Sugar Season 2017

   

   This was our 7th year processing maple sap into syrup and sugar! The idea of tapping our maple trees had never crossed my mind until we visited a local event where they were demonstrating it. When we got home, Dad said "let's tap our maple trees!" My first thought was; What? We don't have anything to do that with! But then again... if Dad thinks we can figure this out... let's do it! And so we did! For make-shift taps Dad took copper pipe and cut it into 3-4 inch lengths, drilled a hole in our front maple tree, tapped the pipe in and hung a milk jug from the piping! And that was that, the beginning of a new family farm tradition! Over the years we have invested in more "sophisticated" equipment. Including real taps, hoses, 5 gallon buckets and this 20 gallon boiling pan.

One extra cold morning the sap had turned to ice in the buckets!  

When it is getting close to done, we bring it in the house to finish it on the stove.

  I made a batch of syrup into a sugar. Here are some pictures from that process...

 Boiling the syrup into granulated sugar is a bubbly, hot job, that requires constant stirring, so it doesn't burn or boil over!

At one point it looked kinda like I had a big pot of boiling peanut butter! ↑  

And here it is...  Maple sugar!↑I would say that it tastes pretty much exactly like maple syrup, just in a different form. It is excellent for baking!

Many Years Ago...

Little sweet sister and me!

Psalm 27:13-14

Simpler And A Little More Country!

   If you know me personally you know that I love decorating, organizing and simplifying! Today it was this blog's turn to get a little bit of all three from me! I wanted a design that was simpler and a little more country!

Truth Set Me Free

    God's Word is Truth! Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) And it has the power to set you and I spiritually & emotionally free! And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

   I haven't had the worst lot in life, but over the years there have been circumstances that took their toll on me emotionally and then spiritually. Not unlike most people, I imagine… Life here on earth can just be plain hard sometimes! So what are we to do when life has given us a beating and we are feeling down and struggling to see the goodness of God? What are we to do when we are struggling to have hope for the future, when our pasts have seemingly stolen it right from under our feet? What are we to do when we know in theory that God is good and powerful, but our hearts are far from believing it in the reality of our brokenness? Some deny the faith, turning to drugs, alcohol, immorality, false religions… And end up even more hopeless… But we don’t have to! We can turn to God’s Word and find all the strength and healing power that we need! When the storms of life are raging, we need to fight with the sword of the spirit, which is God’s word! (Ephesians 6:17)
   

   And so it was when I found myself in the place of little hope and many fears that I turned to the word of God, searching for verses that directly addressed the fears and struggles that I was battling. I printed them out on a paper and took it with me everywhere! Whenever I felt bondage from my past creeping up on me, I would read through them, pray through them and soon without trying I had them memorized! And the power of scripture really did begin to change me from the inside out. Not over night, but over time and continually so! These are what I call my bondage-breaking verses:

Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; {32}  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."               John 8:31

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"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." Romans 8:15

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. {8} We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;{9} Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:6-9

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: {4} (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) {5} Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, {2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. {7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:6-8

 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. {29} He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.{30} Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: {31} But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

And he said unto me,  My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalms 16:11

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  {22} It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  {23} They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  {24} The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  {25} The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  {26} It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:21-26

   These are the verses that met me in my need. That God used to bring reviving hope and renewing faith into my life! But what about you? Where are you at today? Wherever you are and whatever you may be going through, God's word can meet you there! Search the scriptures for yourself. And let God use His Word (TRUTH!) to set YOU free!

Morning Light

Quote By: A. W. TOZER

   O God, I have tasted of thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. O God, the triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away with me." (Song of Solomon 2:10) Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A.W. TOZER, The Pursuit of God