A Day of Reflection

  It's hard to believe that it's been a whole week since my Gram passed away...although, it also seems as if I've been a bit frozen in time this week. Strange how that can happen...

   Anyway, I decided to go up to the cemetery. People think it's strange that I will go there sometimes to get away from it all. I usually go to the top of the hill where my grandparents plot is. I know they are not "there", they are in Heaven with my Jesus...but when I go there, it's as if I can hear my Grandpa speak encouragement to me. You see, they didn't have any boys to carry on the family last name - "Allison", so that became my first name. My grandpa was a great man of faith, and loved to tell people to "Keep the Faith"...sometimes he would say "Oh ye of little faith!"...but he had a great faith and wanted others to come to know that faith. So, this brings me back to my reason for going up to the cemetery...Well, better yet, let me show you a picture to help clarify...

   You see, the back of the family stone seems to speak right to me. I still remember the day that we were trying to decide what quote to put on the stone, it was a no brainer. I did not realize, however, that it would be right with the name.

   My dad left us when I was 10, so my grandpa stepped in to be the father I needed. He did it effortlessly, he was always so positive about everything, and was kind to all people...I really miss having him in my life...

   So on those days that I would love to run to him about something, I come up here and I can just imagine him telling me, "Keep the faith girlie" and repeat it again if he thought I'd need it, "Allison, keep the faith!"

   After some time reflecting on my grandparents, I took a walk with my camera, and focused on the beauty around me. Take a look at just a few of my pictures, hope you enjoy.

                                  

This is very nearby, my Gram I shared a love for gardens and birds...she would love this.

Beautiful sky!

A reminder that Jesus's death on the cross, gives believers a hope for eternal life.

   I don't know if you can see where the stone is, but he picked this plot out well before he died. The reason for this spot? So that he could be one of the first raised to meet Christ in the air when He returns...what a glorious day that will be!

A remembrance of those who have served our country...my grandpa included.

A curious young deer looks on as I drive out of the cemetery.

   I hope that each of you that reads this knows the love of our Heavenly Father, if you don't, please seek him while He may be found.

   If you do know him,...in the words of my wise Grandpa..."Keep the Faith!"

Missing My Homesteading Gram

 Friday, I had to say goodbye for now to my Gram. She fought a battle with Alzheimer's for several years. It is a cruel disease that changes so much about a person. My Gram was a fighter though, she held on to so many of her personality traits right up until the end... the biggest blessing was that she recognized us and knew who we were right up until the end. My mom and my husband and I were with her when she took her final breath here on earth...for that I am grateful. She was not alone, but surrounded by love - the love that she had poured into us our whole lives was flowing from us right back to her as she had her glorious homecoming...
   This brings me to another blessing, I know I will see her again someday. She loved the Lord and left that legacy to my mother and me and my children. I knew that as she exhaled her way from this earth, she inhaled the glory of our Heavenly Father.
   My Gram didn't have much growing up. As a result she saw a treasure in even the smallest of things. She loved to write poetry and had a unique way of looking at things. She was a gardener and a great cook. She was "green" before that term was used, and I use many of her methods that as a child, I thought were strange...like cleaning with baking soda, peroxide, vinegar...finding new uses for old things,...using natural foods and supplements rather than running to the doctor's office...composting...She taught me many things that only recently I have seen the value.



   My mom and I were going through some of her things, and I found a little black book full of handwritten thoughts and quotes, here is a sample:

   I am thankful for the heritage of my grandparents. We lost my Grandpa 19 years ago, I'm sure they are praising God around the throne together...Love that thought!
   Love ya Gram, see you in Heaven.
Linking up:
Farm Friendly Friday @ http://www.verdefarm.com/
 Farm Girl Friday @ http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com



Another site you may enjoy:
http://likeabubblingbrook.com/

My Farmboys

   This is my Main Farmboy :)...I met Dave when I was just 7 years old, we went to the same church growing up until I was around 13. We ended up being in a youth group together again when I was turning 16, and I just fell for this farmboy with kind eyes and awesome tan biceps ;) I spent many summer days riding a tractor with him while he put up hay on his family's farm. I was a city girl that fell in love not just with this cute country boy, but also with the quiet beauty of the country lifestyle. We made lots of plans while dating for 3 1/2 yrs. before we got married. Plans of farming and raising a family rooted in our faith in God.
   So ... here we are now 19 years later living on faith, and raising our three boys on our own piece of quiet country ground ... and I still love our tractor rides ;)

   This is our oldest "Farmboy" Cody. He is 17 and graduating this year and headed to college...where has the time gone? We are so proud of him, he is a leader with a strong love for the Lord and a great sense of humor. He has many talents, but loves to play the guitar the most, I love to hear him playing one of his original songs. ( He also can sing, but don't tell him you heard it from me) He along with his brother and his friends have a band and write their own songs. Like his dad, he is a hard worker, and I can count on him for anything ... he is such a blessing.

   Collin is our second "farmboy". He is 15 and loves the outdoors...hunting, fishing, trapping, if it's outside, he's doing it. Collin also has many gifts, but the one he is growing in the most right now, is playing the drums...oh how I love to hear my boys play together! Music can touch me in a way like nothing else, and when it comes from my children ... wel l... that's the best thing I can hear! Collin also loves God, and He has given Collin such a loyal heart. He is kind and thinks of others first, even when it means giving up something he wants. This trait comes from his dad who has been an example of serving others. He too, is such a blessing.

   This is our youngest "farmboy" Colton. He is 11 yrs. old. Colt has a gentle quiet spirit that makes animals love him. Oh he has plenty of rough, rugged farmboy in him, but he is easy to be around and takes time to appreciate the small wonders. Horses are his favorite, especially our white mare that was a rescue we adopted two years ago. Colton also loves the Lord and can tell you many stories from the Bible. He also has a giving spirit and likes to give money to missions and is willing to share what he has with others. He, like his brothers, is a big help to his dad and me. Colton enjoys learning about hunting and playing guitar from his brothers, and will soon be adding to that wonderful music that fills the house. We are so blessed!

So ... these are my farmboys, and I thank God that he surrounded me with these fabulous guys. I always feel protected and cared for .... Life is sooo good!
   Thanks for allowing me to gush about my guys :)


Have a blessed day!