JOB 1

The story of Job is well known and a testament to all. Nonetheless, as I was reading in it, I was absolutely awed by his duty to God. How I could ever be like unto him, I know not. This man revered God more than any other.

Job was greatly blessed with many children and much substance.

“And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.”

“His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.”





Within the space of, I’m thinking, an hour or less, this is what happened to Job.

A band “fell upon them (the oxen) and took them away…and slayed the servants, and said the messenger…” And the servant said, “…and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said…”

Fire fell from heaven and “burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them…” And the servant said, “…and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said…”

Three bands stole the camels and slayed the servants…“ And the servant said, “…and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”

“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said…”

That while his “…sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house…” a wind came and blew down the house upon the young men, and they all died…” And the servant said, “…and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”



Now this is the part that absolutely amazes me.

“Then Job arose, and “rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped…”

“And said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” !!!

Job 1: 2-22

I cannot even imagine if I lost my children on top of all my small amount of substance in such a short time period, how I could praise the Lord. I have a long ways to go! What an example he is to all of us in his diligence to the Lord.



BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

TEA AND ROSES

This week, I received a beautiful card and tea bag from a beautiful person. Katherine at Country Romantic had a give-away, and too all those who didn’t win, she still gave a gift! After a very busy 12-hour shift, I came home and received this lovely card.



On the front of the card was a picture of the original give-away items. There was lovely rose-imprinted tissue paper, and a sweet and unique rose teabag. They are displayed on my jewelry box that was Gramma’s before she passed.

Needless to say, I had a relaxing cup of tea that evening!



Thank you, Katherine! You are so very generous to send this gift and for putting the time and effort into doing so!



A few more lovelies from my rose garden collection…

A thrift-store candle burner, a pretty little handkerchief, and an attractive bottle of perfume that my honey bought for me at a vintage second-hand store.



A cute sun hat, a dried rose arrangement—one of many that my husband has given to me—some adorable calendar pictures, a rose handkerchief that was Gramma’s, a charming little plate given to me by my dear mommy, and of course, a picture of my honey and me.





The brass rose below our picture was a window blind pull.



My “Cup of Friendship” tea tucked into my dried rose bundle…



A couple of rose colors are sprinkled onto my bed-side stand as well…A rose colored clock and my thrift-store rose mug. It holds the little things that I use in the evening, a pen and highlighter for reading and underlining, my essential oils, cherry chapstick for my ever-dry lips, and most important of all…earplugs!





“The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.”
-Author unknown-

CLEAN SWAP GOODIES

My Clean Swap partner was Melissa, and what fun it was to await the arrival of this box! I don't even know her blog's name but do know that she is a good friend of Monica.

This is what Melissa sent me.



My least favorite household task is cleaning the bathroom, so she sent me rubber gloves and two different kinds of wipes! One is a purse-sized Clorox brand--I like the clean smell of bleach. These are so convenient for quick wipe-downs.



My most favorite household task is tidying and organizing a room and then creating an ambiance using pretty candles. Melissa sent me LOADS of candles (you can't see them all) and an organizer notebook made from 70% recyclable paper, as she put it, "To keep our Earth clean!"



I got a green pack of Orbit gum for a clean mouth. How did she know that Spearmint is my favorite flavor and that I had just given my last piece of gum away the day before!



These goodies were all packaged in a plastic storage box and came with a lovely note describing my treats and a final thought to "Create in me a clean heart, O God."



Thank you so much, Melissa! God bless you. :)

GREEN SMOOTHIES AND A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Today was green smoothie day! We got this awesome healthy recipe from the inspiring blog, Passionate Homemaking.

I have juiced a lot, and this is very similar, but you make it in a blender rather than a juicer, and the texture is different. Best of all, though, is that it tastes great!

The day started off with a trip to the health food store for a few more goodies. Julian led me to the kale (very dark green stalk vegetable) in the cooler. Rather than saying, “Oooo, vegetables!” He said, “Incredible hulk" meaning that this is what was put into the Incredible Hulk smoothies” You see, Mama had named them this, as have other mothers of little guys. It really helps them want to drink this health drink even though there are the dreaded vegetables in there!



Back home, the boys helped Mama with the smoothies…





While I kept Baby Christian occupied with an organic apple core...



The recipes can be altered to suit your tastes, and we don’t really measure the ingredients, but I took a guess, so you would have an idea. Your aim is to get the thickness that you want, so add less or more depending on your tastes. The main goal is to have a lot of dark green nutritious-laden goodies in a taste-good combination!

Today, we combined…

4-6 stalks Kale
1 Apple
½ Banana frozen (This gives it its smoothie texture)
3-4 Tbs. Orange Juice Concentrate
1 c.+ Plain yogurt
2-3 Tbs. Flax seed meal (This amount added a bit of little crunchies. Use less if
you don’t want the extra fiber.)
1 tsp. Spirulina powder
1 c.+ Milk
5-6 Ice cubes (This adds to the smoothie texture plus chills your drink)

Blend and chop (if you used ice), stopping and scrapping down the sides as needed.



And, voila, you have a green…or Incredible Hulk…smoothie that the kids will just drink right up!



After our drinks, Julian decided that he would like to give the camera a try. So...From a four-year-old’s perspective, we have…

A view out the window...



And MOST of Regular Gramma, or in Julian language "Rerrr Nama". I am differentiated from my mom, as she is "Beet Nama" or Great Gramma.



It was such a beautiful Spring-like day that we just had to go out and enjoy it! Of course little boys must look for bugs…That's just what they do!



And...play in the dirt...





And...Of course, sit in a tree!



What a beautiful green day we had!

I just came across a yummy looking salad that I'd like to try. The link is below. If you have never tried kale, I suggest first try it in the smoothie, as the drink has other ingredients that sweeten it. On the other hand, if you're a seasoned raw green eater, this salad looks pretty yummy!



This yummy recipe can be found at Utopian Kitchen

PAUL'S COUNSEL-ROMANS 12

As I was reading the other day in Romans 12, I could apply much of the advice to myself. Here are a few of the verses and what they mean to me.



3. “For I say…to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”

**I want to be sure and always count myself amongst my fellow people and never pretend to be greater than they in any way. I can know more than others in areas just as they do in their own sphere. However, because I know more in a certain field does not give me a right to hold this above anyone**



9. “…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

**The more I pray, read my scriptures, and go to Church, the easier it is for me to stay grounded—to be in this world but not of it. I strive to do this**



11. [Be] not slothful in business…”

**I shall strive to always be diligent in serving the Lord**



12. “Rejoicing in hope…continuing instant in prayer.”

**There is hope for me in my trials though it may take a long while to overcome**



14. “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

**I am having to give a deposition, among several others, to a former co-worker’s attorneys. I would rather not have anything to do with it. This person was very difficult to work with. She is continuing her suit, I believe, against the place she worked at, and this will in part involve me. It is very difficult to not at least think bad thoughts let alone not speak them. I must work on being careful to not curse and then for the harder task comes sending blessings her way. I ask myself, “How do I bless her—hoping that she succeeds in what she is doing? No. I’ll start with thinking of her positive points, and we’ll go from there”**



16. “…Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

**This is so important. All men were created equally, in the image of our Heavenly Father, and are children of the same. I love his children and need to do more of it**



17. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

**I wonder at this scripture where it says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you…” As the Lord knows how difficult it is to live peaceably with all men, is He here giving us some leniency?**



19. “…avenge not yourselves…vengeance in mine; I will repay…”

**This scripture gives me great comfort. For, in those times when such wrong is done and no justice prevails, I know what comes after this world. And, He will make ALL things right**



I am thankful that my Heavenly Father loves me and knows of my little burdens in life amongst all of the billions of people. I am thankful that Jesus Christ died for me and felt every trouble, every sin, every terror that I have ever felt. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

MAKING THE OLD NEW AGAIN

This is a table that has had several lives, I’m sure. My grandparents, at one time, owned a house that had been previously owned by a well-to-do family. It was then made into an apartment house, and this little wooden table was one of the things that Grampa and Gramma took out of there at some point along the way.



It isn’t of any worth antique wise but is a useful piece of furniture nonetheless. They gave it to me when I was 14, and I used it in my bedroom at that time. It has stayed with me all these years.



Peach and yellow are the main colors in my living room, so when I painted, I also decided to paint the table to match. It now holds some living room plants in bright yellow pots. It gave a new life to the little table that I have had for 32 years, and who knows how long it was around before that.