A Cool Drink of Water (Ephraim Beason)

Ephraim means “I will be doubly fruitful or doubly blessed.” In the Bible Ephraim was the name of Joseph’s son in the book of Genesis. Ephraim’s grandfather Jacob spoke a blessing over Ephraim and his brother Manasseh. This blessing is still spoken over others. “May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.” (Gen 48:50).

Ephraim Beason was named by his parents on the day of his birth on June 20, 1858 in Osceola, St. Clair County, Missouri. His parents were Joseph and Samantha Beason.

Ephraim Beason questioned the meaning of his name many times in his life. He didn’t feel doubly blessed or fruitful. Being born in 1858 in Missouri, he was only three years old when the Civil War began in 1861. Missouri was a hotbed for the war and there was much upheaval and unrest. Ephraim’s oldest brother, Nathan joined the Confederate Army under General Sterling Price in June of 1861, when Eaph was three years old.

June 20, 1861 was a difficult day for the Joseph Beason family. Living in the state of Missouri they were caught in the middle of a state on both sides of the Civil War. Missouri did not secede from the Union but was considered the 12^th state of the Confederacy. On August 10, 1861 the Battle of Wilson’s Creek resulted in a Union defeat leaving the southwestern part of Missouri in Confederate hands. Joseph and Samantha’s oldest son, Nathan decided to join the Confederate Army in June of 1861. Eaph was only three years old and was so sad to see his dear brother go to war. He didn’t understand what was happening but could sense that his parents were deeply concerned. Nathan used to take Eaph with him on all kinds of adventures and Eaph certainly missed these times. Excitement filled the home when Nathan would show up at the old home usually at night. They were always unexpected and unannounced but the celebration in the family was joyous. Many times the Union soldiers would circle the house on horseback and throw open all the doors and search their home. This was so frightening for a three year old. They rushed in with pistols and searched upstairs and down. They threatened his father with death as they were leaving.

Ephriam remembered the early September morning in 1863 when his family loaded their wagon with a few things from their home and fled north not knowing where they were going. The Union soldiers told Joseph that they would kill him because he was considered a Confederate sympathizer as he had a son in the Confederate Army if he did not vacate his farm on September 9^th due to ORD number 11. He was also told he would be killed if he had a gun. They searched his home and farm for a gun but did not find one. Samantha had taken a tip from Genesis 31:34 “Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.” They had disassembled Joseph’s gun and put in the bottom of the trunk of clothing and Samantha sat on it and held little Melissa who was frightened and sobbing throughout the ordeal.

The family was filled with grief with abandoning their farm and upon hearing the news of their son Nathan’s death. The farm tools and machinery and furniture had to be left behind for the scavengers. They traveled 85 miles north of their home. The Beason family kept moving north renting farms along the way.

Eventually they moved to Waubonsie Creek, Iowa in 1877. Ephraim and his father chopped wood for W.D. Stephens. W.D. Stephens had a beautiful daughter named Adenia. WD made a big mistake and sent this daughter out to give Ephraim a cool drink of water. Eaph was 20 years old and Adenia was 17. It was love at first sight. Eaph’s sister Melissa had also fallen in love with Jim Mackey. A cool drink of water while chopping wood on a hot summer day has been the fall of many a good man. Secretly they decided to elope and have a double wedding. They got together on the evening of September 10, 1878 and started for Missouri with a team and buggy. They had heard that the marriage laws were more lenient in Missouri. The Justice of the Peace in Hamburg, MO was abruptly awakened from his deep sleep at 12:30am and a double wedding took place in his home at 12:45am with his wife as the witness. At daybreak the young couples found they were close to cousin Silas Beason’s house and stopped there for their wedding breakfast.

Ephraim worked many different jobs to earn a living for his new bride. He worked in a brickyard, tended crops, cut and hauled wood, and many other odd jobs. Adenia did housekeeping and tended to Ephraim’s brother Joe’s children as their mother had passed. Adenia became very ill and was in a coma for three or four days. She woke up just a few days before giving birth to her daughter Rosa May Katherine in June of 1879. When she woke up she did not remember Eaph or marrying him. It took a few days for her memory to return.

Their second child Joseph William (Willie) was born on June 10, 1881 and Rosa May Katherine succumbed to typhoid fever that same year in October. The next spring the Missouri overflowed taking away their house and all of their belongings. They nearly lost their lives.

Another tragedy struck the family in the spring of 1888 when Willie was accidentally struck by a large log that was being unloaded from a wagon load of boards. The doctor was called and the preacher and church members came to pray for Willie but he died that night about midnight. Eaph and Adenia were grief stricken and inconsolable.

At this time of great loss Ephraim’s eyes were opened to his great sin. He was a big rough and tumble man and a good fight was something he enjoyed. He carried the scars of a fight all of his life when a couple of guys jumped him and hit him with brass knuckles. Eaph knew if he wanted to be with his children again in heaven, he needed to get right with God. He converted and joined the church and started preaching the next year in 1889. He found the Lord was his cool drink of water in his grief and in the midst of his struggles. Jesus said in John 4:14, “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst, but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Eaph loved to tell the story of the love of Jesus and how Jesus is the only hope for a life full of scars and tragedies. He and Adenia moved to WaKeeney, Ks and had ten more children. My great-grandmother Olive Livinia Beason was one of them. In WaKeeney Ephraim owned a blacksmith shop and also preached in many school houses in the area. He traveled by horse or horse and buggy. He didn’t have a circuit that he traveled but he preached whenever he was given the opportunity. He took my great-grandmother Olive with him to many of these services and she was a great singer.

“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth”. John Wesley

He was a stern and serious man but he could belt out the songs of His Savior. In the evening after working in the blacksmith shop, he would sit on the front porch and read the newspaper with his wife Adenia, with a cool drink of water. His grandchildren shared that they were a little afraid of this big grandfather. But sometimes he would laugh so hard and long that it seemed to rock the whole house. He could sing well and loud. He sang songs like, “There’s Power in the Blood” and “When We All Get to Heaven”.

Adenia was a very happy person and was always praising the Lord. She carried her Bible with her most places and would share scriptures and have a word of prayer for those in need.

Ephraim and Adenia found that their Lord and Savior was more than enough to carry them through life’s challenges. They found that He is just what He said He is. He is the “living water” and you will never thirst again because His well shall never run dry.

Jeremiah 17:13 Yahweh, you are the hope of Israel! All who forsake you will be covered with shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dirt. To forsake you, Yahweh, is to forsake the fountain of living waters.

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.

Texas Time

The farmer and I attended a powerful, dynamic Cowboy Church, Sunday morning and Wednesday night. The pastor gave a powerful message at both services. That was what the farmer and I have been looking for. He didn’t mince words, but spoke powerful truths that are relevant to our situation in today’s world. The congregation was so friendly and welcoming. We could all learn much from them. The cowboy hats were prevalent and so were the cowboys and cowgirls. You could tell it is an active church with all of the children that were in attendance. We could sure attend here every Sunday.

That was a great way to start the week for sure. On Monday we were back to work at the camp. This camp was started in 1946. I love to think of the faith of the people back then who had insight and vision to donate land, provide funds and labor to provide a camp for their children and grandchildren to hear of Jesus. Since 1960, 452,904 have attended Heart of Texas camp and there have been 15,953 salvations since that time. That’s a lot of lives changed for the Kingdom of Jesus.

Remodel. Farmer is flat on the ground in the background.

The men are still remodeling the staff cabin for the male staff. The farmer is installing plumbing and doing some electrical work. This cabin has been empty for awhile so it is taking some time to make it usable. It is basically gutted and redoing all of the interior. I have helped the women some with cleaning air conditioner units in all of the cabins and motel rooms. Policy and Procedure manuals and other filing and organizing documents for storage from past years, have kept me busy in the front office. This work has been enjoyable to me as it reminds me of the days in the clinic office where I worked before retirement. I enjoy organizing things.

Tuesday night was game night. We played several hands of Sweep. This is a popular game among SOWERS. The rules seem to change with each SOWER. However, the official Sweep rules were recently posted online so all SOWERS can get on the same page before our 40th anniversary of SOWER’s ministry reunion in Big Sandy, TX at the end of March. Thursday night we taught a new couple how to play Marble Pursuit. I think they enjoyed the game. The farmer makes the boards for this game in his wood shop at home.

The director, Rhonda of the camp and all of the staff are the best. Rhonda has been here 23 or more years. The input she’s had in all of the camp staff and camper’s lives through the years is amazing. The Lord has used her mightily. She is so creative and has done chainsaw carving on the tree stumps around the camp with some unique works and also some precious scriptures. God said He made us in His image. He’s so creative and I know He put creativity in all of us. I just have trouble finding my creative talents. She also made this beautiful hymn and bird picture.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Week two has been busy and full. The farmer and I are going this weekend to see our son and family in Flower Mound, TX. See you next week.

Found the Pot of Gold

There are over 1000 promises in the Bible that God has made to those that believe in Him. Many of these promises are a two-way contract that we call a Covenant Promise. Some examples of this are found in the following verses.

Jer. 7:23 Obey my voice and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.

Matt. 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

His believers have a part to play in all of these covenant promises.

God keeps His promises and He always does His part. He never, ever fails us. We can take His word to the bank.

Is 54:10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.

There is one thing God cannot do…He cannot, will not stop loving you!!

The rainbow of seven (perfection) colors is a sign of His promise.

Genesis 9:12-16 And God said:”This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between you and Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.

The rainbow is a beautiful symbol and reminder of all of God’s promises. The number of the colors and stripes in the rainbow are seven. That is the number of perfection in the Bible. Only God could put such a beautiful promise right up in the sky for us all to see.

Some people say there is a pot of gold at the bottom of the rainbow. If there is I think I found it here at Rainbow Acres. The beautiful people “ranchers” here, absolutely are pure gold. God made them so beautiful. I spent the lunch time visiting with a rancher very knowlegeable about trains and steam engines. He asked me a lot of questions that I had no answer. Study on trains is a must if I sit by John again.

At Bible study on Monday night there was some lively discussion among the ranchers on the book of Ecclesiastes. One young lady there was very knowledgeable about the Word of God and had some great answers. The joy of the Lord is so apparent on many of their faces. Some have been here since the facility opened in 1974. Jeff came at that time and his parents died shortly after he came here. This is definitely his home. He collects lanyards and had a birthday on Saturday. Since the grandkids and I love to sew lanyards, I made one for him. The smile on his face was the ultimate pot of gold.

I think the pot of gold is doing something for others and knowing without a shadow of a doubt that God keeps His promises. In the times we are living in, it is priceless to know that we have no reason to fear or even to worry. We know God is faithful, as we’ve seen it many times in our past.

These ranchers know the faithfulness of God. The covid lockdowns were very hard on them and being away from all of the other ranchers was such a strain. They have such joy in being together again. Their prayer circle in the morning is a delight, as their prayer requests are so rich. They pray for their families and their families here. They try so very hard to be kind to one another. I think they know more than the rest of us what it feels like to be treated harshly by others.

We are working on sanding cupboards in one of the group homes that is being remodeled. I think there are eight rooms in each house with a kitchen and big gathering room. A caregiver is in the home at all times. They don’t spend a lot of time there as they are busy with classes and working. One of the ranchers was so excited about her history class. The grounds are busy with bicycles and hikes and enjoying this spring time weather. Everyone greets you here. Everyone smiles and makes you feel special. Yes, I’m feeling pretty special in this place. They all are. I wish our world could be so in love with being together. Maybe, just maybe we could lay down our differences and cherish them instead.

Yes, the pot of gold is very close to Rainbow Acres. The pot of gold is seeing the love of Jesus in others. His rainbow is His creation and so are we and so are these precious ranchers. God is good all the time.

Nineteen Feet?!?

First day of travel was perfect! We left the snow behind and headed south. The highway was good and the traffic was light.

The first night finds us at Panfork Camp in Wellington, TX. We will overnight here and will try to make the last leg tomorrow and arrive in Spicewood, TX. It did get to 40 degrees today but not all that warm with the Northerly breeze.

We just set up camp for overnight and prepared our evening meal inside the camper as it was too cold outside.

Nineteen feet long and seven feet wide with no slideouts is tight. Everything must be done in an orderly manner and everything must be in its place, including the farmer. He keeps winding up in the places that I need to be! If only he would stay put. We will surely find a way to do this as we’ve been at life together for 47 years now.

We are so thankful too that we found the propane hose that we needed to repair the propane situation.

We are excited to meet the couples that we wil be working with this month.

1 Corinthians 15:58 TPT

So now, beloved ones, stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.

Leaving the Little House on the Prairie

Whew this Kansas weather is something! Yesterday it was 45 degrees and today we have a blizzard. Snowing again! Today was the day to put the final touches on the camper loading and prepare for our departure tomorrow morning. So thankful for a big shed to work in to get out of the driving snow.

A couple of complications entered the picture today. One was a propane hose leak on the camper. We are at least 90 miles from the nearest camper dealer and no one else seemed to have what we needed. With the blizzard underway we didn’t want to make a long journey today. Good thing my farmer husband is resourceful. A little western Kansas farmer ingenuity and the leak is fixed and we can continue with our departure in the morning. We are thankful to our gracious Lord for helping us again today.

The second was having to drive his freshly waxed pickup on our muddy country roads. He sure did mess up that wax job. Wax on, wax off at least it was good exercise. Farmers almost never complain about rain in our area though. Moisture is a much needed blessing here.

Tomorrow we will be

“On the road again, like a band of gypsies we go down the highway,

We’re making new friends, goin’ places that we’ve never been.

The life we love is working for Jesus with our new SOWER friends.

We just can’t wait to get on the road again.” Thank you Willie Nelson.

South bound!