Tabula Rasa (Blank Slate)

The weeks seem to fly by, don’t they friends?

Thanksgiving is behind us, and the Holy Season awaits.  While joyfully preparing a favorite dish for Thanksgiving dinner, I had my youngest son, Mark, in mind.  I knew he enjoyed it, and would be thankful upon seeing it on the bountiful table.  Just think – Jesus told us He would go and prepare a place for us!  He is making a place that will encompass all we adore!    John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Lately, my focus has been on laying up meat for our 15 sled dogs, which requires trips via truck to nearby smokehouses and processors for their prime give-a-ways.  Today was such a trip.  This has been the routine for the last decade, and our thankfulness for these folks can’t begin to be verbalized.  Now, with the end of the rifle (deer) season, our trips will be less and less.  We also butchered our final hog, with processing day looming. 

I’ve dragged our dog sled out in the drive by the cabin, but have yet to hook up dogs.  This year, we are officially “retired” from providing rides to the public and it feels heavenly to have a clear calendar around the Christmas holidays.  Until I know that snow hook will take hold, the sled will sit. 

Since our last season, we have said our last farewell to several dogs in our kennel due to age and/or infirmity.  They were born before 2000 - old dogs, with puppy hearts.  It is always difficult to see a dog reach the end of the trail.  It fills your head with all the glory they experienced as Champions on the race trail.  How ironic that these dogs have seen more wilderness throughout the Midwest and beyond than us, as their owners.  Two of the dogs, Windows and Ranger, were born at Arctic Wind Racing Kennel {Bob and Jan Shaw}.  And one, old-gal Union, originated from the Championship kennel of Andrew and Diane Cesario.  All leaders.  All amazing.  In the early 2000’s they reigned as true Champions on winning teams driven by winning mushers such as Frank Holmberg, and owners, Joann and Larry Fortier who had Windows and Ranger in their Coyote Run Kennel for the main portion of their life.  In their later years, upon coming to us, they ran tours with intense pride, enthusiasm and an air of professionalism.  Many know them.  Many will miss them, as will we.  It’s bittersweet to close the door to a piece of mushing history.  Rest in peace, sweet canine friends.

Black bonnets on Black Friday – what a special way to spend the day!  I headed out early in the morning from our small 40-acre farm to head south – to my favorite Amish community.  I picked up two young women and headed to several Amish-run businesses, via my small 4x4 truck.  As we traveled out into “the world”, how delightful to be with these beautiful young women who were Christ-filled and joyful.  They are like a clean slate – Tabula Rasa.  What a gift.  We had a wonderful time, visiting two more Amish communities and wrapping up the day at a Walmart and Subway.   One of the highlights was seeing adults and children alike from one Amish community head home from a ski/sledding adventure on a local hill, using the horse-drawn wagon to pull gloved skiers, grasping ropes trailing behind the trotting horse.  It truly brought a smile to my face.

I’ll be heading back to my favorite Amish community next week, once again.  This time to assist in canning beef and pork from their recent butcher day.  I’m truly counting the minutes until that adventure.

The rifle season ended without success.  However, we are in a county that has a “late anterless” season from 12/23/13 to January 1.  I may have venison burger yet, Lord willing. 

On a sweet note, our hen “Israel” just came off her broody session with two new chicks today.  This gal hatched 22 chicks for us this past summer.  (8 the first batch, and 14 the second)  That’s a lot of sitting time!  She’s out in our barn, away from the chicken coop.  For a moment Russ talked about bringing the trio in the cabin for the next few week.  I would have complied, but after thinking more about it, we know the chicks are warm huddled under Mama Israel, and she is a good Mama and will protect her young. 

I will leave you with a precious video from a dear friend, Homemaker Ang.   You won’t be sorry you took the time to view these beautiful, unique images.  I’ll write more next week about how ironic it is that us, Homemaker Ang and family, and Terri’s family (as written about HERE) are all on the same page.  What’s going on folks?  What are we getting “ready” for?

Until next time – Lord willing. 

Rejoice!  The King is on His way!

Sherry

Heading to the Island (Again)

October and May for me = Win-Some Women

I've been attending for over 13 years, and look forward to every trip.

And each trip is different, depending on who God chooses I attend with...

It's hard to believe that just a year ago, 

I was traveling with friend and fellow homesteader,  

Homemaker Ang  

to the beautiful 

Mackinac Island, 

and staying at the

Grand Hotel.

Arriving by carriage.

If you haven't been to Michigan's Mackinac Island,
pronounced Mack-in-nawww
the real treat is,
there are no vehicles.

 Only horses. 
And bikes.

My version of heaven...

You'll need to turn down the soothing music on Playlist, to your right.

And if you liked that, check out this 1944 clip~!

I can't wait to ride the amazing Shepler ferry

this coming week
and once again step foot,  

back in time.

And...more importantly,
see how the Holy Spirit will be working within the Win-Some Women gathering.

 And to see "J" again...and his smiling face and Jesus-filled heart!

It's always amazing to watch it unfold,
and feel our Heavenly Father at work within the hearts of many

...sometimes even before you even take your first step.

Until then dear friends, God willing.

A Win-Some Adventure

As the sun came up last Wednesday,

I knew it was going to be a special day.

It was going to be a day spent in child-like wonder.

Driving north, boarding a boat and heading to beautiful "horses only" Mackinac Island.

With a beautiful, Godly person, both inside and out. 

Homemaker Ang.

And my "mother-in-love" Sue, who loves the Lord with all her heart.

We saw and heard many beautiful songs and testimonies.

Fernando Ortega, Don Piper, Lauren Winner, Anne Beiler and more...

And reflected on our lives.

The Island will do that to you...

Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.  Isaiah 42:12

The Grand Hotel was the perfect place to do so.

Fellowship of like-minded "win-some" women.

Gourmet meals.

Sue is wearing her Ask Me About Jesus t-shirt, created by my son and his amazing cohorts.

Beautiful views.

Yes, time failed to stand still.

And it was soon time to shove off again and head for the main land.

And carry our memories home.

Back to a simpler, but no less beautiful, place.

For Ang, home is Maple Valley off-grid Farm.

 

Filled with family, hard work, and the love of Jesus.

Led by husband and father, the Gentle Giant.

Until next year...when I return to Win-Some Women again,

for my 13th year.

God willing.



Mackinac (Island) in da Moonlight

It's true.

I'm off from work the next couple days
for an amazing mini-vacation up north with a couple adventurous gals.

My Mother-in-Love, Sue.

And a "parallel friend" (aka Kindred Spirit...) Homemaker Ang.

As we head to Win-Some Women at the Grand Hotel.

We've got a date with the Holy Spirit!