Prairie Lasses

L-R Aleya, Sierra, Hannah, Megan
Front: JoAnna, Katie

 

Home Again

Weary travelers have returned home. It is so much fun to leave home but it is so nice to come home. Rachel is fighting the flu, Aleya has signed a contract with a cold company, every couple weeks she receives another shipment of a viral strand. Tomorrow we try to find a working groove again. It generally takes me several days to figure out what needs to be done on the ranch.
Isn't it interesting, how a house can feel so homey. What makes your home, homey?

Daily Events

So far today I have played a game of Chess, a game of Deep Sea Treasures, and a game of Pig Out. These games are very fun and enjoyable. We have not managed to get our rook game in yet this week. Our day was also filled with time spent at the Erie Wildlife Refuge where we watched a video on baby animals. This was a big hit until the baby wolves were large enough to devour the majestic buck. This caused some alarm among the young lasses. I then spent an hour in the gym playing an assortment of games and settling minor differences and spats. What is you favorite family oriented board or outside game?

Davy Crocket Visits The House On The Prairie

While diligently attempting to post, Ben's trusty laptop locked up. Hence we try again. I was in the midst of posting about my mother's unique ability to find incredible gift ideas. This year she had someone make some bonnets while she made long dresses and pinafores. Currently we have young lasses imagining they are living out on the prairie. They also were given some dolls. Mothering is being nurtured. So, apparently, we have our own living Little House On The prairie. The young men received some homespun hunting garb complete with a Davy Crocket coon skin cap. They have been hunting for wild game in the hall outside the apartment. If you venture down for a visit you may want to be very stealthily. I hear they are an excellent shot.......
My mother has the ability to think outside of the box. Coming up with ideas which generate young lads and lasses to use their imagination. Imagination is a wonderful thing.

Why I Am Not A Mother

I am sure you are dying to know how my day went with the children. The ladies left around ten, taking the two oldest girls with them. This left six children in the house. The day went fairly well until afternoon naps. My boys went down around one-thirty and should have slept until three-thirty or four. Aleya went down at one and should have slept several hours. Not to be my little friend, they were all up by two-thirty. Whining, fussing, and other assorted noises that grumpy children tend to make. After about thirty minuets they all seemed to calm down. I decided to feed the boys a tad early so they could go back to bed. It was then I discovered their were no bottles made and their was only one clean bottle in the entire house. So with Jayden wailing in the background I made one bottle and started the dishwasher. Jayden's Uncle Rod fed him while I consoled Jackson. After several years I thought I would just rinse Jayden's bottle out and reuse it. Why, I didn't think of it earlier I do not know. At some point in the midst of these hectic activities, Aleya and her cousin, Alyssa, decided it was time to start annoying each other. At one point Alyssa told Aleya Okay, I'm just gonna go away...... I must say it made me laugh. So, the moral of the story is this, God made women with the emotional make up to handle these situations with ease while men, in general, throw up their hands in despair.

Kauffman Family

Day After Madness

Well today is the day everyone will begin to return the unwanted and unfitted items they received. I have nothing to return, thank goodness..... just to fill you in on our schedule for today. The ladies would like to go out for lunch, ladies noon out. What does this mean for me? Well it means babysitting. Grandpa will help but you need to remember their are 8 children five years old and younger in the Kauffman family. Hopefully they will all sleep, nice thought anyway. Tonight after work is the guys turn......
I know I keep hammering on this idea but I would like to know what you did to make the time you spent with family special. Or do you dread spending time with your family? Whether you admit it or not this is the way life is for some people. Are you one of them?

Merry Christmas

Did santa slip down your chimney last night? Did he eat the cookies adn drink the milk? If you are wondering why your house is so smokey this morning it is because santa is stuck half way down. If I am not mistaken the dog and the cat ate the cookies and lapped up the milk. Speaking of cats, their was one Christmas about 15 years ago where we picked up a cat for my brother at the pound. This cat was amazing. He was Garfield through and through. However, he was very sick when we got him and wined and fretted causing much distress for several days before his presence could be known. He had the unique ability to playfully swat at things. However, he could become very annoyed with the human race in general. For instance, if he felt he was not getting in the last smack he would lie in wait for you in some obscure corner. When you strolled by he would leap out of the shadows, swatting with precision at vital body parts such as ankles, knees, and toes. He would make one precision strike before dashing off. I was not there when he got sick and died. He lived a life of ease and contentment once he joined our family. I would love to play a game with him again. Who knows, maybe another Cosmo will enter our lives some day and produce many interesting memories for my family. Their will only be one difference. I do not intend to let another Cosmo be the king of our castle.......
So may your Christmas be filled with the joy of giving. May you remember and treasure the greatest gift that has ever been given. God bless you as you and your family make memories that will last longer than any of the monetary gifst you may recieve.

Love Language

Gary Chapman wrote a book several years ago called The Five Love Languages.
1. Words of affirmation
2. Physical Touch
3. Gifts
4. Quality Time
5. Acts of Service
My language is words of affirmation. Rachel's is quality time. Sierra is quality time Aleya is acts of service and Jayden appears to be physical touch. We are not sure what Jackson is yet.
What is you love langauge? Are you aquainted with the book?

Trippen

We have begun the tripping part of the holiday season. I81 was very busy but traffic was moving very nicely. The worst part of our journey has now centered in the Berkley Springs conglomeration, instead of Madison Heights. Rt. 522 is two lanes through WVA and traffic moves at a snails pace. I also drank far to much coffee. This annoys my wife because it lengthens the trip.... The children did very well. We were afraid they would be fussy and crying. Sierra has been with Grandma Kauffman for almost two weeks. It is such an awsome feeling to have a daughter throw her arms around you and snuggle up against you. It sure makes a father feel special. My goal is to some how develope the relationship so she wants to visit with me when she is a teenager. What is the best way to do this? What do daughters want from their fathers?

Food For Thought

I have been developing my culinary skills lately. I enjoy concocting interesting, if not edible, breakfast delights. Tonight when I got home their were no smells to greet my nose. Ah ha, a chance to further develop this skill. I found 1 lb of sausage in the freezer which I cooked in a skillet on the stove. I wasn't to sure where I was headed but sausage was going to a be a major part of the meal. I decided I would scramble some eggs and mix the pork into the eggs. I then discovered we only had five eggs in the house. I poured a nice amount of milk into the skillet along with my five bewildered eggs. By now my wife was beginning to wonder about the edibleness of this concoction and she suggested we toss some cheese to keep the eggs company. I must say this was a very good meal. I now have a recipe for scrambled sausage/cheese/eggs. We shall call them saeseggs. Pronounced sauchyeggs. By the way toast and milk were an integral part of this meal.

Finalized Another One

Carol Anne, the notary who swore us in, is in the process of calling the court room in Fl. to finalize Jayden's adoption.

Lysteria

No, this is not the same as hysteria. This a rare disease found in the bovine species. Well, I don't know how rare it is but it is rarely found in my bovine population. This disease is also known as the circling disease. Cattle are known to begin wandering in circles and other strange symptoms. We had a cow with such symptoms about a month ago. She fell and did not want to get up. This tends to aggravate the human species. After much pleading and other assorted means of bribery, I rolled her frame into the skid-steer bucket and carried her to greener pastures. That evening she was back on her feet but was showing signs of blindness in one eye and an odd determination to go in circles. However, I was still unsure about her disease so I treated her not. The next day I asked for input from another wise dairyman. His advice included calling the vet. What a novel idea. I called the vet. I was advised to give her penicillin and a few other drugs. I gave her, Mandy, 100cc at noon and another 100cc that evening. Then I reduced the rate back to 50cc for four days. Lysteria is a result of bacteria on the brain and penicillin fights this bacteria. The normal dose of this potent drug is 20-25cc once a day. As you can tell the dosage we were using was much higher than this. This morning the test we run to check for antibiotics in the milk showed they were finally out of her system. A month of bad milk. Amazing.
Sometimes I feel like I have lysteria. I tend to go in circles and appear to be blind in both eyes…..
Maybe all I need is a big dose of penicillin........

Home Place

Christianity: What Is It?

What do you think of this? "Christianty is more than realizing you are a sinner and asking forgiveness." Do you agree?

Marriage

I saw a very interesting little article in the paper today. Someone from Cornell has done a survey. They discovered people who are married are happier than those who are not. Those who are living together are happier than those who are only in a significant relationship however, they are not as happy as those who are married. They are suggesting that commitment seems to have something to with one's happiness. I must disagree. To say that people who are married are happier than those who are not seems a little bit ridiculous. I know a lot of people who are unhappily married. They are living in survival mode. I am fairly certain this is a chronic problem in Mennonite churches as well as in the world. The other thing I found interesting about the article was the picture they had put with the article. Imagine a lovely couple sitting on the coach. The gentleman has his arm around the lady and they appear to be enjoying each other. However, in the man's hand was an electronic device called a remote. He has it pointing towards something. Because they appear to be staring at something and not at each other, I assume they are watching TV. Now, I find it hard to believe they can be very happily married if they spend a significant amount of time watching someone else live a fake life......

Computer Games

I am wondering how often computer games are played in your household. Do you as a parent allow your children to play them? How much are they allowed to play. Do you consider them a terrible waste of time? How do you decide whether a game is worth playing? How many hours/minutes do you. the parent, spend playing computer games? This question would also be for those of you who are not parents but spend time on the computer.
I may narrow this down some in a follow up post.

Open Book Test

Those of you who have access to a Hoard's Dairyman will be able to find the answer to this test with relative ease. There will be three questions on this test and the first question is worth 90% of your grade. The other two questions are worth 5% each
1. What is Cheddar Cheese named after?
2. What kind of coffee am I drinking?
3. How much snow did we get this morning?

Resolutions Part II

For all of you who are dying to know my thoughts and opinions on New Years Resolutions I will now attempt to give my thoughts.
After some thinking about it some the last couple of days I have come to the conclusion God may not have as much to do with it as we think. Okay, I now sound like a heretic but hear me out before telling me to take a long walk on the short pier. I know some people who are very disciplined and, since weight seemed to be a hot topic among those who commented I will use it as an example, would not have a problem losing weight. Just because someone is disciplined enough to make something happen doesn't mean they have relied solely on God/Jesus/Christ to help them get the job done. Granted, it would be easier if people would ask God for help. The basic reason resolutions fail is based on one simple fact. This is the fact. Are you ready?
Resolutions fail because Tomorrow Never Comes.
So, why doesn't tomorrow ever come?
1. We don't think we can do it?
2. We don't really care?
3. Nobody else cares?
4. We are basically good people?
5. God isn't a part of our lives or an integral part of our lives.
I don't think you need to be a Christian to achieve your goals but you do need to be a Christian to change your eternal destination. If you want to change your eternal destination you will be concerned about living a Christ Like Life. This is the core of Christianity. Most of my resolutions have been centered around changing something in my life which has spiritual significance. I failed many times because I did not really care. My Christianity was not important enough to me to make tomorrow a reality.

Love Part II

Ah, I see.....
Nobody knows what love is......

Love

What is it? How would you define love? If you were writing or compiling a dictionary; what would your definition be?

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, Did You Know? Is the title to a song which was written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. First, I must say Mark Lowry's music and stories gave my mind a new perspective about Christianity and God. This song is another example of his unique ability to paint a picture of thoughts and ideas concerning questions Mary must have been facing. Did she know what was going on? How did she feel when the angel spoke to her for the first time? If you are a fan of the Gaither Vocal Band or Bill Gaither's ministry you will probably be familiar with the song. Here are the lyrics.

Mary, did you know

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new,
This child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked were angels trod
And when you've kissed the little baby
You've kissed the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Was Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy
Was heaven's perfect Lamb
And this child you're holding
Is the great I Am?

A few thoughts about this song that have always amazed me. Mary kissed the face of GOD!!! Did she realize who she was kissing when Jesus was a baby? Sure, she knew He was special but did she know who He was? Did she know He would perform all those miracles? The thought that really gives me chills is about deliverance. She delivered Jesus like any woman delivers a child. Did she know she was delivering the deliverer? Did she know He was heaven's perfect Lamb? The challenge is to remember that Jesus Christ is the perfect Lamb. This is why He came. To be our deliverer. How can we help our children and those around us realize Christmas is more than gifts, food, and good times? How do you do it?

Resolutions

Are New Years Resolutions helpful? Have you ever made any? Did they work? What kind of resolution did you make? I am a resolution skeptic. I doubt they make much difference in any ones life. Why?

Standing Tall

Ice Storm

Year In Review

Some of you may actully get this in the mail, others won't. Don't bore yourself.....

Another Christmas

You know, it amazes me how often this letter of news and events needs to be written. In short, I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving. Where the year has gone I don’t know, where all years go I guess.

This year has been full of joy and pain. My brother-in-law, Rod, lost his mother to cancer in February. It was difficult to watch our nieces and nephew grieve over the loss of their Papa Grandma. We drove to Ohio for the funeral in separate vehicles so my wife could stay and help out for a week or so and I could come back home. Several days after I got home Aleya contracted a really nasty virus and was a very sick little girl. Rachel took her to the emergency room at the local Hospital. They then transferred her to a children’s hospital in Cleveland where she was admitted. I specifically remember talking to Carla on the phone and asking her how Aleya was doing to which she responded, “She is dying!” Well, I thought that was what she said. When she said it, she had this catch in her voice and I thought she was crying. This caused some consternation and I asked her to repeat her comment. That was when I realized she had said “Aleya was fine!” I felt like I should be in Ohio so I hopped on a plane, one way ticket, and went to be with them. Aleya was discharged 2 days later and we headed back to VA.

In March we received a call from social services. They were wondering if we would be interested in fostering to adopt, a baby girl. We said yes, and Kari lived with us for 3 months. Needless to say, it was very difficult for us when the judge ruled in favor of her being put into a relative’s care.

The 1^st week of June we were at our Zehr camp out. We had a relaxing week with the family, it helps when the cabin is as big as two or three houses.

The middle of June found my wife and the girls traveling to Ohio again while I went to Harrisonburg,VA to record another album, Deliverance, with Voice Of Praise. We finished recording Friday evening and decided to go home before we began the mixing process on Monday. Saturday night I was busy on the computer till early in the morning, about 1:00. I went to get a glass of water before going to bed and noticed there were 6-7 messages on the answering machine. I hit the play button and heard this message. “Honey, where are you? I need to talk to you! Daneille called and they have a baby boy for us!” This was a surprise to say the least. I was trying to decide what to do when the phone rang. Rachel was on the line and we began to discuss this turn of events. We boarded planes (Rachel in Ohio, and I in Lynchburg) Sunday morning. We had, unplanned, connecting flights in Atlanta and landed in Fort Myers around five. We met Daneille, our baby’s birth mother, and our beautiful little baby boy, Jayden Robert Santello. After supper on our way to the hotel we were blessed with a rainbow in the sky. We thought this was God’s way of showing us we were doing the right thing. God gave us a rainbow when Aleya was adopted and here He had given us another one for this adoption. When the rainbow turned into a double-rainbow we were really amazed and wondered why. Was this a freak act of nature? I think not.

Tuesday morning, as we were preparing to leave Naples, we realized there was a message on our voice mail from Daneille and sounded very urgent. We were afraid something had gone wrong and this was the beginning of yet another failed adoption. When Daneille answered the phone she told us “A boy was born this morning in Daytona Beach, do you want to raise twins?” After praying and calling our parents we made the decision to raise twins! We met our 2^nd precious son Jackson Milo Tyquan Thursday morning at the hospital in Daytona Beach. When we told our family about our 2^nd son they said, “The mystery of the double rainbow is solved! We remembered the double rainbow and marveled at our Father’s confirmation. Finding the new normal has been a long process but we think we are discovering what it is.

Sierra turned five the end of October and has been a big help with the boys. We are amazed how she can quiet Jayden and Jackson when they are out of sorts. She has learned to set the table, empty the dishwasher, help with the cleaning, and other assorted tasks. She taught herself to read this year and often has her nose in a book. She enjoys playing “house” with Aleya. Aleya is often her daughter and Aleya has started to call Sierra, “mom,” even when they aren’t playing. Sierra enjoys going along with daddy to feed or milk, but is very nervous when cows or calves are close enough to touch.

Aleya is a very busy girl who turned two the end of September. It has been a joy to watch her grow. She is the biggest copy-cat of all. Sierra will do something and seconds later Aleya will do the same. She is so full of energy! She loves animals. She is learning to talk which makes everybody smile. She too enjoys going with her daddy. She loves to clean as she walks around with a wet cloth and wipes everything, including her brother’s faces, which they don’t really appreciate. She loves to be a little helper, setting the table is one of her accomplishments. She is also learning how to be a mama and is often seen rocking her babies and carrying the diaper bag on her arm while pushing the stroller and putting her babies to sleep. We have so much fun watching her as she plays.

Jayden is 6 months and Jackson is 5 months old. They have discovered each other and enjoy smiling at each other. Jayden goes everywhere in his walker and has mastered sitting up. Jackson has recently learned to scoot where he wants to go. They never seem to tire of being Sierra’s and Aleya’s real baby dolls.

Rachel has been doing a wonderful job at taking care of all us kids. I have been amazed at the amount of work she gets done. The way she raises our family and is able to make life fun for everyone. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife.

Well, the time has come to close. I trust as you enter into the Merry Christmas season you remember and give thanks for the little boy who came to earth so many years ago. We are thankful for the way God has worked in our hearts the past year. God bless you as you serve Him.

Glen, Rachel, Sierra, Aleya, Jayden, and Jackson Zehr

Finalized

Today at 1:30 Jackson Milo Tyquan Zehr legally became our son. We placed a call to the court house in FL in the precence of a notary. After answering the phone we needed to be sworn in. We said the information we would give them would be the whole truth and nothing but the truth. When Aleya's adoption was finalized the judge asked me why we wanted her. It caught me so off guard I wasn't sure what to say. (What would you say if someone asked you why you wanted your child?) I had been thinking about what I would say this time and then the judge never asked. We will be recieving Jackson's new birth certificate in 4-6 weeks. We are so thankful for the way God is working. Jayden's finalization is in a two weeks or so. I must say adoption is very unique. How many of you have been through an adoption process? Are you adopted or have you adopted?

Memory Lane

I would like to take a very short trip down memory lane. This memory revolves around a snowy evening about twenty years ago. Our family went for a stroll in our corner of winter wonder land. As I recall there was roughly 6 inches of snow. I remember sitting on a sled while daddy did the strolling and we, my brother and I, did the riding. (I believe my sister was riding on the sled my mother was pulling. This journey took us to my aunts house about 300 yards away. I remember making potatoe chips, they were soooo good, and playing table games. (I think we played spoons or something and Uno.) After an evening of fun and laughter we bundled up and trundled back through the snow to the farm house we called home. I find it interesting how my fondest memories revolve around winter and cozy evenings spent wandering through the snow or inside reading while it snowed.
What is your favorite winter memory from years long gone?

Twelve Days Of Christmas Part II

Thanks to J. Herr for finding the website containing this information. Just so you know, this is a cut and paste post of which I take no credit for.......


The Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas
You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written.
It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts.
Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or shortened by a head - or hanged, drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and disembowelled while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso.
The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
The torture or persecution is incredible. Apparently persecution is running rampid in muslim countries today......

Twelve Days Of Christmas

This Christmas song is one I used to detest because it is so repetitious. Yesterday I read a short history on the song in a little newsletter. This newsletter was thrown into the trash before I could copy down a few things. Each character in the song has a hidden meaning. For instance, the Partridge in a pear tree is a reference to Christ on the cross. They did this because of the persecution the church was facing. I cannot remember what the other things were types of. Can you help me out?

1936

I heard an interesting story the other morning on the radio. Jerry Edwards, WRVL 88.3 FM, likes to tell his listeners some interesting fact from years past. This storyhappened in 1936. One morning this week he told a story about a father and his son. These men married sisters!!! He would be an Uncle to his dad's children, if he had any. Is it possible he could be his own grandpa?

Opinions

I have discovered in my short life span that my opinion generally doesn't matter. This tends to annoy me. Does my opinion really not matter? Lest this sound like poor me, let me hasten to explain. Do you ever get the feeling when you are talking with someone that they are not listening to you and their main objective in the conversation is to change your mind? Now, I realize their have been many times my opinion has needed to be changed. For years I have never been too vocal about much of anything because I don't want to offend someone or I do not want anyone mad at me. I remember my father telling me 5-10 years ago that it took him 50 years to realize he could have an opinion without feeling guilty about it. Maybe this is why he has now covered his face with the hair that naturally grows there. So I am realizing I can have an opinion and if someone is in disagreement with me that is okay. Is this a common problem or am I the only one with this dilemma?

Traditions

Traditions can be wonderful things. We have eaten several meals by candle light in the last week or so and the girls think it is wonderful. Why? I don't know. I remember as a child we would eat by the light of a candle on special occasions. For some reason it was very special. Another thing we did as a family around Christmas was looking at slides. This was quite an ordeal because we had to borrow the projector and screen from my grandfather. First, we would have some sort of finger food available. We would sit in the living room laughing and reminiscing about life in the good ole days while munching on popcorn or fudge. Of course, the good ole days may have been last week but it was fun to laugh about them. The slides would spark the brain into remembering other interesting stories. These stories always begin with You remember when.... What sort of things are you doing with your family to help them treasure or remember their childhood? What traditions are you establishing in your home that your children will use when they are married.

Moses

Sierra and I were in town this evening and on the way home we were listening to some Bible stories. One of the stories was about Moses and the burning bush. What I found interesting was how he continued to argue with God while looking at a burning bush that would not burn. A miracle. Why did Moses not realize he could accomplish the thing God was asking him to do? Should it not have been obvious God would take care of him? Is this applicable to us today? Does God give us miracles we can use to remember or realize He is in control? I think so. Did Moses not recognize this incident as a miracle? Many times we don't recognize things as miracles. We like to say they just happened. Was this Moses problem? I doubt it, after all the bush talked Moses and told him to take off his sandals. Why is it so hard to follow God's leading when it is so obvious He will watch over us?

Christmas Favorite

O Come All Ye Faithful is my favorite Christmas hymn. First, the song writer calls us to come to Bethlehem and worship. Second, he tells us who God is. Third, he implores the angels to sing. Fourth, He was accepted, by some, as the Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. After each verse he calls the singer to come and adore Him. It is interesting that he tells the angels to sing. A misconception most people have is that angels sang to the shepherds. This is incorrect. Angels cannot sing they have not sung in scripture since the fall. In fact, the Bible says in Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her. In the following verse the angel said to her. The angels may have longed to sing but could not. Once again, I wonder what your favorite Christmas song is?

Digital Camera

There are so many choices and we are not sure what to purchase. What would you suggest? Make, model #, etc.

Bulls and I Part II

Slowly I descended from my perch and began to flail my arms and holler. After watching my performance for several minutes Chief Bull seemed to take exception to my antics. He began throwing acres of mud high into the sky with his front feet. This tends to be a sign of anger and frustration and before I knew what had happened I was lying in the fetal position in the mud. How did I end up in the mud? Well, over the next several days I replayed this incident in my mind using slow motion. If my memory serves me correctly Chief Bull came charging in with head down and nostrils flared. The speed of a 1500 Lbs of beef is astonishing. I began to turn my body away from this crazed animal but I was not quick enough. I took a glancing blow to the left side of my upper back. His head was right in my arm pit and I proceeded to rap his hard head with all the energy and muscle I could muster. While I was busy annoying him with these ferocious raps to the noggin, I found my vocal cords and let loose a shrill and piercing NNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!! He bounced my puny frame off of the rear tractor tire. While I was lying there in the mud I knew he was going to grind me into human beef patties. I was to scared to get up and walk so I crawled slowly around the back of the tractor, under the wagon tongue/hitch before jumping up and dashing to the fence. As I crawled over the fence and began to go for help I saw Daddy arrive. I went blubbering toward him sobbing out my story,I cannot remember if he saw any of this rodeo or not, he wandered around looking for a big stick. After finding a weapon he stood beside the gate waving his tree limb while I drove through the gate. Daddy shut the gate and we headed home. I remember wandering why they didn't attack Daddy but they did attack me. Strange, I think they knew I was scared and this made them nervous. Needless to say this was the last time I fed these massive creatures until they finished building a drive by feeding bunk.......

Bulls and I

While I was growing up some wise man decided we should raise all our bull calves up to 1200-1500 Lbs. To understand this situation totally you may need to know a few facts. The farm I grew up on was set up as a partnership. The partnership included five men. So we had 120 cow herd supporting 5 families. Raising bulls till they were full grown was suppose to help the cash flow. Now one other bit of information that is needed concerns the weekend work schedule. As I got older I pushed to be used. I was feeding cows by the time I was 11-12 or younger I can't remember. I really was to young but I was able and because of my ability I pushed the guys to let me participate. I did not enjoy milking so I talked the men into letting me feed instead of milking on weekends. This story revolves around a Sunday morning incident when I had to feed the bulls. They were located in a pasture roughly 200 yards from the farm. Due to trees and an assortment of other opaque items you could not see the pasture from the farm. This spring morning I arrived at the gate opened it and drove through. After much agonizing of the mind I decided I should shut the gate because bulls running loose on Sunday morning would make some men rather unhappy. As I drove to the bunk I noticed there was roughly a foot of muck and mud causing the tractor to slide around the hillside. I was hoping the bulls would follow me and be so thankful for the feed could open the gate in peace. After running out the feed I drove back to the gate and was I was not pleased to notice about 30 bulls who were ungrateful for the feed and more interested in watching me open the gate. What to do? After thinking a little I decided the best option was to take another lap by the bunk and hope they would follow me down. A few of them followed me but the mud was deep the tractor slid around so much I could not get back to the gate before they realized I was only teasing them. They promptly gathered around the gate again to see what I would attempt next. The nasty beasts chuckled fiendishly as I sat on the tractor pondering my next move.......

Christmas

We are currently entering the Advent season. I am wondering what your favorite Christmas song is and why? I will post my favorite Christmas song in the next day or so.

Thanksgiving

What I am thankful for.
1. My wife It is a good thing to be thankful for a loving wife. I know of situation where this is not the case, in fact, they almost hate each other.
2. Sierra, for being helpful, most of the time. For loving her siblings.
3. Aleya, for having so much energy. She thoroughly enjoys life.
4. Jayden & Jackson, for their unexpected arrival.
I am thankful God has seen fit to give us these four unique children and for giving us a rainbow to help us remember He is in control and cares about us. I am thankful He has seen fit to place these children in our home regardless of the mistakes we have made and will make in the future. I am thankful my children will be able to overcome my mistakes if they let God rule in their hearts.
What are you thankful for today?

Communion

What is communion? When council meeting and communion come around, twice a year for us, I always have some questions. We practice a close communion not to be confused with closed communion. Close communion is when you can participate if you have made prior arrangements. Should participation in this service be solely based on my relationship with God? If a partake unworthily it is between God and I? Or should my participation be based on accountability to others and God? I wonder if we are correct in our approach. The argument against open communion stems from how little we know an individual. If he/she is living in sin and we commune with them we would be doing an unwise thing. Why? Isn't their sin between them and the Lord? I realize there needs to be forgiveness and accountability to the church body. Should this rule out letting people we do not know participate?

Crashed and Burned

Apparently our nemesis crashed and burned. He was shut down late Saturday evening and upon reawakening on Sunday morning he did not respond well in one particular area. We performed CPR to no avail. After much frustration and anguish I purchased another nemesis and we are currently getting acquainted. So far this version seems to be handling its duties very well. How long his willingness lingers is yet to be determined. What am I referring to?

Mr. Noble

Once again I am in the process of having a unique musical experience. We, VOP, were told we would be welcome to help Rivermont Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir perform the Messiah. The service is tomorrow, Nov. 20 at 6:30 PM. This is the third or fourth time I have been able to help them and I have always enjoyed the experience. This year they asked Weston Noble to come and conduct the performance. He studied under Robert Shaw and has talked about the Shaw method during rehearsals. He taught at Luther College for years, 57 or so I think. He is very good and it has been a pleasure singing under him. Not only is he an excellent musician but he firmly believes what we are singing about. I also had the privilege of standing beside Dr. Komplein in the bass section this morning. He is an excellent bass/baritone soloist. I found it helpful to listen to him. If you are in the area and want to hear a church choir do the Messiah and do it well please come and hear us. These people are doing this because they love to sing and, most importantly, believe what they are singing about.

Survey

I am wondering how many of the folks who visit this site are married. I would like for you to comment and tell me if you are or are not married. If you are married how long have you been attached and how many children do you have? If you are not married are you dating and how long have you been working on the relationship? Are you engaged? Or have you not found any one willing to begin a relationship?

Another

This may be the one you were wondering about Rob. I found this song a couple years ago while I was pounding out some hymns on my piano. Number 54 in the Church Hymnal is where this tune can be found.

God, My King

God, my King, Thy might confessing, Ever will I bless Thy name;

Day by day Thy throne addressing, Still will I thy praise proclaim

Honor great our God befitteth; Who His majesty can reach?

Age to age His works transmitteth, Age to age His pow'r shall teach.

They shall talk of all Thy glory, On Thy might and greatness dwell,

Speak of Thy dread acts the story, And Thy deeds of wonder tell.

All Thy works, O Lord, shall bless Thee; Thee shall all Thy saints adore:

King supreme shall they confess Thee, And proclaim Thy sov'reign pow'r.

Unbelievers have an inaccurate view of God. They may not believe God exists or that God is good. Someday everyone will confess that He is God. We as believers need to be talking about the great things God, Our King has done for us. What has God done for you today/yesterday?

Name Brand

Well, I changed my mind. That is what is so wonderful about blogging.
I was thinking today about the Name Brand dilemma, or isn't it? Do you purchase/wear name brand shirts, shoes, and other interesting items? Is there anything wrong with buying and wearing name brand clothes? I wear some that have been given to me but I would never spend money on shirts. Now I would spend money on shoes, Nike to be exact. Can you be a Christian and support name brand products by purchasing there things?

Good Man

I was saddened to hear Adrian Rogers passed away this morning. He, evidently, had been struggling with cancer and died early this morning. If he lived what he preached he was good man. I hope they continue to use his messages on the radio. He was founder of Love Worth Finding.

My Favorite

Well, I don't know if this is my favorite, but I will start with this one. (I think I am going to take a week and post my favorite hymns.) Part of the reason I like this song is due to the fact it is one of my grandfather's (Grandaddy) favorite songs. It is found in the Church Hymnal # 394.

Call Jehovah Thy Salvation

Call Jehovah thy salvation, Rest beneath the Almighty's shade,

In His secret habitation Dwell, and never be dismayed:

There no tumult shall alarm thee, Thou shalt dread no hidden snare;

Guile nor violence can harm thee, In eternal safe-guard there.

From the sword at noon-day wasting, From the noisome pestilence,

In the depth of mid-night blasting, God shall be thy sure defense:

He shall charge His angel legions Watch and ward o'er thee to keep;

Tho' thou walk tho' hostile regions, tho' in desert wilds thou sleep.

Since, with pure and firm affection Thou on God hast set thy love,

With the wings of His protection He will shield thee from above:

Thou shalt call on Him in trouble, He will hearken, He will save;

Here for grief reward thee double, Crown with life beyond the grave.

When I Call Him my salvation He will care for me. It is amazing how music helps carry the text.

What thinkest thou?

Hark

There is a hymn in the Church Hymnal titled Hark Ten Thousand Harps and Voices which I do not like. I think the music is trite but there is also another reason. Maybe you can explain the lyrics and I will change my mind. One of the verses states Jesus rules the world alone, Hallelujah etc. What does this mean? Jesus doesn't rule the world alone does he? If you have any theological insight on this song feel free to share. Presently, I cringe every time we sing this song.....

News and Notes

Today will be rather busy for a Sunday. After church and lunch I need to dash over and feed the cows so I can come home and dash off to Rocky Mount. Rocky Mount is about an hours drive from my place. VOP has a program at German Town Brick Church of the Brethern tonight. I am looking forward to seeing those friendly people again.
Also, Lyndon's family will be traveling to Washington DC this afternoon and will be flying to Guatemala with yoder pianist's favorite missionaries, Jeff and Crystal. Lyndon and his family will be gone two weeks. You could pray for them as they travel. Jeff and Crystal would appreciate an interest in your prayers as well. Please visit yoder pianist blog by clicking on the side bar link to get more information on Jeff's future plans.

Selections

Let us assume you are in attendence at a song service being held at our church. Let us also assume I am in charge of the service and I am taking selections from the congregation. What selection would you want sung and why? What is your favorite hymn and why is it your favorite?

Ordination

Our church is planning on having an ordination in the spring. This fact has brought several questions to my mind. First, what do you think of the lot? Is this the correct way to chose pastors? Is this the best way? What would be wrong with someone saying I feel called to pastor. My second question is in regards to money. Would it be wrong to pay a pastor? Why do we expect our pastors to work a full time job and still find time to shepherd the flock? And my third and final question, this is similar to the first. Is it wrong to say the nomination needs to be unanimous before you will accept the responsibilty of pastoring? In other words, you would not go through the lot and would only accept the responsibility of pastor if you were unanimously chosen by the church body.

Advice

Once again I bring to you an item of concern and I need your advice. This item is one that concerns my lovely wife. Last night as she was sewing I detected a note of disgust at her machine. My question is this. What type/brand of sewing machine would you recommend? What can I purchase for $200 or less?

Mr. Iron

I had an encounter with Mr. Iron yesterday. This encounter was not very pleasant and has given me a very bad feeling about him and the condition of his wicked heart. Ah, you think I am being harsh! Here are the details surrounding our encounter. I was half finished with my project when he arrived on the scene. I tried to shake hands with him but for some unknown reason he popped me in the face cutting my lip. I held my tongue, mainly because it was wrapped around my bleeding lib. I know it was nothing I said however my actions may have been rather rude. I had grabbed him around the neck and was forcing him between a rear tractor tire and the rim. I see now this must have been most uncomfortable and must be the reason he wrenched free of my death grip and smashed me in the face. I still had to finish my job and proceeded to do so with Mr. Iron's help. However cruel it may seem this was the job he was created to do. Oh, by the way, if you meet someone who introduces himself as Tire Iron beware, he may be carrying a grudge......

Chess

I am not a chess player therefore I know very little about the sport. However, I do have a question regarding this game of war. Why is the Queen the most powerful piece of machinery? I realize the Queen can move in any direction and is able to capture any thing in its path but why the Queen? Why not the Knight or the Castle? Did the individual who invented this past time have a domineering mother/wife/daughter? What would have inspired him to create an individual of the feminine gender to be the most powerful piece of this game?

Pastor Appreciation

What do you appreciate about your pastor/pastors? Here are a few things I appreciate about our leadership team.
1. Honesty: They have the ability to admit they do not have all the answers.
2. Openness: Willingly admit they have failed in certain areas of life.
3. Willingness: Willing to come and help when needed or in a time of crisis. Realize work/money is not as important as souls. Not only in the local church but also in the surrounding community.
4. Desire to reach out into the community.
I am very thankful for the ministers God has placed in my church and my prayer is that God will bless these brothers as they continue to lead their flock into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Gang 

The Big Picture

Why do we question God's goodness? Why does it feel like the bad things that happen to us are so harsh? If God cares about us why does he allow us to face certain situations? I believe part of the answer, if not all of the answer, is based on the fact God is all knowing. God can see the big picture. God can see the whole of humanity beginning with, or before Adam and never ending. God knows what is best for humanity and he allows things to happen for our good. The painful things in life are things that can draw us to Him. If there was no pain would we need a savior? If there was no pain would we feel any need or desire to find the meaning for our lives? The Why I am here? question. What roll has pain played in drawing your heart, soul, and mind to Himself? It is so hard for us, in our finite minds, to realize there is a big picture and God has us in His picture. God does care and the proof of this fact is found in His beloved son suffering through the pain of the cross. Jesus faced pain, the pain of rejection. Jesus felt forsaken he said "My God my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" So I believe to wonder if we are forsaken is a natural response to situations we face. The bible also says Jesus was tempted like we are yet He was without sin. The pain of the cross and the pain of feeling forsaken was also part of God's big picture. I believe Jesus understood this picture but I don't think we will until Jesus returns. Hopefully, when life is over I will be able to see the big picture and some things will begin to make sense.

Judas

I have been reading in Luke this week the account where Judas betrays Jesus. Couple things that surprised me. Luke says, I believe, that Judas was filled with Satan. How, could someone who spent so much time with Jesus be filled with the devil? Was Judas any more wicked than you or I? How could a man who witnessed miracles, physical healing and calming the storm, still end up making such a horrendous mistake?
What will keep us from making this same type of mistake. The mistake of denying Christ.

Loss of Life

I cannot imagine what the family, especially the parents, in Oregon or Washington is experiencing right now! Imagine if you lost five of your best friends in one accident, how terrible. Makes you wonder if God is really in control. Which brings me to another question. Is it okay to be mad at God? Have you ever been mad at God? This kind of experience would tend to make me question God's goodness and be angry with Him for allowing it to happen.

Dallas Willard

I have just started reading The Spirit of the Disciplines written by Dallas Willard. He had some very interesting points in the first chapter. Here is a direct quote: Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and untried. Is to err human? Would Jesus have asked us to do something that is to hard? Do we live the Christ like life in entirety, do we adopt His overall life-style? What was His overall life-style? We tend to believe that living as Christ lived only involves loving our enemies, going the second mile, and turning the other cheek. The rest of the time we tend to live just like everyone else. There is no way we can behave on the spot the Christ did when live as everyone else does when we are not on the spot. Asking what would Jesus do? is not an adequate way to prepare ourselves to face the on the spot situations. How did Jesus prepare? Solitude, fasting, silence, service, prayer, celebration. These things are disciplines. What is the secret to the easy yoke? It is simply living as Christ lived in all aspects of the Christian life not just choosing certain times and places to act like a Christian. Is this the problem with people today? I think I am slowly realizing this is what is wrong with my life. How do you find it?

Fast Food

Recently I was involved in a discussion concerning which is the best way to consume fast food. Let us assume you purchase a Biggie Fries, Big Bacon Classic, and a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. Now, which of these three items would consume first? Do you eat the biggest sandwich first and work your way into the smaller sandwich before tackling the fries? Or do you eat your fries first and then gnaw on the hamburgers? I normally eat the hamburgers first, starting with the biggest. I save my fries for last because if I manage to be to full of hamburger to eat the fries, I am not missing much. I am also curious if you are driving while eating does this change your routine?

Sickness

Sickness has invaded our home. Rachel and Jackson are the two humans in our household who seem to have normal health. The rest of us are in varying stages of the dreaded head cold. Sierra has a rather nasty sounding cough. Aleya's cough is similar to a dog barking. I have this little problem in the vocal cords as well as some sinus issues. This is really an inopportune time because I need to leave in an hour or so and go ministering with these faulty vocal cords. VOP has been asked to sing at a church function in Lynchburg this afternoon and has another engagement in Appomatox this evening. If you think about it you could remember us in prayer, specifically my inability to vocalise at a pitch higher than two octaves below middle C. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration but not much.......

Dusty Feet Part II

I must say I am little disappointed the previous post has not generated more discussion. I will give my view and maybe this will generate more discussion. I am of the opinion that their is a time and place to cut ties. I believe when the ties are cut it may be a wise thing to have a discussion with the party you are removing yourself from. Explain to them why you believe you need to reduce the amount of time you spend with them. Sure, they may not like it but at least they know you have a concern about their lifestyle and how it is affecting the way you live. I do not believe cutting ties should include being unfriendly. For example, just because I think it is wise to reduce the amount of time I spend with an individual does not mean I will ignore them when I meet them in town or at the gas station. It does not include ignoring the wave they toss your way when you meet them while traveling a certain local route. I think at times it is wise to spend less time with certain people. It would be silly to have someone over for a meal when you believe it will put your family at risk. Should a missionary spend all of his time focused on one individual, working hard to restore a relationship or convince the person of their sin while the rest of his flock suffers and the end result is everyone going to hell?

Dusty Feet

Jesus told the disciples to shake the dust off of their feet and condemn the city if a city or town refused to listen to the message they had to share. Several months ago, may have been a year now, we had a Sunday school lesson on this subject. Someone asked if there is a time or place for us to shake the dust off of our feet in our time. There are missionaries who struggle with churches where natives do not respect the minister and this struggle over the truth and God's word seems to never end. There are the worldly neighbors who we try to talk to and encourage who never seem to realize they have a need. Is there a time or place where we need to say my relationship with an individual is not helping him/her develop love for God and therefore the relationship should be terminated or scaled back? Certainly we would not want to lose our own souls in the process of trying to win souls? Is there a point at which a father needs to say this situation is not right/best for my family? Therefore, I will remove my family from this situation?

Sierra Janae Part Two

We tried to get some sleep after she had received her pain medication but we were to wound up to sleep. About 1:00 the nurse thought it was time. Sierra was born at 3:21 AM on Friday, Oct. 27, 2000. They moved us from a delivery room to a new mother room we finally settled in around 7:00. People came to visit that afternoon. I remember feeling like I was in a daze as I blindly invited them into the room and proudly showed them our daughter. I am so thankful for mother-in-law's support. I have never felt so helpless in my life. This ordeal lasted 52 hours but Sierra's heart beat never faltered and she was a healthy baby. Praise the Lord.
I wonder how you fathers coped with this type of situation.
Does any one know what the name Sierra Janae means?
Last I want to wish Sierra a very happy birthday. Daddy is proud of you and I want you to know I love you.
Daddy

Sierra Janae

Five years ago, Oct. 24, Rachel went into labor. Now, you may need to know this pregnancy occurred after wise, smart, intelligent people told us we had 1% chance of having biological children. This pregnancy came after struggling through infertility treatments and deciding God wanted us to adopt someone. My wife decided to use a midwife with Dr. backup. The only problem was the midwife was located in Charlottesville Va. which is an hour and a half drive. On Oct. 24 Rachel went into labor and we waited. Her mother came down on this day and she thought a ride in the pick up would be a good way to to help her get the show on the road. I was more than willing to show them the countryside and we proceeded to cover some very rough terrain. When we woke up on Wed. the 25th, things had progressed enough that we thought we should take a ride in the van to the midwife. There was some discussion as to whether her mom should go with us. After pondering it a little I decided she should go along. This turned out to be a very wise decision. We arrived at the midwives establishment around eleven in the morning. Got settled and waited. She labored and labored and labored. I labored and labored and labored. Her mother labored and labored and labored. On Thursday the 26th, we had just about had enough. I was turning into an emotional wreck. Rachel was no closer to having this baby then she was on Tuesday. After much discussion the midwife decided we should go to the hospital. There was only one little catch the hospital in Charlottesville did not like the midwives so, guess what, we got to drive an hour back to Lynchburg. I really wanted to go 100 but I managed to keep the speed around 80. After arriving at the hospital around 5 it took them 2 hours to give her an epidural. I will never forget I had finally had all I could take and I called my mother. When she answered the phone I just started weeping. She knew the baby had been lost.... She kept asking me if everything was all right and all I could blubber out was yes. The funny thing was the nurse that gave the epidural came in the room while I was on the phone. I am sure he thought I was some kind of lousy husband weeping like a baby......

Why?

Why do you read blogs?

Belonging

Yesterday morning our Jayden and Jackson were dedicated. My wife's father spoke on what it means to be a father. He touched on the incredible responsibility we have. The way we as fathers relate to our children and how that affects there view of life. How it affects there view or perception of our Heavenly Father. He talked some about how our children react to the way they are treated, do they feel loved. This thought led nicely into my dad's thoughts as he talked solely about belonging. How do our children expect to feel like they belong to us when we often mistreat them. Don't say were sorry or tell them we love them. Do we communicate with our children? The importance of having a relationship with our children. What are some ways you parents are using to develop relationships with your children. Those of you who are not married, what are some things your parents did that helped you develop a relationship with them?

Blogs/Computers

Oh, I am so very irritated at the present moment. I have tried to add two links to my side bar. The first time I did this all of my links, not the blogs, showed up in the top right above the post. I took both links off before it went back to the left place. I then added the Love Worth Finding link and all is well. I then tried to add the other link and it will not show up in the links even though it appears to be done correctly. Computers seem to have a mind of there own and appear to do what they want whenever they want regardless of my command. I would like to know why? Is this a common problem?

Tuck

Tuck is a man who loves to talk. He is a person who loves training beagles to chase rabbits. He is a man who loves children. Tuck is a man who is my friend and I enjoyed talking to him. Tuck left this world this morning at 6:00. Our school sale spirit was dampened because of this. He enjoyed attending our sale and enjoyed bidding on quilts. I was told Tuck was lying under a quilt he purchased last year at our school sale. I have reason to believe Tuck became a Christian about two weeks ago. He struggled with bitterness because a Dr. did not find the cancer which was growing in his body and should have been very obvious. I had noticed in the past year Tuck did not seem as bitter about the things that had happened to him. I hope you will take the time to remember to pray for Tuck's family as they work through the funeral details and deal with the grief. Tuck's wife died about a year ago I believe. I will miss Tuck and I regret not going to visit him last week when I thought about him. Will we ever learn to tell people we appreciate them before they leave us forever?

School Sale

The school sale is upon us. If you think about our church tomorrow please remember us in prayer. The goal is to be light in our community as well as generate funds for the school/gym. If we are not a light we will have accomplished nothing.

Questions

I wonder how life would be if Pilate would have heeded his wife's misgiving concerning Christ's crucifixion. Would there have been a crucifixion? Would they have murdered Pilate and then crucified Christ?
Another question: What did Christ do with coin He got when he was asked about whether people should pay taxes or not. He took this coin and proceeded to explain why people should pay taxes. Did he give the coin back or keep it?

Honesty

Is it possible to be to honest? Does your spouse/friend need to know every little fault you have?

The Wreck

One wintry December evening in 1986 our family was on the way to choir practice at church. The church drive is located on the top of a hill. As we were slowing down to turn a car popped over the hill. Daddy slowed down some more but the car continued to travel directly toward us. Daddy drove into the ditch and the oncoming vehicle followed us into the ditch before slamming into the front left corner of the car. The car, a Volvo, was demolished however, a cop told us if the car would not have been a Volvo Daddy probably would have been killed. The way the car was made prevented the other vehicle from climbing into the drivers seat. My mother was not wearing a seat belt and her delicate jaw made rapid contact with the tape deck. Both items were broken and the jaw experienced more pain than the tape deck. I was not wearing a seat belt either and my hard head made direct contact with the head rest on the drivers seat which resulted in a concussion. My chiropractor tells me this is why my head is not on straight and I thanked him for giving me a good excuse. My sister, Juanita, was not hurt and disappeared without telling anyone where she was going. This frazzled the mother quite a bit and she spent a considerable amount of time looking under the car trying to find her before people came pouring out of the church and informed her that Juanita had gone into the church to get help. She had dashed into the church and shouted "We had a wreck." To which the director moaned and said "Oh great, silly children!" thinking some kids had smacked into each other.
I have no recollection of this incident except for a few minor things.
1. I can see to round headlights headed for us but I have no memory of impact.
2. I remember lying on a church bench and hearing Chris Good laughing at me for repeating myself. I also remember wondering how mamma was doing.
3. I remember one split second of the trip to our family Dr. Grandaddy drove us down to Brookneal. I can see Dr. Carwile's face with his normally grim expression.
4. I remember Daddy and Dave Gingerich took me to the emergency room and I remember one point while we were there but that is all.
These memories are of the very brief sort and in some ways I hope they never fully come back to me.
Have you ever been in an accident?
Oh, by the way, the guys that hit us, they were playing basketball in our barn within the next week. Right after the wreck they jumped out of the car and started throwing bottles into the woods. I do have a vague recollection of seeing them standing at the truck and hurling beer bottles into the woods. Sometimes it feels like a bad dream......

School Sale

We are having our school sale this weekend and one of our concerns is how to keep the focus on the community not the monetary end of things. How do you find the balance between raising money and witnessing when the two are so closely tied together? It is very easy to get wrapped up in the amount of funds the auction/sale generates and forget we can use this as a witnessing tool. What would be some ways we as a congregation can focus on witnessing as well as fund raising?

Day Of Rest?

Traditionally Sunday is viewed as a day of rest or the day on which working is wrong. How do you decide what is acceptable or unacceptable Sunday behavior. Here are a couple of examples.
1. Swimming
2. Sports activities: Volley Ball, Basketball, etc.
3. Purchasing gas.
4. Traveling in general.
5. Working: dairy industry, pizza hut. Is there a difference?
These are few things to tweak your thinking.

WCPE

I was listening to wcpe this morning while milking and I heard something that I thought was rather pathetic. Someone was advertising the station. He said something about people who are looking and searching for comfort should listen to great classical music on there station. Now that sounds fine and dandy, however, great classical music is not going to restore your soul. He made another comment about how the music they play will help calm your spirit.

Kissing???

Did you know men who kiss there wives before they leave for work
A. Have fewer accidents
B. Make 20-30% more money
Have you found this to be true, oh wait, your still single.......

Sin Questions

So we have decided divorce isn't sin but remarriage is. I agree with this, however, I wonder how this affects our view of those who are remarried. For instance, there is a local Baptist preacher/beef farmer who is divorced and remarried. He is a good man and an excellent speaker. He knows the Lord, is he going to hell? Why is it okay to worship with them and then not have them lead us in worship? Are we not all sinners?

Divorce

Oh no, I must be crazy, not this topic.
Is divorce wrong? Is there ever a time when divorce is a good thing or the right thing? If I am not mistaken the Bible does give two valid reasons for divorce. The first is abandonment. When one spouse leaves the other. The second is adultery. When one spouse has a physical relationship with some one other than the spouses spouse. Wow, that is wordy....
What about abuse? Physical or verbal abuse. Is this cause for divorce? I have come to the conclusion there is time for divorce. Can we look at divorce the same way we look at excommunication? Before excommunicating someone the church will send two or three brethren to talk to the individual about the sin that has been committed. If the erring brother is still unrepentant, the church moves forward with the excommunication, hoping this will bring the erring person back to the Lord. Can the same be done with divorce? If the spouse who is in the wrong does not change after repeated admonition, why shouldn't the other spouse leave or divorce? I wonder if divorce would be a way to work on marriage problems. I believe it should be used as a last resort. However, I also believe if both people really want to fix the problem there never would be any divorce. Now, I also want to mention this little fact. I am discussing divorce, not remarriage. These are questions I have and I am wondering what your thought on the subject is. Maybe it is impossible to separate divorce from remarriage.

Mud

This afternoon a load of cotton seed arrived and was looking forward to being deposited in our new commodity shed. Due to slow electricians not all of the grading has been done so there was quite a bit of mud at all the wrong places. The dirt in our area is a red clay. This red clay turns into a slippery mess when it is wet. In the past week we have received 8 inches of rain. This ingredient turned the dust into a slippery, slimy mess. First we tried to back the truck up to the shed using the existing lane. This worked well until the trailer wheels were caked full of mud and the tractor began to spin. He pulled forwards and tried again using a bit more horsepower. This resulted in more spinning and not much movement. We proceeded to option 2 which produced the same negative result. This time we were in the yard but the yard was, in fact, a lake yesterday. After this failed we tried option 3. This was a quick spin over to the neighboring farm to see if his building was empty. Another grand idea that was unfruitful. We proceed to option 4. I made a phone call to a friend of mine who pumps sand and rocks out of the Staunton river. Shock of all shocks he was home and was more than willing to bring me a load of river gravel/sea shells. This load of gravel was strategically placed. You can only imagine my glee when he successfully placed this load of feed into my shed. You see, this load cost me about three grand and I really wanted it in the barn out of the weather.

Unanswered Questions

I asked a few questions earlier that have never been commented on. Here they are.
1. What is a conviction?
2. Is pain/suffering God's comlpliment?
3. Isn't everyone a hypocrite to a certain degree?
4. What do we base social acceptance on?
5. Is premarital counseling worth it?

Why I Don't Hunt

I always wondered why I don't hunt. I hunted when I was a lad because everyone else did but as I got older the desire to hunt dwindled. Last night I discovered why I don't hunt. Eldon, first cousin of mine and Lowell's brother, stopped in last night and told me he had shot at a deer but it galloped off over the hill and he couldn't find it. He used the phone to call his dad before going off into the murky darkness to search some more for the love of his life. By the way, his father did not answer the phone and now I understand why. Thirty minutes later Eldon rapped on the door again. He had located the deer but had been unable to lug the horned creature, battery pack, and flash light back to the truck. I, being such a nice guy, not mention nieve, willingly offered to help drag his kill out of the bushes. The spot of the kill was in some of cut over land located behind our barn. This cut over land happens to be home to tons of weeds, briar patches, and honey locust trees. These trees take great pride in there ability to grow razor sharp thorns. We were able to get the truck within 200 yards, give or take a few miles, of the kill. We then drug this animal out of the jungle to the pick up. Due to the size of the deer and the physical condition of one of the draggers, we were propelled to rest quite frequently. I don't know how much this buck weighed but by the time we had him to the truck it felt like he weighed well over a ton and I had no idea how we would ever hoist him onto the bed of the truck. Eldon, with great woodsmen strength and power, hoisted him onto the truck while I grunted feebly and acted like I was trying to be helpful. After the project was finished I collapsed in a heap in the truck. As Eldon drove back to my house I moaned, "Now I know why I don't hunt. It's to much work....."
Eldon classified this buck as a nine pointer. After dragging it to the truck we figured we should count the other small tine which would land it in the 10 point category. What did it weigh? I don't know, couple thousand lbs I think.....

Part Seven

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding. The wedding began at 1:00 with Voice Of Praise (VOP), with the help of two ladies, singing You Are The New Day. The processional was Holy Holy Holy, arranged by Jon, my brother. As they sang this song the bridal party solemnly filed in and took their places at the front of the sanctuary. I, then, carried my parents up the aisle to their seats before waiting, once again, at the front of the church. Slowly Rachel’s parents brought her down the aisle to stand by my side.
Ushering my parents up the aisle was one small final way to honor them as a single man. I also wanted this to be a public statement of their support, a public endorsement.
It was also very important to us that Rachel’s parents give her to me. I was in the process of taking their little girl out of the fold. Rachel was their first daughter to marry and leave home. Imagine the questions they would be asking. How is Glen going to lead Rachel, spiritually and emotionally? How far from us will they live? How often will they come home?
Because of this Donna and I were struggling. I felt like she was trying to control me and what I wanted for my family. I realize, now, this was not what she was doing and they had a God given right to be asking themselves, and Rachel, questions about our plans. Taking this into consideration, it was important to us that they give Rachel to me.
Rachel’s grandfather, Menno Kauffman, asked the question: "Who gives this bride away?"
Bob responded, "Her mother and I."
We needed to know they were willing to make this statement in public. They, also, needed to know they had done it. I believe this is a very good way to start a marriage. With both sets of parents publically giving there consent.
Rachel’s Grandpa Kauffman read 1st Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and lead in prayer before the Sweet Fellowship was sung.
This song talks about fellow-shipping with one another, as we’re walking in the light. It is possible to have fellowship when the Father is in our midst. Is there a better way to start a marriage then basing it on fellowship with the Father?
After this song my father spoke on the need to be honest. Following the sermon we were married by Uncle Leon. I was amazed at the awesome responsibility that we were agreeing to. To love and cherish each other in sickness and health, in prosperity and destitution, in fertility and infertility. These solemn promises, I soon discovered, would take an immense amount of work.
We then lit the unity candle with the message of the song Holy Ground reverberating through the auditorium.
We are standing on holy ground,
and I know that there are angles all around.
Let us praise Him, Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.
Uncle Leon then presented us to the witnesses. Mr. And Mrs. Glen Zehr. I was very proud to walk back down the aisle to the singing of, Lord, I Will Praise You.
I was rejoicing, praising the Lord for, His faithfulness. The Lord who had created all things, He had created Rachel and I and, He cared deeply about us. He had led us together and , He would continue to lead. I joyfully hummed along, Oh Lord, I will praise, You.
There was a reception immediately following the service in the adjacent fellowship hall. The rest of the day is very foggy in my memory. I was honored that so many dear friends had taken the time to celebrate this day with us, I was determined to stay until most of the guests had left.
As we were leaving, about 5:00, I was amazed I had a wife. I was amazed God allowed us to begin our journey with a beautiful day. We did not know what was around the corner or how God would lead us. For the next week, life was carefree. As I write, it is easy to dream about those carefree days. If I could redo them, I would try to squeeze more out of them, because around the curve were many hard, tearful battles with life, struggling with God’s goodness.

Part Six

The Next Six Months
Life continued to putter by and we continued waiting and while waiting I milked cows. I got tired of waiting and I got tired of cows. Milking 30 cows twice a day is one thing, but 200!!! Waiting and cows were becoming an inconvenience. I remember calling Rachel one night asking her if there was any way we could change the wedding date. Could we have it in March instead of May? She calmly put me off, telling me it could not be changed. It would not suit, they would not be able to get the church, and the invitations were already printed. She had many other noteworthy reasons why the date could not be changed. I finally gave in and continued to wait.
Eating, sleeping, and working. There were two things I did not take advantage of. First, I did not improve my relationship with my heavenly Father. Second, I did not go out of my way to make new friends and be an integral part of the church I was attending.
I wonder at times if the path I was treading would have varied if I had made the afore- mentioned items a major priority? Learning to know the Father would have made me a better person. I would have become more established in my beliefs. Why do I believe ladies should wear the veiling? Why do we believe you can lose your salvation? What do I believe about the beard and mustache? How should I handle my children after I am married? How many children do I want and how soon? There were so many questions I could have addressed that would have saved us headaches and heartaches in the future.
Becoming an integral part of the church there in Hanover may have helped me address some of those tough questions. I would have made new friends that could encourage and help me identify some of the issues that I needed to face. However, this did not happen and I continued to muddle through life. I was an unenthusiastic Christian, if there is such a thing, and this view of Christianity would affect my marriage and my children.
The 28th day of May 1994 finally arrived. A warm springy day. Soft clouds floated high overhead and the trees waved gently in the breeze. The sun tossed lazy shadows on the ground as it filtered through the fluttering leaves.

Lowell

I must take a quick break from Our Story to mention Lowell. Tomorrow morning Lowell will be leaving for an indefinite amount of time. He is headed for Guatemala and will be working with MAM. Lowell is my friend and I will miss him. I will miss discussing life with him. His flight leaves at 6 tomorrow morning. So, Lowell, I will try to pray for you as I think of you. God give you strength as you struggle for Him.

Part Five

My heart ached, if she was not on that plane, my mental stableness would take a swift and dreadful fall into the black hole of depression. I refused to think about it. I called Val Yoder at SMBI, He calmly told me, with a chuckle, "Glen, she is more than likely not on that plane." Being the optimist that I am, I told Donna, "Listen, lets go over to the airport, nobody knows if she is on the plane, she could be." So we jumped into my car and scooted over to the airport, found the gate, and began waiting.
People started pouring through the doorway. We calmly stood there on our tip-toes peering eagerly over the top of the crowd. Like a child at the dollar store, trying to get a glance at the coveted pocket knife. Then, like a song in the night, I saw her. Oh joy, oh delight.
We had made arrangements for Rachel to stay at Choice for the night before her and her mother went to SMBI the next day. I would be taking them to Indiana for the weekend.
On this trip, Donna kept wondering when I was going to talk to Bob about getting married. She knew, somehow, that we were engaged. After Rachel and I discussed it, we decided that I should talk to him. I did this with confidence, asking for his permission to marry his lovely daughter. He wanted to chat with her before giving me an answer. So I promptly offered to mow his grass so he could talk to her. As I mowed, I watched them, Bob on his knees begging her to think about what she is doing!!! Oh wait, he’s pulling weeds in the flower bed, and my lady is sitting daintily on the porch swing, like a kitten licking its paw.
I discovered he had indeed given his consent. We set the wedding date, May twenty-eight nineteen hundred and ninety-four. Six more months, oh ponderous, torturous, slow-moving life.

Part Four

Where will the wedding be?
Down in the swamp in the Hornoe tree.
What will the wedding supper be?
Fried mosquito, and a black-eyed pea.
We were engaged. Where would the wedding be? When would the wedding be? We knew having a wedding the summer of 1993 was impossible. Rachel would be taking part in SMBI’s WATER program and was looking forward to working in an orphanage in Romania operated by Christian Aid Ministries. I was serving at Choice Books. Because of these circumstances, we decided getting married would need to wait.
I began to realize life consists of waiting. I am always waiting. Waiting for letters, cards, paychecks, and airplanes. Airplanes that are leaving and airplanes that are coming. There wait finally ended as Rachel, and three others, flew from Dulles International Airport. Her parent’s and I, took them to the airport, making sure they boarded the correct plane. After they boarded the plane, we were extremely lonesome, and morose. It was over-whelming, five weeks looked endless. How would we survive the waiting?
Waiting: How do we handle waiting? Do we crawl in a dark hole, wallowing in self-pity? Because life consists of waiting, I have discovered it is what we do while we wait that brings meaning to life. This concept would make a big difference in our lives in the coming years. Wait, I am getting ahead of my story.
After the plane departed, we stopped at Dairy Queen, while picking at our food we decided Rachel needed a box full of goodies. So we stopped at Food Lion, purchasing items that we knew Rachel enjoyed. Dale Schnupp was traveling to Romania and said he would be glad to deliver a box for us.
Rachel called when she got to the orphanage. I was very relived to hear her voice on the phone. Knowing her plane had not fallen out of the sky into the murky ocean, or her train had not derailed brought us great joy.
I faithfully set my alarm clock for two-o-clock every Tuesday morning, seven-o-clock Romanian time, and placed a call to Rachel. Due to low funds, I was making eighty dollars a month, most phone calls were short and sweet.
One particular phone call was not so short. I had been offered the herdsman position at Hillcrest Dairy, located in Hanover, Pennsylvania. They wanted an answer very quickly, and due to the upcoming nuptials, I felt the need to discuss this with my fiancé. This phone call lasted twenty minuets, costing me close to one hundred dollars. We decided I would take the job. Pounding out the details was difficult. I would need to break my commitment to Choice Books.
Another wrinkle Rachel needed to work through was her parent’s decision to move to Faith Builders Educational Programs. Rachel would be adjusting to major changes after she returned home.
Knowing I was getting married, and needing money, I wanted to leave as soon as possible, however, I never told the manager of Choice, Simon Schrock, why I needed to leave despite a fairly long conversation. I realize now this was a mistake, I should have told him.
Simon wondered why I wanted to leave. I told him things like: "I feel unfulfilled." "I don’t enjoy my work." These things had been true, however, I was really beginning to enjoy my work. Simon suggested I stay until the end of October, completing half of my one-year term. One thing I tried to do, was working hard regardless of my unhappiness. I must have succeeded, because Alfy told me one day, "Glen, thank-you for doing a good job and not moping even though you are not totally satisfied."
Well, the decision was made, I would be moving to Hanover. However, there was one more gut-wrenching episode that should be mentioned. My lovely ladies return from a far away land. The horrid train operators had gone on strike in Romania, so we, Rachel’s mom, Donna, and I had no way of knowing whether Rachel was even on the plane. I called the orphanage and was told that Rachel and those with her had left for the airport but they did not know whether they had gotten on the plane.

Part Three

"I think Ben and Juanita could come down" he responded
However, they went on a major detour, missing the turnpike exit and driving all the way to Pittsburgh on route 79 before realizing they were miserably lost. A two-hour wait at the rest area became a five-hour wait. We enjoyed the peacefulness that is found when sitting at a picnic table located a stone’s throw from the worst hard top road in America. Eighteen wheelers soon lost our interest and our minds wandered. Eventually we ran out of things to talk about. I realized a new topic of discussion would be appropriate. So.... I asked her to marry me.

Part Two

Had I been athletic enough to do cartwheels across the parking lot I would have. Instead, I took it like a man, and immediately galloped off to call Rachel’s Mom. This phone call resulted in plans that Rachel was unaware of. Her mother and I decided I would ring the doorbell at six-o-clock on Friday morning. In order to arrive at six-o-clock, I needed to leave Fairfax Thursday evening and drive through the night.
I was well ahead of schedule and stopped to rest. However, I soon realized that rest was not a possibility. I called Rachel’s mother and asked, "Is it okay if I am thirty minutes early?"
"Sure," Donna replied, "We will be looking for you."
As I drove timidly in the lane, Donna came slinking out the door. "Rachel is still in bed. Come on in and make yourself at home."
We quietly slipped back into the house and I realized I was not the only visitor. Audrey Henderson, one of Rachel’s friends from Dryden, convinced Rachel that she needed to make a trip upstairs. Rachel finally consented, pulling herself out of her bed and came stumbling up the stairs. As she came reeling across the living room, she saw someone sitting on the rocking chair. He had a goofy looking grin on his face, like the hound dog you catch gnawing on your shoes. That goofy grin shocked her vocal cords into action, and as she fell limply onto the sofa and shrieked, "I am not dressed, my hair isn’t combed, I look like a fright!"
Well, Rachel soon got over her fright and returned the favor by driving her little bug at an incredible speed for such a quiet young lass. As I bounced around like a cork in a bottle, I thought my goodness, she really needs a husband, she drives like a maniac!
She, like me, must not have understood what the word slow meant, in driving, or in our relationship. On different occasions both sets of parents solemnly tried to explain to us that a slow relationship would be in order. I should state that "slow" was not a word I was acquainted with. I had never done anything slow in my life, why start now? I was courtin with sword and pistol by my side.
May twenty-eight, nineteen, hundred and ninety-three was a big day for us. Rachel caught a ride to Breezewood, Pennsylvania. I picked her up there, and we began driving to Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, where Rachel would officially meet my parents, Milo and Mary Sue.
We were traveling west on the despised turnpike, when our romantic mood was brought to an abrupt halt by a very loud and disturbing, KAPOW.
"Flat tire," I said pulling over. I got out and calmly began putting on the itsy-bitsy spider tire. This tire looked like it was lacking in the air department also. We crept ahead, the speedometer registering a paltry thirty-five miles an hour. When we reached the next rest area, I grabbed the air hose and applied the nozzle to the valve stem. Gazing into my fair lady’s eyes my mind strayed far away from the task at hand. I was brought back to reality when this tire also gave an exasperated BLAMO. I looked down in disbelief. Lying on the ground in front of me was my spider tire, a shredded piece of rubber. I told Rachel, "Uh, I think I put to much air in that tire."
"I see," she replied calmly.
"What should I do now," I muttered quietly under my breath? The service center was closed. "Guess I will call daddy."
I found a pay phone and dialed the phone number. When Daddy answered the phone I said, "Daddy, we have a flat tire and have no way of getting one that isn’t flat. Could someone bring us a tire or come down and help us?"

Our Story (part one)

I was considering doing this before In His Image wrote his. There will be some big differences in our different stories. However, we would both agree, I wouldn't recommend you doing it this way. Now, I should also tell you I started this book so I could give our children a copy. Something they could read and understand more about how we felt while struggling with infertility and adoption, both failed and successful.

Froggy Went A Courtin
Froggy went a courtin and he did ride.
With sword and pistol by his side
Rode right up to miss mouseÂ’s door.
Gave three raps and a very load ROAR.
Took miss mouse upon his knee
Said miss mouse will you marry me?
Froggy went a courtin and I did too. It all began in the confines of Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute (SMBI). I was there for Night of Music. Night of Music is really a reunion. Everyone that has attended this fine institution comes home for a visit. Afterthe service my friend, Brian, and I were strolling through the gym. Brian stopped to chat with a young lady for a few seconds, and I stood silently by, making mental assessments. Good looking, mature, soft-spoken, modest, the list went on and on. They finished the conversation, and she continued on her journey. Where she was going, I did not know. As Brian and I moved on through the gym, I asked, "Who was that?"
"That was Rachel Kauffman. She is going is coming as a student fourth-term" Brian replied, "You interested? I can set you up" he said laughing.
"Oh, not really" I replied. Then I promptly forgot about her, until we were both fourth-term students. We were both students and became very good friends. For some reason we ended up at Best Way quite often, eating pizza, and doing homework, sort of. Of course, we never went alone, the people we took with us were friends of the cause, and we were able to make significant strides in our homework, I mean, in our relationship.
Our relationship had progressed to a point where I felt the need to have parental support. So when my mother was there to visit one weekend, I made SURE she knew who I was in love with. After six weeks of confinement in a building whose floors took great joy in creaking and groaning, we prepared to depart on a three-week chorus tour, into the vast country of Canada. While on this trip I got very sick, Rachel was the school nurse, so this increased our chances of building our relationship. Not only was my body very feverish, I realized how my heart was burning with the love of youth.
I knew her parents had been talking to some of my friends, trying to determine if I was worthy of a relationship with Rachel. I realized that these friends must have convinced RachelÂ’s parents that I was okay when she said, "I think it is time for you talk to Dad."
I distinctly remember calling Bob on the phone. It was Sunday evening, and we had a very good discussion about life and what some of my goals where. My goal for the immediate future included going to Choice Books of Northern Virginia, located in Fairfax, to spend a year of voluntary service. This was a good thing to have on my resume, because RachelÂ’s parents, Bob and Donna, had spent close twenty years serving at Northern Youth Programs, and they appreciated the fact that I wanted to be involved in ministering to human souls.
I moved to Choice Books two weeks before RachelÂ’s high school graduation, and she was wondering if I could attend. I felt uncomfortable taking off work, because my job had just begun, and decided I would need to miss this monumental occasion. This decision brought on a very serious illness called moping. Due to this illness, I decided time off of work would be a very good thing. I would talk to Alfy, my boss, and get his opinion. Alfy told me, "I think you should go."