Self Assessed Level 1!

I am a Level 1 (finally!) well I knew I was I just didn't fill out my check list till Saturday. Now I am working on Level 2. Lots more to do at this level. I wish it wasn't so cold!!

Parelli Connect Anyone???

Interesting version of Facebook for Parelli Savvy club members. I think it's great!!! You can get ideas and help with anything to do with your horses. I have only found 2 of my friends so far. What I like about it the most is that is gives you tasks to accomplish with your horse. Then it seems to rate your progress at a specific level. You have to be part of the program to understand all of this. But other than that it works just like facebook but has fewer apps and no games. But you can connect with anyone that is on it including Pat and Linda Parelli. Awesome!!

Yarn I'm spinning

This is the Corriedale roving I was spinning. The first photo shows the single and the true color of the yarn. The second photo is the yarn plyed and is a little bit bright because of the flash. In the first photo you can see the bag of roving behind the spinning wheel. I still have enough roving for one more skein.
Weaving is hard!!! I can't seem to get the hang of it and I will probably be taking a lesson soon. I decided to knit this shawl I have a pattern for and since I can't read patterns I will have to get some help on that as well! But I am going to use the Corriedale and the Cormo/Angora I am spinning right now to create the shawl. Purple-blue and gold will go well together. You have to knit with two yarns at the same time. (fun) I have problems with some of the stitches and need to be shown how to knit them. I will get some photos of the Cormo/Angora yarn and post those tomorrow. I am also spinning some giant angora on my drop spindle which I have an order for. I can do that while at work and I also taught my friend Norma to spin today and she is going strong. Only took her 2 minutes! Almost like she was born to do it.

Still got reason to be happy

Well even in the midst of all this I still have things I can be happy about. I have a car to get to work in, get to go to bible study tonite, and I got the roving Dustin sent yesterday. What else makes anyone more happy then having orange roving to spin??? That roving spins like a dream! (thanks Dustin!) I have no idea what I am going to do with it once it is spun. Probably will put it on my etsy store or.... I could weave a scarf with it. I built my own simple loom and have to figure out how to use it. I have been trying to figure out what yarn I want to use to warp the loom with. I think it is going to be mohair. It will be my experimental yarn for a scarf. The weft yarn is going to be angora. I have photos to post and will as soon as get them downloaded from the camera. I have corriedale yarn spun and suri alpaca spun. I also have satin angora on my drop spindle being plyed. I already have it sold. Been kind busy!

Car troubles

Well yeah, we had just got the power steering pump replaced and it was doing just fine when, lo and behold, the shift cable gives out. Can't win for losing with cars. This all happened last night too! We parked the car and worked on getting the power steering pump done and when we got in it to test it we had no gears, well only 3rd and 4th. My dad hopefully is going to figure out if he can fix it. He can make a new cable and put it in, I hope. If not then I have to yet locate a cable to buy and the last one was at a dealership in AZ and they wanted $200 for it! And this seemed to be the last one in the entire US of A! Dad's an auto body mechanic so if anybody can fix it it would be he! Oh yeah, we have another vehicle but it is also in the shop with a transmission problem. The mechanic there said he is going to work on it today. So Amanda and I are stuck with the "blue beast" (92 Dodge pickup) till somebody fixes something. Ain't life grand!

Church again

Well I finally found a church to go to. Can't believe it was just about in my own backyard. My friends, Jamie and Jill told me about it and went as well. Worship was awesome and the message was really good. Coincidence?? Have no idea... The funny thing was I got impressed upon by the Lord to start teaching again. It's always such a strong feeling. Then I get worried that my husband will not allow it. So I beat myself up all day, which is what the devil wants. By the evening I was in a foul disposition, and I guess the Lord had had enough of me doing this and just plainly said, "Have the pastor ask your husband first." Respect all people, I believe the pastor is a respecting person. So that made me feel lots better. Wednesday night they will be having a potluck and ministry meeting. I am attending to learn more about the ministry and the people here. The church is called Stonebridge Community Church and meets at the Gym at the old Natural Bridge High School. Cowboy Church is totally out of my life now even though I miss the people that go there. I know they probably don't understand the reason I left but were most likely not told either. God is not a God of division, he is a God of unity and to separate family is not what God intends for the ministry to do. It can be a choice of the people in the family but that is not the case in my family. We are all believers and it says in the Word that we are not to separate. So I will go and offer to help out and maybe get some experience in teaching the Word. I might be born again but wasn't born knowing how to teach. God is teaching me that.

Day after Rain

Well, yes it rained yesterday, at least at my house. My horses went mudboggin' and now they are plastered with mud. White horse is trying to be a brown horse. Amanda is on a weekend excursion at Liberty University and has the camera so no photos. Amanda is a senior in high school and colleges love for them to come visit. Liberty is the only college Amanda has picked out so she and her best friend went to scope out the campus. They are having a blast. I really hope she brings back lots of info on scholarships.
I do not have but mud in the pasture so I didn't get to play with Seven yesterday. I have been trying to spend a little time with him each day. I picked feet yesterday, yes muddy feet! It was quite a difference in getting my husband's horse to pick his feet up and for Seven to get his feet up. Seven was quite light but Sadarian was a plug! Sadarian does everything in slow motion. He seems to think about whatever I ask him to do first. He is the Alpha so he is probably trying to see how far he can push me. He doesn't get too far. But he isn't my partner so I don't spend a great deal of time with him. Most of my playing is on Porcupine game and Circle game since I need to sharpen these up to pass Level 1 Online. So a playing I will go!

Bunnies!!!

I promised photos of the bunnies. The first one is my new French doe, Carmela. Changed from Carmel. I wanted her name to sound more feminine. She's quite a nice-bodied doe. 6 mos old, tempting not to show her but her coat is quite soft. I think she was sheared the first time and hasn't developed much guard hair yet. She only has a 2 inch staple right now so it's hard to tell what her coat is going to mature out to. Can't wait to spin some of it though!!
Second is Soncee, both photos, in the first she actually got brave enough to see what I had in my hand. Which was the camera, then the second photo after a hasty retreat. Soncee is one of my Giant crosses out of the black litter I was working on. I saved her to show to see how body types were working out. Hadn't shown her once, should because in my opinion, she has awesome type, makes weight, and has real good density. Overall a good representative of the breed, Giant Angora. She shears out at about 8 to 10 ozs every 3 mos which is why I keep her. Besides she is quite a nice tempered girl.

What are you thinking about???

Well, what are you thinking about? Have you ever thought about what you are thinking about?? After reading a chapter in Joyce Meyer's book I started thinking. Yes, about what it is that goes thru my mind. Mark 4:24 says to be careful what we think. What we think about most is what we put the most time into. The word "meditate" means to reflect on, ponder, plan or intend in the mind. Worry is a form of meditation. It is a negative way of thinking. Did you know that what you think eventually comes out your mouth??? You speak what you believe. So if you believe negative things, that is what you think about and then you talk about them. Mostly what you speak comes to pass. So why think on those things when you can think about better and positive things?? Words are powerful. Sometimes very powerful! You can use words to hurt or to heal. But these things start in the mind. You can change your way of thinking but it takes discipline. The Lord says it's good to change your thinking to what he thinks about. Have you ever thought about what the Lord thinks about?? He actually asks you to in Romans 12:2.

When people read their bibles, some things sink in but for the most part lots don't. That's why God tells us to meditate on his Word. When you need it the Holy Spirit can bring it to your memory. Have you ever had that happen?? When you are in a discussion with someone and you don't know what to say? Sometimes you get a scripture in your head. In your mind. Most of the time for me it's after the person's left and then I get what I could have told them. I usually get back with them and share. The only way your can get these scriptures to come to the front of your mind is if you have been reading and meditating on what you read. It is written that the Holy Spirit will only tell you what he knows and that is whatever is in God's Word.

So I leave you with this... What are you thinking about? Phil 4:8 tells us what kind of things we should be thinking. A lot of things fit into these. Think on these things.

Back from SAFF

What a good time we had. I worked my butt off too!! Sherri sold 18 of the 21 rabbits she took to SAFF on Friday. Sherri breeds English and French angoras and always sells out at this show. We thought one was coming back with us but at the last minute he sold. She also sells yarn, fiber, knitted items and other things. I got a little time each day to look around but I still didn't see everything. I come home with a book and a magazine, some needle felting fiber in the colors I wanted, and some mohair to go with the carding combs I bought. I got a book on spinning novelty yarns and it also shows you how to blend different colors of fiber. I finished spinning and plying the suri alpaca last nite and started on the blue corriedale roving I have had for a while. I am going to try to create one of the novelty yarns I saw. Blue corriedale and grey mohair, just as an experiment to see if I can do it. I still need to get some carding done on Comet's fleece (alpaca) and I got more instruction on how to card better. I also came back from SAFF with another rabbit but Mirage will be going to a new home. She was taken in trade for my new red french angora doe. I will post some photos soon!

On my way to SAFF!

Well at least tomorrow I will be. I can't play with my horse as of today because of "m.u.d." He wants to play so bad, last nite he watched me pluck the wool off my French angora rabbit. Don't worry it doesn't hurt, she was ready to get rid of it as it comes right off like a dog shedding. I got close to three ounces. She feels better. I just got another inspiration for a fiber picture! I'll post it as soon as I can get it done. (which might be awhile knowing me) I rejoined the Parelli savvy club today. I decided this could get me motivated to get my Levels auditions completed. I will get some fiber to "paint" with at SAFF. I have two pictures now to get to work on among alot of fiber to get spun up and fleeces to card so I can spin that! I told myself I would not buy anymore spinning fiber till I got most of what I have spun into yarn. That'll probably take forever.... but it is so tempting!!! I hope that people will buy the yarn that I put on etsy.com. That will help.

New thing!

Hi all!!

I had hoped to get to play with my horse on Sunday and I did a little bit. After Amanda helped me move the rabbits to the barn, I had to get them all squared away with little things. Both horses were interested in the moving process. I had to take some carrots to the rabbits and naturally the horses got some too. Well as I was on my way to the house, Seven decided I had to have some more carrots on me somewhere and he followed me to the gate. I decided that we could make a game out of it. I got him over to the pedestal and asked him to get on it. (this is at liberty, I had no halter on him) I ended up with him with his front feet on the pedestal!! I also got hindquarter yields and draw back to me. Seven gets on the pedestal when I am playing on line but I have never got him to do it at liberty. He always thinks it's boring or I drive him too much. This time I must have balanced my drive and draw. How interesting!!! I also had no food on me what so ever so all I could do was "be pleased" and scratch him lots! Once Seven gets something he gets it so he kept offering to get on the pedestal! So cool!! I really had an interactive time with him and it was quality time at that. What an awesome evening!!

Horse Show Day

Today Amanda, my daughter had her last horse show of the season. She is an eventer and had a great time at this small event at Sunrise Stables. No, I didn't get any pictures (forgot the camera) but she did very well and actually improved since she was there at the beginning of the summer. Her pony Daisy, is not great in the dressage part of the event but she loves to jump and did great at those two portions. For those not knowing what I'm talking about the event has three phases, a dressage test, a stadium jumping round and a cross country round. Amanda loves to jump so her dressage has to improve if she wants to place higher. She got grouped with the adults this time because of her age I guess but she placed third today. She was happy with what she accomplished and that's all that matters. She also had fun!
I have yet to get together with Seven or Simi and do any playing!! I really need to do something and I hope it will be tomorrow. We had to get car repairs done today besides go to the horse show so it was a time consuming day. I need to get Seven into playing the Porcupine game better to pass my Level 1 because he isn't good enough for it to be a pattern yet. This is a very important game for us as it makes him alot safer to be around with ropes dragging the ground! I want to get some photos of my playtimes with him and Simi to post on the blog. Wish me luck!!!

Happenings at Living Water Farm

Well alot has happened at our farm since I last posted. Simi, the white pony got gelded and now he is out with Amanda's pony Daisy. Daisy had to come home due to Amanda changing jobs. She is doing pretty well now and even better since Simi moved in with her. Amanda is still going to a few shows and we are to get Simi started on being a riding pony. He has had the saddle on once and did very well. Sadarian and Seven are now buds again. I haven't ridden all summer and hope to get on with it as it gets cooler. I am going to start working toward my Parelli Levels achievements and can pass Level 1 right now. As soon as I can get some help I will get it taped and on youtube to be submitted to Parelli. As soon as I get my Savvy Club membership started again. I now only have 4 rabbits with one going to SAFF in a few weeks to be sold. I will try to post my day to day happenings on my Parelli journey and some spinning things as well. Right now I'm spinning some suri alpaca to send to Leslie in Meadows of Dan. (as soon as her store is reopened) I also opened up an etsy store and I might post it on there. If you want to check it out you can go to tlrobertson.etsy.com

Photos at Broadview

I told you I would post some photos so here are a few. The first is sunrise at Broadview. I had to be there at 7:30 am to get horses in and feed. I was to keep the barn organized and running smooth. The second photo is group time to get ready for a specific task. Third is Deb and her horse Spur, who was a beautiful buckskin, he was very unconfident at first but got so much better by the end of the clinic. She is working on circles on the 22. Last is a photo of one of my favorite people, Lanier on his black mare Missy. Also a closer photo of Spur and Deb. Usually Lanier rides Western but this time he rode English. Interesting... Everybody had a real good time and learned quite a bit. That includes me!

Bloggin' at Broadview Ranch

Hi all!!

Back to blogging. Ain'tcha just excited!!! I am at a Carol Coppinger retreat at Broadview Ranch. I'm not riding in it, it's a Level 4 retreat but since I'm helping I get to listen in and have my own private auditing sessions. I also get to ask lots of questions. Carol Coppinger is a 5 star premier instructor and she is amazing! I also love all the people that attend the retreat. Watching the liberty sessions is great. To see the horses finding their humans with 9 other horses and humans in the same field, Wow! I have a few photos and I will post them in the next post. (I forgot my camera usb line) I've learned about draw and about ground driving. Also about zone 3 driving and about snappy attitude. Right now I'm watching carrot stick riding with the circling game. Almost time for lunch and then back out for some more riding!!!

New Home for the Bunnies

Well I found a new home for 3 rabbits this weekend. I also gave away four large cages. Quinn, Selene, and Eclipse all went to live with Elizabeth who also has Autumn and the pearl doe I had. I had bred the pearl doe for her in the spring but being a new mother she didn't quite make a go of it. So I had seen her in WalMart and she asked about re-breeding the doe but at that point I had re-homed my bucks. Since I haven't been able to find anyone to breed her doe, I offered her the three does that I have. Actually she got to pick three of the six. Elizabeth decided that she would rather see how a few more rabbits worked out before she would maybe breed a doe. Smart girl!! She also told me that she has been shearing the rabbits with clippers and she can do it in a half hour. Wow!! Maybe I can see if she would shear mine for me. She has nicer clippers than I do and I just might invest in a pair. I am also hoping to find a good home for Mirage and I have someone interested, she just has to come get her. So as of right now I should have just two angoras, Soncee and Rosalie and Eyebock the Harlie and K-9 the Himmie.

Trusting God

Well, have alot going on in my life. I am studing the bible diligently and meditating on scripture. I have had my understanding enlightened and am finding things in the bible that I had not seen in the context I saw them before. Interesting..... One of the things I have taken to heart is trusting God. I realized I was putting way too much trust in people, their opinions and answers and neglected to ask God about what he thought. So I started trusting in Him and did he open my eyes! In reading scripture and some other books I have seen things that make total sense. In the spiritual realm....

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Everytime I read my bible something new jumps out at me in a way I've never seen it before. It's almost like I'm reading it for the first time. I also figured how I'm supposed to use my weapons. I need further training in that but train I will.

I've been in Revival this week and I have soaked up alot of truths. More on that later.

Being Patient

So yes, I need to learn some patience, again. I have just finished reading the book of Job and learned quite a few things. First that stuff just happens. It affects us all. We need to look to our Lord in the midst of our trials and he will deliver us. Just because bad things happen doesn't necessarily mean we have done something wrong. We just get caught in bad stuff, it's how you handle it that matters. As God is speaking and questioning Job I asked God to speak to me. And that he did. After reading all that I answered with a very small "no." Let God be God. He knows what happens before what happens happens. I did like something I read in this book and will post it here for all you horse lovers out there.

Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with thunder?
Can you frighten him like a locust?
His majestic snorting strikes terror.
He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He gallops into the clash of arms.
He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;
Nor does he turn back from the sword.
The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering spear and javelin.
He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;
Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.
At the blast of the trumpet he says, 'Aha!'
He smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of captains and shouting.

Job 39:19-25

Back to Cowboy Church

Well it's been about a month since I last got to attend a Cowboy Church service. I've been through alot and I have been up and down on a roller coaster of emotions and obstacles, but I've learned alot too. God has been revealing his word to me as of late. First thing I really need to do is stop depending on my feelings so much. Unfortunately I have no idea how to go about it. I will have to really work on it and recognize when I'm doing it.
What I have learned the past few days is about submission. First I had to really figure out what it was. I learned first off it is voluntary, that I do not have to submit if I so choose not to. There are always consequences for every decision you make. And I mean every decision you make whether you make decisions for God or not. I also learned that certain requirements have to be met. Another big thing I learned was that I needed to submit to God first. I had it backwards and in submitting to my husband first I was not putting God first. There is nothing quite like the turmoil you can put yourself thru by having to choose to do what God has asked and having to choose to disobey someone in your family that has authority. If I disobey my husband aren't I disobeying God?? Depends on what is being asked. I also learned about honor. Since it was father's day alot of what I heard was about children and parents. Eph 6:1 & 2 states that children are to obey. By honoring your parents you give them the authority in your life to give you instruction and they should trust you to carry it out. No questions asked. You do this because you love your parents and trust them to not instruct you to carry out something they would not do themselves. Obedience is something you should do out of love. Submission is the willingness to get under the mission of another. You should trust them not to ask you to do something that is immoral or wrong. Something else along these lines I learned was some people put things first in their lives they are not supposed to. The example was a child, they spoil the child and answer to it's every whim. When something other than God, demands attention and you answer it, it becomes what you worship. You "bow down" to this "power" in your life. That is idolatry even if it is your child or "husband." You now are letting them call the shots and are bound by fear. Heathen gods always ruled by fear.
This part just confirmed what I was learning from God on my own. I also learned that I need to be more guarded about certain things. I let alot of things in but I also let alot of things out. Most of the time I sort thru all the things I let in and I dismiss those things that do not line up with God's word. I've been lazy about sorting as of late. I've also been letting things out that I should have kept to myself. Since I am going thru another level of learning I am going to depend on God to confirm what I learn is the right thing and I will be applying it instead of asking others if I should or if it is right. God is growing my patience in waiting on him and in trusting him alot more than I have been. That means I will not be asking Steve much about God's word because we don't agree on to much of it right now. I will pray God sends someone else to discuss these things with him.

Battlefront

Well unfortunately I have been keeping a stupid battle going that I should have just given over on. Given over to God that is... Sometimes I can have the greatest faith where people just shake their heads in wonder and sometime not so great in areas I need to have that kind of faith in. This is one of those areas. Growing faith is an interesting concept and it takes God and the believer to do it, but mostly the believer. My husband and I have been disagreeing and actually fighting on one particular idea. My calling... He's OK with the fact I have been called by God to teach but he is unhappy about the where. I have been very adamant about getting back into the will of God and just seem to have a strong "focus" on this very thing. It's like I'm "direct line thinking." In horse training this is a bad thing because horses are not direct line thinkers. Anything that comes at them in a straight line has to be a predator and must be out to "eat" them! So in thinking this way maybe it's too strong. Well it came to a boiling point last week. My husband got tired of hearing me whine and cut me to the quick. I probably deserved it anyway but as I was telling him what info I got at the bible study Wed. night he just cut me down.
Then the next morning he claimed to have a "discussion" with God all night about it. So as I talked with him on the phone, he said God told him to release me and let me go. Not divorce or anything but to let me do what I had to do. God's specific directions were, "If she can't wait on me then release her to do what she thinks I need her to do." I would hear this part later cause I asked him about it. Steve (husband) also said God told him how to release me from out under his "spiritual responsibility" (hedge). I had gotten so upset about it that I called one of my good friends and explained it to her. She gave me sound biblical council on what I should do about it. She had said if he was serious about releasing me and writing a letter stating so that I should let him do it! I would still be under the submission of my husband if I did. That floored me! Didn't expect to hear that. She also said I needed to apologize for being rebellious which I can be very much so if I believe he is wrong. That made me feel better. Then came the fun part and I actually got alot out of it. Steve also "decided" to tell me of a vision he had about the "wrong" I would have committed. He said that I would have went back to where I wanted to be without him and would have eventually divorced him. (stupid) Then I would have single-handedly brought that entire ministry to ruin by my "disobedience." The people there would have blamed Steve for it and I would have been "alienated" from everybody. What a pretty picture!! I didn't believe it for some reason and that is the first time I've had a problem with what Steve has said about what God told him. But it was about me and I guess I got defensive about it.
I seemed to be OK with him the rest of the evening but after he left and I went to bed things got real bad. I went into a state of mental anguish and cried myself to sleep. I told God that I wanted to give his gift of teaching back since I couldn't use it. I knew he wouldn't take it back anyway. I was so upset I don't know what come over me but it was an attack and it was trying to get me to give up. I also made a decision to not discuss God with Steve anymore. I just don't feel like getting cut down anymore. Pride and jealousy just suck! I don't know why he thinks he's got to be better than me anyway. I guess I know nothing. Well I just keep my thoughts to myself now. The next day I was still really down and I got to call my friend again and she helped me see what I needed to see thru to help me. I also told her of the vision Steve told me. We both decided then and there it wasn't a message from the Lord.
I actually got something on that the next day. So I dissected it. Steve had said "if she won't wait on me" I don't really think that God is who I need to wait on in terms of my calling it's Steve I am waiting on. The only reason I think he would want to release me would be so I would just shut up. Besides he cannot release me of his spiritual responsibility anyway. I would have to be dead for that to take place. As far as the ministry to ruin and alienation, that seems to be going on right now. Steve needs to get where God has sent us and I guess that is where I have to wait on God to fix it. Our ministry for God as far as what God has called us to do has come to a screeching halt and I don't get to see my friends from the church much at all anymore. I do feel "left out and alienated". I don't know if it's this drive to get back to God's calling for my life that is causing me to be just outspoken or what.
Well to wrap this all up, my friend gave me more council and I asked God to forgive me for being so stupid and I had to ask Steve to forgive me for being rebellious and I just put all this in God's hands and let him deal with it. That's where the faith comes in. That's what I should have done from the beginning but my faith is weak in this kind of thing and I have a hard time doing this. But I will learn alot from this battle. My friend said "give it to God and if it's your calling that God wants you where he has sent you then he will move Steve out of the way so you can go there." God will move Steve and I have faith that he will do that. What I lack on this is patience. I feel I really need to be busy about God's work. I know what he has called me to do and I want to do it but I can't right now because of Steve. I am on a path of learning again and I will just have to take a break and learn more. I do have something new to do. My friend Jill is going to tutor me on how to put together a bible study on a subject. Now granted I know how to do this already and God gives me the material but I think she will give me a little more insight and maybe I can practice more with the presentation because even in front of her I am nervous!

Daily Confession

Today is a good day. I will have lots of fun and learn new things. The life of God is in me and His life gives light to my mind. I am strong and healthy. I am well favored spirit, soul, and body. The life of God is in me and His life gives health to my body. The angels of God are around me and protect me, so nothing bad happens to me. And God gives me what I need for each day so I have no lack, but I have abundance. And God gives me the wisdom and understanding in every situation I face, so I know what to do. I am nice. I am polite. I keep my body under control. And in everything I do I do my best. I know my God and in Him I am strong and do great things. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Repeat every morning or as many times as necessary throughout the day.

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers...

As I was laying in bed this morning, I seemed to get a revelation of sorts. This scripture came to mind.....



And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Eph 4:11-12



There is more to this verse but I was meant to dwell on this particular part. You may read it if you wish as it gives more reasons for the verse 11.

So I got to thinking, which is my favorite pastime, and I also have to discern whether this is God talking or something else. You know other things can talk to you too. So I am thinking apostles, prophets, evengelists, pastors and teachers. I then think about teachers, hummm.... I also have to have a basic understanding of these 5 offices. Apostles someone told me are "church planters" but my bible commentary says "ambassadors". Prophets are someone who hears from God about future events but it also has to line up with God's word. Prophets can also bring words of encouragement or correction. Evengelists are gospel preachers. They hold revivals to bring people into the body of Christ and if there is a calling on their life they can be identified and put to work for the cause of the ministry. Now they don't have to answer the call. Pastors are shepherds of the church with a calling to feed the sheep. (congregation) All people need to be fed "spiritual food" for their spirit to grow and mature. Pastors are the main people for this job. But teachers also feed to sheep and are more to equip believers than pastors are. Teachers are the main way believers get their equipping done. Besides people have to pray and study on their own as well. But questions and discussions are best answered by either the pastor or teacher. I think that's why this scripture links them so close together. But if you think about it a bit all these offices need to have an extensive knowledge of the Word of God hence they go to bible college. Pastors and teachers even more so since they are the ones who have more contact with people on a daily basis. So the question that I was having answered is are teachers actually classified as pastors as well. Since most pastors are teachers and teachers can aspire to be pastors. Are they one in the same???? Is it the same role??? Now I've heard some pastors preach messages that have had no teaching in it whatsoever "for me". Their message might have spoke to someone else that needed to hear it just not me. So in the verse it says "some pastors and teachers" like it links these two together so as I would see it pastors are teachers and teachers are pastors so that would mean pastors are the only ones who should teach. And this brings us to the real issue of the message, can this role be filled by a woman???? But the question is answered that pastors are teachers and if you have a calling of a teacher then you are called as a pastor as well or serve in a pastoral role. What an interesting observation!!! But on the other hand is an overseer and a pastor the same??? It seems so but then the job description of an overseer seem to differ from a pastor. In 1 Timothy, it says of elders that there are the ones who oversee the church and others that "labor in the Word and doctrine." So you can be an elder and not preach or teach. Because this verse refers to "double honor" as one who rules well and preaches/teaches. (1 Tim 5:17) So can a pastor run the church and have someone else preach and teach?? Haven't seen this. I think my brain is about puzzled out so I will continue this thread another day and maybe get more on this later. (if I am confused then by all means feel free to fix it)

Anybody know how to add music to the blog??? I would like to have a song that I chose to play when someone checks out my blog. Thanks in advance!!

Letting Go

My heart beats standing on the edge,
but my feet have finally left the ledge.
Like an acrobat there's no turning back..

I'm letting go of the life I've planned for me
and my dreams..
I'm losing control of my destiny
it feels like I've fallen and that's what it's like to believe.

This is a giant leap of faith,
trusting and trying to embrace.
The fear of the unknown beyond my comfort zone.

I'm letting go of the life I've planned for me
and my dreams..
I'm losing control of my destiny
it feels like I've fallen and that's what it's like to believe.

Giving in to gravity, knowing you are holding me
I'm not afraid....

I'm letting go of the life I've planned for me
and my dreams...
I'm losing control of my destiny
it feels like I've fallen and that's what it's like to believe.

It feels like I've fallen and this is the life for me...

This is the song I connected with when I started the bible study I was teaching. It really gave me a joyful spirit and spoke to me, encouraged me. It was something to get out of my comfort zone and really do something for God. Not that I haven't before this just felt different. I hope and am praying that God will use me in this avenue again.

Romans 8

If God is for us, who can be against us?? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31,35,38-39
This is the verse I am thinking about today. Even though I am separated from my church family and friends, nothing can separate me from the love of God!!!

I am reading a book given to me by a co-worker and sister in the Lord, "The Complete idiot''s Guide to The Bible" and it is a splendid read! Full of history which is exactly what I am thirsting for. A rundown of the high points of each biblical book.

Handspinning clinic

OK, this blog will still be about the happenings around the farm and spinning! Crimp Haven Alpacas invited me to give a Drop Spindle clinic and it was this weekend. I had 6 students and by the end of the sesson everybody was making yarn!! Mike and Jeanne Wilson of Lexington, VA were the gracious hosts. They supplied the place and Elizabeth Jackson of Saville Hill Farm supplied the spindles. Elizabeth's husband makes these. As you can see we had a terrific time. I supplied the knowledge and some roving and we were off! Elizabeth also provided kits for sale and several people bought them. Four of these people were Alpaca breeders and others knitters. It's great when you can create something that you helped God raise right in your own backyard. Awesome!!

Romans 12:2 "Why am I like this?"

It seems that I was spiritually connected somewhere. The pastor at my old church preached a series on the very same thing I was teaching in the bible study. Interesting... He just does a lot better than I ever could. I learned quite a bit and with his permission will try and share it here.
We focused on Romans 12:1-2 last week in the bible study. Pastor Eppard focused on Romans 12:2 which reads..

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

The devil wants us to be "conformed to the world" and he, I believe helps us to create comfort zones. It was explained as if you have cattle and you need to confine them so you put them in a pen. The pen or fence is the comfort zone where you feel "secure." This really got into my spirit because in stepping out and leading a bible study, I "got out of the pen." I got outside my comfort zone of just sitting in the congregation. So as I see it the devil has been chasing me around for two months trying to throw me back in the pen!!! but now I'm not happy in the pen and I keep getting out!
Pastor Eppard also said that you need to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." How many times have we heard this?? If you were in the bible study, you heard it every week. He explained it quite nicely, "not by praying you'll be different but by applying the Word to your circustances and experiences and finding out what God says." God wants the new creation that you are to shine thru. You implant the Word into your spirit. This doesn't happen by osmosis folks, it's by repeatedly choosing and doing what the Word says for that situation. It's like grafting a branch to a new tree. It doesn't happen overnight, it takes a few weeks for the tree to "accept" the new branch. (accept is the key word here) You also have to "receive and believe" what the Word says about you, about who you are as a new creation in Christ.

Pastor Eppard taught that you need to make a "Quality decision" that your life will not remain the same. Did I ever learn that! Doing something God called me to do and stepping into that role changed my perspective on a lot of things. When you feel and see the spirit working how can you not make a quality decision ?? Well some people can. The definition of a Quality decision is a decision that you do not pull back from. Don't let your past experiences dictate what you do today!! Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord. God will help you face your "giants" but you have to want to step up to the plate and say you're ready. I am going to keep on teaching and give the devil a run for his money!!

Ministry

Well God gave me an idea that I can still do ministry, on what else, my blog!
On Wednesday, the worst day I had this week, God gave me this scripture and I finally decided to stand on it. (I can be kinda stubborn)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Yeah, "count it all joy", being separated from my friends at church is really a reason to be joyful!!! Never to worship with them again, or so it seems to me. I cry like three times a day and just about every time I think about it. But God is faithful and he will give me the strength to endure it. Tomorrow I go back to my old church in Staunton. I will reunite with some friends there. I know they will be glad to see us. I just didn't have the bond at this church as I did with CC of VA.
If I read the rest of the verse in James it says count it all joy when you fall into various trials. (I'd say I'm in a trial.) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. The "testing of your faith" well I suppose since I stepped up a level now I need to see how faithful I am. God told me to continue on remaining faithful to him. My friend Rhonda said to me, "new level, new devil" and I know how true that is turning out. Satan had to send one of his meaner demons but it isn't going to get me down!! I will stand on the promises and authority that God has given me and go on.
So if the testing of my faith produces patience I need to wait and see what God has up his sleeve now.
The rest of the verse says this, But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Perfect and complete, lacking nothing....
So I best practice some patience even though my will says "I wish patience would move a little faster!"
I know God will not fail me.

Cowboy Church of VA

Well, a chapter closed temporarily in our lives for now. I have a strong hope I will be back and hoping for my family as well. Maybe it is not for them to serve in ministry?? Who knows. It all just seemed to fall apart, Satan just ripped it to shreds and used family members against us. And I mean a family member! My husband was so blinded that he got upset and took some things a little too personal and stated that we all have to have nothing more to do with Cowboy Church. So we can't even attend. I had to step down from my bible study I was leading and the sadness I felt from having to leave all my friends was very painful. I had formed a bond with these folks stronger than any I have ever had with any other church group. They literaly were my extended family, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I know it seems quite unfair but God's got a plan and I know he doesn't like to see things separtated. Especially families. I got a bunch of encouragement and lots of prayer and I am praying that my husband will see things thru different eyes and repent (turn back). I am also hoping that God's grace will be able to move hearts and also change minds to see things as he sees them. Humility is a big key to this. I will be in constant prayer over this ministry and of our situation.

Storm

Yesterday we had a horrid storm. Worst I've seen at my house. I was at work when it came thru Lexington but when I got home the damage had been done. Praise God nothing major happened! I had two big limbs off the trees next to my house break. One broke over the neighbors fence with no damage as I could see. The other broke and landed on my powerline that went to my house! Scared me to death!! I made a call to the power company and reported it. I had bible study last night in Roanoke so by the time I got home we had power and the branches were cut. I don't really know who cut the trees but they cut both of them up. Thank you to whoever did that!! Now this afternoon I get to clean up the mess. I still can't really get in my front door!!

Soncee

Soncee, yes Soncee. She is the littermate to Eclipse. I kept her to show. This girl has it all even if she is a German cross (62%) She weighs 10 + lbs, not exact on the weight but it's been a while since I weighted her. She has great body type, real solid and nice even fiber with good density. Even more so than Eclipse since REW's tend to have better density. She is about 2 1\2 yrs old. A maiden, never been bred. Non- matting coat and a decent temperment. She's not going to take your hand off or anything as she's quite shy, a scaredy-cat even. Being so nervous I'm not sure what kind of momma she'd make. For sale and yet $50 with pedigree. (you can see how shy she is, won't even give me a face shot)

Eclipse

This is Eclipse. She is a 62% German cross in black and my second generation attempt at a black Giant. Was hoping to breed her to a black buck so to set the color more and boost the percentage a little bit. But be that it may have nowhere for bunnies to go and no market for meat either so that's why she's not been bred. Her sire is LW Samauri and her dam is LW Miranda who is half French. (hence the color) Sam is a REW. She has excellent not matting fiber, great crimp and density. I think I sheared 10oz of prime off her 3 mos ago. (during the cold spell) She is in the process of shearing now as I have yet to do the front of her. (that will be today) She has no white spots but some of her siblings did. She is for sale, $50 with pedigree.

Tannis

This is Tannis. He is as close to 100% German as you can get in color. He is a rich chestnut. Real nice fiber with good density. He's got nice ear tasseling. His mom is ISS Autumn and his dad is Sting. Sting is a 100% German buck. Good temperment and pretty easy going. He's a bit on the small side maybe weighing in at 7 lbs. He probably produces 10 ozs of fiber easy. I just can't remember what the weight was last time I sheared him.

Rabbits

LW Mirage

She is a German angora with courser fiber than all my other rabbits. She has a French angora-like quality to her fiber. Good guard hair which would mean a better halo on a garment. She has a bit of a drop ear on her left. But she is a big girl weighing 12 lbs. Her temperment is that of any other doe, she is a "no touching" kind of bun. I have never shown her because of the ear, (it used to be lower, now it sticks out kinda horizontal.) I haven't bred her because of the economy and it seems that I just do not have a market for the bunnies. Everybody else seems to but not me. I will be lucky to find homes for the rabbits I have now. Her mother, LW Mystique I have shown and she was a awesome bun. Took lots of BOB's and I think she still does now. I am asking $50 for her just to at least find her a good home. She is worth more than that. Her fiber alone is worth $50 every three months.

Leadership with Cowboy Church

I have been attending our Cowboy Church for over a year now and about 2 months ago I asked to lead a bible study. Well Wednesday of last week was my first day. I did very well, we are studying the book of Romans. It should last about 7 more weeks. This past Sunday Cowboy Church held a "Leadership Conference" and it was amazing!! The conference pretty much sums up how Cowboy Church came into existance and how things are run. It gives you a "what you can expect and why". This is my third conference and this one was the best one yet! It was a little different and we had worship interspersed within the lectures. We also had breakfast, lunch and dinner. My entire family has a call of ministry and we now need to step into that call. I have been waiting patiently for the Lord to make his will known and he had done so. My family has been called to lead a new team to pastor two Cowboy churches which frees up the original team to plant more. In this new call of ministry I have to make some sacrifices, one is my rabbits all have to find new homes. I will be traveling alot and will just not have the time it takes to keep them all clipped and groomed. I am sad but God prepared my heart for this some time before. Our horses will be traveling with us if the need arises as they are a part of the ministry. The dogs will also be going and the cat can take care of herself. Our finances have reflected the cost of traveling already so we know we can do this. God has already made the provision. I will be posting photos of the bunnies and a small paragraph about them in the coming weeks. Their price will be wooler pricing, $50 each. Please keep our family in your prayers!

Knitting happy colors

Here is what I have been knitting of late. Dishcloths/washcloths. They are a very easy pattern and I can knit one up in about 3 hrs. I seem to like a project I can finish so I can move on to another. It gives me a sense on accomplishment. I have been knitting these in cotton yarn in both organic and inorganic. Organic yarn is quite expensive compared to the inorganic. I also have to either order it online which incurs a shipping charge, (which makes it even more expensive) or go an hour's drive to a store that carries it. I have also toyed with the idea of knitting a triangle shawl in the same pattern and maybe with the cotton yarn. Not sure how much it would take to do it but the shawl would be a bit on the heavy side I'm sure. The photos are organic first then inorganic. Aren't the colors pretty???

Moving Poop!

I adveritsed on my local freecycle that my horse manure was up for grabs. It is a u-load operation and I have had several takers on this project. The biggest pile of manure I had mounded up when a friend had come over with his big tractor last fall to do some leveling out for us. It is rich and dark black, a gardener's dream. I hope to get rid of it all by the end of the month. Not much on the homefront besides the usuals, rabbits to shear (again), horses to play with and I wish it would warm up so I won't be so cold when I go outside!!

It got Warm!!!

Well, finally I got a good warm week and you know I did nothing but brush the horses! Last week Amanda and I decided to see what Simi would do if we put some weight on him. Amanda being the lighter and having the most game got to lay over his back. I brushed him first and then we started out by jumping up and down next to him. It progressed to laying on him for a few seconds to a minute. We did both sides and he was quite cool about it and just turned his head to sniff Amanda as to say "how did you get over here??" I measured all the horses last Sat and Simi measured at 13 hh. He will be two in April and is quite a nice looking boy. Still got to get him gelded though. He is quite good natured but we also have no mares. Simi is quite the cuddle bug too. Sadarian measured at 14.2 hh and Seven measured at 15 hh. We think they are actually taller. (I don't really trust the measurement tape) I need to buy a measuring stick or make one so I can get an acurate height. I finally found the camera and want to get photos up stat!!

So much for photos!

Can't seem to find the camera! Oh well, Still have two more rabbits to clip but am having issues with this cold weather. I am also having problems with getting hay to the round bale feeder. I do have the help of a friend with a tractor but the sqaure bales we have to carry by hand. Across the backyard and thru the field to the barn. Good thing we only get 10 at a time. The horses are staying pretty clean with all the snow but when it melts then it's mud central and they are wallowing in it! Simi is still a bit dirty because he is white and dirt just seems to like him better. I can't wait for the snow to be gone and the mud too. That way the truck can get in the field and we can stock up on hay. It'll be summer before that happens!!

Clipping bunnies

Well at least I'm trying to anyway. I did get started on Tannis, my chestnut agouti German buck. I will post a photo of him when I get him done. Tannis is got a buck head. Nice big and ears well set. He produces a nice fleece with plenty of crimp and nice banding pattern. His mom was a 98.5% German, same color as him and his sire was 100% old line German. Haven't weighed him but I'll put an update in later when I get a photo. He's got a good temperment and does very well for shearing. I'm always picking on him for his one flaw... he gets a really dirty butt. So he is handled more than most. He's quite the gentleman about it though.

Back to blogging

Well I hope that to be true! I am going to try to blog at least once a week. Steve finally got a job and we are on the road to recovery of our finances. We were not that bad even though we need to play catch up on some things. I think I am going to showcase my angoras and post a photo of them and write a little paragraph about them. I only have eight. I will be getting Simi started, our Medicine Hat paint, and he is now for sale if anyone is interested. I will be posting his progress as I start him under saddle. He is going to be quite a jumper but I will not even think about that till he is much older. Once he has found his perfect partner and new home we are going to move the rabbits to his stall in the barn. We have decided that two horses are all we need and we are going to keep from getting anymore unless someone needs a horse started out or needs work put on one. The value with that is it goes back home!