It's a challenge and I can get through it

...somehow, with God.

The despair about tall dude with big feet has consumed both hubs and myself. It's like the guy is under house arrest, of his own assent. I have seen too much of that situation myself, and continue to pray for the prodigal to come home.

Prep for moving is quite overwhelming. The house wasn't clean to start with. Twenty-two years of stuff is a lot to go through. I feel like I'm treading water and not moving ahead most of the time. Hubs has been so supportive. He doesn't want to stress me out about getting there fast. I know he wants me there, and as soon as it is humanly possible, but he knows the heavy weight of mourning I carry, and he has been very considerate.

Working through the FEMA/insurance/SBA stuff is a hassle; I am hoping it helps us with getting stuff fixed from the heavy rains/flood situation we had here in Nashville. Lots of paperwork, and I think all the on site inspections are over now. There are a lot of things we didn't do over the years because of the costs involved with tall dude with big feet, and I am trying not to kick myself about this. We were obedient, and that is all we could do. I am very thankful that we will be walking away with decent equity even so. Many people are upside down in our houses...not us. I am grateful for that. I have to trust that God will keep pursuing the tall dude with big feet. Intellectually, I know that is true. Emotionally...hey, it comes and goes. No big surprise there.

As I have said before, I keep trying to tell God that I'm not worthy to handle this life. I guess He knows that. I am not worthy to share in His sufferings, but they're deep. This week I have learned about being bitterly betrayed; beyond what I ever imagined. And I thought I should be immune from that. Scripture talks about how we shouldn't expect to have it any easier than Jesus did...okay, I get it. Test over? No, I don't think so.

Hello Hurricane lyrics (by Switchfoot)

I've been watching the skies
They've been turning blood red
There is not a doubt in my mind
There's a storm up ahead

(Chorus)

Hello Hurricane
You're not enough
Hello Hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love

Everything I have I count as loss
Everything I have is stripped away
But before It started building
I counted up these costs
There's nothing left for you to take away

(Chorus)

Hello Hurricane
You're not enough
Hello Hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love

Im a fighter fighting for control
Im a fighter fighting for my soul
Everything inside of me surrenders
You can't silence my love
You can't silence my love

(Chorus)

Hello Hurricane
You're not enough
Hello Hurricane
You can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love

I said Hello Hurricane

these lyrics are submitted by Crazy Fan

Has this canning thing gotten outta hand?

I bought an apple peeler. Peels, cuts, cores. or some combination of the previously listed. It made this recipe easy, easy, peasy.

initially I said I loved it, but it fell apart after two batches of apples. I'm taking it back; it didn't even last a week.

I hadn't thought of other uses for a contraption like this, but my friend the veggie grower said she uses hers for potatoes as well. I might actually make potato dishes now, just peeling them with lightning speed.

Apple Maple Jam

about 6 lbs finely chopped apples
6 cups sugar
1 cup maple syrup
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepot. Bring slowly to a boil. Cook rapidly to jellying point. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Pour hot into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Adjust caps. Process ten minutes in a boiling water bath.

Yields approximately 4 pints.

from canning-recipes.com

Well, it will be a cost saver...

Memphis has announced they will not flunk children between kindergarten and third grade, and only flunk a child once time between fourth and eighth grades.

It's a totally sticky wicket, I know. I have lots more experience in this than the average childless person. ;-) So I have opinions:

*Basically, I think it will be a money saver for Memphis. Less years of school for a kid, at 10K a pop (which is considerably higher than Nashville, but still with dismal results). Cynical, I know, but I've seen enough in direct contact with Metro Nashville administrators and teachers to see it that way.

*Unless the teachers and administrators really buckle down with the interventions mentioned, it will be very easy to just let the kids cruise through, without adequate learning measures being met. As the article says, otherwise they just get the same curriculum and approaches as the previous year, likely without different results.

*Unless parents care and get involved in their kids' education, there isn't that much that schools can do on their own. That's something I know profoundly, first hand.

*The kid doesn't need to work, doesn't need to even show up, and the parent doesn't need to even try to do anything. The kid isn't getting retained, no matter what.

I really hope I'm wrong.

A quote from the article...

"If the schools in Memphis are determined to identify students who are struggling and apply different interventions, it's possible it could do the trick," said Jay Greene, endowed professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

"Unfortunately, the track record on this approach is not that good," he said.

Truly remarkable

How that kiddo stands up to the onslaught of their parent is beyond me. No wonder kiddo's so angry. We need so much wisdom in this situation. I'm praying that God will be glorified somehow, and that our influence will be very positive, to help that young person become a mature, loving adult that finds the peace they seek.

The stress of this adventure is so far beyond what we have experienced prior to this last set of years. It's a lesson in dealing with injustices we cannot control, much to our great sorrow.

in my farmers market booth

I don't post much politically, but...

...oh, my goodness, if this goes into law, we are in huge trouble.

There, I said it.

Very soon...but yea, verily, not soon enough. ;-)

A comment on the events of the last few days...

...in particular, would be entirely remiss without a link to this previous post contemplating the DSM-IV. What is that, you ask? Well, click here for my previous post as to why it applies. Once again, way over the top whack job-ness has invaded our lives. We're strangely used to it, although one never really acclimates.

From "Man's Search for Meaning"

"Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth...(it is) the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast." -Viktor Frankl

When it looks like this outside your window, you'd have to work really hard at being stressed at Teleios

KLP

That's Key Lime Pie, y'all.

Hubs loves it. I had no idea he did until this year. It just goes to show you; never assume you know everything about your husband even after twenty-five years of marriage.

They looked like something beyond my pay grade, so I would get the store bought frozen ones. All seemed to meet his expectations, so I stuck with that.

Then I thought I'd check and see how hard they are to make. Let's just say that you can handle it. Really.

I used the basic Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Pie recipe. Then slather some whipped cream on top if you like. I don't mind slumming and using Cool Whip, but that's anathema to my dear love.

They tasted so good to my hubs, I told him he had to work out to get some more of them. He didn't seem to mind that thought, so the taste must be powerful. Whether or not it's just wedded schmoozing, you will have to decide for yourself, but he insists they are better than the store-bought. Let's just say they are definitely WAY cheaper.

I like to freeze them, for a lovely texture. But your mileage may vary.

Look at all the other lovely recipes on this page, including lower fat and sugar possibilities. I'm definitely going to try them.

Teleios Dorema

Our new home away from home. It's like a vacation, even though we can't afford a vacay at present. Thanks, God.

What a wild ride

I think my hubs is employed now. What a weird situation. I'll post more after this goes on for a few weeks and it sinks in. Very strange. But I guess I said that already.

God's opinion of me

It has been said that God never gives us more than we can handle.

If that is so, I think God has entirely too high an opinion of us.

The contract was cancelled. Nine other folks are losing their opportunities as well. The manager that extended the offer is losing their job as well because of the cancellation of the project.

We really needed this job.

Spare Oom, I will miss you as well. It seemed like such a perfect match, and for whatever reason it didn't end up happening.

I'm way past oozing platitudes at this point. However, there must be something better for us out there. I hope God makes it plain, and doesn't wait any longer than is absolutely necessary.

Lord, please glorify Yourself during this dark time, and give us joy somehow. Help us be good representatives of You and give us the provision we desperately need. Thank you.

Spare Oom

This is what we decided to call the place where hubs will be hanging out while working out of town. If you're a C.S. Lewis fan, then you know of what we speak.

It's a blessing from God, that is all we can say.

Relief

Have you ever noticed that things have to get really really bad before God steps in? Hubs and I were really low and with no real options for things to improve markedly, and then last Thursday a huge need (namely, a job for hubs) was worked out. They interviewed him first and cancelled the other interviews. Lots more news about this later.

The sermon mentioned suffering in great detail, Hebrews 12 being the text. Fortunately the preacher du jour very emphatically reminded that suffering is not necessarily about a sin we've committed. Surely I knew that already, you ask? Well, so do you, but when three years of h e double hockey sticks have been beating on a person, perspective and truth tend to become obscured.

America is all about comfort and moving up. Pretty much EVERYONE, save the homeless perhaps, lives better than a great many countries. God isn't about that. He is about loving me and conforming me to his image. He doesn't value the stuff the advertisers (and your friends) tout. There's a much bigger, and way more satisfying, God-thing going on. I think we're seeing some glimpses of that. Maybe this time has been more like training and healing intensives. That's what it appears.

Please don't stop praying for us, and we'll do the same for you! You can always send me a PM with specifics we can pray for, if you are shy like me.

New challenges, and they will probably be challenging, but I am glad for them and also very relieved.

Hope, no longer deferred?

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.

For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

----

'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
I'm right here to help you.'


--from Isaiah 41 (NIV, and The Message)

Grateful

1. I feel better.

2. Hubs feels better. He didn't share in my pneumonia bliss, ;-) , but enjoyed asthmatic bronchitis instead. ;-)

3. Found some new cheap recipes, and unearthed some old ones. We all need to save money, so I'll add them here posthaste.

4. Working on a strip quilt. Fortunately for everyone, this has nothing to do with one's state of undress while making it. ;-)

5. Catching up on making product for market and various accounts. So grateful for the orders right now.

6. Merging with the other church has worked out fairly well. Other than concern for losing our identity (which I will fight tooth and nail), there's only one major problem. Well, that is a major problem, but surely I can trust God to take care of things, either fixing it or fixing me. ;-)

7. At least two of our cars still work.

8. More hope for ongoing provision in the last couple of weeks. We'll see where it all lands. It's quite the roller coaster at present. With the economy the way it is, you gotta do what you gotta do.

9. Feline therapy. I am a believer in my three pet therapists. They do a great job. Who needs Diovan when you have three lap kitties?

10. It is lonely, but I have been deliberate about reaching out to friends. It's funny how few of them are church related. But the fact remains: I know I have friends now, and they know I care for them in return. Actual relationships where I am not the one doing all the giving and encouraging! That's a good change.

11. Perspective. I have some more to say about that, but not till I take the photo I want to accompany the thought.

12. Lots more, I am sure. There are really stressful and difficult times upon us. More stress than probably ever before. But I do feel loved, and cared about, and blessed nonetheless.

'Think I'm going to cough up a lung about now...

...that might not be a bad thing. I've never had pneumonia before, so I just thought it was a cold. Grateful for good drugs and a warm place to sleep. :-) I sleep a couple of hours, wake up, sleep a few more, and repeat. Apparently, according to hubs, I cough WHILE I'm asleep. Had no idea I was that talented.