Rattlesnake Roundup #44.. Claxton, Evans County, GA

You are no paper plate...

I have had the wonderful blessing of sharing scripture and truth to a lovely group of 4th and 5th grade girls these past few months.  What a blessing they have been!  I wonder if they understand the true significance in their position as "daughters of the King".  Many of them have claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life.  But do they really understand the implications and significance  of such a status??  I pray they will not live life as though they are mere paper plates... for their life is like that of fine china.

I pray they rebuke the lies of satan.

I pray they denounce the influence of the unholy.

I pray they reject enticements of this world.
I pray.

"Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
   honor him, for he is your lord." Ps. 45:11

You can thank us for those chicken nuggetts!

Living with two chicken houses in our backyard provides lots of opportunity for Tyler to enjoy the smell of good country living.  Tyler and his mommy live in the city (ha... is Claxton, GA a city?? yes, it is a city!  Why do you ask??)  We actually have more chickens in our two houses than Claxton has residents.  I'm thinking the census workers missed our chicken city.  There are less than 3,000 residents in Claxton. We have on an average 5,500 biddies to birds. 

But the joy of watching Tyler.. watch the chickens is sweet.. funny and downright hilarious at times.  Let's face it Randall and I have come to a point there the joy has lessened (especially with the cost of LP gas out of the roof.. it makes profit a dream away).  But Tyler doesn't know .. and obvioulsy isn't ready for such reality... so he takes these little funny looking 2-legged feathered friends and stands in awe.  Depending on the cluckers age... biddies to full-breasted...  makes a huge difference to a two year old.  (I do believe there's a whole 'nuther blog in that statement!)

Sometimes life is better that way, not to truly understand everything involved.  Trusting in God's sovereignty in life is becoming more and more real to me.  All Tyler knows is that those chickens are cute... funny... and yes, stinky! But so is life sometimes...  and that's where trust.. faith.. and submission kicks in.  Best to keep your feathers down... and not ruffled.  Life is short.... ask one of our chickens...

"Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

Sippin' Lemonade Time!

I can't believe I haven't shared about Wonderful Wednesdays!  Sherry and I call it... "Sippin' Lemonade on the Front Porch".  It's absolutely wonderful! The Parker's drink on the floor in the above pic... yep, that's a diet coke!  But our sippin' lemonade.. is more like "taste and see."

It's amazing..  totally amazing and an obvious gift of grace, that God allows me and my dear friend Sherry to teach a Children's Sunday School Class.  WHAT JOY!!  We have been teaching on God's providence for the past 24 weeks... and every Wednesday around 5pm, we meet for a sweet time of prayer, studying God's Word, preparation for our lesson and "girl time."   The curriculum is 40 weeks of study on "His Purpose Will Stand"... and it is WONDERFUL!

We have been on many a rabbit chasin' during our lemonade sippin'.  That's what grazing on the Word of God does... 

And what is up with the picture???  I started a CHALLENGE this week prompted by a blogger friend to take (and post) a picture a week for the remaining weeks of 2011.  It's a photo journal of just what 2011 is doing to me.  Oh dear!  Good thing that I didn't start this photographic escapade in January.   Scary thought!!  So I started out my week, and my new blog with this pic!  My lemonade buddy snapped my pic... so there you have it! (fyi..we don't normally sit on the floor... )

If you don't take time to "sit on the front porch and sip on some sweet lemonade"... seriously, you should start.  Find a friend... grab the Word.... pour a glass.... and Rock on!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him."  Ps. 34:8

Southern Belle...

  

I took a walk outside today.  I don't believe I have walked in my yard since November.  I have been held captive.  It's so safe inside my house.  Not that I fear going outside.  Other than a few red necks down the road (famous red necks I might add..), we live in a quiet peaceful area of South Georgia.  A few farm trucks.. a few four-wheelers... and a random stray dog.  And of course... us. 

But I've been inside.  Blinds closed except on random days. 

It's been cold.  December and January have brought a chill factor that would make a "well diggers hinney" shiver.  We haven't experienced the cold that others have  .. but for South Georgia, it's been a cold winter.

It's been foggy.  I don't mean the typical fog that comes from condensation.  I mean the fog that comes from your inners ..  I've just wanted to stay inside.  Remember, it's safe.

But today, I went outside.  The breeze brushed my face and the sun kissed my check.  I took my camera... my friend.  It was like grasping the hand of a child.  Guess which one was the child.  It was good.

Picture taking didn't seem to be an option.  Walking this dreary landscape was like walking in a theater where nothing but black and white movies play.  Dull.  Dreary.  But yet, the sun was shining.  The only thing shining.  Front yard... back yard... colorless.

I worked up the courage to take a look  at my "herb garden".  It's planted to the side of my house and I have always delighted in the fact that I could look at my "herb garden" from my bedroom window.  Did I mention there are only two herbs in that garden....   it's turned into a rose garden with a few other interesting characters.  This little garden was a summer project by Justin and my mom.   A summer adventure.. I've held on to it... even though it now shows the wear and tear of 20 years .  It has survived the cold.. the heat.. heavey down pours... and the fog (my fog..)

Much work is needed in that garden.  Fall came.. winter is here.. and neglect set in... never clipping.. never grooming.  Abandoned.  How did I forget to give it a "winter" clipping.  Oh yes... I've been safe.  Blinds closed.  In the fog. 

Today my camera.. my friend... became my bird dog.  It sniffed out this small splash of color among the death of winter.  This little southern belle was attached gracefully to a branch.. from a rose bush given to me by a friend.  During the summer this rose bush outshines them all... but winter has not been friendly to my dear friend.  However, a small appearance of life, was reaching out and appeared to be holding on every so tightly.  Embracing the warmth .. for fear it might soon leave.  (yes, thunder in January means frost in May.. at least that what we say in these parts). 

It was good to capture this colorful "friend" with the camera today.  Had I stayed inside.. I would have missed this glimpse of growth... struggle for significance... desire to maintain.   I'm not sure this splash of color will be around very long... February and March can be so cruel.  But today, this "friend" was out and embracing a moment of sunshine... waiting on someone like me to find it's beauty. 

 

"Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good."  Gen. 1:11-12

A to Z...

Adorable

Bashful

Cute

Darlin'

Energetic

Fun

Gifted

Handsome

Intelligent

Jo Jo

Keeper

Lovable

Magical

Nice

Ours

Perfect

Quick

Runner

Sweet

Ticklish

Unique

Valentine

Wonderful

X-traspecial

Young

Zip-pe-de-do-dah!

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: 
My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."  Is. 46:10

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

It has been stated that during the time of Martin Luther only 3-5% of the population could read the written word. In order to send a message or to just simply get one across, the messenger had to be extremely resourceful. When Luther lit the fire of the Protestant Reformation, he fanned the flames using  images disguised as art. 

There is something about imagery through pictures that conjure up thoughts of present.. thoughts of past.  Photography has taken on whole new meaning in today's world.  Just check out your facebook page.. everyone is a model.  Photographers are a dime a dozen (notice I didn't say good photographs).  The camera clicks and instantly its "out there" for the world to see and conjure.  Scary..

The picture of my dad's home place in Mannington, Kentucky didn't bring a thousand words to my mind.  But it did conjure up a few...

Black and white TV
Wizard of Oz
Happy
Double glass doors with panes
Long hallway
Christmas Eves
Delightful
Screened-in front porch
Pin Ball Machine
Bicycle riding
Thanksgiving
Carefree
Big backyard .. rolling down slopes
Big Trees
Fenced in front yard
Well
Cigarette smoke
Two-story garage
Clubhouse
Adventurous
Lightning bolt
Crackers and milk
Superman
Tub baths
Comic books
Weather vane
CB Radio
Laughter
TV Guides
Fireplace
Death
Suicide
Confusion

Just a few words...  not a thousand.  I like this picture... by a good photographer.  Excellent photography.

 ^" For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you ...."  1 Tim. 1:6