For the past two weeks, I have been scurrying with several projects in my life. Hence the hiatus here on the blog. But, lest you think that I have died, today brings a brief respite and the opportunity to share some random, if disconnected items.
As the Business Manager at our car dealership, I have been chosen to be the contact person for the Cash For Clunkers government program. Under this initiative, we have sold 10 new vehicles, removed 10 "clunkers" from the road, and buried ourselves in mounds of paperwork. After one month of involvement (our first deal was done on July 25), we have yet to receive our first payment of the promised $3500/4500 for each deal consummated. (Today there is a rumor that at least half of the 625,000 deals done in the country will be reimbursed by the end of September!)
I have refrained from getting political in this blog. But I have to say that if the management of this government program is any indication, a government-managed healthcare program would be a disaster. Yet, I am afraid that in the present situation, doing nothing would even be more catastrophic.
Item #2: We are getting VERY EXCITED about our impending move to the country. We are in the process of moving smaller items each day as we travel to Shack Too. However, the BIG MOVE will take place this coming Saturday. Several relatives and friends have volunteered to assist us in the transfer of the larger furniture that day, and we anticipate sleeping in our new home for the first time that evening. The cleaning, fixing and painting are moving ahead on schedule. We look forward to being neighbors to our new landlords who have been wonderful in preparing the place for our impending occupation.
As we have had the opportunity to visit and work out there, we have been deeply touched and moved by the peace and quiet. It takes but a few moments to become aware of the awesome presence of God all around. Stay tuned for pictures after we are settled in.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
God's Timing
Last evening we spent time at Shack Too working alongside Kevin and Hallie, our new landlords. We were cleaning, stripping wallpaper from the bathroom walls, and preparing the house for painting. It was a thrilling, albeit tiring evening.
Over the last week, My Love has also been busy following up on the local radio station's Swap Shop, a daily listing of items people are offering for sale. We have been fortunate enough to purchase 2 like-new refrigerators, 1 freezer, plus matching Maytag washer and dryer. We are nearly prepared, as far as appliances are concerned, for our relocation. Only an electric stove is still needed.
The excitement of getting things ready for this move has truly taken hold of both of us. Somehow the timing is right. One year ago, when we arrived here in Iowa, we had neither the desire nor the energy to undertake such a rental location with a yard and all its upkeep. Now it is exciting to be enthused about the possibilities of our little paradise in the country. Truly, God's timing is everything. As one of my friends was accustomed to say: "God is never in a hurry. But He is also never late." We are witness to the truth of that statement. With grateful hearts.
Over the last week, My Love has also been busy following up on the local radio station's Swap Shop, a daily listing of items people are offering for sale. We have been fortunate enough to purchase 2 like-new refrigerators, 1 freezer, plus matching Maytag washer and dryer. We are nearly prepared, as far as appliances are concerned, for our relocation. Only an electric stove is still needed.
The excitement of getting things ready for this move has truly taken hold of both of us. Somehow the timing is right. One year ago, when we arrived here in Iowa, we had neither the desire nor the energy to undertake such a rental location with a yard and all its upkeep. Now it is exciting to be enthused about the possibilities of our little paradise in the country. Truly, God's timing is everything. As one of my friends was accustomed to say: "God is never in a hurry. But He is also never late." We are witness to the truth of that statement. With grateful hearts.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Spirit Grazing
Each day going to and from work, I pass by a small pasture populated with three beautiful riding horses. They move easily from one end of the field to the other, eating their fill of the lush grass which this cool, wet summer has produced. I have never seen anyone attending to them, or riding them, yet they seem content.
Yesterday as I passed by, I reflected on their typical day. They go from one end of the field to the other, not by a decision to journey that set distance, but by nibbling one bunch of grass after another. This process is called grazing. They meander from this luscious mouthful of grass to the next one, then to the next one until lo and behold, here they are at the opposite side of the field.
How like our journey with the Lord. We respond to the Spirit today, in this situation. That leads us to tomorrow where we again respond to the Spirit in the circumstances of that day. As all the tomorrows pass from todays into yesterdays, we awaken at some point to the realization that we are now at a place that we would never have chosen if it had been presented to us in the beginning. Our grazing in the Spirit takes us to new lands, new relationships, new realities which are more blessed and more wonderful than anything that we could have planned for ourselves.
As I have listened to our friends, Gail and Marilyn, as they have been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, I have heard them say that when they spoke their vows to each other 50 years ago, they never imagined that it would bring them to their present reality. They did not choose their present situation 50 years ago, but rather they grazed with the Spirit down through the years. Now they awaken to find themselves in the loving arms of God as they are in the loving arms of each other.
So, graze on, my friends. Know that God will surprise you by taking you on a path unknown to you. A blessed path.
Yesterday as I passed by, I reflected on their typical day. They go from one end of the field to the other, not by a decision to journey that set distance, but by nibbling one bunch of grass after another. This process is called grazing. They meander from this luscious mouthful of grass to the next one, then to the next one until lo and behold, here they are at the opposite side of the field.
How like our journey with the Lord. We respond to the Spirit today, in this situation. That leads us to tomorrow where we again respond to the Spirit in the circumstances of that day. As all the tomorrows pass from todays into yesterdays, we awaken at some point to the realization that we are now at a place that we would never have chosen if it had been presented to us in the beginning. Our grazing in the Spirit takes us to new lands, new relationships, new realities which are more blessed and more wonderful than anything that we could have planned for ourselves.
As I have listened to our friends, Gail and Marilyn, as they have been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, I have heard them say that when they spoke their vows to each other 50 years ago, they never imagined that it would bring them to their present reality. They did not choose their present situation 50 years ago, but rather they grazed with the Spirit down through the years. Now they awaken to find themselves in the loving arms of God as they are in the loving arms of each other.
So, graze on, my friends. Know that God will surprise you by taking you on a path unknown to you. A blessed path.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Shack Too
Last evening we were presented with the opportunity to view our own little piece of paradise. Shack Too is a small home located on about three acres of land overlooking the Little Sioux river four miles northeast of Cherokee. Nearly two acres are wooded, providing us with ample opportunities for wildlife, including various bird species, deer and coyotes. Hiking in the area will definitely be a possibility.
The owners, Kevin and Hallie, are as excited to rent to us as we are to be their neighbors across the road. They are a working couple who share a love and commitment to rodeo. She is the secretary for the Bull Riders Association and Kevin is a judge of bull riding events. This interest takes them on many travels around the country where they can also watch their son, Alan, who is a rodeo clown.
Since we are required to give a 30-day notice to our present landlord (which we have done!), we will be assisting Kevin and Hallie the next few weeks to clean, paint and get Shack Too ready. We hope to move in before the end of the month.
So why Shack Too? Because we expect to find God there also in even more ways than we already have. We believe that this location is a gift from a loving God who is drawing us out there to reveal to us even more God's care for us. We are looking forward with great excitement and anticipation to this new venture on the journey to the Kingdom. Stay tuned.
The owners, Kevin and Hallie, are as excited to rent to us as we are to be their neighbors across the road. They are a working couple who share a love and commitment to rodeo. She is the secretary for the Bull Riders Association and Kevin is a judge of bull riding events. This interest takes them on many travels around the country where they can also watch their son, Alan, who is a rodeo clown.
Since we are required to give a 30-day notice to our present landlord (which we have done!), we will be assisting Kevin and Hallie the next few weeks to clean, paint and get Shack Too ready. We hope to move in before the end of the month.
So why Shack Too? Because we expect to find God there also in even more ways than we already have. We believe that this location is a gift from a loving God who is drawing us out there to reveal to us even more God's care for us. We are looking forward with great excitement and anticipation to this new venture on the journey to the Kingdom. Stay tuned.
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