This Is Only A Test

Most people don't like tests. A test is a way of discovering what someone knows. A test can measure the genuineness of a product. A test can build character. Friday was a snow day. No school. No spelling or math test. So thanks to Jan's suggestion I asked the grandkids that were hanging out if they would help scoop sidewalks. They passed with flying colors being willing, and working hard.

Remember looking back on our own growing up years and thinking we were deprived of all the things our own children grew up with? Well, maybe I wasn't quite as deprived as I remember. Apparently I had a swing set. A taller friend or cousin (I think cousin Dan from my mother's side). And a ball glove, although by the looks of the glove it's obvious why I wasn't any good at catching. Seriously, over the past 55 years since I wonder how often I have recognized or missed, passed or failed, life's tests.

Another definition of a test is taking measures to check the quality, performance, and reliability of something or someone. As you can see in the background the barn roof at BJs did not pass the snow load test.

I'm sure most of you are aware of our Amish neighbors a county or two south and many of you even do business with them as far as furniture, cupboards, baked goods, plants, wood stoves, etc. They have Sunday services and a meal in each others homes. Well, also south of us are our Mennonite friends. They worship in church buildings. One of the more recognized businesses would be Claire's Dutchmans store in Cantril.  

Jan and I braved slick roads on Tuesday and drove south to do a little shopping with Mennonite families in and near Rutledge, Mo.

We picked up some of our favorite meat and cheese items at a locker near the busy double railroad tracks.

While I had coffee with the locals Jan checked out the fabric department in downtown Rutledge.

Ice fishing was another popular event this week on our pond. Because of a snow day on Friday several grandkids were around to watch their cousin John fish.

Jackson had some success fishing with Uncle Mike.

On Thursday we met for lunch at the office with Brent, Jim, and Russ while we purchased our crop herbicides for the coming year. Thanks guys. Early Friday morning Jan came to the office with scrambled eggs, biscuits, and a breakfast dish she put together from our Rutledge shopping. Then on Friday noon Mike cooked up a batch of fish including blue gill, crappie, walleye, and northerns. He also had a delicious batch of potatoes and veggies going on a propane fire.  

Jan brought out a chicken dish and baked an apple pie.

Jan also made some snow ice cream using cream, sugar, vanilla, and snow. It was a big hit on warm apple pie after our delicious deep fat fried fish. A great way to spend a snow day. 

Mike went out yesterday to test how much frost was under the snow. Only finding around three inches he went ahead and built his brother a terrace.

We had our share of truck troubles this past fall. One of our favorites is Flames, a truck BJ and Mark purchased probably 20 years ago. With 1.8 million miles on it, it's not a truck one can stick a bunch of money in. So BJ and his boys are working on it themselves hoping to revive it one more time.

Mark had a dump trailer that he pulled with his semi. However there were many times when pulling it with a tractor would be much more practical than a truck. So he purchased and mounted a set of dolleys and a hitch on the front fifth wheel. Thanks for the picture Mark.

 Another test to mention. Being generous. In Malachi 3:10 the Lord says, "Test me in this and see if I won't throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it". Most folks think after your blessed, you give. That's backwards. This text says, pass the test of giving, and you will be blessed. I'm not talking about a health and wealth gospel. I'm talking about a selfless and giving heart.

We've all heard the beep, beep, beep from the EBS on the radio, followed by instructions on what to do in case of an actual emergency. Then the announcement ends with, "This is only a test". All of our lives here on earth are a test. The actual emergency is the end of our life here.  It's a test we can't pass. It's a test Jesus took and passed. And he offers the passing grade to us as a gift. There's two things we need to do. We need to say yes and accept His gift (Love the Lord your God). And we need to say thank you by living a selfless and giving life here (Love your neighbor). You don't need religion. You just need a relationship. Thanks for stopping by.