My washing machine is broken. It's been that way since Saturday. It's a 5 minute fix. A sensor that has repeatedly needed to be replaced over the past 4 years. 5 days, so far, of no laundry. With 6 people, a dairy farm and hot and humid weather this is a stinky situation. It is also one that is testing me to the core. I don't like the answer I was given. To wait one week to have a washer serviced is unacceptable in my book. I have paid for a maintenance warranty. I have expectations. They tell me I have options. I can rent a washer. My farmer says no. The last time the technicians ... View Post
New Beginnings
Our newest employee. Selling all he has. Leaving the familiar. Moving to a new land. A new climate. New job. Traveling many miles to get here. Actually he is not here yet. His wife and 3 of his children have made it. He and his son are still on their way. Delays and cancellations changed plans. I look at this family and I think how courageous they are. Abraham heeded the call to go. He left all he knew to enter a land God was providing. Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I ... View Post
When Words Fail
For the first time in months. The words don't come. For the past 312 days I have written every morning or evening. The words flow. Cathartic in their way. An outpouring of my soul. The anguish of my heart worked through. But today the words don't come. It has been a hard few days. The missing great. The coming to the close of another year. Reliving each of those events. Longing for the boy we celebrated. Knowing next year we will walk the Senior road again. So many emotions vacillating. Thoughts in a jumble. Heart aching. There are new beginnings. Life is marching ... View Post
Delight In His Sabbath
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Words I cling to. Hope I claim. It is Sunday morning again. A morning for me that will always remain hard. The conflict of loss; the gift of the Sabbath. Yet isn't the gift of Sabbath because of death? One for all. So there might be life? Everlasting? He gave all so we could all have. The goal of Sabbath; rest. Leaning into Christ and the promise He gave with His ... View Post
Fanning The Flame
I couldn't keep the flame going. I wanted to light a candle. I found a match. I lit it from the gas stove. The flame would not stay lit. I had to cradle it. Protect the flame until the candle was lit. We are the light of the world. A city on a hill. Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world-- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden We need to protect our flame. It is so easily extinguished. Keep the flame burning. The winds of the times blow and the flame flickers until it is gone. The flame is a fragile ... View Post
A new addition to the Dairy. . . And It’s Not A Cow
We're beginning to head back up in milk. The cows are calving. The milk is flowing. The pastures are still behind. Many farmers in the same boat. Limited grass for pasture. The guys spent part of the day collecting wood from the river spills last fall and this spring. Chipping slowly away at the list. We've added a member to our dairy. And it's not a cow! He and his family, followers of Christ; desiring to serve. It's been so nice having him here. A fresh perspective. Funny thing is. He's so much like ... View Post
