Gooood News!!!

I won first place in the local Newspaper's yearly Christmas Story Contest. The story will follow and I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all my faithful readers a blessed Christmas season and a happy new year.

The story has bits and peaces of me all over it and some of it is very true too, but not all of it.

Sorry that I haven't been keeping up this blog to those who have been faithfully checking it out. Let me hear from you if you're enjoying it. I'll tell you, it is very encouraging. I 've had to go to the school to blog at all, and to check my mail and that is not too frequent. So thanks all, love you.

I'd also like to decorate this page with some art I did in my window this season. It's meant to look like stained glass but it's actually water color. The black part of it is tempera and didn't hold very well as you can see the one is slightly loved already by my two wonderful boys. They did light up though, like the real thing, when the sun shines through.

Being Mary
Becky had grown up in a Hutterite colony and had gone to a one room school all of her 16 years.

She was a cheerful and outgoing girl with a ready smile. She was a good actor, and one could always count on her to participate in the school’s yearly Christmas pageant.

Becky never had the chance to play the part of Mary though she had secretly longed to for many years.
It seemed that part was always reserved for someone with a button cute nose and delicate features, plus a dainty figure and Becky had neither. She had fairly large bones and her face was oval shaped.
She loved playing dress up though and would play the part to her heart’s content in front of her mirror at home in her room.

By the time she finished her grade nine education and left school to join the work force of the adults, she knew every word of We Three Kings and the narration of Luke 2 verse 1 to 20 completely by heart. She had played shepherd and angle to the best of her ability, but never Mary.

She had a strong clear voice that could carry whatever was to be said or sung all the way to the back of the room without a microphone. It was her voice that made her a welcome addition to the young people’s choir who met for practice once a week.

Each year at Christmas time the young people would make an appointment to sing carols at a nearby old folks home.

This was Becky’s first year, and having the freedom and imagination to contribute whatever she wished, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

She was going as Mary!

She had no problem recruiting a Joseph from among her young and handsome companions so off they went in royal blue and purple.

She stood proudly with Joseph holding her doll in swaddling cloths and reading the words to Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem off of her neighbor’s book.

The doll had been a Christmas gift from her mom a few years before as one last doll gift before she would be too old to play with them.

She loved it, for it had dark skin, black hair and a bright yellow dress, unlike any other doll she had ever owned.

Becky sang happily when she caught a movement from the corner of her eye. A few glances in that direction produced the knowledge that one of the elderly ladies was beckoning for baby Jesus.

Without hesitation Becky weaved through the wheelchairs of the audience and laid her doll into the worn eager arms. The old lady’s smile was brilliant as she cradled the baby doll to her heart, and Becky was sure that she heard the angels sing along when she rejoined the choir.

After sharing songs, cards, cookies and friendship, Becky just didn’t have the heart to ask for her doll back. She said goodnight to the old lady and left for the van with that warm feeling tugging at her heart.

It was mixed with the sadness of having lost something dear. Becky could still see those wrinkled old eyes behind the glasses lighting up the room, and knew that she must have done the same.

That night, as she lay in bed, Becky thought of the real Mary of long ago, how she had had to give up her own precious baby Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. How her heart must have been braking to see Him suffer.

Becky wiped a tear from her eye as she thought that maybe the old lady in the home had never had the chance to play the part of Mary either.

Here We Are

I was acting like a model and strutting my stuff, having fun with my photographer. He really knows how to keep me relaxed and at ease. We were flirting like crazy, and trying to act professional, hence the brilliant smile. Here I am in overkill again.

-34 years old

-5'5 tall

-blue eyes

-birthday, Apr. 17

-married in 1999

-about 60 cook weeks left till retirement at 45

There you have my good side, my bad side, and how they look all together. That's meant not only in the physical sense. I do have an ugly side as anyone living with me will tell you, but I guess we all do.

Oh.. By the way... Rodney took these photos of me.

Keeping On

I’ve been keeping up my exercise program for about 14 weeks now and it feels pretty good. I noticed all summer long that I had more strength and stamina at our normal garden work. I started alternating jogging with weight training.

I think the garden below gave me the very first incentive to begin, it was pretty hard laboring in the hot sun at times, but I got in touch with that strong and determined side of myself again. With a little encouragement from Carebear, I began reading “Body for Life.” I got some very important tips and learned about regrouping and keeping at it even when things change. Just get active! That’s not so heard.
It is quit catching as Rodney has joined me, and my sons just love to imitate us. My bubble burst a bit when Hans punctured my exercise ball with a dart, but the only time I’m not up to par is in a cook week, when everything gets thrown out of whack.

Happy B-day Hans Sep.29

Hans has turned four, and is still big for his age. It seems like he has been older for a while, but there is still enough of baby in him to satisfy his mom. It seems that I don’t have another baby to baby so I baby him. Well, the cheeks are so tweekable, and he still has dimples in his hands; add to that a lisp and you have one cute guy.

I’m really reconciled to the fact that he is much like me, sometimes I think that he is the boy version of me. It helps me understand him better and it makes it easier to give him what he needs.

I usually write something for my boys every birthday that they will someday want to look back at. I’ve already told them of my heart’s desire. It’s for them is to accept Jesus as their savior someday.

Hans loves to be challenged; he will do some things only because we say he can’t do them, to prove that he can.
“I bet Hans can’t put off his PJs all by himself.”
“Close your eyes, Mom.”
“Hans needs help from someone.” Comes the muffled taunt.
“You can look now.” He pops up wearing only a big smile.
“Is daddy hiding somewhere near? You must have had someone to help you.” Says mom giving him a big hug.

"Thtanley says girls shouldn't touch boyth."

"Oh Honey, But I'm your mommy."

He needs a lot of attention, and loves to cuddle and be with people. He is a little tease and will relentlessly bug whomever he wants the attention from.

He will let you know when he is not happy by sticking out his lower lip; better known as a pout. But he soon forgets it though, and the smile returns just as quickly as the frown came.

He is a happy child and loves stories. He listens to Victor for hours and has told me the one about “Ricky Ticky Tabby” completely by heart. He also enjoys bible stories, but not of bad people like Jezebel. His English is very good for his age, and we can talk a lot of it.

We try daily to teach him about God, and let him know that his family is really pleased and complete with him in it.

Where did my summer go?

June, July, August...gone.

What did I do all summer? Did I accomplish anything?

I spent quite a few of Hans' nap times sweating it out behind the turkey barn in the old homestead building a garden and a swing. I have some other plans yet, but need some supplies. I was inspired to make it from a story called The Man who Planted Trees, but poor Nel can't remain anonymous. The story just thrilled me.

This is the dream version of it before I made the real thing. I was going to celebrate doing and trying things anyway even though you are going to make mistakes, but it turned out even better then it did in reality. Here, you can judge for yourself, it was made in the paint program.

Here is the real thing..

I was there the other day and the swing has already broken down but the flowers are just getting nicer and sweeter. The Alisum have finally bloomed and are giving off a musical cent.

It was meant, at first, for butterflies, because I have named it 'Butterfly grove,' but there weren't any this year. I wanted to have them eat there in the garden and have planted some Milkweed for them as well, so they could grow there, eat, reproduce, and hang out.

I also planted some raspberries, just for anyone who goes there, I can just see Mel and her best friend being chased out of there by the mosquitoes. ;)

Lost My Internet connection, blog on hold because of the second law of thermodynamics. See you, thanks for coming!! oxox Nel

Would You Shelf This?

Sometimes I get inspired to write stuff, and I let it sit in my drawer. I wonder if it's not better off out there somewhere where folks can read it. Maybe it can bless, challenge, or even encourage someone today. I do challenge myself a lot and am fairly hard on myself at times, but this goes well with the semons we've been having lately about knowing christians by their fruits.

Dear Christian,

How can you say you love Me, when you speak an unkind word to the troubled soul in your argument?
How can you say it, when you walk right by her with your nose in the air?

How can you say you love Me, when you take the credit for all the gifts I’ve given you?
How can you say it, when I’ve lent you your heartbeat, strength, and talents, and you think you did it all yourself?

How can you say you love Me, when you won’t give the poor man some cash, a coat, warm mitts, not even a prayer?
How can you say it, when you turn in disgust, and spend all you have to seek your own happiness?

How can you say you love Me, when you don’t take the time for the widowed old lady giving comfort and hope with a touch or a smile?
How can you say it, when you’re wishing her story of long ago would soon be done?

How can you say you love Me, when you won’t share the good news with the broken heart who’s crying a river?
How can you say it, when I’ve promised to give you the words that you don’t speak?

How can you say you love Me, when the children that surround you are not blessed?
How can you say it, when they beg your attention and you send them away?

How can you say you love Me, when you have nothing to show to anyone watching?
How can you say it, when they don’t see Me in you?

Bird Story

We have four noisy Lovebirds in our family now, and it didn't take long till one was out the door.

The kids played around with the cage, and left the door open. I closed it soon after but thought one sweetheart may be in it's little house nest.

I was wrong, it flew out to freedom the second Rodney entered the house. It stayed in a tree on our front lawn for a bit, and later flew off farther away with Rodney and I watching every move.

The first thing we did was make a long net to try catching it, but of course it didn't work. So we put the cage outside so that the pair could communicate, and thay did, but it was getting dark.

It flew around quite a bit, but in the end we decided to just leave the cage on the porch overnight and see what happens.

In the morning at about 6:00 Rodney goes out to have a look and there in the little maple tree as close to the cage as possible was our naughty bird! Now how will we get it inside?? Rodney held out the bird house, but there was no reaction, so he tried it with the cage, and low and behold the birdie jumps on.

He slowly, ever so slowly, started moving towards the house. With the patience of Job, and both of us holding our breath, he made it inside the door and I slammed it behind him. The frightened bird dashed into the kitchen as we celebrated in relief.

THE END

I can bearly bare it!!!

We had a lovely time at the Baer reunion on Saturday (was my maiden name). I got to see all my cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, in laws, outlaws and much more.


But, I lost all my pictures.

BOOHOOOO!!!


Anyone have any to send??

Now I'm pictureless and you can have a taste of it too in this blog.

Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside.

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

I’ve been wondering how much it shows from our outward life what is inside our hearts. If I tend to keep a messy room or house does it mean that I don’t keep my body that clean either, or my spirit? social life? soul? mind? heart?

My choices of where I spend my time are probably a good hint. Will I choose to keep the outside of my house clean and the lawn and gardens trimmed just to put up a good front to anyone walking by while the inside of my house is a dump? Can I honestly say that I will rather do something for someone else before I’ll take the time to sew the latest clothes just to make sure that I keep up appearances?

I find that a smile can paint a face while there is much resentment inside the heart. We can hang on to a hurt or insult rather than forgive and forget and yet be the friendliest person around. I can be the first one to show up at church, work and meals, but also the first to criticize, point a finger, and find fault. We can say ‘thank you very much’ when complaints and ingratitude are coming out of our ears.

If there is any indication in the way I keep house, there are rooms upstairs that no one ever sees and they are quite dusty. No guest goes there and no one will ever know. Are there also such places in my heart? Are there unkempt places that I should be paying more attention to? Like thoughts and relationships?

What about all the things that need doing around me? There are jobs that pile up so that I’m not sure where to start some days. Well, there is also an overwhelming amount of invisible places that need improvement and balance. Being a good parent, wife, cook, keeping a good attitude, learning God’s word and living by it is so much to keep up. Brushing teeth, combing hair and being neatly dressed is a breeze compared to the tremendous task of keeping a guard over one’s own heart.

The one thing that I always have to watch for is finding the faults of others and being blind to my own. Whenever I do it, and I do, there is no doubt that I will find the very same things in me to whatever degree; all I have to do is look. “Oh, my situation is different.” Note the sarcasm, please! The only reason God gives us insight into someone else’s faults is so that we can pray for them.

We are the Children of Israel

We can claim our heritage because we are his spiritual children, not of the flesh.

We have been set free from slavery to sin by the miracles of God.

We have passed through the waters of baptism to be reborn as a nation with Jesus Christ as our King.

Ours is the manna, God’s word that satisfies our hunger.

We come to Jesus Christ and rest; keeping the sign of the Sabbath.

God’s Ten Commandments are carved on the tablets our hearts.

Our bodies are the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells; in which we pray and worship, and go about our Father’s business.

By faith we look to the lifted up cross to find healing from the venom of the serpent.

Though fire and desert may try us, we will accept God’s discipline and learn to depend and trust in Him to supply our every need.

We live under God’s protection; shielded from the heat of the day and the darkness by night.

Our garment of righteousness will not grow old, and the gospel of peace on our feet will not ware out.

Ours is the New Jerusalem; ours is the Promised Land.

The insiration for writing this is from this link. It's the end times delution link that didn't work a few blogs ago.

No Butterflies

I think this is all I have this year of butterflies, it seems like it's not their year. I'll have to be happy with the memories we made because I've only seen two big ones so far, and I've checked dozens of milkweed plants for any sign of the worms. I sure miss them.

Here is the clip I've been wanting to blog for over a year now, it was supposed to be part of the born again blog from last year. Thanks to Joni, WH, <3<3<3> here it is condensed. Enjoy!!

Anyone who enjoys creation science will love this sight. Seminars, talks, debates... all here

Melissa and Debra these are for you....

...Thinking of you!!!

Green and Growing

Our lively pond has brought a number of wild things to my house....

I couldn't get the boy's frogs to stay, but they were nice while they did. We are delighted to see a Goldfinch or Robin taking a dip and the Goldfish can mostly be seen in the evening.

Here are a couple of weeds that just keep on growing and need much attention because they tend to become unruly in no time. I'm saying that because they wouldn't stop clowning around enough so I could take this picture so I said I was taking the flowers the get them to settle down and stop making faces.

Big Biker Boy

Off come the training wheels. Hans has learned to bike at the age of 3 and will only be 4 in September. He needed just one push from his dad and he was off like he has always been biking. Rodney only had to teach him how to get started and jump on by himself; now he is all over the colony having a jolly old time. He even wants to ride Judas’ bike now. I found out at the health and wellness fair that he is bigger than 100% of the children his age. It’s a small wonder then that he’s such a pro biker.
I’ve got some clips and will try one more time to post them…

The mother of a 6 yaer old??

Little Judas had his 6th birthday yesterday and we had a little lunch party with sister Melinda’s family. I spent all morning baking friendship bread and his cake, plus there were plans for family supper, so I didn’t feel up to having a normal party in the evening with games and all. That was just enough kitchen time for me.

This is for my wonderful little sport. Not only does he attend all baseball games but he participates even when his runs aren’t being counted. He doesn’t leave pouting or stops trying. I just have to give him credit for that. But wait, there’s more, today his parents talked in front of him about taking him along to Sunnyside where grandma and his dad went to finish off her buns for the new mother, (we have a new baby boy on the colony) but it turned out that there was no more room in the van. He was a little disappointed but was a real good sport about that too.

Me: “Isn’t your daddy wonderful, Judas?”

Judas: “Yes and I love him”

Me: “How much do you love him?”

Judas: “Oh, all the way up to heaven.”

Me: “Well, you only love him as much as you obey him.”

Judas: “I love Him third best of all.”

Me: “Hay, who do you love more.” (A little hopeful)

Judas: “First I love God, then the angels, then dad.”

Well, there you go, right next to the angels, our papa.

I also found a sweet little card on the porch from my little boy a few days ago. He is getting to be quite the artist. It’s him and me hugging, I keep telling him that I’ll be hugging him till he’s a grandpa, he better be ready. So far I can kiss him anytime I want, as long as no one is around. I dig the hearts, ah?

Wingham School has started teaching their kids to swim at Southport with some Fairholme girls as teachers. I went along last week to have a peek and found it very interesting; got a few tips myself. Judas is doing fairly well from what I can see and has always done pretty good in the water.

Judas you have no idea what a pleasure it is to be your mom, you are so much like your pa that you delight me more every day. You are a blessing and I love you very much.

For My Papa

Things He Taught Me:
Dad taught me his ‘plat deuch’ or Pennsylvanian Dutch language he spoke as a boy. He joined the colony at age 11 with his father and passed a few sentences on to me.

He also taught me how to drive at about age 10. Airport was the one place in the world where you where scared to see a pickup truck coming towards you with no driver. When it came close though, you could see a tiny little head pop out just over the steering. That’s how young we learned to drive on the farm barely reaching the paddles. I still remember the first curve I ever made or almost didn’t make. I turned the steering way too far and almost hit the ditch. Dad was so cool, he just grabbed it with one hand and said “Whoa, not so far” with no fuss at all. He is still a very good teacher, patient and lets you find things out on your own. I remember watching a young women learning to drive with her dad and he was being very helpful, in fact, so helpful that she was in tears and stopped in the middle of the city to ask him to please let her do the driving.

Things He did for me:
Dad took us to the Delta beach on the hot summer evenings about 15 miles off the colony, we would cool off and play in the water for a good two hours and then leave in the van refreshed.

He fixed my bike’s flat tire quite a few times in the evenings. I would follow close behind and watch his every move and soon I thought that I could do it on my own. So I went ahead and tried, everything worked out fine taking it off and patching the tube but I just couldn’t get it back onto the tire. I think I made several more holes forcing it on with a striate screwdriver.

Special Memories:
One night we had a flat on the old van on the cement road about a mile from home. I was very young, maybe about 5 or so and of course I was afraid of the dark. When dad was done having a look, he decided that we would have to walk home. Well, I couldn’t see a thing, it was darker than black. Dad held my hand all the way home and I remember how safe I felt knowing that the hand that was holding mine could be trusted and would watch over me.

Things He Said:
My dad would always say: “Too many chiefs, and not enough Indians.” He is still one of the best Indians I know of, humbly doing his part for the whole.

Audrey, Our Gift

Something quite significant happened in our little family this week. We had to let our wonderful babysitter go. We celebrated her 15th birthday on the 4th of June, and of course, that's when you join the adult work force on the colony. She will now be working, eating, worshiping, and socializing with the adults.
She has been a part of our family since she was 9 years old, taking care of Judas soon after he was born and then later Hans. She came every day to feed the boys at suppertime and looked after them during Sunday and evening church services, plus trips and different colony jobs like gardening, canning, butchering, and cook and back weeks. Sometimes I simply don't know what I'd have done without her.
Her mother (Margret) 'gave' her to me when they still had a child under the age of 5 at their home. In my eyes it was a pretty big sacrifice since they would have needed her as well. I have always been thankful for it and can only hope that if I ever have the chance to be as generous that I won't forget.
It's a bit sad to see her go because I really miss her but I'm a little proud too. Just because I've had the privilege to see her grow lovely and beautiful as a flower and now that she's unfolded before me I get to enjoy the fragrance she spreads all around her. It's just too lovely!!
Here are a few paragraphs from the letter of thanks I sent along with her gift. All she ever needed to do was look after my boys, but she did so much more. There will never be another like her.

You can take a lot of the credit for how quick our boys learned to throw, catch, kick, bat, and skate because you always played with them instead of just sitting around. You've helped them be good sports in baseball, soccer, volley and floor hockey and I'm sure that's not the only reason you will be greatly missed.
You have no idea how much we appreciate all the time you spent cleaning the living room, kitchen, bookshelf and much more. It never went unnoticed especially in a cook and bake week when it was neglected from all angles. That dear is not half the story, but we can't remember asking you to do those things once. You did it all without being told and without complaining, never once did you roll your eyes, clinch a fist, or give any sarcastic comments. Your dedication has been a great blessing to us.





We also want to thank you for the fact that we were always able to trust you in our house, not only did you never snoop or invade out privacy but there were always other kids here that you kept honest and respectful and made sure that nothing was damaged. It is no small quality to be dependable and trustworthy, so thank you that we could leave you in charge without worrying about a thing.
The greatest treasure of all, Audrey, is that you have always been a good example to our boys and your influence is something we hope they will never forget. You never let them get away with doing things that were wrong and that says a lot about the person you are. It shows us how hard you try to keep your own heart pure and leaves footprints behind you that are well worth following.

If it weren't for Audrey

If it weren't for Audrey we wouldn't know how to bat or through a ball as well as we do.
If it weren't for Audrey our mom would be on drugs for stress.
If it weren't for Audrey we wouldn't be half the good sports that we are.
If it weren't for Audrey we would have missed a lot of fun.
If it weren't for Audrey we wouldn't know a lot of good games.
If it weren't for Audrey we wouldn't know how to pray.
If it weren't for Audrey we would have missed some good, hearty, laughs.
If it weren't for Audrey we wouldn't have a friend for life.

Pray for our Church

Please people, pray for the church while she is in a time of need!! We think that there is nothing we can do, but there is...

#1 Pray, and pray again that our leaders have the wisdom and the insight to make good decisions.

#2 Don't criticise anyone.

#3 If you talk about it , make sure what you say is the truth and check out your story by asking the people concerned.

#4 Trust the Lord and have a little faith in each other.

Inspiration

From our colony and more!!!