March 2024

March 2024
Over the years, we've always compared our family life to a wagon train heading west. Just as everyone had to do his part to get to Oregon years ago, so everyone in our family must do his/her part to make our journey through life successful. If somebody climbs in the wagon and lets the others do the work, we just don't make any progress. We all have to pull our weight and work together. Along the trail we find lots of pebbles that make for a smooth ride and some bigger rocks that jar us a little; we hit the occasional pothole that can slow us down. But if we purpose to search diligently, there are countless gold nuggets and precious gemstones along the way as well. This journal is an attempt to preserve some of those precious moments for our children, and our children's children, as together we travel this trail called life.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11


Thursday, August 14, 2014

8-14-14 The Other Side Of The Cross

Okay, so the last px I posted were from last week. The pickup truck with the dry-erase board in the back was on its way to U. Jerry’s in preparation for the highly acclaimed and notorious Kaiser Weekend Away which was held this year at the world-famous Mud Creek Resort located in balmy beautiful Mackinaw, IL.

(That would be U. Jerry’s.)

So we were there for a wonderful Friday evening and Saturday chock full of fun, food, and fellowship; games, grins, and giggles were plentiful as well. Pictures, however, weren’t. At least from my camera. My px haven’t been turning out as nice as they used to, and I’m not sure why. I need to do some research and possibly seek repairs. Perhaps it’s been dropped too many times; I don’t know. Anyway, I’m not real motivated to take a bunch of less-than-par pictures, especially when I know Grandma’s ipad pictures and the professional photographer’s pictures will be way above par. So here’s a sneak preview of a few smiles of the weekend, and when I get more from others I’ll post those later. It really was a nice weekend, as the weather was perfect on all accounts. Oh my, hasn’t it been a beautiful summer though?

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On Sunday, we appreciated a visiting minister from Indiana who blessed us with a powerful message. Among other things, he reminded us that we are not promised tomorrow. Our very breath is in God’s hands; think about that. Every breath we take is orchestrated and allowed only by His power. Doyle pointed out that world affairs point to Christ’s return very soon . . . of course no one knows, but it could be tomorrow. If you, dear blog reader, are not prepared for eternity yet, don’t wait. Tomorrow may be too late.

After supper, we enjoyed a wonderful evening of fellowship and singing with some pretty special friends.  Johnny was so excited to ride Diamond. What a cutie!

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Thanks Kate for giving rides!

Wonderful singing!!!!

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This crew shared lots of smiles!

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As did this crew after singing and snack.

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Monday brought lots of laundry and a couple of sweet little Rassis, but I didn’t get a single picture of the day. Oh well.

On Tuesday, Lainey was here awhile and kept us smiling with her giggles and grins and contagious joy. God’s littlest people are absolutely precious!!

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(especially this one!)

Tuesday night we were glad to have the young group come here for ice cream after singing for the elderly at Restmor. And what a blessing to sing for awhile after the ice cream was gone. Oh my these young people can sing, and I’m so thankful they do. Good thing the roof was raised, because if it wasn’t it would’ve been. What an encouragement to praise God with heart and voice and to see our future church value and embrace this precious heritage they’ve been given.

Thanks, young folks (you know who you are)!

*sorry for bad px. better poor than none, right?*

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And thanks, TMB, for doing a few songs for us too. By special request, they sang an old Statler Brothers song that they learned for a benefit concert last spring. Considering that they hadn’t practiced it for many months, they did fantastic. [ahem remember I’m one of the the moms and might be a tad prejudiced][but I don’t think I am]. It wasn’t perfect, although it was close, but God doesn’t expect perfection; He just expects a humble heart willing to use his talents to serve Him.

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The Other Side Of The Cross

written by Don Reid

There were tears in the eyes of Jesus
There were nails in the palms of His hands
There were thorns in his brow and only God could know how
Much pain he could withstand


There was blood all around the hillside
As a mother mourned her loss
And we all stood to gain from the heavenly pain
On the other side of the cross


On the other side of the cross
The side that no one could see
Hung the Spirit of things yet to come
Hung the future of you and me


And what He gave that day on the cross
not one bit of love has been lost
Hold my hand, stand up and say if you were there on that day
On the other side of the cross...

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Yesterday a trip to Pekin resulted in another set of braces in the house. Ben’s new look:

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Another beautiful (totally atypical) August day -

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Had a few Sauders here again today. You’d think they might get tired of us, but they don’t seem to; and we’re always sure glad to see them.

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This would be called an oops.

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Did I mention it was another beautiful day? Which turned into an equally beautiful evening?

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For the record. A crooked tree (hopefully) being made straight.

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Potato time.

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Some pessimists say there’s not time for these beauties to finish out. Some optimists say there is. Time will tell.

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Lovely night for Bibletime outside.

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That’s all. Good night.

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