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Bee Sting Natural Treatment
Published September 21, 2008Today our family shared the horrible experience of being stung by bees – yellow jackets to be exact.
As we walked across a field, my 15 year old stepped into a concealed nest in the ground releasing hundreds (no joking) of yellow jackets. My husband almost died from multiple bee stings as a child and so we were happily blessed to see no severe allergic reaction.
One son had 3 stings, the other 1 sting, my husband 6 and myself 2. My youngest and I have never been stung before so that was “interesting”. Fortunately the Lord’s favor also looked upon my sons and they recovered very quickly. My 6 year old was stung under his eye. Within an hour he said he felt nothing at the site any longer. Praise God. My oldest is close to that point now. It has just been an irritation for the last few hours. My husband and I were another story. I was driving home as the stings – right next to each other on my right foot – became too much to drive with. My husband took over and I watched the site swell up a little and turn speckled with red. My husband’s sting sites were having a similar response.
I felt the prompting of Holy Spirit to make a natural topical salve. I am very grateful that for a few years now I’ve kept a reasonably well stocked herbal pantry. The mixture I made up uses clays, plantain, comfrey, kosher salt, slippery elm and water. You could use vinegar instead of water but I could not find it quick enough for my liking.
I mixed the ground herbals with the clay, salt and water and applied liberally to the sting sites. I let it dry and then wiped it off with warm water and a towel. The redness and swelling were completely gone! The exact spots of the stings still were a little bit sore so I re-applied and this time the area seems even better but a little stiff with a rare twinge of pain.
Salt, clay and plantain are used to draw out the poisons. While the mixture was on, I could feel pulses of pain. I think that it might have been the poison being drawn out. I hope that this mixture can help someone if ever they are in a similar situation.
Broomstick Snacks
Published September 13, 2008
I love campfires! There is no better way to end a day – or a camp – then with a good campfire. There is something so special and even bonding about them. This year at camp it was perfect. We had rain forcasted for the evening but the Lord showed us favor and the sky cleared right up to see the stars. Just perfect.
But this year was also an educational campfire for me. One of the mom’s taught us how to make “broomsticks” over the campfire.
You start with a clean wooden broomstick handle. (Make sure there is no paint on it.) Then butter up the tip and top portion of the handle. Take a cresent roll and encapsulate the tip of the handle making sure there are no holes. (Think of it as making a dough test tube. LOL) Now turn it over the campfire until it will easily slide off. You will probably want a paper towel or something similar to hold your hot dough. Then fill it with pudding, pie filling or whipped cream.
I looked all over for a picture of one but could not find it. Honestly, who cares what it looks like, it is yummy!
Growing Corn
Published September 13, 2008
This year we decided we would try to grow corn. We planted one row just to get a feel for growing it. I took this photo right after we came back from camp and while the corn looked great, the lettuce next to it had bolted. 
( Then, we had rain….it didn’t seem like much but right after the rain ALL the corn plants died. I have no idea what happened. We were able to salvage one ear of corn which was very yummy!
Victory!!
Published August 12, 2008John 5:4
“For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.”
1 John 4:4
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
We have God in Christ in us!!!!! Each one of us has already defeated the adversary. We need to claim that victory. Acknowledge that while we do not deserve it, God still gives it to us freely. We can not earn it, buy it, or bargain for it. All we can do is humbly accept it according to His infallible word.
When we function as a true fellowship, we accomplish so much of God’s will. In giving of ourselves in time and prayer to each other many of us also received the answers to our own needs.
Under Attack?
Published August 12, 20081 Peter 3:13-17 (AMP) “Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?
But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition].
But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.
[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear ( unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].
For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.”
There may be something/someone/situations which seem to be attacking you. That is because we live in the world. But if we are following His Word, we have nothing to fear as God has the opinion that matters.
Live life boldly and for God’s Will. Tell people who ask about our Savior with gentle, loving kindness. That way they have the door opened to be loved by Him as well, and they will not have reason to turn Him away.
Live your life as role models of God’s Word, let others be inspired by your life. This verse inspired me so much. This week I received mail from Gospel for Asia. It is a ministry to bring God’s Word to areas of the world that have not had the opportunity to hear it. Inside the letter was a story of a native missionary who was on the Ganges River. He stopped to talk to a woman crying and beating herself at the rivers edge. She was in financial desperation and offered her infant child to the so called goddess ganges by throwing her first born infant son into the river. The missionary began telling her of God’s love for her and her child. She said if only he had found her 30 minutes earlier, she would still have her child.
Granted, this story was told to make people see the need for missionaries. But I also see it as motivation to live your life so as to make others want to know what that light inside of us is. And then with the gentleness of God’s love, share it with them. Who knows what plans God has for us or for those we come in contact with!
Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for putting us in the right place at the right time and that every word and action not only brings us closer to You, but brings others to You as well. Thank You that we live a life that honors and glorifies Your Word, a life that inspires others to get to know You and that bonds all your children together in Your love. In Christ’s name I thank You, Amen.
A Time To Sing
Published August 12, 2008Ephesians 5:19-20
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Do you or your children have trouble remembering to stop and pray throughout the day? I know it took me a long time, (and I still struggle), to remember to pray over each task I embark on. Something that really helps me is to put it in song.
If your children are like mine, every tune they hear seems to develop a life of it’s own. It becomes the anthem of the day until they hear a new song. So why not make it a song about giving praise? Use the tune of a favorite song and make words up that remind them to pray and give thanks.
Don’t worry about your singing voice…God didn’t say “make a joyful *noise* ” by mistake!
In time, your children will pick up the tune and it will help everyone remember to stop and pray.
To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle:
Thank You Father for this day. In my heart Your love will stay.
I’ll share Your love with all I meet, ’cause I think that you are neat.
In all I say and all I do, I am happy to be with You.
Thank You for the people I love, blessing them from above.
Teach me how to spread Your light, even in the dark of night.
Help me live Your Word each day, helping others on my way.
With my toys or with my blocks,with my dolls or with my rocks
When I color or when I write, I know Your arms will hold me tight.
When I work or when I play, In Christ’s name, this I pray. (Author Unknown)
Strong Tower
Published August 12, 2008Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Why a strong tower?
When we need safety, we are usually fighting a battle of some sort. It could be our health, finances, spiritual etc. We can be so bombarded that we can not even see a way out.
In a strong tower we can climb up and see out past the problem. With God as our strong tower, not only are we safe, but we *know* that He has the ability to raise us out of the danger and see the way out.
He offers us, through Him, the solution to every obstacle we face. He never allows us to be faced with something we can not handle, which means there is always a way out.
Sowing In Tears
Published August 12, 2008Psalm 126:5-6 KJV They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
When we are in despair and when we feel there is no way out, continue doing God’s Will. Do not let the sadness the world sometimes brings into our lives keep you from following the path we know is right and true. Even when the world says we can’t, when people, situations or events tell us we should not continue or that it is a lost cause, we know that God’s will is always right. Continue following His infallible Word and you shall receive the rewards He has planned for you.
