Kat and Andy decided to move from their apartment to a house near their work. Since they had driven over to see Christopher for his parent-teacher meeting, there was now just two days left to make the move. With a load of packing boxes, picked up at Walmart, I grabbed Mom on Saturday morning and we headed up to help with the move.
We got a hold of Cliff and, as soon as we had everything boxed, he brought over his pickup and trailer. In a very short period of time, Andy, Cliff and Kathleen had everything that was headed to the house, loaded. We flew down the road (at the speed limit) to the new home. Then, as the cold wind stung our hands and ears, the trailer, pickup and car were quickly unloaded. It was a full days work, but it seemed to go quickly. Afterwards, Kat and Andy took us all (we now picked up Barb, too) out for BBQ ribs to celebrate. mmmm It was really good. I was able to bring home a go-box of rib bones for the dogs...but Kathleen refused to part with the go-box of her leftover pasta dish so that I could give it to the cats.
The only thing left was the apartment inspection. On Sunday Kathleen, Andy and I met Julia and we all went to work getting the apartment ready for inspection. Today (Monday) Kat, Andy and Julia headed back to the apartment for the inspection and they passed with flying colors. (Yea!) Now on to the new home so that they can get ready for work.
Thank the Lord that my brother, Cliff, was there with his pickup and trailer, or we could have been making trips all weekend, just to move the stuff. Although I am his elder, he has always been the one behind the wheel. Being the oldest of the boys, he was out driving tractor, running the combine, and driving trucks, since the time he could reach the pedal. Dad would not let us girls drive the tractor until we were quite a bit older. However, I found it is not always such a fun task. When finally I could drive, I was allowed to plow up a field on the other side of the Rand Place (old deserted homestead). There was a dike of some sort which created a somewhat steep slope off to the side of the field. Having much wisdom of youth, I thought I would do a really good job and plow up the side of the dike and have a bigger field. So I started sideways down the incline. It did not dawn on me that a tractor could tip over. Imagine my surprise when suddenly both front and back tire on the upward slope left the ground. I then felt the jolt as the plow, which was cutting deep into the incline, pulled the tractor back to the ground. I eased off the dike and felt a whole lot wiser about life that day.
Anita, my younger sister, also found out the seriousness of driving. She, too, finally got to drive the tractor and had a bucket attached to the front. She was driving it along and somehow miscalculated the distance between Dad's large, oversized, 2 1/2 story tall garage and the tractor. She not only crashed into the garage but hit it right on the corner and cracked the corner support beam. There was a BIG, crunched dent where she pushed it in. This is probably why us girls mostly picked rocks and picked bales, when it came to helping in the fields.
As kids, Cliff was Dad's right hand. He worked the fields, as seasons changed...the plowing, the seeding and the harvesting. As he grew older, he helped work the fields for the neighbors. He didn't get to play with us kids a lot. There were a lot of hot summer days, though, when supper was finished and all us kids got to go play in the iron pile. There was an old abandoned wood stove there, so we all played family. The imaginary cooking on that stove, was a delight and we had a lot of fun.
As the brothers grew older, they helped Dad with the equipment maintenance and overhauls. One of those summers the boys took apart Mom's push mower. They took the engine and made themselves a go-cart. I don't know what they used for a frame, and I have no idea how they made the brakes, clutch, or how they made the wheels run, but they did. And they had fun riding it down the drive that lead up to the farm. It was about a quarter of a mile drive--so much fun for them. Mom watched and cheered them on as they took off.
In those days, when Mom and Dad went to town, Uncle was in charge of us kids. However, with Mom and Dad gone to town, Uncle would disappear and go to the bunk house and read, or nap or do something, to enjoy his "day off." This one particular day the boys were looking for adventure. Who knows why they thought the outhouse was an adventure. We didn't have indoor plumbing at the time, so it was kind of an essential to have it standing. However, to young boys, it was a challenge to tip it over. They got posts and sticks and I don't remember what they used for leverage, but after much effort, and just before Mom and Dad returned, they succeeded in tipping it over. The outhouse at the time was half way between the barn and the house. The walking distance was all covered by the big yard light. Now Dad moved the outhouse down by the shed. Twice the distance, and the last half of the trip was in darkness when you had to go at night. THANKS BOYS! Perhaps it was the next year that we got indoor plumbing. It was a good life.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Missing Babies
Last Sunday the wind was blowing and it was getting dark. A young couple had just left with a precious little furry kitten--the last of the litter to be adopted out. I looked out and Christopher's little black kitten (8 wks old) was scampering over the edge of the deck and Freckles (the teenage kitten) was following him. Mama cat was watching me, waiting to see if I had any treats. I shut off the lights and went to bed. The next morning I went out to feed the dogs and cats and found NO CATS. All were gone. I called and called but no cats came. I waited all day. I found the fields glasses and scoured the fields--it would be hard to miss Freckles, he is so big. Even the big black dots on his back don't diminish the expanse of his white fur. His colorings make him look like a huge domino!
Night came and still no cats. The next morning Kathleen called to see if they had returned. I looked out and here comes mama cat from their little house! But no kittens. She had brought home a couple of rabbit legs, but there were no kittens to share it with. That afternoon I made up cards of the missing kittens, with my name and number on it, and delivered them to all the neighbors. So far there has been no response.
Tonight I looked out. The dark had just set in and already mama cat was gone. Back tracking to see if she can find her lost kittens, I'm sure. Its dark out there, the wind is blowing and there are all kinds of predators waiting for a kitten--badgers, coyotes, hawks, stray dogs. Tonight mama cat and her babies are in my prayers.
Night came and still no cats. The next morning Kathleen called to see if they had returned. I looked out and here comes mama cat from their little house! But no kittens. She had brought home a couple of rabbit legs, but there were no kittens to share it with. That afternoon I made up cards of the missing kittens, with my name and number on it, and delivered them to all the neighbors. So far there has been no response.
Tonight I looked out. The dark had just set in and already mama cat was gone. Back tracking to see if she can find her lost kittens, I'm sure. Its dark out there, the wind is blowing and there are all kinds of predators waiting for a kitten--badgers, coyotes, hawks, stray dogs. Tonight mama cat and her babies are in my prayers.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
God's ways just are hard to understand at times. He sends people into your lives -- people who care and need you, when you need them.
Tim had a gift. He was a kind and gentle person; but more than that, he cared about people. Many times a situation would be created, such as someone making a mistake and installing something wrong, selling us the wrong thing, and other things of that nature. Tim would go to the people and talk to them. He wouldn't get angry, but be respectful and work it out with them. Although, I have seen him get tough with people, I don't remember him ever calling people names. He would just tell them the truth, sometime quite forcifully, and give them a lecture.
He had his own mountains to climb, but he was at heart, a good man. He brought a lot of kindness into my life, and I love him for that.
Tim had a gift. He was a kind and gentle person; but more than that, he cared about people. Many times a situation would be created, such as someone making a mistake and installing something wrong, selling us the wrong thing, and other things of that nature. Tim would go to the people and talk to them. He wouldn't get angry, but be respectful and work it out with them. Although, I have seen him get tough with people, I don't remember him ever calling people names. He would just tell them the truth, sometime quite forcifully, and give them a lecture.
He had his own mountains to climb, but he was at heart, a good man. He brought a lot of kindness into my life, and I love him for that.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Forgiveness
Anita has been very ungracious! She sent that wind back up to us. (tch, tch, tch) It has a bite to it, so this has been a good day to bake cookies. I found a partial package of chocolate chips that Kathleen had in the cupboard. I don’t know how many years old it was. The chips had that flakey, chalky look and were somehow melted into a big clump. I was able to whack the bag and chip off about half of the chips, but there remained a huge solid hunk of melted chocolate chips. However, a little pounding with the rolling pin took care of that. I now had little shreds of chocolate chips to go with the ones I had retrieved earlier. Threw some whole walnuts in the batch, too, and had some really tasty cookies to go with my ice tea!! (Ahhh. A good days work!)
I went to a couple of Bible studies these last couple of days. Have you ever noticed that when you listen to a sermon—whether in Church or on the radio or the tv—that the message seems to be pointed directly to YOU. I figure that is God’s way of keeping me straight. It is awesome the way He does that.
The Bible studies covered the topic of forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus, how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus answered in Matthew 18:22 ….“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Forgiveness is very important. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 “22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (“Raca” meaning vain, empty, worthless)
We are to forgive, as Christ forgave us. As David so eloquently says, of our sins, in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” The Lord wants us to forgive others, and to ask others to forgive us when we do wrong against them.
Now, there is another thing we are told to do. In Luke 17:3 Jesus says “ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” The word “rebuke” means chastise or correct. I personally learned the meaning of this Bible verse. As a kid, I hadn’t learned any social skills to speak of and was quite unready for the world. I was 18, on my own, and was very argumentive when anyone had a differing opinion. I didn’t have a lot of opinions, not knowing much, so I didn’t get into trouble, I was just hard to live with at times. Years later, Tim and I married. We didn’t have a lot of battles. Tim was smart and was good at decision-making. However, when there was a difference of opinions, I found out that I almost always won. It really surprised me, as I quite often shouldn’t have won.
Many years later, I was talking to a friend, at work, about—of all things —religion. He said I was contentious and wouldn’t talk to me about it. Well, that was a shock. No one had said I was “contentious” before. So I went and looked it up. It meant “quarrelsome and argumentative.” I didn’t think that was bad, but apparently it is.
In Proverbs 21:19 David tells us, “Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.” This doesn’t sound good.
Searching further I find, Galatians 5 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” So, here my eyes are opened and I see myself through the eyes of the Lord. NOW, I do strive for kindness and respect for others. I know I don’t always overcome, however, it is my heart’s desire to always do so.
If someone had not told me that what I was doing, was wrong, I would just have thought it was a character trait. When the Lord asks us to rebuke, or correct, others, it is not to punish them. It is to give them awareness of the wrongdoing, so that they have the opportunity to find forgiveness with the Lord and be saved. Telling someone they are sinning is not easy — especially when it is something the world sees as a strength or something to be desired.
I went to a couple of Bible studies these last couple of days. Have you ever noticed that when you listen to a sermon—whether in Church or on the radio or the tv—that the message seems to be pointed directly to YOU. I figure that is God’s way of keeping me straight. It is awesome the way He does that.
The Bible studies covered the topic of forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus, how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus answered in Matthew 18:22 ….“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Forgiveness is very important. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 “22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (“Raca” meaning vain, empty, worthless)
We are to forgive, as Christ forgave us. As David so eloquently says, of our sins, in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” The Lord wants us to forgive others, and to ask others to forgive us when we do wrong against them.
Now, there is another thing we are told to do. In Luke 17:3 Jesus says “ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” The word “rebuke” means chastise or correct. I personally learned the meaning of this Bible verse. As a kid, I hadn’t learned any social skills to speak of and was quite unready for the world. I was 18, on my own, and was very argumentive when anyone had a differing opinion. I didn’t have a lot of opinions, not knowing much, so I didn’t get into trouble, I was just hard to live with at times. Years later, Tim and I married. We didn’t have a lot of battles. Tim was smart and was good at decision-making. However, when there was a difference of opinions, I found out that I almost always won. It really surprised me, as I quite often shouldn’t have won.
Many years later, I was talking to a friend, at work, about—of all things —religion. He said I was contentious and wouldn’t talk to me about it. Well, that was a shock. No one had said I was “contentious” before. So I went and looked it up. It meant “quarrelsome and argumentative.” I didn’t think that was bad, but apparently it is.
In Proverbs 21:19 David tells us, “Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.” This doesn’t sound good.
Searching further I find, Galatians 5 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” So, here my eyes are opened and I see myself through the eyes of the Lord. NOW, I do strive for kindness and respect for others. I know I don’t always overcome, however, it is my heart’s desire to always do so.
If someone had not told me that what I was doing, was wrong, I would just have thought it was a character trait. When the Lord asks us to rebuke, or correct, others, it is not to punish them. It is to give them awareness of the wrongdoing, so that they have the opportunity to find forgiveness with the Lord and be saved. Telling someone they are sinning is not easy — especially when it is something the world sees as a strength or something to be desired.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Wind
Montana's "wind swept prairie" comes by that description quite honestly. It is because of winds such as those we have had the past few days. They will blow away almost anything that isn't fastened down! The dogs seem to still be standing, although I am pretty sure the kittens would be goners if they got out into it! The swing set was sent tumbling, even though I had it anchored down front and back on both sides. The roof on the kids play house, again, took off. It was never put back from the last time, but it WAS tucked under the slide to keep it from blowing away.
The wind was a problem at the family home up on 33rd Ave NE, too. We faced the wind directly and, although it was a beautiful view, you didn't dare leave anything on the deck when the wind blew! However, in the front of the house was a little courtyard which was fairly well protected by the wind. Hopefully, Kathleen and Andy will design their own courtyard for out here! They do have plans...I just don't know what they are yet.
The wind was a problem at the family home up on 33rd Ave NE, too. We faced the wind directly and, although it was a beautiful view, you didn't dare leave anything on the deck when the wind blew! However, in the front of the house was a little courtyard which was fairly well protected by the wind. Hopefully, Kathleen and Andy will design their own courtyard for out here! They do have plans...I just don't know what they are yet.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Do you have a Babel?
What is your strength? Is your family your strength? Is your iron will your strength? Is your works your strength? Should God call you, would you follow Him and leave all behind? We never know where or how God will call us? All we can do is wait on Him and trust Him.
Years ago, the Lord worked a beautiful miracle in my life! I was in heaven, although I was here in this world. I won't describe it, at least not now, and I tell you of it, just to affirm that God "called" me. For what? I don't know. But I have seen the changes He has made in my life and in me. Because I didn't understand, I destroyed everything I had that represented that "time." I walked away. If God truly meant for everything I saw to be, He would bring it to happen.
Life became a sacrifice of material things...the children married and left, my husband is gone, my home is gone. Now, whatever we have will come from the Lord and I trust He will fullfill our needs. Since I sold our family home, I have known the blessing of wonderful children, that have opened their homes and lives to me. If I had not gone into their homes, I would have missed the most wonderful blessings of knowing them and the grandchildren. I thank God for them, and for every door He opens.
In the Bible, we are told Noah's descendants, after the Flood, were all together and were one people. They began to build a tower that would reach the heavens. As one people, they were powerful and were going to be mighty. But the Lord knew the intentions of their hearts and He came down and confused their languages, separating the people according to their language. So began all the nations of the earth.
So shall it be with us. We leave our comfort zone, and our treasures and follow the Lord. His blessings are greater than any possession we might be clinging to.
Genesis 11 The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Years ago, the Lord worked a beautiful miracle in my life! I was in heaven, although I was here in this world. I won't describe it, at least not now, and I tell you of it, just to affirm that God "called" me. For what? I don't know. But I have seen the changes He has made in my life and in me. Because I didn't understand, I destroyed everything I had that represented that "time." I walked away. If God truly meant for everything I saw to be, He would bring it to happen.
Life became a sacrifice of material things...the children married and left, my husband is gone, my home is gone. Now, whatever we have will come from the Lord and I trust He will fullfill our needs. Since I sold our family home, I have known the blessing of wonderful children, that have opened their homes and lives to me. If I had not gone into their homes, I would have missed the most wonderful blessings of knowing them and the grandchildren. I thank God for them, and for every door He opens.
In the Bible, we are told Noah's descendants, after the Flood, were all together and were one people. They began to build a tower that would reach the heavens. As one people, they were powerful and were going to be mighty. But the Lord knew the intentions of their hearts and He came down and confused their languages, separating the people according to their language. So began all the nations of the earth.
So shall it be with us. We leave our comfort zone, and our treasures and follow the Lord. His blessings are greater than any possession we might be clinging to.
Genesis 11 The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Full Freezer!
Last Friday Andy and Kathleen went hunting with their friends, Brett and Lezann. (Spelling??) They had a great day and got their deer. Saturday they butchered and packaged the meat, and by Saturday night, close to midnight, the freezer was full of meat! Yea!! 
Alas, though, as Halloween came to a close last saturday, I have to admit my cute little alien tricked me. The whole bowl of candy sat there waiting for him, and he did not show up!!! Well, I guess 1,200 miles is just a little too far!
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