Back to school!

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.

Well, those who are actually interested in this blog knew this was coming. Hubby went back to school on Thursday. Our new favorite line is "19 1/2 credits?!?" Yes, I have a determined and disciplined hubby. It will be a busy semester, but God is gracious. This semester, Chris starts Greek and we have already learned the alphabet together. He also has a Composition class, Hebrews and General Epistles, Major Prophet, Systematic Theology I, Intro to Mission, Financial Management, and Orientation along with the preacher boys class. I am so thankful that God has given both of us a love for learning and a desire to grow.

Hubby is not the only one studying anew. I started Violin lessons on Friday. I am so excited. About 2 years ago, my parents let me take my brother's violin so that I could learn to play while Chris was deployed. I taught myself some things, but was afraid of establishing bad habits, so I waited for some help and now have a teacher. Chris is waiting for a beautiful rendition of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" or "Canon in D" He may have a little bit of a wait.

There is so much to learn out of the classroom as well. We have both been studying prayer and God's desires for a fruitful prayer life in His children. We long to see God work in our lives to make us tools fit for His service, to move in the hearts of the unsaved as we go door-to-door, and to heal families and our nation. We have seen our lack in earnestness, fervency, sincerity, and humility which are traits that God desires to see.

I was challenged yesterday about "Grace Giving." It is a blessing to hear messages that God uses to change me and to challenge me to stretch out of my comfort zone. I am thankful for those who have helped me in this area. Many have shared their tips for saving money, some have shared of their excess, others have shared the local discount stores and free deals at drug stores, many just exemplify joy in spite of difficult economic situations that is a rebuke to my oft complaining soul, still others show me how to reuse or make do with what I have (which is a whole lot). God is so good in ALL situations, not just during what I perceive as the good times.

BTW - the garden is now onto green beans - Yummy! The tomatoes are slowing down and it is finally cooling a little and the third planting of the year may go in this week. We will try the lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, beets, and onions again and also add in some parsnips :) Once the beans are all in, we will also finish painting the house and also paint the shed.

Keepin' Busy and Local Fare

Sorry - haven't been here for awhile - been keeping busy this month. We had our trailer repaired this month. The bottom of the siding was shredding and water was able to leak in and would be rotting the floors before long (if it had not already started). The landlord put a large trim strip along the bottom of the siding, caulked, and then REPAINTED! I was so excited about the paint job. The exterior of the trailer was kind of a disappointment when we arrived, but it looks SO much better now. We bargained for the extra paint by agreeing to paint the front corner where the garden resides. We finished all but about a 4' x 4' square which won't be noticable until the pole beans fade away. When we finish that, we can use the extra paint to paint our new shed and everything will match.

I have also just finished making a bridesmaid's dress. It was a big undertaking, but I enjoy the challenge. I couldn't dwell on it too long because I only had about 8 days to finish it when I received the pattern and fabric!

The garden is taking quite a bit of time now. It seems that the tomatoes have gone CRAZY! It is fun to pick each day and to make tomato sauce to enjoy through the winter. Chris loves to come home to the smell of Italian - though he wishes he could have more of it now!

So what is up with the local fare? Yesterday, Chris had a surprise day off. We hit some local farmer's markets and finally decided to try hot boiled peanuts - cajun style. I am hooked! They are great. Need to google some recipes because I am sure that they are not hard to make. That is a southern treat I can enjoy. Still haven't tried the livermush, but maybe I will get up the nerve soon. Have some October beans (aka horticulture beans or cranberry beans) to try soon thanks to a farm coworker. We also picked up some blueberry cider for our anniversary celebration. Chris wants to grill our entire meal - steak, tomatoes, corn, and texas toast! What about dessert? Well in our explores yesterday, we found a Bruster's Ice Cream! We had tried this decadent treat twice in Virginia and were thrilled to find one within striking distance (closer than Friendlys). I think I will have some cheesecake ice cream ... or a mocha with chocolate ... or ...

Happy Birthday, Darling!

Wow, It is hard to believe that a year has passed. Hubby is turning 30 tomorrow - July 19th! One year ago, he was celebrating in the Gulf with Navy buddies while I waited in Washington. Today we are together - across the nation - living in a trailer rather than an apartment - attending a great church - working outside instead of in the belly of a ship - living on a third of our navy income - back in school - and happy as can be! What an exciting year this has been! Have a great day, baby!

Of Squash Bugs, Bore Beetles, and Tomato-lined Paths

Many have commented that they enjoy following the progress of the container and square foot gardens. We are in our second plantings now. The peas, beets, carrots, onions, lettuces, and basil all did very well. Now there are pole beans, zucchini, huckleberries, peppers, and TOMATOES! We had dug a section by our front walkway for flowers, but we ran out of room for all of the tomato seedlings so the path is lined with tomatoes - YUM! Right now the patio (Roma) tomatoes are producing very well and the larger Delicious and Better Boys are coming along. I have learned that tomatoes don't like high acid soil. We grew some huge tomato plants in the manure filled planters - but also got lots of end blossom rot :(

We planted a variety packet of peppers - the first ones to fruit were PURPLE! How pretty.

We are also attempting pumpkins, winter squash, and watermelons this year with our very long garden season. We have learned about a critter called a squash bug or bore beetle. We were able to harvest 2 pumpkins, but the critter killed many of our plants. We have now dusted and are attempting another planting. So far the melon vines seem to be fairing well, so we will hope for some garden fresh watermelon soon. The pictures show the progress of some of the plants - the white is not snow, but rather Sevin dust!

We are awed again at God's great design as we plant small seeds and see great harvests.

His provision in our life is perfect - his divine plan.

Too much stuff

Does anyone else suffer with this problem? What is the balance between holding on to things so as not to be wasteful or to have to buy it again and just hoarding? Why can't I seem to live the verse "and having food and raiment let us be therewith content"?

So I know that I have to much stuff and too much "but I may need that." Because of this my dearest hubby built me a little 4' x 4' shed. It is a joke around the trailer park because many people are wondering when we are going to cut a half moon in the door. How silly!

I am so thankful for this little shed. We have been able to clear off the back porch of tools and tarps and gardening supplies, have cleared cupboards of coolers, and have tidied up the place in the process. It still needs a door and then a coat of paint - but what a blessing it is!

Foundations Destroyed?

Marriage has been much on my mind since May. I received some good books for my birthday which have challenged me and provided "food for thought." One is "Created to Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. I am sure that society at large would not appreciate the book, but I am challenged all the more that my responses and actions in the home as a wife are all that God requires of me. Godly actions will produce greater results than nagging, complaining, bitterness ...

The books came at a great time as I have been seeking to encourage 2 wives who feel that things are just falling apart at home. These homes are not the exception any more. All around us there is confusion about the roles in marriage.

We just got back from a family get-to-gether in NY to celebrate dad and mom's 40th anniversary. Quite the milestone! Marriage is a covenant to love, honor and respect each other. It is not without sacrifice, time in prayer, reliance on God. I am so glad for the example that my parents and Chris' parents have set for us. The way that was set before us is easier to follow because we can see the results. If your path was not so neatly laid out, do not despair, just follow God's way - wives being submissive, meek, and quiet; husbands leading and providing with love. God's way is perfect.

A covenant to live by

So what am I thinking about this week. I am thinking about Romans 12. Chris calls it a great example of a church covenant - but I will take it as also a personal covenant with my God. I heard Romans 12 preached in college and it struck me then, and Chris has been preaching through it this year as he has opportunities - What a challenge! Can I challenge you with it? Even if you take one verse at a time, or one phrase at a time - you will be convicted. My thought for today "...he that ruleth, with diligence,..." Much to do today in my realm in the home - I have watered garden, pulled beets, baked cookies - now lawn to mow, beets to freeze, ironing, meat to repackage and freeze ... Be Diligent!

Gardening and Other Events

Well, it has been awhile since I posted ... oops! I will claim the busy-ness of the Spring. There are only 2 weeks left of the semester and 1 of those weeks is just finals. "Just" finals comes from the one who doesn't have to take them. I think that only 1 of them will require a lot of time and study.

The garden is producing. We have had radishes and I finally got the strings for the peas to climb before they attacked the rest of the garden. It is looking really good. Chris brought home halved iodine containers from the farm and then a load of dirt/manure to fill them. They now contain pumpkins, watermelons, and winter squash. I was still desiring more area to work - so we peeled off the grass right beside the walkway and then around the back porch. This will allow areas for flowers!

The next project around here is a clothes line. It will be a big help with the electric bill and there is just something about clothes drying in the sunshine.

Looks like it will be a busy summer for Chris. His boss asked him to continue working Saturdays and hinted that a 6 day work week would probably be the usual. So far the allergies are not killing him, so we will press on. We are using a daily nasal wash, quercetin pills, an occasional Alavert, and masks while working on the farm!

Also taking on a new ministry as the school year concludes. Our church currently has nothing for the teens, so we are going to attempt a teen Sunday School class. We did this in Albany, but it has been awhile. We are looking forward to another opportunity to be involved in the lives of others.

3 more piano students come on this summer. Two are just summer - they are really beyond my ability to teach, but I will at least keep them motivated through the summer. The other is a new student wife in the trailer park.

Hopefully that catches everyone up. The summer weather is here and we are learning how to keep a trailer sitting in the middle of a field cool in the summer. It is a little work and sometimes a futile effort - I am sure that the AC will get some work very soon.

More Fun at Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

I just realized that all of our non-facebook friends and family readers had not had a taste of spring break in NC. We set aside 2 days to have a little vacation and rest from all the reading, writing, and studying of the semester and headed out to Chimney Rock, NC. We were rained out on Monday, but spent the day mall walking and driving a beautiful back route to Asheville. It was a good day together, even if we were not hiking.

Tuesday dawned bright and clear. We began our "hike" with an elevator ride to the top of chimney rock. Then we climbed up higher for a birds eye view of the area. After that it was down to lower falls for a view of Hickory Nut Falls. Next lunch out in the village. Then we climbed some lower educational trails meant for children (I don't think we were disqualified). Before we left we climbed to the top of chimney rock and down 2 more times. Yes, we only planned one more trip to the top, but at the top we met a hammered dulcimer player and he gave me a lesson :) We wanted to buy a cd, but the ATM did not work in the gift shop. He let us take it on faith that we would send the payment, but when we got to the car we realized that we had the check book there. So - up we went again.

Oh, it was beautiful there. We upgraded our day pass so that we could return anytime in the next year. We plan to get picture in the summer and in the fall ... OOOOOHHH! We also realized that we need to plan a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall - it is supposed to be gorgeous. It goes near to Mount Airy (aka Mayberry) and far into VA near the Luray Caverns.