Being a sheep

So whenever I head south on highway 75 to points like Le Mars or Sioux City or beyond, I go past this farm.
A sheep farm to be exact.
And every time I drive past the place I'm reminded of one time when I saw something funny there.
It was a sheep.
Walking around.
With a bucket on its head.
Like nothing.
Was.
Wrong.
I remember thinking, you stupid sheep, have someone take that bucket off your head and you'll feel so much better. You'll SEE so much better. You'll be able to eat, too.
...
...
...
And then I remembered. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
For me.
Because I am a sheep.
And more often than not, I walk around with a figurative bucket on my head.
Like
nothing
is
wrong.
And I wonder how often Jesus shakes His head at me and thinks, "Silly sheep, let me get that off for you. You'll feel so much better. You'll SEE so much better. And you'll be able to eat."

It's been a long time since I first saw that sheep wandering around its pen with a bucket on its head like that. But the sight of that farm yard--whether there are sheep in it or not--reminds me to keep my head out of the bucket, or when I do get it in one, to let Jesus remove it so I can live.

I can

I started with about 10 pails full, this is how far I got with scalding them before I started taking pictures.

Here's the rest. All loose & ready to be peeled.

Once they're naked, I throw 'em in the food processor.

Add a few herbs & spices...

Boil away!

Here are the jars ready to come out of their spa bath...

Mmmmm...summer's goodness, ready to be eaten another day!

Praying for Parmelee

I've mentioned a lot on here about Hannah and Mexico, but there was another member of our family who took a mission trip, one much closer to home, and in a lot of ways much more dangerous than going to Mexico.
Peter went to Parmelee. In South Dakota. On the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Really close to home. The cost was very minimal--$50--but the life impact is priceless. Parmelee is a dark place. Heavy. Palpable. Here and there a light shines, bringing hope, but for the most part the hope is rejected. For drinking. For drugs. For sleep.
I'm so torn about his trip. It was an excellent experience for him. It was humbling for me. It is "our" fault that there is so little hope on the reservation. Europeans came here and conquered. Conquered the land and the people who knew it best. Who knew the balance. Now that conquering is catching up to us.
The sins of the fathers will be visited on the children, to the 3rd and 4th generation...

School's just around the corner?

I know I wrote earlier in June about summer being over already, but that doesn't stop the fact that it has been an amazing summer and I don't really want it to end. Overall, there's been little conflict between the kids (hooray!) and even though it has been MUCH wetter than normal, resulting in an indoor pool in the basement (boo) I've enjoyed the more laid back relaxed feel to the days and I'm not ready to give them up yet.

Hannah's trip to Mexico was amazing. She would love to go back. Time will tell. She's ready to embark on the final chapter of her high school career, her Senior year. It will likely prove to be a year of a lot of ups and downs and rough decisions (college suggestions, anyone?)

Half-way point

Saturday. Half-way through waiting for Hannah to come back. Grateful for Internet technology so we can communicate with her. Also grateful for her heart. Last night she sent an email wondering if she could leave some of her things there--towels, shoes, clothes--how could I say no? And now I feel guilty for not overloading her bag with things she could have left there. Things I don't need. Things I take for granted. She had at least 7 more pounds of room in her bag. That could have been a lot. I could have done more.

If there is a next time, I will.

Casting

"Cast all you cares on Him..."

So Hannah's leaving for Mexico tomorrow.
And She won't be home for 3 weeks.
And there are lots of things that could happen there to her that I can't do anything about.
And I have a friend who recently unexpectedly lost his wife, I saw him today, and didn't know what to say.
And there is a friend who's recently moved to a city far away and she's struggling.
And next year's tuition payments will start in 2 months, and the money isn't there again.
And my mom recently had a cataract removed.
Any my nephew is struggling in his job.
And Mark works very hard.
And my church is losing its pastor.
And my car's gas gauge is usually on empty.
And while Hannah's in Mexico, she turns 17.

"...for he cares for you."

Vacation, check

This summer is almost over. Already.

In front of Grand Coulee Dam, Washington

We've "done" our vacation--2 weeks away visiting family & friends in NW Washington. Praise God for safe travel.

Now, Leah is broadening her horizons, attending Dordt Discovery Days for the first time.

In just over 2 weeks, we'll bid Hannah farewell as she goes to Mexico for 3 weeks.  When she gets back, Peter will be on a week long mission trip to South Dakota, then it will be August, and time to start school again.

See why I say summer is almost over?