A Lot of Apples

We arrived at the apple orchard this afternoon too late to pick our own, so we bought pre-bagged ones instead. That's 50 pounds of Jonagold and Jonathan apples to peel, slice and bag to freeze for cobblers, crisps, pies and tarts!

A BIG Puppy

Belle is almost 8-months-old now. She sure is a BIG puppy!

ABCs

I read this poem at Widow's Christian Place and it really resonated with my heart:

ABCs

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
GOD is forever able
Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee

Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there will be good times,
and yes, some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...
where none are ever sad!

by Cindy Blackamore

What a comfort and encouragement for strength to get through each day!

Disinterment

Kent's vault containing his casket was disinterred yesterday morning from the cemetery in Indiana where he was buried after his funeral.

Then the vault company transported it about 700 miles to Nebraska where it was interred this afternoon to a cemetery close to our house.

I thought this was an odd thing to do, but the funeral homes on both ends that arranged this do a few month. We're just glad it's here, because it's where it belongs.

Muffins with Mom

It was Donuts with Dad & Muffins with Mom at the boys' school this morning. There was a similar event last year at their previous school, but it was just for dads. Thankfully, their grandpas went with them, but it wasn't the same as having a dad there. I was glad to be included this year, so they weren't excluded. I enjoyed eating breakfast with them (and even some of their friends and their parents) in the cafeteria before they started their school day.

It's All About Him

Today was the annual "It's All About Him" Sunday at Bethel Church. It's all about Him all the time, but these annual Sundays are a special celebration of the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things. This message always reminds me of the anthology of Jesus Christ through the entire Bible that the pastor shared a few years ago:


Genesis - He's the Ram at Abraham's altar.
Exodus - He's the Passover Lamb.
Leviticus - He's the faithful High Priest.
Numbers - He's the bronze snake that heals.
Deuteronomy - He's the city of our refuge.
Joshua - He's the scarlet thread in Rahab's window.
Judges - He's our Judge.
Ruth - He's our kinsman Redeemer.
Samuel - He's our trusted prophet.
Kings & Chronicles - He's our reigning King.
Ezra - He's the faithful scribe.
Nehemiah - He's the Rebuilder of everything that's broken.
Esther - He's Mordecal sitting faithful at the gate.
Job - He's our Redeemer that ever lives.
Psalms - He's our Shepherd.
Proverbs & Ecclesiastes - He's our wisdom.
Song of Songs - He's the beautiful Bridegroom.
Isaiah - He's the suffering servant.
Jeremiah & Lamentations - He's the weeping prophet.
Ezekiel - He's the wheel within a wheel.
Daniel - He's the fourth man in the fiery furnace.
Hosea - He's our lover forever faithful.
Joel - He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.
Amos - He's our burden bearer.
Obadiah - He's our Savior.
Jonah - He's the Missionary to the entire world.
Micah - He's the Messenger with beautiful feet.
Nahum - He's the Avenger.
Habakkuk - He's the watchman praying for revival.
Zephaniah - He's the Lord mighty to save.
Haggai - He's the Restorer of our lost heritage.
Zachariah - He's our fountain.
Malachi - He's the Son of righteousness.
Matthew - He is Christ, Son of the living God.
Mark - He's the Miracle Worker.
Luke - He's the Son of Man.
John - He's the door through which we must enter.
Acts - He's the shining light on Saul.
Romans - He's our Justifier.
1 Corinthians - He's our resurrection.
2 Corinthians - He's our sin bearer.
Galatians - He redeems us from the curse of law.
Ephesians - He's our unsearchable riches.
Philippians - He supplies all of our needs.
Colossians - He's the fullness of Godhead in bodily form.
Thessalonians - He's the soon coming King.
Timothy - He's the mediator between God and Man.
Titus - He's our blessed hope.
Philemon - He's a friend closer than a brother.
Hebrews - He's the blood of the everlasting covenant.
James - He's the Lord who heals the sick.
Peter - He's our chief Shepherd.
John - He's the tenderness of love.
Jude - He's the Lord coming with 10,000 saints.
Revelation - He's the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Back to School

I returned to college today. It's been years since I was in college and so much has changed! I don't usually feel old, but I sure did today . . . especially because most of the students in my classes are half my age. What a dose of humility!

From Hoosiers to Huskers

Yes, it's true, we moved. We're not Hoosiers anymore; we're Huskers now! Nebraska isn't a place a lot of people want to move to, but Kent was from here and it's captured my heart over the last decade.


Compared to NW Indiana, it's less populated and slower paced. It's a great place for me to focus on God and my boys. I like NW Indiana and my house there, but the bittersweet memories of the area and especially the house were a constant reminder that Kent's not here anymore.


A lot of pondering and praying went into this decision. We've wanted to move here for awhile now (even before Kent passed away) and God opened a door for it to happen. I trust God's leading here and believe a fresh start will be very healthy for us.