The Witness

It was cold in my room last night.  I had terrible cramps in my feet during the night, and I had to get up with them several times.  I woke up at 12:30, 2:00, 3:00, 5:00 and laid awake for long periods of time.  I had to use my flashlight twice during the night to venture out to the restroom.  There is a dog somewhere on the property that began barking at 3:00 and barked almost non-stop until I got up at 7:00.  I haven't heard him since then.  He's probably sleeping somewhere.

My bed is comfortable.  The electricity in my room consists of two wall mounted little spot lights.  There is no receptacle.  Neither is there a receptacle in the shower room.  My temperature control consists of opening and shutting the windows.

I had dinner with Dr. Fielder last night.  The others here are coming off of fasts so they are just having juices.  I got to use a mandolin for the first time.  I have been wanting a mandolin so was glad for the opportunity to use one.  For dinner we arranged on two plates a layer of lettuce leaves, then a thinly sliced layer of tomatoes, a layer of cucumber sliced very thin on the mandolin, avocado in thin pieces scooped out with a spoon and all topped with Green Lava.  For dessert we had three dates each and a handful of pecans.

Recipe for Green Lava:

Green Lava is tomato, celery, sauerkraut, and green leaves (not spinach or silverbeet).  Use food processor or blender.  Quantities are up to you:-)

While visiting with Deborah and Priscilla yesterday, I told them about how I consulted with Dr. Fielder weekly for most of a year.  I would send him my full journal of all that I did, ate, read, and thought.  He would respond with one, two, sometimes three short paragraphs.  At times II thought, "He's not really giving me very much."  Then I realized he was giving me what I needed.

Deborah and Priscilla said they had been talking about that very thing,,,how he only counsels them for a short time and how Priscilla had then said, "That's only right, though.  It is OUR body.  He is the witness."

I like that explanation.  He bears witness to how God has provided all we need in the simplest of things that most people reject or disregard.  He also witnesses as we learn to take personal responsibility and be grateful for our gifts from the Creator that are hidden in plain sight.

I learned yesterday that organic produce should not be washed.  The bacteria found on such produce works in your favor.  Also, dishes only need to be rinsed in cold water.  The preparation of raw foods doesn't leave any baked on grime (on the dishes or in you) so just a quick rinse is all they need.

I took a cold shower before bed yesterday.  BRRRR!!!!  There is hot water here.  It is warmed in a tank by the sun. But either it had cooled off or I didn't turn the knobs right.  It was a fast shower, I promise you.

I have started a list of things I would like to buy for my room.....basic pleasures....a bedside table, kleenex, a notebook, a thermometer for outside my door, a digital scale for my room, postcards and cards to mail, some colored markers, a music stand....

We go to town on Fridays and sometimes on Saturday.  John is buying his produce at a market there now.  There is nothing much growing at the farm right now.  I haven't seen it yet, but all of us here are going to go on a tour later on today.

Love to all.  Stay safe and be happy.