Unexpected

Twenty years ago Jan started using Mondays to take care of her "kinskinner"(Amish for grandchildren). Over the years there were Mondays she had over a dozen little helpers. Today during the school year she is down to just Brynn (Karl and Kristin) and Lane (Kurt and Emily). Thanks for the picture Jan.

The unexpected part of grandchildren is they grow up. 😊 Cody (Mike and Suzanne) is a sophomore at Dordt University where he plays football as well as participating on the cheer team. He has a really neat girlfriend Tori from Mitchell,  South Dakota. Thanks for the picture.

During the winter months the more you put into something, the less often unexpected breakdowns happen, and the more productive you are during crunch time. This past week we lifted the skidloader cab and replaced some worn hydraulic hoses.

Kasey was part of our crew for a number of years. When he started a family he found a job with steadier hours. Then in the past year he and Sydnie purchased their own truck. Kasey is a hard worker and a young man who is an asset in our community. If you need anything hauled give him a call. Thanks for the picture.

In the seasons of life when the expected turns to the unexpected, and you're in a rut, you have three options: You can shift to park, and consider yourself a victim. You can shift to 4-wheel drive and try harder. Or like my friend Phil says, you can go to your toolbox, pull out a logchain, and ask for a pull. 

For the last couple of years we have been visited by some unexpected guests. Trumpeter swans land in our pond for just a day or so in late February or early March.

Jan and I took some time off and drove to Arizona for a long week. To spend time together. To visit friends. And to recharge for our upcoming year. For many folks in our country 2020 was a year of fear and uncertainty. 2021 was a year of attempted fascism. 2022 was a year of lies. 2023 will be the year of the unexpected.

Over the last ten days our community has lost five folks unexpectedly. I knew three of the families. And was a neighbor and did business with Steve. Steve, his wife Kathy, and his four sister-in-laws owned and operated DRS Transport. Early on DRS drove six T800 Kenworths. Our family purchased four of the six as Steve and the girls pulled them off the road for new ones. We promise Kathy, her sisters, and their families our prayers as they grieve and cope.

Our world has had a rash of unexpecteds recently. To date 46,000 lives lost to an earthquake in Turkey. Ukraine, however no pictures like past conflicts. A 10-30% rise in working age deaths compared to pre-covid. Flying overhead balloons. Train derailments. Oil pipeline explosions. Extra corruption in politics. 

However the darker things are, the brighter the light shines. We've previously visited about God's name being brought up twice already this year in the NFL. Also about the Asbury Revival in Kentucky. The Jesus revolution movie. Below young folks at The Awaken Conference at The Bridge Church in Ottumwa are raising praise to God. I wish you could hear the audio. Some of these kids from Illinois are staying in our cabin this weekend. What a joy to watch the next generation lift their hands and voices to their Lord. Thanks for the picture Marty.

Do you know what else is unexpecting? God already knows all the details of your and my coming year. And is waiting not only to help our efforts, but to bless them. And as the dark gets darker, and the bright gets brighter, there is less and less gray area to hide. We will be made to choose whether to deny Him, or embrace Him. Blessings. More about Arizona next week.