Winter chills

Good Morning Ya'll-

Nice, crisp winter temps today! 

Needless to say I am missing summer, BIG TIME!

I went back through my pictures to remind myself how nice and green summertime is! These photo's were taken at my first farm internship about 20 miles from here. 

Chores are challenging with it so cold outside. I have to find a different plan for keeping the water thawed for the hens......its almost worthless to go and water them cause it literally freezes within the next hour 😞

I started classes this week! So far its been really nice and we've gone over a few songs that are new to me and one in particular called "Northern Lights" by the Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo. Its Latin words too which is certainly a change for me. But the song is super pretty! 

Here, you can listen to the song! 

We will have two concerts coming up to sing for, that's exciting! 

Writing papers, studying, being diligent to my commitments, discipline, practice, motivation, reading, singing, playing piano, chores, walking, late nights, eating well and dressing for the cold weather.

These are just a few of the things I find myself doing of late. Praise the Lord for helping me learn to be a better doer then a procrastinator! 

MY GOAL=

"Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy." ~Psalm 33:3

+

"The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." ~Proverbs 28:1

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Egg in a hole, with buttery, crusty bread, avocado and crispy bacon! Delicious breakfast! 

 I'm making crispy almonds from Nourishing Traditions children'c cookbook. Soaking and dehydrating the almonds helps make them easier for the body to digest. 

I love crispy almonds with raisins as a good snack. You have your protein and a natural sweetener.

I took the training and passed the exam for applying for the MN Cottage Food license! I will check with my local court house to make sure I am within the county's laws and then send my registration in.So I can hopefully sell certain products from our home kitchen. 

I have been doing some doodling to figure out a logo to use on my products. And I am also looking into some online marketing tips from a few experienced friends. 

Snow is pretty!

How is everyone's winter going?

Please comment below if you enjoy reading my blog. I sure appreciate the encouragement!

Till He Comes,

Emmygirl

What's up!

Hey Ya'll!

How is life been for everyone?!  Is it cold for ya too? Temps were in the -5 degree range tonight.

Cold, black coffee! 😀 Just the way I like it! 

Chores included shoveling this morning. WE GOT SNOW! 

I also shoveled more snow up against the coop to keep it better insulated. 

Our cat likes being in with the chickens and the hens don't seem to mind having her around so she stays in the coop. Taking car of any mice issues we could incur. 

 Momma has been baking away this afternoon and made a plentiful days work of bread! Yay! Sandwiches! Its a delicious crusty bread too! Here is a link to the recipe!

http://theelliotthomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Poster-23.pdf

So a new thing that happened in my life was starting college. Now technically, I am not a full time student. I am only taking one credit and applied as a non-degree student. But with the application comes getting alot of things set up for the new semester and taking advantage of what NDSCS in Wahpeton has to offer. My first class started today and I am really hoping/praying it helps me become more bold in my singing ability! I am taking concert choir.

Later this evening I attended CRU. It was nice to spend time with some like-minded people and mainly getting to know some girls 😄💗 Lord willing, it looks like some possibilities of ministry have opened up with that group and I eagerly await the Lord's direction on where He is taking me next!

I'm very excited to see how the Lord has been working on my life and working everything out for His glory! I am simply amazed at how He has allowed me to bless others with my gifts and to also provide the opportunity to do so! He always amazes me with His enduring love, faithfulness and guidance for my life. I serve an amazing Lord! I have so many blessings too.....not only is Christ allowing me to go to college but He also is providing for my every need so far and I know HE will continue to do so for His honor and glory in the future too.

BLESSINGS:

A running vehicle, money for various needs, a well working phone and laptop, the knowledge of logic, good Christian radio (Heaven 88.7) worship songs, a bible, cute journals, fun gel pens, water to drink, books to read, time to study, learning to better manage my time, a warm jacket, girlfriends, snow!, a home, sleep, prayer, mismatched socks, organized room, my family and a cozy bed. 

What are some of your blessings today?

Till He Comes, 

Emmygirl

2017 Youth Rally

Hey guys.....P.S.

Here is the video I put together, with my photography taken at the Youth Rally my brothers and I attended this weekend! It was such an amazing time and I came away with so much encouragement and lots of notes 😉😉

Last year

Howdy Ya'll-

Here are a couple videos I made to make up for the posts I didn't have time to write! 

I hope ya'll enjoy! 

Our Christmas Eve Appetizer Party ^ 

Goodbye 2016, hello 2017! 

W0w, do the years just speed up as I grow older?  It sure seems like that! 

I am learning to count each day God gives me as a super, duper blessing! Thank you to everyone who has been by my side, challenged me, guided me, loved me, teased me, made me laugh when it was hard and prayed for me! TO God be the GLORY, and HONOR and PRAISES!!!!!

Please let me know if any of ya have prayer requests! I have a daily prayer list and I would be more then happy to add you to that list! 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!💖

Till He Comes,

Emmygirl

sewing -~-~-~-~

Howdy Ya'll-

Uffda, I am so behind with writing.....I have at least 3 blog posts I've wanted to post a few weeks ago! Jeepers, time sure does fly....my brain has a hard time keeping up sometimes.

Oh well, I shall simply update ya'll on what I did today then. God knows my struggle and will provide the right timing for everything!

So I cracked out the ole' sewing machine to get a few projects done this afternoon. Took a while to get back in the swing of how one works again, but I sure gott'er! After some frustration, anger and hatred, I am sad to report. Its a crazy love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. Hopefully using it more will bring less struggle. 😉😜

Beautiful picture right there! 

 So I was making a infinity scarf from this book here "Sewing Happiness" 

I actually ended up making 4 of them, they are quite easy to make once you get into the swing of it and also will make lovely gifts for some women I know :) 

 I also did some hand sewing on my skirt add on here. Though I am not a real fan of horses this border looks lovely encircling the bottom of my skirt! :) 

I roasted a delicious natural, free-range pastured chicken for supper! I brushed the top with melted butter and some various seasonings. It filled the house with a wonderful aroma.....I think I am starting to like chicken again! 

I de-boned what was left afterwards and am in the process of cooking up chicken bone broth.

Its sooooo good for you too! It it is rich in minerals and a great supporter of the healthy immune systems! ALL you sickies out there listen up! 

https://wellnessmama.com/23777/bone-broth-benefits/

Well, I see its almost midnight. I should probably get some sleep.

My brothers and I are heading to Detroit Lakes tomorrow for a youth rally at a church there! 

There will be skiing, games, food and a good speaker from what I know. It looks like fun! 

Till He Comes,

Emmygirl

His Suffering.....

   Little is my need to voice my complaints. 

For I am reminded of Christ's suffering, his broken body, 

poured out for us. "For this is My blood of the covenant, 

which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sin." 

~Matthew 26:28

"Do this in remembrance of Me."

   I think it good to reflect upon and imagine His gruesome 

suffering, pain and humiliation on our behalf.

"He paid a debt I could not pay. I owed a debt I could not pay." 

Who am I, to say to God 

"Why are you doing this to me?!" or "This hurts too much!"

   A crown of thorns cut into His skull and bled out rivers of red. Jesus was scourged. He was whipped with strands of leather. Leather strips bound together with tips of metal. He was bound to a post. Only to have the flesh on His back get ripped to literal shreds. And the humiliation deepens. A wet face from human spit is revealed, stinging no doubt from the torn flesh on His face. Used as a human punching bag, to be hit countless times. His frame weakens from this. Alas, He is expected to carry His cross, weighing up to 200 lbs. He has scars on His wrists and ankles from pieces of metal more similar to pole barn spikes I'd say...used to bind Him on the cross for 3 hours. Even after all this, He refuses a drink purposed for numbing the pain sensors in His body. 

Bloody, bruised, hurting, crushed, humiliated, disgraced, and hated. I know not who hurts more: The Father or the Son. The Father knowing what is best, yet pained Him so deeply to see His Son suffer. 

   If that doesn't humble you and stop you in your complaining

 tracks, I know not what will.Your suffering and pain sure seems 

minor now. Its very unfathomable how after all that suffering He is 

yet able to extend mercy and understanding to us and our little hurts! 

"Christ was willing to be broken bread for the life of the world. 

He was poured out like wine. This means He accepted being

ground like wheat and crushed like the grape. Our small hurts,

so infinitely smaller then His, may yet be trustfully surrendered 

to His transforming work. The trial of faith is a thing worth more

than gold." ~Quest for Love, Elizabeth Elliot.

Written by: Emmy Tolbert

When: Communion Sunday. January 1st 2017

A Country Girls Paradise

   She stands by the window, only illuminated by a single candle
in each window frame. Contemplating  her past year. Her eyes
rest on the city lights, remembering just a few short months
earlier such a different life. Amazed, with the ability God gave
 her to see beauty in things so easily taken for granted. In awe,
in how her life has changed. Finding peace and contentment,
she watches the clouds slowly move a crossed the sky, giving
a partial glow to the night. Gazing at the perfectly placed stars
her heart is filled with joy. There is an unexplainable peace in
the quiet of the dark log home that surprises this country girl.
New! Fresh!
   She's been through hard times, arguments, separation and
a wanting to shrink from the pain and madness. Forced happiness,
fake smiles, heartbreak and tears. A place where she never felt
so alone. There have been times when she cried, "Why do I feel!?!?!"
     "I told myself I'd make a brand new start." With Christ as my
center. "I am never looking back".  A New Year means a fresh
start and a happiness unbelievable....finally in God's Will! So
incrediably thankful and joyous is she!
Her life now learning its focus to be on what Christ wants for
and will do in her life. She has gained maturity, patience, joy
contentment and trust in the Lord for her future.
   Her countence is one of ultimate grace, genuineness, joy
"cheery", peace, smiles galore, contented and happiness.
He is restoring me!
  "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself
RESTORE, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN AND ESTABLISH you."
~1 Peter 5:10

Written by: Emmy Tolbert
When: December 31st 2016 @ 11:50 pm