.
   Heritage treasures restored with simple items from our home and just a few hours out of my day; priceless!

Farmgirl's Fresh Bread

   There's nothing like home made bread. Our senses come alive as the aroma fills the house; mouths water in anticipation of buttery slices. Around this little homestead there is never enough fresh bread. One solution to this problem has been to rotate the task of making it; every kid on the farm has learned to work a tender loaf.
   Now, once again, I flex-cook here in my kitchen; teaching my kids the same basics. Variety is the spice of life so every loaf is a little different; a little reflective of the maker; a little unique..it never gets old! From simple wheat to oatmeal or a mixed grain variety with cornmeal and rye...this bare basic plan gives leeway for excellent outcomes.

Farmhouse Fresh Bread

1 1/2 cups liquid (milk, whey, juice, water- whatever)
2 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour (one or any combination)
2 tablespoons sweetener (honey, sugar, stevia, or such)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons of fat (butter, oil, shortening, lard, drippings- again, whatever)
3 teaspoons yeast
*optional add-ins in 1/4 cup measures--could be dried fruit, nuts, seeds, flax meal, wheat germ, etc.

   In a bread machine, this could be done on rapid 2lb. cycle, or dough cycle. In a large stand mixer, use a paddle attachment and knead 6 minutes. By hand, simply work the ingredients in and knead till elastic. As a loaf, this bakes one loaf 350 for 30 minutes..rolls, for 15 minutes, (including cinnamon rolls).
   We use this basic format to make anything: hamburger buns, sweet rolls, dinner rolls, bread, flat bread, doughnuts, anything. One farm girl uses milk/cottage cheese for the liquid giving the bread a tender crumb, while the other uses white/wheat/oat for the grains adding flax meal as well. The farm boy, well, he lends a sweet dough with brown sugar and makes fry bread (something my family always loved). As I said, versatile and simple.
   The basic format can be doubled for additional loaves (or loaves and rolls, etc.)..simply stick to the ratios. *Bear in mind...doubling will be too big for the bread machine; possibly the mixer unless it is large. The dough freezes well (precooked)- simply thaw on the counter before baking. I have also stored it in the fridge for up to a week before using it..kept nicely in a large container with a lid and space to expand.
   If you will excuse me, the farm kids are slicing and toasting...fresh coffee and home made bread..a delightful treat!

Poultry Keeping....Moving to the Coop

Looking ready to merge into the flock; Clay and his ladies.

   As the flock grows and matures their needs change and expand. Helpless little pullets develop into bossy broody hens. Around four to six months of age the transition pen has become crowded, urging us to move along with our layer flock management. It's time to move to the coop.
   Our flock consists of hens and roosters at the ratio of one rooster for every ten hens. Aside from the obvious egg fertility, roosters are protective of their hens- alerting danger as well as good scratching ground. We love to hear the unique sounds used by our roosters to call and communicate to their hens; not to mention their beautiful hearty crow throughout the day. It goes without mention- we will not keep any rooster who is aggressive or uncooperative toward people.
   The new flock is added to the existing flock in phases; one week of simple free ranging together during the afternoons along with moving their transition pen as close as possible to the main coop; one week of 'house arrest' in the main coop together as well as completely removing the transition pen so they will not return to it at the end of the day. There is always some squabbling in the beginning, but it will fade as they adjust. On occasion we will have to "heard in" the new hens until they get the hang of the new home.
   Our coop is a converted stall in our barn enclosed with small mesh panels and wood providing shelter from the elements, nesting and roosting areas, feed and water, as well as protection from predators. The earthen floor is covered with a layer of pine shavings to provide scratching material as well as odor control. Nest boxes are converted from our rabbit nests and lined with soft shavings; under a slightly dark covered area. The roost is an old frame positioned against one wall giving plenty of space and shelter.
   Feeders are "trough style" as well as a few "scrap pans"; waters are five gallon poultry fountains. During cold winter days a heat lamp is hung from the ceiling by chains to provide adequate heat. Hot summers require a large industrial fan positioned to push air through the open vent area (we also provide shallow water pans for them to stand in- cooling their feet helps prevent heat stroke).

It Is Sunday

GOD'S SAY-SO

"He hath said...so that we may boldly say..."

Hebrews 13:5-6

My say-so is to be built on God's say-so. God says-"I will never leave thee," then I can with good courage say-"The Lord is my helper, I will not fear-" I will  not be haunted by apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God's say-so. I will be full of courage, like a child "buckling himself up" to reach the standard his father wants. Faith in many a one falters when the apprehensions come; they forget the meaning of God's say-so, forget to take a deep breath spiritually. The only way to get the dread taken out of us is to listen to God's say-so.

What are you dreading? You are not a coward about it, you are going to face it, but there is a feeling of dread. When there is nothing and no one to help you, say-"But the Lord is my Helper, this second, in my present outlook." Are you learning to say things after listening to God, or are you saying things and trying to make God's word fit in? Get hold of the Father's say-so, and then say with good courage-"I will not fear." It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in the way, He has said-"I will never leave thee."

Frailty is another thing that gets in between God's say-so and ours. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God becomes a nonentity. Remember God's say-so-"I will in no wise fail you." Have we learned to sing after hearing God's key-note? Are we always possessed with the courage to say-"The Lord is my helper," or are we succumbing?

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

A Quote to Ponder

"The sunbeams of blessing in our lives are bright in and of themselves. They also give light to the ground where we walk. But there is a higher purpose for these blessings. God means for us to do more than stand outside them and admire them for what they are. Even more, he means for us to walk into them and see the son from which they come. If the beams are beautiful, the sun is even more beautiful. God's aim is not that we merely admire his gifts, but, even more, his glory."  taken from Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper