Rise and Swine

Overcast. The air hangs crisp. Leaves dance beyond the pane - still summer green yet they play peek-a-boo with a hint of caramel and crimson. Autumn is upon us ushering in plump pumpkins, spiced cider, scarves, boots, woolen blankets and those brilliantly colored leaves that will soon crunch under foot. It's my favorite time of year but in my corner of the world it doesn't last long. Before I blink, the trees will stretch forth their barren limbs as white blankets the earth, and I will hibernate as much as possible. Enjoying the peaceful white from my comfortably heated home - coffee in hand. Knowing this, I always do some fall cleaning. Just like spring cleaning opens it all to new and fresh I prepare for the confinement of the dreary months ahead. I wash the windows knowing they will soon be dirty again but I want to enjoy the glistening of a winter wonderland for as long as I can. Funny how distorted our view becomes when we're looking through layers of grime. It...

I glanced over to see where the rasping sound was coming from only to find her wee fingers entwined within the willow.  Her Moses basket is her safe place if she's not in someones arms.  It's her comfort and security, except for the braided trunk that curves with a mind of it's own.  Somehow her hand found it's loop.  Although she hates the texture she continues to grab hold and fight with it.  Exhausting herself.  Still - she fights.  She won't win.  The handle isn't going anywhere.  Eventually I turn her the other direction where she can no longer see it.  Still - it won't be long until her arm rubs against it's rough texture.  Then the fight will begin again. I do the same thing at times.  No.  I don't fight with the handle of a basket.  I fight against circumstances, people, the past, regrets...myself.  I don't like the way it makes me feel.  Yet I keep grabbing hold and wrestling.  Exhausting ...

Schools done...dinner is simmering away in the crockpot...wet flakes are fallin'...kids are tucked snug in their beds...and aside from the whirl of the washer the house is silent.  I think I may take advantage of this awkward silence and tuck myself beneath the warm covers.  Sickness doesn't visit our household often but when it does it seems to hit everyone at once.  That's when it's time to break out the natural remedies so we can get back to enjoying life.  When someone is showing signs of sickness the first thing we do is eliminate ALL sugar and juice like crazy (although that didn't happen this time).  If that doesn't work, it's time to bring out the cold kicker.  As soon as that mysterious jar is pulled from the back of the fridge a miracle takes place. Suddenly, everyone is well and they all run quickly from the room!  I must admit:  It. Is.   NASTY. ...

One writes me - her heart aches as she looks into the precious face of her injured child only to see marks of imperfection... A friend sobs - Her marriage broken.  Desperately grasping at pieces but her dreams are shattered... A father, filled with regret - still too fearful...too proud... to open his heart and restore the relationship with his son... A mother, weeps for the baby ripped from her womb...now cradled within the dirt.  Another kisses her child's coffin after he pushed a shotgun to his head... I listen...I weep...no words.  Wounds.  Deep, bleeding wounds. In time they will become scars. ALL humanity has been broken. Some carry scars on the outside, others are imprinted upon the heart.  They're ugly.  We hide them the best we can.  Why?  Why do we hide behind a phony mask - pretend they don't exist?  Why do we view the scars of life as something bad?  Perhaps, we think they show weakness...failure. We want perf...

With a family of seven there are many debates.  Each member having their own personality and opinions.  So you can imagine what occurred when it was time to choose a name for our new little one.  After many months of discussion the list was narrowed down...just in time! Once again we all piled into the cramped room with great anticipation.  Immediately the doctors began checking for all the things they were unable to see last time.  They had some concerns with the last ultrasound: The baby was measuring unusually small and many organs were not visible.  The weeks that followed had also brought some concern with my blood pressure dropping dangerously low and a few other complications.  Honestly, the last few weeks have been a challenge.  I was worried.  Fearful.  Trying to trust God...but not doing well.  I was reminded by a wise man that such things are beyond my control.  I cannot add one moment to this baby's life....

 Hey y'all!  This post is soooo late but I had a bit of trouble the last week of September.  I kinda.. almost.. passed out in the freezer section at the store.  My husband and kids insisted I go to the doctor the following day and sure enough, I was in trouble.  My blood pressure decided to go crazy on me.  I'm doing better now.  The EKG was normal, I can see, no more nose bleeds and my head doesn't feel like it's going to explode.   Thank you to all those who have been praying!  I'm on medication now and it's helping...but my pressure is still really high.  I'm still very dizzy and feeling out there so driving and standing are difficult sometimes. However, this weekend I'm supposed to be speaking at a youth conference in Colorado Springs.  I LOVE speaking to youth because they're usually more honest than adults and we can just get down to business.  I've been really excited about it for the last month...then all this happen...

Hey everyone!  I hope y'all had a wonderful week.  It's been busy 'round here.  Canning season has begun, and right now I'm drowning in a sea of peaches!  I'm thankful for all the yummy food... but I'll be pleased when it's done and I can sit back and enjoy the changing seasons.  How about you...have you started any canning? Well, last week I wrote a post about Ann's joy dare for September if you haven't read it yet you can find it here http://riseandswine-withjessie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ugly-into-beauty.html   I knew the minute I decided to take the challenge I was asking for trouble.  Sure enough, anything that could go wrong did.  However, each time I was frustrated or discouraged I would remember the gifts I wrote down and it put a smile on my face.  If you've decided to do this challenge with me I hope you've been blessed as well.  AND - if you are keeping a journal of your gifts please share them...it would encourage so many....

For years I've kept a gratitude journal.  Looking back upon the inked words I know they have been the light my heart needed on some very dark days.  Keeping perspective is hard when all of life comes crashing down but if we stop for just a moment...think for just a moment...we see we've been blessed with so much. Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts has challenged each of us to give thanks.  Asking us to remember our blessings even in the midst of the storm.  Sounds easy enough.  Right?  Yet it's not.  To do this we must make a choice.  I must make a choice.  It must be done with intentionality.  I must pursue the search, actively seek beyond the ugliness of this world to the beauty God showers upon me each and every day. Over time, a truly grateful heart is formed.  Thankfulness becomes a habit and the lens I view the world through becomes brighter, happier, content.  If you want your children to love well...be happy...

THANK YOU for all your prayers!!! Sammy, made it through surgery and seems to be doing well!!!  Please continue to pray for her recovery.   Here is an update from Kim: "Sammy is awake this morning, with a beautiful smile that is lighting up my day..YES I'm still crying with relief, and great joy in my heart, my baby girl is a fighter and of course we say it's the GERMAN in her..she is slow today but she is doing what the doctors are asking her to do...The first thing she asked for when she woke up was her daddy...and apple juice..she is being transferred from ICU to the oncology floor, with a MRI later today to see if they got all the tumor, but she is doing great, OUR GOD IS SO GOOD...I will keep you posted on her progress, Jack and I thank you all for your prayers, hugs, and the laughter we shared in the waiting room, I do not know how I could of made it through yesterday without all of you..I'm sending hugs to everyone..love you."  Until then...

A bit ago I ask you to pray for our friends Jack and Kim you can read about it here when there is not answer to why Sammy, has not been doing well, so they have moved the surgery up to this Wednesday August 29th at 11:30 am.   Please keep her, her family and the doctors in your prayers.  And please share this prayer request with your friends and churches...the more people praying the better. Until then... Jessie

Easter is right around the corner and it's time to make those plain white eggs into a creative masterpiece.  I love it!  Honestly, even when my kids leave I'll probably still be giddy about drawing on eggs with a crayon and dunkin' them into every color until they are the perfect shade. =) It's something we do every year, but I have often wondered what nasty things were hidden inside all of those color tablets.  After exploring the truth about artificial coloring I've decided I would like to keep my family away from it as much as I can.  I know it is near impossible to remove all harmful substances in the food they consume... but if I can... why would I choose not to?  This was an easy fix.  Now, instead of buying an egg coloring kit we hunt through our cupboards and make our own. There are many options, so experiment and most of all have fun!  I would post pictures but honestly we have some of the ugliest eggs ever this ye...

The sun was shining bright. Bees buzzin'. Birds busy with their young...and dreams of gardening danced through my head. Spring was here to stay...or so I thought. Then, I woke to snow.  Thankfully it only lasted for the day.  Still, I missed the warm happy days of Spring.   When I peeked out this morning and saw the gorgeous weather, I rushed out to take in as many rays as possible.  The joys of Spring are many but there are a few unwanted accompaniments.  Looking down, I was instantly reminded of those undesired visitors lurking within the blades of green.  You know, the ones that keep your lawn from looking like a rolling hill of velvet.  You guessed it, those pesky yellow 'flowers' that become love bouquets.  For years I have sprayed...dug...and screamed.  Still they always return.  I have decided to fight the battle no longer. So...we ate them.   Really.  ...

Today I start my juice fast.  I'm excited!!!  I've done this twice before for a short period of time (7-10 days).  This time I'm hoping to make it to at least 20, especially since I've now announced it to the world.  My true goal is 30 days but I'm not sure I'll last that long. =) There are tons of benefits to juicing, and fasting this way is a great detox as well as immune booster.  After becoming very ill a few years ago, I've learned to listen to my body and take it seriously when things don't feel right.  These past few months have been very busy 'round our home...in great ways...but still busy.  I haven't been eating like I should, and I'm feeling kinda drained so it's time to get my health back on track. I won't be posting about it everyday but I will keep you posted on my progress, struggles, weight loss and recipes.  If any of you out there have done this before I would love to hear about your experie...

For those of you who have ask what it's like when I make soap...here it is All natural soap...but my neighbors wonder.... =) Hope you all have a great day! Until then... Jessie

Beware!  Natural does  NOT always equal good.  Yikes!  Definitely not one of my best moments... As many of you know - I've been on a quest for all things natural - from cleaners to hygiene products and everything in between.  We've stopped using shampoo, store bought soap (for the most part) and all those nasty household cleaners.  Yet, on occasion I pull out my stash of bleach.  I know my inner bleach queen needs to be buried...but it's a work in progress. Anyhoo, switching to a natural deodorant was of the utmost importance.  However, it quickly became clear that purchasing such a product was going to stretch our budget beyond comfortable limits.  I know what your thinking...but with teen boys we have...well...what can I say?  A great challenge before us that requires much of this sweet smelling substance.  So, after some thought I decided to google it.  How hard could it be to make my own?...

Good morning!   I hope your day has been wonderful so far.   I need your help!  About a year ago I became interested in making natural soaps.  I have very sensitive skin along with a few of my children, and store bought soaps can make us break out into hives in an instant.  The natural soaps are gentle on our skin, feel amazing, moisturize, and are a much healthier choice since we know what we are actually putting into our body.  I think many times we tend to only think of the harmful things that we ingest.  But as all of you know, our skin is the largest living organ and everything that we touch seeps through our pores.   I have given my soap as gifts before and have received many requests for more.  Everyone has loved it!  After thinking about it for a bit I thought I would try my hand at creating a business for this product.  The process take...

Ahhh, I just love waking from a good dream don't you?  There I was..Barefoot.  Frolicking through the rolling green hills.  Filling my lungs with the crisp, fresh air as rays of sunlight beat against my cheek.  Peaceful.  Content.  What a wonderful dream. The tone had been set for a delightful morning.  Upon rising I threw on my robe, slippers and grabbed a Carmel cappuccino.  Making my way to the back porch (where I like to spend time in the mornings) all felt right with the world.  The sun was shining bright.  It was quiet in the neighborhood.  With eyes closed I focused upon all that I had been blessed with and inhaled deeply hoping to breath in the clean, crisp air of my dream.  Only to be slapped into reality by the distinct odor of fresh goat droppings.  YUK!  Poo.  Poo.  Everywhere I look there is poo.  Chicken poo.  Goat poo.  Dog, ca...