If it Weren't for Grandfather Turtles--and Other Stuff

If it weren't for grandfather turtles Jonathan and Danny discover along the road, and other interesting wildlife,

 the hard work at places like Martin, well over an hour away each day,

would be even harder. 

The trusses went up this week for the all purpose building, and more.  

 But along the road, the guys stopped to check out this monster turtle. They even took a video of it snapping at a stick! Jonathan said had that stick been a finger, he believes they would have been minus a finger! It's because Jonathan stops for turtles, fish, eagles, and northern lights, that he's kept his boys around as long as he has.

 "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." (Those are two carp Danny got Saturday afternoon after working the morning in Martin.)

When work isn't happening at SIM projects, Jonathan is landscaping at our place so we can hopefully coax grass to grow again around the house where it's just mud right now. (And how hard it is for me to deal with the house being surrounded by gumbo.

If it weren't for flowers like the lilacs by our church, life would be harder. But God sends flowers all spring and summer.

 After church Sunday (what a wonderful service!) I went over just to smell the lilacs. To bury my nose in them and enjoy. 

Thank You Lord!

Jonathan and Hannah had bought some hanging baskets for me for Mothers Day for when I arrived home from Arizona. 

We hung a couple in the garden as Hannah and I planted more seeds Saturday evening. 

On Eagles' Wings--Even on a Cancer Journey

 At the wildlife refuge where I already posted about Danny snagging a catfish without even a fishing pole, we discovered a pair of eagles.

 

The way they were acting, we were sure they must have a nest in that tree.

Sure enough, we hadn't noticed this sign--

right under our noses! 

Taking another trail, we were able to see the nest.

I couldn't help thinking about the promise God made in Isaiah, "You shall mount up with wings like eagles;

 

 you shall run and not be weary, and you shall walk and not faint."

There's a lot of work to do here in South Dakota, 

whether trips to Rapid City for materials for multiple projects,

or more medical trips ahead, whether to Arizona or Sioux Falls. 

Plus a daughter's wedding to prepare for in just a few weeks.

But regardless, God's promise stands sure.

"They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles."

We shall run and not be weary; we shall walk and not faint.

Lord, today, weary and faint, we wait upon You, the God of the eagle.

 

Catfish, Carp, and Worms--No Need to Fear

After a rough several days in Arizona, I was glad to have Jonathan and Hannah picking me up in Rapid City again.

On our way home, we drove first to Martin where Jonathan, Danny, and others are erecting a multi-purpose building.  

It was good to see the progress on it. 

 

Near Martin is a wildlife refuge called La  Creek. I had asked Jonathan last week if we could stop there on our way home from Rapid City for a little family excursion. If we intentionally schedule an hour or so of nature walks here and there, it helps me so much on this cancer journey. We've heard that thousands of pelicans and swans nest in this refuge. 

Well, we could only see the pelicans on an island from a long distance away, so that was a disappointment. But Danny and Hannah were intrigued with all the other wildlife. We even saw a racoon up a big tree--and a pair of eagles I'll post about next.

 Danny and Hannah, as usual, were eager to identify and take pictures of the birds. 

I don't know if this is a duck, a grebe, or something else. Ask Hannah. 

I don't know what flower this is, but it is sure pretty.

Danny couldn't resist the urge to fish, even though he only had a roll of twine and fish hooks along in the truck. He just stood by the bank and threw in the hook at the end of the twine. And he caught a trout!

We all got inspired to search for worms. 

 

Even I, who had to try to squeeze myself into Danny's rather sweaty-smelling camo pullover since I was entirely too chilly. But I wasn't about to miss out on the fun, not when there were catfish right in sight along the bank.

I couldn't help thinking, though, about the poor worms. And I remembered the verse in Isaiah where God tells His people, "Fear not, you worm, Jacob! I will help you."

Hopefully we as God's people are humble enough to recognize the truth when God calls us a worm.

We are small as a worm,

helpless as a worm,

and don't hold much value to the world--except for however the world can use us to its advantage.   

But God sees value even in worms--even in me--even in you.

"Fear not, you worm [put my name or your name here]."
I will help you," says our God.

There is the catfish, caught by the worm and the hook.

Not by the hook alone, for without the worm, the hook would have been worthless. 

Lord, You have called us, for some reason, "worm Jacob."

Help us.

Value us.

Use us.

By the way, the catfish (pictured three photos above and on the baking sheet) was amazing! These carp were caught a couple days later after Danny finished digging a plumbing trench at Martin Saturday. He hurried over to La Creek for all of an hour and got five carp! This one was the biggest. 

Thanks to worms.  

Hannah's Birthday

 Now that our house is done enough to have company, when the driveway is not too muddy, we can invite people.

Hannah invited three big families for her birthday, so she made two big cakes.

She made strawberry swirl frosting with cream cheese, butter, and strawberry preserves. 

And we served burrito fixings for supper.  

Some of the crowd.

The big blow! 

  And smoke!

One of her favorite gifts--a hydrangea which blooms in blue or pink, depending on the soil.We loved the blue glass butterfly. That gift was from the Laverys, as well as the tin watering can and other things!

After gift opening, there was a Birthday-based game of fishbowl, followed by volleyball over across the draw where the ground had been leveled for our future barn.

Happy birthday to Hannah!

Mayo Clinic--and His Stripes Heal Us

I prayed for a spot in the Arizona shade--and found one! It was in Row 19, I discovered later that Sunday afternoon, with many other rows much closer to Mayo Clinic where my friend had been transferred. I almost walked back to the car to drive up closer, but I was already partway to the front door. So I moved on in the Arizona heat.

The palo verde trees were abloom with sunshine, and the prickly pear cactus were about to burst into bloom, too. Arizona has a beauty all its own.  I reveled in it Mothers Day Sunday afternoon.

I noticed the names of the streets by the clinic--Hope Drive and Healing Drive. But inside, the corner of the front lobby where there was a "Discharged Patients" sign, I took note of the bed type chairs and other equipment that denoted leaving that place in less-than-healthy ways. 

In my heart I just thanked God that I was still on my feet, even if I had felt so wobbly and weak that I was quite sure I should not have driven to the clinic--but I had anyway.

And I was glad I did. By the time I left nearly two hours later, I was feeling refreshed and stronger. Ministering rejuvenates me. 

Had there also been something to the elements that my friend and I partook of together in remembrance of our Saviour?

The family who had collected in that room had brought combination communion cups so that perhaps the chaplain or by chance some other type of minister could serve my friend communion. 

My friend preferred that I become that minister!

I was willing to partake with my friend. I did not serve it; we just partook together after I quoted the Scriptures. In the absence of a Bible on hand, how thankful I was for the many times I've heard those familiar verses! And we prayed together prayers of thankfulness for His death that bought our salvation and for His stripes by which we are healed.

Those stripes atoned for my weakness that afternoon; I left Mayo clinic stronger than when I came. 

And my friend clung to the meaning of the elements as a means of grace--grace that is greater than our weakness and disease.

Robin at the Corner Post of Martin All-Purpose Building

Jonathan sent me this picture today of a robin perched atop a corner post of the all-purpose building in Martin where he and Danny have been working this week. 

Like a song of hope, it lit upon this project underway. 

Rev. Poff is excited to see this project actually getting off the ground.

Prayers keep going up for God's protection, and for His Holy Spirit and His holy angels to surround this property with His presence and power until the people around sense the Lord and His goodness and grace. 

Praise Him for doing this!

If we don't praise Him, the robin will! :)

The project started a week or so ago (not counting the many weeks Jonathan has put into planning, preparing, and shopping and having loads delivered) with auguring holes for the many concrete forms they had to pour for the supporting posts.  

Danny learns new things nearly every day. He's such a help to his dad. 

Here is the Before picture, with nothing but a leveled piece of ground and piles of materials. 

Then work starts.  

Each hole is augured.

This is a picture Rev. Poff took today of my man--hat on backwards and all. Danny wore a cowboy hat because the day before his ears were sunburnt!

For weeks, the guys have been working at Rosebud parsonage, finishing the basement out for another apartment for SIM. Jonathan's right hand helper from the Lakota tribe has been a huge help for months now as he transitions back into life after serving time.

 And what would we do without Danny's help?