Biblical Health

I'm no expert or doctor.  However, I have always been interested in natural health and remedies.  I raised four children without a doctor (except a few stitches now and then).  And none of my children ever took an antibiotic while growing up.  Let me preface this by saying I am not against doctors.  My neighbor and one of  our good friends is medical doctor and I often consult him.  He is a man of great wisdom and knowledge.  However, when I was raising my children I didn't have the money to spend on such things and I was fortunate enough to try home remedies that worked so I didn't have to spend the countless hours in a doctor's office.

How can one stay healthy?  How can you keep your kids and husband healthy?  The Bible has some guidelines that I will point out here.  Having good health is important because you can reach the lost in a much more aggressive way.  You can go and do for others. If you have bad health you have others doing for you.  Health helps you to better enjoy your fellowship with God. However, bad health is not an excuse not to serve God!

Why do people get sick?

Why do people get sick? We know health is God's will but it may not be complete in this life.  Everyone of us will be sick at some time in this life.  Even apart from our final encounter with injury or disease, there will be occasions when we suffer from injury or disease and recover.  In the New Testament, Jesus didn't heal all he could have healed (John 5:3-5).  Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23) and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) and Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20) all had some sort of sickness.  Perfect health will only be obtained after this life.  So what are some possible reasons people get sick?

1.  A test from God to see if we will still serve Him.
Book of Job - Can you praise God in bad health?

 

2.  A trial from Satan to keep us from serving God.
Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7) Satan wants to stop you from reaching souls (Isaiah 37:3).

 

3.  In order us to learn to care for the sick.
It may be used to teach both the patient and his attendants needed lessons in patience and grace. (2 Corinthians 1:4) Not all sick are saved and we need to know how to comfort those people.

 

4.  Natural old age.
Our bodies are feeble and the wear and tear on them is great. Genesis 48:1 (Jacob)

 

5.  Sowing and Reaping.
Just as the house of God, the temple, needs repair so does God's temple, the body! 
1 Corinthians 11:29‑30 - Not taking the Lord's supper properly

 

6.  Disobedience to God's Word.
Deuteronomy 28:62‑68, Jeremiah 30:12‑13, 2 Chronicles 21:14‑15,18

 

7.  And the opportunity for God to get some glory.
Often after people heal from a sickness they will say "praise God",  "thank God" and many other gratitudes about how God healed them.  It also brings churches and families and individuals to their knees.  Nothing will bring a person to prayer like hearing the words, "You have cancer."  Believe me, I know.  I have had cancer.

 

How to heal and get well from sickness:

How to heal and get well from sickness:The best way to keep from getting sick and preventive!  If you will do the following you will prevent most sickness!

1.  Prayer and Faith!
Malachi 4:2 - God has healing in his wings!

Matthew 4:23 - Jesus could heal then and he can now!

Jeremiah 30:17, Jeremiah 33:6

Psalms 103:3 -  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

2.  Scripture Reading
Proverbs 3:8, Proverbs 4:22

3.  Repenting/Living Right
Bitterness makes you sick. (Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 13:12)

Exodus 15:26 (Live right and God will bless you with health.

Deuteronomy 7:15

4.  Hard Work
Sweating is very good for the body.  It causes it to release toxins.

Hebrews 4:11, Proverbs 18:9, Proverbs 10:16

5.  Proper Rest
Exodus 23:12, Exodus 34:21, Mark 6:31

6.  Fasting
This is very good for your body.  It gives it a rest. During this rest it is rebuilding. I personally have done two 40-day fast.  I always feel better and cleaner after a fast.

Exodus 24:18 -long fast

Judges 20:26 - short fast

2 Samuel 12:16, Ezra 8:23, Nehemiah 1:4, Matthew 4:2, Matthew 17:21

7.  Sunshine / Fresh Air
Go outside and sit.  Take a walk.  One preacher said (George Mueller) that we need to walk 20 minutes everyday.  Breathe deeply as you walk.  Make your kids go outside.  Everyone knows we need 20 minutes of sunshine daily in order to make vitamin D.

8.  Water
Water is cleansing.  There 396 mentions of water in the Bible.  Drink water.  Give up all the cokes that rob us of bone density, cause bone spurs, and destroy our teeth.  Besides, water is free which causes less stress which is healthy!

9.  Touching
Make it a habit of massaging your spouse and kids. When I was raising children we had family devotion every night and after devotion we'd pray.  I would rub my children's backs while they prayed. The tables will turn and when you need to be touched you will reap what you sowed.  Touching keeps you healthy.

Matthew 9:20, Matthew 14:35‑36

10. Laughter (Good attitude)
Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 17:22

Don't talk sickness.  Some people actually will bring bad health on their children by talking     about it all the time.  Make your kids think that it is wonderful to be healthy.  Don't baby them to death every time they get a cold. Brag on their health.  If they know they will get your attention by having a runny nose, you can believe their nose is going to run.

11. Proper Diet
A well balanced diet is very important.  We need vitamins and minerals for our bodies to properly function. Certain vitamins are wonderful for sickness . . . such as vitamin C is great for colds and the flu.  God intended for us to eat right and eat heartily.  However, leave the dainties alone (Psalms 141:4; Proverbs 23:3).  One reason our kids are so sick is because they don't eat right.  You ought to train your kids to eat all foods (1 Corinthians 10:27; Luke 10:8)  Eating at regular times helps your digestive system.  It is a creature of habit.

 

Foods aren't just mentioned in the Bible to take up space.  A careful study of scriptural foods will help to keep you healthy.  Here is a list of some scriptural foods and what I've found, after much study, that they can do to keep you healthy.  Most of the foods below can be found in a grocery store or a health food store. One other thought . . . realize that your doctor and family will think this is stupid, but before deciding for your self, try it.  Remember, home remedies heal slowly but with out side effects. America is too impatient.  Any food that is not listed in the Bible is noted with an *.

 

Aloe a.k.a.: Burn Plant (Numbers 24:6; Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17; Song of Songs 4:14) Every family needs an aloe vera plant in their home.  Used on burns, scrapes, rashes, and sunburn)

 

Almonds - (Genesis 43:11 & 5 other times it's mentioned)  - Good for morning sickness.  Can help headaches.

 

Anise (Matthew 23:23) The whole plant can be eaten, like a salad. It is the seeds that have medicinal properties.  Helps indigestion, increases mother's milk, and is frequently adds to cough syrups.

 

Apple (Song of Songs 2:3; Song of Songs 2:5; Song of Songs 8:5; Joel 1:12) Apples get rid of my headaches.  They have a calming effect. Nausea.   Good for your teeth. Slightly laxative.  They have a cleansing effect on your digestive organs and have traditionally been believed to dissolve kidney or gallstones because of the acidity.

 

* Banana - Diarrhea, Rich in minerals that help to reproduce what you lose with diarrhea. Good for the circulation. The banana is a staple food of many tropical peoples. The ripe fruit contains many of the necessary elements that are essential for a balanced

 

*Arnica - good for bruising, soreness, and aches. diet. Although it is 75 percent water, the banana also contains fat, natural sugars, protein, potassium, and vitamins A, B complex, and C. A ripe banana is easily digested and it imparts quick energy.

 

*Basil - helps expel gas in infants.

 

Bay - (Psalms 37:35) Leaves are used for digestion (gas) and headaches.  You can make a tea from the leaves or include the leaves in soups, etc.

 

Beans - (2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9) A deficiency of iron is one of the causes of anemia.  Iron is absorbed by the intestines from foods such as meat (especially liver and fish), green vegetables, peas, and beans. About 60 percent of this iron is used in the hemoglobin, and about 25 percent is stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow for use as needed.

 

Bread - (Mentioned 361 times) High in roughage which keeps you regular.  (Not white bread (Ezekiel 4:9)! 

 

Butter - (Mentioned 11 times ) Butter is a rich source of vitamin A. Vitamins D and E and the minerals calcium and phosphorus are also present.

 

* Buttermilk - Used as a douche will cure yeast infection.

 

*Cabbage - Can cause gas. High in V-C and sulfur.  Sulfur is very good for cleansing the liver.    It has also been used to expel worms, soothe rheumatism.  It can heal burns, wounds, and insect bites.

 

*Cayenne - Opens the capillaries and soothes the stomach and mucous membranes.  Great for internal organs and used to treat constipation.  Good for people who tire easily.

 

* Celery - Good to lower blood pressure, gout, nerves.

 

* Chamomile - Calms

 

Cinnamon -  (Exodus 30:23; Proverbs 7:17; Revelation 18:13) The fruit and coarser pieces of bark when boiled yield a fragrant oil. It was one of the principal ingredients in the holy anointing oil).  It is good for stomach aches; nursing mothers, diarrhea, and it is slightly antiseptic.

 

* Clove - the oil is used for tooth aches.  With a Q-tip, place the oil directly on the painful tooth.

 

Coriander (Ex. 16:31; Num. 11:7) Also called cilantro. The seed to which the manna is likened in its form and color.  It is widely cultivated in Eastern countries and in the south of Europe for the sake of its seeds, which are in the form of a little ball of the size of a peppercorn. They are used medicinally and as a spice.  They are for arthritis.

 

Corn - (Mentioned over 102 times) The silk is used for bed-wetting and incontinence.  A tea is made from the silk.  Salted cornmeal is a traditional poultice for treating inflammation.

 

* Cranberries - Fresh is best!  Urinary tract infection.

 

Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)

 

* Eucalyptus - antiseptic.  Cleans wounds (weaken with boiling water and then let cool).  Boil the leaves and inhale the steam for congestion. 

 

*  Fennel  - Used as a tea or in soups, etc.  Good for flatulence, stomach problems, morning sickness, colic in infants, expel worms, soothes intestines. 

 

Fig - (Mentioned 55 times) Was used medicinally in the Bible (2 Kings 20:7).

 

* Fingernail polish - Coat a toothache with it and it will ease the pain.  It can also be used on ringworms.

 

Garlic (Numbers 11:5) (My house always smelled like garlic during cold seasons.) Antibiotic. Placed on a wound it will quickly absorb into the blood stream and begin healing.  Colds & flu. Sore throats.  Eating raw garlic will prevent yeast infections.  Placed on abscessed tooth.  A cotton ball soaked in garlic oil in the ear stops ear infection.  If you like the healing properties but not the smell, soak in a bath for about 20 minutes after eating and brush your teeth. :-) Add lots of garlic to homemade or canned chicken soup.

 

* Ginger - Can strengthen lungs and kidneys.   It is a stimulate.  Helps motion sickness.   For stomach problems . . . diarrhea.  For hear burn.  For morning sickness.

 

Grape Juice & grapes & raisins - Much mentioned - for Cholesterol control.  Grapes contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus and are a source of vitamin A.

 

Honey - (Occurs 56 times in the Bible) Good for Sore throats.  Constipation.  Colds.  Lemon and honey for colds and cough.  It builds the immune system to prepare it for coming colds. Honey and water wash for pink eye (Bro. Rolloff)

 

Melons - (Numbers 11:5) Diuretic

 

Milk  - (Listed 48 times )  Milk is rich in calcium, which is required for strong teeth and bones. It contains phosphorus, necessary for the proper growth and hardness of bones.  Riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and thiamin, zinc, and vitamin A are present in cows' milk.  Another important contribution to nutrition is found in the amino acids provided by milk. These come from the milk's proteins and are used to build the body's own proteins. The milk proteins are broken down into amino acids in the stomach. These acids are absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body. When cells require new protein, these amino acids are available for reassembly. Amino acids include isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, and valine.

Mint  (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Deuteronomy 14:22) Gargle for sore throats, eat or drink the tea to help expel gas.  Helps headaches.  The really sweet candies do not have true peppermint in them.  Helps to break fevers if given in a strong tea.    Add a bit of honey to sweeten (except in infants). 

Olives - (48 times mentioned) The oil is used in Childbirth, dry hair conditioner, and earache.

 

Onions - (Numbers 11:5) Used to treat blood clots in legs of horses.  Cleanse the intestines.  They stimulate sweating.  They have been used to expel worms.  In China they are used to relieve high blood pressure.  Good to eat during a cold.

 

Oranges - Vitamin C! The demand for citrus fruits increased greatly after the 1890s when physicians found that people suffering from scurvy, a vitamin deficiency disease, could be cured by drinking the juice of oranges or other citrus fruits. Later, scientists discovered that the juice is beneficial because it is rich in vitamin C. It also contains some vitamin A, vitamin B1, and some of the minerals that the body needs. Colds, flu, sore throat, fever.  Peaches are also high in Vitamin C.

 

* Raspberries - Taken to help prevent miscarriage.   Gets the uterus back in shape after a baby. Relaxes muscle spasms.  

 

Rose - (Isaiah 35:1; Song of Songs 2:1) Used as an oil externally.  Calms.

 

Salt - (Natural sea salt) Used to season food (Job 6:6), and mixed with the fodder of cattle (Isa. 30:24). All meat-offerings were seasoned with salt (Lev. 2:13). To eat salt with one is to partake of his hospitality, to derive subsistence from him; and hence he who did so was bound to look after his host's interests (Ezra 4:14) A "covenant of salt" (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5) was a covenant of perpetual obligation. New-born children were rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4). Disciples are likened unto salt, with reference to its cleansing and preserving uses (Matt. 5:13).  Foot Soaks for athletes foot. Breathe up a stopped up nose. Use to slough off dead skin. Use as a gargle for sore throats.

 

What not to drink or eat . . . animal fat, fried foods, processed foods (eat fresh!), candy, caffeine, or alcohol.

 

Fever - Fever is the bodies normal response to infection in the body.  It is a symptom not a cause.

Here is a quote from a medical book, written in 1998: Many doctors prefer to let a baby's natural defenses fight off mild infections, and reserve treatment such as antibiotics for more serious illnesses. Parents often mistakenly believe that high fever causes brain damage and that fevers left untreated only go higher. As a result of these misconceptions, parents often treat low-grade fevers unnecessarily.

For a fever under 104 degrees, it is best to let it run its course.  If it gets over 104 degrees then begin cooling the body slowly and gently.

 

Never panic at signs of ill health.  You and thousands of others before you have been sick and have been fine.

 

Some other things I have done to aid healing:
-Music (remember the story of David and Saul).
-Low Stress Life (raise good kids that don't stress you and DON'T MAKE ANYMORE BILLS!)
-Cleanliness
-Eat Right and elliminate bad foods
-Stay close to God!

What if I have to go to the doctor?
I chose going to the doctor should be a last resort.  I tried home remedies first and they worked 90% of the time.  If, after much prayer, you decide that you must go to the doctor then here are some guidelines:

Go to God first.....not last.....and not only briefly.
Asa in the Bible made seeking God the last resort (2 Chronicles 16:12; 1 Kings 15:23).
The woman with the issue of blood sought Christ as a last resort (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43).

1.  Try to find a doctor who is a believer in Jesus Christ! (Job 13:4) Do this even if you have to drive our of town.

 

2.  A chiropractor should be considered because he doesn't use drugs or surgery to heal the body.  Nor does he look at your private parts.

 

3.  Ask for alternatives to medicines and surgeries.

 

4.  Remember modesty and ask your doctor to respect that.  Why do we just undress in front of a man because he has the title: Doctor?   If showing our nudity is wrong in front of other men then it is wrong in front of a doctor!?  Is it right to do wrong to do right?  Also, consider a lady doctor if your private areas have to be checked.  Another thought to that . . . are you going to let a male doctor see you baby girl naked?  When should we begin applying the following Biblical principles?
Genesis 9:22‑25, Exodus 32:25, Exodus 28:42, Isaiah 20:4, Leviticus 18:6‑19, John 21:7, Leviticus 20:17‑21, Revelation 16:15, Isaiah 47:1‑3, Genesis 3:21, Lamentations 1:8, Proverbs 31:21, Hosea 2:9, Mark 5:1‑15, Habakkuk 2:15, Luke 8:26‑35, Revelation 3:18                                      
                                                                
5.  Remember that it is good for a man not to touch a woman . . . therefore make choosing to go to the doctor  at the bottom of the list. 

Numbers 4:15 (Unholy shouldn't touch a holy thing.)  Our bodies are the temple of the holy ghost.

1 Chronicles 16:22 (God warned the people not to touch his anointed.)  We, as children of God, are anointed.  2 Corinthians 1:21 & Hebrews 1:9

1 Corinthians 7:1 (The famous verse we use often with our teens.)

6.  Think long and hard over allowing someone to cut your body.
Leviticus 21:5

 

 

 

 

Simple Pleasures

Excuse me, but this is both a recollection of pleasures I have experienced (a sampling) and is not meant to brag but rather for my own personal memories and for my children who were with me during most of these activites.

I've been to 7 countries and 49 states.  I've travelled from coast to coast.  I've been to every major city including Orlando, New York, Albany, San Francisco, Austin, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Hot Springs, Atlanta, Pensecola, Sante Fe, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Jacksonville, Greenville, Chattoonooga, Colorado Springs, San Diego, St. Paul, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Boston, Washington DC, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Dallas,  Charlotte, Baltimore, Memphis,  San Antonio, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Hershey,  Houston, San Jose, and Little Rock.  But....there is no place I'd rather be than Moultrie, Georgia.  It is there that I know the people, I can drive without a tourbus or taxi.  It is there that I am home.

Houses I've toured, explored or seen include Casa Verde, Winchester House, Hearst Castle, scores of antebellum homes in the South, ghost towns and restored villages such as the Agrirama and Colonial Williamsburg. 

I've lived in town and I've lived in the country.  I've been poor and I've had more than plenty.  I've lived in fallen down trailers and in a big, nice 5 bedroom house.  I now live in an RV and I love it the most.  Seventeen times in 30 years have my husband and I moved and the place I am at now is the best!
.
Mountains I've enjoyed close up include McKinley,  Stone, Mt. Rushmore, Ozarks, Petit Jean, Matterhorn Peak, Pikes Peak, El Capitan, Rockies, Brasstown Bald, Glacier National Park, Blue Ridge, Great Smokies, and Guadalupe. 

Famous Sites I've toured are Hollywood, Death Valley, Sunset Strip, Big Bend National Park, Statue of Liberty, Broadway, The Alamo, World Trade Center (before and after 9/11), Times Square, Ellis Island, Carlsbad Caverns, Staten Island Ferry, Manhatten, United Nations, Hoover Dam, Six Flags, U.S. Mint, Superdome, Eiffel Tower, Streetcars, Riverboats, Yellowstone National Park, Several Zoos, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Space Needle, Corn Castle, St. Augustine, Coronado Island, Lincoln Memorial, The White House, Washington Memorial, Vietnam War, Memorial, Smithsonian Institute, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, Chinatown, Cablecars, AstroWorld, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, ROCKY Statue, Congress Hall and Crystal Caves.

Activities I have tried at least once, and many of them repeatedly, are spelunking, canoeing, white water rafting, swimming, tubing, and cliff jumping.  I've been snow-skiing and water skiing.  I've been mountain climbing, and rock climbing.

Modes of transportation.  I love to tour.  I've traveled in so many ways.  I crossed Ukraine on a train.  I've flown across the ocean in a jet.  I've flown to neighboring towns in a little plane.  I've toured the Duch, the Red Bus, and taxied all over our big cities.  I've RV'd across America. I've taken boat taxis, tour boats and even cruise ships.  My husband and I have enjoyed motorcycle excursions.  But my favorite way to travel is piled in a car with hubby and grandkids!

I said all this to say that I'd have given it all up for the one great pleasure I have.....my marriage.  I've only married once, and that was at 17 years old....30 years ago.  So all my activities have been shared with a partner.  I've had some pitfalls along the way.  I've had cancer.  We've done most all of our activities with very little money. 

Basically, I've done it all (all I want to do) and my favorite memories don't include any of these.  It includes the births of my 11 grandkids.  The time I spend with them each Saturday....in my own backyard! 

Financial Testings

We've owned rental property for 17 years.  For 17 years our renters have pretty much paid on time.  Now, I'm not saying that we've not had 1 or 2 a year who have left owing us a couple of thousand dollars but what I am saying is that if they got a couple of months behind, and was making no attempt to pay, we could evict them and they'd at least leave. 

Ever since we decided to move to Ecuador some have decided they don't have to pay anymore.  When we evict them they contest it and get 10 more days.  Never, in the history of our rentals, have we had someone contest an eviction notice....until now.  Is this something new that people have just learned how to do? 

My husband has two pieces of rentals that he totally allows families to live for free.  He gives people chance after chance.  He falls for every hard luck story.   He loves and tries to work with his renters.  He gives in with the down payments.  Yet, people continuously do not pay him.  If  he takes an eviction notice then he is considered mean and heartless but the people who are stealing from us are not anything but poor victims (even though they have done this repeatedly to others).

It is hard owning property.  It is hard because you really do love people and want to help them.  It is hard being thought of as "non-Christian" because you need your money.  I think people forget that we are using the properties to pay our bills (doctor bills, grocery bill, electric bill, car note). 

What is sad is the ones who are cheating us of our living are driving nicer cars than us, eating out more than us, are on governmental assisstance, and all have jobs.  Yet the courts always side with them.  We are the big, bad landowners!

I guess, I'd rather say, "I have been robbed but I have not robbed."  I would rather be the one stolen from than the one stealing!  To my knowledge, in our 30 years of marriage, we have NEVER left owing anyone anything.  And we have deeply struggles (and are still struggling) financially during these years.

(Rom 13:8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

(Exo 20:15) Thou shalt not steal.
(Psa 37:21a) The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:

First Ecuador Post

Sunday was our last day at Grace Independent Baptist Church. We have a trip planned to visit Ecuador during the month of September. We are very excited but very nervous. Our grandaughter, Desiree, will be making this trip with us.

I was very emotional Sunday. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped. I wept every second of the day.   I loved the 17 years we spent here in Moultrie.  It has nothing but wonderful memories in my mind.   However, I am super excited to start phase 4 of our life. Phase 1 - childhood Phase 2 - Dope and drinking years Phase 3 - Pastoring years and Phase 4 - Missionaries.

I think often of how blessed I am. I have been to 49 states. I've been to every major city and every major tourist attraction. I've been poor and I've had plenty. I've loved and been loved. I have had a wonderful marriage. And I have 4 kids that are all good, decent people....but more than that....they all love the Lord and are in church faithfully.

What wonders await us in Ecuador? I have studied Spanish until my brain is tired. I've prayed, planned, and now I am about to go. God has been good to me!

Autumn Revival!

Grace Independent Baptist Church is so excited about the revival with Bro. Dan Carr and Bro. Chris Dallas.

How I Control a Sunday School Class

1. I am always in the class when it starts so that
it never “really” gets out of control and all of what seems out of control to an outsider is really “controlled chaos”....which helps get energy burned up!

2. I start out with singing and lots of energy burning songs. I offer rewards for those who sing the loudest, etc. My reward could be anything from a balloon to a tootsie roll. They have to put the reward in their pocket or I get it back.

3. I tell them that I have games planned and a quiet prize reward. I tell them that the games are super fun (and they are!!!!!) & we will ONLY play them if I can teach my lesson without interruptions. I also tell them that I will choose one kid for the quiet prize and if it is really hard to chose....I will pick two. (You would be surprised how many kids think they could never win first but will try for second place.)

4. I pray right before my lesson and mention kids by name. Often if I have 20 kids, I will pray for all 20! Fast, yes, but I will pray around the room. Kids love to hear their name mentioned in prayer.

5. As I teach, I ask questions. I walk around the room and gently touch a wiggly kid. If someone starts to talk I just stop and look at them. I will place my finger over my mouth and say, Shhhhh!

6. After each 2 or 3 points I will stop and say, “Let’s Review what we have learned so far.” I will ask 2 or 3 questions and offer a similar prize as the ones mentioned above for each correct answer. Then I will restart my lesson.

7. I smile a lot and never beg or threaten. I tell the kid only once to be quiet. Then I gently lay my finger on his shoulder and stare him down until he back down. They always do. I am smiling the whole time so the kids believes that he is doing a favor for a very nice teacher. He gets quiet because he likes me and believes I like him....and I do!

Why My Home is Heaven on Earth

1. Flowers, grass and trees.
I have such a variety of trees. I have apple trees, tangerine trees, peach trees, blueberry bushes, pecan trees, dogwood trees, oak trees, pine trees, eucalyptus trees, redwood trees, pomegranate trees, fig trees, cedar trees, pear trees, lemon trees.

I have flowers! Tiger lilies, spider lilies, roses, azaleas, Easter lilies, grape vine, jasmine, gladiolas, irises, camellias, and more!

I have beautiful green grass with fields of green but, I have small sections of wooded areas.

I live close to town....about a mile from a store and about 5 miles from Wal-mart....but I live in the country with lots of privacy.

There is a slow moving creek (edged with beautiful clover that stays green all year long) that runs across my back property that provides water for my animals, lodging for my ducks and hours of play for my grandchildren.

I have enough pecan trees to completely pay for my Christmas vacation to mom's every year.

Yes, I love my little heaven because of the sheer beauty of it.

2. The home itself.
No, it isn't the faniciest of homes but it suits me. It has 5 bedrooms with 4 being on one end and my bedroom (which I've made into a little apartment) on the opposite end. I could literally live in my bedroom. It has 3 full bathrooms. And, a large living room.

It is clean. It has huge windows and constantly looks bright and cheery. There is no clutter (except the closet which the grandkids keep their stuff and the dining room table when it is rent collecting time).

I have my mother's china displayed in the dining room. I love her china!

The kitchen has a table which we all eat around. I love to crowd around that table so much more than to eat in the dining room!!! The kitchen is a place of a lot of happenings around here. Every Saturday my 8 grandchildren come over and spend the night....the kitchen is where it is happening! Every Sunday I have a big get-together after church....the kitchen is wall-to-wall people! I love it.

I have 3 big porches and 3 porch swings! You can sit on the east porch and watch the sunrise. You can sit on the back porch and watch the animals. You can sit on the front porch and watch our renters (haha, I never sit on the front porch).

I do not have a TV. The only noise you hear in my home is the sound of wind blowing through the open doors and windows and, on occasion, the piano....when my children come home to visit.

3. The animals.
I love animals. I have cats, dogs, cows, goats, ducks, chickens, and lots of squirrels. I love to sit on my back porch and watch my animals. Every animal I have is tame (even though we do raise them for food).

And the animals provide hours of outside and active entertainment for my grandchildren.

4. The people.
I have the most pleasant home. There is no fighting or yelling. It is a happy place. People love to come visit and often do come! The people are happy. Right now I have 2 boarders....Lee and Amy. They are pleasant people who chip in and do their part.

But, the most wonderful person of my home is my husband. He is a true man of God. He is pleasant to me. He spends just the right amount of time with me. He takes care of me. He is brave and not afraid of confrontation. He is gentle in kind. He doesn't smoke, drink, cuss or look at pornography. He is a devoted husband who has shown me nothing but kindness. He was good to our children.

I'll admit, he does run the house. He definitely is the rooster of our home. But, the rest of us respect him because he is so good. He doesn't put off jobs that need be taken care of today. He wakes up early (5:00) and studies his Bible and prays. He prays for our marriage every day. He is also very careful to not wake me when he leaves.

He has done many SUPER romantic things in our 26 years of marriage but that is for another paper.

In the evening he walks with me to bring the animals in. We talk and hold hands and if we have time we sit on the porch and swing together.

Anyone who likes the simple life, would love my home.