Today has shaped out to be a beautiful day with sunshine and warm weather. I love when the weather matches my feelings. Today is the day before spring break and family time. I'm excited to not have schedules and not rush around and possibly rest and relax.
Sunshine reminds me of summer also. Long days of working on the farm and riding in tractors. Working but not really working. Farming is an escape most days and sunshine on my face and arms make me want to work ground plant corn and many other activities.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
March 14 - Golden Rule
“do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12)Most of us try to live by this saying. I have to say that the more I think about myself that this would be one of my core values. This week at church Brian our preacher focused on how it is not what the church can do for you but what you can do for the church. It's not about "I" but "we". I really like that thinking.
If we put ourselves in the shoes of others we will discover that we need to treat each other better. Holding doors open for each other, letting someone in a hurry in front of you, and simply listening to a story and actually listen to listen not listen to respond.
I catch myself in conversations trying to think of what I want to say next, not truly taking in the details that someone else is trying to say to me. My wife would probably agree with all of this, sometimes I actually have to ask her to repeat herself as I did not hear what she said.
If we do unto others as we would like done to ourselves we would be in a much better place.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
March 13 - Planning Road Trip
Some people do not like to plan road trips or map out directions to places. They rely on apple maps or google maps to plot their course and they just simply follow the course laid out for them. Technology has made if very possible for someone to get a certain location with no ability to read a map. Oh how times have changed.
I like to plan and map out directions to different locations. I like using apple maps or google maps to get me started, but I always seem to zoom in and look at the course closely and make adjustments according to types of roads or if I want to park a certain place and so on. This was instilled in me by my father. When we would go on family vacations we would get the road atlas out and plot our course. It was fun learning the differences between 4 lane interstates and state highways.
Our family hardly ever flew so it was an adventure to take a trip places. As my family prepares to travel I purchased an atlas for Ben and I to do the same thing. Not sure if he will enjoy it, but I enjoy getting to look at the different town names and different highways. We might just have to use it if we take a wrong turn and apple maps or google maps can not get us back on course.
Karen has become accustom to me being able to get us places with just knowing the general area I'm going. She has also been on some long detours with me also, when there was no place to turn around. I love going a different route home than the way we got to our destination. I just enjoy the change of scenery.
I like to plan and map out directions to different locations. I like using apple maps or google maps to get me started, but I always seem to zoom in and look at the course closely and make adjustments according to types of roads or if I want to park a certain place and so on. This was instilled in me by my father. When we would go on family vacations we would get the road atlas out and plot our course. It was fun learning the differences between 4 lane interstates and state highways.
Our family hardly ever flew so it was an adventure to take a trip places. As my family prepares to travel I purchased an atlas for Ben and I to do the same thing. Not sure if he will enjoy it, but I enjoy getting to look at the different town names and different highways. We might just have to use it if we take a wrong turn and apple maps or google maps can not get us back on course.
Karen has become accustom to me being able to get us places with just knowing the general area I'm going. She has also been on some long detours with me also, when there was no place to turn around. I love going a different route home than the way we got to our destination. I just enjoy the change of scenery.
Monday, March 12, 2018
March 12 - Busy Schedules
In 4 days my family and I will be heading on our spring break trip. This is a fun an exciting time, but also is a busy time of year. It seems like we have something every night leading up to our departure. I know it will help with time passing and not being impatient for the trip to come.
It is funny how busy schedules are a part of life now. Kids have soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer, dance and many other things going on. Parents are running around taking kids to practice, games and events. I don't remember being that busy growing up.
Being from a small town (population 700) and living 20 miles from town, made life simple. I still was involved in activities, but never felt the stress of being over scheduled. I hope that I can keep a balance with my children, but feel the pressure to keep some activities going.
I think that sometimes we get caught up in, if we are not doing something we are not keeping up, mindset. I really enjoy just being a family and not on the go so much.
It is funny how busy schedules are a part of life now. Kids have soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer, dance and many other things going on. Parents are running around taking kids to practice, games and events. I don't remember being that busy growing up.
Being from a small town (population 700) and living 20 miles from town, made life simple. I still was involved in activities, but never felt the stress of being over scheduled. I hope that I can keep a balance with my children, but feel the pressure to keep some activities going.
I think that sometimes we get caught up in, if we are not doing something we are not keeping up, mindset. I really enjoy just being a family and not on the go so much.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
March 11 - Time Change
Today was Daylight Savings Time (spring forward), and I also had to be at church by 7:30, so it made for a long day. I am usually pretty good in the morning and can get myself around and ready and out the door quickly, but this morning was kinda hard I have to admit.
As a farmer going up and now teacher and farmer, I usually like mornings. This time change seems to mess with day time for me. The sun is going to be up quicker, but the evenings will be shorter, and I really don't like that. I love being able to come home from work and have a couple of hours with daylight to get things done. This week is going to be hard, but soon the summer days will be here and I will be able to go back to enjoying daylight.
**Update: So after Monday morning driving to school I realized that the evening hours of sunlight will be longer. I guess when you loose sleep you don't think logically and when you write your blog post later in evening it is all messed up.
As a farmer going up and now teacher and farmer, I usually like mornings. This time change seems to mess with day time for me. The sun is going to be up quicker, but the evenings will be shorter, and I really don't like that. I love being able to come home from work and have a couple of hours with daylight to get things done. This week is going to be hard, but soon the summer days will be here and I will be able to go back to enjoying daylight.
**Update: So after Monday morning driving to school I realized that the evening hours of sunlight will be longer. I guess when you loose sleep you don't think logically and when you write your blog post later in evening it is all messed up.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
March 8 - Music
Many people find it hard to believe that I play the drum set at church. This event has become a love of mine. I am blessed to get to serve at least 2 times a month to play a set at church with our worship band. We practice on Thursday nights and then again on Sunday morning before church. It has become a bit of a time commitment but has become a highlight of my week.
This week I am on to play and we are doing some fun songs.
As you can tell this set can be demanding on a drummer, but it is a lot of fun. I do not have a drum set to practice on at home and my family is probably grateful for that, but I do listen to the songs over and over again to make sure I'm good with what I can do on the drums.
This week I am on to play and we are doing some fun songs.
End of Days - Hillsong Young and Free
King of Heaven - Paul Baloche
Your Love Defends Me - Matt Mahr
Great Are you Lord - All Sons & Daughters
As you can tell this set can be demanding on a drummer, but it is a lot of fun. I do not have a drum set to practice on at home and my family is probably grateful for that, but I do listen to the songs over and over again to make sure I'm good with what I can do on the drums.
March 7 - Food
Today we had one of my new favorite meals, Italian Meat Sandwich with garlic aloe. This is a new meal in the last year for us and my family and I have come to love it. You basically cook a beef roast in a crockpot all day with seasonings red peppers, and onions. Then you shred the meat and make the garlic aloe. Serve on a hoagie bun with provolone cheese. This is a melt in your mouth meal.
I don't have any pictures of the meal, but you will just have to take my word for it that it is truly a game changer and you should add it to you meals.
I don't have any pictures of the meal, but you will just have to take my word for it that it is truly a game changer and you should add it to you meals.
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