Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13:9

Friday, October 29, 2010

The Ant's Burden


Friday, 29 October 2010

  • The Ant's Burden

    I am standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes when I hear this little voice from down in the corner on the floor shouting - "Hey, can you help me down here?"  After close inspection of the area  from where I heard the shouting, I find an ant and he is trying to carry a piece of candy that is just way too big for him.  I lean down, and without any effort at all, pick up the piece of candy and move it for him.  No sweat!  And I don't even like ants!  But, he asked for help in that pitiful tone of voice, I couldn't help myself.
    Well, the ant signifies me (and you), and "me" signifies God in this allegory told to me by Ben in one of our "spiritual" conversations.   I have received much encouragement from Ben over the years.  I love his simple faith, but deep insights.    How easy it is to look at our "burden" and let it totally overwhelm us.  Sometimes we see it for what it is and realize that it is something we cannot handle alone.  And sometimes we think we are something we're not and can handle it all by ourselves, which tends to be me more times than not.   God looks at our "burden" and knows that, for Him, it is a cinch to remove.  All He is waiting for is for us to ask "Father, can you help me down here?", and we don't even need to use a pitiful tone of voice!  We need to realize though, that He sees the whole situation from a full perspective, or view point.  He sees the whole picture and He may see our burden in a different light than we do and have a different solution to relieving the burden.  We may believe that this burden is ruining our lives and if only it would be removed, life would be grand.  He may see that the burden is the only way to mold us into Christlikeness and won't remove it until we have changed direction.   Maybe the burden is of our own making and we need to learn self discipline and self denial.  In any situation, though, He is God, and He is a God who cares about our burdens - whatever they are - big or small - and desires to help us.  Our part is to ask for His help, fully surrender it to Him, and then have faith that He will do a good work through it all.
    Speaking of burdens........ I still have bronchitis and got awake at 3:00 coughing and decided I should just get up out of bed.  Then I thought that I really need to pay the bills and that is how I came to think of the story of the ant's burden again.  Paying bills can be a "burden" that many of us would like to be rid of, but it is not to be right now.  So, we continue to ask God for help, give Him our financial situation and trust that He will use it for His glory and our betterment (even if it means we lose everything!).   God has always been very, very faithful!  He is worthy to be trusted!  So, I should whistle while paying bills............
    ant
    Until next time..............

Monday, October 25, 2010

Solomon is 17!


Solomon is 17!

On Friday, the 22nd, Solomon turned 17.  He started a new job with Wolfe Housemovers, who literally pick up houses (or any kind of buildings) and move them.  Quite something to witness.  Anyway, the boys wanted to decorate Solomon's cake in the theme of housemoving.  They did a pretty good job!

As you can guess, it is a very dangerous job, but he is excited about it.  It's challenging and he gets to travel.   We will continue to pray for his safety.  He's a good guy!  And we love him bunches! 

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

What We Have Been Doing


Wednesday, 20 October 2010

  • What We Have Been Doing

    The last few weeks have busy, as usual, and we got alot accomplished.  I'll try to bring you up on the latest Weidenhammer happenings.
    I did more canning................pumpkins and dried navy beans.
    canning beans
    I use the neck pumpkins to can.  I cut the pumpkins and pressure cook very, very briefly.  Just enough to make them soft enough to peel and cut up.  Put into jars with 1 tsp. salt and pressure can.  For the dry beans, put 1 1/2 cups of dry beans in jar, 1 tsp. salt, fill with water and pressure can.  When you are ready to use, open up, drain liquid off and add other ingred. to make baked beans or put into soup, etc..
    We had the chance to see The Reading Symphony Orchestra.  What a fun, new experience!  It took place in a beautiful theater and we were able to sit up in the balcony.  It was student day, so it was full of homeschoolers and public school students.
     symphony 006
    On Sunday, we hiked the 500 steps near Bethel.  When I say "we", I mean that I only made it half way up, but Dave and the boys went all the way to the top.  Reality hit me on how out of shape I really am.  Dave is determined to change that!  Boot camp, here I come!  While they hiked the rest of the way, I got to visit with another woman who only made it that far, also.  She was a dairy farmer's wife, so it was fun to be able to relate to each other.  When at the top, you can see for miles and miles.
    500 steps 004
    500 steps 005
    On Monday, the boys & I dug our potatoes.  I love doing that!  It's like finding treasures hidden in rich, warm soil.  Treasures that become good, nutritious meals for the family.  When digging potatoes, forget the idea of staying clean.  It is so much more fun to crawl on hands and knees rooting through the earth.  We use a potatoe plow on the tractor to dig up the rows and then we come behind and pick up (and sometimes dig out of hills) the spuds.
    digging potatoes 003
    500 steps 001
    Only part of the harvest....what a blessing!
    digging potatoes 002
    So.....who worked the hardest????
    digging potatoes 004
    digging potatoes 005
    Later in the afternoon, we discovered 2 newborn calves.  They were born in the same location, and the oldest calf, which was a brown swiss, was confused on who her momma was.  She was nursing off the holstein momma while she was cleaning up her own calf.
    our farm 023
    The 3 younger boys & I finally received clearance on becoming volunteers at a local nursing home.   To be approved, I had to have a chest x-ray to prove that I do not have TB.   Seems like the requirements to work around the elderly are becoming more and more strict.  We are hoping to serve the elderly folks there at least once month.  My goal in this endeavor is to grow more of a servants heart in myself and the boys, plus be a blessing and brighten the days of those dear people who are shut in all the time.   I know from experience that we will be the ones who will come home feeling more blessed.  We can learn so much from the aged, if we would only take the time to sit and listen to them.
    It is such a privilege to have our health, strength and our right minds (even though I question mine sometimes - hee hee) to be able to work, play and experience life around us.  We should never take anything for granted!
    Until next time............. 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Oakley is 1 Year Old!


Sunday, 03 October 2010

  • Oakley is 1 Year Old!

    One year ago tonight, Oakley Paige was born making first time grandparents on both sides and first time great-grandparents on the Bross side.  She has brought so much joy into the lives of everyone around her!  It is soooo fun being grandparents!!



    Oakley's uncles.  The poor guy that will eventually come to date her - he will have to first pass her father's interrogation, and then he will have to make it past all these guys!  She has one aunt through marriage.




    4 generations on Dave's side.....



    4 generations on my side..........



    4 generations on Gordon's dad's side.........


    We missed taking a picture of Oakley's other grandma, Gordon's mother.  Both of her parents have passed away, but I know that they would've loved being great-grandparents again.

    It was a great party!

    Until next time................