lynay-s

Happy Day of Rest!

2012-01-28T12:17:00.001-05:00

Happy day of rest! We see that it is good and we rest. Spent our first night in the cabin last night. Thankful!

Wrote this yesterday, thought I'd share. You can meditate on it for calming or use it as a visualization exercise:

Sun shining through the wintery windows
Woodworkers just outside
smoke rises from a chimney, across the way
warming a house, and little toes, I'll never see
Coffee losing steam on the kitchen table
Music playing through simple songs
the baby draws in circles around these words

Happy Sabbath! A gift of rest from Love Above. Naomi loves this painting by Van Gogh. Rest.

Moving Day

2012-01-27T09:54:00.001-05:00

Moving in today. Got the cottage all lined up. It's in a little town with hardly anything other than a lake, ice fishers and a few neighbors. Very peaceful. Moving Day is On. It's sleeting and we just got 2 to 4 inches of snow last night.

Blessings,
M & G

Making Musical Memories: Bon Iver

2012-01-27T09:53:00.001-05:00

Bon Iver has been a huge inspiration lately. It started a few years ago but was recently fanned into flame in Ithaca, NY when at Angry Mom's Records. I saw his self-titled album and thought, we should really listen to that good music more. So here's Bon Iver, a great mellow, melancholy and yet uplifting experience. The art on his new album is down to earth in beauty.: BON IVER

Site Stash- Crescere

2012-01-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

A long loved blog by a dear friend. Out of this world art, photos, beautiful family updates, great music reviews and a good time! Sorry so brief, just don't want to take away from this sweet blog. Check out !!Crescere!!

Making Musical Memories: Teshuva

2012-01-19T10:04:00.003-05:00

We met Angela before she married Sam and before we heard her music. She was so sweet and has been through a lot. Their new LP has five great songs and five great videos on youtube. We have enjoyed listening to them immensely. This week's featured music is:

TESHUVA

Teshuva is a husband/wife duo which started the moment they met in 2009. Without knowing it, they were both heading in the same direction and divine timing was bringing them together. "We both love sound, creativity and the Creator, YHWH" say Sam and Angela. After getting Betrothed and then married in 2010 they turned their attention to music. "We love playing music and want to share this journey with our family and friends wherever we go." Teshuva works to find the perfect blend between technical sound and memorable melodies. The name Teshuva came from a dream during their first pregnancy which ended in miscarriage. In the dream Angela felt this babies' name was Teshuva. After looking it up, they found that Teshuva is the Hebrew word for repentance or rather, a turning. "Fitting for the band" they say "as we both love Israel and know humanity needs to turn to the truth found in the Bible. We hope Teshuva's message can find a balance between purity and creative artistic expression."

www.noisetrade.com/teshuva

www.youtube.com/teshuvamusic

The Folk Tradition

2012-01-12T01:02:00.001-05:00

A few years back, our love for music led to a road of 50s and 60s folk music. We listened to a lot of Dylan, Baez, Seeger etc. etc. Often I would be amazed at the sharing of music. One would write a song and almost everyone would have their own version of it. That's the way it should be. Music is an expression of the soul and if someone wants to express themselves with another's music, they should be able to. Copyrights are only for money-making; and music transcends that. It's not a business to a true musician. It's not about fame, idolatry or fortune. I love to share music; giving and receiving.

Since starting out on the road over a month ago, we have received music written by others that care not to perform it in front of anyone. Some are so talented and it's a blessing they'll share that with others in any way. We are thankful for receiving songs from various people, and we just received some lyrics the other day from a friend. They are being crafted into a song tonight.

Sharing is a big part of love. Parent's know this is one of the main things we teach our children as they start to play with others. We try to show them that they need not solely possess something to enjoy it's value or qualities. Whether you're listening to music, writing, playing it, performing it, we can all appreciate and share it without quarrels over money.

Quick Update: We're in NC at the grandparents getting more good food and playing some music "Lead me to the tree where your love flows out..." Rain came today but did not dampen our spirits. In fact, rainy days are so welcoming and remind us to take a break and dance in the rain. Naomi lays to my right side on the couch. She is on her belly with her knees under her and her fists at either side of her turned head. Michael sits in front of me playing the guitar and singing and I sit Indian-style on the floor typing away, knowing I have to get this entry done but really wanting to get back to my knitting.

peace, love, sharing, lynays

Bronx, NY Flyer

2012-01-11T17:22:00.002-05:00

Comment with questions.

Making Musical Memories

2012-01-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

The term Musical Memories came to me one day about a year ago while meditating with Yah. It expressed how songs are written, at least by my hand. The line in the song that came that day was "When a musical memory falls from the sky..." A lot of music feels divinely inspired because beauty is so great and overwhelming within it, calling to the innermost parts of my soul. I don't feel that my body can contain it. It is something not physical, not of this realm, that we have as a gift from the creator of light and love. In fact, he is in essence, all light and love. I see those things in the music we'll be featuring in the Making Musical Memories feature. This will be a weekly segment and I hope you like it. This week's Musical Memory is:

The Head and The Heart

We started to listen to this band a few months ago and I can't help but have their songs in my head at the most opportune times. They have really good vibes and are a treat to hear. Here is a statement from a song on their self-titled album The Head and The Heart by The Head and The Heart.

The song below is the first I heard from this band and I was hooked. It makes me sympathize with substance abuse issues. Not just drugs or alcohol, anything that has become an idol in someone's life that interrupts their abilities to bond with family, friends, true peaceful experiences and love (the definition being the fruits of the spirit in my mind: love = joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, meekness, self-control = love).

SongTitle: Down in the Valley : "...l-rd have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways. Call it one drink too many, call it pride of a man. It don't make no difference if you sit or you stand, cause they both end in trouble and start .it. do it over and over and over again. I know there's California, Oklahoma, and all of the places I ain't ever been to, but down in the valley with whiskey rivers, these are the places you will find me hiding, these are the places I will always go. I am on my way, I am on my way...back to where I started..."

The songs are written well with timely soft but powerful transitions and wrenching instrumental and vocal melodies and harmonies both.

Site Stash: Week 1

2012-01-08T22:51:00.001-05:00

Thanks to 1. Sheephill Herbs for helping me to look at Mountain Rose Herbs' website for the giveaways going on right now, and 2. Mountain Rose Herbs for sharing this website with me:

www.FreeTeaParty.org

We love creative ways to live life, share love and reach out to others. Here is a group that seems to do that through a warm and comforting means: TEA. Tea is a staple in our lives. It is healthful, invigorating and brings people together. Here is a little something from the website:

"The Free Tea Party offers an alternative to, and a balance for, self-centered philosophies often fostered by our society. This alternative is based on the "gift economy," or the idea that goods and services can be given without anything required in return. We believe that selfishness should be balanced out by selflessness.
- We also practice the principles of permaculture, nonviolent conflict resolution, and consensus decision-making.
- Although we are non-partisan, we support people, movements, and politicians who strive for positive socio-environmental change."

I like what I'm hearing here. While we may not agree on everything, this is what it's about. Going out, meeting people, sharing ideas, gleaning and focusing on what bonds us, not what divides us. Too bad they're on the west coast. This would be fun to be involved in!

Hope you liked post #1 of our Site Stash. Keep posted (he he, blog pun) for more. Let us know if you like this type of information sharing, too. We value commentary.

Until next time, enjoy a cup of fresh organic tea in silence today and think of our deep bond with the force of light that fills us if we allow it to.

Peace, love, lynays

Features of the Week

2012-01-08T22:39:00.000-05:00

I'm going to post a few entries today on different topics because the road is not kind to blogging: or I haven't worked it into the schedule yet. I know it's possible and easy as sitting in a McDonald's parking lot, but who wants to sit in a McDonald's parking lot? Eww. It makes me feel greasy. I'm going to start a few new weekly blog series'.

1. Site Stash: A featured website full of beautiful, interesting or captivating information. Something we hope you'll check out and glean from. We may not always agree with everything on the website, but if there's a good core message and it's pleasing to the eye, we like to share!

2. Making Musical Memories: A featured artist, song or piece of information on music. As above, this may just be beautiful, uplifting, pleasing, or informative and we may not agree with all, but have gleaned something helpful and will often share the impact it has had on us.

I hope you guys enjoy these, look for the first two posts of the series SOON. Really soon. I mean in a few minutes. As fast as I can type. :)

Much love

Charlotte, NC

2012-01-08T22:21:00.001-05:00

This post is brought to you from Charlotte, NC. We rolled in this morning at 6 AM roughly after a few days of adventure! Let me start from Emory, TX because that is the last time I updated you all. We left Emory, TX and headed to Cisco, TX. On arrival, the sun had just set and the coyotes were howling in the distance. Surrounded by stunted oaks, and a magnificent dark sky, the weather was warm. Some friends welcomed us into their home and really made us feel like family. After catching up on years gone by, practicing some music and eating a few stellar dinners (gluten free spaghetti, sushi, gluten free fried shepherd cakes), we attended an uplifting service with the Cisco Assembly. The service was followed by a true Texas buffet of food and fellowship, a bible study and then we performed about 10 songs. 6 originals, 4 covers.

The evening brought us closer to new friends and old and we stayed up until almost 4 am to prove it. During that time, we had some more jamming, banjo playing and comedic fits. As we've discovered, when we state we're going to leave at a specific time, you can figure on delaying that 6 to 24 or more hours. After leaving one house, we had a brunch at another, then a noontime rest at yet another and finally, 6 hours after leaving, we were on the road.

Here are some funny things we encountered in TX: 1. The first is the last, a neighbor named roadkill who has a tricycle-motorcycle in his front yard, fully decked out with a car's bucket seat. 2. A pickup hauling what we thought to be a dangerous load (huge round haybale hanging half off the tailgate). However, after showing video to some Texans, they assured us this was normal and it was secured by a concealed spike. 3. We picked up what we presume to be a Mexican field workers hat at a goodwill. It is boss! You can wear it as a lampshade on a bright day and still see out of it! Matt, you'd love this thing!

TX was so much more than I can explain. There were some really deep bonds developed there. Thank you TX for being warm, welcoming and for not calling us Yankees too many times.

That night, we drove the whole way through Louisiana and down 55 South to Magnolia, MS. I just couldn't wait any longer to get some good home cooking from Grandma! We arrived at around 4:30 AM and hung out in the driveway until 7 AM when she opened the door to feed the cats. Our plan was that the next three nights would be spent there and we would arrive in Augusta, GA on Friday morning. After a few days of scrumptious food and bonding with the grandparents, we left Magnolia on our way to GA. Ten miles later, we were on the side of the road with a cracked radiator. My uncle was only about a mile down the road. My grandma set out to rescue us and broke down also. We all had to be saved, and we were. The night ended at her house again, both out of a vehicle and destined to a bonus night together. It was cherished. Our radiator didn't come in until around 4 pm the next day and my uncles had it repaired by 5. We set out, after sundown, at 7:30 PM. Had to go back for a water bottle. Left again, had to go back for a hat I'd just made for Lydia. Then we were really off. We drove all night and pulled into August around 8:30 AM.

At 10 AM, Self Aside met up with us in the parking lot of the Temple of Yahweh and we hugged and played catch up with news and updates. Services began a little after noon and the rest was so fun. We played some songs, Self Aside played some songs, then the fellowship meal (mmmhmmmm), then we began to jam some songs from the Frystown songbook. That turned into circling the chairs and starting a very large drum circle jam with call and response songs. While still in the circle, feeling the good vibes, we started to play originals and bounced back and forth with Self Aside for a few numbers. My throat was beckoning for a break and it was getting late, so we packed it up and said our lengthy goodbyes. Goodbyes are so hard!

Mike and I slept in the girls' hotel room for a few hours and woke everyone up at 3 AM before we departed. We all said goodbye again, and planned to meet next week in Virginia. Currently, we are in Charlotte, NC. This week will find us visiting more grandparents (with more gluttonous food) and various friends all over NC. As I said, we'll be in Virginia Beach for Sabbath, Yahweh willing. Next week, we'll have a home-show and jam session in Philadelphia. Looking forward and thankful for all the new people we've met and for all the old relationships that have been cemented on this trip. Only two full-official weeks left. Woohoo!

Peace, love, lynays

P.S. We put our etsy on vacation mode because keeping track of inventory was hard on the road. However, we'll be opening back up with many new exciting things on February 1st. A quick hint to our new handmade and vintage items include: vintage clothing, art prints, and fiber arts. Keep posted!

P.P.S. Also check out this blog: http://sheephillherbs.blogspot.com/ It is very informative and I love it!

From Emory, TX

2011-12-28T00:49:00.000-05:00

When we left off, we were headed to Arkansas. As plans tend to get diverted, and rightfully so, they did, a bit. Just a few hours after the last post, we followed signs to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Where we thought we were, wasn't where we were. But putting annoyance aside in the hopes of divine intervention, we kept following signs toward the primitive camping sites. They took us to some country roads and at around 11:30 PM we pulled to a fork in the *deserted, dirt* road. To the right was Passover Rd., to the left, another name of less importance. So we turned right and drove about 1/2 mile on a dark, one-lane-pine-tree-surrounded road. Suddenly, a vast blackness and only a sandy colored gravel leading to it, filled our vision. It was rather frightening, but Mike inched the car along and we saw the gravel continued to the right, so he followed. The lights splashed across numbered posts and an outhouse. Noone in sight. We turned off the car and jumped out into the daunting, thick darkness.

Honestly, it was terrifying. The silence and complete lack lights was so foreign, my wild animalistic instincts had me on high alert. When I thought I was hearing something bounding through the woods toward me, I realized it was the mist falling off the leaves on the trees and landing on the bed of organic mulch below. Yes, that's quiet. In times of past, we've had to hike in for six or more hours to get that kind of silence. This was an unexpected treat. Some of our hobbies in life include finding the most silent places we can. We knew it was a blessing.

Mike and I walked toward the blackness and realized it was a lake. The lake of the Ozarks. The water was so crystal clear, he walked right into it. When we're in such a pristine, sacred and natural place, it's hard to use flashlights or other worldly devices. It's special. The vibes are so unadulturated and we feel the presence of the Great Father, the Creator, when we're around that environment. We spent the night.

The next morning was beautiful and we got some video that we'll be sharing soon. We drove to Arkansas and arrived at Ouachita (pronounced Watchitaw) National Forest. Similar story, drove on a back road for a few hours and when we couldn't drive anymore, we stopped and made a little campsite beneath the pines (video to come also). What a silent and wonderful retreat. We love to be in nature. The night was peaceful, no wild animal sounds that are so typical in places like that. The next morning we heard some sort of military missile range or some such place. But that didn't last and we had a peaceful time. Spent another night there and left in the morning for Emory.

Arrived in Emory on Friday. The weekend was full of fellowship, services and meeting lots of new people. We learned more names just this weekend than we have in the last six or so months. And the people were all so wonderful. Naomi came down with a chest cold and fever and we're getting over that slowly but surely. There were so many little kids for her to run with. What an amazing weekend. There are so many great people around here and that traveled into town for the event. We were so blessed. We played two songs after the Sabbath service and had some late-night musical sessions with various people. The weekend was full of music from many gifted people. It was a prime time to sit and be blessed by their gifts.

FINAL REMARKS-

Some of our new friends have opened their home to us and we are so thankful. They are wonderful and worthy of great blessings! In the morning, the plan (we'll see how that goes. he he) is to leave and be on our way to Cisco. One of the many things that has touched me this weekend was realizing just how many people my grandfathers ministry affected positively. People are always telling me how his ministry affected their life and lives of their family. I've heard such beautiful things. When you're on the road travelling, you're vulnerable and your senses are enlivened. Things can get intense fast. We have been blessed beyond measure while traveling!

Til we meet again,
lynays

Walts Bicycle, Fitness and Wilderness Company

2011-12-20T19:05:00.000-05:00

On the road again, sitting outside a cool store: Walt's Wilderness. To Arkansas to see cave paintings and soak in hot springs.

This night will probably look something like this: Drive a little, hang out, take a nap, play some music, take another nap, drive some more, hang out in the Ozarks by morning!!!!

We've had a great time in Rocheport, hanging out with old and new friends. Wonderful people! It's been a blast! Thanks to all who've welcomed us. It's been great sharing about the necessity to home-roast your own coffee. I know we've convinced some of the taste difference! Why does everyone always say we look like we use herbs and eat organic? Ha ha. Well I guess we do. Maybe we smell like garlic (which we do). Roasted a pound of coffee beans this morning and are sipping h-h-high quality COfe (H2O). :)

Sorry there's no pictures. We've got no camera. Or else I'd be sharing some amazing sights. :(

Lydia says "When you're traveling with Mike and Grace, be prepared for ANYTHING. I wish I would've brought toilet paper.!"

Was that real?!

2011-12-18T14:16:00.001-05:00

Most of the trip was pretty uneventful. Beautiful weather was the norm, Indiana was all rain, ceasing almost instantly upon entering Illinois. The roads were mostly calm and quiet, with the occasional interruption of turbulence from the passing tractor trailer. I was the sole witness to something that in my mind can only be described as a flying saucer. The funny thing was that it wasn't flying.

It was about 2:00am, I was the only one awake out of the four of us. I had been sipping on some coffee, contemplating the mysteries of the universe; good, evil, Yahshua, his teachings, and how they apply to our daily lives. The radio was off now. The broadcast had sounded different than other radio shows. Very polished and clean, hardly any commercials. It was a lesson in history. The story of a man who attempted to kill a president. I can't remember any names or dates clearly but what sticks in my mind is the story of the man's life. He had a history of being dishonest and stealing. Sins presented along with other facts about his life. The commentator was sharing the history in such a way that lead the listener to believe that everything about him was evil. He and his wife were homeless. They had very few possessions and they traveled a lot. The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no where to lay his head. Killing, lying, and stealing are evil, being homeless is not, nor does it lead to evil. Sin is evil. People will try to impose their point of view and they will call evil good and good evil. Let us know the difference between good and evil and choose to set aside our own will, and do the will of the Father.

It initially caught my eye as it crested a hill in the distance. It was a parade, a giant convoy! Leading the way were four police cruisers with lights on, followed by several other escort vehicles with flashing yellow lights. It was being transported by a tractor trailer. It was an exceptionally wide load, the truck was driving in the center of a two lane highway. That alone is probably enough to explain the police escort. It was dark. The only illumination was from the headlights around it. It was shaped like a giant disc, extremely aerodynamic. As it got closer I was able to see that it was metallic and it had landing gear. No cockpit, more like drone, with no visible place for a person to sit. There were small reflectors on the front and back of the object. 10 to 20 tractor trailers were in tow. Then... empty highway. I found myself wishing I could hit rewind. If only I had a pause button. I would have stared for hours, got out of my car and walked around it, tried to climb inside and sit in the pilot seat. That was awesome! Why wasn't there a tarp on it!? Was that real!?

After the adrenaline and coffee wore off, around 4:00am I couldn't drive anymore. We stopped at a rest area for a couple minutes. Grace woke up and took over driving. The St. Louis skyline stood in the distance with glowing highlights. A truck-stop just across the boarder in Illinois was our home for a few hours. The sun came up and we were rested enough to contemplate going to the City Museum in St. Louis.

UPDATE:
My sister posted this link this morning. Mike has confirmed that it's the same aircraft:
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/It-s-a-bird-It-s-a-plane-It-s-a-UFO/Gdz5Dk85VkKZ2T9jLXwYHQ.cspx

Rocheport, MO Next Week

2011-12-11T22:03:00.000-05:00

101

2011-12-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

For lack of an audience, I'm afraid the prize goes unclaimed. :) Homeschooling has been so fun. We are doing oral and written lessons 8 hours per day. Lydia is doing so great and improving quickly. Our focus is on building a good foundation: 1. How to listen. 2. How to read. 3. How to write. 4. How to search out answers. 5. How to study. I believe that when a pupil masters these things, they are capable of any area of study.

The tour is still being rearranged a bit. Stay tuned for updated dates. We've added one in. The time is approaching fast. In just a few days we will be off and onto adventure. We are tying up loose ends, Mike is cranking out glass-work, and we've been home-roasting batches of coffee for the road. I'm working on a knitted hat and have been stumped by a technique. I must go and find instructions on how to do it.

Until next time,
toodle-ooo!!!

100th POST!!!! Special Earth Series Release!

2011-12-04T22:52:00.001-05:00

I just noticed this will be our 100th post. That's pretty exciting for us! So we're releasing in conjunction with the 100th post, a new, limited-run of six one-of-a-kind pendants. The series is called "THE EARTH SERIES".

The Earth Series to us, is a reminder of the beautiful, inspirational, clockwork rotational and nurturing gift we've been placed in. Thanks everyday for this breathtaking view. The pendants were photographed in a microscopic view of the beauty. Minerals, sulfur, clay, the building blocks of life. Get them while they last on www.lynays.etsy.com!

We hope you enjoy and to show our thanks to all who read the blog, we'd like to offer the SEVENTH missing piece of the Earth Series, not available for sale, to one of our inspired readers. Send us an email at cometocall @ gmail.com and tell us why the blessing of the earth inspires you at this time of year particularly. We will announce the winner on our 101st post.

Thank you to all our readers and supporters! And please submit a sentence or two, so my mom has some competition for the prize! I promise it's good!!!

Thank You

2011-12-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

There are so many wonderful people in our lives who bless us in so many ways. We sometimes get so caught up with our daily routines and duties that we forget about those who are closest to us. Our lives would be truly empty if it were not for the people that we interact with every day. We would not be able to travel and share what the Father has blessed us with if it were not for the blessings we receive from others. We sometimes forget to say these things, but we pray that it never be forgotten.
We can see the Father all around us. He is in every living thing. He is the air that we breath, He is the breath in our lungs, He is the blood in our veins, He is the Light in the sky, He is the Wind in our hair, He is time itself, He is our newborn baby, He is the love in our hearts, He is the stream of pure flowing water, He is the work in our hands, He is the thoughts in our mind, He is the word in our heart, He is the word on our lips, He is the bread that gives life, He is Alive.

On The Road Again..Almost!

2011-12-02T14:56:00.001-05:00

The Father has provided us with a reliable vehicle for the trip now and are gearing up for a lot of stops along our official dates. We'll be playing in homes, fellowships, coffee shops, etc. If you are in a certain area, or know of a person in an area that we may be going by, just send us a comment and we'll get it all worked out. We love to hang out with new friends.

Obviously there will be a lot of updates along the way. Check out our links page for our new Twitter and Facebook accounts, too.

Can't wait to see you all near and far! Stay warm.

Demo Release and Return

2011-11-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

We arrived safely in Pennsylvania on Monday. Playing at Eaton Rapids was a great experience. Seeing old friends, making new ones and sharing lots of music put us on a buzz that lasted quite a while and is still ringing now. There was a great turnout. Our many thanks to everyone at Eaton Rapids for their help and assistance, to everyone who came, to www.YouthforYHWH.org for partnering with us and our huge thanks to the Father who got us there and back!

Now available on www.reverbnation.com and www.grooveshark.com is our new diy demo (just until we get in the studio for real). You can download the songs on ReverbNation and can stream them on both ReverbNation and Grooveshark.

Also in the News arena is our new name: Come To Call , the official name of our band. The demo is called "Demos For Friends". Our tour is called The Water Can Tour, and the Water Can is our current logo. Just to keep you all up to speed. On Grooveshark, it is temporarily named The Water Can (the artist). We'll be working on that glitch.

We'll be on the road again for our second show in three weeks. All the dates are as follows, we will be playing smaller venues between these more official ones. We'll update on where and when we will be places:
December 17th- Rocheport, MO
December 24th- Cisco, TX
December 31st- Augusta, GA
January 7th- Virginia Beach, VA
January 14th- Bronx, NY
January 20th- VT

Stay posted
peace,love,lynays

Band Without a Van

2011-11-15T14:01:00.001-05:00

Yahweh is good. We're trusting he'll help us get to Michigan before the 26th (our first scheduled date). The van is not in service because the Head Gasket is on it's way out very quickly. Now we're a band without a van for the trip that we were planning to leave for in 4 days. It's so good this didn't happen a week from now and leave us stranded in between PA and Michigan somewhere! For this we are so grateful. Still looking forward to touring around and playing music with a bunch of new and old friends.

Our tentative schedule looks like this:
November 22 and/or 29- Lansing, MI
November 26- Eaton Rapids, MI
December 3- Rocheport, MO
December 10- Cisco, TX
December 15- Biloxi, MS
December 17- Augusta, GA
December 24- VA Beach, VA
December 31- NYC, NY
January 7- NH/ VT
January 14- Philadelphia, PA
January 21- Frystown, PA

We'll be stopping along the way and saying hello to a lot of people we know in different areas. Hopefully have many musical moments and memories to carry with us. With us will be the band and great friends, Self Aside.

If our dates change, we will keep everyone posted. SEE THE FLYER BELOW

YOUTH DAY FLYER

Rest Easy

2011-11-04T01:43:00.000-04:00

William D. Swartz

William D. "Willie" Swartz entered into eternal rest unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at MS Hershey Medical Center. Only 14 years old, Willie was a true champion. Overcoming physical disabilities as a double transplant survivor Willie never looked back. His contagious smile was his signature trademark and will be sincerely missed by those who had the honor of knowing him. Willie will be deeply missed by his parents and family, Keith and Angela (Halbleib) Swartz, his sister, Jazmine, and brother, David Swartz of Mount Joy.

Willie was an eighth grade student at Donegal Middle School and loved playing his favorite PlayStation video games Grand Theft Auto and Little Big Planet. He especially enjoyed going to the beach at Ocean City, MD and camping with his family. Willie loved being around people, and found it easy to communicate with friends and strangers alike. His personality was genuine and a natural gift from God, which we were blessed to have shared in Willieâ€™s life journey.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Willie will be deeply missed by his maternal grandparents: Larry and Judy Halbleib, of Bainbridge, and paternal grandparents: Eileen F. Kranch of Rheems and Gary Swartz of Mount Joy; maternal great-grandparent Elizabeth Gutshall of Bainbridge; paternal great-grandparents: Eileen E. Kranch of Rheems and Marguerite Swartz of Elizabethtown.

A Celebration honoring Willieâ€™s life will be held at Florin Church of the Brethren, 815 Bruce Avenue, Mount Joy on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 4 PM with Rev. David Tressler officiating. Friends may view and visit with the family from 2 until 4 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Willieâ€™s name may be directed to the Nemours Fund, Childrenâ€™s Health Dept., Shands House, 1600 Richland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803, Attn: Child Life Department. Online condolences may be directed to www.sheetzfuneralhome.com. Sheetz Funeral Home, Inc, Mount Joy.

Note from Mike and Grace:
Willie was our next door neighbor. He just moved in a couple weeks ago. We didn't get to know him very well. When we would see him out front of his house with his dog we would wave and say hello and he would wave and smile back. Willie is at rest now, but will be raised up on that great day. We will all be in the presence of Yahshua and the Father, surrounded by eternal light. Kieth and Angie, his parents, are great people, keep them in your prayers that they may be comforted.

Getting Ready to Hit the Road

2011-11-02T22:45:00.000-04:00

We leave to go on tour in 17 days. It's exciting planning and brainstorming all of what we might need to take and be prepared for. We are the Water Can and with us will be Doves & Branches. It's really an honor to be on tour with them. We will be releasing information from time to time with new dates and flyers for the events. Also, while we're on tour we'll be keeping a road diary on this blog. We're really most thankful for the gift of having faith and how it has changed our lives. No words could express it (sorry for the cliche) and only experience could understand how rich the blessings and happiness is!

November 26, Eaton Rapids, MI

Standing in the LIGHT

Whirlwind and Great News

2011-10-29T12:05:00.000-04:00

I know, it has been a while. Since the last time we blogged, Grace started a 40 hr/week class, we had a flood, Feast of Tabernacles and all the other life happenings haven't stopped either. It's been so wonderful! Not much time for blogging however. Let's start this off with the good news...

Lynay-s is a featured local artist in the Silver Moon Gallery at Park City Mall (Lancaster, PA). Check out the store's website: www.thesilvermoongallery.com

We currently have four pendants on display, and will be delivering many more within the next few weeks. It's a great blessing to be on display with such fine artists local and national, we couldn't be more thankful! If you're at Park City sometime soon, make sure to stop in and find our stuff! You'll see our business card beside our display.

Feast of Tabernacles was a blast. It was so uplifting, inspiring and full of the Great Spirit! I've never felt anything like it in any years previously. We were overwhelmed with joy and blessings. Mike and I were the youth leaders for ages 12+ and had 27-30 kids in our group. It was a handful, but so fun! Pictures soon...

Hurricane Lee dumped 10-20 inches of rain on Lancaster County. We are already WAY over our records for this year and are forecasted to get 6-12 inches of SNOW TONIGHT...Before November 1st! I've been warning our snow crew of a wet and blizzardy winter. Now they'll see why. The tides off the coast of Washington and California predict it perfectly every year. Back to Lee, however...

A few feet of water in the basement, lost a lot of stuff, but haven't felt better! We can fit all our possessions in the van now. It is so liberating!!!

We were blessed to receive funding for a new guitar from our fellowship family and gifts from friends and family as well. The love of the Father truly provides. The insurance covered the house's heating system.

It took me a while to write this, it is now snowing and coming down at around an inch an hour. A baseball sized snowflake just fell on our windshield! Going down to Smoketown because Mike is on call tonight and we want to be ready to bunk before the roads get super bad. Already have over an inch and it looks like it may be 6-11 more inches. Again, NOT EVEN NOVEMBER YET. :)

Peace, Love, lynays
Grace

More later

Featured in New Treasuries

2011-09-02T11:33:00.001-04:00

From time to time curators on Etsy put together treasury lists of featured items. Here are a few that we are honored to have been put into (click the titles):

The Light of Day

Vintage Japan

Summer Sunsets

Blue

Enjoy, and don't forget to favorite these lists to promote the items!

love, peace, lynays

2011-08-22T10:58:00.000-04:00

We love fermented foods. If you don't know anything about it, it's the natural and original way to pickle things. True sauerkraut is lacto-fermented, NOT pasteurized and soaked in vinegar. The difference is an amazingly healthy antibiotic, probiotic and health tonic vs. a sodium loaded junk food. Check out this link if you want to know more about the history. Lacto-Fermentation

Here we are washing jars. Got them super cheap at our local MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) thrift store.

Here are lids, cherry tomatoes from the garden and free cucumbers from our Amish raw milk suppliers.

I put all the tomatoes into boiling water and immediately removed them directly into ice water. This keeps the nutrients and causes the skin to separate from the tomato. Dip out the tomato, peel the skin, place pulp in green bowl and skin in white for compost.

As described above.

Skins!

Pulp.

Tomatoes in ice water.

Just one of the three bowls of our tomato harvest that we fermented. I've got 3 more bowls to ferment today.

Ugly cucumbers.

Here is the end result of our salsa. Make sure tomatoes are cup up really good, add in onion, garlic, some green pepper, a little salt, whey (left over from making yogurt), tons of HOT PEPPERS and cover tight. This is THE BEST hot salsa I've ever had! Great thing is, 1. It's raw. 2. It's a probiotic. 3. It is really hot and spicy. 4. It's almost completely free!!! (Just maybe a penny for each jar (the salt and whey byproduct from making yogurt)). 5. It is super fast and easy.

WHEY

Cucumbers in water and whey/salt/spices.

8 jars of cucumbers, 6 jars of kickin salsa

Sauerkraut:

Add cabbage, cardamom seeds and whey and salt. Mash (by hand) for a while till there's a lot of juice.

Cabbage is incredibly juicy when bruised. Who knew?

There was tons of juice.

Then just put it into jars and let sit.

2 hours worth of work, $1.50 worth of materials, enough health food to last a family 6 months. This will KILL colds, flus, stomach ailments, any sickness or candidas. This will give you energy, fix your intestines, stomach, colon with beneficial bacteria, thus healing your body. Great for many many ailments. It's a no brainer!

Water Can Zine Issue 1 Release

2011-08-18T05:29:00.000-04:00

Here is the first ever issue of THE WATER CAN, a lynays quarterly zine. To subscribe or to subscribe for someone you know, to the snail mail version, please send an email to lynays.give @ gmail.com with name/address and preferably either a phone or email. We would gladly send one.

Pages 1 and 2
Pages 3 and 4

Enjoy!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2011-08-18T04:46:00.000-04:00

We tried this recipe on www.hillbillyhousewife.com (CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE) to make our own liquid laundry soap. The articles I've read on numerous websites report that this method only costs 2 cents per load, whereas even the worst and cheapest detergent at most stores averages at 9 cents per load. This is pretty substantial in my mind so I had to try it.

Here is the grating of the soap (I didn't use Fels Naptha because I wanted to try a local soap first).

Here is the mixture heating and the ingredients minus the bar soap (in the pot). I got the washing soda and borax at our local grocery store.

Here it is cooling.

RESULTS:

The process took a total of 10 minutes to make 2.5 gallons. It was cheap, easy, and we are now through with the 2.5 gallons of laundry soap. It worked TERRIFIC on all our clothes including the diapers. I will never buy soap again. This is easy and cheap and smells GREAT.

Next post...our new concentrated powdered version of homemade laundry detergent.

What Season?

2011-08-17T00:42:00.000-04:00

Lately, (since August 1st) it's felt like September! The summer seems to be running away very fast and the last few weeks have been temperate, windy, rainy, overcast. It's a real phenomenon in my life experience. As a tribute to the coming fall, I've put a picture of a cappuccino from scratch that we (famously and) regularly make here. If you happen to be here and are curious, just ask and we'll whip one up for you:

That's Nutmeg sprinkled on the top of frothy steamed RAW Jersey milk and espresso (chocolate too) in a vintage Japanese made beer stein.

They are so good.

ONTO MORE HEALTHY THINGS:

And since "flu season" is coming, here's a simple home herbal tea to mix up. It will cure colds, congestion, coughs, aches, pains, stomach ailments etc. etc. And almost all the ingredients should already be in your spice cabinet. Just find the ones that you have, throw a tea together and feel better almost instantly:

1 Part Oregano (incredibly effective cold and flu remedy, intrigues the immune system promoting health and vitality)
1 Part Thyme (again, an amazing remedy for all things cold and flu, as above)
1-2 Parts Peppermint, Spearmint or Wintergreen Leaves (In case you didn't know, mint is an incredible plant. We use it as a tea internally, also in a bath or rubbing a drop or two of the oil externally to remedy everything from aches, pains, headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness, sore throats, swollen glands, congested lungs, congested sinuses, allergies, etc.) You can find it in most meadows, along side (relatively non polluted roadsides for health reasons) roads, in streams, on wet banks in the sun, etc. and pick, replant at your house or dry for year round use.

1 Part Ginger (Stomach ailments, good for the immune system, tastes good, sweetens teas, etc.)
Pinch of Cinnamon, Fennel Seeds or Aniseed (as a natural sweetener and cure all stomach ailments, lack of energy, immune booster)

You can always use Echinacea leaves or roots, home-ground Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Lemon Peel or Lemon Juice, Onions, Horseradish, Garlic (or Garlic Powder), Sage and many more for all sorts of ailments.

TEA RECIPE: I boil water, then pour it over my herbs (in a mason jar on a very warm surface) to fill the jar, wrap in a towel and cover tightly with a lid keeping the essential healing oils in. Let sit for 10 to 30 minutes in the warm place. You can strain the herbs. I take them internally because I don't want to waste any nutrients, but you don't have to.

For pulling congestion or infection out of the body through the skin (from a localized area like the lungs or an internal ailment), don't forget about potatoes or mustard! Slice or grate potatoes, pack onto skin, cover with a towel, bandage or ace bandage (hot is good, but it can be room temperature) and let it sit as long as you can. Potatoes will pull any infection right through the skin. I used it for mastitis and an abscess and it really really worked! It burned, because the infection was bad, but it worked better than anything. The fever decreased within an hour of application and continued to fall over a few hours.

For mustard, make sure you don't put it directly on the skin (for ground mustard powder made into a hot paste). Fold the hot paste between a piece of fabric and apply to skin for 1 minute. Then take off and wait a bit. Repeat if necessary after an hour or so. For regular mustard, heat it and rub it right in. Put a hot towel over it. Rest for a LITTLE WHILE like 15 minutes. Rinse. Reapply every hour until you start getting substantial relief. Use topical remedies in conjunction with soothing effective internal ones.

Hope no one gets sick, but the seasons are changing and that's when my body is tested the most.

Love,
Grace

Cherry Tomato Harvest and Snack

2011-08-14T23:24:00.000-04:00

When our cherry tomatoes first came up, we were dying to have some fresh fruit of the summer. We ran up to the grocery and got some pumpernickel bagels and made these awesome and nutritious snacks!

Immunobooster Snack:

Pumpernickel Bagels
Toast + Smear with whipped dill cream cheese (whip cream cheese, add fresh dill, herbs and celtic sea salt) (or Greek Yogurt) + Place Halved cherry tomatoes on top + Add diced garlic and a smidge of Celtic Sea Salt

AND

VOILA= an awesome snack that tastes good, is potent and perfectly in season.

Ahem, ahem, is this thing on?

2011-08-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

So you see it? Do you see the new layout? I suppose you do. Anyway, we just unveiled our new official logo and image (done by the one and only amazing graphic artist Mikael) for lynays, as well as combining it with the technical info on Heirloom Identity. Our page has been in limbo as we unroll these image stabilizers. Now we have one. Hooray! Sorry, by the way, if you got like 20 emails from us saying that we posted a new post yesterday. Wups! Hope it didn't bother you guys too much. There's a lot rolling around the pipes right now. Let me update you on it all.

We are about to unveil a video detailing a trip we will be taking this winter around the eastern and mid western part of the country and all of the details surrounding it. Also in the video, you'll get a taste of some conspiring* friends, our bigger vision with what lynays is, what we hope it will be and a new sub-project that we pray will be a blessing to a bunch of people. Keep posted for the video, it should be out sometime around the 23rd of August.

It's been really apparent that it is time to move forward with our vision. You may not know this, but lynays was born over the 4th of July week in the back of a truck in Northern New York in 2009! I know. Hard to believe. But it's so much more than a blog, and our online store. It's our ministry and you'll see why soon. So we're getting serious and organizing our paperwork as it should be as well as stepping out to do some adventures and outreach that we really feel we are supposed to do. I can't explain why, but it feels like something.

Pray for us and our mission in the future and guidance that we will honor Him in it all.

By the way, one of my bestest friends gave birth to a most beautiful little girl this last week. The baby's name is Ziva. Congratulations Britney and Azariah (spelling?, sorry!). Hope to see you soon! Get lots and lots of rest...for the next 3 months.

And we will be changing a few things on the blog to make it easier to use, and look up old articles. While you're waiting for all the excitement, check out our new tabs above!

Peace, Love & Lynay-s Forever

SEE THAT SEA Release: Wire Wrapped Pendants and Shells

2011-08-05T14:13:00.002-04:00

SEE THAT SEA

Now Available! Wire Wrapped Pendants and Shells on Etsy!

AND we are adding more wire wrapped items everyday. They are all on a ribbon and/or adjustable hemp. See pictures below! Feel free to reserve the one you want or wait for it to come up in our shop.

Bones of Clay, Harnessed in Silver (Wrapped Shell)

EXCALIBER

Lots of New Pieces and A Sneak Peak at Our New Series

2011-08-02T22:58:00.002-04:00

News Headlines:

Sorry it took so long to blog again.

1. Our camera lens broke, so we are in the process of replacing it, I'm sorry if the pictures are of a lower quality. We are trying our best to keep the quality up.

2. We have a lot of new pendants up on Etsy. Click Here. These include sea inspired coral, anemone and jellyfish creatures, encased in the magnifying glass. They are surely fun to look at!

3. In just a few days, we will be unveiling our newest series of wholesale jewelry. First here on our blog, you can see a sneak preview of new pieces and the new styles of jewelry making that we are going to have up on etsy.

Diapers!!! FINALLY

2011-07-15T00:52:00.002-04:00

It is amazingly difficult to coordinate 1. Most of the diapers being clean 2. Having time 3. Getting around to doing this post. But nonetheless, here it is! The post I wished I could've read before I had to spend hours online figuring this all out for myself. :) I HOPE this helps you new mamas, or new to cloth diapering mamas.

BRIEFING: Okay. 1. A diaper is cloth. Any cloth. The pee won't run out, they are absorbent and will feel wet when the baby is wearing a dirty one. Encourages potty training!!!! 2. You need a cover. Because the cloth gets wet, you need a cover to keep the carpet, carseat, couch dry and smelling fresh. 3. Covers can be bought on sale (I only buy them on sale) when stores or websites are clearing out inventory or companies are promoting a new design. There are basic ones that aren't anything like the plastic pants of the old days, but are PUL, waterproof material. They all work well.

COST: $40
Full diaper system birth to 1 year old, our plan, our strategy-

$0-$4---24 gifted receiving blankets or receiving blankets from Goodwill, Yard Sales (!!), or Secondhand shops
$8---4 100% wool sweaters from same as above. Makes 20 newborn soakers or 8 toddler soakers. You will have plenty!
$4---Make your own carry bag
$18--3 PUL Soakers Just in Case
$0--Any gifts people give you. Gift cards to diaper sites, etc. These will let you experiment with products you wouldn't go out on a limb for.
$2-- Good dritz (safety) pins (Snappis are cool, but wear out after 6 months, no landfill waste for me. What if I inherit that land someday? I don't want to live on a landfill.)

COVERS:
You only need 3-4 covers! Sometimes that is minimum, but we've only ever had a total of 4 covers and there are no problems. No need to spend tons of money.

1. Knitted: Learn to knit, make some awesome covers from free patterns on www.ravelry.com. Buy wool or alpaca, camels hair, mohair, angora, or lambs wool, always, as natural as you can. My favorite is $9/skein. One average skein yields 2 1/2 HIGH QUALITY soakers. Can be sold for $30-40 easily...yes, each.
2. Repurposed Sweaters: Buy 100% wool, 100% Merino or 100% Lambswool sweaters from Goodwill with your saver card (makes it even cheaper), cut them up, sew to make 5 small soakers or 2 large soakers. Very fast, easy, works well! Very absorbent if you pick a nice thick wool.

WOOL/ Fiber knitted etc. SOAKERS ONLY NEED TO BE WASHED WHEN THEY GET POO on them or start to smell. You soak them in Lanolin so that they repel the moisture. It's so cool!!!

3. PUL: Polyurethane, waterproof, lightweight, not one size fits all typically. That's okay, they're more affordable ($5-14 each). When they get dirty, hose them out, dry them off on your pants, reuse. Easy. GREAT FOR HIKING.

4. AIOs: See explanation below in the ALL IN ONE section.

Your prime tool: A BIG bag to hold your diapers, or a drawer or whatever. We seem to be very mobile and this works really great for us. I made it, patchwork granny squares all crocheted together. Scarf through holes in the top as handles.

The WHOLE shebang: Diapers, Liners, Doublers, Covers, Wet Bag, Holding Bag, etc.

FLAT DIAPERS:
The idea... Flat diapers are the original cloth diaper. When sewing wasn't available, cloth was wrapped around the baby's bottom to soak up pee and keep the mess off the mama. You have to fold these up. They are very large pieces of (cotton) fabric unfolded.
My opinion... I love them! They dry super fast on the line, stay soft, are free or insanely cheap, can be used for anything, very versatile. Don't look like a diaper. Easy to hand-wash! By far my favorite to use on the trail, camping, on the road, etc.

Exhibit A: I have about a dozen of these great, vintage, handmade diapers. They are extremely long rectangle strips of fabric that you fold up as a great and versatile diaper. I was introduced to them by my grandmother who used this style back in the late 50s and early 60s. I've never seen these on any of the diapering sites, they're totally unique. By the way, they're EASY to make. 1. Tear flannel 2. Serge ends 3. Catch poop.

Exhibit B: I have over a dozen receiving blankets that I fold up as you'll see below, into a fantastic absorbent diaper. Like I said, most everyone can get a-hold of receiving blankets for free or dirt cheap.

Folding Process: Origami Fold...Sounds hard, a 3 year old can do it.

PREFOLD DIAPERS:

The idea...prefolded, and sewn together so you don't have to do a lot of folding.

I SAY...these are convenient, durable, etc. take a lot longer to dry than the others because of the many layers vs. 1 layer thing, but it doesn't bother me at all. This is what we started with. They're a great trainer diaper for newbies. These are organic cotton, unbleached and are really really affordable. They are made and sold by small time producers, so less worrying about sweat shops and slave labor. Which I tend to worry about...not excessively of course.

Laying Flat:

You can always add a liner on the inside or out for extra absorbancy.

1. Pull to ends together, one overlapping the other. 2. Fold the narrower part up to be even with the back. 3. Fold in tabs.

There are tricks and tips that help enormously, but would be too lengthy to get into here. Maybe we'll do some videos in the future. If you demand it.

Classic Gerber Birds Eye Pre-Folds:

This is your mom's diaper system of the 70s. Gerber produces these uber-affordable, accessible birds-eye tri-fold prefold cotton cloth diapers.

CONS:
1. They are thinner than any of the other diapers
2. They may be bleached cotton standard, though I think you can get them unbleached.
3. Made and manufactured by a huge corporation that is probably using sweat shop labor and under cutting higher quality products made at home by people locally.

PROS:
1. They are pretty cheap, you can buy them or ask for them as a gift and most people will be able to get them easily.
2. You can buy them at almost any store that sell baby stuff (a lot of good diapers must be bought on line or at a specialty store.)
3. Don't take a long time to dry.

I SAY: We have about 2 dozen of these. They're great, if and only if you put a thick insert in. Any padding will work. Strips of cloth, tri-folded washcloths, etc. Otherwise they're too thin. We didn't buy them. They were given to us and have been a tremendous help to our diaper stash. I probably wouldn't buy them myself because they are contributing to the breakdown of local, stable economies. :(

ALL IN ONES or Modern Diapers:

Ahhh...modern consumer geared ingenious convenient options. Or are they?

The idea...These diapers are hybrids between disposables and cloth diapers. They're fully reusable, but don't have as much bulk as your typical cloth diapers. No folding necessary, just shove your insert in the pocket and you're ready to go.

I SAY...We have 3 BumGenius! AIO's (Diaper covers with inserts) and extra microfiber cloth inserts (around a dozen). They are great. Though we don't use them in the ordinary way. Consumer culture found it's way, as it always does, into the trends, even if the trends are to conserve. Sounds like an oxymoron. It is. Your small infant poops around 12 times a day, or mine did. You need AT LEAST 12 covers for 12 poops, and you'd better be washing them one after the other in the washing machine or by hand, or you won't have a diaper cover to put on the baby. We use our flat or prefold diapers, put on the baby like normal and the BumGenius! diaper cover only, unless we put an insert in for overnight sleeping. They're kind of expensive ($15 a pop) and the company wants you to have as many covers as inserts. You can spend a lot of money or a tiny bit on cloth diapering. It's up to you. We love the versatility of the one size fits all cover. We've used it from day one till now (1 year plus) and it still fits great. So the covers are great, as covers. The stains come out very easily. However, BumGenius is pretty big now and I wouldn't be surprised if Gerber owned them. Stay away from big corporations. They tend to ruin our local economies by outsourcing all the labor to cheap, or slave laborers in other countries. I don't want to be a part of it.

1980s style Pre-fitted diaper:

Our parents used these. They are pre-shaped. Extremely durable. Many layers, take longer to dry, don't always catch the poops because you can't fold in little gussets. Not my favorite, but it works. This one is unbleached, all organic, WAHM (work at home mom) made in the USA. Cool! Around $15 each. Labor costs money. We have to deal with it. We only own one of them, but it's really easy. Mike likes it!

What about storage for dirty diapers? 1. Take off diaper. 2. Put poop in toilet (if clumpy) 3. Put in wetbag.
We used a bucket for a while, but it's not that necessary. Wetbags can be expensive. In that case, use a bucket or whatever you can. Plastic grocery bags work.

How do I wash them? However you want. Machine is easiest. Conserve energy and wash by hand. Line dry, or dry in your dryer. Use natural soaps, no cheap stuff. Stay away from brighteners and Phosphates (you'll see them in the ingredients). I make my own detergent. It's insanely cheap. Cheaper than buying even the cheapest and it's eco-friendly and non corrosive.

What about wipes? We use cloth reusable wipes. Baby washcloths are really cheap and work awesome. You'll probably get tons from your baby shower, or load up at yard sales for pennies. Throw them in with the diapers when you wash them.

What about stains? Line dry your diapers. The sun bleaches the diapers. Don't use bleach on your diapers. This can really hurt your baby's bottom.

OUR BAG THAT HOLDS IT ALL and the wetbag beside it.

SOURCES: Get your cloth diapers from these awesome retailiers (there are SO many good ones online. A lot of WAHMS serve in the diaper manufacturing industry):

www.diaperware.com
www.greenmountiandiapers.com

Mi Bruna Day of Being

2011-07-12T23:06:00.001-04:00

As he said, the day only affects bookkeeping. As well as making me feel old. Thanks little bruna! Happy day of being. Love you!

Early Summer Harvest

2011-07-12T22:54:00.001-04:00

Early summer harvest time! We didn't wait until the tomatoes are red to harvest, no. We breaded them, fried them up and had fried green tomatoes! What a miracle growing vegetables is. Of course, the life giving element was naught of us. Praise the father!

1. Beets
2. Fried Green Tomatoes
3. Turnips
4. Sweet Peas

Morning Ride

2011-07-12T22:47:00.002-04:00

This is just one of the amazing things I've seen while riding bike. The sun rising over Mount Joy, in all it's fiery brilliance.

Year and Growing

2011-07-06T01:24:00.001-04:00

Over a year old now. It's only going to get better.

Check out her busy week in pictures.

Especially see her busy day. We just wore her out!

Hollowform Hearts Sneak Preview

2011-07-06T00:52:00.002-04:00

Coming soon to our etsy shoppe, hollowform hearts! We are selling all pendants at wholesale-pendant-supply pricing.

Summer Flowers

2011-07-06T00:47:00.002-04:00

Smoother Coffee

2011-07-06T00:44:00.002-04:00

Recently, I tried an experiment with coffee. I didn't have much and wanted it to stretch, and be as strong as possible (LOVE STRONG COFFEE).

1. So I put the grounds in the basket for my purcolator and just dropped it right into the boiling water (it was shallow, but the water covered the grounds).
2. Then I turned it off and let it steep for a few minutes.
3. Take the basket out, pour into cup.

4. Drink incredibly smooth (not bitter or having a bad aftertaste) coffee.

Raspberry Harvest

2011-07-06T00:38:00.002-04:00

Raspberry Time! Summer is here!

1. Drive down country roads

2. Find plentiful raspberry bushes (everywhere)

3. Pick berries

4. Mix with ice, milk, blend

5. Enjoy Raspberry Smoothies!

Introducing Our Vintage Store

2011-06-24T01:28:00.003-04:00

We have introduced our vintage section of our store on Etsy. Check out some of the things we've uploaded.

Here is an exclusive sneak peak of more items to come. Check the shop regularly, new items are posted every day!

Soon To Come! My Diapering System in Detail

2011-06-19T23:33:00.002-04:00

Tomato Army Orchard

2011-06-19T23:31:00.002-04:00

What began in our garden by planting heirloom tomatoes, was a massive spawning ground this year for more tomato plants than we can contain. We have begun to mobilize the invading tomato plants (after taking out 200 others) by transplanting an orchard-like tomato patch. They are caged now, all around the property, and in single-file rows by the dozens in our back yard. By the way, I'm very sorry for sounding militant. It just came out....honest.

Our Week In Pictures

2011-06-19T23:25:00.001-04:00

Dave, Naomi, Matt, Grace & Mike

Official Launch of the Emerson Series

2011-06-11T20:14:00.002-04:00

The Emerson Series

NOW ON SALE!!! Released June 10, 2011 : Click the Picture Above

Visit our newest creations on Etsy! Our showcase, the Emerson Series reflects some of

Ralph Waldo Emerson's most renowned poems. All the pendants were named

after and photographed with their respectable passages.

Poems paired with pendants include the titles:

Eros (Silence)
Faith
Give All To Love
Give Me Truths
Phoenix
The Apology
The Days Ration
Thine Eyes Still Shined
Friendship
Love
Prudence
The Amulet
Word and Deed
Ode to Beauty

Below is a tasting of the pendant's namesake: Give Me Truths (Blight)

Blight

"Give me truths,
For I am weary of the surfaces,
And die of inanition. If I knew
Only the herbs and simples of the wood,
Rue, cinquefoil, gill, vervain, and pimpernel,
Blue-vetch, and trillium, hawkweed, sassafras,
Milkweeds, and murky brakes, quaint pipes and sundew,
And rare and virtuous roots, which in these woods
Draw untold juices from the common earth,
Untold, unknown, and I could surely spell
Their fragrance, and their chemistry apply
By sweet affinities to human flesh,
Driving the foe and stablishing the friend,—
O that were much, and I could be a part
Of the round day, related to the sun,
And planted world, and full executor
Of their imperfect functions. ..."

www.anheirloomidentity.blogger.com
www.lynays.net

The Emerson Series Official Launch

2011-06-11T20:13:00.002-04:00

The Emerson Series

NOW ON SALE!!! Released June 10, 2011 : Click the Picture Above

Visit our newest creations on Etsy! Our showcase, the Emerson Series reflects some of

Ralph Waldo Emerson's most renowned poems. All the pendants were named

after and photographed with their respectable passages.

Poems paired with pendants include the titles:

Eros (Silence)
Faith
Give All To Love
Give Me Truths
Phoenix
The Apology
The Days Ration
Thine Eyes Still Shined
Friendship
Love
Prudence
The Amulet
Word and Deed
Ode to Beauty

Below is a tasting of the pendant's namesake: Give Me Truths (Blight)

Blight

www.anheirloomidentity.blogger.com
www.lynays.net

Looking for Free Cloth Diaper Covers?

2011-06-05T09:33:00.002-04:00

If you are willing to do some minor repairs (elastic, velcro, stain removal (put it in the sun!)), you can get free cloth diaper covers on this forum. Just pay shipping. It's legit. I'm really involved in this forum and the mama's are awesome.

I hope this helps someone! Let me know if it did...

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/list/16890/free-for-shipping#page=0&FilterType1=true&FilterType2=true&FilterType4=true&FilterType5=true&FilterTypeOpen=true&FilterTypeSold=false&FilterOrderByBy=Creation+Date&FilterByTag=0

Efficiency in the Home

2011-06-04T00:52:00.002-04:00

Though it may get me in trouble in some circles, I am a list maker. I make a checklist every morning on our chalkboard and try to do as many of the tasks as possible before I go to bed. If I don't get them done, I just erase the ones I did get done and replace them with new ones. It works really well for me, but I'm a list person. It helps me to stay focused, which is what we all need a little bit of in this add world.

Heirloom Seed Supplier

2011-06-04T00:48:00.002-04:00

Where do I get my seeds from?

Our local museum maintains heirloom seeds that have been grown and cultivated in this area for hundreds of years. They are top notch!

Old Rotten Cherries

2011-06-04T00:46:00.002-04:00

We found past ripe cherries. Weren't eating them fast enough. So I blanched the cherries, mashed them. Saved the skins and pulp. Made that into cherry shortbread. Took the juice, put it in the fridge. It turned to gel. We drank the juice that didn't gel. And spread the jelly over our shortbread. Yum!!!

Garden Update

2011-06-04T00:41:00.002-04:00

The Garden is doing great. See the corn? The beans, the onions, countless other veggies? We got our fence up the other day. Each year I think I won't put it up, but then the rabbits eat our food and I cave. So save the sweet peas! Up goes the fence. I'm trying something new this year by growing stuff beside our garage. It seems to be good soil. I didn't prep it or anything.

We are going to get horse manure tomorrow from the local farm. The plants needs some manure! I'm going to put it in between the rows and cover it with mulch. The way my grandfather used to do it.

Chopstick Baby Walking G Diddy

2011-06-04T00:36:00.000-04:00

She put the chopsticks in one hand all by herself! I guess she sees us eat with them at every meal and gets the idea by now. :)

Grandpa needs his walks!

Bike Tales

2011-06-04T00:16:00.001-04:00

I've started to ride bike to work in the mornings. I only work 3 days a week, but I'll get up really early and leave as the sun is coming up. It takes me about an hour to go 15 miles. Later on in the day, my hubby and baby meet me at the office. It's worked out great so far. We love to ride bike and over the last four years have put countless miles on our bikes. I'm also looking to trade my mountain bike in for a road bike.

There's something about riding a bike that puts me into a meditative state. My brain doesn't have to think much. I try to silence it for the most part. All I do is pray, pedal, silence. A good bike ride yields a reset on the brain.

Pictures of Playdates, and More

2011-05-31T22:32:00.000-04:00

Naomi and Kaitlynn

Colorwork and An Anonymous Heirloom Momento

2011-05-31T22:20:00.001-04:00

I just started knitting a little pouch for Mike and am experimenting with color-work. We'll see how I do. Here's the beginning:

I'll show my progress in later posts.

The yarn was bought (insanely cheap) from an elderly lady who was getting rid of her stash due to down-scaling from a house to an apartment. I also got some fabric and crochet thread as well. It was a steal, but I had an awesome time hanging out with her. And all of the materials are in fabulous 1970s designs and colors!

While in her kitchen, she showed me a doilie that her mother-in-law knitted for her. It was beautiful, with an browning antiqued fade and yes, I said knitted. The work was so exact and detailed with things and techniques I've never seen before. She seemed thrilled to show someone who cared. I looked to my left and hanging on a cabinet knob was a gorgeous white (antique faded) silk wedding dress. It was obviously from an era that even my parents didn't see the light of. She was much older than my grandparents.

I asked if it was her wedding dress. She said yes. I could almost see her eyes light up. It was very old fashioned and elegant (think Jackie O) with a fully enclosed chest and a short turtle neck. The sleeves were long, piqued to the middle finger and had a row of six satin buttons on the wrist of each. The dress hung to the ground and had a three or four foot long silk train bustled to the hanger. I imagined her younger self, filling up the dress with excitement on her wedding day and her husbands lost breath at the sight of such beauty.

She told me she would offer it to the grandchildren. If they didn't want it, it was going to goodwill. Someone would buy an anonymous heirloom.

Nonetheless Confusing

2011-05-31T21:11:00.000-04:00

Naomi loves to eat. Yesterday, la-la took us out for lunch and for the first time ever, Naomi opened her mouth and spit out something I gave her. Until now, she eats anything. Hot, cold, spicy, bland, anything. Her favorite foods are tuna, salmon, beets, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, chicken, ice cream, etc etc. She loves to drink from a glass but don't try to give her a sippie cup. She'll have no part in that. When we went and visited with Grandma and Levi, Naomi b-lined it for him when he started drinking from his bottle. She was trying to take the bottle! I have tried to give her a bottle, but she won't drink out of it. It was very cute nonetheless confusing. See her squeezing his skin??? She was shaking vigorously too. And smiling.

Rabbit Fodder

2011-05-25T22:13:00.001-04:00

I feel inclined to say that all of our sweet peas have become Rabbit Fodder this year. All the plants we've been growing have been eaten. That cat had better get busy! Those rabbits are driving me batty.

Gardening Galore

2011-05-25T22:11:00.001-04:00

Our garden was filled with volunteer tomato plants this year. There are literally a few hundred. Well, I'm trying to get rid of them before they die, and they won't all fit in the garden!

Anybody want some tomatoes? Get them fast, they're dying and free on Craigslist!

Also, we are willing to sell Swiss Chard and Kale this year, just in case anyone wants to buy some. Just contact us!

Husqvarna Viking 1+ and Garden Updates

2011-05-22T19:27:00.001-04:00

I just bought a Husqvarna Viking 1+ Sewing Machine on Craigslist. I couldn't be more happy. However, it's getting looked over in the shop right now, so I can't play with my new machine. Bummer. I'll post photos when I get it back. It does embroidery, sewing and a lot of other stuff. I'm really itching to sew with it though. I have so many things to do and to finish.

We worked in the garden today, weeding, planting, planning, transplanting. I noticed my peas weren't growing well along the side of the house where I had them, so I moved them into the main bed. Also, we have free tomato plants to whoever wants them. There's hundreds. Our plants last year seeded out and they're growing like weeds in our garden. So far, we have:
Sweet Corn
Russian Kale
Swiss Chard
Radishes
Sweet Peas
Tomatoes Galore: Cherry & Beefsteak
Lettuce
Onions
Beets
Horseradish
Cilantro
Cabbage
Alfalfa
Chamomile
Calendula
Mint
Soapwort

And we planted today:
More Sweet Peas
Fisher Beans
PA German Red Kidney Beans
Black Eyed Peas
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
More Beets
Potatoes
Garlic
Watermelon
White Cucumber
Gherkin Cucumber
Strawberries
Lavendar
Hot Peppers

I feel like this is the first year that we have a really good handle on the garden. It's pretty exciting! We got a lot the other years, but as far as being in control of what's going on (not that that ever happens), we are more thorough stewards this year. There are a few things we should've had in a lot earlier, and they either didn't survive our cat, or they didn't get planted because of the rain.

Looking forward to fresh fruits and veggies this summer!

Husqvarna Viking 1+

2011-05-22T19:25:00.000-04:00

Flying By

2011-05-22T19:12:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how time flies when the baby is growing. Every day she's doing something new. Whether a new tooth, or crawling, it goes on and on. Lately, Naomi has been pulling herself up on things, very quickly. She did it before, but she's a pro now. And she's crawling fast, learning 'no' really well, she hands stuff to me and I say thank you, then hand it back and she says thank you. The list goes on and on. It's really amazing to watch her grow. It's really hard to believe.

Today we worked in the garden. What a great time. The rain let up just enough to get around 6 hours of gardening in. I am feeling it, too. Mike had to go mow today since we had so much rain last week. They missed a few days. Other news with the business, is we rented an office and are all moved in. It's really great. There's so much to do, so little time.

I got a new sewing machine too, used, from Craigslist...it's in the shop getting looked over. It does sewing and embroidery. I'm super excited to use it. The wait is killing me, but there's a lot of laundry right now, so I'm not twiddling my thumbs or anything.

Just thought I'd get a quick blog entry in while the baby sleeps. Love you all!

An Heirloom Identity

2011-05-15T00:39:00.001-04:00

An heirloom identity, passed on from ages past, carried on to ages forward, preserved for the age herein, giving us sanity in this cold-hearted factory farmed earth.

News Headline!!!

2011-05-01T17:02:00.000-04:00

Guess who pooped in the potty????
Quite impressive!!!
Naomi did! Awesome times.

Crawling Measley

2011-05-01T10:17:00.001-04:00

Crawling Measley...I never expected to say that my kid has the Measles. I thought the Measles died off with the Great Depression or something. I don't know why the invention of a vaccine caused me to believe it didn't exist anymore, but nonetheless, we've got it! Naomi has been so great.

We don't do vaccines. It was an easy choice to make. I am not vaccinated, so why would I vaccinate my child? My health record is pretty stellar, I would say. And I generally attribute it to having not had my vaccines. There's a lot of evidence they actually make you susceptible to a whole world of ailments. Mike has been vaccinated. Matt has too. They are great. However, that small chance of side effects isn't worth it to me.

Mom & Dad said that all of us kids, spare Matt who had his vaccines, had the measles. Once you get it, you don't get it again. It's good to get over with when they're little, too. So we've got a play date arranged to see if we can get some of our friend's children sick with the Measles while they're little. That's two people that have suggested to me that I should bring my kid over to get their kid sick! I love the community that Measles sparks! :)

Yesterday was Chase & Hunter's opening day for the baseball season. Both of their teams won, and while Chase was making a run, Naomi began to crawl! She was in the grass, with one knee under her and the other leg straight out. In just a few minutes, she started to crawl with both legs straight out behind her. It's pretty funny looking, but I'm so excited to have a crawler!

Here's a picture dump by the way. Hope you guys like it! Pictures of our Spring Plants, gardens, wild edibles & medicinals, Mika, Mika glass blowing.

Love you all & lynays

AND PS. Don't forget to put your email address in the little white box to the right. You'll get instant notifications when we've blogged, put awesome pictures of Naoms up and everything else that goes on here!

Pookie- Tookie- Tookie- Pookie

2011-04-13T23:32:00.001-04:00

Click on the picture above to get a Naomi fix. :) We love you all!

Great Sites We Love

2011-04-12T21:59:00.006-04:00

New pictures up on Flickr!
Also...
Here are some websites we love a lot. They are all very important to us. I don't expect you to go through all of them, but you should!!! Ha ha. Seriously. They will change your life! :) You can use this as a resource from time to time, too.

For Sewing:

For Knitting, Crocheting, Felting:
http://www.ravelry.com
http://www.knittinghelp.com
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss10/index.php
http://www.knitmap.com/
http://www.dailycrocheter.com/

Awesome Blogs!:
http://colorjoy.com/
http://www.bramblestitches.com

Patterns Etc.:
http://hyenacart.com/stores/FernandFaerie/
http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/clothpads.html

Mamas (Frugality, All of the above included):
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com
http://www.radicalfrugality.info/main.html
http://www.instructables.com/

Wholesale Organic Baby Clothing:
http://www.kokobeanshop.com/pages/koko-kouture-15.html

Gardening:
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/
http://www.gardenguides.com/

Hemp:
http://hempbasics.com/shop/ecom-prodshow/1mm_hemp_cord.html

Hot Sauce!!!:
http://www.torchbearersauces.com/

Flameworking:
http://www.talkglass.com
http://www.lampworketc.com
http://www.brentgraber.com
http://www.mountainglassarts.com
http://www.unlimitedoxygen.com
http://www.theglasshive.com
http://www.glasstorchtech.com

Where to Find Raw Milk!:
http://www.realmilk.com/where4.html#pa

Enjoy!

Watch Videos and Get Updates

2011-04-02T21:25:00.001-04:00

Here is a link to our vimeo account that has a bunch of videos of Naomi. http://vimeo.com/21859523

Also, to the right of this post, you'll see a place to put your email address in so that you get notifications for when our blog is updated!!! Isn't that awesome?!! :) Ha ha.

I hope you are all doing well. We are currently awaiting the New Moon to arrive. Yay!

And by the way, love is the best.

Lynays

...Calm in the Midst...

2011-03-26T15:03:00.001-04:00

Untitled, a photo by hikingfortruth on Flickr.

We abruptly arrived in Lancaster, by way of train, on Thursday evening, to help out our family. We will be here indefinitely. Everything is okay, but Jack and his twin brother Jim need prayer. They are both struggling with some depression and anxiety issues. Jim has been hospitalized and Jack is being closely monitored by family, friends and his siblings. We are in contact with his doctor, who is in the process of possibly changing his medication. The current medication doesn't seem to be helping much. He has been taking it regularly, as he should.

The boys are doing very well and are very positive. They are at their uncle/aunt and cousin's for the weekend.

Any prayer would be much appreciated during these hard times. We are trying to maintain a very calm and peaceful environment here in the house. Jack is responding very well to the calm-quiet-love and peace of family and friends.

Love,
Grace

Life is Discerning

2011-03-05T23:26:00.001-05:00

a photo by hikingfortruth on Flickr.

Listening to Peggy Honeywell. go ahead. go to www.grooveshark.com and put in "Peggy Honeywell". have a listen. It's good stuff.

Lately I'm thinking a lot about being a confused individual in a really strange world that I think I understand so much that it's beyond understanding. And I resent this place. I'd rather be thinking than letting all this pass by though. Mostly, I'd never notice how crazy this place is. People come and go, sceneries come and go, events and ideas come and go. I'm standing solitary in a whirlwind of movement and activity. Going about business. And I'm trying to stay completely still. Not getting sucked into it all.

It's so time consuming that I'm almost...

And in this place, surrounded by people afraid to step out, including myself, and stand solitarily together, we dream and write of a better way. We write dissertations with genius thoughts and expressions but don't find a way to express them in intimate public situations. And people grow weary. Weary of let-down hopes. I'll write these thoughts and they're at the core of who I am, but the next time I meet someone I"ll probably do what I hate, because I do it everytime. Hi, how are you, how are the kids, how is work, all those turbulent whirlwind activities that keep us from getting on a deeper level with one another.

I want to really know people. To be able to act the way I feel and not be concerned about looking like a total wierdie. Because my core is so different than social norms, and I think most people's are, or I'm just hoping I'm not alone, that if I were to remain consistent in this frame of mind, I would be looked on as a total lunatic. Because all social norms, are in one way or another, not totally necessary with divine law in action.

I hope for people who hope that the divine law would overrun our social talmud that is so consumming.

My typos and mixed up sentence constructions are all on purpose.

I LOVE YOU

Look at our photos on Flickr: www.flickr.com/lynays

Water Flow

2011-02-10T09:41:00.001-05:00

It’s a spiritual battle that we are in.
First to last not forsaken.
Line upon line, let it begin.
Let there be light. Give us the strength to fight.
In the dark of night, shining bright.
Make our paths right.
Righteous.
Only one is righteous.
Empty us. Work through us. Your water, wash over us.
Only in you we trust.
The evil within, Cut it out!
Prune our dead branches!
This sickness is killing us like cancer!
This sin is rancid!
It’s time for us to take our chances, and listen to the word.
He spoke the truth upon the Earth, forgetting himself, he put Yah first.

Coming back again!
Beginning to end.
Be ready.
Live steady.
Love, be our guide.
Our flesh doth put us to the test.
Face to face. Chest to chest.
Don’t back down.
Hear the cloud,
of witnesses,
singing.
“Lay aside your shame, walk forward. Hear The Word!
Let sin be cast out! Step out! Be set apart from your flesh. Let the spirit do the rest.”

The last will be first and the first will be last.
Kingdom come fast!
This beast system is gonna crash.
Full collapse.
Time lapse photography, spiritual dichotomy.
The enemy is plotting, his corpse is rotting.
Our Master is risen. Sin is forgiven.
The spirit of life shines through, reminding us that were not alone.
We are going home.
In this valley of dry bones, we will look up and see him coming on a cloud.
Trumpet blasts loud.
Earth shake, feel the quake.
Fire burns up the chaff, Satan’s last grasp,
is futile!
His false kingdom laying waste. Can you taste it, the sweet victory of the day?
So we pray.

Our Father...

Velvet Shirts

2011-01-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

I remember a time, when I was about 11-12 years old when I, for some reason, loved velvet shirts. I had a few and wore them often. There was a silver velvet short-sleeved turtle neck, a green velvet short-sleeved one and two purple velvet short sleeved shirts. They were soft and breathable. Eventually, they faded, in my mind, from their status in cool-dom. So they got tossed, or cut up, or given to Goodwill. Can't remember which.

Naomi just cut her 4th tooth, as we struggled with her ear infection over the weekend. She had a temperature of 103 for 3 days. We gave her White Willow Extract when we felt she needed a break from it (to sleep). On Saturday night we took her to Ephrata Co. Hospital and they diagnosed the ear infection. That is a great hospital. She's doing great. Totally healed and back to normal again. A good sitter, a proficient giggler, smiler and cutie poo. She is very vocal, so we are trying not to speak in baby talk so that her talking skills can develop properly...its SO HARD. She's my pookie-tookie!!! If Mike still gets to speak to her in his rugged Mexican accent, I get to talk baby.

Lots of stuff going on lately. The door knocker gets used often. We are learning to renew ourselves in Messiah every moment, it's necessary. Normal life can handle a once a week service visit, but here, we feel like we should always be focused. And it's hard to focus on amidst the storm, but if we don't focus on cultivating righteousness, seeds of doubt, fear, confusion are planted and grow so fast. As a snowball. But it has been amazing and we find ourselves renewed constantly.

Praise be to the father!

Reading a lot of R.W. Emerson right now. His poetry is so beautiful. Also, A.W. Tozer, and of course, the Scriptures. Mike is reading Psycho Cybernetics. I am still paging through my ancient Rome section of the Great Sea Stories of All Time. SWEET BOOK. Since I'm nautically obsessed right now.

All of life, it's intensities and hardships, its sweet moments and blessings, are all a limited phase as was my velvet shirt crush. At the time, you see no end, but just a short time passes, and it seems forever ago. So goes life. We need to remember.

Working hard, worshipping the Father, loving life.

lynays

Today in the Life

2011-01-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Wake. Between 4 am and 8 am. Make coffee, hot water for tea. Feed our cat (new house cat, found nearly dead outside. Spencer Allistair O'Malley of Kensington III). Prayer. 8 am. Small talk. Work. 9:30 am. Nursing and diapers in-between. Handwash diapers. Mike works cleaning our neighborhood with guests. Answer emails. Keep Naomi from crying while I answer my work emails. 1 pm. Lunch. 2 pm. Mike doing daily needs and maintenance stuff. Exact tasks and duties. 3 pm. Last cup of coffee. Tell the kids that we won't be done with work until after 5 pm. Kids come back at 4 pm. Tell them again. Kids come back intermittently. 5 pm. Work ends (sort of). Kids come back. Roommates get home. Hang out with kids and roommates. Dinner at 6 or 7 pm. Talk. Send kids home. Check emails throughout the evening. Adult and Family time. Go to room at 9 pm. Family time. Writing, yoga, reading, music etc. Make Naomi laugh, giggle and play. And much much more in-between. Food distribution, keeping the peace, making new friends, addressing daily neighborhood happenings etc. etc. etc.

Today in our lives. This is how we live. It's not the same as all the rest, but discipline and scheduling keeps it sane. Love is life. Life is love. Happiness is beauty. A clean-conscious is joy.

New Home

2010-12-23T10:08:00.000-05:00

So we are finally settled in enough to get online and update the blog. Somehow I have some extra energy tonight and I feel motivated to do some writing. It probably has something to do with the fact that I drank an espresso at 9:00 at night. We had dinner with some new friends. They treated us to a 10 course meal, it was very gracious and hospitable.
Life here is much different than anywhere else that I have lived (mike is writing this). We meet new people every day. It is an exciting challenge trying to learn so many new names. Most of the people in the neighborhood are very friendly. The worst reaction I have gotten when I say hi to someone is simply being ignored. Most of the time I receive a nice warm smile and a hello.
There are tons of opportunities to help people in this neighborhood. Every week we are blessed with large amounts of food from different sources, for free. We have friends at a soup kitchen that can't use all the food they have been blessed with, like a couple thousand pounds of USDA organic beef and hundreds of cans of soup. We have a relationship with a grocery store that would rather donate high quality organic produce to people in need than throw it in the dumpster. The food bank is another great source where people can get all kinds of food at a tremendous discount. It is a blessing to see how the almighty bypasses the system to provide people in need with the highest quality food. Where there is love there is no need for money.
Everyday is something different. When we wake up in the morning we don't know the situations that we are going to be presented with. Sometimes its a knock on the door from someone who is looking for a pair of gloves, or socks, maybe a bedroll to stay warm overnight. Sometimes its just a hot bowl of soup or water to put in a plastic container. On the truly special occasions it is someone who just needs to talk, someone who just needs to be heard. A lot of the people out here who make their home on the streets or in the corners of abandoned houses are here because of addiction. We could easily write them off as failures or sub-human but the truth is they have lives and stories. Many of them have had great successes that if seen would outshine this time of darkness in their life. Some of them are addicted because they went looking for happiness where the world told them it was and they didn't find it. They had jobs, houses, cars, nice clothing, jewelery, even spouses and children. They still felt empty, mediocre, lost. In there search for a meaningful life they found themselves trying to change there existence through chemical means. Before they could grasp what was happening the chemical became their existence. It is what they live for. Everyday the first thought is "how do I get my next fix, how can I kill the pain, how can I stop myself from feeling physically sick from withdrawal". They find a way to satisfy that hunger. Some support their habit honestly by doing random work for people or taking things they find laying around the city in for scrap money. Others find more dishonest means that can be presumed without mentioning.
The truth is that we all stray onto dead-end paths that imprison us in a state of dependency. Some addictions are easier to hide than others, or more socially acceptable. There are some addictions that are destructive, and yet encouraged by the society, people who don't participate in these addictions are strange and different. Good addictions do exist and they will overtake the bad ones.
Truthfully we are all searching for a sense of fulfillment, we want to be a part of something, we want to feel something powerful. We think that this feeling of fulfillment will come from achieving something for ourselves; reaching some level of knowledge, wisdom, wealth, beauty, fame, or success. True joy can never come from any of these things by them self. If we are blessed with any one of these things true joy will come from freely sharing with others.
LOVE is fulfilling, LOVE is beautiful, LOVE is caring, LOVE forgives, LOVE gives true joy, LOVE gives freely, LOVE overcomes, LOVE is pure, LOVE is addictive.
I pray that we all become hopeless addicts, driven by the deep desire to love each other, becoming slaves to the consuming force that washes over and through us, giving rise to a pure spirit.

Like a Television Playing to an Empty Room

2010-11-04T16:47:00.000-04:00

Naomi is 16 1/2 lbs. Getting large. Here's a video of uncle Matt, making her laugh. Like no one else can...I think it's the wild hair!

Naomi Laughing at Matt from gyoung88 on Vimeo.

I Will Live In the Now...Tomorrow

2010-11-01T17:44:00.000-04:00

Naomi rolled over 1/2 way today. She picks up her feet, and rolls onto her side. Here are multiple videos of her talking, reading and rolling over. ;)

Naomi Reading from gyoung88 on Vimeo.

Naomi Rolling Over from gyoung88 on Vimeo.

Mike n Naomi

2010-10-26T16:29:00.000-04:00

If anyone needs a twin sized bed, please let us know asap.

Drawing as Expression of Soul

2010-10-25T00:43:00.000-04:00

Mike just finished this drawing tonight. So natually, I took pictures of it. Hope you like. Let us know what you think it means, to you.

Updates, Updates, Updates!!!

2010-10-23T23:11:00.007-04:00

1. Pendants are FINALLY up on etsy. Check it out by clicking our banner above... they are in high demand, so get yours quick.

2. www.lynays.net is up and running. You no longer have to type in www.lynays.blogspot.com. It's simpler for all the fine folk checking the blog.
3. We arrived home very safe from the City of Brotherly Love. Thanks to Peter, our new friend and brother who is on a road trip from California. He gave us a ride home and we had a little impromptu jam session. It was a good time, Peter. Hope you liked the couch. It's rather comfortable, we think.
Many many thanks. Keep up the good work and have safe travels. You'll be in our prayers.
Here are some pictures of our good friend Dimitri's mural in the making...

4. Naomi is a squealer since about 3 days ago. She just screams and squeals away, talking it up. She's very vocal!
5. The more coffee, the more exclamation marks!!

As always,
in peace & love
lynays

P.S. What a beautiful moon and feast we had today. Thank you Father!

Gems in the Basement

2010-10-19T16:01:00.000-04:00

Down in the basement, in a box of old records (lp's) were knitting and crocheting patterns and books from the 60s, 70s and 80s. There are a lot of really great patterns that I hope to put on Ravelry.com sometime soon.

Today Naomi weighed in at 15 pounds!!! She is doing so great. Smiling, laughing, observing. We are forever grateful for these moments! Today we were playing the banjo. It was great (I had 30 lbs on my front!) until when Grace was taking it off she got a light bonk by one of the tuning pegs. Oops. But she was okay. It was always her favorite instrument when she was in the womb. We would play and she would kick, kick, kick (insert banjo jokes here.)

Sleeping on the floor makes you feel great. Like you worked out all night long! Today we walked up and adopted some free house plants. One Jade plant for the office and one other (unnamed) plant for the living room. Doing laundry and diapers today then heading to Mt Joy so we can catch the train to Philly in the morning.

GOOD NEWS: Grace located all her writings that she thought she lost, including the first 17 chapters of the book. Yay! They were in the old email account. I've been looking and thought they were all gone.

Have to go to the yarn store and pick up some cotton yarn for hats I'm making for friends. Also, I need some more yarn for baby toys I'm making for Naomi.

This stuff is just too cool!

Adventures

2010-10-18T00:19:00.000-04:00

The first day of this week found us sleeping under the stars near Gettysburg. Mike, Naomi and I were all cuddled together in the back of the van. Sitting in a beautiful dark valley. The sun rose. We spent the day bouldering on the battlefields.
The next day we spent around Mt Joy sewing, playing music and recording our cd.
On the third day, we drove up to Sunbury (2 hrs one way) for a meeting with Lee, our CPA for the business. On the road at 6:30 AM and home by 7 PM with other chores we needed to do.
On the fourth day, we drove to Scranton (2 hrs one way) to drop off Matt for his servitude to my sister while she heals from her foot surgery. Got home at 9:30 PM.
On the fifth day, we can not remember. Here's a picture instead.

On the sixth day, we worked around the office in Smoketown. Had a diaper stomping in the tub (washed them). Chris and Becky and the kids stayed for dinner. We had a HUGE pot of spaghetti. It was like the 5 loaves of bread! I didn't think it would feed 12 people, and there was over 1/2 left! He works mysteriously.

On the seventh day, we rested. My mom napped. Kenny and Kim came over to visit for a few hours with Kaitlynn. It was a peaceful, fun time. Then we walked around the park, climbed trees and tried to monkey jump. The sun set. Naomi went to sleep exactly when the sun fell below the horizon.

Today, we had another day. Knitting, playing with Naomi, recording 'Into the Sky,' eating food that we are blessed to have. Spending time with Dave. Now we're back and planning to crash on the floor again. It's our new favorite place and way to sleep.

Looking forward to seeing what and if another day brings us.
Peace, love, lynay-s
M!ke, Grace & Naom!

October Already

2010-10-05T12:50:00.000-04:00

So far, it has rained almost every day of October and the forecast puts us in for rain again tomorrow. Maybe we'll get some sun on Thursday! :) The last few weeks have been really great for us. We've had lots of work to keep our hands busy. Naomi is over 14 lbs. We got to go rock climbing for the first time (pictures below, of course). Naomi went camping twice and started to live in our home out in the back yard (the tent). She got to go to the feast with us too, but wasn't too keen on so many people wanting to hold her. Now she has her first cold. It's not too bad, she's still the same old Naomi, just with congestion. Abby has been very protective of her, sleeping and staying in the same room as Naomi and I at all times. She whimpers and howls if we shut her out.

Congratulations to Alex & Kate on their new baby girl, Lindsay!!!
Congratulations to Ez & Roz on their new baby boy, Zephaniah!!!
Congratulations to Jay & Carrie on their not so new baby boy, Levi!!!

Lots of babies, and more to come!

Here are all those pictures I promised almost a month ago, sorry!
Van Camping:

Camping at Knoebels
Naomi at the Pub with Mike and I

Naomi's first trip up Governor Dick

Abbie protecting Naomi

Little Mike making a volcano

Dave found this spider in his bathroom (don't worry mom, it's dead)

:::::::::::::::::::Oldies from our camera that we just got back from Best Buy:::::::::::::::::::

The last two weeks from our camera:

Matt puts her to sleep all the time!

Miss Jane's Version of Rock Climbing:

Papas version of rock climbing the 98 foot wall ( I went up too, but we didn't get a photo of me):

Dopey?

Mike, Abby and Naomi

Big Mike, Little Mike and Naomi

Gazing into the distance.

Chunky Monkey

2010-09-12T22:44:00.000-04:00

Our monkey is getting chunky! She's so big, it's hard to believe. We measured Naomi today and she is 23" long, and probably 13 lbs! The day after my last blog entry, I got blisters...couldn't feed from the pain for two days. Then I started feeding again, but with pain. Finally, after this long time and lots of careful healing treatments, this morning when I went to hook up Naomi for her first daily feeding, my face was squished anticipating the pain, and something happened, but no pain came. I looked down to see what was going on, and sure enough, she was latched on and I didn't feel pain!!!! AHHH!!! What a huge blessing. Yahweh has seen fit to heal us. I actually fell asleep after putting her on, woke up twenty minutes later and she was finishing eating. Then I woke up ten minutes after that and in her and my sleep, she found her way back to eating and I didn't even feel it! Halleluyah! Today, feeding has been a breeze. I am so in love with my little daughter and can not wait to feed her again. It is a blessing, and a joy. Hopefully, no more setbacks. :) And no more delaying feedings because of the pain!

Last week, I came down with two plugged ducts again, but we acted really fast for three days and they're completely gone. I feel very very healthy. Naomi will be 12 weeks old on Tuesday, and Yahweh willing, we'll be in zero pain by then. I actually see it as a possibility. Only 12 weeks of pain, to experience bliss. It was worth all the tears!!!

Naomi has an affinity for stinkbugs. We walked to the park and found an albino stinkbug. She was in the sling on Mike's chest. The stinkbug was crawling up his arm. Her arm was flailing all around it, and all of a sudden, she takes one finger and pushes it right down onto the stinkbug's back. Thankfully, it didn't die. Just injured, unfortunately. But then yesterday, while on a search for a wild grape vine, a stinkbug kept flying around Mike's head. He swatted it away a few times and noticed it was not there anymore, he looked down, and IN HER HAND, was the stinkbug. She caught it in mid air and was holding onto it. When he pried her hand open, it flew away. I couldn't believe my eyes!

Pictures coming soon of our first camp-out with Naomi at Knoebles in the van, our trip to Centrailia, and her chunky little self...I don't have the connector for the computer right now. Will have to wait.

Love you all, couldn't wait to give you a short update.
lynay-s,
Grace

WOW

2010-08-29T22:38:00.000-04:00

We breastfed Naomi on the right side tonight, for the first time in 4 weeks. We've been pumping that side because it was in such terrible shape and infected...very painful. Unbearable. Tonight marks the end of our struggle for the time being. Monumental. Emotional. It has been so hard. We got through it. With His help of course. Mike annointed me a few nights ago. To feed my daughter with no pain on a breast that's been to hell and back (though it could've been much worse) is the most heartwarming thing I've been through.

Sweet! Pictures to come.

Updates Updates

2010-08-23T22:33:00.000-04:00

Life is beautiful. Its feeling like fall time. Naomi grows and grows. Our minds are spinning. What does the future hold?

Nothing said the lady with the alligator purse:
A midwife believes I had an abscess and was able to drain it without surgery. Thank Yahweh! I'm still getting some chunks in the milk that I pump, but we are producing plenty with the right side and pumping time is getting better each day. I am healing quickly now after instituting a daily routine of herbal remedies. Hopefully we will nurse again soon on the right side. So, no thrush. Yay! I was crushed at that news.

Are we ready?
What if it was all over tomorrow, are we ready? What if our lives ended? We have to live everyday with a clean conscience. Do you? Do I? Hopefully.

Moments in Acts.

My sister's wedding was beautiful. We had a great time hanging out with all our siblings. We consider ourselves blessed to have that time. Congratulations, Chris and Becky Hall!

Staphylococcus Aureus

2010-08-12T23:40:00.000-04:00

So I spoke with my local La Leche League representative today (a lactation consultant.) After hearing my story, of the past 8 weeks of my life, I have been diagnosed with a staphylococcus aureus induced mastitis and thrush. I most likely picked up the bacteria from the hospital while visiting Janet. This would explain why the antibiotics didn't work. It's a much more severe form of mastitis than the normal kind. Hospital grade. Women who give birth in the hospital are susceptible to getting contaminated with the bacteria. One of the reasons I chose to give birth at home. I never got a staph infection in my house! I guess there was another plan. Thankfully, the mastitis is totally gone, for the first time since I contracted it. My milk turned normal two days ago. No sign of it. It's gone. Yay! It took over 6 weeks. However, I have thrush in the milk ducts on my right side and it's very painful. This is the reason my nipple won't heal from the cracks and why it burns and is swollen. This is why I haven't been breastfeeding on that side. I've been pumping exclusively for over a week. Now the adventure starts. We're getting a prescription of Diflucan either Sunday or Monday. This will kill the thrush. Naomi must be treated too. It will take at least 4-5 weeks on the prescription. Please pray that I heal quickly. These last 8 weeks have been tough, but incredible. Faith building, love building, endurance and patience building... And I have a GORGEOUS little baby, a great supportive husband/best friend and wonderful siblings and parents who delight in helping me out.

So I really can't complain.
Peace and love,
lynays

Sketches of Today

2010-08-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

The weekend went very well. Naomi was weighed by our wonderful midwife and came in at 9 3/4 lbs. She has started to giggle very small giggles every so often. It's adorable. Mike is in the living room reading to her. Today we were reading Alice In Wonderland. She loved it. Fell asleep. As always. The other day she got her first booger. It was so very exciting!

I was doing well enough to go to services on Saturday and spend some great time with friends and family. I played bass and Mike played drums. Matt held Naomi and then my mom took over when she arrived. It was a grand time. The times are so very exciting. Tonight we had liver and onions. My iron is probably way low and we're trying to get it back up. So Milk Stouts to help assimilate it and the liver to help get it into the blood stream. I've had some issues with passing out lately when I stand up too fast. This isn't really a new thing. I've had this since I was very young, but when my activity levels and diet were really great, I didn't experience it at all. So we're trying to get fully recovered from all the infections and the labor.

I hear there's supposed to be a pretty impressive meteor shower coming up the next few days. Anyone want to head up to Cherry Springs Dark Sky Park?

Well I must go tend to the baby.
Love and lynays,
Grace, Mike and Naomi

New Pendants!

2010-07-30T11:43:00.000-04:00

So, after 3 days of solid effort we have 16 new pendants ready for sale. The torch was lit for at least 20 hours over the span of 2 days. Matt did some really cool pendants! We drained all but an entire 2500 lb. bottle of oxygen. It was a lot of fun and it was great working from home. I could walk up stairs and kiss my beautiful wife and precious baby. This is my idea of a dream job. Not that you could call it that. Glass is so much fun to work with. The intense heat, fire, and light captivates me as it pours out of the molten medium. The flow of molten glass can be quite hypnotizing. Officially addicted to melting glass!

I am very excited to say that Grace is getting back to knitting. She loves to work with her hands and she is great at it. She is still in recovery from giving birth and is starting to get back to her normal self. We need prayers for continued strength and perseverance.

I took a break while writing this to deliver the pendants to a friend of mine who is going to sell them at an art show. Before I left the driveway I ran into another friend who wanted one. So, we are down to 15 necklaces for sale. We will see how many find new homes this weekend.

With Love,

Michael

9 lbs and Counting

2010-07-28T20:57:00.000-04:00

Milk Make Me so Happy

Naomi's First Hike to get Spring Water

On Monday when I weighed Naomi, she was exactly 9 lbs. We don't have our camera since it broke, so these were all taken on the phone. Should be back up and running in a bit.

Started knitting again today, started crocheting again yesterday. Mike and Matt are making beads and pendants for an art show this weekend. Tomorrow we will be constructing macrame hemp necklaces with the glass stuff they perfected. Yay! Pictures will be posted when they're done.

We live in a camper now in the back of Jack's house so that we're around to help with the business and the boys. Feels kind of like a reality tv show. Ha ha. I had another flare up of Mastitis on Friday, fever and all. We got rid of it with some great herbal ointments that I got from a friend. The Mastitis is gone now, way quicker than with the antibiotics. Breastfeeding is getting better. After two bouts of Mastitis and a lot of pain and discomfort, getting bit and having a feisty baby, we're finally learning. I say we because I had as much to learn as she, but she's really stubborn sometimes.

Until next time,
Peace to all, and lynays
...As Yourself...

In Celebration of the Life of Janet N. Miller

2010-07-18T08:55:00.000-04:00

Thank you everyone for your support and thank you for coming to celebrate the life of my Mom Janet. The amount of people that have offered to help out during the last 2 weeks is staggering. We have been surrounded with love and hope from every direction. Through this trial we have seen the hand of the Almighty working through friends and family, in selfless acts of kindness and words of comfort. We know that we are not alone.

I know that I am speaking for more than just myself when I say that my Mom is a beautiful and loving person. She loves life and she loves her family and friends. She is there for us when we need her. If we would ask something of her she would be there, even if she had other plans for that day. She listens to us, laughs with us, cries with us, and comforts us. I can't tell you how many times people have reminded us of her beautiful smile, that she is so willing to share. I ask that we all continue to share that smile in every possible situation. A smile is a gift that people truly can remember and hold on to.

Mom has taught me so many valuable lessons that have shaped my beliefs, morals, and values. Most importantly, the faith that she instilled in me at a very young age. A faith in a higher power, a creator, a father, a savior. That faith has supported us throughout this whole experience. When things were at there darkest we still had hope. Hope that rests in eternity, in knowing that this is only the beginning. We know that we will see mom again. When we see her, it will be in paradise, surrounded with love. There will be no sorrow, tears, sickness, or loss. We will have everything we need, and desire nothing that we don't.

We don't have to wait very long to see her again. Our lives here on earth are merely a mist in the breeze, a wisp of cloud. In scripture it states that a day in the Kingdom is like a thousand years here on earth. That means that roughly 42 years here is the same as an hour there. If she has to wait for us, most of us will be there with her, within 2 hours of her first day.

The purpose of this life with all it's trials and tribulations is to guide us and strengthen us, to show us what is right and what is good and pull us in that direction. Its design is to prepare us for eternity, teach us the eternal law, the law of love, and show us the spirit of light and life. We are children of the light and that light is what shined so brightly within my mom. It is what was so attractive about her spirit. I pray that we can carry that spirit with us and impart it on others. Through this, the best parts of my Mom will continue to live on in this existence and touch peoples lives. I can say these things about her only because she chose to accept the truth that was in the messiah and she was humble enough to allow his spirit to work within her. I want to make it clear that my Mom was not perfect. She had issues that she had to deal with just like we all do. The important thing is that she made an effort on a daily basis to improve herself and to help others.

In some of the last words that I said in parting with the physical presence of my Mom (her spirit will always be with us in our hearts) I made some promises to her, promises that she made to me through her actions. Before she had the aneurism she said to me with tears in her eyes that being there for her children was the most important thing in her life. To continue this legacy I promised that as long as there is breath in my lungs I will always be there for my Wife and children. I will love and support them. She showed me that the greatest asset that someone can have is family, and that children are a blessing, that we should thank the almighty for every day. I told her that me and my family will be there holding hands with her on the day of judgment giving praise to YHWH almighty. The only thing I can do in an attempt keep that promise is to have faith in Yahshua the the Messiah and follow his example, in his teachings and actions. He is the way, the truth, and the life, the path to the father.

My Mom understood that there was something greater than all of us, that there was a purpose for everything. She understood the importance of faith and preparation for the kingdom if heaven. My mom loves all of us and she knows that there is no greater love then one who will give their life for their friends. If through her passing she was able to influence the life of just one person. Only one, to turn toward the Messiah and eternal life in paradise. She would be honored. I know that more than just one person's faith was strengthened through this experience. Her life is a gift to all of us, and should be kept alive within us through bearing fruits of that beautiful spirit that we love so much. Fruits of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith-fullness, Gentleness and Self-control.

I would like to wrap up with a quote that we found on her desk.

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Author Unknown

Janet Nickel Miller from gyoung88 on Vimeo

Obituary in Today's Paper

2010-07-14T10:06:00.001-04:00

Obituary of Janet N. Miller

Janet N. Miller

Janet Nickel Miller was called to her heavenly home on July 11, 2010. The light of God shined through Janet all the days of a life she so generously shared with all she knew. Janet loved the Lord and she carried her love for the Holy Spirit in her heart during her journey of faith.

Janet lived life to the fullest and had a great love for family and friends. Janet can best be described in four words: loyal, generous, humorous and loving.

Janet was a beloved wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, daughter-in-law, and sister-in-law. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Jack B. Miller and her devoted sons, Michael Young, Chase Miller and Hunter Miller. On June 22nd, Janet was blessed with the birth of her first grandchild, Naomi Jane Young. Janet's spirit will shine on through her sons and lovely granddaughter. Janet is also survived by her devoted and loving parents, Carl and Jeanette Nickel, her brothers, C. Joseph Nickel, Andrew Nickel, her beautiful daughter-in-law, Grace Young and her lovely sisters-in-law, Barbara Nickel and Catherine Nickel. Janet was always grateful for the love and support of many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Her family extends special thanks to the kind and caring staff of Hospice of Lancaster County, Mt. Joy Unit, and the staff of the trauma-neuro unit at LGH.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE to celebrate Janet's life will take place at 11 AM on Friday, July 16th, 2010 at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA. Friends may call at the church from 9 AM until the time of the service. Interment in Georgetown United Methodist Cemetery, 1070 Georgetown Road, Bart, PA, following the service.

The family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Janet N. Miller benefit fund at any Fulton Bank or by mail to Fulton Bank, PO Box 4887, Lancaster, PA. 17604-9959.

Bachman Funeral Home, Strasburg, PA.

www.bachmanfuneral.com

A new day

2010-07-12T10:14:00.001-04:00

Yesterday naomi rolled over onto her belly. We weighed her and she is almost 8 lbs already! Tomorrow she will be three weeks old. I can't believe how different she looks from when she was born already. We are so blessed to get to hang out with her. She is also crazy strong. When we nurse, sometimes it takes quite a while to get the hands out of the way, to get her head straight, get her hands out of the way, try to get her to open her mouth wide enough etc. sometimes it's a jif but sometimes it's quite time consuming too. She is so strong it amazes me. Got to go nurse soon. Love you all! Peace and lynays. Mike grace and naomi

Janet Nickel Miller

2010-07-11T08:51:00.000-04:00

Our dear mom, Janet, passed away last night at 2:10 AM in the Hospice Center. Family and friends were all around in love. Thank you for all the prayers and help with everything. Mike and Jack will be going to tell Hunter and Chase, their two youngest sons today. They are 9 and 11 years old. Please continue to pray that they have strength and can get through this. The whole experience has been really incredible. Trying, and hard but it has helped our faith strengthen and grow. We are so glad she is at peace.

Need Prayers

2010-07-01T11:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning Janet (Mike's mom) had a brain anneurism and is in Lancaster General Hospital. She was taken into surgery by 4 pm and out at around 6 pm. Since the anneurism at 9:30 or 10 am, she has been unconscious and we are praying for a miracle to bring her back. During the surgery, there was a rupture and she also had two strokes.

Almost two years ago, her mom experienced an almost identical but slightly less severe anneurism on the opposite side of the brain. Janette was in the hospital for months and doesn't remember much of it, but has made a nearly full recovery and is even back to work. Janet has two sons other than Mike ages 9 and 11 and a loving husband. They all need prayers and she needs a good healing. Then next few days are critical and we will be helping to take care of the boys while their dad is in the hospital with Janet. Everything is on hold right now in our lives. Please send positive vibes for strength for the whole family (immediate and more distant.) She has a lot of people who love her. Yesterday in the waiting room outside the surgery ward, there were almost 40 or 50 people. The surgeon came out and was stumbling over his words saying "Are you all here for Janet?" So everyone needs encouragement and help during these hard times. Janet is only 47 years old. Her birthday is in September. Here she is with her first grand child, just what she wanted, after three boys, a beautiful girl. Naomi's middle name is Jane, after Janette and Janet.

Naomi Jane Young

2010-06-22T22:58:00.000-04:00

Naomi Jane Young was born this morning at 8:24 AM in our home after about 36 1/2 hours of labor, though it wasn't intense except for about 9 hours of hard labor and 2 hours of pushing. She weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 oz and is 20" long. Her head is 13 1/2" around and her chest is 13" around.

We were in and out of the birthing pool most of the time, and eventually had her on the bed. We slept in between contractions and it all became quite fuzzy after about the first 24 hours. As the sun came up this morning, the birds began to sing their beautiful song and the clouds hung low and puffy with distinct edges being defined by the light rays. It was truly magical. I laid on the bed going through the last contractions and looking out the window in between sleepiness, then making brief and silent eye contact with Katie, our midwife and Mike, my loving husband and best mate. It was a long time coming and I decided, let's get this done. Within an hour or two she was born. It was shocking seeing her come out because I didn't think it would happen for a few more contractions. The whole thing was really emotional. Mike and I weeped more than she did and she soon showed how healthy vibrant and beautiful she really is. She's a gift from heaven. Now she is laying on the bed sucking her thumb and looking all around. She's silent and still, content and beautiful. Her name is Naomi Jane. Naomi meaning pleasant. Jane meaning Yahweh's grace. It's the feminine form of John. The whole experience was so blessed. Long and trying, but so worth it.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with everything, whether it was giving us clothes, supplies, phone calls, texts, emails, support, etc. This whole nine months has shown everyone's kindnesses. Special thanks to those who helped us with the labor, Katie our midwife, for her expertise and love, knowing how to handle all the hard situations and knowing exactly what to say. Matt for helping to regulate the pool temperature and doing errands for us during it all. Janet and my Mom for bringing us food and for Janet taking Abby off our hands. And for EVERYONES prayers. I know there were a lot and they were answered! Tara for being willing to come down to help out, even though we never called her, sorry! All the emails and 77 messages Janet got on her phone, and I'm sure there are other stories out there we didn't even hear about yet. All of our family and friends. Thanks to ProtoLawyer for posting the announcement on the mothering.com forums and all the well wishes from our July due date buddies on there.

Visiting hours at our house are officially open and we will be home all week. Give us a call or shoot us an email letting us know when to expect you so we don't get a whole lot of people at one time (small house and we want to spend a lot of time with everyone). Here are some photos in order of events:
First family photo after birth:

Matt the new uncle:

Two and a half generations. :)

Goodnight, our first day is done.

Engaged AND Married!

2010-06-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

The baby is engaged, officially. On Thursday night I slept really great. On Friday, I felt as if my belly was really more round than it had been. My mom came by and said, did you drop? After measuring my fundus, I realized I did a little, but maybe not the whole way. On Friday night, I was up to go to the bathroom three times before 5 AM which is not normal by any means, normally I hold it until morning as I don't like sleepily stumbling to the bathroom. We went to services on Saturday and I felt really happy, jovial and magical. As soon as I walked into the room, Katie (the midwife) saw me and said she knew stuff was happening because of my energy. So after services, and three more potty breaks, we went over to her house and she confirmed that we did drop and the baby is engaged. Locked and loaded. Instead of laying on it's side kind of curled around in my belly like it has been for months, it's pointed straight down, back lined up along my belly button, chin tucked to chest and ready to go. Katie said we're "soft and ripe". She predicts within one or two weeks we'll go into labor.

Last night we had these really amazing contractions, quite beautiful feeling. I sewed four diaper soakers. Today I'm back at it again, sewing probably all day. Did some weeding and watering in the garden this morning. We have all that we need for the baby to be born, love, patience, diapers, covers, clothes, kindness, gentleness, self control, etc.

LYNAYS fans: Glass pennants now up on etsy!!!!