ON OCTOBER 28, 34 YEARS AGO......

On October 28, 1971, I
was a new bride, only 18 years young. I had met my husband in 1969, when I was just entering my Junior year of high school. We had fallen in love, and after more than 2 years of off and on romance, we got married on September 18, 1971. It did not take long for the rosy blush of marriage to fade, and neither of us were very happy.

33 years ago, today, I...
had already given birth to our firstborn...a beautiful baby girl we named Giselle.

31 years ago, today, I...
had already given birth to Giselle's baby sister, Gina.

27 years ago, today, I...
was serving my new Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom which, my husband and I would now have been divorced for over 27 years!!! Shortly after I met Jesus, my husband came to know Him also, and our lives have NEVER been the same since!!!! ( I have ALWAYS been thankful that my husband came to the Lord so quickly after me....how I would have struggled as the only believer in the marriage...God knows)

22 years ago, today, I...
was raising another beautiful daughter, Krystal, ours by adoption.

17 years ago, today, I...
was pregnant for our 4th child, a son, whom we named Samuel, after the Samuel in the Bible, whose mother had prayed for years for a child. We had been believing God for another child shortly after becoming born-again. How awesome would that be, we thought, to raise a child from the womb, as believers. But, it was not to be...for 12 long years we prayed, and...nothing. Then the miracle...our son. I walked on air for 9 months. And smiled...all the time.

14 years ago, today, I...
was pregnant...again!!! This time, for our last, and precious, daughter, Avery. Oh, the goodness of the Lord!!!

6 years ago, today, I...
had already buried my best friend, my mom. Miss her greatly, but have no regrets.
Found an awesome fellowship of like-minded believers, where we have been fed the Word with power and might. We have seen more changes in our walk with the Lord in the past 6 years, than we have seen in the previous 22 years as believers. We thank God for our incredible pastor and his wife.

3 years ago, today, I...
had already seen my only sibling, my sister, thru some devastating withdrawals from being over-medicated by her so-called doctor...only to lose her thru a freak accident. I miss her greatly...and have MANY regrets.

So far this year, I...
have taken a cruise with my husband, our 2 younger children, my dad, and his friend...and had the time of our lives!! I have gone to work...albeit, part time...which has sent my own, private little world as a secluded believer, in a tizzy! I have lost 35#, watching what I eat, using the South Beach Diet principles, and running 3X a week, 3 miles each run. I have run two separate 5k's, each one with a personal record! (can you believe I am 52 years old, and have run 2 5k's this year???)I have stretched myself, reaching out to people I never would have thought I would ever be friends with. I have seen strong believers in the same Lord and Savior I serve, fall away and serve other gods. Truly, it is the end of times.

Yesterday, I....
got up and ran my 3 miles, even tho that was the last thing i wanted to do...at my age, arthritis is entwining it's evil tentacles around my once-limber fingers and knees... went shopping with the afore mentioned 2nd oldest, Gina, for her birthday present, and came home to our 16 year old son cleaning the very messy kitchen...(although he had ulterior motives...I had taken the modem to the computer until some work had gotten done!!!!)

Today, I...
weighed myself, and was satisfied that I was still doing OK...I know that "they" say not to weigh yourself more than once a week...but...since when did I ever listen to what "they" say??? I shopped at the local Goodwill and found some sweet Gap jeans in exactly my size...no alterations necessary!!! Tonight I will get to go out with my man of 34 plus years, to a wine/hor doerve/jazz party at the Van Andel Museum. I LOVE getting dressed up!

Tomorrow, I....
will fall more in love with my God, my husband, my children, my grandson, my father, my step-father, my mother-in-law and life as I know it. I will pray more, read His Word more, and LOVE more...not because I HAVE to...but because HIS LOVE COMPELS ME TO BE A BETTER PERSON!!!!

In the next year,I....
will try to take one day at a time. To not get anxious about anything, but to trust that HE has everything in MY life under HIS control. If he cares for the sparrow, how much more does He care for little ol me. I will try to take no thought for tomorrow, as HE holds tomorrow in His hands. I will seize the day.

THE OTHER SIDE

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing....I know my Master is there and that is enough."

The key here is: The dog KNEW his master. Do YOU know the Master? If so, then you have nothing to fear. Death will have no sting. If you do not know Jesus, the MASTER, then now is the day of salvation. Give Him your life, give Him your heart. Give the MASTER all, and HE will be all you need.

Love,
Cyn

I HOPE YOU DANCE

DANCING WITH GOD

When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back, or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person, and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eye drew back to the word GUIDANCE. When i saw "G", I thought of GOD, followed by "u" and "i". "GOD, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you this day and every day. May you abide in God as He abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and guide you through each season of your life.

I HOPE YOU DANCE!!

(excerpts taken from my dear sister-in-law, Margie)

Love,
Cyn

The dying garden

A sunflower that has been picked clean by the Goldfinch. A sure sign that autumn is here. Now, mind you, I never planted any of the sunflowers that grow in the garden. They all come from the birdfeeders!







Jens Monk is an old rose that blooms continuously from early spring till the first frost. So far, we have been fortunate, and have not hit that 32 degree mark!








Still a few tomatoes on the vine. Not too bad for the middle of October!









One of the saddest sights around my house is the garden this time of year. With everything dead or dying, with only the faintest thought of what will be alive again in the spring, it is hard to imagine that there will once again be life in the garden.

ECLECTIC CULTURE FARM BARN SALE!

On Saturday we held our 1st barn sale at Eclectic Culture Farm. Not being too certain of what to expect, we readied ourselves, armed with plenty of coffee, honey sticks, and warm clothing! A slow, but steady stream of customers from 8am till 2pm, and then we called it a day. Some cash exchanged hands, relationships were built, and new friends were made. Even without making any money, that would have been enough! Here are a few pictures of our vignettes.

The two bottom photo's are of the Farm chicks who made it all possible: Top photo: Marcy, Tracy, me (Cyn) Sheila, and Homemakerang (Ang).
Bottom photo: Ang and Cyn
Can't wait for a repeat performance!