My Dad- Russell Shanaberger

Do you have an irregular dad? I did. Most people assume that all dads are normal. Well, some are not normal according to the world’s standards.

My dad was always different from other dads. He didn’t like crowds, so he didn’t come to special events such as award ceremonies, sports competitions, or even graduation. He was a man of few words, never saying “congratulations,” “good job,” or “I love you.” But in my heart I knew he was proud of me and loved me. He just didn’t know how to express it.

When I became an adult I would take him out to eat or go fishing with him. I can still remember as if it were yesterday how his pants slid off while he walked, and how he’d click his false teeth in and out in public. I would mention to him that he should keep his teeth in place while we were out, but he couldn’t seem to control that habit.

The most challenging thing for me about my dad was that he smoked. He couldn’t stop, even for the duration of a single visit. I’m allergic to cigarette smoke, so this made visiting with him difficult because I couldn’t breathe. But I’d give anything in the world for those times, even if they were hard.

My kids didn’t get to know their grandpa. I wish they could have. He was schizophrenic, and his mind continued to deteriorate when they were young. He is gone now, but I think of him often. I miss him, clicking teeth, smoke, and all, because I loved him no matter how irregular he seemed.

Maybe your dad isn’t all this world says he should be either, but he is your dad. It’s time to honor him, even if his quirks make him everything you wish he wasn’t.

He may never know how to say “I love you” or show that he loves you, but you will be freed when you give him unconditional love. When his profound differences make you squirm, let God give you His wisdom to act and say the appropriate things, and you will reap what you sow—abundant blessing.

Your dad may never give you the approval you think you need, but the truth of the matter is that you only need God’s approval. So be filled with the joy of the Lord, and be free to bless your earthly father with love that never fails.

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Curry-the sparkler send off!

On May 18, 2013 Jonathan and Rachael were married. ”For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:4-6

Bridal Party

The Glasgow Family

The Curry Family

Rachael and her bridesmaids

Jonathan with his Groomsmen

The wedding favors-Homemade jewel(treasure) shaped truffles-YUM! Rachael and I made truffles for DAYS!

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44

Homemade marshmallows coated in  coconut held each name written in gold- The china plate is from the  complete set we bought at an antique store for $20. Dishes used at wedding were from our family collection and from thrift stores

We starched vintage dolies just like great grandma used to do and hung all over barn on twine

Table numbers- the frames are from thrift stores. No more than a dollar each- Rachael designed and printed the numbers inside the frames

Table runners- Bought bolt of sheer fabric- cut to size of each table and dyed them warm pink.
Clothe napkins- bought white and dyed them warm pink
Books on tables- Antique books from our collection sat on each table. Rachael  acquired additional ones  free at estate sale!

Flowers- we bought the flowers at various places and our friend Beverly put the bouquets and arrangements together at the barn on wedding day w/ help of Hannah

Rachael designed this framed piece that announces the reception menu

All the food was prepared and made on the farm–except for the chicken. We prepared the stuffed chicken here and  our friend Jose grilled it for us

Vintage China arch with hanging tea cups

Wedding cake- made by our friend and artist Beverly Toves!

Dale and Rachael made these tea cup light fixtures- Typically mason jar light fixtures hang in barn. Rachael wanted a sophisticated barn wedding so she bought these fixtures for $6 each, painted them white, drilled holes in bottoms of yard sale tea cups (25 cent each) and wired them!

Our kitchen–a lot of creating took place here!

Each of our daughters and myself made deserts- This one is a 5 layer gluten free cake with buttercream frosting

The first dance

The fullness of celebrating with friends and family- this friend came  from Canada for the wedding

Vintage cast iron tub used for salad bar

Father of bride dance

It was a magical night

The spectacular lights and sounds of fireworks  remind me of the throne room of Heaven.  Revelation 4 says that from the throne proceeds lightenings, thunderings and the sound of voices. Seven lamps of fire burn before the throne. The four living creatures around the throne never tire but every second get a new revelation of the glory of the Lord and day and night never rest saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

Conclusion to a perfect wedding day! The sparkler send off!

We have five Mulberry trees on the farm.

Who doesn’t love-making memories or recounting old ones? This past weekend 200 people came to our farm to enjoy family and friends. Dale and I had harvested mulberries the day they got here. Buckets and buckets  were waiting to be processed in my kitchen. My first thought was, I need to get this cleared out of here before all our company comes. But then they arrived before I could get to them and the mulberries became the focus of the night.

Many older people who strolled through the kitchen  mentioned the memories of seeing piles of harvest in their grandparents kitchens when they were growing up. They would bring the younger people aside and tell tales of their families mulberry picking and how incredulous it was! Even people who had no memories of mulberries were mesmerized by the mountains of produce in our kitchen. It must be something innate in mankind to feel the pleasure of a bountiful harvest.  I processed the mulberries that night and many who came through said they would never forget the wonderful memory made in our kitchen.

Mulberries are rather mild in flavor, but chock full of nutrients. God planted our Mulberry trees Himself, He knew we would need them. I’ve put up three bushels so far and we’ve only harvested for 2 days! That’s almost 30 gallons! Thank You Lord, You are our Provider!

Ideas for Mulberries:

1. Make a mulberry pie. Find your favorite blackberry pie recipe and substitute mulberries for the blackberries. Just remember–they’re not as sweet.

2. Make a mulberry cobbler. 1 cup of baking flour (I use Pamela’s baking mix it’s gluten free. You can use self rising flour), 1 cup organic sugar, 3/4 cup milk (I use raw), 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 stick of butter. Melt butter in bottom of baking dish. Mix flour, sugar, milk and vanilla together then spread on top of melted butter. Mix 2 cups of mulberries in 1/3 cup of sugar- heat to melt sugar.  Pour on top of flour mixture in baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes in 375 oven–or until done (won’t wiggle when you shake it). Serve with homemade ice cream! Eat on front porch with family and friends. This is truly delicious!

Mulberry Cobbler- I ran out of organic sugar so I used 1/2 organic brown sugar in this cobbler- hence the darker color

3. Make mulberry pancakes. Use my pancake recipe, add mulberries to the mix and top with whipped cream and berries on top.

4. Make mulberry smoothie. 1 cup of yogurt, 1/3 cup crushed or juiced mulberries, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tsps. raw honey and 1/2 tsps. organic vanilla- you can add nuts or flax seeds if you eat with a spoon.

5. Make oatmeal with mulberries. After my oatmeal is ready I add butter, honey, raw milk and a handful of frozen mulberries to the top. YUM!

6. Make mulberry granola.  4 cups walnuts, ½  teaspoon celtic sea salt, ½ cup water, 4  dates pitted and chopped, 5 dried apricots  chopped, ½ cup dried mulberries, 1 teaspoon cinnamon

7. Make your favorite salad and pour fresh or dehydrated mulberries on top.

Dehydrating mulberries in dehydrator

8. Make homemade mulberry ice cream. I use 4 cups of raw milk, 1 cup organic sugar, 5 organic and free range egg yolks and 2 tsps. vanilla. Mix all and let sit in fridge for an hour or so. Pour into ice cream maker–use your directions for how long to process. Mine takes 25 minutes. In the last five minutes I add 1/2 cup of crushed mulberries. When I serve the ice cream I add more berries to top!

9. Eat by themselves!

10. Make mulberry muffins. Use your favorite recipe and substitute mulberries for any fruit called for in recipe.

Make sure you don’t use the unripe ones, unless of course you’re in need of a laxative!

“Mulberries are very high in antioxidants, which help the body cleanse damaged cells which lead to many complications. They also contain large amounts of vitamin C as well as Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, really high levels of Iron, and Dietary Fiber which all help to give the body and mind incredible energy to live happy and healthy lives! They are also high in minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium and contain the B vitamins, B6, Niacin, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid.

Mulberries contain flavinoids and phyto-nutrients and are extremely high in anthocyanins which help to fight against cancer as well as reduce aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections. The berries also contain resveratrol, a powerful blood flow increasing antioxidant which you have probably heard promoted through the wine industry as their new claim to fame. Resveratrol is a powerful healer for many conditions such as aging diseases, inflammation, and a number one go to as part of an herbal protocol for the treatment of lymes disease.” Nutrition facts from www.ReturntoNature.us.

The Mulberry tree is directly behind everyone

Dale harvested 30 gallons of mulberries in two days! 4 hours of labor. There’s a ton left to harvest! He puts a sheet on the ground below the branches and then shakes the branches. The ripe ones gently fall onto the sheet. Easier than picking blackberries amongst thorns and poison ivy!

Mulberries make a great all natural dye for clothes and fingernails!

Mulberry smoothie! Homemade plain yogurt, raw honey, mulberries and a little organic vanilla-YUM! We eat them on our salads too! Dehydrate, freeze or can the berries for preservation!

And He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2

Every time we have a bountiful harvest, I think of that verse and it convicts me to bring in God’s harvest!  People are ripe for hearing the Good News of Jesus, we just need to do it!

This past weekend–The couple was married in our barn yard! It was milking time for the goats, I should have milked them before the ceremony. They started crying in middle of the vows! We gave them food and they stopped!

Tis the season of weddings on the Glasgow Farm, we’ll have celebrated six  here by June 22-including Rachael and Jonathan! I don’t have professional photo’s to show you YET, but they’re coming!
With all the hustle and bustle I haven’t had time to write much, but I’m over flowing with content, so stay tuned!

The Marriage Conference Call is TONIGHT! Don’t miss it! There’s still time to sign up. Don’t wait till the last-minute or you won’t get the call- in info. If you sign up and don’t get the info in time you’ll be able to hear the recording after it is released.

Heather and Chris Ferris

Rachael (daughter) and Jonathan got married this past weekend–It was a divine blessing! The reception was here on our farm, it was AMAZING! Fairytale’s are created from story’s like theirs! More photo’s and story soon! Photo credit: http://www.pinwheelcollective.com/

“Homes are the springs among the hills, whose many streamlets, uniting, form like great rivers society, the community, the nation, the Church. If the springs run low the rivers waste; if they pour out bounteous currents the rivers are full. If the springs are pure the rivers are clear like crystal; if they are foul the rivers are defiled. A curse upon homes sends a poisoning blight everywhere; a blessing sends healing and new life into every channel.

Homes are the divinely ordained fountains of life. The human race began in a family, and Eden was a home. The divine blessing has ever rested upon nations and communities just in the measure in which they have added to these original institutions and have kept marriage and the home pure and holy. . .

In the tale of medieval English life a maiden goes before the bridal party on their way to the church, strewing flowers in their path. This was meant to signify that their wedding life should be one of joy and prosperity. Almost universally, wedding ceremonies and festivities have some feature of similar significance, implying that the occasion is one of gladness. In some countries flowers are worn as bridal wreaths. In some they are woven into garlands for the waist, the tying of the ends being part of the ritual. In others bouquets in carried in hand. Music comes in also, always joyous music, implying that the ceremony is one of peculiar gladness. In some places too, wedding bells are rung, their peals being merry and gladsome.

All these and similar bridal customs indicate that the world regards the wedding as a crowning day of life, and marriage as an event of the highest felicity, an occasion for the most enthusiastic congratulations. Yet not always are these happy prophecies fulfilled. Sometimes the flowers wither and the music grows discordant and the wedding peals die away into a memory only of gladness. It ought not to be so. It is not so when the marriage is true, and when the wedded life is ruled by love. Then the bridal wreath remains fresh and fragrant till it is laid upon the coffin by the loving hands of the one who survives to close the eyes of the other; and the wedding music and peals of the bells continue to echo in tones of gladness and peace until hushed in the sobbings of sorrow when the singers sing in dirges and the bells toll out the number of the finished years.

Marriage is intended to bring joy.. . The causes of failure may lie back to the marriage altar, for many are united in matrimony who never should have entered upon such a union; or they may lie in the life after marriage, for many who might attain to the very highest happiness in wedded life, fail, to do so because they have not learned the secret of living happily together.”*

Marriage is a divine ordinance. The married life is meant to be happy, full, pure and rich. I pray for each of our daughter’s that they will learn the secrets to living happily ever after with their husbands and I pray for others who struggle in their marriage.

Next week I’m hosting a marriage conference call on May 30 at 8:00PM EST.I‘ll talk about the secrets to living happily ever after. I would love to have you on the call! You can sign up for it through Proverbs 31 ministries. It only cost $10. If you can’t make the call it will be recorded and available to those who paid for the call, so you can listen to it at your convenience. Maybe you could sign someone up who needs the call!

Stay tuned for Rachael and Jonathan’s wedding day photo’s and story!

*Homemaking by J.R. Miller

Email me with your email and I’ll send you the info for the free conference call!

We’re busy getting ready for our  daughter’s wedding and reception this weekend. The reception is here on our farm and we’re doing all the cooking, flower arrangements, etc. So It may be next week before I send you the info after you email.

Hugs and love!!

The marriage conference call is only $10 and you’ll have access  to a free recording of the call! It’s going to be great, sign up!

Dale and Sharon

I was SO mad, I thought I would explode! And the contents of that explosion would have been hazardous to anyone in my path—namely Dale!

Anger was emanating from every pore of my being. What was he thinking? How could he not see the obvious? The more these thoughts swirled in my head, the madder I got! And he didn’t seem to care about my feelings, either! He just looked at me. That was it! I decided to pack the kids up and leave.

And (the nerve of him!) he didn’t even ask where I was going! The suitcases said it all!

I wasn’t thinking rational thoughts. I just left in the storm of it all.

Oh, boy. Those were the days. I’m so glad that was then and now is now. It was many years ago. Yeah, he said a lot of things and did a lot of things that I didn’t understand. It was like we were from two different planets with totally different brain and emotion function.

If you read my blog post Love Potion, you’ll remember I said there was a turning point in my marriage. Within a year of God working on me, my marriage started to change.

If you’re visiting me today after reading my devotion To Have and To Hold from P31 or Crosswalk, welcome! If you haven’t read it, you should!

Truth be told, most marriages will struggle at some point. The real question is: How will you handle it when it’s yours that is struggling? I can tell you from personal experience, if you focus on your spouse’s faults, the conclusion isn’t marital bliss.

There were three key things that radically changed my marriage. It took time for me to adapt to the changes, but I felt God’s leading and His pleasure in it all. A perfect marriage isn’t forged in a day, but the time and energy invested in it will last a lifetime. It’s worth the effort, and YOU WILL reap what you sow—I promise.

Getting back to the story… After being gone from Dale for 24 hours, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I came home, and we made up.

I’m a bit on the strong willed side, so it probably took me longer than it will take you. But when necessary changes were made, our marriage radically changed for the good. I’m talking the highest happiness of wedded life here!

Colossians 3:12-25 basically says: Extravagant love is the bond of perfection. Love is merciful, kind, long suffering, forgiving, bears all things… Verse 23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…” So, if we love our husbands extravagantly (heartily), the reward is great. Christ loved us extravagantly. He didn’t love us because we deserved it. He sacrificed everything for love. Extravagant love can transform an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one, induce greater love, ignite intimacy, help us live above our weaknesses, and spend less time quarreling!

On May 30, 2013, from 8:00-9:15 PM EST, I’m going to do a marriage conference call—Extravagant Love. I’ll share the three things that changed my marriage, and then you can ask me questions at the end of the call! Sign up today for the Extravagant Love Conference Call! (Sorry men, this call is for wives- maybe I could get Dale to lead one for the husbands? )

I’m going to give away 3 free Extravagant Love conference calls. Leave a comment below to enter your name in the drawing. Just tell me in one word what you need help with in your marriage. Winners will be announced next Wednesday.

Subscribe to my blog or RSS feed to get all updates about the upcoming call!

If you’re visiting me from Crosswalk or Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion Parenting can be Exhausting, welcome! I’m glad you stopped by! If you haven’t read it, click the link!

What is or has been your greatest struggle in raising children?  Leave a comment to enter your name in the drawing to win my favorite book on parenting, marriage and homemaking– Home-Making by J.R. Miller-originally published in 1882. The tagline–What the Bible Says About Roles and Relationships In A Harmonious Christian Household. You’ll love this book! I’ll draw the winners name Friday at noon. Check back to see if you’ve won or subscribe to my blog!

Click here to read post-High Calling of Motherhood.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT

The church we were GIVEN!!

It’s been a busy week, actually a busy month! Our daughter’s getting married and the reception is here on our farm in the barn in just three weeks!  We’re incredibly busy getting ready for that on top of a bunch of other exciting things.

This past week I spoke for an amazing church, Fairview Baptist.  The theme was living on less and trusting God more–we had a powerful time together.

We traveled three hours to Dale’s brother’s house and helped him and his family move into a new home.  We had a wonderful short visit with his family and then left to pick up another milking goat from a nearby family owned farm.

Then, we went by to see a church that someone GAVE us! Yeah, we were given a CHURCH!! It’s the most amazing church and they’ve given us the building to move to our property. The problem is, how do you move a church that is located three hours from your house? One plank at a time.

So, after Rachael’s wedding we’ll be moving a church one plank at a time till we get the whole church here. The problem is we don’t have heavy equipment and a bunch of other things you need to move a building. So, we’re praying for all that to come. You know the saying, if it’s God’s will it’s His bill . So, we’ll see how He helps us work things out. If you’ve got any suggestions let me know! The church is in Lynchburg, VA.

Well I’ve got to get back to work! Today we’re going to help a dear friend get ready for her wedding this weekend.

Coming up:

Next Wednesday I’m posting a video blog of our five daughters talking about discipline when they were growing up.

The next week I’m going to be offering a Marriage conference call that I’ll be doing in May!

And, if any of you are speakers or writers I’m leading a workshop at the Proverbs 31 ministries, She Speaks Conference this summer.  You should sign up! We could meet for coffee or lunch while we’re there!

Have a blessed weekend and  no matter how busy you are- remember who you are in Christ everywhere you go. Love the people you meet, minister and pray for them, speak into their life the power of Jesus!

“Love one another.. .By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Lochlan and Felicity looking at our new goat

Getting seedlings ready for planting in the garden

She got loose and came to our door! She rung the door bell!! Adorable!

Getting the barn ready for the big day!!!