Response

The older my kids get, the harder Christmas gets. This year Elizabeth didn't have a list. Didn't want to give me one, said there wasn't anything she really needed. While this brings great satisfaction in me, that she is content with what she has already, it also made me worry that she would be disappointed in Christmas, not much to open. But then that is always a worry for me, even though it isn't about the gifts, I want to see that joy on my kids faces, that they are happy. Even though we have taught them early on, that whatever they are given today, is more than they had the day before. Even though I have historically grateful kids, it weighs on me. The last thing I wanted this Christmas, was to focus on the potential disappointment. I don't know that I have ever actually seen them be disappointed, but the fear always seems to be there. The enemy's way of distracting me from the real meaning of Christmas. That Jesus came to save the world. That He left the glories of Heaven to become like us, to know the pain and temptations we face. That He came to get dirty, the King of Kings, born in the humblest of places, came to do the hard stuff. To be with people considered "unworthy" by society. To talk and eat with tax collectors and prostitutes. He didn't seek out religious leaders of the day, they were too busy keeping the law and making sure others knew they were keeping the law, worried about appearances, how they looked.  How often are we turned away because of the way someone looks or acts? Are we willing to get dirty too? We were part of a group that went to Hope Mission about two weeks ago, to work in the shelter, feeding people that had no place to go, to provide worship to those same people. Two days later, a homeless man was found dying on the streets,and later died in the hospital, we very possibly served him one of his last meals. Did we do enough? Did we reach him? What else could we have done? I worry about gifts for my kids, he worried about his next meal. I worry that my kids are have stuff, he worried about staying warm. There are people that would say it was somehow this guys own fault that he ended up there on the streets. Maybe, maybe he did make poor choices...but just maybe he didn't, maybe through circumstances beyond his control he ended up without a home, without a family to turn to, with nothing. Does that mean we show him less compassion? That somehow the REASON he is there, dictates how we respond? That isn't how Jesus responded, it was with grace, and mercy each and every time He encountered someone in need regardless of how they came into that need. We are called to respond with grace, and mercy, it isn't easy, but He didn't promise easy.

30 days of thankful

Going to catch up here, then try everyday for a new one
I'm thankful for
Novemeber 1st, a family tree deeply rooted in faith in God
November 2nd for my family, just the way they are
November 3rd for a text from Michael telling me how much he loved being in Bloomington this year, and listing all the good things that he has going for him. That is an answer to prayer, he was exactly the opposite this time last year and had me worried. LOVE that he is in a better place, and will give God the credit for that one.

Choice

Been a while since I have posted, I guess I'm looking to be profound, so many good great blogs out there and I feel a little intimidated. But when I set out to do a blog it was more about writing my thoughts down so that someday I could print a blog book for my kids, maybe even grand kids, that they would have something concrete that they could read about what their mom/mammaw thought, what life was like for her.
I'd like to think that I will pass things on to my kids, my faith being one of the most important things. And maybe it's time I think less of what anyone that reads my blog thinks, which is hard for me as I'm often driven by what people think, and just let this place be a place where I can write what I think, and it is what it is.
There has been a thought that has popped up many times over the last several days. Often times when that happens I think God is trying to get my attention. Repetition works for me. It is the thought that you can chose your attitude. Heard it in a sermon, read it in a blog, and have seen it a couple other places. It's all about choosing joy, choosing to be happy. I can choose to be negative, focus on the bad things, or I can find the positive in it. Man is that hard.
I have lived my life reacting, and letting my feelings control me. Who said they get to be in charge? Usually gets my into trouble when that happens.I stumbled upon a blog that had my attention quick, Sara's story  is a great blog, but take kleenex when you go to read. It stuns me she can go through what she is going through, and yet remain joyful. I have a friend whose testimony I have heard once, because it is too hard for me to listen to more than that, yet is one of the most joy filled people I know. I am certain she has her bad days, but she chooses joy. It amazes me that they can do that, I know why they can, or Who helps them through the bad stuff. Just not there yet for me, will keep working at it, one step at a time.
Today, I choose Joy, tomorrow I'll have to make that choice again, with God's help I will.

Jumping in

Misha, Scooter, and Cali

We have a dog, actually three dogs, two by design, third one adopted us. Cali is bully-beagle. Love her dearly, she is people dog, the best kind. Loves to be with people. She has a habit when food is near or offered, she will without even a sniff grab it into her mouth and go to work on it. Now that's all well and good if it ends up being something she likes, but there are times, she is committed, has it in her mouth and finds out she doesn't like it, or it wasn't what she thought it would be.

Got me to thinking today, aren't we at times like that? That we will jump into things without prayer or forethought, and then realize it just isn't what we thought it would be? Now what? Often times we are stuck, and just have to swallow it. Rare occasions we can get out, and no one gets hurt or disappointed. Other times we are miserable or we leave others short handed or disappointed when we back out.
I tend to be  am a people pleaser, hate to disappoint others even if it means inconveniencing myself (often that is the case, better me than someone else). Have to learn that not everything I'm offered is something I should jump into, wait, pray and listen FIRST, then give the right answer, even if it may be no.

She makes it look easy

Fair is over, was my intent to blog during fair, didn't happen as I'd liked it to. Far too busy, or tired by the time I got back to the camper.
We showed feeder calves on Tuesday, didn't do to bad considering I really didn't sift through calves this spring like I normally do, so it tells me our feeding program is on the right track. Next year we will start with really good calves and that should make a difference.
Wednesday was swine showmanship and the barrow show. Elizabeth was in senior showmanship, the judge worked the kids hard. She made it out of her group and into the honor group. He had them drive, tried to trip them up by walking around their pigs, he put bedding on the pig to see if they had their brushes to clean them up. At one point he had all the kids left, try to get their pigs to stand in one spot, Elizabeth's could stand all day as long as she is scratching him. She looked so relaxed and smooth out there, and ended up winning Senior showman!

Eby and Tuck

Winning senior showman meant she would get to show against the master showman in the club, the best of the best. Showmanship runs oldest to youngest, with senior first, and master last so that the senior winner can let their pig rest before going again. Her partner rested in the pen, while she watched her siblings show. Sara made honor group in Juniors, so happy for her, I think it may be the best she has done in that barn. Jay just missed, had a miscommunication with the judge, thought he was going to talk to her, he wasn't and she cut between him and her pig. Major no no. She will get there I'm sure, just has to wait another year.

Elizabeth's turn to run master showman against two other kids. She was so slow and easy, her partner really worked well with her, did what she needed to do and ended up with this

Senior and Master showmanship winner

 

None of this comes easy. It is work at home that does it. Doesn't matter what your pig looks like or how much money you spend on it, it won't help you win showmanship if you haven't done the work at home. She went on to represent swine club in round robin competition and did so very well. She had to demonstrate showing a pig, and then show a horse, lamb, goat, beef steer, feeder calf, and dairy heifer. She didn't win this time, but now knows what it is like and wants to go do it again.
Proud of all my kids, hard work has paid off!!

2011 Gilt show

Girls in the Grand Gilt drive

Gilt show was Friday, was going to post but WiFi is spotty here, and I wanted to put up a picture that had all four kids that showed but my memory card is acting weird.
It was a great day, Elizabeth had Champion Hamp gilt, Champion Poland gilt, Sara had Champion Hereford gilt, Jayme had Champion Chester Gilt, and Matthew had Champion Berk gilt, so 5 breeds in the Grand Champion gilt drive, had to find a kid to show one of our girls. Cool thing is, the Poland and the Berk are both out of gilts we showed last year, so much fun to see second and even third generations from the same line do well, the Poland last year was out of the Poland we had the year before, she is actually a third generation to be shown by us.  Ended the day with the overall Reserve grand gilt, with Eby's hamp, the belted pig in the picture. She is a great gilt, only got beat by a crossbred, so very close!!!
So very proud of the kids and to see their efforts rewarded!!

Friday's the day

Our county fair starts Friday, gonna be a hot one too. Hoping it subsides before to much of the fair comes to past. It is a stressful situation to begin with, months of hard work by the kids coming to an end, waiting for one mans opinion that day. Heat adds to the discomfort of all involved. Looking forward to watching them show their projects, regardless of outcome I'm proud of them. Want to try to blog through the fair, daily posts, well maybe several times through the week. Gonng be makin' memories with my kiddos!!

the ant and the grasshopper

The ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER  This one is a little different .....  Two Different Versions ....  Two Different Morals  OL D VERSION  The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.  The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold. MORAL OF THE OLD STORY: Be responsible for yourself! MODERN VERSION The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.  CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America  is stunned by the sharp contrast.  How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?  Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not EasyBeing Green...' ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We shall overcome. Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright  has the group kneel down to pray for thegrasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants. President Obama condems the ant  and blames  President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope  for the grasshopper's plight.  Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid  exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.  Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number  of green bugs and,  having  nothing left to  pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government GreenCzar and given  to the grasshopper. The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading  friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is  in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't  maintain it. The ant has  disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again. The grasshopper  is found  dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over  by a gang of spiders  who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous  and peaceful, neighborhood.  The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest  of the free world with it.  MORAL OF THE STORY:  Be careful how you vote in 2012.

Weeds and people

I was out in the garden this morning, running a rake over it to knock out the weeds. So far so good, and it looks really nice, a record for me, usually it is starting to pay the price of neglect as I have helped the kids more in the past with 4H animals. This year they are doing much more, and I have been able to stay ahead of the weeds.
While I was out this morning, I found a plant that looked to be weed free, started to move on when I looked a little closer. Up through the plant were a couple of pig weeds, blended in quite nicely with the flower, easy to miss at first glance. It was then when it hit me, it's just like church. At first glance, things look good, on the surface everyone is as they seem. But get a little deeper, start to get a closer look and you start to see things you hadn't before. Works that way with people, none of us are perfect, but that surface level often turns out to be different once you get a little deeper. Sometimes for the better, but unfortunately sometimes for the worse.  

girls vs guys

Michael used to have a group of friends over often. Just a few more guys than gals, but a nice mix. And while I try to be somewhat scarce, I can't help but hear what is going on, may not understand much of it, but I hear the chatter, and laughter. I didn't realize just how different the dynamics could be when you switch the ratio of guys to gals. Elizabeth has had a group of friends over a couple of times now, tonight they are here and it is fascinating to listen to the difference. When they say that females say about 20k words compared to the guys at around 7k I believe it. Have a house full of teenage girls, and you will quickly know it to be true. They aren't loud or obnoxious about it, but they all talk a LOT and they often all talk at once! Makes my head spin even thinking about trying to keep up. It is a good group of kids, and I'm glad to have them here. I'm going to enjoy the quiet for a bit as they have made a run to wally world, soon they will be back filling the house with laughter which is a joy as well. I am very thankful that my kids have good friends to hang with. Love these girls!!

Just a job?

I recently was asked to visit another school that was having some personnel issues, and behavior issues during lunch. It was an eye opening experience. Behavior was about as bad as I have seen during my 6 years working in the schools. I watched the monitor that was there working, she was short with the kids, grouchy in your face type. Looked like she really didn't like her job, no positive interactions with the kids at all. She acted like she hated her job, and didn't like kids at all. Granted we all tend to get a little shorter on patience as year end draws closer, but this was more than that.
When I initially was thinking about what makes me good at my job, I had thought it was school make up, the majority of kids at my school have involved parents, don't want to go to the office or have mom called about behavior, that their fear of getting in trouble was my leverage. And in a small way that may help. But when I went to the cafeteria that was out of control and had some positive interaction with kids that didn't know me at all, I saw the kids respond. Light bulb moment for me, I realized that it is my willingness to interact with the kids in a positive manner. To talk to them, rather than yell at them. To listen to their stories, get on their level, receive their hugs, high fives and silly jokes like it's the first time I've ever heard it. To correct their poor choices, and offer them a clean slate the next day. Do I get along with all the kids? Honestly no, there are some that rub me the wrong way, but I'd like to think that they can't tell it. Guess to sum it up, I try to treat them like my own kids, and I know I'm doing my job right, when they see me out and about after school hours and they approach me wanting to say hi, talk or even give me a hug. It may not be the most glamorous job in the world, one that people look down on, but I really do love my job.

Living He loved me...

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

Thankful

I'm glad God gives us instincts that just kick in when you need them. No thought needed, adrenalin hits you and you just do what needs to be done. Had just that kind of moment Friday.
My favorite part of my job is being out in the dining room with my kids. Yes, for about 20 minutes everyday, each one of those kids are mine. I was there Friday watching kids, making sure they do what they are supposed to, and not what they aren't. We were having cheese filled breaksticks. Soft bread wrapped around mozzarella cheese. Kids were eating, talking doing just what they should. Next thing I know I have Jeremiah near me, and he is choking. I yell for Lisa, my boss, as she heads my way, I grab him around his middle and give him a couple of thrusts under his rib cage to get the breadstick unstuck. Thankfully it came out and he was ok, little sore he said but ok. Good thing, as Jeremiah is one of my favorites. Sometimes he doesn't make the best choices, but neither do I. Cool thing is, God gives us a second chance, time and time again.

The secreatary went to check on Jeremiah in the nurses office, she asked him how he was, he said he was ok, and "Thank God I didn't choke to death, and thank God for Mrs. Yontz." I thank God for you Jeremiah!

Things that fill my Joy bucket

Watching my kids get along and love each other

First really warm day after winter

Cool breeze on a warm day

Smell of fresh mown hay

Calves running and kicking up their heels in the pasture after being cooped up

Being with my family at a livestock show, working and playing together

Chinese fire drills, getting back in the van with everyone laughing so hard

My PV kids finding me out in public, and stopping to give me a hug or a high five

Music, music and more music

Good sermon on Sunday morning

Leaving an unexpected gift for someone on their doorstep

Watching my kids share their gift of music, on the field and in the concert hall

Baby pigs

Sunshine, blue skies fluffy white clouds

Cut flowers on my table

Quiet time with a good book, and the Good Book

First time in spring driving with the windows down

The words I love you spoken from my loved ones

Hugs

God's still, small voice

The smell of rain in the distance

Thunderstorms

Winter wheat showing signs of life in the spring, greenest thing around that time of year

Eating supper together as a family

One more PET peeve

One of my friends on FB is getting a puppy. Great, they are responsible pet owners who adore their dogs. One of the responses to her post about the puppy someone asked if they were going to keep it intact, (it is male) the poster wanted to know this because "We want to let Maycei have a litter of puppies for our kids to learn from.."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Let's bring a litter of puppies into the world so our kids can see the miracle of birth? Try a book, a video, oh here's an idea, TALK TO THEM! Shoot, want to watch a live birth, both our county fair and state fair can provide that opportunity, or give me a call I have cows that will calve the months of April and May, come watch with no cost to anyone. But for crying out loud, don't bring more unwanted dogs and cats in to the world.
There are so many times that people dump their animals on our farm, 8 kittens alone within the last year, I get asked all the time if we "need" more cats. NO I don't need or WANT to take your problem off your hands, YOU take them to the shelter and explain to YOUR kids what likely will happen to them there.
We have adopted one dog from the shelter, Elizabeth worked odd jobs during a Christmas break about 5 years ago to earn the money to get Scooter. We have another dog we got from a guy that had a litter, and the third, which I didn't want was dumped here about 3 years ago, big Rotti, that is the sweetest dog. Tried for a couple of months to find her owner, then didn't have the heart to take her to the shelter where I knew she would last 3 days max and that's it.
The best lesson that guy could teach his kids, is to be a responsible pet owner, not one that breeds a dog because they can. Take those kids to a shelter, let them volunteer their time, far bigger lesson to be learned there anyway.

Pet Peeves today, Blessings to come...

Music that auto plays when you visit a blog. if I wanted to listen to music, I'd listen to MY music.

Drywall dust, was sanding the first coat today, and that stuff gets EVERYWHERE!!

Kids that whine when you ask them to do something.

People that take up two parking spots, even when there is no snow on the lot and you can SEE the lines.

50 items in the speedy checkout

The name speedy checkout, seriously??

Parking your cart in the middle of the aisle way blocking all who wish to enter to shop rather than have a family reunion (can you tell I was at wally world today??)

Kids dropping a wrapper on the floor rather than actually taking it TO the trash can

Bread crumbs in the Miracle Whip

4 hour drive to Bloomington, can we just cut out a chunk of IN, and shorten the drive?? How about the part between Wabash and Elwood??

Snow, I'm so over it by now

Leaving something out on the counter, could we just put it away when we are done??

Laundry, piles and piles of laundry, might be the only draw for me to a nudist camp....

not enough time to study my Bible....

Speed limit signs are there for a reason, the least a person could do is reach it, 10 under really gets me

warming up the van, did I mention I don't like the cold either???

DVD's in the wrong case

DVD's not IN the case

Life changing moments

God's timing is so perfect, it never ceases to amaze me. 18 years ago, dear friends of mine left our church to start a church for the unchurched, those people that either didn't grow up in the church or had been burned in "traditional" church. We didn't make that move with them, even though they were dear friends. Life happened, and 18 years later we have reconnected.
They are about as real as it gets, and have helped my faith grow tremendously, and helped me discover a spiritual gift I didn't know I had been given.
This all leads to the opportunity for my girls to go on a youth retreat.
They went up to Mears MI for Winter blast. I pushed two of them to go, Sara wanted to go without hesitation. They came back tired, had a fun time. But best of all, they all answered God's call on their life and made the commitment to follow Him. Love love LOVE it, and LOVE them.
It isn't the easy path, but it is the one most worth it.

Enough

It is time to stop blaming others. It is time to stop the hate. This isn't about liberals or conservatives, tea parties, Palin or Beck to blame anyone other than the shooter is to cheapen the whole ordeal. Those that lost their lives deserve better. It is a crazy hate filled lunatic and it is about innocent people. It is time to pull together and be decent humans, to those that have differing opinions, to those that look different, think differently, live differently.

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." Rom 3:23

Believe and be satisfied

Found this poem while poking around the internet. Poems aren't usually my thing, and while this one kind of speaks more to someone single, it speaks to me. It is where I am, what I'm striving for, and will make all other relationships better.

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone.
To have a deep soul relationship with another.
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively.
BUT, God to the Christian says " NO"
Not until you're satisfied and fulfilled
and content with living loved by Me alone and
giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me.
To have an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone.
I love you My Child and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,
You will not be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you.
You will NEVER be united with another until you are united with me -
exclusive of anyone, or anything else.
I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and just allow Me to give you
the most thrilling plan existing, one you cannot imagine.
I want you to have the best.
Please allow me to bring it to you.
You just keep watching me, expecting me, expecting the greatest things.
Be content in the satisfaction of knowing I AM.
Please don't be anxious and worry.
Don't look around at the things other have that I've given them.
Just keep looking only to me, or you'll miss what I have to show you.
And then when you're ready I'll surprise you -
With a love far more wonderful then you would ever dream.
You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready...
I am working at this very minute minute to see that both of you are ready at the same time.
And until you are both satisfied with Me and the life I've prepared for both of you,
You won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me-
And this is PERFECT LOVE. And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love.
and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union
of beauty and perfection and love I offer you with myself.
Know that I love you.
For I am the God almighty Believe and be satisfied.

New Year, new start

New Year means new start. Maybe writing my goals here will keep me motivated to get them accomplished. One can always hope...
I want make improvements inside and out around the house, take care of things that have been left undone while raising 5 kids. That is already in motion with insulation and drywall hung in a room downstairs that will be our bedroom, hall way carpet has been ripped out and will be replaced, walls in said hallway have a fresh coat of paint, and the bathroom is almost done with a coat of paint, just need flooring. We will keep plugging away to make headway and hopefully be ready to work on the outside when the weather gets nice.
On a personal level, there is always the lose weight resolution, and that would apply to me as well. But maybe more important than that to me is I want to be better. A better wife, mom, daughter, friend, and most of all a better Christian. I want my faith to grow, to discover more of the gifts God has given me and to develop them to their fullest.
2010 wasn't a bad year, but I'm hoping 2011 is even better.
Happy New Year to all!!