Pet Chickens

It has been over a year since we started raising chickens, it's been great! These chickens have become pets and the kids have named each one. They enjoy feeding and petting the chickens...and holding them. Thought I would share a few pictures. 

The three younger kids have gotten a few of the chickens on their swing set and had the best time watching the chicken just sit there. The kids didn't swing the chicken they just set them up there, and was very proud that they could get that chicken to sit there.

Here is a picture of Elijah and Timothy feeding the chickens. We like feeding our scrap fruits and veggies to them. The chickens like it too! It is fun to watch them come waddling up to eat what is thrown out. 

Here is Joanna holding one of the chickens. The chickens do come right up to us. Isaac has 7 chicks that are almost to laying stage, will post about them soon.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Happy Birthday to my mom! She is amazing, loving, giving, and always there when we need her!  

Not only is she a great mom but she is a wonderful grandmother! The kids are crazy about her and love spending time with her! 

On Tuesday this week the kids and I met my parents in Priceville, AL and had lunch and then spent a couple hours at the park. We had so much fun celebrating my mom's birthday and spending time with them!

Happy Birthday Mom!!! We love you!! 

How God Changed My Heart

           I didn’t grow up in church. My parents and grandparents were not in church. Although my parents did not attend church they did not mind me attending a VBS or going to church with a friend. When I was 13 I began attending church with a friend, occasionally. At the close of one service several of the other teens walked forward and I thought that I should too. I did what ever it was the pastor told me to do and was baptized the following Sunday. There was never a change of heart, but I thought I was fine.

            Matthew 7:21-22 says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’”. I said many times “I go to church”, “I prayed a prayer”, “I went to youth camp”, “I was baptized”, etc. Those were things I had done…God hadn’t done anything. I had no desire for the things of God.

            When I was 19 years old I went through some tough things that caused me to do some searching. To prove to myself and everyone else that I was “OK” I began attending church where my grandparents had recently started attending. For four weeks I went on Sunday morning only to service and had convinced myself that I was fine and didn’t need to worry about anything. Then the fifth week as I set there and listened to the preacher, God was removing the blinders from my eyes. I began to clearly see my sin and that the life I was living was not pleasing to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I was broken that Jesus had paid the price for me and I was NOT glorifying God. I was dead in my sin and Jesus was the only one who could raise this dead body to life. Jesus was my ONLY hope. 

            That day God took out my heart of stone and gave me a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26-27 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”)

            2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” God through Jesus had made me a new creation. The sin that I use to do made me sick. When I fail or sin now I have a heavy conviction, I repent, and run the other way. I now have a desire for the things of God- for reading His Word, knowing His word and living it, for prayer, for leading others to Him, for being a part of and being faithful to a church family, serving God, telling others about Him and how He has changed my life, and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

            There has been a radical change in my life, a miracle has taken place. May God be glorified in my life as I try to live each day to please Him! The song All I Have Is Christ sums it up best…

VERSE 1

I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and life

Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still

 

VERSE 2

But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace

 

CHORUS

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

 

VERSE 3

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

 

I long to see God change hearts of others around me. This is something that I want to pass on to my children and grandchildren. I would like to challenge you to write (or type) out your testimony (how God has changed your life) and share it with others. You are very special to me and I am thankful that God placed you in my life!!

 

With Love,

Cantina

21 Years and Still Growing

Saturday was my 21st spiritual birthday! It doesn't seem like that long ago that God began changing my heart, but it has been 21 years. A lot has happened in those 21 years and I have been able to see God do some amazing things. He has been faithful to keep His promises and He has never left me or forsaken me. Even after 21 years I am still growing in my spiritual walk. This time last year I remember praying that God would grow me spiritually this year, and He has. It's not been easy and it's not always fun but I never want to get in a spiritual rut. My prayer this year is that God would continue to grow me spiritually, that I would witness more, and that I would know Him greater than ever before! 21 years ago there was a radical transformation in my heart and life...I will NEVER be the same!

Something for Your Hair!

I recently started selling Lilla Rose hair accessories and they are having a great sale this weekend. My girls and I have really enjoyed the mini and extra small size flexi clips. Everything is 15% off and a few items are 40-50% off. You can check out my web page at http://www.lillarose.biz/CantinaCamp and see what they have. These would make great gifts!!

Here is a picture of the extra small size in my hair. I can use the small size for pulling all my hair up in a twist or pony tail. 

Isaac turns 15!!

The Monday following our return from our 12 Day school trip Isaac went to take his permit test. Bryan took him to Columbia for the test. Isaac had been taking the practice test online. 

He passed!!! An official driver!

Bryan and I have been letting him drive a lot and he has done a great job! Very proud of this young man! God has great plans for him and I am excited to see all that is in store for him. 

Happy 15th Birthday Isaac!! You are very loved! God is an awesome God and I love seeing Him work in your heart and life. Praying every day for God to use you for His glory!!

Day 12 of Our School Trip

When we first started planning a school trip we planned for a two week (14 days) trip. Our plan was to make a stop or two on the way home from Niagara Falls. We had seen so much in 11 days that we didn't think we could take in any more, so we decided not to make any stops on the way home. On the 11th night we decided to get up early and try to trek home in one day. We calculated that it would be 12 hour trip non stop. We knew with our crew we would make a few stops for food and restroom breaks. We left our campsite about 8:30 a.m. (New York time) and arrived at our home in Tennessee at 9:30 (Tennessee time). We did make a few stops and one of those was at a Zaxby's for Isaac's birthday meal. My parents were here when we got home and stayed for a couple of more days. We loved getting to spend some time with them and sharing with them all about our trip.

Thought I would end the post of our trip with a picture of the kids riding the "family bike".