Happy New Year 2022!

Have you noticed that, as every year rolls by, the times are becoming more exciting! I’ve always hated “normal,” so last year was amazing. Some days I woke up and wondered if I was living in the book of Revelations. LOL.

Rebecca & Sunrise

Here’s a snapshot of my highlights:

Winter ’21: a German shepherd puppy wiggled her way into my heart and Sunrise, my golden retriever, and I started training her.

Spring ’21: I learned how to memorize whole chapters of the Bible by following the book “An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” by Andrew M. Davis. I’ve never been one who could do memorization—so this was huge for me!

     As the weather warmed up, I built a rose arbor archway over the entry to my sidewalk and planted the climbing roses (from my sister Julie and her husband Mike) on either side. They bloomed profusely all summer and one stem is already 7’ tall!

Summer ’21: Landscaping! I shoveled—by hand—over 12 yards of dirt and four yards of rock into a portion of the yard I couldn’t get to with the tractor. It’ll take a couple years to complete landscaping, but at least I’ll be on the tractor for the rest.

Fall ’21: Some friends and I drove over to our state capitol in Helena, Montana and testified before a committee hearing about some upcoming legislation. Wow! Talk about stretching myself—but it’s something “We the People” need to be doing. And we also got a private tour of the Montana State House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. I discovered that outside our capitol building stands a semi-circle of flags: the United States flag, the Montana flag, and flags of the sovereign nations of the Native Peoples of Montana. I searched through them for the flags of a dear friend and texted pictures to her. Honoring people and history is important.

    Later in the fall I hosted a Biblical Citizenship in Modern America class through Patriot Academy. All of us came away with awe and wonder of the miracles God performed to create the United States. I highly recommend every Christian to go through this to help understand our responsibilities as Biblical citizens. Did you know that the average constitution for a nation lasts only 17 years? But God gave us this Constitutional Republic, a one of a kind government where “We the People” are the rulers, and it’s worked for 246 years! I believe that our purpose is to share the gospel with the rest of the world.  And that purpose hasn’t changed. It’s time for “We the People” to roll up our sleeves and turn this nation back to God!!! Here’s a preview: https://coach.patriotacademy.com/biblicalcitizenship/  

Christmas ’21: My sister and brother-in-law from Minnesota flew in to celebrate with my brother, sister-in-law, and me. It was the first time in two years we’d been together. Special!

Winter ’22: I will be hosting a Constitution Alive! class through Patriot Academy. It’s a game changer! Find out more about constitution classes at PatriotAcademy.com.  And at the same time I’ll be taking an American history class through Wallbuilders & Patriot Academy.

Rebecca & Willow

     I’m still working my job brokering lumber, am under contract to write for a Guideposts publication entitled “Walking in Grace,” and am tinkering on some other book ideas. The word “bored” is not in my vocabulary for 2022!

May your 2022 be filled with excitement & adventures!

Blessings,

Rebecca Ondov

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Are you wondering about this photo? I took it because it was such a crazy-busy year that I told my sister-in-law that I wasn’t going to get a tree or decorate.  Her words to me were, “I can’t imagine Christmas without a tree.”

Those words swirled through my mind as I drove down the highway.  At a roadside stand I spotted the cutest wild-cut tree. Of course I bought it and strapped it on. But life took over and three days later the tree was still atop my car! I hadn’t had time to take it down. So…I had to put lights on it and take this picture to share with you–to put a smile to your face and bring joy to your day.

And here’s a snapshot of why life has been so crazy.

Whew! That is my word for 2019. It was the busiest year of my life.

While working my regular job, farming my small acreage, and squeezing in some writing, I designed my home and barn.

After having an engineer and a couple other designers help me, I acted as the general contractor on both projects. I hired subcontractors and had both buildings built on my farm.

During the days I was the one running to the lumber yard gathering supplies, only to discover an hour after I got back that the guys needed something else.  Off I’d go again. In the evenings and on the weekends I was a laborer on the project as well.

I literally didn’t have time to eat or sleep. By October I was falling asleep while standing up. But the great thing was that I lost what I call the “middle ages” around my middle, slimming down so much that I fit in my favorite jeans again.

At the beginning of November, even though the wooden trim wasn’t up around the doors or windows and there weren’t any closet rods in the closets (my winter projects), I moved in. Wahoo!

I never could have done it all without my faithful friends, who encouraged me and showed up to stain my barn and sand and stain nearly 200 2×6’s for the wrap-around-deck. Others helped me move–a priceless gift. Thank you!

Thank you to all of my prayer warriors who stood in the gap for me while I battled through many many TOUGH days as a single woman running crews of construction guys, especially at the end when I was so exhausted and almost lost SkySong, my saddle horse, to a mysterious illness. Thank God SkySong has fully recovered.

I never could have done it without God’s wisdom or love. He led me to hire an incredible team of laborers.

I am so grateful and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

My New Year’s Resolution=SLEEP

So therefore–even if life is crazy-busy–Remember to Keep Joy in Your Christmas.

Love to you all,

Rebecca

 

 

A Heartfelt Prayer for Our Nation on Election Day

This morning I woke up way before the birds fluffed their feathers, definitely before they warmed up their morning voices. My first thought? Election Day…or in my heart it felt more like ELECTION DAY!!!

Perhaps you feel that way too. I had to lasso those thoughts before they drug me off. I turned them towards the Word, Jesus, who in the midst of riots before He knew He would die an excruciatingly painful death, encouraged His followers. He calmly stood as the Prince of Peace. No matter when, no matter what, He always shared the Good News, that we were not to fear, but call on our Heavenly Father.

After sprucing up for the day, I discovered that my publisher had emailed a prayer that  touched my heart. And I hope that it touches yours. I’ve posted the beginning of it below as well as the link, so you can click on it to read the rest.

Before you go, I wanted you to know that it’s been an honor to have you join Denise and me these last 30 days of prayer. Our work is not done. I’m going to keep praying, how about you?

Love, Rebecca

A Heartfelt Prayer for Our Nation on Election Day by Hope Lyda

He has shown you, O mortal,
what is good.
And what does the Lord
require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 (niv)

Lord, how you love each one of your children. I pray for your goodness and mercy to flow through this nation. May individuals from sea to sea cast their votes for earthly leadership and then cast their cares and needs upon you and you alone.

Jesus, release me from the fear that today changes everything…or that today changes nothing. The truth remains the same: Every morning I rise in the face of unknowns and am called to follow the One who knows the way. This has not changed. This will not change.

This season offers an invitation that I accept with a renewed sense of possibility and responsibility. More than ever before, I will come to you on behalf of the leaders here and throughout the world. And, more than ever before, I will commit to being your hands, feet, ears, eyes, heart, and help for those people you place in my life. (continue reading on the Harvest House Blog http://ow.ly/Lls2305XZ6J )

 

 

 

 

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 16~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

 

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 12~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

 

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 11~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

 

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 6~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

Denise’s prayer for today is for family. Some friends become as close as family and that’s true with Denise’s family and me. Here’s my “extended family,” Mike, Denise, Jesse, and Michelle.

So today as we’re praying for families, I’ll be saying an extra prayer for those who are near and dear to me. How about you?

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 5~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

 

30 Days of Prayer~~Day 4~~One Nation Under God~~Here We Come

 

Will You be One?

Last weekend I went hiking with a friend and it turned into a treasure hunt. We found a couple old dumps complete with a pickup truck, which we took turns snuggling in the saggy seat and giggling while we wondered what it had looked like when it was shiny and new.

My view of the United States isn’t much different that what I saw in that old truck. Today when I looked at the crazy political headlines and the candidates, I grimace and wonder, Is this the best we can come up with?  The truck was shot full of holes, much like our constitution, and the paint was rusty, much like out spiritual condition. Unlike the truck, which will eventually disintegrate, there still is hope for the United States–but it depends on you and me.

Will you be one?? For the next 30 days would you be willing to invest 5-10 minutes a day for our nation?

Ponder this…one person rallied against God and over a period of time got prayer taken out of schools…what can we Christians do to take back our nation for God? Last night I was challenged and I accepted…and now I challenge you with the words from a dear friend of mine, Denise Hartmann Echterling:

“Our nation was built on the foundation of His love, Justice and Word. Everywhere you go in Washington DC you see God and the Bible mentioned. Why have so many forgotten their heritage? We believe it is our calling to remind our nation that we are a nation under GOD – will you join us in this calling and a time of Prayer?

Prayer is critical to any nation, especially one that proclaims a connection to God. The United States has historically claimed such a connection, but it seems as if things have changed. Our only hope is to return to our biblical foundation and this will only come through prayer.

Beginning October 9th – November 8th, would you commit yourself in prayer to intercede in one of our nation’s most critical seasons and elections ever? Each day, we will post on what to focus your prayers on for these upcoming days before our National Elections. Will you join us?

Imagine what could happen if the church stood unified in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14…’If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’

Psalm 110:3 (Amp). ‘Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power…’ With America at a crossroads, Prayer is the only thing that will bring real change. Let’s not miss this opportunity.”

Everyday for the next 30 days I’ll be sharing Denise’s prayers.

Are you willing to take 5-10 minutes of your day and pray for our nation? I am. Join me starting October 9th.

After all, what have you got to lose? One nation…under God.

Love, Rebecca