Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime. Laura Ingalls Wilder What is the true meaning of Christmas? Is it found in presents nestled under the tree? Or perhaps it’s in the moments that are waiting for me. It was to be our first Christmas together as husband and wife. I had the house decorated and the outside porch covered […]
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Ahead of schedule, I strapped Eva into her car seat and put her diaper bag in the front seat. With only the beanie weenies left to grab, I locked up and headed to her preschool. I had placed the crockpot on the car’s floorboard so it would have a level place to travel. When I taught fitness classes, we enjoyed seasonal potlucks—the time spent getting to know them solidified lifelong friendships even after we moved away. Approaching Eva’s preschool, I […]
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It was a day made for jumping in the leaves. Gigantic golden, brown, red, and burnt orange leaves covered our yard. “Everyone, grab a rake!” I yelled from the shop while gathering our tools. Eva had a friend over from school. They were excited to take part in raking as many leaves as possible. I kept them busy pushing the leaves to them. Charlotte was entertained by her pink dump drunk and little shovel for loading rocks. Penny and Lola […]
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Making apple butter with apples from the local orchard is a highlight that comes with the Autumn foliage. The cramp between the thumb and forefinger is a pleasant reminder of each apple peeled, cored, and diced for the buttery apple goodness. Apple butter would only happen with everyone’s participation. I find myself in eighteen activities, all of which have nothing to do with preserves but everything to do with running a household. Seeing my family chase charlotte and help peel […]
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A pioneering spirit rests in all who dare to stake their claim in the Midwest. Pierre, South Dakota, positioned in the middle of the state, has a population of about 14,000 people. It is cowboy country, farm country. Corn doesn’t come from the freezer section of the grocery store. It “grows” on for miles, out in the Midwest, in rows of sweet, crunchy goodness that must be planted, harvested, and preserved for the consumer to purchase- then it arrives in […]
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“None of the Anakim (giants) were left in the land of the children of Israel. They remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.” Joshua 11:22 Joshua’s orders were directly from God, delivered by Moses. He was told to utterly destroy all the land’s inhabitants and take the spoils (Joshua Chapter Eleven). Yet, here we see that he let some giants remain. Wait a minute? I thought Moses told him to destroy them utterly. When standing at crossroads, one […]
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Eva wanted a sister before her little mind could even comprehend that. She would follow me around the house at three years old and ask when she was getting a baby sister. Honestly, I questioned it myself. What was taking so long? Why were there complications? In the Bible, God said this walk of faith would be a fight but that it would be a GOOD fight (1 Timothy 6:12)! Just because we hit barriers or limitations, remember – God […]
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My sister, Brittney, and her husband, Kyle, readied the house, the kids, and themselves for a date night out. Much needed time away-just the two of them for dinner. When they had finished their meal and were getting back into their car, heading for home, Brittney slammed the door and said, “Thank the Lord that’s over! I do not have to do that again for another week!” My sister had me in stitches as she retold the evening to me. […]
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He needs no introduction. His teaching, wisdom, and knowledge are without exception, of course, I may be a tad prejudice since he is my dad (wink). I am blessed to have a father that speaks truth into my life. I hope you enjoy this weeks post from my father, Jim Stockdale. If I Were The Devil If I were the devil and wanted to steal The soul of a country I’d make them a deal I’d promise them wealth beyond […]
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Growing up on Dry Run Road, in Pierre, South Dakota was just like the scene in the movie The Little Rascals from 1994. All the little guys line up to buy lumber for their new clubhouse. Each has brought his wagon, wheelbarrow, or bucket for loading all the wood. Spanky, the club leader, lays a handful of coins on the counter at the lumber yard and tells the man, “Give us all the wood you can for this much, please.” […]
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