The Adventure

The day was planned.  Whatever you want to do, Daddy, was the invitation.  It is Father's Day, so let's do what Daddy wants, right?

A little background information:  My husband and I are perfect for each other.  Perfect opposites in a lot of things.  Adventure seeking, being one of them.  I'm just not...  seeking adventure.  I like safe.  I like home.  I like routine.  Normal.  And if you know D, you know that he LOVES adventure, roller coasters, the unknown, flying by the seat of his pants...  Yep, opposites!

So, I'm called to be HIS helper and to adjust to him, so I pray A LOT!
 
Daniel started planning this canoeing adventure last year.  He bought a canoe.  Oh, I was irritated!  If he buys a canoe, then we might have to go canoeing.  How can I go canoeing?  We don't have enough canoes for everyone.  How can I take a new baby, a little girl and everyone else canoeing?  What if the boat tips?  What if someone needs me and I can't get to them?  Of course, I never expressed these feeling out loud.  That would sound like I was afraid.  I prefer, responsible, cautious, prudent...  These words sound so much holier than FEAR.

So back to plan to honor my dear husband on his day.  He wants adventure.  I WILL smile.  I WILL keep my doubts to myself.  I WILL trust that God is big enough to handle this.  We went to Walmart to pick up a few things and we picked up a couple life jackets for the boys.  Faith doesn't equal foolishness.

The day came.  We were ready!  We were on our way!  It seemed a struggle.  Why would the devil care about a silly day at the lake?  Flat tire on the trailer.  Fix it in Rose City at the hardware. On our way again!  Unload the trailer.  Fishing poles, 2 canoes, 2 kayaks, food...  We are set!

Father's Day Beauty

Canoes in the water.  Kayaks in the water.  Ryan and Rose in the kayaks.  Kathryn, Gabriel and Anya in one canoe.  Daddy, Mama, Elijah, Bella and Lukasz in the other.  How am I going to paddle AND watch that baby like a hawk?  How is Lukasz going to hold Elijah still?  What if he stands up?  Falls out?  Of course, I don't say these things.  That would sound like I was afraid.  I prefer, responsible, cautious, prudent perhaps...  Definitely much holier than...  FEAR.

But my son, the one that is my barometer.  The one that is too immature to mask his true feelings, is wrestling with his baby brother.  "You HAVE to sit, Elijah!  Daddy, he's moving!"  Eli is fussing.  "Let me GO!"  He seems to say.  "I know that I am missing this adventure, sitting still.  I can't see the water.  I can't touch the water.  I want to experience it all, my first time in a canoe."  Of course, I'm in front.  I am trying to see, to help, but I can't without tipping the canoe.  And there is seaweed down there.  I cannot see the bottom.  Tipping the canoe is NOT an option.  So, I sit still.  I adjust my weight.

Daddy steps in, "Lukasz, let him go.  He'll be alright.  He'll be fine."  Really, I think.  Let a baby wander, explore in this little boat.  "Okay... but I don't know..."  Prudent, maybe...  Cautious...  Nah, just fear...

Lukasz still fussing.  Now Eli is rocking the boat.  His excitement.  One side to the other.  On his tippy toes trying to reach that water spraying up.  He's reaching it!  I peak at his sweet face, the joy of water on his hand, in his face.  I wish I could capture his look of sheer exhilaration on this little man's face...

Lukasz still fussing.  "I want to go back.  He's rocking the boat.  I don't like canoeing.  I'm never going again."

Now, I step in.  "Lukasz, what are you afraid of?"  Does he know I'm talking to me?  "Let's say he falls in.  He has a life jacket on.  He'll float.  No fish are going to bite him or eat him.  Daddy will grab him.  He might be more careful next time.
It's O K A Y..."

Calm...  Peace...  I start to notice the trees, the spray of the water on the canoe, the stillness, the BIG large mouth bass we floated over, the tree fallen, the island...

The other side of the lake...  The other children...  They are caught.  The wind pushing them.  Inexperience.  Youth.  They can't stop going in circles.  I'm laughing a little.  Letting go of control.  God's got them.  They have to learn that.  We paddle away.  Hand Ryan a tow rope and say, "Bring em back."  We head to the beach.  Don't look back.

Lukasz about kisses the ground when we are back on land.  The land lubber.  :)  I smile.  Breathe.  Thank you, Lord, for this.

Here they come.  Rose and Kathryn paddling the canoe.  Counting strokes.  Working together.  Slow progress.  Gabriel in the center, giving directions.  Ryan towing Anya, in her glory, my adventure girl!  Thank you, Jesus, for this.

Later in the day, "Hey Anya!  Let's go for a kayak ride, just you and I!  It'll be fun!"  And it was!

In His Grip,
Laura

If you have not read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann VosKamp, seriously...  The Lord has used this author's journey into thanksgiving to "undo" me.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Our Adventures In Lacto Fermenting EVERYTHING

Beet & Carrot Salad

I'll be the first to admit, that I'm a perfectionist.  Sometimes, I'm even a purist, meaning...  I'm just not going to do it, if I can't do it "right".  My idea of right is my "right".  My right is formed by the books I've read, the people I've talked to and the direction of the Holy Spirit and my husband.  


We have had an abundance of fresh produce this summer and let's be honest.  We can only eat so many fresh tomatoes.  I will deny writing this come mid February.  

In my quest to put up food for the winter AND maintain the healthfulness of fresh food, I've stumbled across lacto fermentation.  It's the exact same principle as making traditional sauerkraut.  Chop up all your veggies, say in corn salsa, put it in a jar, add salt and/or whey and cap it up.  Watch the chemistry.  Within 12 hours, major biological activity.  Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles...  In about 3 - 7 days, it is ready for cold storage. The whole process is amazing to me and very nourishing and fulfilling.

Don't bother looking into FDA or USDA approval.  But then, the more I know about those two governmental agencies, the more I disregard their "wisdom".  For more info on that, read Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M Smith and Folks, This Ain't Normal by Joel Salatin.  

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'   Ronald Reagan  40th president of US (1911 - 2004)

I look at more traditional wisdom from the "old world" rather than modern day researchers and government reports.  That means we eat real butter, drink raw milk, avoid immunizations and sometimes eat with dirt on our hands.  AND we lacto ferment. 

This year, we've fermented beets, cucumbers, cabbage, tomato sauce, corn salsa and hot peppers.  Today, we'll be doing cortido (Latin American Sauerkraut) aka hot sauerkraut.  Some of them have turned out fabulous.  My boys love the hot peppers.  I put lemon in my beets and they now have an overwhelmingly lemony flavor.  I usually LOVE lemons, but not in that, not so much.  Cucumbers are a delicate fruit.  Too much fermentation and the lactic acid eats up the insides, turning them to mush.  Not so appetizing.  

But, the joy is in the journey, right?  The trials and mistakes teach us and give us wisdom. 

A word about the perfectionist thing...  We're all on this journey together.  We learn from one another and challenge one another.  

Because Jesus is my Lord, I desire my whole life to be a reflection of Him and my body to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12).  Because of that, I am on a journey to improve my health.  I'm on this journey to grow strong, healthy children.  It is important!

10 years ago, I was standing in the kitchen at the doctor's office I worked at eating a row of Oreos.  5 years ago, I was spending $4 a box on Kashi cereal because it was labeled Organic.  2 years ago, we put in a garden.  1 year ago, we starting avoiding all things processed except for Mrs Braggs products.  This year, we started lacto fermenting AND I had a bowl of Breyer's Neopolitan ice cream last night.  It's not about perfectionism.  

Please don't worry if you just ate a Swiss Cake Roll or haven't planted a garden.  Visit our local farmer's market and pick up some locally grown, organic produce.  Stop at that road side stand.  Spend a little more on food and less on entertainment.  Just be on the journey of seeking and following Christ and allow Him to lead you.  It's an amazing ride!

In His Grip,
Daniel and Laura

Babies, Babies, Babies Everywhere

Baby Chicks ~ Day 1

Picture perfect...

Bella & Dandelion

Yesterday was a busier than normal day at our house.  When getting ready for any baby, there are preparations to be made, things you forgot, last minute trips to the store.  Well, in this case, we were preparing for 277 baby chicks and really had to improvise in the end.  The plan was to build a brooder (baby chick house) for these little guys.  If you know Daddy at all, you know that he is a problem solver to the core & he thought & thought about the best way to build the brooder, etc.  The day we went to get the lumber, he decided that we would turn our storage shed (very inefficiently used) as our chicken house and he would build a insulated room inside of the shed for brooding.  The room has to stay at about 95 degrees the first week!  If you can tell by the pictures, the brooding room is not finished, but it looks beautiful so far!  I am so excited to see that little used shed turned into something useful & wonderful.  We're using a kiddie swimming pool in our school room for a few days, until the brooding boxes are finished.  

 Our 212 to date consist of Barred Rocks, Black Australorps, Black Jersey Giants, Silverlaced Wyandottes & Jumbo Cornish Rock Crosses (ugly meat birds).  We have 50 Goldenlaced Wyandottes & 15 guineas coming next week.  

We add these to our existing colorful flock of 9.  We have 1 bantam, Clover, 1 Polish chicken, Chachi, Suzan, Chloe, Gena, our guinea, Salt & Pepper, Kiko, and a couple others.  They've been free ranging for a year and have done wonderfully.  Clover, Chachi & Suzan are all about 7 years old and have started laying eggs consistently again after a couple year break.  I cannot say enough for the healing power of food and letting our chickens free range in some capacity. 

Dandelion ~ 1 of 2 Bantams

The kids are being so helpful, changing waters, digging worms, checking the temperature of the pool, to make sure they aren't too hot or cold, changing their bedding...  The list goes on, but it is all worth it.  The lessons they are learning by taking care of these animals are worth more than money can buy.  All are very excited to help & do the chores assigned with these little guys, just to be around them.  The nostalgia of it all may wear off in time, but for now, I'm enjoying this adventure.

Some things we're doing a little different.  I do not want to view our chicks as just "meat birds" or egg laying machines, but as our animals that we are in charge of & have a great responsibility to.  If we take good care of them, they will take good care of us.  They will put food on our table, certainly.  They will provide manure for our gardens, to help us grow better food for the future.  And they provide hours of entertainment for our children.  

Our family does not go on antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary.  We didn't want to start these chicks out on traditional chick starter food that has antibiotics in it.  We've been adding apple cider vinegar, kefir & garlic to their water.  We've also made their food from whole grains, ground them a bit & soaked them.  Very little food is being wasted like when we give them an almost powdery food.  In a few short weeks, they will be able to free range for short periods at a time and they'll start catching their own food.  

This is the harder route, I'm sure, but I think it'll be worth it.  I've been called weird before, when I plant my tomatoes in my flower garden & transplant stinging nettle.  I love to experiment and see how things will work out.  I'm encouraged by Daddy's adventurous spirit & his words to do it, even if it means a little more work.  

Clover ~ The little mother

A funny little story...  As I brought the chicks into the house from the van yesterday, Clover was in the driveway.  She followed me into the house twice, searching for these babies she was hearing.  She never goes in the house!  I have heard that bantams are good mothers.  We shall see.

Gina ~ The guard dog

An interesting fact...  Guineas are excellent "guard" birds.  Gina will sound off an alarm if she sees a chipmunk or anything out of the ordinary.  I have been walking through the yard & been surprised to see her "charging" me, head down and running at me full speed ahead.  And they are ugly.  I'm looking forward to a few more, but I have a feeling that 15 are going to be quite LOUD!  

Chachi is just Chachi

Polish chickens are FUNNY!  Chachi's feathers are so long, they kind of block her eye sight.  She has a tendency to get lost, if her family moves on without her.  And when she gets lost, she squats down and camouflages herself, making her virtually impossible to see.  I have had to send one of the kids out when it was down pouring to go take her to her family, so that she would be safe.  And after it rains and she comes out to scratch & look for bugs, she is one dirty bird!

As I was monitoring the temperature of the "brooder" today, I was so thankful that God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided for me a perfect little brooder for our new little one, perfect temperature, perfect food delivery system, just perfect...  Thank you, Jesus!

The journey continues around here.  Never a dull moment.  

But full of memories and funny stories.

In Jesus Name, the Author & Finisher of Our Faith,

Daniel & Laura

Basking In The Son

Oh my, yesterday was a beautiful day!  The sun was shining.  The wind had died down (at least at our house).  It was the perfect day to be outside, playing, working in our garden.  We even had a picnic.  It was just that wonderful!  About mid afternoon, however, the clouds started to roll in.  Just slight cloud cover in the beginning.  Sun.  Coat off.  Clouds.  Coat on.  Coat off.  Coat on.  Then the clouds stayed for good and my coat stayed on.  My mud boots went on.  It was down right cold.  (For me anyways)  Anya was still running around in a dress and shorts.

My relationship with Jesus is like that sometimes.  I just LOVE feeling His presence and seeing Him work in our lives.  I love it when He just blesses my heart with a word of encouragement or a kiss from my dear husband or one of my babies.  I feel His light and love surrounding me, just like the sun surrounded us yesterday.

And then sometimes, I allow sin to fester. I know that my attitude is wrong, that my words were harsh, that I'm working in my own strength, not His.  And I can feel the clouds.  It might be only slightly uncomfortable at first.  I'll just do something nice to make up for it.  I'll just eat that piece of chocolate to make myself feel better.  Maybe I'll take a long nap.  And pretty soon, the clouds are thick.

And I MISS THE SON!  Oh, how I wish I could feel the warmth on my back, in my spirit.  I wish I could hear His voice and see His hand print in my moments.  He is so faithful and full of grace.  He just wants me to fix my gaze upon Him.  Praise Him.  Love Him.  And He will break up the clouds.  The warmth of His love will shine down on me again.

Just like yesterday, the sun never went away.  The clouds just covered it.

My prayer is that I will apologize quickly when I have sinned against my family.  That I will have a spirit of humility and grace and mercy and meekness.

Lord, I need you every hour.

Looking forward to another beautifully sunny day tomorrow.
I will make it a point to look up and enjoy the radiance of God's glory.

In Love With Jesus, the Author & Finisher of my faith,
Laura

This is a new favorite song of ours.  Be blessed, my friend!
I Give Myself Away by William McDowell

The Beauty Of The Lord

As I "walk along the way", I have the privilege of seeing "The Beauty Of The Lord" all around me. Of course, that's when I'm paying attention. As I've watched this summer FLY by, I wonder how often I've been too busy to notice Him.
One occasion that sticks out clearly in my mind. I bribed the kids... If you do really well with all your chores, we'll go to the beach later. We finally made it to the point at 7 pm. It was chilly. It was windy. But I promised. As I sat there feeding the baby, watching the girls play in the waves, the boys play in the sand, I was anxious. I had so much to do. It was almost past their bedtime. I'm cold. We should have come sooner. Daniel has my camera. The video camera doesn't have batteries charged. I went from enjoying them to thinking to enjoying them to being ready to go to enjoying... You get the idea. I stood up and turned around and looked up. There was the sun, just the rays, peaking through the clouds pointing right at the light house. In that moment, God spoke directly to my anxious heart, "Be still & know that I am God! Relax. I'm here."
God is so amazing...
We went to the beach another time.
It was beautiful.
But that one cloud...
We waited out the first shower in the pavilion. The sun came out. We went down to the beach. I sat down. The kids ran into the lake. It started to down pour. It started to hail. I started to laugh. It stopped raining. The sun came out. A dear friend brought coffee. Daddy called. He came to fly kites. The kites got tangled. The kids had fun.
God is amazing...
I watch Daddy, playing with his little girls, telling them how beautiful they are. I watch him swoon over his littlest one. I remember him 6 years ago, scared to death to be a daddy to little girls.
God is amazing...
I watch our lives change, our hearts change, like a butterfly coming out of a chrysallis, struggling to be set free from the chains that bind us... God is working in the struggles... Helping us to see Him... Helping us to relax & enjoy the journey... Helping us to be thankful for each other... Helping us to look outward, to be servants, to be "doers of the Word", to love others, to speak the truth...

I will declare the beauty of the Lord... He's all around...

In His Grip,
Laura

Get Dirty!

I've been watching my kids play in their sandbox. It is their favorite place to play these days. It used to be just an ordinary play area until Mom added WATER. Last year, I would not allow them to put too much water in there. "Too dirty!", I would shout. This year,I say "We'll just take a bath before lunch time." Now, they have full access to their own hose. They've made rivers, lakes, mountains, caves & canyons. They've gotten their boats to float down stream. And they've gotten DIRTY!!!

When we garden, we do not wear gloves. It is very calming to go into the garden & just start pulling weeds. It is monotonous. It takes no thought. There is instant progress. And I'm getting DIRTY!

That dirt, if it has not been "fertilized" with chemicals, is full of billions of bacteria, GOOD bacteria. That good bacteria is so important for our health, for our immune systems. There are numerous articles on the link between colon health and overall health. Here are two that I have found to be very helpful to us. The Case For Healthy Bowels & Bacteria, The Soil, The Gut & Detoxification. (Do not substitute this for medical advice from a professional. I am just a mom with a few opinions & real life experience)

There are a few things that we, as a family, avoid like the plague. "City water" is treated with chlorine. Chlorine kills bacteria. All bacteria. The good, the bad, the ugly. Antibiotics kill bacteria. Not all bacteria, but they cannot tell the difference between good & bad. Ever eaten TONS of yogurt while you on are an antibiotic to try to prevent a yeast infection? Yeast infections are caused by too much yeast, not enough good bacteria to "eat" the yeast. Antibacterial soaps & hand sanitizer not only kill the surface bacteria but also enter the body & kill the good bacteria. All these things, when used on a regular basis are actually doing MUCH more harm than good.

I implore you to do some research & see if what I say is true.

So, the next time your kiddos want to run in the mud. Let them. Get in there with them. GET DIRTY, Mom! Make a mud hole for them to create in. Build a garden. Who cares about having to give them another bath? The joy on their faces is SO worth it!