Live Oak Church

The First Call of Spring

2009-02-06T12:46:00.001-05:00

I want this recorded on the blog. On Friday, February 6th at 11:47 a.m. I heard the first bird song of the year. I'm sure they've talked before this - but this is the first I heard :-) No, the birds are not migrating back here from the south yet - these are little birds that winter over here, the ones that blend perfectly with the Oak and Maple bark. My friend Ruth from Woodlawn Nature Center (http://www.woodlawnnaturecenter.com/) would know their true name. I just call them Finches.

Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to be close to 50. I WILL BE IN THE WOODS! We still have about 6 inches of snow on the ground so harvesting doesn't start yet, lol. But I need the chance to say, "Good Morning," to all my sleepy friends (the plants) that have had a long winter nap. I am working hard to be a part of their life again. Several years ago I was diagnosed with M.S. It's been a pretty hard road from wheelchair to being back on my own two feet, but I'm thankful for the trip. These last years have taught me more than I will ever be able to explain to anyone. I have dearly missed my woodland friends and it will be wonderful to be back out with them. Yes - I'll be bringing my camera with me. :-)

WitchMom.com is OPEN

2009-01-02T15:11:00.000-05:00

Friends and Family:

As many of you know - for well over two years - I have been searching for answers concerning my 'purpose'. I had a feeling of what I wanted - the final outcome was alluding me. The Witches and Pagans of the world hold such a vast amount of knowledge and information, yet - we just don't seem to have a way to bring it all together, AND we are all so busy trying to survive, that none of us has the time to devote to such a mission - for nothing. I have been through SO MANY trial and errors that it isn't funny. Every time something wouldn't be 'just right' when I'd go to bed I'd ask, "How can I bring all of this together, what is my direction, with extreme prosperity for all?"

Things started to jell just a bit last June. A wonderful name came to me, WitchMom.com. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that the domain was available - I bought it. But just having a name didn't make the final outcome. I had a lot to learn before the Universe would unveil it's final solution. Still each night I'd ask, "How can I?" and each day I was lead to (what I thought) strange areas. Writing for Helium and eHow were two of the strange places I was brought.

Then, on December 15th (the same day my Daddy passed away last year) I was hit with most of the answers and much of it came crashing together. I remember being on eHow and being very tired. I decided to take a quick nap and laid down. I remember asking, "I wonder how the eHow site works?" SLAM DUNCKED BY THE UNIVERSE - I BOLTED OUT OF BED WITH THE ANSWER. Not only did I understand how the eHow site worked - it was THE ANSWER for WitchMom.com as well.

Here is the way, to bring the world's Pagan information together, to offer it FREE to the public - AND PAY THOSE WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING!

Insert driven by the Universe (just ask Fred how single focused I've been). PHP, CGI, script loading, RSS, picture formatting, data base creation, class writing, marketing training - all the things the Universe sought to teach me in the past were dredged up, all the new things I've learned, all the 'magical' information I've been given, all the magical information of all the friends and family I know - combined with the world. Two years in the making, but three weeks later, WitchMom.com is born.

There's still A LOT of work to be done - but the site is OPEN!

YOU, my trusted friends and family, are the first I am inviting. I want each and every one of you in on this with me. I want all of you to be able to start this out and be on the ground floor.

Please join me at: http://www.witchmom.com Help me find the bugs, and set yourselves up.

Blessings and Prosperity,
Sandy / Mom

As John B would say, "I intend to become - pinch me I must be dreaming, filthy f**king rich (lol)."

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T08:22:00.000-05:00

How many of you went to bed with magic on your mind and in your heart? I'm talking about your active INTENTIONS for the new year. Our life is exactly what we create it, and our thoughts (or intentions) are how we drive our desires. If you dwell in the bad, in all the things you don't want, in sorrow or pain - the negatives - that's what you'll bring. However, if you dwell in the good, in all the things possible for your life, in thankfulness and joy - the positives - that IS what you'll manifest!

Make your only New Year's resolution to either strengthen your positive intentions, or change the way you are thinking. It's a resolution you can keep, and one that will change everything else in your life.

Blessings
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

Show At Woodlawn Nature Center

2008-11-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

There will be a show / sale at Woodlawn Nature Center (Elkhart, IN), on December 6th, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

I'll have (Barbie ®) Fashion Doll clothing, fresh dried herbs, and lots of odds and ends on my table. Fred will be doing holiday cards and will have his Astrolabe available (among a few of his things). I am excited about the show and intend on bringing some things to work on while I'm there.

We have a good number of venders who are bringing a wide range of nifty stuff (it will be a great place to do some shopping for the holidays). Stop in and say hello - do some of your shopping while your visiting.

Blessings,
Sandy

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T08:08:00.000-05:00

I want to take a moment and wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving seems to be the mark point for the 'Holiday Season'. Right after Thanksgiving there's Black Friday (the busiest shopping day of the season). Followed by all the shopping and getting ready for Yule. There's decorating the home, cooking and baking for the season, extra gatherings we need to go to - all of this and trying to also maintain a regular schedule. And then there's all the emotional things as well - there's extra money that people seem to spend, many people don't have all their family close, there could be relatives you don't get along with, sad memories as well as the good ones. It's very easy for people to slip out of the spirit of the season, and into the stress or depression of it.

But the stress or depression isn't what it's all about. It's about being thankful for the things we DO have. Even if we don't realize it (or it doesn't feel like it) we have a choice as to how we are feeling during this time of year. That choice is in what we are allowing our minds to think about. What a person thinks about will cause what that person feels. And it isn't the 'fluffy' ignoring the bad - it's really taking the time to change the thoughts!

This year - give yourself the best gift you can give. Give yourself a thankful Holiday Season and allow yourself to experience the joy.

Many Blessings to Everyone,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

A New Way of Life?

2008-09-29T09:13:00.001-04:00

At this point I'm not sure what to 'call' what I started last night. It was like a prayer, a ritual, a practice, a process - all of them, and so much more. A very wise woman (that none of you know, and I'm not saying who) shared this with me. Once started - you never stop. It isn't religious specific, however it is a very spiritual experience. It is singular to each individual and what that individual believes - and needs.

After watching the movie, The Secret, I spent a lot of time studying some of the individual people. I also found the writings of Wallace D. Wattles (the author of the original book that The Secret was spawned from) and read each of his books. As fascinating study always does - one book lead me to another, and another. But the question of 'how' still eluded me. They were ALL saying it - I just wasn't getting it! I began working on bringing the understanding to myself. I rearranged my thoughts to make them a positive request for this understanding - and took away the words that only bring more of what I didn't want.

Side note: What are those words? When you focus on, "I want ..." you are only bringing more WANT to yourself. When you focus on, "I need ..." you are only bringing more NEED to yourself. You actually have to make your needs and wants a statement of fact and only focus on the fact. For example: If you need a new home - DON'T focus on, "I need a new home." Focus on, "New Home," or better yet simply, "Home."

When I finally put down all of the books (and stopped trying to 'find' the answer) - the Universe delivered my request in a simple conversation. And, that conversation led to what I experienced last night.

It is truly amazing what happens to a person when they stop focusing on I - Me - Mine and open themselves up.

Blessings,
Rev. S.M. deFerbrache

Mercury Retrograde

2008-09-23T10:02:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow Mercury goes retrograde. It will be that way till the 15th of October. Remember that this effects communication and mechanical things. Check out your vehicles, back up your computers, give yourselves more time to get places, if you work in a mechanical industry be ready, don’t buy major appliances during this time and especially not phones, computers, or cars. Try not to make major life changing decisions. You may want to consider NOT starting something new on the mundane. However - it is a good time to start spiritual work that will help you reflect.

This is a time of reflection. We have always said to use the ‘RE’ words as reminders. It is time to re-evaluate things, re-think what you’ve done and how your actions have affected those around you. Re-work any plans you’ve made. Re-member your loved ones (perfect for this time of year). Do some serious thinking about your re-ligion. Re-focus your goals.

Open your dictionary and look at the section that has ‘RE’ words. Do this in a positive state of mind. Find what you want to work on during this time, and apply your focus.

Blessings to all,

Imbolc / Candlemas 2008

2008-02-04T11:59:00.000-05:00

Yes - we have our serious side and we have our fun side. Imbolc / Candlemas is one sabot that we bring out the fun. Several of our members enjoyed an evening at a hotel. We did a very funny ritual (I've been sworn to secrecy on the details of this one) and afterwards we ate pizza, and did a trading blanket. Dummy me forgot to get permission for those that didn't mind their pictures shared - so here are a two that just give you an idea of the fun we had. Yes, we all wore our PJs, lol.

Blessings To You,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

Moving Into Mabon (Fall Equinox)

2007-08-28T15:35:00.001-04:00

I just thought I'd share a picture of our fall / Mabon altar.

Blessings to You,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

How To Pray

2007-08-12T23:19:00.000-04:00

Our religion is how we live, our prayers are what we are feeling. What are you sending into the Universe? Personally, I haven't been doing such a good job (and I'm the one writing this, lol).

Praying FOR something doesn't work. This is what validates the opposite of what we are actually praying for. If we pray FOR peace - we are validating there is none. If we pray FOR a job - we are validating that we don't have one. If we are praying FOR a relationship - we are validating our aloneness.

Close your eyes - get to a quiet place and FEEL what you are actually trying to bring into your life. The hardest thing to be is JUST QUIET. And this is what you must first practice if you are to get any further. You must quiet that chattering monkey (your own thoughts). All the books that say to meditate, all the inspirational music that's out there, all the religion's masters that spoke of a quiet heart and mind - they are not misleading you. You can not get around this - you must do it.

Begin by being in comfortable clothing that has no stress points on the body. People have said that they do this best without clothing, but personally I get cold easy so I like to make sure my clothing is loose fitting and weather appropriate. Next you need a comfortable, quiet place; a chair, laying down, any place that you are totally comfortable and there are no stress points on your body. I've had a lot of people tell me that doing this outside is best. I have had some wonderful experiences outside - and some disasters. Keep in mind that outside is not a controlled environment and there are a lot of factors that can pull your thoughts in one direction or another (like bugs). Although music may help you as you get better at this - to begin with I strongly suggest total quiet.

Your point of concentration should be your own breathing and your own heart beat. Don't panic if you can't hear your heart beat - just concentrate on your breathing. Breath slow and deep. Don't try to do mega breaths (you'll get dizzy) just breath slowly in ... and slowly out ... breath deeply in (fill your lungs) ... breath deeply out (empty your lungs) ...

The easiest way to quiet your mind is not by 'trying' not to think of anything, but by letting a thought come in, and letting it go back out. Your mind is used to thinking all the time. It is going to take A LOT of training for it to be quiet. So when your mind drifts to, "I have to change the oil in my car," let the thought be there - DON'T FOLLOW IT. Just say, "okay," to your self and let the thought go back out as you focus again on your breathing. When your mind wants to start making the grocery list think, "I can do that later," and let the thought fade back out - going back to concentrating on your breathing.

Once you are in a good quiet state of mind, you can begin your prayer. PRAYER IS FEELING!

Here's a good example of HOW to pray, taken from the book "Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer", by Gregg Braden

Looking back at David, I asked, "If you didn't pray for rain, then what did you do?"
"It's simple," he replied. "I began to have the feeling of what rain feels like. I felt the feeling of rain on my body, and what it feels like to stand with my naked feet in the mud of our village plaza because there has been so much rain. I smelled the smells of rain on the earthen walls in our village, and felt what it feels like to walk through fields of corn chest high because there has been so much rain."
David's explanation made perfect sense. He was engaging all of his senses - the hidden powers of thought, feeling, and emotion that set us apart from all other forms of life - in addition to the senses of smell, sight, taste, and touch that connect us to the world. In doing so, he was using the powerful and ancient language that "speaks" to nature. It was the next part of his explanation that touched my scientific mind, as well as my heart, and truly resonated with me.
Following the prayers of rain, he described how feelings of thank and appreciation were the completion of the prayers, like the "amen" of Christianity. Rather than giving thanks for what he created, however, David told me that he felt grateful for the opportunity to participate in creation. "Through our thanks, we honor all possibilities, while bringing the ones we choose to this world."

YOU / I / WE have a lot to do to get rid of the prayers we send out EVERY moment of our lives - and replace them with the prayers that work.

If life isn't what is wanted - it's because you / I / we are not praying for what is actually wanted - you / I / we are praying for the opposite, by our very thoughts.

TODAY IS THE DAY TO CHANGE THAT!

Overcoming Ourselves

2007-08-07T11:56:00.000-04:00

The hardest thing to overcome seems to be our own bad self talk that imprisons us inside a nice little safe box (or comfort zone). But is that safe box really safe? The answer is no.

At church on Sunday I believe Fred talked about not putting new wine into an old wine skin. When many of us do mental work to improve ourselves that's exactly what we are doing. We are trying to put a new 'us' into an old box. We will snap right back every time (sort of like a diet and gaining the weight back). The unfortunate truth is - you have to identify to old way first, (which can be very painful for some of us), than determine what needs to change (which can be totally frightening), and finally - DO IT.

The problem is that many of us just don't want to - we have lulled ourselves into believing that it's safe.

So let me ask this? Are you totally happy? If you're not than the 'box' you've built yourself is NOT a safe place.

Maybe it's time for all of us to make a new wine skin?

Blessings to You,
Sandy

Lammas 2007

2007-08-02T08:11:00.000-04:00

We, as a congregation, celebrated Lammas on the closest Sunday, July 29th. Enjoy some pictures from our celebration.

Gathered outside making head flower wreaths.

Our altar was an offering bread.

Ritual was followed by a wonderful feast
and good friends.

Blessings to You,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

Recipes

2007-07-31T11:32:00.000-04:00

Corny Corn Bread

Yield: Makes about 15 squares.

2 cups yellow cornmeal
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2-1/2 cups milk
1-1/2 cups corn oil
5 eggs
1-1/2 cups cooked corn kernels

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, then beat together the milk, oil, and eggs in a separate bowl. Combine the two mixtures, stirring briefly. Fold in the corn kernels. Pour into a 13x9-inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until firm in the center and just golden.

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Corn Quiche
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

1 unbaked pie shell for 10-inch pie plate
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, or 1/2 cup diced ham
1 cup grated Swiss or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup minced scallions
1/4 cup diced red or green bell pepper
4 eggs
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup light cream
salt and pepper, to taste
dash of nutmeg

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 10-inch pie plate or quiche form with pastry, and partially bake for about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, cheese, scallions, and pepper into the pie pan. Beat the eggs slightly, then beat the remaining ingredients into the eggs and pour the mixture into the pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife tests clean. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

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New England Corn and Turkey Pie
Yield: 6 servings

3 cups chopped cooked turkey
3 eggs, well beaten
3 cups milk
2 tablespoons flour
1-1/2 cups corn kernels
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced green bell pepper
1/4 cup sauteed mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of pepper

Place turkey into the bottom of a greased quiche pan. Beat together eggs, milk, and flour. Add remaining ingredients to egg mixture and pour over the turkey. Bake at 325 degrees F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

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Tomato Corn Salad
Yield: 8-12 servings

Courtesy of Verrill Farm.

6 ears of corn, cut off the cobb
1 onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
2 tablespoons Italian parsley
12 basil leaves, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced

Saute onion, pepper, and corn in a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook until ingredients begin to soften. Stir in the tomato and add the herbs. Season with salt and pepper.

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Corn Custard
Yield: Makes 6 servings.

2 cups corn kernels (fresh or canned)
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons melted butter

Mix corn with dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, and butter. Place in a buttered baking dish or casserole set in a shallow pan of hot water. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Perseids

2007-07-31T11:25:00.000-04:00

There is something magical about a point of light suddenly streaking across the starry field of the night sky. Those shooting stars are actually not stars at all but meteors. Of the major meteor showers that return to our skies at the same time each year, the Perseid shower puts on the brightest dependable show on the night of August 11-12. This year's new Moon conditions are ideal for viewing. Make sure that you check the sky often after dark. The very best viewing will be after midnight.

Sincerely,
The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Tomorrow is Lammas

2007-07-31T11:21:00.000-04:00

From the Old English hlaf,"loaf," and maesse, "mass" or "feast," Lammas is very old indeed. It derives from the ancient English festival the Gule of August, which marked the beginning of the harvest, traditionally August 1.

The early English church kept this pagan dedication of the first fruits but converted it to Christian usage. Through the centuries, "loaf-mass" became corrupted in spelling and pronunciation to Lammas. On Lammas Day, loaves of bread were baked from the first-ripened grain and brought to the churches to be consecrated.

After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day.

New Church Member

2007-07-21T09:59:00.000-04:00

The Live Oak Church has a new member.

Samuel Gage
Born: 07/20/07 at 10:43 AM
6.7 pounds - 20 inches long

Betty 07/12/07

2007-07-12T19:02:00.000-04:00

This post is to honor Betty and her beautiful, immortal smile. Enjoy some of the joy she has brought to all of us.

July 4th with Church Folks

2007-07-04T11:16:00.000-04:00

Steve and Betty's (Debbie and Kathy) place is a beautiful home in Nappanee. And they were some of the best hosts for a wonderful evening. Betty is on the mend from cancer and I have to say - she looks MARVELOUS! It was such a treat to visit with her, and her attitude is one to envy and model ourselves after - nothing but positive and love. With that said, enjoy some pictures.

Doesn't Steve look HOT in Betty's wig?

The Nappanee Parade - The fire truck cooled us all down.

I did get pictures of other people too - but I'm going to be asking for 'okay' before I post them. Also, LOEC folks, I WILL NOT post a picture of you if it doesn't look good to me, so don't worry about 'ugly' pictures, lol.

You can visit the church (Live Oak Experiential Church) web site here: http://loec.net/

Blessings To You,
Sandy

Litha at Elliott Park

2007-06-24T11:12:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful Litha with the church family I love.

We met at Elliott Park (the pavilion and toilets are gone - oh my).

Our ritual was simple but powerful.
We gathered Cedar together and cared for the trees.
Each little snip we took was a personal prayer.

We also gathered sticks to light a Litha fire.
We released our prayers in the fire.

We gathered for feast.

We ended by honoring our Birthday Girl, Sister Pat.
And she honored us with a special gift for the Mel Fund.
Yes, she made the Pineapple Upside Down Cake too, lol.
Here Fred is holding the gift from Pat - a treasure box that's
been with her for, at least, 20 years.

It's hard to believe it's mid-summer already.

Blessings to You,
Sandy a.k.a Mom

Litha

2007-06-21T11:10:00.000-04:00

Litha is the first harvest of your magical and medicinal herbs. Traditionally they are gathered by the light of the Moon - however any time during actual Litha is a great time for this. If you have a special herb you're going to gather you might want to plan it for the exact time that Sun enters Cancer (this year it's 2:06 p.m. est). Make sure you gather with respect, never taking more than 1/3 of the plant and caring for the plant as you are harvesting.

Since the Sun at Litha is entering Cancer, a water sign, this holiday is also a good one for gathering your magical water to use on your altar and in your spells for the coming year. As luck would have it we are supposed to get rain :-) and rain water is one of the best for magical use. The more electrical energy the storm puts out, the more energized the water is, so the fiercer the better! btw, avoid metal containers for collecting magical water. Adding shells, stones, and other 'sea' related items can make the water last longer. And, don't forget this is not drinking water.

If you are going to gather from a stream bring an offering of fruit or nuts, and 3 pennies or dimes (for prosperity). Also you might want to honor Water Goddesses by taking some jewelry as an offering. It can be simply a broken silver chain, a ring you used to wear, one half of an earring set, things like that. By doing this you don't have to worry about losing any of your "good" jewelry to a jealous Goddess when by water.

Blessings to You,
Sandy

Harriet's Last Day at Church

2007-06-10T11:07:00.000-04:00

This was Harriet's last day at church with us. Just enjoy a few pictures.

Harriet and I

Blessings to You,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

2007-06-08T11:02:00.000-04:00

Our dear friend Harriet has moved to heaven - not literally - she's moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and is in Harriet heaven right now. This blog entry is about treating her special before she left - HER GOING AWAY PARTY, Friday, June 8th, 2007!

Fiddler's Hearth! A meal for a Queen.

All the folks that joined us for the party.

One last picture of a HAPPY Harriet.

Blessings to You,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom

Beltane, May Day, Spring is about love

2007-04-29T10:56:00.000-04:00

I want to share some of the pictures from our Beltane / May Day celebration. I truly hope no one is offended. In my mind there is no better way to celebrate spring than with a May Pole, happy people, and my church family.

Beltane - May Day - Spring is about love!
Danielle and Gary, I pray your new romance lasts forever!

This is our May Pole going up behind Woodlawn Nature Center, where we hold church.

Dancers, take your places. Slower dancers closer to the pole, wild dancers on the outside.

And the dance begins with our slower dancers.

Who took this picture and put me in the center?

The best part of the May Pole dance is the chaos at the end.
Happy Beltane, Church Family!
I love you all!

Blessings,
Sandy a.k.a. Mom