Go Dog Go

Our past week was full of actions and interactions as I'm sure yours was as well. It started with grandkids, hosting a governor candidate, hauling grain, tiling, dozing, and hospital visits. It ended with getting ready for a Thanksgiving snow storm and looking forward to our final goal of the week, a family Thanksgiving get-together. Tatum is comfortable on Grandma's lap reading Go Dog Go. Grandma can make the story come alive.

Go Dog Go is a 1961 children's book that describes the actions and interactions of a group of dogs. They work, play, travel in cars, go up, go down, try to gain approval of a hat, and look forward to a final goal, a dog get-together in a tree. Our family's book must must be at least 40 yrs old. Anyone else remember reading kids and grandkids this book?

Our corn merchant texted Friday asking if there was a way we could deliver corn ahead of the coming bad weather. Kasey and I were able to get in 10 loads.

Thanks for the picture John. The tiling crew was working on pattern tiling a Skunk River bottom. BJ spent two early mornings designing the job on his laptop in the office. Making sure the tile drains downhill on flat land has been made possible thanks to technology and satellites.

BJ and Mike both put in long hours trying to stay ahead of winter. Mike was cleaning a 3/4 mile dike on a different Skunk River bottom. Technology helps with both steering and grade at night. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Mom spent a couple of nights in the hospital this past week. In her day she quietly and willingly prepared and hosted more family and holiday get-togethers than most remember. And often times with her own 6 children including Dan, a special needs, a house full of foster kids, and aging parents and aunts living in her home. She has dementia so she can't remember a conversation more than two minutes. She can however remember the "old days". When I was little our family moved 6 times in 12 years. Mom took it all in stride, making the most of the moment.

Both my parents were first generation kids born in America. We were raised in a conservative home and church, even hearing an occasional Dutch conversation with a roomful of cigar smoke. However there was something in our family that didn't quite seem to fit our upbringing. Our homes were always full of music, even southern gospel music, when we were just going from singing Psalms to hymns at church. So a week ago I asked Mom about how this came to be. She actually thought awhile and then said, "I think it was at family get-togethers at the Amsterdam School house". I realize she is forgetful. But that's her story and I'm sticking to it. 😊

Yep, we got our first winter storm Saturday. Several inches of very wet snow.

With a large family it's about impossible to get everyone together on an actual holiday. However most made it. Four generations enjoyed turkey, hamballs, beef brisket, and all the appetizers, potatoes, vegetables, salads, rolls, and desserts that go with a Thanksgiving meal. Thanks Jan and gals.

 After dinner we looked over some of the kids' old guns. The guys set up the annual Annie-Oakley clay shooting match. We had a large fire so folks could warm up.

In Matthew 19 Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children". Jesus was reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant. Especially this past year, children, in their weakness and vulnerability have a lot to teach me about trust. I see a significant amount of callous hearts in the hardness of our current culture. Thanks for the picture.

Our identity as a child of God means that we are in His hands and His care. And fully trust in His plan for our lives. Just like Tatum fully trusts Grandma to guide him when she babysits, and read to him Go Dog Go. Sorry for the longer visit this morning. Blessings.