Life in Nebraska

Life of late has been lots of fun. Outings and cooking every day certainly leaves little room for complaining. Take a peak into my life in NE. More pictures here.



I got to see the famous OmahaZoo. I was very exited and I can't wait to got again. Although I must say its quite a feat pushing wheel chairs up those hills:)

Oatmeal Pies, very good but not so good for the waistline.

We walked to Iowa and over the river by way of the new bridge.

Modeling my new outfit for you mom. I love the way you tailored the blouse.

Life in Someone Else's Kitchen

Life has been quite busy lately. Packing up nearly all your earthly belongings does take time. Shopping is quite fun but even I grew weary after 4 trips in a week.

Staying at my aunt's has been a welcome relaxing experience. Two of my cousins are staying here as well this month and I get to help take care of them (they have disabilities). Much to my delight I've been doing lots of cooking. Graciously I'm allowed to make whatever I fancy. Naturally I couldn't be happier. Everything I'm assured is good and we take lots of walks to keep our figures trim:) Being me though there have been some blunders...

I picked up the delectable looking chocolate pie my aunt had made for the church potluck. Thinking all the while perhaps some else more graceful should carry this. Safely the pie arrived to the van and carefully onto the floor. Quite soon the pie wasn't quite so lovely for it received a rude implant from my sandal. Gladly there was a very sturdy plastic lid or I'm not sure the pie would have graced the table.

The very next day I passed the cookies and half of them slid onto the table. Good thing nobody asked for the milk:)

Baking cookies was I when I broke the measuring cup. Not 5 minutes later I broke the spatula. Later I scratched the baking sheets!

Honestly I don't try to be so hard on things. Gadgets never break at home. Well I suppose my mixer doesn't work as because it's been dropped so much. But you know sometimes accidents just happen.

I think I'd just be happier of they happened less. Perhaps I won't say that so far no one has fallen ill from my cooking. Because you never know that could be tomorrows blog post:)

Looking through my Window

For the next 2 weeks I'm staying with my Aunt and Uncle. You shall hear my thoughts more frequently written from the dreamy blue and white sun porch. Seeing as we are approaching a move you will find many thoughts as I reflect on my childhood home. Today is just the start.
I took it in, the very faded worn carpet beneath my feet. An oval mirror framed my face set in the dresser which belonged to the bedroom set once used by my mother in her girlish days. My hat collection hung neatly on the wall waiting for a tea party. A faded nosegay of flowers lay on the dresser. Tagged with a note which read “to Aunt Bethanne from Janel”. Under the dark lashes my eyes took a final glance and then for what might be forever I walked out of my childhood room.

Living in a house with 3 brothers meant I had my own sleeping quarters. So the room with the wide bay widows and the sweeping red carpet came to be mine. Though I hear it was once my brothers. Thankfully there are little after affects of their short stay in my room. However I wouldn’t have minded a roommate. For I’m not one to be alone much.

Little time did I actually spend in my room. For I found it more enjoyable to be around other people. Or was it the fact I just like a cleaner environment? I’m afraid my room was not always in presentable order. Although it got a top to bottom cleaning on Saturday. I recall on one occasion mom was giving a tour of her immaculate house and then she came to my room. I doubt many surfaces were visible. Let’s not mention the articles of certain clothing that were probably lying about. Not easily embarrassed I proudly gave the tour. Refusing the offer given by our guests for some time to spiff up a bit. Now I might be embarrassed by our guest’s impression however I choose to believe they don’t remember.

My lack of cleaning was because of not because I didn’t in enjoy being Cinderella. On the contraire I loved cleaning my room. Especially if my cleaning spree involved rearranging. Having the same order could never do for me. Quite often the bed was moved along with the book shelf, dresser, vanity, rocker, table, and whatever else there was. Yes everything had to be moved. I shudder to think of my house some day. Will my husband ever know where anything is?

I’m not too much of a decorator I’m afraid. Although as the years went by 3 sets of curtains hung in my room. Bears were my decor of choice. No secret was it I liked them and I received many for various occasions. I set them about everywhere loving their warm friendly faces. Recently I discovered my faithful friends setting in my closet. Lovingly I wrapped them up and stored them away for a future time when they will be needed once again.
I won’t you to hear more of my room and so you will… another day!

Adventures Awaiting

Life as I know is changing, unlike some changes which are temporary I know for a fact my life will never ever be the same. I’m leaving, getting kicked out of the house after toiling for years without pay. Just kidding! Packing the bags is my job and my very own idea. With uncertainty I once again I’m taking the next step in life.

After graduating in 08 the next step was certain yet so uncertain. Staying home and most likely working seemed to be a good option. Yet that was only a rough draft and many details were missing. Quickly however the Lord filled in the empty lines of my life. Two days a week and sometimes more I worked as a mother’s helper for a dear family I know. I volunteered at Source of Light ministries on Tuesday’s. An extra blessing was teaching a Release time Bible class to a group of school children every week. Grandma’s care and helping mom filled time. Other opportunities were given adding little bits of experience to my life. I loved going to the Children’s Home best. Cuddling the little babies who had received so little love was a joy. These things lended well to my character yet I knew I couldn’t do them forever. Not in this stage of life anyway. So I find myself now with a very firm plan for the next 4 months of my life.

Cornerstone Bible Institute has been in my mind for several years now. I felt immediately at home in a trip there last March. Lord willing I will be attended there this fall taking primarily Bible classes. Admittedly I must say I’m scared. Leaving my family is not going to be fun. Mom and I are very close especially during the up’s and downs of this past year. Even from a far though I can be assured of my parents prayer and love for me. Baby sitting my nieces and nephews is something I love very much and I’ll miss it but of course there will be Christmas break. Which will happen to bring a very special present by way of the stork. Yes I’m getting another niece or nephew!

My precious girl friends I’ve grown to adore very much will be missed more than I can tell. E-mail a great invention I think will be a great advocate in keeping touch.

Some days I wish I could do something else instead of going to school. Letting God down is what gives me the drive to move ahead. Nothing bad will come from forging into God’s word and seeking knowledge from Above on a deeper level. Hard times may come but is not God faithful to give us grace to persevere? Going to Bible school I’m quite sure is not all study and tears. Laughter and fellowship is something I hope to have the benefit of.

A friend of mine asked me what my goal in life was. I answered simply “to glorify God in everything I do”. And that is why I’m leaving everything I’ve ever known and jumping into something that has not yet explained its details.

This chapter of my life has a prologue. Yet the pages are blank and the very last page holds a secret, only to revealed after it’s filled with words. Adventures are waiting, exciting, scary, and very mysterious. God is by my side so I’m not anxious only thrilled to have Him always with me as I embark on this great venture.

Home is Where the Heart is

Every house that posed a “For Sale” sign I imagined what it would be like to be welcomed into when coming home from collage. Mom and Dad were house hunting the other night. The thought dreaded at one time turned into a rather fun evening.

I’ve known for a long time that the farm where I cherish many memories will soon no longer be my home. Mom and Dad will be entering a new stage of life soon, one that does not include the farm.

Our farm given to us by God flourished under dad’s care. Long ago are the days where I rode the combine watching the wheat stalks disappear. Faintly I can remember the day it was sold signaling the end of crop production for our farm In more recent thoughts I can still remember feeding the hogs and best of all “sorting” hogs. One of my favorite activates but those soon came to an end as well along with the disappearance of plentiful pork products. Now just a few days ago the last load of cattle made their way to market. Never again will I bottle a baby calf something I never thought I would miss. Hay is being put up thus the old John Deere keeps putting a long. Before long it too will be silent. An era started over 20 years ago is coming to a close.

Change is not something I often welcome. Sometimes I wish mom and dad could live here forever. I imagine bringing home a young man to show the farm. Letting my children see the animals. I want to be able to always walk in the prairie grass letting only the gentle wind fill my ears. Yes I am sad to leave the farm yet I can only look forward to the next home with anticipation.

Though I will remain a farm girl at heart I think the town not so bad. Neighbors will be readily available to reach out too. Convenience will be very nice, who wouldn’t want Wal-Mart at their finger tips? Town streets are rather quiet too and provide ample walking space. Even smooth pavement for bike riding. Best of all I know that where ever my parents dwell it will always be home simply because they are there.

Home is not a farm, place, or house. It’s the place that rings with laughter, jokes, tears, and love. People, the one’s you love turn a cold strange house into a loving home. Naturally I will be sad to leave this house I’ve known for 19 years. I will miss it greatly but will not allow the pain of losing something to overtake the joy of a new thing. Home is not leaving and it never will.