These Tears I've Wept

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

A year ago, I didn't know Terri.

I didn't know her son, Trent.

I didn't know she lived on a critter-laden farm,  

Our Crazy Farm, 

in northwest Wisconsin, 

with her five children, 

and hard-working cheesemaker husband, Rob.

I didn't know that on February 18th of 2011, her life would change forever.

And so would mine...

As a mother, reading Terri's account of Trent's accident, I cringed...and cried.

It was hard to realize that even with all the protection we give our children, bottom line...

...they are in God's all-knowing, all-loving hands.

We can show them how to make their way in the world.

We can always have them by our side.

But we can't control when they will leave this world.

When God will call them home.

We may never see them mature into adults.

And for this fact, I wept.

But I'm not weeping for Trent, I'm weeping for those left behind.

For Trent is seated with Jesus in heavenly places.   

We know this how?

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."

John 6:47

Young Trent believed in God.

Terri wrote this passage just days after Trent's passing:

On Friday February 18, 2011, 
we said goodbye to our son as he left for a skiing trip with his friends. 
God says he knows the number of our days, 
that He has created each one, 
and that He will do what He pleases. 
Trent struggled with his own sinfulness before God for most of his life. 
He knew that he was not right before God, 
and nothing he could do would ever make up for the sins he committed 
to make him worthy to enter heaven. 
In the summer of 2010 God graciously chose to bring salvation to Trent through repentance 
and the saving grace of Christ Jesus. 
Trent's life was transformed and we enjoyed the young fruit in his life as we watched God work. 

What about you dear readers?

Do you have sons, daughters, grandchildren, foster children, neighbor kids,
who don't know Jesus?

If they were to have their life extinguished,
or if Jesus returned,
where would they spend eternity?

Would you be able to say what Terri said upon Trent's death?

"It is with great rejoicing that we release our son, 
Trent, 
age 12, 
to our Heavenly Father. 

Dance before your King my son."

If you wonder where the depth of that faith is rooted, please follow the story.

Terri's story.

How My Savior Leads Me.


It will truly change your life, and possibly your life's path, as it did for me.

You can go here:  How My Savior Leads Me  (Click on title)

It is a walk of faith and reassurance.

And pain.

For who wouldn't mourn the loss of such a special young man.

Trent Stellrecht

brother to Alexis, Cole, Grace and Micah
Son of amazing Godly parents,
Terri and Rob

Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their journey through life,
knowing one day they will be reunited with Trent,
and also be seated in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:6
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms
in Christ Jesus..."

Until tomorrow dear friends, God willing.

Be Still and Know...

I haven't quite been able to put my finger on it.

The fact that I feel so...unproductive.

Perhaps it's because I follow so many amazing Blogs, where folks are doing so much.

Canning and such...

Baking goodies which we find on our "40"...

Or folks who travel across country on horses, and Bella the dog.
For the last 18 months.
Richard and Jeannette from Hearts Up Ranch.

And so much more...

But now, I think I know.  

This "abiding in Christ" business is hard work,
especially if you are trying to overcome a life of busy, never ceasing tasks.

And I see I'm not the only one doing it...abiding.

While reading my prayer partner Terri's Blog, from Our Crazy Farm,
my mind immediately pictured our horse, Raz.

Raz is 1/2 Mustang and 1/2 Thoroughbred.
Born on our friend's farm. 

Who came to us years ago,
untrained and young,
who has become a treasured team mate on our farm.
Both in the saddle and in harness.

He's big...

And he's a gentle soul, guided daily by another gentle soul.

He abides. 

He's totally "in the moment".

He listens to commands.

Gee.  Haw.  Back...back...back.  Over.  Ahead.  On bye.

 He is obedient and faithful.  Trusting in his master. 

Trusting his master will never ask more than what he is capable.

And teach him with baby steps.  Slow and easy.

Where some of us, me included, are on the run.
We think our way is the best way, the only way, and scurry about,
trying to make things right. 

On our own.

It's truly time to slow down.

Exhale.

And, as they say in the horse world, lick and chew, which means you are totally relaxed.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10

Until tomorrow, abiding, God willing.

To Him be the Glory

I love finding new sources of Godly inspiration.

Especially when they are such a visual.  

A true feast of delight, 

for eyes and ears.

Such is Ann Voskamp.

You will need to turn off the soothing music I have provided on Playlist, to your right.

Ann is a farmer's wife, 

which makes her a farmer too, 

because we farmers know, 

it takes a family to make it happen.

Her husband, whom she married at age 16, farms 600+ hogs on Ontario land.  

We farm 2...

Ann is busy with homeschooling six children.

And writing an incredible Blog that will take you on a daily journey of grace.

Grab a cup of your favorite soothing drink, and find out more about Ann (without an e).

In addition to my new stop at "Ann's place", 

my daily journey takes me to one of my favorite Blogs, 

written by a kindred spirit,

Terri.

Terri is also a farmer, married to a cheesemaker, in the dairy state of Wisconsin.

She, too, homeschools her dear, sweet children.  

Their family is full and bustling with horses, pigs, goats, cows, chickens...and more.

The children...

Alexis, Cole, Grace and Micah.

And Trent, who has gone to be with the Lord.

The loss of a 12-year old boy, who loved life, is teaching others what it is to gain.

To gain a loving, trusting, all-encompassing relationship with Christ Jesus.

Terri tells us the story, giving Him the glory.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 

Amen. 

2 Peter 3:18

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Trent's Legacy - A Fisher of Men

Late at night, I like to check out the Blogs I follow. 

They are good folks, who farm, who love the Lord.

Reading their Blogs, and seeing their farming lives and animals, 

makes me feel like I'm on track.

Late in February,

I clicked on Terri's Blog "Our Crazy Farm" and let out a late-night gasp.

It was titled "A New Home".

Terri's 12-year old son, Trent, was killed while attending a youth group ski outing.

Terri didn't miss a beat. 

She wrote her Blog, as she would any other day,

and outlined Trent's "new home" ~ Heaven.

It caught me so off guard. 

I was used to seeing baby goats, or children riding ponies, or the latest canning project. 

But this?  I was frozen on the page.

As condolences poured in, Terri wrote: 

"Know that God's plans and God's grace are greater than ours. We have been rejoicing since Friday for the good work that God has done! We have prayed for over 12 years for Trent to go to heaven one day and to be used by God in a mighty way~ and God has honored that.

Who are we to complain when and how??"

As the days unfolded, I followed Terri's Blog.  I have to admit, it wasn't easy at times.  Seeing the beautiful pictures of a boy I had not even met, made my heart heavy with sorrow.  But I kept coming back...

Why?  Because what I found wasn't what one would expect. 

There was no pity, no blame, no hate at the world for what happened. 

Quite the opposite.

I found grace.

I found the love of God.

I found a mother, who lost her son, but understood that loss in an intimate way.

It's been over a month, and I've continued to follow "Our Crazy Farm".

Tonight, I felt the need to share, as did other Bloggers,

due to the words Terri had flow from her heart to hand. 

I've never met Terri, but feel she is filled with an amazing love and understanding of the Lord's plan. 

A plan that is available to all, just for the asking.

Today, she writes this.  Click it here.

I hope the Lord continues to bless her with understanding, healing and faith,

and the ability to witness to His word and promises. 

Until tomorrow, God willing.