Happy Birthday Kit!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday and I'll stop singing, happy birthday to you!

I know you like Monkeys but these were better!!

We love you, thank God for you and pray you have the best birthday a girl could ever have. If I was there I would give you a big hug and have Lucy bake you a pink cake. Well I could bake it, I make a pretty good cake so I owe you one. Have a great day.

He Did It Just For You

by Max Lucado


When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound. Imprisoned in flesh. Restricted by weary-prone muscles and eyelids. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet.


I wonder, was he ever tempted to reclaim his boundlessness? In the middle of a long trip, did he ever consider transporting himself to the next city? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment?


If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave in to them. Not once. Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort. With one word he could've transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn't. With a wave of his hand, he could've boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn't. With an arch of his brow, he could've paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. But he didn't.


Want to know the coolest thing about the coming?


Not that he, in an instant, went from needing nothing to needing air, food, a tub of hot water and salts for his tired feet, and, more than anything, needing somebody--anybody--who was more concerned about where he would spend eternity than where he would spend Friday's paycheck.


Not that he kept his cool while the dozen best friends he ever had felt the heat and got out of the kitchen. Or that he gave no command to the angels who begged, "Just give the nod, Lord. One word and these demons will be deviled eggs."


Not that he refused to defend himself when blamed for every sin since Adam. Or that he stood silent as a million guilty verdicts echoed in the tribunal of heaven and the giver of light was left in the chill of a sinner's night.


Not even that after three days in a dark hole he stepped into the Easter sunrise with a smile and a swagger and a question for lowly Lucifer--"Is that your best punch?"


That was cool, incredibly cool.


But want to know the coolest thing about the One who gave up the crown of heaven for a crown of thorns?


He did it for you. Just for you.

God Sees You

"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid.

You are worth more than many sparrows."

Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV)


By T. Susan Eller

Recently Darrin came up to me in the hallway at church. "Ten years!" he said, grabbing me and crushing me in a bear hug.

Wow. Ten years. It doesn't seem possible. You see, ten years ago Darrin was 21 when he tried to take his life. Someone found him and called for help. The doctors said he's fortunate he didn't die, but for a long time after the attempt Darrin felt anything but lucky. It was hard for me to understand his perspective, but the fact that his suicide attempt didn't work was one more "failure" in this broken young man's mind.


Darrin left the hospital and came to live with our family for the next two years. We had a front row seat as we watched God perform a miracle. It wasn't easy, but Darrin began a journey to wholeness. He started to understand what it meant to be a child of God. He discovered who he was, separate from his past, separate from what people thought or spoke about him.


Today Darrin is a licensed pastor. He is married to a beautiful woman named Sarah. He is a father to three young children, and he loves and delights in each of them. His oldest daughter is named Abi , after Abba -- Heavenly Father -- a reminder that she is one of many gifts from God.


Darrin is healed in every way, but he has not forgotten where he once was and that's why he allows me to share his story today. It's also why he shares it one-on-one with others who find themselves in a similar place. This type of anniversary might be one that some would want to forget, but Darrin sees it as a day to celebrate life and second chances. His story offers a powerful message: that when others have given up on you, or maybe you've even given up on yourself, there is still hope.


For some, like Darrin, depression wraps around life choices. You may experience a chemical imbalance. Or, feelings of hopelessness might result from emotional or physical exhaustion. While it can take time to pinpoint the root cause, it's vital that you know from this moment on that God sees you. He loves you and He cares. He's a God of hope and healing. So today I pray that you will feel His arms reaching for you, just like he did my friend Darrin.

Dear Lord, I believe that today a woman is reading this who believes she has been forgotten. I thank you that You will wrap Your love around her and remind her that You are with her. May she know You see her, and that she is precious and valuable in Your sight. Give her hope, wisdom, peace and renewed joy, beginning today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


We need to differentiate between a bad day or a series of bad days and depression. Dr. Leslie Vernick has created a test you can take called How Do I Know If I'm Depressed to help discern the difference. Please seek professional help if you have three or more symptoms of depression.



When someone we care about is depressed, it is hard to know what to say. Sometimes we try to talk them out of it by saying things like:

* "Just trust God."

* "Just get over it."
* "If you would just do ..."
* "You have lots going for you. You shouldn't feel so bad."



These statements are not helpful because they make the person feel ashamed of being depressed. They want to get well, but it is usually not that simple. Instead, we can encourage them by first, listening. And also by:



* Giving a hug -- touch is powerful.
* Letting them know you'll do whatever it takes to help, then do it. (Drive them to a counselor's appointment, pray for them daily, etc.)
* Let them talk, or cry.
* Ask them how you can pray for them, and write down their answer.
* Let them know though you may not fully understand what they feel, you care about what they are going through.



Reflections:

Do I believe that God cares about me?

Do I know the God of hope and healing?



Am I willing to take steps toward wholeness?



Power Verses:

Psalm 42:11, " Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (KJV)

Psalm 71:5 , " For thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." (KJV)

THE NAMES OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD

EL: God ("mighty, strong, prominent") used 250 times in the OT See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Nu. 23:22; Josh. 3:10; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 10:5. El is linguistically equivalent to the Moslem "Allah," but the attributes of Allah in Islam are entirely different from those of the God of the Hebrews. ELAH is Aramaic, "god." Elah appears in the Hebrew Bible in Jer. 10:11 (which is in Aramaic, and is plural, "gods"). In Daniel (the Aramaic sections) Elah is used both of pagan gods, and of the true God, also plural. Elah is equivalent to the Hebrew Eloah which some think is dual; Elohim is three or more. The gods of the nations are called "elohim." The origin of Eloah is obscure. Elohim is the more common plural form of El. Eloah is used 41 times in Job between 3:4 and 40:2, but fewer than 15 times elsewhere in the OT.

ELOHIM: God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs); Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33; Isa. 40:1.

EL SHADDAI: God Almighty or "God All Sufficient." 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-13; Ruth 1:20, 21) In Rev. 16:7, "Lord God the Almighty." The Septuagint uses Greek "ikanos" meaning "all-sufficient" or "self-sufficient." The idols of the heathen are called "sheddim."
ADONAI: Lord in our English Bibles (Capitol letter 'L ', lower case, 'ord') (Adonai is plural, the sing. is "adon"). "Master'' or "Lord" 300 times in the OT always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord. Used 215 times to refer to men. First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2. (Ex. 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Sam. 7:18-20; Ps. 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28). Heavy use in Isaiah (Adonai Jehovah). 200 times by Ezekiel. Ten times in Dan. 9.

JEHOVAH: LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb "to be", havah, similar to chavah (to live), "The Self-Existent One," "I AM WHO I AM" or 'I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE" as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written "YHWH" without vowel points. The tetragrammaton. Josh., Judges, Sam., and Kings use Jehovah almost exclusively. The love of God is conditioned upon His moral and spiritual attributes. (Dan. 9:14; Ps. 11:7; Lev. 19:2; Hab. 1:12). Note Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh'ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.



JEHOVAH-JIREH: "The Lord will Provide." Gen. 22:14. From "jireh" ("to see" or "to provide," or to "foresee" as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.

JEHOVAH-ROPHE: "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being.
JEHOVAH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means "to glisten," "to lift up," See Psalm 4:6.

JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH: "The Lord Who Sanctifies" Lev. 20:8. "To make whole, set apart for holiness."
JEHOVAH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. "Shalom" translated "peace" 170 times means "whole," "finished," "fulfilled," "perfected." Related to "well," welfare." Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one's fellow man.

SHEPHERD: Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.

JUDGE: Psa. 7:8, 96:13.
JEHOVAH ELOHIM: "LORD God" Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU "The Lord Our Righteousness" Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From "tsidek" (straight, stiff, balanced - as on scales - full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.

JEHOVAH-ROHI: "The Lord Our Shepherd" Psa. 23, from "ro'eh" (to pasture).

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: The Lord is There" (Ezek. 48:35).


JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: "The Lord of Hosts" The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16).

EL ELYON: 'Most High" (from "to go up") Deut. 26:19, 32:8; Psa. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu. 24:16; Psa. 78:35, 7:17, 18:13, 97:9, 56:2, 78:56, 18:13; Dan. 7:25, 27; Isa. 14:14.

ABHIR: 'Mighty One', ("to be strong") Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.

BRANCH: (tsemach), The Branch: Zech. 3:8, 6:12; Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15.

KADOSH: "Holy One" Psa. 71:22; Isa. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17. Isaiah uses the expression "the Holy One of Israel" 29 times.

SHAPHAT: "Judge" Gen. 18:25

EL ROI: "God of Seeing" Hagar in Gen. 16:13. The God Who opens our eyes.

KANNA: "Jealous" (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.

PALET: "Deliverer" Psa. 18:2.

YESHUA: (Yeshua) "Savior" ("he will save"). Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Joshua." The latter is a contraction of Je-Hoshua. ("Christ", the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah). [

GAOL: "Redeemer" (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.

MAGEN: "Shield" Psa. 3:3, 18:30.

STONE: Gen. 49:24

EYALUTH: "Strength" Psa. 22:19.

TSADDIQ: "Righteous One" Psa. 7:9.

EL-OLAM: "Everlasting God" (God of everlasting time) Gen. 21:33; Psa. 90:1-3, 93:2; Isa. 26:4.

EL-BERITH: "God of the Covenant" Used of Baal in Judges 9:46. Probably used originally to refer to the God of israel.

EL-GIBHOR: Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)

ZUR: "God our Rock" Deut. 32:18; Isa. 30:29.

Malachi calls Messiah "The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2).

Isaiah calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibhor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

'Attiq Yomin (Aramaic): "Ancient of Days," Dan. 7:9, 13, 22.

MELEKH: "King" Psa. 5:2, 29:10, 44:4, 47:6-8, 48:2, 68:24, 74:12, 95:3, 97:1, 99:4, 146:10; Isa. 5:1, 5, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; 52:7, 52:10.

"The Angel of the Lord: " Gen. 16:7ff, 21:17, 22:11, 15ff, 18:1-19:1, 24:7, 40, 31:11-13, 32:24-30; Ex. 3:6, 13:21, Ezek. 1:10-13. Seen in the theophanies, or pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God in the OT (See I Cor. 10:3 NT).

FATHER: 2 Sam. 7:14-15; Psa. 68:5; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Mal. 1:6.

MORE NAMES OF GOD in the New Testament

ABBA.............................Romans 8:15

ADVOCATE.........................I John 2:1 (kjv)

ALMIGHTY.........................Genesis 17:1

ALPHA............................Revelation 22:13

AMEN.............................Revelation 3:14

ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9

ANOINTED ONE.....................Psalm 2:2

APOSTLE..........................Hebrews 3:1

ARM OF THE LORD..................Isaiah 53:1

AUTHOR OF LIFE...................Acts 3:15

AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2

BEGINNING.........................Revelation 21:6

BLESSED & HOLY RULER..............1 Timothy 6:15

BRANCH............................Jeremiah 33:15

BREAD OF GOD......................John 6:33

BREAD OF LIFE.....................John 6:35

BRIDEGROOM........................Isaiah 62:56

BRIGHT MORNING STAR...............Revelation 22:16

CHIEF SHEPHERD.....................1 Peter 5:4

CHOSEN ONE.........................Isaiah 42:1

CHRIST.............................Matthew 22:42

CHRIST OF GOD......................Luke 9:20

CHRIST THE LORD....................Luke 2:11

CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16

COMFORTER..........................John 14:26(kjv)

COMMANDER..........................Isaiah 55:4

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25

CONSUMING FIRE......................Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29

CORNERSTONE.........................Isaiah 28:16

COUNSELOR...........................Isaiah 9:6

CREATOR.............................1 Peter 4:19

DELIVERER..............................Romans 11:26

DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS.................Haggai 2:7

DOOR...................................John 10:7(kjv)

END....................................Revelation 21:6

ETERNAL GOD............................Deut. 33:27

EVERLASTING FATHER.....................Isaiah 9:6

FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11

FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5

FATHER.................................Matthew 6:9

FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15

FIRSTFRUITS............................1 Cor.15:20-23

FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11

FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19

GENTLE WHISPER.........................1 Kings 19:12

GIFT OF GOD............................John 4:10

GLORY OF THE LORD......................Isaiah 40:5

GOD....................................Genesis 1:1

GOD ALMIGHTY...........................Genesis 17:1

GOD OVER ALL...........................Romans 9:5

GOD WHO SEES ME........................Genesis 16:13

GOOD SHEPHERD..........................John 10:11

GREAT HIGH PRIEST......................Hebrews 4:14

GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20

GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14

HEAD OF THE BODY.......................Colossians 1:18

HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....................Ephesians 5:23

HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....................Hebrews 1:2

HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1

HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20

HOLY ONE...............................Acts 2:27

HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.....................Isaiah 49:7

HOLY SPIRIT............................John 16:26

HOPE...................................Titus 2:13

HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69

I AM....................................Exodus 3:14, John 8:58

IMAGE OF GOD............................2 Cor. 4:4

IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv)

IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14

JEALOUS..............................Exodus 34:14 (kjv)

JEHOVAH..............................Psalm 83:18 (kjv)

JESUS................................Matthew 1:21

JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23

JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

KING.................................Zechariah 9:9

KING ETERNAL.........................1 Timothy 1:17

KING OF KINGS........................1 Timothy 6:15

KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3

LAMB OF GOD...........................John 1:29

LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45

LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22

LEADER................................Isaiah 55:4

LIFE..................................John 14:6

LIGHT OF THE WORLD....................John 8:12

LIKE AN EAGLE.........................Deut. 32:11

LILY OF THE VALLEYS...................Song 2:1

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5

LIVING STONE..........................1 Peter 2:4

LIVING WATER..........................John 4:10

LORD..................................John 13:13

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....................Revelation 15:3

LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57

LORD OF ALL...........................Acts 10:36

LORD OF GLORY ........................1 Cor. 2:8

LORD OF LORDS.........................1 Tim. 6:15

LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6

LOVE.................................1 John 4:8

MAN OF SORROWS.........................Isaiah 53:3

MASTER..................................Luke 5:5

MEDIATOR................................1 Timothy 2:5

MERCIFUL GOD............................Jeremiah 3:12

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT................Malachi 3:1

MESSIAH................................. John 4:25

MIGHTY GOD...............................Isaiah 9:6

MIGHTY ONE...............................Isaiah 60:16

NAZARENE.................................Matthew 2:23

OFFSPRING OF DAVID.......................Revelation 22:16

OMEGA....................................Revelation 22:13

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON........................John 1:18(kjv)

OUR PASSOVER LAMB........................1 Cor. 5:7

OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14

POTTER...................................Isaiah 64:8

POWER OF GOD.............................1 Cor. 1:24

PRINCE OF PEACE..........................Isaiah 9:6

PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22

PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3

RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16

RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3

REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25

REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2

RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25

RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1

ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4

ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16

ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1

RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14

RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5

RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2

SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11

SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17

SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15

SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1

SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25

SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1

SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1

SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54

SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20

SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32

SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9

SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2

STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17

STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2

TEACHER...................................John 13:13

TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9

TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14

TRUTH.....................................John 14:6

VINE......................................John 15:5

WAY........................................John 14:6

WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24

WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4

WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6

WORD.......................................John 1:1

WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13

Psalm 23:1-5

(1) The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
(2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
(3) He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.




Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," another instance of Yahweh. This name for God is frequently combined with other words to form more specific descriptions of Him. Psalm 23 is in reality a brief expounding of eight names of God in the first five verses. It brings to light:

YHWH-Roi—God our shepherd—Psalm 80:1.

YHWH-Jireh—God our provider—Genesis 22:14.

YHWH-Shalom—God our peace—Judges 6:24.

YHWH-Nissi—God is my banner—Exodus 17:15.

YHWH-Ropheka—God our healer—Exodus 15:26.

YHWH-Zidkenu—God our righteousness—Jeremiah 23:6.

YHWH-Shammah—God is present—Ezekiel 48:35.

YHWH-Mekaddishkem—God who sanctifies—Exodus 31:13.

Each of these names provides us with building blocks of knowledge to strengthen and encourage us in the use of faith.

It's official. I'm in love!

A little love for FOM

Buddy, I know today is the Festival of Ramps in your old neck of the woods, so here you go. If you close your eyes you can smell the nasty things. I love how the reporter calls them "An aromatic tuber". lol



April 16, 2009
Have your ramps and eat them, too

Retired postal worker in Richwood writes A-to-Z book for lovers of aromatic tuber
Rick Steelhammer

Glen Facemire Jr. examines a handful of freshly dug ramps near his Richwood home.



RICHWOOD, W.Va. -- If anyone knows ramps from turf to table, it's Glen Facemire Jr.

The retired Postal Service employee grew up in the Richwood area, where he dug and helped can ramps as a kid - "Not because they were a special, wild, springtime food, which they are, but because they were food, period," he said.

After spending part of his career in Charleston, he returned to ramp country in Summersville before retiring and returning to Richwood, where he owns more than 60 acres of prime ramp terrain adjacent to his home. He has planted ramp seeds over much of his property and, with his wife, Noreen, operates G-N Ramp Farm and Ramp Farm Specialties - an Internet-based retail outlet for fresh ramps and ramp products.

Over the years, the Facemires developed a line of ramp products, ranging from ramp biscuit mix and pickled ramps to ramp gravy mix and ramp mustard, which they sold for several years from a store they operated on Richwood's Main Street. They have also written three booklets on growing and cooking ramps. These days, though, virtually all of their business is online and focuses on freshly dug ramps.

Last year, the Facemires shipped out 400 pounds of the aromatic tubers to ramp lovers from Florida to Alaska.

"I shake the loose dirt off and keep the skin of the roots on to hold the moisture in," said Facemire. "I bag the roots in plastic bags in half-pound bunches, and leave the tops on to let the ramps breathe." The ramps are shipped in perforated mailers and arrive on the West Coast within three days, in good condition, Facemire said.

This year, Facemire has taken his knowledge of allium tricoccum, as the ramp is known botanically, to the next level: A 144-page book that covers everything from the life cycle of the ramp to information about how to grow, dig, cook, ship and preserve it.

"Having Your Ramps and Eating Them, Too," published by McClain Press in Parsons, also covers the medicinal properties of the ramp, ramp myths and ramp humor.

Wielding a hand-made ramp hoe and carrying a decommissioned letter carrier's pouch converted to ramp duty, Facemire set out on a recent afternoon to show a visitor the state of this year's ramp crop.

"The ramps are a little small for this time of year," he said, after unearthing a small clump of green-topped alliums on a slope up the hill from his home. "I think they taste best when they're this size, but it takes more of them to make a bushel."

Facemire said he harvests ramps by thinning, rather than clearing out patches of the plant. He also reseeds ramp-producing coves on his land.

"It takes a while to replace a ramp," he said. "It can take up to 18 months for a ramp seed to germinate, then another five or six years for the germinated seed to grow big enough for eating."

He said ramps can be found on all slope exposures, but he said north-facing slopes seem to produce better, since they are better shaded from afternoon sun and hold moisture better.

Freshly trimmed ramps await rinsing and a stint in the skillet at the Facemire home.

RICHWOOD, W.Va. -- If anyone knows ramps from turf to table, it's Glen Facemire Jr.

The retired Postal Service employee grew up in the Richwood area, where he dug and helped can ramps as a kid - "Not because they were a special, wild, springtime food, which they are, but because they were food, period," he said.

After spending part of his career in Charleston, he returned to ramp country in Summersville before retiring and returning to Richwood, where he owns more than 60 acres of prime ramp terrain adjacent to his home. He has planted ramp seeds over much of his property and, with his wife, Noreen, operates G-N Ramp Farm and Ramp Farm Specialties - an Internet-based retail outlet for fresh ramps and ramp products.

Over the years, the Facemires developed a line of ramp products, ranging from ramp biscuit mix and pickled ramps to ramp gravy mix and ramp mustard, which they sold for several years from a store they operated on Richwood's Main Street. They have also written three booklets on growing and cooking ramps. These days, though, virtually all of their business is online and focuses on freshly dug ramps.

Last year, the Facemires shipped out 400 pounds of the aromatic tubers to ramp lovers from Florida to Alaska.

"I shake the loose dirt off and keep the skin of the roots on to hold the moisture in," said Facemire. "I bag the roots in plastic bags in half-pound bunches, and leave the tops on to let the ramps breathe." The ramps are shipped in perforated mailers and arrive on the West Coast within three days, in good condition, Facemire said.

This year, Facemire has taken his knowledge of allium tricoccum, as the ramp is known botanically, to the next level: A 144-page book that covers everything from the life cycle of the ramp to information about how to grow, dig, cook, ship and preserve it.

"Having Your Ramps and Eating Them, Too," published by McClain Press in Parsons, also covers the medicinal properties of the ramp, ramp myths and ramp humor.

Wielding a hand-made ramp hoe and carrying a decommissioned letter carrier's pouch converted to ramp duty, Facemire set out on a recent afternoon to show a visitor the state of this year's ramp crop.

"The ramps are a little small for this time of year," he said, after unearthing a small clump of green-topped alliums on a slope up the hill from his home. "I think they taste best when they're this size, but it takes more of them to make a bushel."

Facemire said he harvests ramps by thinning, rather than clearing out patches of the plant. He also reseeds ramp-producing coves on his land.

"It takes a while to replace a ramp," he said. "It can take up to 18 months for a ramp seed to germinate, then another five or six years for the germinated seed to grow big enough for eating."

He said ramps can be found on all slope exposures, but he said north-facing slopes seem to produce better, since they are better shaded from afternoon sun and hold moisture better.

When digging ramps, Facemire tries to keep as much root material as possible attached to the plants. "That way, if you don't cook all the ramps you've dug, you can replant them," he said.

While April is the prime ramp-digging month in West Virginia, Facemire says he harvests some as early as January, looking for withered stems and seed pods to guide him to the aromatic roots, since their green tops have not yet sprouted.

Once an appropriate-sized mess of ramps has been collected for preparation, Facemire slices off the bottom tip of the bulb and then slides off the slimy outer sheath that covers the herb's business end.

"They're almost clean after you slide off that skin," he said. "You don't need to scrub them. These are prime, crisp ramps," he said, admiring a pail-full he had processed at an outdoor pavilion on his ramp farm.

A growing public interest in wild foods and a trend by upscale restaurants to incorporate ramps in recipes has kept demand for the woodland herb high. "We keep getting more and more inquiries about ramps, including from people who want to buy them wholesale," Facemire said. " I think demand for them is as high as it's ever been."

Despite legends that ramps possess one of nature's strongest and longest-lasting aromas, "I don't think they're any stronger than garlic, chives, leeks or any other alliums," he said. "Of course, you can run into some really hot ones every so often."

After bringing the prepared ramps back to his house, Facemire sautéed one pan of topless ramps with mushrooms in butter, and another pan of green-topped ramps in bacon drippings with a few eggs from his free-ranging hens.

"You want them to simmer slowly, and not get too hot and brown," he said, as he stirred the slow-cooking ramps. Facemire added a little water and a sprinkling of salt to the simmering ramps, and kept them covered to allow steam to enhance the cooking process. "A good-sized pan takes about 20 minutes to cook," he said.

As Facemire stirred the ramps on the stovetop, his wife placed an array of pre-cooked ramp dishes on serving plates. They included ramp meatloaf, ramp quiche, ramp dressing balls and ramp hush puppies, all cooked according to recipes she created, which are included in the new book.

All proved to be even better to eat than they were to admire.

Copies of "Having Your Ramps and Eating Them, Too" are available at Tamarack and from the Ramp Farm Specialties' Web site www.rampfarm.com.

Facemire also will sell copies of the book at the 71st annual Feast of the Ramson, the state's oldest and biggest ramp feed, which takes place Saturday at Richwood High School, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Freshly trimmed ramps await rinsing and a stint in the skillet at the Facemire home.
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When digging ramps, Facemire tries to keep as much root material as possible attached to the plants. "That way, if you don't cook all the ramps you've dug, you can replant them," he said.

While April is the prime ramp-digging month in West Virginia, Facemire says he harvests some as early as January, looking for withered stems and seed pods to guide him to the aromatic roots, since their green tops have not yet sprouted.

Once an appropriate-sized mess of ramps has been collected for preparation, Facemire slices off the bottom tip of the bulb and then slides off the slimy outer sheath that covers the herb's business end.

"They're almost clean after you slide off that skin," he said. "You don't need to scrub them. These are prime, crisp ramps," he said, admiring a pail-full he had processed at an outdoor pavilion on his ramp farm.

A growing public interest in wild foods and a trend by upscale restaurants to incorporate ramps in recipes has kept demand for the woodland herb high. "We keep getting more and more inquiries about ramps, including from people who want to buy them wholesale," Facemire said. " I think demand for them is as high as it's ever been."

Despite legends that ramps possess one of nature's strongest and longest-lasting aromas, "I don't think they're any stronger than garlic, chives, leeks or any other alliums," he said. "Of course, you can run into some really hot ones every so often."

After bringing the prepared ramps back to his house, Facemire sautéed one pan of topless ramps with mushrooms in butter, and another pan of green-topped ramps in bacon drippings with a few eggs from his free-ranging hens.

"You want them to simmer slowly, and not get too hot and brown," he said, as he stirred the slow-cooking ramps. Facemire added a little water and a sprinkling of salt to the simmering ramps, and kept them covered to allow steam to enhance the cooking process. "A good-sized pan takes about 20 minutes to cook," he said.

As Facemire stirred the ramps on the stovetop, his wife placed an array of pre-cooked ramp dishes on serving plates. They included ramp meatloaf, ramp quiche, ramp dressing balls and ramp hush puppies, all cooked according to recipes she created, which are included in the new book.

All proved to be even better to eat than they were to admire.

Copies of "Having Your Ramps and Eating Them, Too" are available at Tamarack and from the Ramp Farm Specialties' Web site www.rampfarm.com.

Facemire also will sell copies of the book at the 71st annual Feast of the Ramson, the state's oldest and biggest ramp feed, which takes place Saturday at Richwood High School, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.