Valentine's Day

Nine degrees outside, and I'm considering getting back to work on the outdoor end of our "project" this morning. When I write "end" that does not mean to imply that it will come soon but I believe that it is in sight. The outdoor decorations have to be put away(Cheryl reminded me when we got home from town yesterday)in the loft of the garage. I'm way behind and if I did manage to catch up I wouldn't be able to keep up! For instance, I just got the pics of Christmas 2007 started uploading to "My Space" and that was at the old house. I can't really complain too loudly though, I've had an interesting beginning for the new year. Cheryl suffered a broken foot and has been out of work for six weeks. I began a new career with Casey's here in Volga. So I reflect, "Time just seems to slip away when you're having fun." Out here on the Great American Desert I have begun plans for the planting of trees to provide adequate wind breaks for the new home. I hadn't really resided on the plains since leaving the farm 40 odd years ago. The winds are unrelenting on the prairie. All things considered I do have to admit we are getting through the toughest winter we will probably ever experience(from my keyboard to your ear dear Lord)from a strictly survival standpoint. We've almost made it to spring. The Christmas decor will all get stashed away and I will be back in the process of completing this project we began a year and a half ago. Every once in awhile I need to step back and really look at what has been accomplished thus far. When I moved the first of many computers into this home I was sitting in a virtual hole in the ground with an old house sitting on top of it. Back then the stairway led nowhere and the steps down into my hole were not complete. Whoosh! God has been so good to us that it is only in really looking back that we can recognize how far we have come. Perhaps this is true of each of us concerning life. We need to look at where we have come from to truly appreciate and give thanks for where we are today! Then again, maybe I'm just rambling as I am so want to do. I think not when it comes to our personal histories. When we take the time to assess our past and ponder our future it should all be in the context of good!
It does not hurt from time to time to pat yourself on the back and say, "job well done!" For our lives I would pray that none of us ever runs out of time for those we love, tasks that face us, or wisdom to understand our limitations. "Lord, let me continue to accomplish in Your time the designs You have laid before me." That's a short prayer I can keep in my heart. None of us truly takes any portion of this world with us when we depart. Therefore we are simply caregivers of things while we are here. Me in my impatience won't always see it this way(all about me & mine & wants)but it must be true because I've never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul! I pray your Valentine's day is filled with love to, for, and from those you care about. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Fiery Devestation

Mary's daughter, Kat, has a blog which can be found at "Life With The Lesnars" which has more of the pics of the home she and her husband, four children and pets resided in until the fire a few nights ago. Just google and you'll find it. It sounds as though South Dakotans on the Great American Desert are responding as they always do in times of tragedy. In the face of this recent devestation the family is doing much better than they might in other parts of our country. Their home was one of the oldest in Brookings County(if not the oldest). It will more than likely have to be torn down. The family will rebuild with the help of neighbors and friends. That is how these things have always been done out here, even before SD was an official state. We continue to lift them in our prayers. One of my E-buddies sent me a note of encouragement for each of us this morning. "If God brings you to it He will see you through it!" That is so true. It is good to know that there are so many loving, kind, caring, giving and generous people in our community. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Keeping Warm

Temperatures have dropped once again out here on the Great American Desert. Snickers is quite happy staying in the house, with the exception of course, for out door necessities. Heating bills are scary. I suppose all of the folks that live in the northland are suffering the same consequences as we. It would seem that fuel costs are a daily issue here around the coffee urn. Gas is once again fluctuating between the mid-70s to the upper 80s. I would think that will hold true until the spring breaks. Cheryl is cuddled up on the couch watching a movie("Must Love Dogs"), and staying comfy under a blanket. Snickers loves the radiant heat(our addition is heated by electrical coils buried beneath 8 inches of sand and 4 inches of concrete. This was one of my better ideas(just call me Ford-LOL)to keep tootsies warm on wintry days.
I received a call at work on the cell about 3:30 in the am. Mary's daughter's home burned down leaving she and her husband and four children homeless. The immediate need was to share and enlist prayer support. Following that Mary needed to know that all was going to work out. God takes care of each one of His children in very special ways. Before we are even aware that there is a need He has already set in place that which we will be the answer to our prayers. That is my faith perspective writing, but I know it to be sooooo true! I often fail to wait patiently for the answers to my prayers(I get impatient. Imagine that in a human being!). When it seems that we are besieged on every one of life's fronts by insurmountable difficulties and it appears that there is no where to turn, we all need to be reminded that there is One to whom we can always address in a very personal way. God is there. He has always been here! Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, the same always. When others need our comfort the greatest gift we can offer is our love. Love may take many forms. Care, compassion, support, and most of all, prayer for the needs to be met as they appear. Living a life of faith calls each of us to this lofty mountaintop where we look beyond ourselves and see the dawning of a new day and a future that will be brighter by far than the one we are experiencing right now.
Snickers is staying warm. So am I "Thanks Be To God" and life will continue to throw us curves. How we choose to field them is the difference between true 'faith' and mere denominational religiosity. In Christ's Love, Preacher.