Clinging to HIM

It’s official.  Warm spring breezes and lots of sun, with a touch of rain to bring on the budding of trees finally occurred.  In addition, the deer have emerged from the “deer yards” further north on the Cedar River.  I saw the buck who has “hung out” the last 3 years, return.  I’ve also seen other tracks on the lane, and under my bird feeders, but haven’t visually spied them…yet. 

Spring is officially here, as evidenced by a trip to Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel with a dear friend to attend a women's conference.  Win-Some Women.

But I’m saddened.  The fox that went from being fun to watch all winter, went to being feared.  He/she snatched my beloved rooster, Stewie, carried him to the edge of the woods and violently ended his short life.  After Stewie came up missing, it took several days to piece together the story of his demise, clever fox that he is.

Stewie, aka “Stewpot” was a special rooster.  He was a gift from my Amish friends last fall.   It was a pleasure watching him blossom into a full-fledged rooster.  He came from good stock.  Days before he was killed I was telling my Amish friend that he loved to strut around the property with his 5 “girls” and crow and crow.  And now, he is gone.  Silence dominates the property.  Only the hens remain, with their protector slain.  A sad day indeed.

It’s spring.  A time of renewal.  But my mind is on things eternal.  As with Stewie the rooster, the vapor of life is evident. 

“Trust in Him who will not leave you, whatsoever years may bring.  If by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”

It’s easy to focus on the “things” that we all face.  Aging dogs, foxes that kill our beloved farm animals, medical issues of those we love... or just getting through a day without strife.   It can bring us to our knees.  And it should.  We should be on our knees – in prayer.  Being close to our Heavenly Father is what makes this all doable. 

As for me, I’m clinging to Him.  Clutching Him.  I’m grabbing at the hem of Jesus, dragging along. 

I have had so much change these past few years since having my eyes opened to the teachings and Words of Jesus.  The whole counsel of God. 

In our case, after 15 years, we have accepted the fact we are in a “marriage” not pleasing to God.  (See “The Seeker”.) 

The vow of my first “and two shall become one” marriage, taken at age 20…still stands, putting my 2^nd marriage in an adulterous state.  Luke 16:18 – Jesus said:  Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”

Simply put, there is no Biblical option for remarriage as long as your first one-flesh covenant spouse is still alive.  None. 

And so, to be obedient to my heavenly Father, our Creator, the separation has taken place over these past few years.   Russ and Sherry are no more.  Actually, we never were in God’s eyes, as my Maker has always seen me united in marriage to my first husband, until death. 

But.. through it all…the shock, the loss, the pain, the tears (oh-so-many tears), and the remorse and repentance {brought on by Biblical knowledge}, I am still thankful. 

I am closer to God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  I hold that “unchanging Hand” every waking hour.  And I know He will not let go.  I have that blessed assurance.

Having lived in my little cabin for over the last year, I’m starting to settle in.  Last autumn I finally gave in to the acceptance of my new surroundings.  It took one question to make me realize that fact.  Upon being invited to join in at a quilt gathering at a nearby Amish community, I was telling the women around the quilt how small my cabin was…when this wise woman said {in her Pennsylvania Deutsch accent}…”but does it feel like home?”  The question caught me off guard.  I had to stop and think.  “Well…yes, I suppose it does...” is how I replied.  And since then, contentment has crept in.  My little cabin in the woods is “HOME”.

For now, I am living on a separate 10 acre parcel that isn’t even connected to the other 30.  It feels right. 

The separation has occurred in stages, like s-l-o-w-l-y ripping off a worn out - still sticking BandAid…  And through it all, we have felt God’s presence and patience and direction.   We know Christ is returning for His Bride (the church) soon and we want to be receptive to what God has in store for us – individually. 

But for now, I’m here.  On the land that I know.  And love. 

I know that on the 4^th of July, I can walk in the woods on a magical path, lit by fireflies.

By the 22^nd of July, the clover turns the land into a purple haze of beauty. 

By the end of October, the color literally takes my breath away.

I don’t know where this path of obedience will lead, but I do know this.  God, our Creator of the universe, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is the same;  yesterday, today and tomorrow.

He never changes. 

And I will hold on to His unchanging hand as I figure this out. 

Many blessings to you and yours.

More soon…Lord willing,

Sherry

Prayer on the Island

Perhaps you noticed my Facebook Badge further down the right-hand side of my Blog page.  For those who know me, you know I’ve struggled with this media phenom.  I’ve written about it several times, on this Blog.  And this past summer I deactivated my “Facebook page” for two months, feeling the need to walk away.  Also, I wanted to see if I would miss it.  Strangely enough, while I was “deactivated”, I didn’t.  However, this story below, tells why I am now re-activated.  See if you agree.

A year ago, in the Autumn months of northern lower Michigan, I headed to Mackinac Island with a good friend.  We were excited to once again return to Win-Some Women, a Christian conference that has been in existence since the 1970’s.  On a whim, the day before leaving, I posted on Facebook saying I would be happy to pray for anyone, while on the Island, if needed.  Note, I stated I didn’t need to know their need.  God knows.  Having posted, I shut the computer off, and didn’t think any more about it, until I returned late that night to see if there were any requests.  Upon checking my Facebook page, I gasped.  I was steadily climbing to 100 requests, some did so with just a click of the “like” button, some with private messages, and even a phone message.  I was stunned, to say the least.  And now, what had begun as a whim, turned into a task.  I grabbed a pen and wrote everyone’s name on my nearby steno pad.  I also noted the specific prayer if they stated it.  Ironically, many stated it in the public forum, feeling no shame or concern.  While writing their names, which took me late into the night when I should have been packing, I was overcome with emotion.  But little did I know, that emotion was to peak once I arrived on the Island.

Heading north to the Island, the thick wad of notebook pages tucked in my pant’s pocket, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world with me.  I had to do this right.  People were counting on me. 

I enjoyed the drive north, chatting and catching up with my friend, Lana, and once in Mackinaw City we parked and headed to the dock to board the boat.  Once on board, we enjoyed sitting at the front, in the belly of the Ferry boat, as we crossed the straights in cool, windy October weather.  Upon arriving, we took a carriage ride to the Grand Hotel.  (No motorized vehicles are allowed on the Island.)  We checked in and began attending the afternoon sessions.  The conference was underway. 

Between each session, I knew I had to complete my task, to pray for the folks listed.  I also knew God would lead me to do it at the right time, so I wasn’t worried.  So I waited.  That evening, after a delicious dinner of many courses, my thoughts again turned to my “list”.  As we walked past the appointed “Prayer Room”, I would look in, seeking solitude.  With 1000+ women at the Hotel for the conference, I knew solitude may not be the easiest request.

I went to bed that night, looking at the “list” sitting on the dresser, knowing we would leave the Island the next afternoon, making way for the new group to come in.  This particular conference is repeated in three sessions, many times “selling out” all three sessions.  I drifted to sleep knowing I must accomplish this task.  Again, knowing that people were counting on me.

The next morning, after another amazing Grand Hotel meal, I knew I had to act.  We had two hours before the morning session began.  I told my traveling partner, Lana, I was heading to the Prayer Room and would be praying for the folks.  Upon arriving, I found the room empty.  I took out the papers, unfolded them, and began to go down the list in prayer.  It was then, I realized I needed someone to join me.  The scripture about “…where two or more are gathered” kept going through my brain like a ticker tape.  It was then I realized a woman from my childhood had walked in and was getting settled.  Jane.  I knew her as “Mrs. A”.  She and her “dentist” husband raised their family about a block from where I grew up, in my hometown.  I had actually babysat for their children once when I was in my early teens.  Jane was also very involved in the church I attended while my children were growing up.  She was always easy to spot, impeccably dressed in beautiful colors, that made her entire being shine.  Now that I spotted her, I rose and hesitantly went over to where she was in the prayer room.   You know, I don’t even remember what I said.  I just know that she smiled her amazing smile (you know the kind…Jesus filled) and she led me to a table nearby.  And then it began.  We first began with a prayer.  Then, the names.  

I slowly read a name.  Then another.  And another.  Tears flowed.  I couldn’t stop.  I was mumbling the names through a deep, sob-restrained voice.  When I got to the bottom of the steno-lined page, Jane, with tears in her eyes, placed her hands on mine and knowing this was bigger than her or me, suggested we pray after each page.  Upon doing so, I began reading the names again.  Twenty names.  We prayed.   Another page.  Tears flowed.  Another page.  Sobs were caught.  Over an hour went by.  And so it went, until every name had been spoken.  And more prayer covered the process.  Both Jane and I were overcome with emotion, and for me, exhaustion.  The Holy Spirit was there.  He was full, and enveloping, and all consuming.  And comforting, for he IS the comforter.

Upon thanking Jane for being there, she suggested I leave the names in the prayer basket so the folks listed can also be prayed for throughout the next six months, as the conference leaders do each time.  They would be prayed for until the conference next May.  I released my burden, and left my “list”. 

After sharing our story with other conference leaders who had entered the prayer room, I hugged Jane and left, looking back to my folded steno-pad papers sitting in the basket, lined with names scribbled late in the darkness several nights before, taken from my Facebook page.  It was such a blessing to be able to deliver the requests.  To bring them to light.  Such an honor.

And the blessing was to begin, as the days following the event, turned into weeks.  On Facebook, I could see the prayers coming true.  Relationships were mended.  Jobs were obtained.  The list went on and on.  I was seeing prayers come true before my very eyes.  And I knew right then, that in all the 13+ years I had attended this conference, most years both spring and fall, this simple task of prayer made it the most important conference ever.  The day there was prayer on the Island. 

Romans 12:15  “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

Until next time, dear friends, Lord willing.

Sherry

Heading to the Island (Again)

October and May for me = Win-Some Women

I've been attending for over 13 years, and look forward to every trip.

And each trip is different, depending on who God chooses I attend with...

It's hard to believe that just a year ago, 

I was traveling with friend and fellow homesteader,  

Homemaker Ang  

to the beautiful 

Mackinac Island, 

and staying at the

Grand Hotel.

Arriving by carriage.

If you haven't been to Michigan's Mackinac Island,
pronounced Mack-in-nawww
the real treat is,
there are no vehicles.

 Only horses. 
And bikes.

My version of heaven...

You'll need to turn down the soothing music on Playlist, to your right.

And if you liked that, check out this 1944 clip~!

I can't wait to ride the amazing Shepler ferry

this coming week
and once again step foot,  

back in time.

And...more importantly,
see how the Holy Spirit will be working within the Win-Some Women gathering.

 And to see "J" again...and his smiling face and Jesus-filled heart!

It's always amazing to watch it unfold,
and feel our Heavenly Father at work within the hearts of many

...sometimes even before you even take your first step.

Until then dear friends, God willing.

Wordless Wednesday - Mackinac Island, MI

Island Bound

There's only one thing better than being in my Wee House during a full moon.

And that is being on Mackinac Island.

Yes, it's that time again. 

Heading to the incredible women's retreat...Win-Some Women.

This marks my 13th year, with many years attending both Spring and Fall.

My last trip, which was last Fall,

was with friend and fellow homesteader, Homemaker Ang.

And a second blue-eyed beauty, my Mother-in-Love, Sue.

Both women are beautiful, inside and out.

This trip will be just Sue and myself, one we've taken many times together.

I'm looking forward to meeting Laura Story.

And all the other wonderful speakers, which includes Rev. Billy Graham's daughter, Ruth.

I was so pleased to hear Billy Graham rallied from pneumonia last week, at the age of 92. 

PTL! (Praise the Lord!)

I'm also looking forward to the familiar, which makes the Island so special. 

Horse travel.

There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the Island.

Exquisite food.

Female fellowship.

The name of Jesus on everyone's lips, hearts, and minds.

I rarely leave home, but to me, Mackinac Island feels like home.

And I hope that never changes.

Wish you could be here wish us.

Perhaps next time. 

Let's plan...

Until tomorrow, God willing.



A Win-Some Adventure

As the sun came up last Wednesday,

I knew it was going to be a special day.

It was going to be a day spent in child-like wonder.

Driving north, boarding a boat and heading to beautiful "horses only" Mackinac Island.

With a beautiful, Godly person, both inside and out. 

Homemaker Ang.

And my "mother-in-love" Sue, who loves the Lord with all her heart.

We saw and heard many beautiful songs and testimonies.

Fernando Ortega, Don Piper, Lauren Winner, Anne Beiler and more...

And reflected on our lives.

The Island will do that to you...

Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.  Isaiah 42:12

The Grand Hotel was the perfect place to do so.

Fellowship of like-minded "win-some" women.

Gourmet meals.

Sue is wearing her Ask Me About Jesus t-shirt, created by my son and his amazing cohorts.

Beautiful views.

Yes, time failed to stand still.

And it was soon time to shove off again and head for the main land.

And carry our memories home.

Back to a simpler, but no less beautiful, place.

For Ang, home is Maple Valley off-grid Farm.

 

Filled with family, hard work, and the love of Jesus.

Led by husband and father, the Gentle Giant.

Until next year...when I return to Win-Some Women again,

for my 13th year.

God willing.