So Much More

As of 2012, my parents have blessed (and continue to bless) their daughters and granddaughters with Titus 2 kits. Every Christmas from birth to age twenty, a young lady receives an item for her kit. The first year, a toolbox is given. In the years to follow, high quality items are added to the kit that are to better the life of her as a homemaker. 

Titus 2:4-5 directs older women to encourage the younger women to be keepers at home. Our Titus 2 kits are a step in the right direction for honoring the word of God! Preparation from birth is beneficial and advantageous. I always find it VERY exciting to store away a precious item for the betterment of my future life.

So that they (older women) may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2:5

Right now, while I am yet unmarried, I learn everything I can about everything I can, while helping with the family ministry. Though I hope to marry, there are many works that can be undertaken as a single young lady for the greater glory of God! The family and farm is a ministry in and of itself.

In our kits, there are many items to support the encouragement given toward our future home. To name a few of those objects…

There are measuring cups and spoons to help provide delicious food for my family. Sewing supplies are given to hem too-long jeans or curtains with, make blankets, or craft a teddy bear waiting to be loved by a child.

I have paintbrushes to paint my own art for room décor, stationary for a letter of encouragement to a friend or family member, or even a child’s clothing. (Some of my favorite sweatshirts when I was little were the ones Mama painted a fun picture on!) 

Stapler, tape dispenser, hole punch, first aid supplies, crochet hooks and knitting needles, house tools, mortar and pestle, rotary cutters, scissors, the family cookbook, icing bags, tips and spatulas, and many more items are all in a box in my closet just waiting to be put into use someday in my future. These items may seem small and insignificant in part, but I treasure each and every one of them. What makes icing tips so important? They are not going to make or break you in your married life. No, but, when lit by the light of birthday candles you see the pure joy of a child who adores the beautifully decorated cake set before him, you realize that all that time spent learning everything you can about everything you can, and the gift of icing tips were a tool of making such a precious memory…And it is all worth it.

The idea of our Titus 2 kits is so much more than being able to make good food, beautiful art, clothing and quilts. It is the idea that we can make use of them all for the glory of the King!

~Jayla

A Tight Fit at Fat Man's Squeeze

Mmm! It is a beautiful September day. The nip in the air is pleasant, the leaves on the trees are beginning to hint at wearing their showiest gown, and the morning is fresh, free, and open for an adventure. This is indeed the perfect day for a hike. Perfect day for a hike, yes, and unbeknownst to us at the beginning of our trek, a tight squeeze.

Giant City- September 2020

Drive down south for about an hour and you will come to the Shawnee Hills, the foothills of the Ozarks. Giant City State Park consists of 4,000 acres of forest, fields, creeks, bluffs, and crevices all nestled into the hills. It is the crevice locally known as Fat Man's Squeeze that we had the gumption to venture through.

Should you happen to be a passerby, upon nearing the mouth of the crevice, you would see a family and could hear among the jumble of eight voices…

“Last time I went through there I was a foot and a half shorter and fifty pounds lighter! I was just a little kid,” I exclaimed.

“I will go if you go, Samuel,” someone plucked up the courage to say.

“There is NO WAY I am going through there,” said one who was soon to eat his words.

“Who is going first,” asked another.

“The one most likely to chicken out needs to go last,” said one who was thinking a few steps ahead.

These were a few of the many comments of the six of us before entering the cave. Even while entering the gaping mouth of darkness, the thought of the actuality of going the whole way through was not in the forefront of my mind.

The opening into Fat Man's Squeeze 

A few minutes later I could not see the speakers, but amidst all the grunting and groanings of six people, it could now be heard…

“What in the world was I thinking?”

“C’mon guys! We can do this!”

“Why did all six of us decide to go in at the same time?”

“Keep your head turned to your left shoulder up here, because there is no room to turn your head back around to see where you are going once you get past this point.”

“I am turning back!”

“You can’t do that! You are only the third in line!”

The first twenty feet into the fissure was a cinch! Yes, but cinches are made to tighten!

About halfway through, we came upon a ninety-degree turn, concurrent with a step-up. Though we were travelling uphill, this was the downhill of our courage. Each one in line, upon arriving at this difficulty, took the hand of the person in front of them to conquer this additional obstacle. As soon as we made the turn, we saw the sun’s effulgent rays at the end of the tunnel! Hurrah!

“Just think! When we get through, we will be six of the few people who have gone through Fat Man's Squeeze,” I said, attempting to build my own courage as much as everybody else’s. It takes considerable determination indeed to continue, when the person in front is smaller than me and he says it is getting tight for him. I was only second in line!

Our optimism grew at the thought of getting closer to freedom. At the same time though, fear of the crevice’s walls becoming too tight for us to achieve the goal, thus developed an equilibrium of the two. Silence ensued, with us speaking neither good nor bad until we were out. 

On their way out!

Finally, the first in line made it into the sunshine! Standing in a narrow space about waist high, he received a hand up and out by Dad and Mama who were standing by to congratulate our brave efforts as we emerged from the damp, smelly, darkness. 

Next I was out, and oh, the sunshine never looked so pretty, and the air never smelled so clean! Freedom!!! 

As each became a victor, they became an encourager for the next. 

We made it!

With hugs, high-fives, and cheers, some even shed joyful tears at their success!

We are proud to say that we conquered Fat Man's Squeeze. It was an adventure that these six trekkers will not forget any time soon. What started out as a simple hike turned into a victorious conquest! It was a tight fit at Fat Man's Squeeze!

~Jayla

A Word or Two

Who does not love getting a letter in the mail from a friend, a Christmas card during the holidays, or just a little note from a loved one? What makes this little charge of thoughtfulness even more special is when it is written by hand. It tells you something about the person when there was time taken to write even a few words! You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.

Writing by electronic use has become more common than handwriting, but pencil, pen and paper will always have its place. Writing by hand is an incredibly important skill, whether it is for taking notes, filling out documents, journaling, or writing a letter to a friend. Good penmanship shows that you care, and it adds a certain charm to your words. I’ve seen it time and again: our cursive is so neat and straight when we have first learned, then it does not take long for our good penmanship to decline as we get familiar with the letters and sacrifice neatness for speed. Writing becomes highly automated using motor programs stored in our memory. The roundness or sharpness of letters, spacing, slope, pressure of pen to paper, average letter size, and thickness of the letters, are all qualities that make each person’s writing style unique.

Everybody’s handwriting is different and unique. Why else do they have you sign your name on every important document? As a matter of fact, when one attempts to forge a signature, the name to be copied is generally held upside down so the forger’s penmanship (due to the familiarity of the letters) does not interfere with the attempt.

Handwriting does take time, but studies show it is good for the brain. Writing develops motor control skills using motor coordination of multiple joints in the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder to form characters on the page. The forming of letters depends on the sensory information from skin, joints, and muscles of the hand, as it adjusts movement and pressure to changes in the friction between the pen and paper. Writing strengthens our memory because it involves 100% focus and attention. It improves learning because it gives us more time to think thoroughly about the subject being recorded as opposed to fast typing on a keyboard.

It takes so very little effort to write a few words on a pre-made card, but it adds so much more depth to the recipient. The pen and written word have so much power! As Dale Carnegie put it so well, “You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world’s happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.” 

Why not pull out a pen and paper today… right now? Someone you know could use a little note of kindness. The bathroom mirror is a nice place to put a note. The lunchbox? The shoe? Slipped under the door? In a mailbox?

~Jayla

Our Hair Gel

I have always admired Mama’s natural curls. Curls fascinated me and she has always taken good care of hers and they are quite beautiful. I never really thought my hair was very curly until several years ago, after I donated twelve inches and gelled the length that was left, it curled! I was so excited!

 

Of course, with natural curl, there are some good days and not so good. You may have heard that curly hair requires a lot more maintenance, but for me it seems to take little effort to keep in order. I have not used a brush on my hair in years, never use a curling or flat iron, and rarely use a blow dryer! Wash once or twice a week, finger comb while it is wet, gel, scrunch, air dry, style. It is generally French braided or pulled up to the top of my head to sleep. We have tried several hair gels, but my favorite is the kind we make at home.

The main ingredient of our gel is brown flaxseed, also known as linseed. These small flat seeds are native from the Mediterranean to India, but are also farmed in Russia, Canada, and China. Flax contains a rich dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which supports scalp health. Another important ingredient is marshmallow root, and it is known to reduce inflammation of the skin and is used in many hair products. Marshmallows, the confection we all love, were originally made from the root of this plant. It helps boost the slippage that the flaxseed provides. Also necessary to the gel is the Vitamin E and glycerin as they are conditioners. Honey and xanthan gum help increase hold and thicken to the right consistency. Citric acid is a preservative and essential oils add a pleasant smell.

Flaxseed Hair Gel:

1/3 c. flaxseed

2 T. marshmallow root

2 c. water

Boil these ingredients in small saucepan for five minutes. Strain through a nylon stocking adding ½ c. cold water to ensure all the gel has gone through. While in a bowl, add the following ingredients.

Vitamin E oil (small drizzle)

Vegetable Glycerin (small drizzle)

1 t. Honey

Xanthan gum (Add approx. 1\2 tsp. slowly while beating with eggbeater, otherwise it will clump.)

10-20 drops essential oil (Citrus scent lends itself well to this gel.)

This gel takes about half an hour to make and lasts for about a month. It does require refrigeration and can also be frozen in ice cube trays and thawed when needed. We have a lot of curly hair in our family and this gel is perfect for all natural curl types.

      

Our own hair gel is my favorite, as it holds curl the best of any gel I have ever tried while remaining soft, light, and voluminous. It has been a joy to make and use this gel. It is completely natural and makes for healthy, happy hair! Natural curls will thank you for this flaxseed hair gel!

~Jayla

The Gentle Morning Frost

By the breath of God, frost is given. ~Job 37: 10

The beauty of God’s creation is everywhere. Whether you are looking at the joy of the colorful spring flowers, the calf by its loving mama’s side, or the sun glittering on the gentle morning frost, the handiwork of God makes itself known to those who wish to see.

~Jayla

The Tall, Charming, Athletic, Happy, Wonderful Season

Fall time is in the air, and that brings joy to many people. In fact, 41% of U.S. adults identify fall as their favorite season. My personal favorite is autumn, or fall, or the harvest, whatever you might choose to call it.

Autumn is the only season with three names. Why is that? In 12th and 13th century Middle English, the season following summer was known as “haerfest” and was when they took in crops. Thus came our word “harvest.” The French word for fall was “autompne”, borrowed from the Latin “autumnus.” That is the origin of the word “autumn.” When people started moving from rural America to the cities and towns, the season was more associated with the falling of leaves than the harvest. The word “fall” originated from the phrase “the fall of the leaf” in the same way that “the spring of the leaf” designated the vernal equinox. The term “fall” is more commonly used throughout North America.

It is said that people born in the autumn generally have a longer life span. We have several fall birthdays in our family. Studies show that since they were born this time of year, they are apt to grow taller and be more athletic. This might be due to the increased sun exposure of the expectant mamas, and the resultant increased production of vitamin D. Those harvest time babies are also prone to be more charming and friendly due to the extra snuggle time while very young during the long winter months. On the downside, they are said to be more subject to allergies and asthma. Dad fits all of these excepting the one downside of allergies. The tall, charming, athletic, happy, lucky fellow is turning sixty this year in October!

Autumn came to visit us on the 23rd of September. The Gregorian calendar is not perfectly aligned with the orbit of the earth and due to this ever-so-slight discrepancy, the autumn equinox will vary occasionally, and sometimes falls on September 22nd, 23rd, or 24th. The last time it occurred on the 24th was 1931. Mark your calendars for September 24, 2303!

Favorite season or not, fall is a beautiful time of the year. It is the time we wind down our summer projects and prepare for winter. It is the time for hiking, raking paths in the leaves and playing “fox and geese,” taking picnics, and enjoying the colorful display of the changing foliage. Whether you call it autumn, harvest, or fall, it makes for a tall, charming, athletic, happy, wonderful season for all. Happy fall!

~Jayla

The Tale of Two Instruments

My tale begins last fall, when our family was singing at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A gentleman from the audience came to us after our performance and asked us to sing for a revival in Ohio in the spring. He sweetened the offer by promising my little brother an electric bass if we came. When spring rolled around, we found ourselves at the Allensburg Church of Christ.

True to his word, Bob Stevens pulled the bass out soon after we arrived, and it was beautiful. Before long, the instrument was hooked up to the amp. Samuel’s playing around on it sounded good for not having played a bass before. He liked it right away.

Prior to the revival, we had been watching an old 1955 T.V. show called “What’s My Line.” We decided to change our usual family introduction to one like that of this old game show, where each member on the panel introduced the panelist to their left. As such, it would prove to be more interesting, not knowing what crazy thing the person next to you had in mind to say. Samuel introduced Unique as being very talented, knowing how to clog, yodel, and play the ukulele. Many people came up later that night stating their hopes of hearing her play the ukulele the next day. As she hadn’t brought hers, we were off to find one in the morning.

As we entered the music store, my dream stood there looking right at me. Dark and beautiful, it brought to mind all the beautiful sounds played by its kind. It was a gorgeous cello, but it had a pretty price tag, too. We all looked around, admiring the instruments in the shop, but I kept coming back to that cello. While everyone meandered here and there admiring everything that was offered for sale, Dad and Mama were looking for a good ukulele. Mama found a beautiful mahogany tenor ukulele that she would claim for her own. It was a good quality instrument, and she was pleased with it. Leaving the store, I was sure that poor cello was going to miss me. As I walked out the door, I believe I heard the cello groan a low disappointed bass note.

That night as part of his introduction, Samuel presented me as his big sister Jayla who was currently unattached. With a big smile, I told the crowd that I had just fallen in love that day. Everybody let out a sweet, “Aww!” I continued “…with a cello in a music shop.” Per request, Unique accompanied herself on the ukulele while yodeling a great song for the crowd.

In the audience that night sat one of Mama’s cousins along with his granddaughter who loved Unique’s song so much. She had always wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. Roger got to thinking about his cello and suggested a trade proposition for Dad. Were we actually going to have a cello? Before I knew it, there in my hands was a cello, I was really holding it, and it was possibly going to be ours! Both the look on his granddaughter’s face and my excitement was enough to ensure the value of the trade on either side.

Straight away we had a new addition to the family, a beautiful cello that currently stands sentinel in a corner of the house. I am thankful for it. I’m no cellist…yet, that is, but I am working on it. While my tale of two instruments may draw to a close, the story lives on in every note played on either instrument, whether in practice, performance, or the composition of beautiful pieces of music.

~Jayla

Doily Delight

Fire in the woodstove. A mug of hot tea on the counter. Blankets in the basket. When the cold winter season comes about and more time is spent inside the house, that is when I craft the most. I love many types of crafts, but crocheting doilies is my favorite. Great Mamaw Skaggs made many beautiful doilies, and I still love to admire her work when we go to Mamaw’s house. Doilies are so elegant and lovely.

There is a doily that sat on the stack of suitcases beside the couch for the longest time. It was one of the prettiest pieces of art I’d ever seen. Mama made it, and looking at it made me think making a doily would be about the hardest thing in the world. Hooking tiny thread into a million knots making different patterns sounded impossible. Three or so dozen doilies later, I find it to be one of my favorite leisure pursuits.

Mama has taught all five of her girls to knit and crochet (and everything else) and I favored crocheting. I found a doily book among Mama’s craft books and took one glance and that was all it took to confirm my belief in the impossibility of the subject. I was probably seventeen years old when I asked Mama if she thought I could really make a doily. I opened the book right back up again with much more confidence than I did the first time and decided to look at the very first step. The prettiest one in the book happened to look the simplest. It was twenty inches in diameter, but oh, wasn’t it a lovely work of art? First step: chain four. That is easy enough. Now for the next step.

Round 1: 11 dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as a dc); join in 3rd ch of beg ch-4: 12 dc. Translation: WHAT!!!? Cry until 4th tear falls (counts as despair, frustration); join hands, wring in despair. Mama, please help me!

Making a doily works the same way as any other seemingly impossible task. Take it one step at a time. If that is too big, break down the first step into smaller steps. There may have been a few tears in that doily, but with a loving Mama who helped me through it, that doily sits proudly in the living room. That doily opened the door to the making of many other pieces. They make nice house-warming, or bridal/wedding shower gifts, and I keep a few on hand for that reason. Mother’s Day or Mama’s birthday, or a gift just because it’s “I Love You Day,” Mama has a lot of doilies now.

Most doilies take a few months to finish, just by picking it up here and there when I feel like it. Sometimes I crochet while listening to music, if someone is reading aloud, during a movie, or whenever my mind is occupied, and my hands are not. One doily I made for my sister-in-law-to-be Natasha’s bridal shower gift. I worked non-stop and got it started, finished, starched, pinned, dried, and wrapped in five days’ time. I listened to a lot of bluegrass music to keep me energetic and working fast.

“Little by little makes it grow,” couldn’t be truer for the making of a doily. It also takes a lot of patience but, in the end, it is all worth it. The old-fashioned beauties adorn the house so cozily. Shining brightly in all their simplicity, doilies not only add a touch of elegance to the home but are a delight to make.

~Jayla