Being a mom to many at #D2S2012

by nebraskawheatie

“Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.   They will hear about everything he has done.” (Psalm 22:30, 31 NLT)

This was the fifth year I’ve been to the Dare2Share event in Lincoln, NE.  The first year I went, Cindy and I took approximately ten kids. The year before, she only took three. This year…we took nearly 30 kids and 6 adult sponsors. OUTSTANDING! Especially if you knew how small our church is. However, the kids of the community are HUNGRY for what Greg Stier and the people of Dare2Share are offering them – the GOSPEL. It’s pretty straight forward and blunt but it’s the TRUTH spoken with a great amount of passion and love for the next generation.

I’ve seen it before in years past…the ones who have never participated in the event will hold back and take it all in with some hesitation and quite a bit of intimidation. By the time Saturday night rolls around, these same kids are on fire! They are on fire for the Lord and are ready to take Him into their world. Don’t you dare tell them they CAN’T do something! It does my heart good to see them pumped and ready to take THE cause (to multiply disciples globally) to their mission field – their schools. According to what I learned from Greg, Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have found that when just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakeable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of society. – Science Daily, July 26, 2011.  The auditorium held 5,000+ jr. and sr. high students ready to fight the good fight. These kids come from all parts of the midwest and from different churches to worship the ONE true God. They learned it’s not about a religion…it’s about a relationship. Know what’s interesting? The kids that went this year represents 10% of the number of kids in our jr./sr. high school. God is good!

Can I just say…these kids got it! Thank you, Greg Stier, and all the others that make this event work.  They teach and equip our children with the tools they need to fight as they head into a world waiting to gobble them up! My one prayer for all the kids who attended would be they could remain on that mountain top long enough to make the difference in their world.  “God will gain a maximum of armies by using NOBODYS.” Greg Stier

When the end came on Saturday night, I was the one who was blessed! It’s one thing to be a youth leader and talk and talk and talk. It’s another when you get to witness something so powerful and so good. I was able to see the fire that was lit in each of those kids in our group. I would be willing to bet they will take what they learned and will share it with SOMEONE in their school this week. They’ll surely suffer rejection and be made fun of, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12  My prayer for them is they do not quit…not now…not ever!

I feel like such a proud mamma!

our “Little House on the Prairie” evening

by nebraskawheatie

I wrote this little diddy back in 2012 (February 5 to be exact). Its been nearly three years ago already but I remember the night as if it were tonight. It’s times like this that you aren’t expecting but when they happen, it turns into one of those memories that just never go away. The girls and I had a wonderful evening due to the heavy snowfall! I think we all three slept in our bed to keep warm. Jim was doing snow removal. Sometimes…it’s the little things that just mean the most! And, to top it off, I’m certain we had a snow day the next day rather than school!

Lost power again about 5:30 last night. What do you do then? Well, start out with finding as many blankets as you can. Next, was the kerosene lamps. From there, whatever you can find to do by the light of the lamps:

Made soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper.

The camera flash gave us a few seconds of light 🙂

Callie reading “The Hunger Games” to me…just enough to get me hooked!

Our wintery wonderland!

P.S. We got our electricity back about 3:00 a.m. Heard some places around here will be without any power for up to 3 days. Glad it’s not us!

Winter…it found us.

by nebraskawheatie

Hello from very snowy Nebraska!

Almost exactly one month ago today, I wrote about how Eastern Nebraska has lucked out with the winter cold and snow. I had a feeling it was too good to be true.  For the past several days, the weatherman has been warning us of the impending snow storm coming from Colorado headed right for Eastern Nebraska before continuing its trek Eastward. My Grandpa always said that when we experience a strong wind from the East we should be watching for a bad storm. He was certainly right! The wind blew like crazy yesterday – straight out of the East. Branches that had been protected from previous winds found their way to the ground. Because I knew the storm was headed our way, I took a picture from the kitchen window to show you what it looked like prior to the storm. I couldn’t take a picture from the exact spot this morning because the window was wet from the snow.

We woke up to 12+ inches of snow. More than we’ve had all winter.  And no power.  The house was a little on the chilly side! Good thing the temperature outside wasn’t  below zero. What do you do when there’s no way to make coffee? Improvise. We’re lucky enough to have gas appliances in this old house so I heated some water for hot chocolate and instant coffee.

Callie’s enjoying her cup of hot chocolate.

Right after this picture was taken, the power came back on – for a short period of time. Then, it went back off again. Rather than sitting in here trying to stay warm, Callie and I went outside and shoveled for a while. The snow is wet and heavy – perfect for a snowman!

What’s this? I. Am. Honored!

by nebraskawheatie

So, I sat down this afternoon to share with you the picture that I have been so anxious to share (and I still will). However, when I logged into my WordPress account, I realized that I’d been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award.

We have Versatile Blogger Award rules to follow:

  1. In a post on your, blog, nominate 15 fellow bloggers for The Versatile Blogger Award.

  2. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.

  3. In the same post, share seven completely random pieces of information about yourself.

  4. In the same post, include this set of rules.

  5. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs. (Or post to Twitter.)

6.  Copy this picture to your blog.

I’m a little unsure what this exactly means BUT it’s always fun to be nominated for any kind of award…right?  I’m not athletic and I wasn’t much involved in anything in High School – except FBLA. As I grew up and got married and started having babies, being awarded for anything other than “the worstest mommy I’ve ever had” award was never imagined. So I’m honored to think that I’ve “met” enough other wonderful bloggers out there who would even CONSIDER me for this award. I have been nominated by my new friend, Joy. The very first posting I read from her blog “My Universe is Still Coming Together” was “My Universe Came Together, While It Was Falling Apart” .  See, I’m still so new at this blogging thing, I don’t even know how to change the font color for my links (maybe someone can fill me in).  I related to how she felt with the death of her Grandma. My “harvest” Grandma meant the world to me and my universe fell apart when she died. I also relate to her desire to write and be a published writer. Thus began my newfound friendship with Joy. THANK YOU, JOY! for nominating me for this award! 🙂

Now, as part of the rules for the nomination, I’m supposed to nominate 15 more bloggers. So, here goes:

  1. My daughter, Jenna’s blog – Yensyphotos

  • The Wheat Harvest Movie

    • 3. Kuntz Harvesting

    1. icanseealotoflifeinyou

    5. farmchiclogic

    1. Lady of Ag

  • The Farmer’s Life

  • Small Nebraska Farming

  • Common Sense Agriculture

  • Agriculture Proud

  • Simple Gifts

  • Confessions of A Farm Wife

  • TALINORFALI

    • 14. suehealy

    15. My story uncensored

    The final part of the rules is to give you seven random facts about me:

    1. I procrastinate. I work better under the pressure of a deadline.

  • When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut.

  • My two least enjoyed household chores are folding clothes and dusting. I think that’s because those were the two chores my mom hated…someone had to do them.

  • Some day I want to visit Alaska. Mostly because that’s a trip my grandma always wanted to take and never did.

  • New things scare me. As soon as they become familiar and I know what I’m doing – watch out!

  • Once I set my mind on doing something, it takes a lot to get me to quit. I’m very persistent.

  • The word IMPOSSIBLE does not fit in my vocabulary.

  • I know I’m only supposed to do seven but I wanted to throw #8 in because I wanted you to know (unless you’ve already got it figured out) that God is important to me. I constantly look and listen for Him each day. When you watch for Him, you can see how He fits each piece of your life puzzle together creating a beautiful picture! I hope the people I come in contact with can see Him through me.

    • And finally, the pictures I wanted to share with you (you know what this means)

    And finally, Callie made a cake for me – complete with homemade fondant frosting – while I was gone Sunday afternoon watching Taylor’s UNO honor choir. What a kid!

    A Random Re-post

    by nebraskawheatie

    I’m in dire need of something that reminds me of summer. Eastern Nebraska has had a WONDERFUL winter as far as severity. Maybe a little too nice. We’re in need of some moisture and it sounds like it may be on the way starting Friday. For now, though, I’m really missing summer and the harvest. I started this blog late in the 2011 harvest season so I don’t have a lot to choose from.  I know I have fun reliving the crazy days of harvest:  Click here to read Finished with Winter Wheat in Jordan

    A Loud, Screaming THANK YOU!

    by nebraskawheatie

    I just realized something as I was brushing my teeth and getting ready to end the very first day of the new golden decade that I am about to begin.  It hit me like an emotional punch in the gut how BLESSED I truly am! I received more birthday wishes today than ever, I’m sure! I have Facebook to thank for that, I know. However, I also know there are a lot of wonderful people in my life. You are who makes me. 25 years ago, I was definitely not the same person I am today. I have grown and I have each one of you to thank for that!

    The opportunities I have been given the past 10 years have been amazing! I don’t know how the next 10 could get any better. I do know that with age comes wisdom and a sense of satisfaction in who you have become. For these two reasons alone, I look forward to what the next ten years have in store for me. And, I look forward to including you, my family and friends, in those moments. Thank you for taking the time to wish me Happy Birthday, for the phone calls, for the cards and for taking time to let me know you were thinking of me today. I woke up this morning and told myself, “I don’t feel any older” 🙂 It’s all good. I knew once I got through the reminders of the day, it will be ok – and it is.

    Goodbye 40’s…HELLO 50’s!

    by nebraskawheatie

    Tomorrow, I will be 18,261 days old…or 50 years old…or half a century old. WHOA! How can this be? Life really does happen in the blink of an eye! Am I feeling a little crummy about it, YES! Will I get over it the very next day, YES! I know we never know how long we have on this crazy earth and how long we have with our loved ones but by being 50, I know I’m closer to death than I am to birth.  For the heck of it, I went searching for some fun “being fifty facts” and the following are the ones I found that I liked:

    “Turning 50 heralds a decade of transition, many of them involving bodily changes. Menopause ends the childbearing years. Gray hairs supplant natural color, forcing one of three decisions: let nature take its course, cover the gray or try a completely different shade. (Unlike men, women haven’t embraced head shaving as midlife sexy.) Changes in vision require reading glasses. Gravity takes its toll as our necks sag, stomachs bulge, breasts droop, faces wrinkle, underarms swing like fish bellies. Waists thicken and knees and back ache. Skin loses its elasticity, causing some of us to try and turn the clocks back by means of all sorts of chemical and medical interventions — moisturizers, ointments to reduce age spots, wrinkle creams, Botox injections, plastic surgery, face and eye lifts.” (About.com Turning 50 – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Turning Fifty for Women)

    ” Women over 50 are president, CEO, and the star of their own lives. If you have the attitude that life is precious, that life is grandiose, that you don’t want to waste any time, you will make this quality time.” — S. Mitchell (WebMD 50 Great Things About Women Over 50)

    “It is not unusual for someone to feel a lot of anxiety about  turning 50 years old, but once you reach your 50s and beyond, you are going to  wonder what exactly it was you were so worried about.”

    Tonight, the sunset was spectacular! It was almost as though God was giving my 40’s a grand farewell and it made me smile! I look forward to what the      50’s have in store for me. I do know I’m not going to stop living life to the fullest, I will still view the word “impossible” as a bad word, and I will continue to look for God in every part of my day! Here’s to the next 50!

    Now I can start thinking SPRING!

    by nebraskawheatie

    I know we could have a lot more winter yet. As a matter of fact, March is sometimes THE WORST month for measurable snowfall in Nebraska. At least we know when it snows then, it won’t stick around very long.  Nebraska has been in a roller coaster pattern all winter with very little moisture – really nice for several days and then a blast of cold. Today, we’re headed toward another upward trend with mid 40’s in the forecast.  However, Nebraska weather also has a trend being after the warmer days…watch out! (I think that may be coming on Friday)

    I know you’re probably going to laugh but guess I’ll fill you in anyways. I took down the Christmas tree yesterday. Yes…the tree (and all the other Christmas decorations). I decided that it was time to get the living room back to normal again, regardless of just how much we have enjoyed the tree this year. As a reminder, here’s what it looked like and this is how it came to be part of our family:

    It felt good waking up this morning and walking into the living room knowing I didn’t have that job ahead of me.

    Last fall, I sold our summer home on wheels. Jim felt it was time to look for something that had more “livable” space for the rainy days (or when we find ourselves inside the trailer for longer periods of time). The other trailer house was beautiful and I loved it but it did lack in space for everyone just to hang out.

    When we knew it was going to be a long day inside, Jim would just head upstairs and lay on the bed most of the day. So…now the search has begun. Finding something that fits both of our likes and “requirements” is a little tough. Last weekend, Jim and I decided to take a quick trip to Wichita to look at a specific toy hauler that had caught my eye. He likes the idea of the 3 axles and I want something that feels like home when you come in from the field at the end of the day. Pretty hard to find that in a toy hauler. I thought the one we went to look at would be “the one”. No. We visited a couple other RV lots while we were there and found a 5th wheel we both liked. Now, we wait to hear if the salesman can do his job and make the price somewhat reasonable and maybe worth a second look. I hope he comes through because it would be PERFECT for our family. When we finally find our next “cottage on wheels”, I’m sure I’ll be sharing with pictures. Until then, the days just keep clicking away.  We need to have one in the driveway the first of May so I can start the packing process.

    Another sign that spring’s on the way is the long awaited (by my family) US Custom Harvester’s convention. This year, it’s in Grand Island, Nebraska and will begin for me the end of February. We’re talking days away now. The kids LOVE going! It’s the time when they can be around people who know what we do and don’t have to ask the question, “what’s a combine?” or “how was your VACATION?” When we get around the good folks who call themselves custom harvesters, it’s like being with family again. LOVE IT and we can’t wait. Curious about what happens at the USCHI harvester’s convention? Check out the pictures you can find at http://www.3-deerphotos.com/  You can also visit the USCHI website at www.uschi.com After the harvest convention, it seems the spring harvest preparations begin and wheat harvest is right around the corner. The Zeorian household is ready for the day when the “train” is headed south again!

    Now that February is nearly here, I will be watching and waiting for the first Robin I see. When that happens, I KNOW spring is right around the corner!

    Thank you!!

    by nebraskawheatie

    We did it! The “black out” helped delay big government and the Hollywood elite from winning the censorship war (for now). Please see the following email I received today:

    Hi everyone!
    A big hurrah to you!!!!! We’ve won for now — SOPA and PIPA were dropped by Congress today — the votes we’ve been scrambling to mobilize against have been cancelled.
    The largest online protest in history has fundamentally changed the game.  You were heard.
    On January 18th, 13 million of us took the time to tell Congress to protect free speech rights on the internet. Hundreds of millions, maybe a billion, people all around the world saw what we did on Wednesday.  See the amazing numbers here and tell everyone what you did.
    This was unprecedented. Your activism may have changed the way people fight for the public interest and basic rights forever.
    The MPAA (the lobby for big movie studios which created these terrible bills) was shocked and seemingly humbled.  “‘This was a whole new different game all of a sudden,’ MPAA Chairman and former Senator Chris Dodd told the New York Times. ‘[PIPA and SOPA were] considered by many to be a slam dunk.’”
    “’This is altogether a new effect,’ Mr. Dodd said, comparing the online movement to the Arab Spring. He could not remember seeing ‘an effort that was moving with this degree of support change this dramatically’ in the last four decades, he added.”
    Tweet with us, shout on the internet with us, let’s celebrate: Round of applause to the 13 million people who stood up  – #PIPA and #SOPA aretabled 4 now. #13millionapplause

    We’re indebted to the people who helped in the beginning — you, and the sites that trusted us — Boing Boing and Mozilla Foundation! And the grassroots groups — Public Knowledge, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Demand Progress and Fight for the Future. Press release is here:http://bit.ly/w4DYz0 and https://fightfortheftr.wordpress.com/press-releases/

    13 million strong,

    Tiffiniy, Holmes, Joshua, Phil, CJ, Donny, Douglas, Nicholas, Dean, David S. and Moore, Fight for the Future!
    P.S. China’s internet censorship system reminds us why the fight for democratic principles is so important:
    In the New Yorker: “Fittingly, perhaps, the discussion has unfolded on Weibo, the Twitter-like micro-blogging site that has a team of censors on staff to trim posts with sensitive political content. That is the arrangement that opponents of the bill have suggested would be required of American sites if they are compelled to police their users’ content for copyright violations. On Weibo, joking about SOPA’s similarities to Chinese censorship was sensitive enough that some posts on the subject were almost certainly deleted (though it can be hard to know). … After Chinese Web users got over the strangeness of hearing Americans debate the merits of screening the Web for objectionable content, they marvelled at the American response. Commentator Liu Qingyan wrote:
    ‘We should learn something from the way these American Internet companies protested against SOPA and PIPA. A free and democratic society depends on every one of us caring about politics and fighting for our rights. We will not achieve it by avoiding talk about politics.’”

    “I have a dream”

    by nebraskawheatie

    Today we remember one of the best speeches spoken in my lifetime and the man who delivered the words: