Book Review - Stones of Fire

"At the end of the earth, where mountains are flung peak upon peak as if they were discards of the Creator, piled together chaotically, the Salween River carves its way through granite masses making a canyon thousands of feet deep. For unknown centuries the Lisu tribespeople have plowed these perpendicular hillsides into cornfields and reaped a bare, rough living. This is the true story of Mary, a young Lisu tribeswoman. See God transform her from a common stone into a rare gem, a precious opal, a stone of fire."                        (From the back of the book)

In the early decades of the 20th century, Isobel Miller was living life in all its "glory", utterly destitute of any relationship, or desire for one, with God. Through prayer, divine encounters, and the crush of betrayal in her love life drove her to the brink of desperation and there she called upon God (see By Searching for Isobel's complete testimony). After graduating from Moody Bible Institute in preparation to serve in the lands of China, she sailed around the world where she married John Kuhn, and together they faithfully served their Savior through hardships, separation, and World War 2, until they were forced out of China by the communists in 1950. Taking up new work with the people of northern Thailand, the Kuhn family ministered there until returning to the United States after Isobel was diagnosed with cancer in 1954. She completed her faithful race in 1957. Isobel had an incredible gift for writing and in her later years, she began recounting and writing about her own spiritual journey, their ministry, and the people of China, especially the dear Lisu tribespeople who held her heart for so long. 

I have been blessed reading several of Isobel's books, but this one especially was a sweet read. The story recounts "Mary's" journey as an unbelieving young woman, her salvation, her sweet, quiet romance, her trials, victories, and finally her homegoing. The principles and their applications are a blessing to the heart and the story itself is sweet and touching. 

Recommendation scale 1-10: 9 

Favorite quote: "A stone is the last embodiment of principle-hard and cold. Fire is the essence of passion-warm and energizing. Put the two together, and we have stones-principle; fire-passion; principle shot through with passion, passion held by principle." 

Book Review- Introduction

Throughout my formal schooling years, I was not known for a great love of reading. I read the books that were part of the school requirements and there were a few rare exceptions that struck my interest higher than usual, but for the most part, I left the avid reader title to my older sister, Emma. It became my desire though to change that and to form the discipline of becoming a better, more well-read young lady. When I began to implement this discipline into my life regularly, I discovered how much I enjoy reading and the evenings became special as I would, after all the hubbub of the day had subsided, I would find a comfortable spot somewhere and curl up to read before calling it a day. 

It is my desire to begin writing book reviews for books that I have read or as I complete them, both to share the literature that I read and to encourage positive and uplifting reading material for other young ladies. What we read, and what we put our minds upon are very important and have such a long-lasting, even eternal influence on our lives. Would this area of our lives be surrendered and honoring to the Author of all good things. 

See my "Recommended Resources" page for a larger list of books I have read (or listened to on audiobook)

Spring Devotional- Waiting on the Lord

 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

  

 To wait- resting in Him, looking to Him, approaching honestly, and being confident of acceptance. Laying my head upon Him, quietly resting my eyes upon Him, awaiting direction. Living in restful readiness to move or return, but my heart has never left its resting place of peace. Eagerly anticipating the work done in me and through me. Not easily distracted or worried, but gracefully, faithfully trusting that each wave of sorrow is sent to thrust my feet deeper into the Rock on which I am set (Psalm 27:5). Being aware of spiritual warfare, but not allowing that to cripple me, but steadfastly sitting in Christ (Ephesians 1:6). 

    What shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall grief or tribulation or persecution or famine? Shall being misunderstood or singleness or infertility or ill health? What about being displaced or sin or pain or being alone? No! For in all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, Who has given me all things in the heavens. So in hope, I wait, not with anxiety or a troubled heart, but with a calm expectancy of delight that wherever the path goes, I am in Christ, not approaching the mountain that burns with fire, but the mount of promise, The New Covenant. Being saved by hope, I look forward in hope, trusting all to Him that judgeth righteously. Amen and blessed be His name forever and ever. 

The Morning Hunt

I have the tremendous blessing to have been raised farming. Having been surrounded by agriculture all of my life, there have been so many opportunities to draw spiritual correlations with the agriculture world of which I am a part and my dad has done a wonderful job of helping draw those out for our understanding. Although having lived around baby calves all my life, I have never lost the beauty of each new life, and helping a distressed cow calve or getting to cuddle a newborn is still a favorite of mine. 

While sitting out on the backswing the other morning, I had a lovely view of the back field behind our home which is the current home for calving cows. It was still relatively early and little brown and black calves dotted the field, but as the sun rose higher, so did their need for nourishment. I have seen the scene many times over the years and there is a preciousness to it each time, the hunt of the child for their mother. The baby calf begins hunting, hunger propelling the search. He walks and perhaps lets out a bawl, hoping to receive a reply from its mother to disclose her whereabouts. The moment gains in sweetness as soon as the mother is spotted and the baby begins to run, eager and joyous with anticipation of the comfort and nourishment they are about to receive. The moment of the reunion is precious as the baby finds what it seeks and the mother stands, contented that her baby has found her and is receiving what it was desirous of. 

As I sat a watched a little red calf begin the hunt yesterday morning, I thought how much that should be for us as Christians rising in the morning. Christ stands ready to speak to us from His Word and through His Holy Spirit. We, however, must be ready and seeking. So my prayer to the Lord was that I would be like that calf, hunting eagerly every morning, with anticipation for the fulfillment of my spiritual nourishment for the day. 

"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary. Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hand in Thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. Because Thou has been my help, therefore in the shadow of They wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall                                        glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped."                               ~Psalm 63

~As the Deer

As the deer pants for the water                                                                                                                      So my soul longs after You;                                                                                                                            You alone are my heart's desire,                                                                                                                    And I long to worship You.                                                                                                                          

Refrain:                                                                                                                                                         You alone are my strength and shield;                                                                                                       To You alone may my spirit yield.                                                                                                                You alone are my heart's desire,                                                                                                                    And I long to worship You.

Family Life - January-March 2023

Family updates began with the intention to post one every month, but obviously, those well-intentioned plans have not come to fruition as once planned. =)

This update captures highlights, or at least those a camera captured, of life in the Smith home and farm from January through March. The last few months have been marked with sweet memories and I am grateful for cameras that help retain those for years to come. We were blessed with such mild February temperatures that it was a little scary to wonder what March's weather held for us. Still, for the most part, March has cooperated as well, especially with spring calving beginning. 

So...here's to January to March!

Whenever Caden is home for a break from college, we like to take
some "sibling time" which usually includes ice cream! This was
taken during his Christmas break. 

Belle calved January 10th. It's a bull, much to my disappointment,
but I call him "Peanut" and we are working to keep Belle in 
condition to prepare for another calf early next year. 

My favorite little guy! He's getting too big!

Our family are big SEC football fans and this year's National
Championship was no exception. 

Peaches had surgery in January to repair her hip after 
her accident in December. As we were headed up to the vet,
she crawled over and put her head down on Dad's lap. So sweet!

Spending a few days with Grandma and while there, I made 
chocolate chip cookies that fit the guidelines of all the
dietary requirements! Success!

Mom, Dad, Hope, Ella, and Leah made a historical field trip
down to Ft. Campbell to see their 101st Airborne exhibits
which included numerous planes and artifacts!

Ella turned 16 on January 23rd and the kids and I 
worked to create a surprise WW2-themed party for her! I was
so pleased with how it all turned out. We purchased a women's 
uniform for her, hung flags, drank coca-cola in glass bottles,
listened to music from the 40s, and had a sweet family dinner together.  

Ella loves this period in history and has worked hard to 
study and retain knowledge about that incredible part of 
the world's past. 

Valentine's Day 2023! Mom puts in sweet effort every year
 to make Valentine's Day special and for each one of us to know
how loved we are. This year, things were different as Mom had
to be out of town with Grandma who had a procedure scheduled for that
day, but Mom worked hard to prepare what she could before she left,
and I had the joy of finishing the final details.

Emma, Stephen, and James sent a Valentine's package to 
our family as well! Such sweet family love we have!

Mom snapped this picture of her "peeps" (and Peaches) before
heading to Grandma's. 

Joel and I had fun taking Peaches to the vet for a check-up after
her surgery. She does great at car trips. 

Hope and Ella went with a group from our church to College Day
at Caden's school which happens to be only 1 1/2 hours from where 
Emma and her family live. Olivia went along to spend some sister/aunt
time with them while the other girls enjoyed College Day. 

At the end of February, Ladybug pupped! We jumped from 4 to 7 
dogs in a matter of hours!

We have not had little puppies like this around for a while
so we are enjoying the puppy snuggles. 

A major wind storm tore through our area leaving many without
electricity for days and unreal signs of the intensity of the wind. 

I  captured this while enjoying some evening exercise. 

Caden was able to be home the weekend we  celebrated Hope's
18th birthday!

Olivia's 20th birthday!

At 8 months, James has begun sitting up on his own!

Ice cream with Caden on his spring break. 

Miss the Mantle

Back in July, I had the tremendous privilege of being present at my first nephew's birth. Mom and I arrived in North Carolina a few days before James made his appearance. Although there was a definite feeling of stress as we tried to help Emma's labor progress more fruitfully, it was wonderful to have that time with her and Stephen. One evening, sitting on the end of their bed, the three of us were visiting and Stephen shared something that impacted me in a tender area. 

1 Kings 19 tells the account of when Elijah finds Elisha plowing with oxen and he casts his mantle over him, a picture of the anointing of Elisha to follow Elijah in the Lord's work as a prophet to Israel. 

"So he (Elijah) departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him...and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him." 1 Kings 19:19

The question is asked, what would have happened if Elisha had not been plowing in the field when Elijah passed by? What if Elisha had grown distrustful of the Lord's calling upon His life and had left to find a new "career" elsewhere? What would Elisha have missed out upon had he not been faithfully performing the duties to which he was entrusted that day? The answer? He would have missed the mantle. What regret there would have been had he not waited faithfully in the field for the Lord to give him the direction to move elsewhere. 

The lesson I took from this was to remain faithful in "my field" no matter what pressures arise for me to move to a new field. When the work is mundane day after day, when my ring finger is still bare, when the many needs of others constantly bombard me, when I feel alone as I watch those around me find life direction, I want to be patient to wait for my "mantle"; would I be faithful. We have no clue what the Lord is preparing us for in the common every day "fields" that each of us works in. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, 

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

and in Luke 16:10,

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

Be faithful in your fields today, sisters. Trust that the Lord is preparing you for what He is preparing for you and that He is faithful to remember your work and labor of love (Hebrews 6:10). We do not want to miss the mantles that Christ is preparing for us. 

Family Life - December 2022

Here it is already February! Our family is certainly ready though for the rest of winter to move on through. We got through January and as Dad says, February is a short month. The Smiths are looking forward to spring. 

Here is a glimpse of our December days...

Cutest elf ever!

Spending a few days up with Grandma. 

While I was at Grandma's, Katie and I went out for
coffee together and then back to their house where we were 
joined by Matthew for dinner. We had a sweet time of fellowship!

The Monday before Christmas, Peaches had an accident that
dislocated her hip. =( Since then she has had surgery and is
gaining better mobility (sigh of relief). 

Ladybug catches a nap on Dad's vacated tractor seat.

Hope, Ella, Leah, and I were out on the farm preparing for the severe
winter weather that came through before Christmas. Starting with rain, 
the temperature began dropping and in just a few hours, it was heavily snowing.

 By the following morning, we have around 1/2 to 1 inch of ice,
the wind chill was in the -20s, with gusts up to 40mph!

Grandma was able to be with us over Christmas weekend!

Keeping water pipes from freezing, yet all the cattle watered was 
challenging. We ran a few set water hydrants and chopped the 
tanks to get to the water underneath the ice or would run fresh water on top. 

All storms pass and so did that one. Emma, Stephen, and James
arrived Monday night. Always great to get this little guy in my arms!

Grandma with her great-grandson.

Spending time in Louisville with Mom's family.

Emma and I (and James) went out for coffee with our
cousin, Allie while we were all together in town over the holidays.
It was a blessing to talk about life, encourage each other in our 
spiritual walks, and laugh together.