God's Smuggler is a very interesting story I read recently about a mischievous young man from Holland. As a child, he saw Hitler's invasion of Germany and persecution of the Jews. He was spared by the grace of God when the Nazis bombarded his small, dutch town taking food from the poor and arresting those who tried to help the Jews escape. And by God's grace he lived long enough to see the fall of the Iron Curtain in several communist countries.
However, during this period of time the dutch boy had grown into a man known as Brother Andrew. In search of an adventure, brother Andrew found nothing but pain and discouragement until he was wounded as a soldier in the military. This crippling defeat humbled the mighty, young soldier and broke his spirit. It was then that God, in His infinite mercy, was able to reach out to Andrew through his friends and family and bring him to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Then, with bible in hand, Andrew was able to recover from his wounds and God began to prepare him for his great adventure. So, through trial, error, and tests of faith God prepared Andrew for the adventure God had planned. And when God saw Andrew was ready, the Lord sent him forth as God's smuggler.
Now, I won't tell the rest of the story lest I ruin it for those of you who would like to read it your self. Although, I will say that if you start reading it, be prepared to not let go for a while 'cause it is a good book!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
How I "bee"came a Beekeeper
As a very young girl,maybe 5 or 6,I developed a love for bees.(except sweat bees) On a spring afternoon I would be picking flowers for mom in the back yard and feel a sharp pain on my little hand or fingers. I would start screaming and swatting at the buzzing thing that flew out of my flower while running as fast as I could to Mama. She would make it feel all better, for sure!
I hated bees then; when Mama told me that bees were what stung my hands. Daddy, defending the bees, told me that not all bees sting people just because. He said that bees could sense when someone was scared and it made them scared too, so they would sting them. Also, the bee might have been defending itself, for fear that I was going to kill it. Daddy also said there were lots of other bees too, besides sweat bees. Bees that pollinated the pretty flowers I picked and bees that made honey. The honey that I rreeaallyy liked to eat!
So, I tried to give the bees a second chance to earn my favor, and they did!
On another sunny day I was outside playing with my dolls when I began to hear a faint buzzing. my heart sped up and I held very still as the sound came closer. When the buzzing thing came close enough for me to see it I realized it was a bumble bee. Probably my biggest fear at the time. Remembering what Daddy told me, I breathed in deeply and tried not to be afraid. For what seemed like an hour, I watched this fuzzy thing fly about. It investigated my dolls and my feet, then the air above them, then my arms, shoulders, and head. Sweat rolled down my face, the bee was out of sight but I could still hear the buzzing. A few moments later it reappeared. It flew about my arms again and decided to land this time. I held my breath and watched as the insect started walking around, almost like it was looking for something. It tickled my arm hairs for a moment, and to keep from swatting it I had to clench my leg with my other fist. Then, the bee began to clean itself, like the flies on the windows of the house did. I relaxed my fist and breathed a little more. Then, without any warning, it happened.
It was rolling on my arm!! As if I was it's playmate! the fuzzy bumble bee was rolling back and forth on my arm licking me! I let out a little relieved giggle and began to talk to my new friend. It stayed for a little time, then flew away. I don't remember being stung any after that, except by the hateful sweat bees.
My love for bees grew and strengthened with me after that. I started learning about honey bees and they fascinated me. The thought of keeping bees in your back yard like pets sparked my curiosity. Especially since I had heard of bee charmers and saw one in a movie. I really wanted bees then, but mama said I was too little. So I waited for a while, then lost interest as I learned about other things that I liked.
Just after my 14th birthday mama asked me if I wanted bees, she said that there was a man on the Homesteading Board who would teach us how to keep bees!
Having forgotten about my infatuation with them, I asked her what for. She said for honey and because I wanted them. Then she reminded me of my love for the bees. I began to see bees around again, they would come up to me while I was working outside and once my brothers and I picked one up off the ground and fed it some honey.
So, Mama took us to the classes in Guilford County. There we met our mentor and my Mom and I became certified beekeepers, after passing the tests, of course.
We have been beekeeping for 3 years now and love every minute of it!
I invite you to join me as we continue to learn and grow and I'll do my best to provide helpful information and keep you updated!
~Living life to the fullest~
~ Nicky ~
I owe my success to my God, who gave me this talent, My Mom, who made it all happen, and My Mentor, who made it all possible! Thanks!!
I hated bees then; when Mama told me that bees were what stung my hands. Daddy, defending the bees, told me that not all bees sting people just because. He said that bees could sense when someone was scared and it made them scared too, so they would sting them. Also, the bee might have been defending itself, for fear that I was going to kill it. Daddy also said there were lots of other bees too, besides sweat bees. Bees that pollinated the pretty flowers I picked and bees that made honey. The honey that I rreeaallyy liked to eat!
So, I tried to give the bees a second chance to earn my favor, and they did!
On another sunny day I was outside playing with my dolls when I began to hear a faint buzzing. my heart sped up and I held very still as the sound came closer. When the buzzing thing came close enough for me to see it I realized it was a bumble bee. Probably my biggest fear at the time. Remembering what Daddy told me, I breathed in deeply and tried not to be afraid. For what seemed like an hour, I watched this fuzzy thing fly about. It investigated my dolls and my feet, then the air above them, then my arms, shoulders, and head. Sweat rolled down my face, the bee was out of sight but I could still hear the buzzing. A few moments later it reappeared. It flew about my arms again and decided to land this time. I held my breath and watched as the insect started walking around, almost like it was looking for something. It tickled my arm hairs for a moment, and to keep from swatting it I had to clench my leg with my other fist. Then, the bee began to clean itself, like the flies on the windows of the house did. I relaxed my fist and breathed a little more. Then, without any warning, it happened.
It was rolling on my arm!! As if I was it's playmate! the fuzzy bumble bee was rolling back and forth on my arm licking me! I let out a little relieved giggle and began to talk to my new friend. It stayed for a little time, then flew away. I don't remember being stung any after that, except by the hateful sweat bees.
My love for bees grew and strengthened with me after that. I started learning about honey bees and they fascinated me. The thought of keeping bees in your back yard like pets sparked my curiosity. Especially since I had heard of bee charmers and saw one in a movie. I really wanted bees then, but mama said I was too little. So I waited for a while, then lost interest as I learned about other things that I liked.
Just after my 14th birthday mama asked me if I wanted bees, she said that there was a man on the Homesteading Board who would teach us how to keep bees!
Having forgotten about my infatuation with them, I asked her what for. She said for honey and because I wanted them. Then she reminded me of my love for the bees. I began to see bees around again, they would come up to me while I was working outside and once my brothers and I picked one up off the ground and fed it some honey.
So, Mama took us to the classes in Guilford County. There we met our mentor and my Mom and I became certified beekeepers, after passing the tests, of course.
We have been beekeeping for 3 years now and love every minute of it!
I invite you to join me as we continue to learn and grow and I'll do my best to provide helpful information and keep you updated!
~Living life to the fullest~
~ Nicky ~
I owe my success to my God, who gave me this talent, My Mom, who made it all happen, and My Mentor, who made it all possible! Thanks!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my blog, where faith and farming are combined for the glory of God!
Unfortunately, my family doesn't live on a real homestead or farm,but we are renting 5 acres with a nice brick house while we pray about where God would have us to settle permanently.However, while we wait we are growing as much of our own food as we can, keeping honey bees, raising chickens, rabbits, and doves, and learning all we can about living self sufficiently.
So...Serving in the Suburbs,
*Nicky*
Unfortunately, my family doesn't live on a real homestead or farm,but we are renting 5 acres with a nice brick house while we pray about where God would have us to settle permanently.However, while we wait we are growing as much of our own food as we can, keeping honey bees, raising chickens, rabbits, and doves, and learning all we can about living self sufficiently.
So...Serving in the Suburbs,
*Nicky*
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