Tomorrow Never Comes

 Well hey. It's been awhile. November was a long year. But now we're almost through December and that means we're in the thick of Christmas preparations. The challenge is to keep the correct focus on the reason for the season amidst all the busyness. And the reason for the season - 

YOU.

Contrary to the bumper sticker that says Jesus is the reason for the season - which is true to some extent - the whole reason Jesus came is YOU. If you were the ONLY lost sinner on earth, Jesus would have been born, died, and rose again for YOU. That's how much He loves you. Just something to keep in mind with every gift you wrap, every card you send, every Christmas cookie you make. It's about how much Jesus loves you...and how He died and rose again so you could too. 

And that's why, although we grieve our earthly loss of Grandpa Steiner, we more rejoice for his victory. Because Grandpa knew Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, we have the Blessed Assurance that he is not in the hole where his body was lowered but rather he is celebrating Christmas this year with Jesus. How about you? 

Do you know where you will be when your earthly race is ended? 

If you don't know Jesus like Grandpa did; if you aren't sure where your undying soul will spend eternity; if you can't sleep at night because you know you're not ready to meet God, get it figured out today. 

Tomorrow never comes.

💗

On to the pictures - the main reason you're here😀. These go back about a month - too far to remember dates.

 

CATCHUP

by Jewel

Another Wednesday with some of the regulars. 

Brandi the farm dog - watching her domain to make sure everything's okay. 

We had these kiddos as well for an afternoon at some point, and they were pretty thrilled with this tower they built with Josh.  

💗

We went to Levi and Echo's at some point in here too. The kids were adorable (when are they not?!) although they were pretty wound up at one point.

Flint is so pleased with his "co'boy" hat. He's finally able to actually talk and so it's really cute to hear him say stuff. He is such a chatterbox. 

I know this was a Wednesday night after church. I think the boys got 18 coons(?). Quite a few, if you ask me. 

Warm and cozy on a cold night...

I'm pretty sure this was on a Saturday morning or sometime when Kinsey was here.

I'm not for sure when this was...a Sunday night maybe?

This was a lazy Sunday afternoon we spent hiking in Sauder's timber. We just tromped around on some pretty nice trails they have and had a good time doing something other than lay around at home. It helped to break up the afternoon. 

Brandi and Josh having their regular wrestling match...she sounds so vicious when they're playing like that. 

Josh was delighted to find a dead racoon while tromping through the timber recently; he brought it home and skinned it, although I'm not for sure where the skin currently is. I think Jesse gave him some stuff to cure the hide, so that's kept him pretty busy recently. 

That's it.

PS from Mom - If you don't know what I meant in my opening comments by "get it figured out today," leave me a comment with your email address or phone number. I will contact you but not publish your comment. My prayer is that everyone reading this will know Jesus as your personal savior.

Know Jesus, Know Peace.

No Jesus, No Peace.

*no that is not original. Idk where I saw it and it doesn't matter. It's true!*

Grandpa Steiner

Richard L. “Dick” Steiner, 78, of Tremont passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at his home.

Richard was born on February 23, 1942, in Pekin, the son of Daniel and Sophia Pflederer Steiner.  He married Ann Rinkenberger on June 25, 1967, in Cissna Park, Illinois, and she survives.  Also surviving are two sons, Jeff (Jill) Steiner of Hancock, MN, and Dave (Sandy) Steiner of El Paso, IL; two daughters, Ruth (Tim) Kaiser and Sarah Steiner, both of Tremont; three brothers, Dan (Shirley) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Joe (Marcella) of Tremont, and Harold (Karen) of Princeville; three sisters, Barbara Wagenbach of Tremont, Velma Rinkenberger of Cissna Park, IL, and Carol (Cloyce) Gress of Northville, MI; nineteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Steiner found his soul’s salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ as a young man and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Tremont. He was a farmer, truck driver, and worked construction for many years in the Tremont area.  He was also known to hundreds of Tremont High School students as Mr. Steiner as he drove a school bus for over 40 years and spent countless hours substitute teaching at THS.  Many students shook their heads in bewilderment as they walked into his classroom and saw “THIMK” on the chalkboard.  Richard also loved to sing, yodel, and share his love of music with others. His happiest hours were spent playing the piano or guitar and singing with his family.  Richard spent much time in later years doing puzzles and making quilts when he wasn’t involved in Tremont community activities. His favorite activity was injecting thousands of turkeys at the annual Tremont Turkey Festival.  He spent 2 years serving his country in the US Army and often shared his fond memories of his years traveling in Germany during that time.  An eternal optimist, Richard’s love for others was known to all; he knew no strangers and will be missed by many.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Friday, November 27, 2020 at the Tremont Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall.  Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Tremont.  Ministers of the church will officiate.  Burial will be in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Tremont. The service can be viewed live at https://tremontacc.com. Guidelines as recommended by the CDC will be observed. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handing the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton, IL. 

Summer Daze in November

Last week we had some beautiful 70something days. We took full advantage of the days by walking, riding, and just generally being outside whenever we could. November Indian summer days don't usually last long, and they didn't this time either.  Now that the weather is colder again and we're inside more, I can finally get some cleaning done. Today we tackled the basement. It looks much better. I've also gone through Josh's clothes. He's pretty pleased with the flannel-lined jeans I found for him. Second-hand of course, but in mint condition. They're already his favorite pair. And we have a couple Thanksgivings planned and a few Christmases planned as well. And then it's 2021. Every year flies by faster. Or maybe this year flew by faster because of the ongoing drama of covid, blm, civil unrest, election news, etc.? Whatever the case, each day brings us one day closer to heaven; so.... bring it on. 

Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Here are a few peeks at life lately.

I've ridden Diamond a few times lately while Jewel is on Skeet. I enjoyed it a lot but my back didn't like when we did a canter. Next time I'll stick to walking. 

Look closely to find Josh.

Orphan kitties are thriving.

Sweetest littles.

Another sweetest little. This picture is from Lucy after Jason had a few sad days with his first cold.

Saturday jobs -

😏

💗💗💗

Josh has been asking for fudge, so I finally let him make it - - - and he did a fantastic job. I helped and supervised, but he did 80% of the work. And it was delicious.

Pretty sure this was Voting Day. Kate's project for school became a project for Kiowa.

Lots of help making stromboli for lunch.

Then some time outside on a beautiful summer day in November.

*No, Flint, you really don't need your winter coat!*

Election night.

Wednesday. Clay helped me make bread.

Beautiful day for a walk with the Sauder/Rockes in their timber.

There are seven kids climbing the hill but I think only six are visible...

The seven again.

Josh used his jigsaw to make this gun. It looks great!

Maybe A. Sarah needs a kitten???

💗💗💗

And the beautiful weather held - - -

Monday Josh mowed for Levi while I watched kids awhile.

💗💗

Last mowing here as well.

And as you can tell, the unseasonably warm weather finally gave way to more normal November temperatures. But we sure enjoyed the warmer days while we had them!

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 

Genesis 8:22

 

A. Velma's Apple Cake

This is my favorite dessert of all time. I think.

This is one of my favorite desserts ever. For sure.

I have many favorite desserts because, let's face it, desserts are the best food group.

Sadly, though, no one else in my family likes this. This is something I cannot figure out. Because this cake is so. very. good. But - - this is not a recipe I would take somewhere because who wants to take a dessert that few will appreciate? But I do make this dessert often, especially during fall. And how do I make an entire pan just for me? Well, here's how I do it. I make the recipe below, and then freeze individual portions to be taken out and enjoyed for days and days to come. 

And a pan lasts a nice long time. 

And everyone is happy. 

Especially me.

😄

A. Velma's Delicious Apple Cake

4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced

2 eggs

2 cups sugar

Beat eggs, add sugar. Stir in apples. Let set 15 minutes.

Add to mixture:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix well.

Pour into greased 9x13 cake pan.

Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes.

Topping

Mix:

3 heaping tablespoons flour

1 cup cold water

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

Cook until thick. Add 1/2 stick butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Pour on cake while hot.

**I don't pour this on the cake until I'm ready to serve it. It keeps in the frig for a couple weeks, and when I'm hungry for some apple cake, I thaw a piece, add some topping, microwave it for about 20 seconds, and then add ice cream. Or. Heat the apple cake and topping separately. Add a scoop of ice cream to the cake, and then drizzle the ice cream with the topping. Equally delicious and it looks even better.**

**This cake is also good plain, with no topping or ice cream**

 

**I do get serious about my apple cake**

Zzziippp

...that's how time goes lately. Sometimes it makes my head positively spin. Although I can't specifically say what fills the days so full and makes them fly so fast. I guess it's mainly a combination of preparing food for this crowd, keeping things relatively clean and picked up, and keeping the kitchen stocked. We go through a crazy amount of food, and my help is dwindling as the girls are gone working a couple mornings a week and their school load is heavier than ever. Josh does a great job but I prefer to keep him doing outside stuff.

So.... the days go zipping by, and that's just fine. I have no idea how long ago these px were. End of October/beginning of November, obviously.

U. Randy ripped the garden awhile ago. A sure sign that harvest is over.

Some beautiful mornings lately.

Sharing a laugh over...

something.

Actually I think it was an election advertisement - - - or meme - - -

Pasture walk picture.

Not sure what this is but it's very neat.

And maybe a little creepy?

There's a really really cute little kid that hangs out here sometimes - - -

And he is also very very loved 💗

And another one - - -

And another one - - -

I think we were building our house on the Lord Jesus Christ 🎜🎝

A chili supper for the young group a few weeks ago.

And that's about it for the highlights lately.

Except the election and its drama - - - but we don't need to mention any more about that - - -