Have you ever gotten that lost feeling...

I know I have. Several times. The times that it frustrates me, though, are the times I'm trying to get into the Word and just get left feeling like a spectator at a political debate with no information on the candidates, their platforms, or the issues.

Well, that obstacle has finally been removed, thanks to Tyndale House and The Wayfinding Bible. I was given the opportunity to check this Bible out, test drive it if you will, and it is an honest Blessing. I have bought a few versions of the Bible, but this one really honestly speaks TO me, instead of AT me. I know that's a personal perception, but that is why I'm thankful for the many different editions of God's Word out there.

This Bible is helping me understand my faith, the history of my faith, our God, and my savior Jesus better than I ever have. 

There are three reading plans that are integral to the layout and printing of this edition. They are the flyover route, the direct route, and the scenic route. 

The Flyover Route is a collection of 54 readings explaining the most important events in the Bible, and making them understandable, easy to grasp, and relevant to Christians today. I started this plan today, and plan to do the 54 readings over 3 days. It wouldn't surprise me if I complete this route in two, actually. I had to tear myself away simply to write this post! 

The Direct Route is the one I am going to immerse myself in next. 200 readings, and we have 121 days left in the year. I plan to complete one reading each day, but to also double up and read two readings on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The Scenic Route is the plan that I'll start on January 1st, and I'll share my progress here on the blog every couple of days. The Scenic Route is a collection of 400 readings, and I'll read through that one just as I'm going to read through the Direct Route, one a day, but doubling and possibly even tripling up some days as I feel led.

To purchase your own copy of The Wayfinding Bible, simply click HERE

*My copy of The Wayfinding Bible was provided to me free of cost from the Tyndale Blog network in order that I may review it. The opinion shared here is purely my own and no further consideration was given for a positive review. 

That's What Faith Can Do

It seems like such a very, very long time since my heart has been right with God. I lost my dad last September, and I tried the good old adage "fake it til ya make it" but through it all, faked smiles, faked laughs, genuine tears and even some genuine good moments, I was angry. At God. At Alzheimer's. At God for saddling both my parents with Alzheimer's. My mom, rest her soul as well, had been declining slowly for years, and I mean over a decade, closer to 15 years actually, when she finally succumbed so I had time to steel myself for it, and get used to it. My dad went extremely fast. I NEVER "accepted" that the strongest man I knew, who was the 'strong, silent type' most all of my life, was not the same man who raised me, taught me to drive, taught me to weld, to cut pipe, to fix electric issues, plumbing problems, and dang near everything else in my life, couldn't remember who I was, who my children were, most of any given day, then most every day of any week, then at all...I was SO mad, I can admit that now, and slowly I turned my back on God, the God I felt stole my dad from me. I told everyone, "Well, at least he and mom are reunited now." But inside? I felt numb, mostly, with flashes of intense grief and a constant, simmering rage. I completely turned away from my faith, from my Heavenly Father, through my small inward vision, I took the focus off the larger thing that mattered most...through ALL that, I still had, and still HAVE, my Heavenly Father! He's taught me everything, too, because I couldn't have learned it without Him giving me the earthly parents He did. This song, which I heard while station surfing on the radio a couple of weeks ago, froze me. It felt like someone ripped the earplugs out of my ears, and the eyes of my soul opened, and my heart stopped for a moment, and I completely and totally GOT IT. My parents were gone, yes, but HE didn't "take them" away from me. He took them out of pain, and suffering, and misery, into a transformed existence with Him. Wow. Kinda got a bit jealous at that.

I have a new relationship with God today, with my Savior, Jesus, with my family and friends. My co-workers, too. I've noticed the return of my faith has made me excited to greet each day, able to handle the small training tips I felt I didn't need for so long. Able to be proud of my younger co-workers who are above me in status rather than resenting "having" to take instruction and 'orders' from "kids" I rejoice in the strong, smart, funny, dedicated young people I work with each day, and pray for them every chance I get.

With that shared, I am thrilled to be on fire for God. To be infused with creativity and insight for this blog again. To feel whole, and loved, and part of God's family above all!

Coming Soon To the Great Outdoors Near You...

Yes, that's right, Spring is almost here! The vernal equinox is on March 20th this year. Here in Maine we are pretty much assured a few more snowstorms after that date, but hopefully not too much. The past three days have been pretty warm, actually, for this time of year. It hit 42° here yesterday, whew, that is practically shorts 'n t-shirt weather! Today it is only going to be in the teens but since there's no wind, that's not really bad. I think our below zero days are behind us.

I am busy making plans for what needs to be fixed around the homestead once warm weather hits and the snow melts. The first thing is going to be finding out what the issue with our new well-pump not holding a prime is. The fall and winter have been quite hard without running water, but Spring will see that remedied. I also need to diagnose how many pipes are broken, and where, underneath the house and get those replaced. The entire living room and kitchen wiring on the back wall needs re-done. Thank God my Daddy taught me how to do all this stuff, or I'd be living in a faulty-wired box with no water for a LONG time, since it is crazy expensive to hire someone.

The BEST news of the year, so far, is that I got my dream job at Tractor Supply and will be starting right off! I am so excited, the timing is ALL on God, because I have tried to find a job since last winter with no luck, and seeing the setbacks that have happened since then in hindsight, it was all because He knew I'd not be able to keep a job with the setbacks that were looming. I had a short lived gig as a cook at a local pub, LOVED it, miss it, but I've dreamed of working at TSC since I was a little girl, about 7 years old...I'm 33 now lol and it's finally happened!!

I have also been blessed to have a friend ask me to help with their landscaping and gardening this year, meaning that although I have a tiny space here at my home to garden, and will be making great use of it, I will have a HUGE garden elsewhere that I can enjoy working and getting my hands dirty in!

What are your plans for Spring? Share 'em below or share the link to your own blog! I LOVE reading what other homesteaders and rural folk are up to!