Oil Lamp Basics

Like many of you, we, too, are trying to conserve, cut back & even prepare for emergencies...whether those emergencies be simply a power outage from a storm or even from some disaster...or, as is becoming more & more necessary to many of us...as a matter of saving money.

Back in 2002, I found a great tutorial from Stryder on Homesteadblogger.com & kept it. I thought is would be something that you would enjoy & want to know, yourself.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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*Oil Lamp Basics*
{Copied from Homesteadblogger.com}
6-27-02 By Stryder

Many of the preps we have we try to blend in to our everyday life. So, if you come to our house you’ll see oil lamps in about every room. A few are antiques bought at auction, most are right out of the local survialist headquarters (Wal-Mart). They are a part of our preps for alternative lighting and fit right in as simple home decorations. We give them to folks as presents on a regular basis as housewarming, hostess, or even simple wedding presents. They make a nice gift and with the addition of some extra wicks, oil, burners, extra chimney, etc. people get a little sample of the survivalist mindset from us (be prepared and have repair parts) without knowing it.

Filling:
Remove the glass chimney and unscrew the burner from the lamp. Fill the lamp with oil up to about a ½ inch below the top. Screw the burner back on and you’re ‘good to go’.

Cleaning and Trimming:
Smoke and soot will buildup on the glass chimney and degrade performance of the lamp. After every use, remove and clean the chimney. Roll the wick out of the burner tube about ½ inch and trim the burned and charred tip off the wick with scissors, the sharper the scissors, the better. There are three basic shapes for wicks. They are flat, pointed, and crowned as seen in the pictures. They all produce a different type of flame.

Lighting:
Remove the chimney and raise the wick about ¼ inch up from the wick tube. Light the wick with a match or lighter and replace the glass chimney. Do NOT use the lamp without a chimney or it will overheat and pressurize the lamp base and potentially create an oil fire that you do NOT want to deal with! Adjust the flame height to the correct level based on the shape you have chosen for the wick. If you see any smoke you’ve got the wick too high and need to lower it or your chimney is going to look black and you will really cut back on the light output. Remember that you have an open flame here, so treat it pretty much like a candle. In the pictures below, the order of the lamps in both pictures is flat wick, pointed wick, and crowned wick, left to right. As you can see from the picture, flat trimming creates a wide flame of medium light output, pointed a tall flame that is brightest, and crowned creates a narrower flame that has the lowest light output.

Fuel Use:
The easiest fuel to use is lamp oil and it’s available in any large store, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Ames, etc. and most of the small ones around us too. We’ve also used kerosene but everybody I talk to recommends NOT using gasoline or alcohol. Oil lamps burn about ½ oz. of lamp oil per hour when correctly adjusted. In colder weather they tend to burn a little more and in warmer a little less for some reason. Pointed wick trimming will also use slightly more but it produces more light as well. By The Way, last winter we had a training campout here in the Northeast and one of the attendees had some lamp oil with him. It froze SOLID at about 15o F. Getting frozen solid lamp oil back to liquid again is a real trick that involves slow thawing because of the volatile nature of the stuff, so keep that in mind in cold weather and unheated storage. We’ve found that the ultra-pure oil is really not that much cleaner in a properly adjusted lamp and freezes much faster too.

Extinguishing:
Simply cup your hand at the back of the chimney and blow towards the hand. The breath will travel into the chimney and extinguish the lamp. DO NOT touch the chimney it gets HOT!
Well, that’s about all there is to oil lamps. Learning to use one or scrambling around to get one at the last minute when you need one does not work at all. Add one or more to your preps and get a little practice with them ahead of time. The kids love to eat dinner by lamp light in the winter and they make nice "mood" lights at other times. Use them now and then and you’ll know how when the need arises. As I always say -

Get out and train!

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#9~ 9/29/10

Join Nancy at A Country Mom & myself & enjoy other Word-Filled Wednesdays! Be sure to let us know, in the comments, if you are joining us!

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PASSAGE: "The people to whom I [God] am sending you are obstinate & stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And WHETHER THEY LISTEN OF FAIL TO LISTEN - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEM or their words. DO NOT BE AFRAID...DO NOT BE AFRAID of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. YOU MUST SPEAK MY WORDS TO THEM, WHETHER THEY LISTEN OR FAIL TO LISTEN, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth & eat what I give you." ~~Ezekiel 2:4-8 [emphasis mine ~KW<><]

"When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' & you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, & I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS BLOOD. BUT IF YOU DO WARN THE WICKED MAN & HE DOES NOT TURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS OR FROM HIS EVIL WAYS, HE WILL DIE FOR HIS SIN: BUT YOU WILL HAVE SAVED YOURSELF." ~~Ezekiel 3:18-19 [emphasis mine ~KW<><]

LESSON LEARNED: Remember when you were a new Christian? When you felt so light & free & CLEAN?! You wanted to tell everyone about this Savior that you had met...how He forgave ALL of your filthy sins & set you free...how He paid your sin-wage & had made it possible for you to spend eternity w/God! ("Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" ~John 3:29) What happened to that zeal?

Now, let's be honest...didn't it break your heart when those you told either poo-pooed everything you had to tell them, told you that 'Well, that's OK for YOU', or were even greatly offended at everything you were telling them & walked away from you...forever? I was a wicked, foul person who hung around w/wicked foul people &, after the day of my salvation, I lost many friends. Yep...it's kind of a buzz-kill when one of your favorite bar-hoppin'-party-people becomes a Jesus Freak. Yep...it can break your heart.

And what about family members & other relatives that you love so much? Now...THESE people have known you all your life! They KNOW you. And now, you...you...have the nerve to come to them & tell them that the Bible says they are sinners?! Isn't it something that no matter how lovingly you tell them, how sweetly you timber your voice; no matter how beautifully those words in red are written...the receiver can be so offended - so duped by the Deceiver - so rebellious against the things of the Lord? Yep...it can break your heart.

But what would REALLY break my heart would be not even having the opportunity to share eternity in heaven, kneeling around the Throne of God, w/my loved-ones! Admittedly, it can be heart-breaking if they do not heed the Spirit's call & are deceived into thinking, "I'm a good person, I've never killed anyone, for Pete's sake. There's no reason for God to keep me out of heaven."

But I am responsible, before God, to TELL them. As much as it breaks my heart, I can't make them accept Jesus as their Savior & Lord. How I wish I could. But God puts 'the ball' in our court & requires us to place it squarely in the lap those we tell. I am responsible to witness, the hearer is responsible to act - or not act - upon what they heard. If I don't tell them, God said, "I will hold you accountable for his blood." I am called to obey & proclaim God's truth; if who I'm telling it to doesn't listen, unfortunately, I can't help that...my job is to tell them. "But if you do warn the wicked man & he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself."

Once again, a paradox of God: as much as we rejoice in our own salvation & try to be obedient, in the mere act of our telling someone about how they can receive the free gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus, we have given them information that they are now eternally held accountable for. THEY have now become accountable before God to act - or not act - upon what they now know!

I have a family member who, in the 28 yrs I've been a Christian, I have prayed for & the Lord has allowed us some really good 'talking sessions' about once every yr-to-18 months. About 3 yrs ago, I showed him this Scripture during 1 of our talks, & I told him that very thing I just related to you in the paragraph above. I told him that "you now know that YOU are responsible for everything you've ever heard someone obediently tell you about the Lord. For your sake, if I were you, I would hate to think that if I wait too long & my life is over, that NOT ONLY would hell be eternal separation from God, weeping & gnashing of teeth & torment, but that part of that torment might be some sort of eternal 'video' running that showed EVERY time I had the opportunity to accept Jesus as my Savior & turned it down...forever."

Yep...it can break your heart.

I don't mean for this devotion to be a 'downer,' but sometimes that's how the truth of God's paradoxes work...there's a good side & a bad side depending upon the decisions made. We are called to tell them...THEY are responsible to heed or deny the call. We both have a responsibility before God. But also remember...God's Word NEVER returns void (empty)!! "...so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire & achieve the purpose for which I sent it." ~Isaiah 55:11. And it will be accomplished in God's good timing! I often tell our daughters to not give up...be gracious but be frank; as long as there's breath in their body, they have the opportunity to accept salvation through Jesus!

And THAT causes my heart to rejoice!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#91~ 9/28/10

For Today...

Outside my window...grey from the rainy morning; trying to lighten up a bit. Hoping that the rain will bring out more fall color. :-)

I am thinking...that I hope 1 of DH's interviews will bring an awesome job offer!!

I am thankful for...the PC working...today!

From the kitchen...'breakfast' for lunch. I'm hoping to make my taco soup tomorrow...cool weather makes me want soups, chili or stew! :-P Yummy cold-weather comfort food!

I am wearing...long brown demin skrirt, black & tan long-sleeved shirt.

I am remembering…my mom's face when DD#s & I surprised her for a short visit last week.

I am going…to start a new book...

I am reading...Bible: Isaiah; the Christian fiction book my DD#2 just finished & said I HAVE to read: "Jenna's Cowboy" ~ Sharon Gillenwater.

I am hoping...that we can find a nice, used dog trimming set so we can do it ourselves.

On my mind…same ol' stuff: my mom, DH's job prospects, $$, DD's...& on top of it all how utterly & UNdeservedly blessed we are!!

I am creating...a Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...radio, typing fingers, the sweet deep-breathing of my sleeping doggy. :-)

Noticing that…I am becoming more & more impatient w/not being able to paint my living room & kitchen. I really want to just get it done!

Pondering these words…"God has spoken, EVERTHING else is commentary!"

Around the house...laundry, new shower curtain (it's the little things! lol), putting up the rest of my fall decorations.

One of my favorite things...fall color!!!

A Scripture thought...Acts 17:26-27 ~ "From 1 man He [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; & HE determined the times set for them & the EXACT places where they should live. GOD DID THIS SO THAT men would seek Him & perhaps reach out to Him & find Him, though He is not far from each 1 of us." [emphasis mine ~ KW<><] **So, if you've ever had '1 of those talks' w/someone who says that Christians are racist &/or they don't believe God has a plan from their life...show them this Scripture.

A few plans for the rest of the week...family time, work, going to a friend's church for a whole evening of praise & worship!!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Is this an awesome fall photo, or what?! :-)

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Back to School-at-Home

Titus 2:10(b) – “…make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”

Can you smell that? Ahhh! I love the smell of Fall…burning leaves; crisp, dry air and just enough chill to pull on your favorite sweater; bonfires, s’mores, hay-rides, camp-outs, treks down multi-colored leafy paths. Ohio – land of the ever-changing temperature – is a great place to be in the Fall!!

What’s Fall mean to an Ohio (or mid-western) family? God’s creative genius! WOW! Who else could show us that even the end of something can be beautiful? It’s like the grand finale of a fire-works display! “Behold, I make all things new!” What a great time of year to walk down a leaf-strewn path and teach our children about the truth of new life in Jesus Christ…REAL life lessons. That His ugly death opened up the beautiful gates of Heaven for us! As Christians, our death is beautiful in the eyes of the Lord because it actually signals the beginning of NEW life...eternal life…Ps. 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of Your servant.”

In our natural world, God has made the “death” of Summer a beautiful thing…especially here in Ohio. As you’re walking down those colorful paths, have your children take their nature journal with them to draw what they see: God’s world ablaze with glorious color! Collect a few leaves, press them between sheets of waxed paper, put them in their nature journal and include information about that particular tree.

This is the type of learning, the homeschooling, that has taken place since the Garden of Eden. Deut. 6:7 – “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In the homeschool home, learning takes place ALL the time. Every season is a new way to teach the love and faithfulness of the Lord; however, Fall, of all seasons, is a perfect season to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Computer Problems...AGAIN!

Just letting you know that I will be off-line for a while. We have an unrelenting virus & need to take our computer in for repairs. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

Keep us in your prayers &, hopefully, we'll reconnect SOON!

Love & blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

A Few of My Favorite Things

Got this great idea to share from Dalyn! Let us know if you make your own list.



A Few of My Favorite Things...



My hubby & our lovely girls...er um...young women (almost goes w/o saying...almost), my church, my Bible, my little doggie, Maggie; living in an old house, living in a rural county, being able to buy my eggs & milk off of an Old Order farm, following Old Order buggies down the road, my part-time job, cooking from scratch, making things from scratch, writing, speaking, homeschooling, American History, Norman Rockwell art, hoodies on a crisp fall or winter day, walks in the woods; Lakeside, Ohio; horses, Shelties, Scotland, Celtic music, my hammered dulcimer, blogging, Greek yogurt, my homemade salsa, BLTs w/pepper bacon, my mom's dumplings, Toyota FJ Cruisers (yellow), Birkenstock mules (shoes), funky reading glasses, old homemade quilts, primitives, old stoves, reconnecting w/long lost friends & family on Facebook, herb bread dipped in oil & herbs, Culver's cheese curds, Marion's pizza, seeing old friends, answered prayer!, full-coverage aprons, Dutch apple pies, salads, well-done meats, camping, sleeping w/the windows open so I can hear the crickets, colorful fall leaves, fires crackling in a fireplace, the smell of someone's fireplace on a cold winter's evening...



...Comments on my blog! :-)



Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#90~ 9/14/10

For Today...

Outside my window...grey clouds bringing in rain & a cold front. Come on fall weather!!

I am thinking...of all the things I need to get done before I go to work.

I am thankful for...our dear friends who are up from Florida who love us enough to visit us while they're here.

From the kitchen...Hmmm...I'm thinking of Amish French Toast for a brunch. :-P

I am wearing...grey sweat pants & long-sleeved shirt. It's almost time to get out those cold weather hoodies! lol

I am remembering…fun times w/old friends.

I am going…to bathe & trim our dog, Maggie. Little does she know....:-/

I am reading...Bible: Psalms; "The Maker's Diet."

I am hoping...for answered prayers.

On my mind…my mom; hoping that my sweet DH will find a permanent job that will pay him what he was making before his lay-off so that he won't have to worry quite so much.

I am creating...a Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...the washer, typing fingers, radio.

Noticing that…once again, it's the little things in life that mean the most. I noticed the other day how "sweetly" my new Bible (that I got in March) fits in my hands. My other Bibles had been study & chain-reference Bibles...love them, but they are so big. This Bible is easier to take everywhere & just "fits" me. :-)

Pondering these words…"A man w/God is ALWAYS in the majority." ~~John Knox; who brought God's reformation to Scotland.

Around the house...laundry, general picking-up & straightening.

One of my favorite things...when people genuinely enjoy something I've made or cooked.

A Scripture thought...II Timothy 1:12 ~ "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed." ~~ 'Nuff said! :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week...work, membership class at our church...family time!!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

For 12-1/2 yrs we fought the traffic on I-75 everytime we went to church...now THIS is the type of 'traffic jam' we encounter going to our new church! I can deal w/this. :-)

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Thomas Jefferson's Words to the Wise

Oh...if we'll only listen...

'When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.' Thomas Jefferson

'The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.' Thomas Jefferson

'It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.' Thomas Jefferson

'I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.' Thomas Jefferson

'My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.' Thomas Jefferson

'No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.' Thomas Jefferson

'The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.' Thomas Jefferson

'The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.' Thomas Jefferson

'To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.' Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: 'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

{'POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS SHOULD BE CHANGED OFTEN, AND FOR THE SAME REASON.' ~~Ronald Reagan}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: The World of Little House

By: Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson

When my girls were working on the unit study Prairie Primer, I happened to find a great book: The World of Little House. This book is a “must have” when working on the Prairie Primer. This is the most complete history of the Ingalls family other than the Little House books, themselves.

Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Eriksson actually visited many of the places where the Ingalls and Wilders traveled and lived. There are many family pictures, not only of the Ingalls’ but of Almonzo’s family and Rose Wilder Lane, as well. There is a U.S. map that notes all the places the Ingalls’ and Wilders’ lived; a family tree with pictures of the Ingalls, Quiner (Ma’s family) and Wilder families; a very detailed timeline from February 1, 1860 when Charles (Pa) and Caroline (Ma) were married to February 10, 1957 when Laura died and all the many historical things in between. Seeing all the history that happened during Laura’s lifetime is staggering. There’s even a section for all the tourist spots around the country where Laura lived that can be visited.

You can make the same crafts and cook the same foods (recipes modified for today’s methods) that the Ingalls and Wilder families enjoyed…along with Laura’s famous gingerbread and Almonzo’s favorite dish: fried apples ‘n’ onions!

My favorite part of the book is that there are scale floor plans of EVERY home that the Ingalls and Wilders lived in…including the dugout house! There always seemed to be a new home in each of the Little House books and as Laura would describe it we would turn to the page that particular house was on in The World of Little House and find all the little personal, family things that she would mention. Things like: Pa’s what-not shelf and Ma’s red checked table cloth. Even we felt at home finding all those lovely familiar things.

This book is a “must” while you are working through the Prairie Primer, but even if you aren’t, this is a book that any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan should own. It is fascinating reading all by itself!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Homemade Bath Salts

Here's one of the easiest ways to pamper yourself at the end of a long day. Once you start the water flowing into your tub, adjusted to just the perfect temperature, add 2 TB to 1/4 c of your favorite homemade bath salts to the water & let the yummy fragrance & the restoring benefits of the salt take away the stresses of your day!

This is surprisingly simple & also makes a great gift idea for Christmas, birthdays, house-warmings, wedding gifts, etc.

You will need:

~A mixing bowl & wooden spoon

~An airtight jar of other decorative container. It can be as large or small, plain (a canning jar) or as fancy (antique or fun shapes) as your wish! A little bit of ribbon or raffia goes a long way.

~1 c of Kosher salt, sea salt OR Epsom salts (I combine the Epsom salt w/one of the other two)

~20 drops of your favorite essential oil, or fragranced oil

~Food coloring (optional)

~Botanicals (optional)

Then...

Mix the ingredients well to make sure there are no clumps.

~Botanicals: Sometimes, if I use lavender essential oil, I like to crush a little of my lavender & sprinkle just enough into the mix to make it look pretty; if you use rose or ylang ylang oil, crush a dried rose petel into your mix; if you use sweet orange, crush a bit of dried orange peel into your mix...you get the idea. You can see in the photo below that it simply adds a little bit of 'interest' to the look of your salts. :-) HOWEVER, plain salts are just as attractive.

~Food coloring: this is completely optional as the natural-colored sea salts are pretty enough. Also, depending upon the oil you use, they may add a bit of tint to the color of the salts, themselves.

Use:

~about 2 TB - 1/4 c to your bath water.

~ENJOY!!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#8~ 9/8/10

Join Nancy at A Country Mom & myself & enjoy other Word-Filled Wednesdays! Be sure to let us know, in the comments, if you are joining us!

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PASSAGE: Selected verses from Psalm 37 ~~

[1] Do not fret because of evil men

or be envoius of those who do

wrong;

[2]for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die

away.

[3] Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe

pasture.

[4] Delight yourself in the LORD

and He will give you the desires of

your heart.

[5] Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in Him and He will do this:

[6] He will make your righteousness shine

like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the

noonday sun.

[7] Be still before the LORD and wait

patiently for Him;

do not fret when men succeed in

their ways,

when they carry out their wicked

schemes...

[16] Better the little that the righteous have

then the wealth of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked will be

broken,

but the LORD upholds the righteous...

[19] In times of disaster they will not wither;

in days of famine they will enjoy

plenty...

[25]...I have never seen the righteous

forsaken

or their children begging bread.

[26] They are always generous and lend

freely;

their children will be blessed...

[34] Wait for the LORD

and keep His way.

LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes, I wonder why the world is the way it is, why it works the way works...then...I remember that we live in a fallen, sinful world & I am a Christian. I am running COUNTER-CULTURE to "the norm"...whatever that is.

Have you ever thought of yourself as 'counter-culture'? It's not the 'Goths' walking around in their all black clothes w/piercings, tatoos, monster-sized holes in their ear-lobes...looking exactly like each other while claiming to be different & 'counter-culture'. Hmmmm...

In this world, it's the Christians who are truly 'counter-culture'. WE are the ones who stand out & stand apart...and we should...for the glory of God. (II Cor. 6:17-18) But we all await the time when the Lord takes us Home & we will live in a place where there will be no more tears, no more hunger, no more sin, no more bad...where THAT will be the 'norm'.

Daily, we see 'evil men' & try so hard not to 'be envious of those who do wrong.' I see my dear husband work SO HARD for us &, in earthly terms, get nowhere. The epitomy of '3 steps forward, 2 steps back.' BUT...in a true Godly paradox...we are blessed beyond measure, beyond what we TRULY deserve in that we have been saved & forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit as a deposit of God's promises (II Cor. 1:22, 5:5; Eph. 1:14), a warm home in the winter, food to satisfy, cars to get us where we need to go...yes, we are blessed beyond what we deserve.

But, let's face it, when dreams are squashed & plans are delayed or dismantled but the evil & unsaved seem to flourish...well...honestly...it gets disheartening. Am I the only one who feels this way?

THIS is when I HAVE to live by FAITH & take God at HIS word!! HE has promised that if I delight myself in Him that HE WILL give me the desires of my heart! That if I commit my way to Him & trust in Him that HE WILL do this! (vv. 4 & 5) The 'do this' part means that He will ACT upon what He has said! Now, my part is that I have to 'be still before the LORD & wait patiently for Him' & 'do not fret'. Knowing full-well that His timing is NOT mine...for sure.

Faith. Oh...that can be the hardest part of all! (Heb. 11:1) Well, maybe tied w/the waiting part. '-)

But I do have His promises. God loves me! He proved it through His Son, Jesus, THE Christ! His Word says that He will not forsake me if I'm faithful. If I 'wait for the LORD & keep His way.'

I still haven't given up on my dream of Marmee's Pantry. I have such vision for it...beyond the bulk food store part! I want to have a small kitchenette in it to make some of my own goods, to have cooking demonstrations by myself & guest speakers; I want to have a little 'homeschool' section where Mommy can pick up a few learning aids while their kiddos can sit at a desk & color or write on a little chalkboard while Mommy shops; an area dedicated to soap-making & essential oils; I want to have workshops on frugal living given by myself & others... Yes...it's all been laid before the Lord & I am desperately trying to wait upon His timing, all the while watching the evil prosper.

Just being real, here.

But I AM encouraged when I read His promises to me! My pastor said, "Faith is active awareness of our dependence on Christ, coupled w/trust in HIS provision." Amen. I also like what Max Lucado once said, "The longings of your heart are not incidental, they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored, they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate.” [from 'Just Like Jesus']

So, the more I think about it, I don't mind being counter-culture in a sinful, fallen world; I can bare it when evil men prosper; I can learn to wait upon the Lord's timing. I have the desire to serve others through speaking & through my vision for Marmee's Pantry for a REASON & that desire was put there by God!

How do I KNOW that? Because my God loves me: "Since you are precious & honored in My sight, & because I love you." (Isaiah 43:4) Amen!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

We ALL Need to Read This!

One of my favorite bloggers ~ "Lady of Virture" at Large Family Mothering ~ has once again posted an incredible, heart-felt, soul-pricking post today.

We ALL need to read this!

http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2010/09/pusillanimous.html

You won't be sorry.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#89~ 9/7/10

For Today...

Outside my window...lovely blue skies & sunshine, tree leaves turned up begging for the rain that will move in later this evening. The 1st leaves are changing on our Maple trees!!

I am thinking...that there are days when I miss those care-free days of childhood.

I am thankful for...my job, for being able to take some the financial stress off of my husband.

From the kitchen...bread in the oven & I'm about to make some more laundry detergent.

I am wearing...jeans & I'm 'pushing the season' by wearing a long-sleeved 'Autumn' t-shirt. :-)

I am remembering…how lovely our yard will be when the leaves change!

I am going…to go to work this evening...the closing shift ROCKS! '-)

I am reading...Bible: Psalms; & "The Maker's Diet."

I am hoping...that the Lord will give my mom peace as she drifts away from us in her dementia.

On my mind…how mean my mom is becoming in her mental 'unrest'. DD#1's choices.

I am creating...a Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...the radio, the washer & dryer, typing fingers.

Noticing that…even in the worst of times, the Lord has blessed me far more than I deserve. <3

Pondering these words…"We get upset about the strangest things & then blame God!"

Around the house...general clean up: mopping, running sweeper, dusting; baking, laundry, making more of a few household products: laundry detergent, toothpaste, foaming hand soap...

One of my favorite things...driving w/the sun-roof open!

A Scripture thought...Psalm 23 [selected verses] ~ (vs. 2) "HE makes me...HE leads me... (vs. 3) ...HE restores my soul...HE guides me... (vs. 4) ...YOU are w/me; YOUR rod & YOUR staff, they comfort me... (vs. 5) ... YOU prepare a table before me...YOU anoint my head w/oil..." ~~ In our mortal, fallible human state, we are as stupid as sheep! As our Good Shepherd, Jesus HAS to lead me where I need to go, restore what I screw up, guide me into His righteousness, comfort me when I STILL mess up ... & even after all my human efforts fail, He forgives me & prepares a fresh table of His delectables for me to savor & then heals me w/His annointing, healing oil. What a wonderful Shepherd!

A few plans for the rest of the week...work, supper/Bible study/worship practice at church, being the best I can be for the sake of Jesus Christ & His kingdom.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I just simply enjoy this picture. It's so cozy & homey.

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Homemade Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel 4:9 ~ "Take wheat & barley, beans & lentils, millet & spelt; put them in a storage jar & use them to make bread for yourself..."

To make your own Ezekiel bread...

~Combine the following whole grains:
2-1/2 cups hard red wheat
1-1/2 cups spelt or rye (Biblically spelt was used, Ezekiel 4:9)
1/2 cup barley (hulled barley)
1/4 cup millet
1/4 cup lentils (green preferred)
2 Tbs. great northern beans
2 Tbs. red kidney beans
2 Tbs. pinto beans

~Stir the above ingredients very well. Then grind in flour mill.

~Measure into large bowl:
4 cups lukewarm water
1 cup honey
1/2 cup oil

~Add to liquids:
freshly milled flour from the above mixture of grains
2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. yeast

~Stir or knead until well kneaded, about 10 minutes. This is a batter-type bread and will not form a smooth ball.

~Pour dough into greased pans. You may use 2 large loaf pans (10x5x3) or 3 med. loaf pans or 2-9x13 brownie pans.

~Let rise in a warm place for one hour or until the dough is almost to the top of the pan. If it rises too much it will over flow the pan while baking.

~Bake at 350o for 45-50 minutes for loaf pans and 35-40 minutes for brownie pans.

*For fasting divide bread into 8 equal parts. Eat a 1/2 pound cake and drink a quart of water every day.

Be the Kind of Woman...

Be the kind of woman
that when your feet hit the floor each morning
the devil says,
"Oh crap! She's up!!"

The Master Teacher

Job 36:22 – “God is exalted in power, Who is a teacher like Him?”

James 5:1 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”

Well, here we go. For most of us it’s time to sharpen those pencils, open the packages of new pens and art supplies and let the kids pick out their new folders for the new school year. I know that many vary their school schedules and many homeschool all year ‘round…but most of the families I know loosely follow the well-worm quarters of Fall, Winter and Spring for their school calendars.

Once more I watch as the neighborhood kids are bussed off and away. Those big yellow creatures just seem to swallow them up. I am especially sad for the little ones, the newest little ones who will now be separated from Mommy for a large chunk of the day. Does that seem wrong to anyone else but me? It breaks my heart. This is NOT the way it was supposed to be. Didn’t God clearly say, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”? (Deut. 6:6 & 7) How can I do that it I send my children away?

Could a teacher at a school possibly love my students as much as me? Could they love my children, teach my children, nurture my children as I do…or as much as God, the Master Teacher loves, teaches and nurtures them? He teaches us how to teach and nurture them: at home, when we’re walking, when we’re traveling, when we’re lying down with them having those wonderful heart-to-hearts at bedtime and then, to start all over again in the morning. How can I do that if they are away from me all day being influenced by others and have an evening’s worth of home-work to boot?

How can I be like my Master Teacher? By asking for wisdom. My heart goes out to those of you who are embarking on this great adventure for the first time this year. My best advice is to pray; take a deep breath and then just relax as you begin. Don’t make things so hard on yourself. In a few weeks you will be amazed at how natural this feels. From time-to-time, you will come upon a road block. When that happens, go to the Master Teacher…He’s already promised that He WILL generously give you wisdom if you ask.

Part of the answer may be found in a support group. If at all possible in your area, find one and join. If you, or your children, come across a problem it’s highly likely that someone in your group has “been there, done that” and knows just how to help you solve your problem. You see, they’ve studied under the Master Teacher, too.

Don’t forget to keep up with your “studies”…your Bible study…because “…everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

What better teacher then the Master Teacher?

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

When I Say "I am a Christian..."

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

{Author Unknown}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#5~ 9/1/10

PASSAGE: Psalm 22:9-11 ~~

Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb You have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

LESSON LEARNED: At some point in all of our lives, we ask those age-old questions: Why was I born? Why am I here? Some find their answers & some never know until the Lord reveals it to them in Heaven. I've come to think that the latter might just be me...

"To begin at the beginnin'" ... I am a surviving twin. The "B" baby of the two. If I had been the "A" baby (the 1st into the birth canal), as my twin sister Kathy was, I would have been the one that the Dr. accidentally killed. Prissy, in Gone w/the Wind, couldn't have done any worse...he didn't "know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!" Being a G.P. & not an O.B., not only did he not even know that we were twins, but we were Frank Breech to boot & his delivery 'method' tore the umbilical cord off of my sister pre-birth, which only allowed her to live about 4 hours. Myself, I suffered some trauma & didn't get out of the hospital until I was 6 weeks old.

From my mother's womb [He has] been my God ... When I was around 8 yrs old, a friend & I were swinging on my swing-set & we BOTH saw an angel!! Just a glimpse, in the sky & it dissolved away. But it was enough of a glimpse for us BOTH to drag our feet on the ground to stop our swinging & make sure the other saw it, too. Why were we allowed that sweet glimpse?

Other things have happened in my life that, after becoming a Christian at age 23 in 1982, I can see where the Lord MUST have some sort of plan for me - or someone in my lineage - because I've been saved from death many times over... When I was a toddler, I was left in a car w/the engine running & passed out from the fumes, I had pneumonia when I was 2, I've been in 2 tornadoes ~ when I was 9 & again at band camp at 17, I've been in car wrecks & near misses from numerous other accidents, as a young woman living alone & working in downtown Dayton, Ohio I had a stalker ... but the worst of it all I did to myself by living a sinful life before I was so graciously, lovingly, mercifully, miraculously saved by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior!

But He kept me. HE...kept...ME! Why? Have I influenced my children or someone else to strive for greatness or to be an influence to someone else? Will I, like Rahab (a prostitute who was in the line of Jesus' earthly [step-]father, Joseph) & in spite of my past sins, be in the lineage of someone who will do mighty things for the Lord? Will it be one of my children...grandchildren? Maybe someday, if the Lord tarries, I'll know before I am taken to Heaven, but I know that I'll know sometime in His eternity.

Nothing happens to any of us w/o purpose. I'm excited to find out.

Join Nancy at A Country Mom & myself & enjoy other Word-Filled Wednesdays! Be sure to let us know, in the comments, if you are joining us!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><