Final Fling in Iowa

Old Church in Canton, MN started in 1856 Original Flag with 44 stars

The Farmer and I had a few final days in Iowa before returning to the prairie home. We did some tourist things. We went to see the Lidtke Mill in Northern Iowa and took a different road on North in Minnesota. We were met by hundreds of old tractors on the road. They must have been having an old tractor show someplace close as they were driving these old tractors. It was fun for the Farmer and I to get to see all these restored old iron relics.

“We travel, not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
-Unknown

In Lanesboro, MN we had signed up for an Amish tour. The town of Lanesboro was packed that weekend but we found our tour departure and were on our way. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and the history of the Amish folks who had moved to this part of Minnesota in the 1970’s from Pennsylvania. We visited a quilters home and even though it was afternoon it was dark in the home with no electricity. I love to quilt but need to have many lights on. I did see that her treadle machine was set right in front of the window. She had made some lovely quilts. We visited a furniture shop, bakery, and basket shop. The Farmer has been looking for a nice narrow belt but narrow doesn’t seem to be in style. He found a handmade one at one of the Amish shops.

The farmer’s wife kept her eye open for quilt shops. We were able to find a few and she bought some more fabric that is just crying out for use. It brings her joy just looking at these fabrics. The quilt store in Osage, IA is her favorite. The quilt store closest to her home just closed. This was seen as such a tragedy. Fabric and quilting are the answer. I don’t care what the question is.

“Wondering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and universe.”
-Anatole France

The Farmer loves his barn pictures, so we spent some hours looking for just the right photos before we prepared to travel home. There was some wonderful prayer time with the other SOWER friends as they left for some time with grandkids and a new SOWER project, and prayer time with director Brian as he and his family moved to Texas and with Sarah, the interim director of the camp.

It was difficult to leave this beautiful place with precious new friends but many new adventures awaited us at home. The farmer’s wife was scheduled to speak on salvation at a women’s retreat closer to home and we had agreed to read 1 Samuel outside and out loud in Gove County. So, the journey had to begin.

Back roads and scenic byways, were the order for the trip home. We made it to Genoa, NE the first night and camped in their city park with full hookups for $10.00. We got an early start the next morning and planned to see our prairie home by afternoon. We were detoured off of the highway due to an accident onto a country road. Three semis were in the lead. One semi made it through but the other two were too tall for the railroad bridge that we came upon. It took some time but the semis were able to move over and let us through. They were going to have to back out that last mile.

Home looked so good. Now to clean the camper and put it away until the next adventure.

Mission Accomplished

So many times in the Word of God there is a problem solved by two words: But God! Following are some scriptures that show many times the changes that happen when God intervenes.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26

And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him.” – Acts 7:9

But God raised him from the dead. Acts 13:30

but God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” – Galatians 3:18

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” – Ephesians 2:4-5

Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” – Philippians 2:27

But God are two gloriously pivotal words upon which everything in life turns from death to life, sin to salvation, and hopelessness to eternal joy.

This assignment in Floyd, IA at Cedar Springs Camp was a big task for four people and we did not think it was possible for us to complete that task. But God had other plans! In His great wisdom he helped us to do something bigger than all our dreams. It was something bigger than was possible for us without Him. Of course our leaders, Jim and Cathy Fry were excellent leaders and had a good plan from day one. We were also thankful that they were younger and stronger. When my brother saw the pictures of this finished project he said, “I’m sure you saved all the high work for yourself!” Brothers!! They know us too well. He knows I don’t like ladders. But I did do ladders this month but I didn’t do the really high ones.

It was a great advantage to us and blessing that the directors here were so helpful with supplies and encouragement. Brian Goode and his sweet family moved to Texas the last weekend of our work here. He took tremendous care of us and went the extra mile. He made steaks for us, took us out to eat and gave us gift cards. We were sure treated like royalty and we would highly recommend this camp to all SOWER couples.

Jim and Cathy Fry also fed us well as we had pork nachos one night, chicken cooked in their air fryer and many nights of fires and games. We have made real friends with them and it is our desire to work with them again in the future. They’re farmers too and most importantly have ran a Home for Boys for many years. They sure knew how to make the Farmer and I tow the line! Jim always said work is spelled FUN!

Our thankful and grateful hearts are so full. But for God this project would not be completed. I’m so thankful His Word says in Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Ridge Haven Project Complete

The last three weeks have flown by and our project here is complete. Some more SOWER couples will be coming in next week and we will be departing soon. What a great team we had here and we feel like our mission was accomplished. Each couple comes with their own unique talents and giftings. It is such a delight to see how God assembles each team. Our General Leader couple were such a success in guiding this ship. Wendy planned some really fun times for the ladies and for the couples too. It was not all fun and games though as we really worked hard to do our best for the Lord and for the ministry here.

Some couples are leaving tomorrow and some on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Some are going home to check on their own livestock and some are on their way to their next project. One couple is full time in their RV and one has been on the road 16 months and will have completed their 25th project by the time they arrive home. That is the wonderful thing about SOWERS is that you can do it most any way you would like to.

The farmer and I are ready to get back to our farm and see what is happening on the home front. I have several groups of girlfriends I need to have lunch with and catch up on their last month. A neighbor needs the farmer to drive a truck. We will have cousin camp for our 13 grandchildren in a couple of weeks so we won’t be bored.

Iowa has treated us well. The weather has been beautiful, the camp staff delightful. The new friends are so very special. There is nothing like sharing work and life for a few weeks together on a mission. It is hard to leave but home is calling.

Tin Man

I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.
Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz

As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don’t know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.
The Wizard of Oz

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Our wonderful Lord and Father says to give Him our hearts and let our eyes delight in His ways. The Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz stepped on a beetle and cried because he hated to hurt any creature. Hearts make us care about others and put others before ourselves. Hearts full of compassion and kindness are what truly make the world go round.

As we have seen in our world today, with all of the news and troubling times we live in, we desperately need more hearts full of compassion. From other sources we are learning of some hearts full of compassion that are reaching out in these times of uncertainty with love and random acts of kindness. Hearts that are surrendered to God to serve others and show love and support to people of all races and colors. All lives matter to God. All creation matters to God. All hearts matter to God!

Here in Iowa we have been able to do some manual labor with our hands to try to show the love in our hearts for Christian camps and other non-profit organizations. There are four SOWER couples here. The women are painting some rooms in a cute bunk house and painting floors and cleaning. They are hoping to be able to reopen in July following the COVID-19 precautions. We just heard that the state of Iowa is now fully open, 100%. The men have been cutting down dead trees, moving bunkbeds, removing old furnaces, and servicing the facilities vehicles.

This first week went by so quickly as we got acquainted with the great staff here and with each other. As we visited we began to understand each others hearts and passions. We all love the Lord and want to give our best to the Master. Game night was a fun time and our hostess Vickie has a bonfire every Thursday night. We seem to find time to relax and refresh.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller

Toto, we are not in Kansas Anymore

Toto, I’ve got a feeling we are not in Kansas anymore.”
Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ

The farmer/windmill man and I are not in Kansas anymore. We arrived at Ridge Haven Cono camp in Walker, IA yesterday. We are on another one month mission with the SOWERS (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) group. We have met the great couples we will be working with this month and are delighted with the range of experience and talents. The Lord knows how to put together a good team.

This country is beautiful farmland. This is right up our alley. The farmer/windmill man loves to take pictures of barns. This area has an ample supply of models for his creative juices. The camp is located next to a soybean field and across the road they are raking hay.

Today we learned the interesting history of this camp as it began as a school and took in lots of missionary kids for their education while parents were overseas. International students were also educated in this place. They have a sister camp in the Smokey Mountains. The differences in these camps and terrain is extreme.

“If we walk far enough,” says Dorothy, “we shall sometime come to someplace.”
Dorothy from Wizard of OZ

Our time during shelter at home was productive and enjoyable. I spent time putting together quilt blocks and finished a quilt top while the farmer was also assembling pieces of wood to make a butcher block for his bride and a long work table for himself. We were finally able to see most of the grandchildren (not all together but a few at a time). We had four of them spend a week with us before we left and we camped with some of the others. We were so thankful for Facetime and other means to keep in touch.

Our church family was able to start attending together again two weeks ago with several precautions and I didn’t realize how much I missed worshiping together with fellow believers in the church setting. Tears flowed the first Sunday we were able to have some of us gather again.

“Toto did not really care whether he was in Kansas or the Land of Oz so long as Dorothy was with him; but he knew the little girl was unhappy, and that made him unhappy too.”
Dorothy of the Wizard of OZ

2020 has been an interesting year full of surprises and troubling times. Maybe this year has taught us much. Maybe it has shown us that faith, people, family and friends are more important than anything else. Maybe being with those we love no matter where we are, is more important than where we are on the ladder of success and that the happiness of others makes a huge difference to our happiness.

“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”
the Wizard of OZ

We attended church this morning with a delightful flock at a drive in service. The pastor had a powerful message for us all. The farmer and I decided we could come to this church again and hope to while we are in the area. It is so precious to be with like minded people who love the Lord.