Tuesday, January 21, 2014
My Colorful Heritage-Photo description
The above description explained by my Dad yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this photo that I had never seen before. I took it home with me to have it scanned and the rest is history on my blog.
Monday, January 20, 2014
A Coloful Heritage 2
The following accounts were gleaned from what had been described in the October 12,1961 issue of the Mennonite Weekly Review.
So Solomon announced that they were moving to Oklahoma. The two oldest boys were 6 and 8. It was a very sudden decision after the elders had approached him to be their pastor.
"In a few days he had the wagon ready, and we were off on our 10-day journey. We made that 300 mile trip from McPherson County,Kansas to Washita County,Oklahoma, in a covered wagon."
He filed a claim which turned out to be the worst, full of rocks and gullies. Having nothing to build with he built a soddie dugout on the bank of a river only to have it cave in one night during a first rain. They moved back into the covered wagon until another dugout was made.Dirt floors and dirt walls. Centipeded, scorpions, and snakes would come in, especially at night.
His mother gave birth to another baby within those dirt walls. When he was two months old he screamed so loud waking up the whole family to find a scorpion in his cradle.
Poverty and hardship struck every aspect of their lives. During dry season, they had to haul water from a creek two miles away. Two attempts to dig a well failed with bad water. People with good water would keep their wells locked up as water was so scarce.
As time went on the family was wondering why they had even moved to Oklahoma. The truth came out as he told the family he had run from God.
Troubles in Oklahoma seemed to grow. They had to sneak out at night to get fire wood because of fear of the Indians. They had a good crop of sorghum and some wheat one year.
The nearest town, El Reno, was 60 miles away. A round trip would take them a week and they had to cross the Canadian River. There was danger of quicksand, they lost a haybaler but saved the horses. Another time they were crossing that same river in the winter while it was iced over. They did not realize how thin the ice was as it was covered with sand that the wind had blown. The whole wagon and everyone tumbled into the river in the dark of night.
That ordeal nearly cost him his life and many years of suffering. Finally he said, "We are going back to Kansas." They packed up their belongings and headed back to Kansas, taking the toll bridge over the Canadian River.
When they arrived back every one welcomed them back and another farm was started. The Lord began to bless them spiritually and financially. Crops were good. There was much crying and praying when again he was elected to be the pastor of that same church.
"Father dedicated his life anew to God and admonished us to live a life pleasing to God and to let our lives shine, as we were now preacher's children."
The Lord blessed him with a big family, 10 children, 8 boys and 2 girls.
In the fall of 1910, they all moved to Dallas, Oregon. In 1912, He organized and became the first pastor of the E.M.B Church in Dallas. He was ordained as a minister by the conference of the Hebron Church(Mennonite).
This is what was said about great grandpa and great grandma by one of their children: "Being with them one always sensed their love and devotion to their Heavenly Father. Grandpa was always to share a new truth he discovered in the Word always he would apply it in some way to his own live or to ours. He never failed to warn where necessary, but always with an added lot of encouragement. Grandpa took the words in Psalms 126:6 literally and never failed to remind his family of its truth when harvest time came. Some of his boys remember how Grandpa wept and prayed while seeding his fields in the spring."
When each of his children reached their 21st birthday he presented them with $1000 or land equivalant to it. Everything was characterized by the Word of God. His favorite hymn was "My Saviors Love". Several of the boy's had good voices and I thing they even formed a quartet.
I remember that same song being my grandfather who we called Pop singing it in such a strong voice. I still can hear him singing it. That has also become one of my favorite hymns.
Well this has rambled on and on. I hope it is as interesting to my readers as it has been to me.
So Solomon announced that they were moving to Oklahoma. The two oldest boys were 6 and 8. It was a very sudden decision after the elders had approached him to be their pastor.
"In a few days he had the wagon ready, and we were off on our 10-day journey. We made that 300 mile trip from McPherson County,Kansas to Washita County,Oklahoma, in a covered wagon."
He filed a claim which turned out to be the worst, full of rocks and gullies. Having nothing to build with he built a soddie dugout on the bank of a river only to have it cave in one night during a first rain. They moved back into the covered wagon until another dugout was made.Dirt floors and dirt walls. Centipeded, scorpions, and snakes would come in, especially at night.
His mother gave birth to another baby within those dirt walls. When he was two months old he screamed so loud waking up the whole family to find a scorpion in his cradle.
Poverty and hardship struck every aspect of their lives. During dry season, they had to haul water from a creek two miles away. Two attempts to dig a well failed with bad water. People with good water would keep their wells locked up as water was so scarce.
As time went on the family was wondering why they had even moved to Oklahoma. The truth came out as he told the family he had run from God.
Troubles in Oklahoma seemed to grow. They had to sneak out at night to get fire wood because of fear of the Indians. They had a good crop of sorghum and some wheat one year.
The nearest town, El Reno, was 60 miles away. A round trip would take them a week and they had to cross the Canadian River. There was danger of quicksand, they lost a haybaler but saved the horses. Another time they were crossing that same river in the winter while it was iced over. They did not realize how thin the ice was as it was covered with sand that the wind had blown. The whole wagon and everyone tumbled into the river in the dark of night.
That ordeal nearly cost him his life and many years of suffering. Finally he said, "We are going back to Kansas." They packed up their belongings and headed back to Kansas, taking the toll bridge over the Canadian River.
When they arrived back every one welcomed them back and another farm was started. The Lord began to bless them spiritually and financially. Crops were good. There was much crying and praying when again he was elected to be the pastor of that same church.
"Father dedicated his life anew to God and admonished us to live a life pleasing to God and to let our lives shine, as we were now preacher's children."
The Lord blessed him with a big family, 10 children, 8 boys and 2 girls.
In the fall of 1910, they all moved to Dallas, Oregon. In 1912, He organized and became the first pastor of the E.M.B Church in Dallas. He was ordained as a minister by the conference of the Hebron Church(Mennonite).
This is what was said about great grandpa and great grandma by one of their children: "Being with them one always sensed their love and devotion to their Heavenly Father. Grandpa was always to share a new truth he discovered in the Word always he would apply it in some way to his own live or to ours. He never failed to warn where necessary, but always with an added lot of encouragement. Grandpa took the words in Psalms 126:6 literally and never failed to remind his family of its truth when harvest time came. Some of his boys remember how Grandpa wept and prayed while seeding his fields in the spring."
When each of his children reached their 21st birthday he presented them with $1000 or land equivalant to it. Everything was characterized by the Word of God. His favorite hymn was "My Saviors Love". Several of the boy's had good voices and I thing they even formed a quartet.
I remember that same song being my grandfather who we called Pop singing it in such a strong voice. I still can hear him singing it. That has also become one of my favorite hymns.
Well this has rambled on and on. I hope it is as interesting to my readers as it has been to me.
A Colorful Heritage, 1
Today, I was again reminded of my colorful heritage as I was chatting with my 92 yr.old father. I continue to be fascinated by the richness contained in the stories told.
So I want to share some of those stories and try to consolidate them into a shorter version which will prove to be a challenge.
The above photo is a picture of my great grandfather who was born Oct.22,1864 in Tiegerweide,South Russia. Religious persecution and an unsatisfactory school system drew many in the Mennonite community to America.
A century earlier their forefathers had come to South Russia to Prussia. Catherine the Great had offered them religious freedom, immunity from military service and other privileges. When they no longer had these freedoms they made plans to come to America.
Of his childhood, great grandpa S.S. as the story goes, "his father sent him to the neighbors to borrow a razor. This was a scarce item, shared by many in those days. When his father started shaving, he complained about it being dull, it would not even cut butter. The younger Solomon replied, 'but father, I cut sunflowers with it all the way home and it worked real good.'
When little bitsey glances were being exchanged between he and his future wife, their parents concluded that a marriage better be arranged soon. The elders denied a request to a Spring wedding as heavy farm work was to begin and courtship was to time consuming as dating without the presence of one or both sets of parents was not allowed. So before they knew it plans were made and Oct.30,1886 just one week after the bride's 18th birthday.
In 1895 great grandpa was getting restless. He felt called and knew that God wanted him in the minstry to pastor the church in Inman, Kansas, however, like Jonah, he figured that the best way to get out of it was to leave Kansas.
I will try to summarize the unfortunate events that occurred in the next blog.
So I want to share some of those stories and try to consolidate them into a shorter version which will prove to be a challenge.
A century earlier their forefathers had come to South Russia to Prussia. Catherine the Great had offered them religious freedom, immunity from military service and other privileges. When they no longer had these freedoms they made plans to come to America.
Of his childhood, great grandpa S.S. as the story goes, "his father sent him to the neighbors to borrow a razor. This was a scarce item, shared by many in those days. When his father started shaving, he complained about it being dull, it would not even cut butter. The younger Solomon replied, 'but father, I cut sunflowers with it all the way home and it worked real good.'
When little bitsey glances were being exchanged between he and his future wife, their parents concluded that a marriage better be arranged soon. The elders denied a request to a Spring wedding as heavy farm work was to begin and courtship was to time consuming as dating without the presence of one or both sets of parents was not allowed. So before they knew it plans were made and Oct.30,1886 just one week after the bride's 18th birthday.
In 1895 great grandpa was getting restless. He felt called and knew that God wanted him in the minstry to pastor the church in Inman, Kansas, however, like Jonah, he figured that the best way to get out of it was to leave Kansas.
I will try to summarize the unfortunate events that occurred in the next blog.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Pruning
I was traveling around with my husband searching for the ideal spot to take a photo when we happened upon a young man pruning some vines in a field. We asked him if it would be alright to take his photo while he was doing the photo. However, each time I was about to click the camera, he would move out of the picture. Discouraged, I went on to search for another ideal spot but always came back to see if I could capture a photo of this "pruner". We sat a ways away on some lawn chairs provided and continued to watch him as he made his way up the row. As I watched, a toddler came and sat on my lap and we continued to watch. Many other people sat around us also watching. When the pruner was done, he came over to a special swinging, comfortable chair and sat down to watch us.
Now you know, I rarely remember my dreams.
But I got to thinking how like us to just want to watch God pruning others and sit on the side line hoping we are not next. How much more comfortable after the process we may find ourselves devoid of all the extras we think we can't get along with. And do we want to stay in the toddler stage and never mature? What kind of pruning do we need? My fig tree desperately needs a pruning and its branches are every which way and most of its figs were dry and shriveled up. Because of its long branches it was difficult to reach what was there.
Well anyway, I have rambled on somewhat with having come to the conclusion, I need to study up more on this.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
LACK OF VIGILANCE
I was sorely reminded today of our lack of vigilance both physically and spiritually as an unfortunate, minor event occurred. Col.4:2 came to mind, "Devote yourselves to pray, being watchful and thankful."
Neglecting "our duty" even in a small event as we witnessed today is a firm reminder not to let our guard down lest we fall or cause someone else to fall. To much is at risk if we fail to be watchful or we will be caught by surprise. What risks are we talking about? What kind of surprises? If we are not watchful our spiritual life will decline. We will not be able to glorify God and ungodliness will permeate our lives.
Mark 13:37 "...What I say to you,I say to all:watch" a warning to us. Got to read more of the verses in this chapter, "watch & pray".
I neglected to stay focused on my priorities this morning.
So what did I learn this morning? I learned or really was reminded of the importance of watchfulness.
I was aware of my own weakness in not being as alert and ready, not only in my job but also in spiritual things.
Neglecting "our duty" even in a small event as we witnessed today is a firm reminder not to let our guard down lest we fall or cause someone else to fall. To much is at risk if we fail to be watchful or we will be caught by surprise. What risks are we talking about? What kind of surprises? If we are not watchful our spiritual life will decline. We will not be able to glorify God and ungodliness will permeate our lives.
Mark 13:37 "...What I say to you,I say to all:watch" a warning to us. Got to read more of the verses in this chapter, "watch & pray".
I neglected to stay focused on my priorities this morning.
So what did I learn this morning? I learned or really was reminded of the importance of watchfulness.
I was aware of my own weakness in not being as alert and ready, not only in my job but also in spiritual things.
Monday, January 13, 2014
LITTLE BLESSING: Nursery ministry
http://cultivatingjoy-cultivatingjoy.blogspot.com/2015/12/bubbles-bible-stories-slideshow-video.html#.V5elCa6G-Y4
Friday, January 3, 2014
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