Our declaration!

Great word of encouragement this morning during my devotion time!  Continuing to praise God for the journey and for all the hard things He has allowed us to go through that we might learn and grow more in Him.  He is able, more than able.  

Pray our amazing Lord blesses you today.  May He provide for your every need, may He comfort you, and bless you that you may be a blessing to others...

God Calling:  June 13 - God Inspire

You have entered now upon a mountain climb. Steep steps lead upward, but your power to help others will be truly marvelous.

Not alone will you arise.  All towards whom you now send loving, pitying thoughts will be helped upward by you.

Looking to Me all your thoughts are God-inspired.  Act on them and you will be led on.  They are not your own impulses but the movement of My Spirit and, obeyed, will bring the answer to your prayers.

Love and Trust, Let no unkind thoughts of any dwell in your hearts, then I can act with all My Spirit-Power, with nothing to hinder.

We will follow!

This song really sums up our life journey. Genesis 12:1 has been a theme throughout our married time together. We even had a pastor friend tell us years ago during a special teaching series on Abraham (after an evening session), This is your story. We believe God continues to guide our journey today.

Now the Lord said to Abram, 

“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;

And, we have done this for many years now and will continue to do so until we are told otherwise. Historically, we have moved every 3 years (although more often in our early married years) and we've been in our house now for 7 years (in August). There has always been a purpose in each place, lessons to learn, people to connected with and being blessed to be a blessing to others. It's been a crazy amazing journey (as our children can share). We would't have wanted it any other way. Thank you, Lord.

We do pray for the day that God says to us, Genesis 13:17 "Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.”

And in all our days, we will follow....

Praying for a farm ~ for us!

An opportunity has come to us regarding a 5 acre farm property in Olympia. We were on the verge of a 3 year farm lease when the owner called today and told us he's gotten "cold feet". He is now giving us the option to buy it. We have until June 20th to give him an answer.

As most of you know, God has removed our "human ability" to make our farm dream happen. Last year, we discovered that the park just north of our home is actually a wetland that was filled in years ago. The outlet for the wetland is an underground stream that flows under our backyard (and through many back yards) and drains out of the front yard of a home a block away. The moving water significantly compromised the foundation of our house and garage with a $50,000 repair price. Already being underwater in our house for nearly $100,000 - after alot of prayer, we determined our home wasn't a good financial investment and we are allowing our house to be returned to the bank. One of the most difficult decisions ever, but we have had peace that this is our path to follow. Don't feel bad for us. We believe it's all part of our faith journey. Our prayer is that the next owner doesn't find out about the problems after buying the house when we leave. (House goes up for auction, August 30th.)

No. We're not asking anyone for money. We are asking for PRAYER! This is God's story. If Joy Bell Farm is to become an actual farm, we believe God will provide the necessary resources. We are seeking family, friends and others to pray from today through June 20th.

What we desire to create on this 5 acre property, established in 1917 (the homestead to a larger ranch originally) ~ build a polyculture, biodynamic, organic farm system utilizing permaculture principles. And, this property is special because it's just south of Woodard Bay Conservation Area (home to herons, eagles, bats and more) and is surrounded by 95 additional acres of a wildlife refuge. WSU own 95 acres across the street. A wetland area is adjacent to a portion of the property and a wetland buffer sits over nearly the entire 5 acres of the property. We've had a representative from Thurston Conservation District out to the property. Everything we desire to do on the property - fruits, veggies, nuts, eggs, meat birds, honey, sheep (meat/fiber) and on-farm market stand are all permitted as "usual and customary practices". NO additional buildings will ever be allowed, so existing buildings must be rehabilitated for all needs. There is a private well for all water needs for this property. There is plenty of roof space on the barn for a large rainwater catchment system in addition to establishing a solar energy system for electrical needs (although the Conservation District agent thinks we're crazy). We do welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Conservation District in working out a farm plan (land management stewardship) for the property, as this isn't about us achieving our farm dream, but about establishing a permanent agriculture farm working in harmony with the ecological systems it is part of and for future generations to come after us. We are believing God will give us this land and enable us to share His countless wonders with others.

Our eyes are very open to the realities on this farm property - a ton of work to do. Not only do we have to rehab the land and build proper soil fertility (only organically), but the house, barn and outbuildings all need major work. The land owner has done NOTHING to this property since purchasing it a number of years ago. It's been a rental and 2 horses that are boarded on one pasture have caused compaction of the soil in that area. This farm would be years of investment. We know that, but believe this is the piece of land God has for us to steward in our years ahead, but also for the future.

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Please consider joining with us. We'd love to have you PRAY with us. We are excited to see how God will unfold this part of His story in our lives. Yes, No or maybe (keep praying) are all possible answers ~ we praise Him for this opportunity to walk by faith and not by sight.

And, PLEASE feel free to share this with others and invite them to join in and PRAY with us! This is about creating community - not just Blaine and Joan.

Abundant blessings on your day!

Isaiah 58 ~ a prayer reflecting my studies

May our hearts be a Christ like fragrance
rising up to God.
May we spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere
like a sweet perfume.
Let it lavish the hungry with abundance,
And touch the grieving with compassion.
Let it bless the oppressed with justice,
And release the bondage of the prisoners.
Let it anoint the sick with healing,
And bring joy to those who doubt.
So that the fragrance of Christ wafts throughout the world
Bringing refreshment, renewal and new life.

This prayer was posted today by Christine Sine at Light for the Journey on Facebook.  She blesses my spirit often with her anointed  prayers.  Click on the photo above to visit her blog site:  Godspace.  I visit often and receive ongoing encouragement as well as continually learn and grow in my faith.  

Thank you, Lord, for Christine and others who are vessels through whom You speak.  

So glad you stopped by to visit my blog.  Blessings upon your day.

Take Time Tuesday ~ What kind of fast?

"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.  You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.  Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?  Is it for bowing one's head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth ashes as a bed?  Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of the wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?  Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  The you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.  And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell." Isaiah 58:4-12 

Perhaps, this passage, as stated in The Message will give you a clearer understanding...

“Well, here’s why:

“The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit.
    You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
    You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
    won’t get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
    and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
    a fast day that I, God, would like?

 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
    to break the chains of injustice,
    get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
    free the oppressed,
    cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
    sharing your food with the hungry,
    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
    being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
    and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
    The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

“If you get rid of unfair practices,
    quit blaming victims,
    quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
    and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
    your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
    firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
    rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
    restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
    make the community livable again.

I have been meditating on this passage of scripture often for the past month and a half...  Praying and seeking God's direction and wisdom for action.

We are blessed to be a blessing to others.  

Am I available to God?

Are you?

My heart aches for the brokenness and oppression I see all around me.  The world needs hope, love, grace, compassion and to have people's basic needs met.  I can make a difference.  You can make a difference.  Together we can change the world.  And... with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

The time to start living Isaiah 58 was yesterday.  
The time to take action is now!

Favorite Quotes (my facebook collection)

Check out Kristi's beautiful signs at Barn Owl Primitives by clicking on the photo above.  I LOVE this quote (and ordered the sign).

“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.”

– Rainer Maria Rilke

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.”

― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." - E. M. Forster

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.” -Anonymous

To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch their renewal of life -- this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.

-Charles Dudley Warner, author, editor, and publisher (1829-1900)

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. - Confucius

If we only plant that which provides us a quick harvest, we'll miss the opportunity to experience the joy of harvesting that which requires investment of our time and resources, great patience, and delayed gratification; knowing too that it's possible our work may end up blessing others while not experiencing it ourselves! ~ Me

I prefer to plant a variety in this life... Me 

I think these quotes say a lot about who I am.  

What are some of your favorite quotes?  

Blessings on your day.  

Monday Musings...

Finding Anne Lipscomb and reading her book, Poisoned By Pollution has been one of the greatest blessings and a huge breakthrough for me on this crazy health journey I've struggled with most of my life and especially since the fall of 1999.

Click HERE to visit her website.

Recently, my health struggles with chemical and electrical sensitivities have gotten much worse (again).  Most people I know of with multiple chemical sensitivities do not have electrical sensitivities too ~ but I have learned of some other people suffering with both.  I wish this wasn't my life, but it is.  I am learning to live life to the fullest each day with hopes that one day, Blaine and I will be able to "run away and live off the land" (as I've dreamed of since a young age) ~ but if not, to finish the race strong and live a joy-filled life.  

In my healing journey, I hope to share a little each Monday to encourage myself (and record this journey) and to share with others. I realize that many people may think this is "all in my head" or "she's always been sick" or "she's trying to get attention again" or "she's just a hypochondriac".  That's okay.  Most people cannot understand the health challenges that I deal with on a daily basis, because they haven't experienced it themselves and, in general, I don't look sick...  I am not seeking pity.  I am not seeking sympathy or attention or hope to gain anything from sharing.  I share because I am on a learning journey.  We are all on a journey in this world.  I believe we learn from one another and this is why I share...

So what's the deal you ask?  Well, perhaps you don't care at all ~ and that's okay too.

Increased sensitivities to chemicals; smells - laundry detergent, lawn chemicals, cooking odors, new clothes, new shoes, going into a store...

Increased sensitivities to electrical and vibration: music, bathroom fan, car engine running, commercial jets, bass, traffic driving by, computer fan, television, Dish tv receiver box, the fridge, a chainsaw (2 neighbors have been removing trees)...

Just a "few" of my triggers.  Ugh.  It seems like the whole world is a trigger right now.  And, it makes me feel weak, dizzy, drains my energy, no strength, at times - feelings of depression, outlook seems bleak.  What caused this?  No idea what has sparked the latest increase in sensitivities.

Historically?  I was sickly as a child growing up.  It seemed I was always sick.  I think it's likely that my sensitivities began as an infant.  My body just never had a chance to develop a strong immune system and build resistance to things in this world that don't bother others.  It was made worse in 1999 with an overdose of eye dilation medication that caused a full body nervous system reaction.  This was followed by toxic overload on an airplane trip to England.  Health crashed.  Rebuilt.  Took another airplane trip in 2007 to Prince Edward Island which caused another toxic overload.  Still rebuilding nearly 6 years later...  And now, another flare up.  

What's next?

• Focus on quiet living for a stretch of time.  How long?  We don't know right now.
• Keep my life simple ~ stay home more, less computer time, rest, read books, take walks (although exposure happens), focus on eating right, drinking mineral tea
• Seeking out a couple of practitioners that have been recommended to me in an attempt to discover another piece to the puzzle.  We're not seeking to find a "cure" any longer, but ways to support the best possible health in my body.
• Making time to "step away" each week to REST

Recently, I have been shocked by how much "pollution" there is all around us.  And, getting away to the beach (still within the city) is not a quiet get away... music, cars, jets, AC units, motors for man-made waterfalls at condos, and on and on.  Tough to shut it all out, but I am learning to be thankful for the simple things in life each day and to focus on the beauty that surrounds me.  

 May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.  May you discover the simple beauty all around you.  And, remember, each day is a gift!