Since Rudolph won't make it this year...





I so want us to remember what this season is about. It's not about gift giving but about the Word made flesh. It's not about evergreen trees decorated, but about the Son of God being disgraced and disowned as He died on a tree for our sins. It's not about loving this winter and football season, but it is about:

John 3:16 "For God so aloved the world, that He bgave His 1conly begotten Son, that whoever dbelieves in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God adid not send the Son into the world bto judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "aHe who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

With a word God created the world. But it took the Word being made flesh to come and live, die and rise again to redeem us from our sins.

Will you remember the true reason for the season? Do you serve the Word made flesh or do you serve your flesh?

[The picture above came to mind when my oldest son put his deer parts on salt to preserve them. All it needed was a little light. What will you do with the light you have been given?]

sherman

A Beef with Christmas

I know this is a bit of a strange tilte and misleading, but I think you will understand as you read this section.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we processed our 5th Black Angus Beef. This is probably this best looking meat we have processed so far. The marbling in the meat was supurb. I have to think it was due to the wonderful grass growth this season. We didn't have to contend with a drought this year. So a special thanks goes out to Allelon Farm for doing such a fine job raising this animal.

It took us about 4 hours to finish up. The weather was cool, crisp and clear. A perfect day for processing.

Now for the Christmas part. We went and got our tree after the fellowship meal on Sunday. We proceeded to decorate the tree that evening. It was a wonderful time. In fact it was so much fun Laura decided to decorate it all over again on Monday.

The tree fell over Monday morning after I had left for work. So Laura and the boys had a job redoing everything. Thankfully we didn't lose any of our yearly ornaments even though some of them are glass.

We always look forward with great anticipation to this time of year when we focus on the cradle to the cross. Without the birth, death, and ressuraction we would all be without hope in this sin filled world.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

sherman

Turkey, Family and Memories

I wanted to share a few pictures from Thanksgiving Day at Mike and Kristas house. We had all of the Mayhugh family there except Donald, Trisha, and Stephny plus youngins. We missed having them there.

It was good to see everyone. Although it proved to be too short. The kids really enjoy playing with their cousins.

Take time to renew old friendships and family ties this season. You never know when it might be your last chance. Our days on this earth are short. Too short to withhold love or to think you have tomorrow to set things right.

God only guarantees this moment and not another. Serve Him and Love Him with all that is in you. Love your fellow men and women even as you love yourself.

Dueternomony 9:15 "He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.16 "In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.
17 "Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'18 "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 "It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.20 "Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.

sherman

First Deer

My oldest son, Samuel, killed his very first deer this past Saturday. It was a young buck maybe 1 1/2 years old. It managed to get in a double lung shot using his Winchester Model 12 16ga shotgun firing Remington slugs.


The deer went 90-100 yards after the shot. We tracked it and found it about 20-30 minutes after the shoot was made. Sam wasn't sure he had hit it - everything had happened so fast. We harvested approximately 55 lbs of meat from the deer. This would equate to an approximate live weight of 125-135lbs.

I have to say it was one of the best tasting and tenderest deers I have eaten. We placed it in a cooler for two days in a salt/vinegar brine to draw out more of the blood. After packaging it up, I placed a couple of pounds from the back thigh into a skillet with oil and some seasoning. It made a very tasty addition to supper.



We are grateful to God's provision throughout all aspects of our lives. And this seemed to be a very special blessing. I hope each of the boys will have opportunity as well this year to take their own deer.


By the way Sam was a bit put off earlier when a couple of dozen turkeys walked right by him. The season had closed just the previous day.


Blessings to all who are in Christ and a plea to all who are not -







Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Season of Change

I must say that I am mesmerized by the color of the leaf changes this year. I am surrounded by the magnificent evidence of God’s Glorious Creation.

Words are few and indescribable for the sights of the season! We have taken as many pictures as we could that was safe to pull over and snap. But most of the pictures were for our passing by view only!

I share this with those who do not have this advantage of these wonderful trees. Those in California really don’t get this special treat. And if I recall most of the trees in Louisiana just turned brown and fell off! They are spectacular to behold. The oranges are bright almost florescent. The Yellows are everywhere. The reds are dazzling and then there is the deep reds almost burgundy in color. You may see them in a cluster. You may drive down an entire covered highway like a colored canopy. It may be the hillside that is speckled above the grazing cows that catches your eye. And not to forget the drive up the mountains that hold the multitude of them all. But the ones that to me were the most majestic were just in people’s yards!

Do the trees get permission to do this “change of scenery”? Do they just up and rebel at their green lifestyle? Do they decide when and what color they will turn to? The answer to all this is NO. God decides……

I wanted to share about this not only because the colors are so dramatic but also about seasons of the heart. When God takes us to a new season of our lives…………what then, can we decide the “colors” we want, the “whens” “hows” and “wheres”?

The answer to that is NO also. There are different seasons of our lives. For instance we do not have little ones romping around our house anymore………I miss there little feets! A new season is here, I now have teenagers, driving lessons, and college tuition. Do I refuse to change “colors”? Or do I shine just a brilliantly in this season as when they were learning to walk?

Another change of seasons for us has been from a community lifestyle as in a subdivision in the city to country life where no one pops in anymore and it is a looooong ways to town! Do I refuse to change “colors” until I have the “right” place that pleases me? Or do I allow God to “change” the leaves to new places, new lifestyles and new ministries?

Another season change for us is no longer being in the military and making a new life career changes. When it is not easy do I just give up my “leaves” and let them all fall off?? No, let God decide how long they are to “hang on”.

Still more season changes, we are getting older. Our bodies complain A LOT more than they used too. We get tired more quickly and keeping up with they kids is much more difficult. It is not easy to see your limitations. So do I just give up and die? Do I refuse to accept the changes? It is not as if the trees can help it, can they??

I just want to encourage anyone who is in a season of change to look to The Lord and to accept what ever changes He has for you. May we all together present a hillside of beauty to God in all the colors He changes us to!

Enjoy the Seasons of Change!

laura

A Time to Dance...

We were invited to a reformation day celebration with our friends from Allelon Farm. It had been sometime since we had been able to fellowship with these friends since we are constantly traveling in opposite directions to church.

Chrissy called the dance. It had been a while since we had been at a contra dance as well. She does a really good job at keeping everybody moving in the right direction and making sure all have a partner that want one.

We meet several people that we had not seen before as well as renewed some old acquaintances. The boys all had a good time and we enjoyed sitting down visiting and watching the festivities. I highly recommend including some dancing as you walk through this life. Dancing that lifts the spirit and encourages the soul.

Some would have it labeled sin while others would take it into debauchery. It is much what you make out of it. As for my family we can equally praise and serve the Lord through all aspects of our lives. None of them are separate.

Take the time to fellowship with other believer's as the Lord gives you opportunity. More importantly those that you may not normally get to enjoy. Invite them along when you can, you never know who may need ministering in their lives. Open up your homes and your hearts. You will be greatly blessed.

(Sorry the photos are a bit blurry - but then it went by too fast!)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--2 A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.8 A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime;13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-- it is the gift of God.

Spotlight on Hope!
Our Recent trip to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Thursday Morning October 24th, 6:45 am we reach the gate guard to the parking lot of the Famous, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Famous to many, but to me, a place of agonizing cruelty in the race for life with in it’s walls.

We walk through the doors and immediately the sterility in the air hits my nostrils. Memories flood my heart. Yes things have changed a lot since 1993 when we first walked in the doors of this Cancer Hospital for children. The colors are different, many new buildings have been added. The very cheerful designs on each wall, each hall, have all been changed and delightfully made even better. The walls really do “tell” what happens in this institution’s struggle for life. I love to look at the walls in every department. Can you put suffering in a picture? Can you put Hope in words? They try to do so on all the walls. It is like the old saying, “If I were a “fly on the wall” all the things I could tell…………………..

There have been many new areas added that were not available years ago. Also among new changes are surgery wards, and additional hospital rooms. The Café got a TOTAL new look and expansion that totally surprised me! St. Jude’s has really, really grown over the years since our first arrival with our just turned two year old son, dying of cancer!

BUT………some things never change. I sat in the check in lobby listening to a young child vomit over and over again, laying down on the chairs waiting her turn. Her mother trying to console her cries of pain. But to no avail……………I wanted to reach out and share hope with her. “Hey look here is our son, he is almost 17, he is living!!” my heart cried out to say to this woman and very sick child.

Can you give me your ID number at check in. Do you have any clue how many times we have given that number?? Etched on my very heart. Every time we went to the hospital, every clinic, every need. He had a name, but they only new him as 13,XXX, his “hospital number”. I noticed the folks who checked in behind us were way into the high 20,XXX’s digits. They have seen A LOT of patients since our son got his “number”!
Seeing the masks on the sweet little pale faces as children battle the slightest exposure to germs that even a sneeze could kill them! What bondage they live in as they try to kill those deadly cancer cells! They have to bring the children as close to death as possible to cure them. But sometimes it is a bit too close and it cost them their lives. Just as in AML the treatment consisting of a bone marrow transplant. So much can go wrong!

Inevitability, the smell of the pump soap in the bathrooms sends me over the edge. My mind and heart go spinning back to the past. The past where all the little boys we got to know during our 9 week stay (and then 7 week stay 9 months later) and the week trips in between---all died. The young couple who could not even hold their infant baby because the cancer had so eaten him up that it caused excruciating pain to be touch. I remember seeing them hold each other and cry. I remember the beautiful little 3 year old girl, an ugly patch covering the effects of the deadly cancer that stole her eye. Seeing friends in the hall when they got their news, there is nothing else we can do, your child only has 3-6 months left, we are sorry. Tears, sadness, eyes pleading for hope are what you see on the benches, wheelchairs, & crutches of the children all over the hospital on any given day. Those that can walk without a mask, a limp, or carry a throw up buck or dragging an IV medicine bag are the “lucky ones” at least for that day.

The intercom announces a name, “ XXXX “ to the medicine room. I call the “poison room” of rescue. The poison “medicine” is what they call the powerful chemotherapy they give to hundreds of kids a day. That room will forever be in my recollection. For in there is a “hope” for survival. Yet it is the very drugs that make them so sick, loose their hair, cause kidney, liver, and heart damage (even heart failure), cause the body to go so close to death, cause kids to loose their ability to walk, huge ulcerations from the lips all the way through the entire digestive track and so on. Many times they just give up the desire to live due to the extreme side effects of the “poison drugs” that are to “cure” them. Many times as a parent seeing my own son suffering beyond what I would have ever imagined, wondered if we were doing the right thing???
But when you are in the midst of this life stealing, death threatening time, you don’t often see too many kids who make it. I remember thinking those very thoughts. Where are the teenagers & adults who have been through this torturous time and lived?? Where is the hope? Are these kids doing this torture just to die in the end? The Quality of life becomes so wretched that you wonder if it is worth it. Looking around at the tables in our dinning hall thinking which kids wont be here next year, which ones wont make it until next week when either the cancer or the chemo effects steals their last breath.

We watched our normal happy just turned two year old son literally go through so much pain, change, grief, regression, much much suffering & debilitation until we were distraught with the question: How can this “poison” cure our son?? And if he does survive what will he be like when it is over?
I will not attempt at this writing to share our whole story. Just a few glimpses that I had as I sat in the rooms and walked the hall this last trip for my son to have his “re-check”. The memories will ever be with me.

But today, there are different faces. Lots of children, still much much suffering. There is still that sadness & pain in their eyes. But today I can offer hope!! I cry even at this typing. Yes there is hope. For you see my son SURVIVED! He is alive! He is doing very well. There are side effects he will keep forever. But he is doing GREAT! His lab work & other tests all show a strong, healthy, well adjusted, young man of almost 17!

I wanted to have him stand at the door and offer hope to those who are in our shoes from so many years ago! Some really do live through this most horrifying ordeal. Keep on going! I wanted to cheer them on, knowing they are so miserable and easily desire all this suffering to be over. I wanted to parade him, not in a proud way, but in a loving way, to hug others whose worlds have just been turned upside down. I know we are not the giver or taker of life. Only God is in control of that. But He does use means as in medicine and doctors to save lives. We fully trust and believe that God chose to heal our son. But He also used the means of chemo and doctors to administrate this healing. But you don’t give up just because you don’t know when God will demand your last breath.

So I say in closing………….next year (which is his last), he will be graduated out. We are going to shout it from the top of the buildings!! “THERE IS HOPE! Be of good courage my friends, keep on smiling through the pain, keep on hoping………………you just never know………
You may be doing this for someone else many years from now!

Laura

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Church Family Camp

Last weekend we took out sometime as a church to have a family campout. I wanted to include a few highlights of the weekend.

The time was relaxed and a lot of time was spent arounf the campfire. It had just turnd cold enough to where there were no bugs and the fire was welcomed.

The youth played a lot of volleyball and some of the younger ones took out time to help the smallest enjoy their time.

We greatly enjoyed our time with some of the families from Guthrie KY that cam up for the day. I especially enjoyed a lengthy conversation with Richard Slaybock about many spiritual topics. I never grow tried of examining scripture with a brother and speaking about our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The sermon Sunday really encouraged me as we considered the cross of Christ and its implication on the life of a believer. What impact has the cross had in your life?

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

A Quick Note on Laura

We had to put Laura in the hospital last week on Monday evening. It turned out that she had diverticulitis. You go to the hospital to get well but sometimes other things can happen and that's what went on next. The nurses hung a new antibiotic for Laura Tuesday morning, she had a severe reaction. We came close to loosing her. I went back up to the hospital at 2AM she had been placed in ICU. After about 12 hours she was able to go to the step down unit and then to a regular room the following day. They reluctantly released here Friday evening and we went back home.

She is doing so much better now. If things go well we can avoid surgery.

This is just a thought for you to consider. Each of us is not guaranteed one more moment. It is only by God's grace that we live. How are you living your life? How are you treating or mistreating others? You may not have tomorrow to set things right, to love one you have wronged. If you fail to live as Christ and to love your brother or sister it is SIN. God put it this way:

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

If you have trusted in Christ for salvation, does your life show the Spirit at work conforming you to the image of Christ? Do people see Christ in you or do you have to tell them you are a Christian? You have an obligation to live your life to the praise of God's glory. This life is not to be spent on your fleshly indulgence. You are to love the brethren. You have no right to withhold forgiveness and love from another do to perceived injustices or hurt feelings. And you may not have tomorrow to set things right. You have been given liberty from sin so that you may serve righteousness not yourself.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

The Sky is Falling !?

It seems that everyone is very concerned and upset about the financial market these days. Now I am no expert on the economy. I see some slowdown in sales, but then prices have been rising mostly due to increased fuel prices as well as increased feed prices (connected with the mandate of corn ethanol production).

I can only speak for our family, but things for us are pretty good. Things are costing more, but then I make a decent living. Sometimes I think we as a nation live so much on the edge of bankruptcy that it may contribute to the calamity in the market place.

It seems that the government assumes the role of Nanny. When people make mistakes they need to suffer some consequences or they will be repeated again. It would be best to allow things to run their course and then pickup the pieces and move on.

Throwing more money at a problem until something sticks doesn't seem to be the best way to handle the situation. In the end I am not in control. A little perturbed but not overly concerned.

I don't have to be worried about it if my 401K tanks, or if the government changes hands. I serve a King that rules over all. Christ is the Sovereign Lord. If I remember to keep my focus on Him the worries of this world don't seem so BIG.

Romans8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Gas and Travel

This past weekend we traveled up to St Louis for a family reunion on Laura's side of the family. I had heard rumors Friday evening that there was a gas shortage in Nashville. So I thought it would be prudent to fill-up in Shelbyville before heading up to the reunion. We paid $3.99 a gallon which is still much higher than the average price in Huntsville of $3.69. All of this is still due to fall out from Hurricane Ike (we once had a dog named Ike but then that is a different story).

It made me think back to the gas shortages in the 1970's. Although that was due to over regulation issues. I still remember how panicked people became. It seems we are always an inch away from anarchy. Just announce in the morning on the radio it is going to snow and by 3PM there will be little left on the grocery store shelf. We as a nation are a greedy, selfish lot full of fear.

Well back to the gas shortage. Sure enough as we drove through the Nashville area, gas stations were either out of gas or mobbed by a line of cars that seemed to go down the road for miles. A shortage that could be manageable was exasperated by fearful people (much like stock traders). We even saw police at a couple of stations, I can only imagine some disagreements and fights had broken out.

The really interesting thing was that once we got to the Kentucky border there seemed to be plenty of gas. Just 40 miles outside of Nashville. The prices steadily decline to a low of $3.50 in the St. Louis area. At these prices maybe someday I will consider buying an older diesel and making some homemade fuel. I think first we need to get a tractor for the place to make it more cost effective.



Well all in all it was a good trip. Our family was blessed by being able to listen to several sermons and receive a timely lesson on the depravity of man. We can be thankful that we serve a God who is rich in mercy and that we are not dependent upon our government or man for our hope and security.

Romans 8:14-16

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Another Update

We are getting settled in here at our new house. The sheep have their new pen. We will eventually expand it up one side of the property about 1200 feet. We still need to build a chicken coop and yard.

Samuel has taken up beekeeping this year and harvested 1 and 1/2 gallons of honey so far.

Laura has been hard at work canning and sewing quilts.

We are adding a room for our oldest son in the basement. I hope to get it done by November.

Joshua has been preparing for deer season, coming soon. This will be the first time we have had enough land to be productive at hunting.

We have recently lost 3 calves and one sheep. Our breeding ram. That was quite a loss. My thought is that it was Johnes disease. One of the dairy calves I believe passed it to the others. We are going to isolate our flock for the next 6 months to cull out any carriers. So we will not be buying or selling any animals for a time. We have also probably lost the window for having any lambs this next year.

Well that is just part of Farm life. The Lord has greatly blessed us in spite of all of our failings.

A Long Pause......

Well, its been a while since we lasted posted anything. We have had a busy Summer. Friends staying with us. Moving into a new house. Helping startup a new church. Added a few animals.

We had a lot of work and and a lot of friends lending a hand helping in moving and readying the new house.

Some installed fencing around the garden area. This is the first animal holding area.

While others cleaned, painted and wallpapered the house.

Philip and his two oldest sons installed the much needed air conditioing. This particular house had been built by some of the local "black bumper" mennonites. They typically do not use a/c.

A couple of trees were also cut down in the process because of their relative close location to the basement wall.

We really were blessed with all of the willing helpers. The Lord has blessed us with so many wonderful brothers and sisters.

Recently the boys and I have started adding another bedroom in the basement of the house for Samuel.

We have missed having our friends staying with us, but the Lord has led them in another direction for now.

That's really all for now. I suspect once we have caught up with school and canning we can go into some more details.

Take care to enjoy what God has blessed you with in friends and family.