Then And Now

Every August we get calls to mow CRP (Conversation Reserve Program) acres. This is usually marginal ground where a farmer is paid to sow down land for conversation and wildlife. Elliot mowed yesterday until a volunteer thorn tree caused a flat tractor tire.

                              

When I was a kid, we rode to school in a "panel". Neighborhood parents would take turns picking up and driving their children to and from school. The bench seats sat around the edge of the vehicle and we faced each other. Seat belts were unheard of. Nowadays these are called vans. Thanks for the picture.

When Jan was a kid, her family had a car and a truck. We just had a single car. Farmers didn't own or drive a pickup until the late 60s and early 70s. And then they were totally used for hauling or towing. Nowadays 80% of pickups are used for personal use only. Thanks for the picture.

During my teenage years my parents had 6 of their own children plus 3 foster kids. That would make 11 of us in just a 4-door car. The only time we all went together would be twice on Sunday to church, or a family reunion. Other large families had station wagons. Nowadays this would be called an SUV. Thanks for the picture.

I remember as a kid my Mom would take me to Dr Davis in New Sharon to get my neck or back straightened. Or Dr Phillips operated out of his home when we needed stitches. Or very occasionally, Carolina, a single Amish lady who lived on her brother's yard, and was a reflexologist. Nowadays our chiropractor makes house calls during the summer every other week. Then Jan feeds a large group of us lunch. This past Wednesday we had ham and cheese sauce over potatoes out of the garden along with home made rolls.

This summer battling racoons in the sweetcorn patch was the hardest it's been in years. Jan and Lane are doing one last batch out of corn from Karl and Kristin's patch. Sorry for my photo quality. Nowadays pictures are taken with our phones. I hope to find time to get a different cell phone this week.

Back in the old days family reunions were a big deal, both in numbers, and expected attendance. We still have family get-togethers nowadays. They are smaller, voluntary, depending on schedules, and more impromptu. Last Sunday evening, four generations of us sat around one table for Carson's birthday at BJ and Cassia's house.

Nowadays family get-togethers happen around freezing sweetcorn, or house calls from a chiropractor, or an impromptu birthday, or church. BJ and Cassia had 5 of their kids and spouses or significant others in church last Sunday for profession of faith. This morning Becky and Brian's Ezra makes his profession of faith at Faith Church in Pella. 

3000 years ago Solomon wrote not to say, "Why were the old days better than these. For it is unwise to ask such questions". Ecclesiastes 7:10. There were several beautiful sunrises this past week. They show God's presence and glory. This morning I woke to thunder. This also shows God's presence and power. Constantly looking backward at the old days often distracts us from God's purpose for us today. He was faithful back then. He is faithful now.