Jay's Ministry

Wanted to share a little bit of Jay's ministry here in North Dakota. Every Sunday service he incorporates a children's sermon before the big people proclaimation. He decided to use a "God's Box" theme. Each Sunday, a child or family takes home the box and then brings it back the next week so Jay can talk about how it relates to our God. There are two rules: 1. it has to fit in the box and 2. you can't tell Pastor Jay what you put in there ahead of time.



This week he opened the box to find a soccer ball. If you'd like to know what he shared with the children please click here.






After the service, the Sunday school children joined together to practice for the upcoming Sunday school program that is next Sunday.



There are a lot of children in the church. I'm not sure if they are all members, but there are a lot. It's nice to see so many young faces.

Cassie's Space

Well, Cassie wanted a space to share her photos and creative writings. So if you click here to check it out.

Happy Birthday Zack!!

Well, twelve years ago today, actually at 12:07 p.m. on 12/12/97, a bouncing baby boy weighing in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. joined our family.





Cassie was so excited to be a big sister.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Zachary!! We love you very much.

Cassie’s Creative Writing

I would like to share some of Cassie's latest writing. She sure has come a long way over the years. I hope you enjoy her fun tale.

~Building a Snowman-a Boy's Tale~

    A young boy was out in the cold North Dakota winter, getting ready to build his snowman. The wind was brisk and chilled, the sun hidden behind a puffy cloud, and the perfect amount of blanketed snow on the ground. The young boy's name was Juan, but he went simply by J.

J's mother had bundled him up just right: his dark brown hair covered with a big bulky hat; his torso so loaded down with sweatshirts and a coat; that he waddled. A so very cute waddle as any 8 year old would have. His scrawny legs looking plump and round with his jeans and thick snow pants on; covered with his snow-boots; and his tiny hands in his snow-gloves.

After J got all bundled up, he shuffled to the garage to get the snow shovel. He swayed choppily as he went to the back of his yard to get started on his snowman project. The glistening snow came up to his knees, and he was having a blast. First he rolled a huge ball of snow about the size of a boulder as his base. Next he rolled a smaller ball for the snowman's mid-section. After those two were rolled, he made a small one about the size of a basketball for the head. But when it came time to put them together, J was too small and weak to lift the heavily packed balls of snow onto each other so he could have the snowman's body. What could he do? He looked up at the sky, thinking thoughtfully. Then he got the idea to go get his father. After all, isn't building a snowman a two person job for some? And who could the second person be better than his own dad? No one! So he ran up the back hill to his front door and yelled for his dad.

After his dad was all bundled up just as J was, they went and worked on putting the pieces to the snowman puzzle together. J was having so much fun 'engineering' a snowman with his dad that winter became his favorite time of year. When the snowman was put together, J and his father went to go get some charcoaled coal, a carrot, some cozy gloves, a warm hat, and a stylish scarf for their snowman friend. J had named him Fredrick and was so proud of him that he couldn't stop talking about his new friend.

After they got the supplies, they went back outside to put the finishing touches on their snow buddy. When J stood next to him, Fredrick was about twice his size, looking to J like he was reaching the sky, so J and his dad got their ladder so J could decorate the snowman. J was so excited to be able to stand on a ladder "like a big boy" as the excited 8 year old put it. As J climbed up on the ladder, he also pretended that he was king of the world. While J was up on the ladder, his dad was down on the ground putting the coal buttons on. J put the red plaid hat on Fredrick's head, and the matching scarf gently around the snow neck. When J realized Fredrick didn't have any arms, he abruptly scurried down the ladder and ran to the field to get some large, skinny twigs for arms. As he came back shortly after, his dad helped him to put them on and keep them in place. Now Fredrick had complete appendages, and now need gloves to keep his 'hands' warm. J climbed back up the ladder as exuberantly as a mountain goat and put the black striped gloves on his snow friend. Now all he needed was to put on Fredrick's face to make him complete. He put the black coal pieces in place and put a big, energetic smile on Fredrick's face. When he realized he needed a carrot for his nose, he ran (wobbling as he did so) into their garage and stole one of the carrots that they feed their rabbits. After getting the carrot, he blazed through the snow until he got back to his dad and Fredrick.

Climbing up the ladder yet one more time, he placed the carrot in the center of the snowman's face. Fredrick was complete. J climbed down the ladder, took his dad's hand, and took about seven steps back to look at their work. They had done a fine job and J was really excited to have a snow buddy to play with.

Once finished putting the shovel away and taking off their snowsuits, they went inside where J's mom had some hot cocoa ready. J added lots of marshmallows and whipped cream to his warm refreshment, and sat on the couch next to his mom and dad and they all cuddled up in a blanket and watched the Santa Clause movies.

J had a great day hanging out with his dad and then coming in to the warm and sweet smelling house to then hang out with his mom too. And all this started thanks to Fredrick the Snowman. J

Schooling Upstairs

Well, we have our school area downstairs in the basement, but it's not quite finished. There are walls and they are drywalled on one side. One of the walls, actually two, in the schoolroom are outside walls and being it is a walkout basement they are exposed to the outside elements and they have not been drywalled yet because we are still waiting to finish the electric & the HVAC. The we have to have them inspected before we can finish putting up the drywall. With that said, since it is in the negatives outside and there is only one heat vent for that whole side of the basement, it is quite frigid in the schoolroom. So, we continue to have school where ever we can find it to be comfortable which is upstairs where it is much warmer in the house.

Matter of fact, Cassie's room in the basement is also in the corner of the walkout basement where two of her walls are exposed to the outside elements. As with the schoolroom, those two walls have not been drywalled yet because we have to have the electrical inspected before we can finish putting up her drywall. She has the only other heat vent in the basement in her room; however, with no ceiling, no carpet, and exposed (they are insulated) walls it is VERY cold in her room, too. We tried a portable space heater, but she nor I like it running overnight for safety reasons, as well as it says not to leave it running without supervision - well she can't supervise it while she's sleeping. So, last night we brought up the trundle bed and put it under Mackenzie's loft bed so at least she can sleep someplace warm. Of course, Mackenzie is ecstatic because her sister is sharing a room with her. I tried to explain to Mackenzie, it is temporary until the basement is warmer and it is only for sleeping!!



Of course, Chloe is happy there's a bed low enough for her to get on.



Chloe especially likes being close to Cassie. By the way, that little pink striped ottoman that Cassie is using is a storage one on wheels that I got at Office Depot for them to store their books in. It was originally $40 and I got each one less then $10. What a great find!!



The girls have decided to work in Mackenzie's room . . .



. . . while Zack set up a card table in his room to work. See Zack's storage ottoman under his table.

I know eventually the basement will be finished. We were really hoping to have it done before the cold set in, but with busy schedules and finances (lack of with the need to holiday shop & pay outlandish propane bills) it might not be done before spring. At least we now have rooms or spaces for everything. And then next year, when it is below zero outside, hopefully it won't be as cold in the basement as it is this winter. For now, we are making the adjustments we need to do our schooling and make sure everyone is comfortable and not too cold!!

All Bundled up

Mackenzie & Zack are having way too much fun playing outside in this bitter cold weather. But like we've always said, just layer up and bundle up and you're ready for this North Dakota weather!!





I'm glad I kept those snow pants. We didn't get much use out of them in Ohio and we debated about donating them last year, but thank goodness we didn't. And this awesome winter coat I picked up at Ohio Thrift in the summer for only $2.50, yes - $2.50 it was the last Wednesday of the month when they have 50% off all clothing and household items. So, for all you Ohioans, be sure to check out Ohio Thrift and think of me when you shop because I haven't quite found the same bargains out here.

Spoiled Doggy!!

Well, since we've moved to North Dakota, our dog has gotten to spend more time outside and she LOVES it. She is a 100% indoor dog, but she has come to love the cool breezy weather here in ND. Don't get me wrong, we'd let her outside when we lived in Ohio, but we lived in a neighborhood where the neighbors were much closer than here and we didn't have a fenced, not even an electric fence, yard. So, the extent of her going out was supervised or she got tied out. Here she has free range. Also, the Ohio weather wasn't very conducive to a big Saint Bernard being outside 24/7 - I know people have saints outside in Ohio, but I know when Chloe Bear would be out for any extended time on a warm & humid day she was much relieved to come into the cool house. Now, when it snowed or was cold in Ohio, forget getting her to come in voluntarily. She loves the cold and digging her nose into the snow.

With that said, can you imagine the doggy heaven she is in here in ND, especially now since it is single digits, even below zero with the windchill, and snowing. She has gotten herself into a daily routine that consists of first thing in the morning going out to do her business and check out all the scents in the yard from the overnight visitors (jackrabbits - they're HUGE, cats, deer, coyotes, etc.), come in to greet anyone that is up, eat (if she's in the mood), and then go out and lounge on the back deck. Well, occasionally we aren't as willing to let her out to lounge especially if it's been raining or like now snowing because the deck is wet and we DO NOT want a wet dog smell lingering in our home.

So, when we don't respond by opening that back sliding door to let her out she will linger around, wait MOPE around and WHINE until she wins, which requires some additional work on our part or is told a resounding, "NO, go lay down!!".

This morning the back deck was covered in snow, so I told her to go lay down and she did. Well, when Cassie got up, she went whining around Cassie. I told Cassie the only way she could go out was if someone, and it wasn't going to be me, would go out and clean off the back deck. Cassie told Chloe to wait . . .



Here Chloe is patiently waiting . . .



While Cassie went outside with the broom to clean off the back deck. The things one will do for their loving pet. LOL



Once the deck was swept, Chloe was off to her favorite spot.



Yeah Me!! I got my way.



Just relaxing out in the 17 degree (feels like 7 w/windchill) weather. FYI, tonight's low is suppose to be 1 before the windchill, tomorrow's low is suppose to be -2 before the windchill, and Tuesday's low is suppose to be -6 before the windchill. We'll see if she continues to like to go out there as the days get colder.



When she's had just enough, she stands at the door and waits for someone to let her in. She is a great dog. The best thing about her being on the deck is we don't have to worry about her leaving it to chase the occasional cat, dog, or other critter that scurries through our yard to the pasture because she will NOT go down steps. Having lived in a ranch style home for her entire life she has never had a need to go up or down any steps. We had a basement at the in-laws but we didn't want to teach her how to go down the steps because we wanted to keep her away from their living space. So, she's never gone up or down and now she's too lanky to even try - she has tried at my brother-in-law's and she fell halfway down.



Chloe looks to thank Cassie for letting her back in, just to usually want to go back out in a short time. We'll keep letting her out until she decides it's TOO cold to be out there! Which for me - unless I have to be, no thank you. However, it's really not that bad - just layer up and throw on the winter coat, scarf, gloves, and boots and you're set.

Decorated for the Holiday

It's that time of the year and the house is starting to look a lot like Christmas. As I mentioned in a previous post, this is Jay's favorite holiday, and he LOVES to decorate the house. We have so many decorations and so little space! So, we pulled out the must haves or at least most of our favorites.



Each year we put up several Christmas trees. In years past, our main tree shared space with Disney themed ornaments and family/Hallmark ornaments. We've also put up a sports tree featuring my husband's favorite college & pro teams (last year Zack added his pro teams), an angel tree, a fiber optic tree with retro ornaments, an apple tree, and an aluminum tree with older ornaments (we need to get a color wheel!). Then Mackenzie puts up a pink princess tree in her room.

Well, we have a lot of Disney and family/Hallmark ornaments and decided last year we would dedicate one tree to Disney and one tree to the family/Hallmark ornaments. So, in our great room we have our Disney themed tree (the tall one) and then our family/Hallmark tree.



Well, we don't have a mantle to hang our stockings from, so I am still trying to figure that out. Nor do I have a place to hang any of my collection of stockings, but here we've hung Jay's childhood stocking and a couple Mickey one with our Mickey wreath. One of my favorite things to collect for the holidays, is various and unique stockings.



On top of our food pantry (this armoire), we have a mini tree with old wood ornaments. Also displayed here are a couple of Disney pieces and a Jim Shore piece.



On our table we have a quaint little ceramic nativity scene along with our holiday scented candles, and on the little shelf on the wall are some of our Santas.



We used the top of the piano to display some of our Dept. 56 pieces (we'll have to rotate them out each Christmas), the side table is sporting our Lego Advent Calendar, and then the little apple tree stands nearby.



We traded out our Steamboat Willie tapestry to display this quilted wall hanging that was a gift from some dear friends in Ohio.



We have displayed our Willow Tree Nativity on the ironing board. So, the house is decorated and the holiday smells are in the air. It's hard to believe in only twenty-one days we will celebrate our first Christmas in our new home.

Riding Pedro

When the kids found out that Cassie was going to get to ride a horse they were a little upset. They wanted to ride, too. Now keep in mind, Zack has never rode before and Mackenzie has only ridden once before with her Girl Scout troop in Ohio. Patti & Kevin Frank have invited the kids over a couple of times to ride, but one thing or another has happened and we haven't been able to get them there.

Well, the Franks thought this would be a good opportunity and probably the last time for them to ride before the cold set in. So, everything was set the gang was probably going to get back from herding (see post below) between 5 & 6 p.m. so we were to go over when they called and eat some stew and let the kids ride. The herding went better than expected and they were done around 3 p.m. so Cassie called and said they were almost back to the house and Patti & Kevin thought it a better idea if we came earlier so the kids could ride in the daylight. So, we put our school stuff away, it was a slow and unorganized day since big sis was gone, and we got layered up to be outside.

The Franks have four horses, Rip, Cotton, Pedro & I can't remember the other one's name. Cassie had rode Pedro while herding because he is the more gentler one. Well, he was the one the kids rode, too.



Here Mackenzie is feeding Rip, ?, and Cotton. Can you figure out why he's called Cotton . . .



She wasn't afraid to get close to them.



They're just beautiful animals.



After Kevin got Pedro saddled, Zack was the first one in the ring, he was sooooo excited to ride a horse. Pedro is so easy going. At first, he went around the ring and then just stopped. Of course, Cassie & Patti were telling him to use his feet and kick him to get him going, but Zack was very timid at first but then he got the hang of it.



Then it was Mackenzie's turn. She wasn't too sure about it at first, but we convinced her it would be okay. Even though Pedro is pretty short, Mackenzie still needed help getting up!!



Mackenzie had Cassie lead Pedro instead of trying to get him going on her own.



Then we talked Jay into getting on and riding Pedro around the ring.



Of course, I needed a picture of Cassie on Pedro so she got on & then she got to leave the ring and trot around the yard on him. She was so excited to be riding again!!



Zack of course had to remind us he's a boy and climb all over the ring walls!!



Mackenzie really liked Cotton. She kept going into the stable so she could go out and pet him. Evidently he hasn't been broke yet so no one rides him.



Pedro had a busy day. So once the kids were done riding him, well actually once he was done being ridden - he got to the point where he'd just stand he wouldn't move for them - we took him into the stable and helped Patti take his saddle and bridle off so he could go out in the coral with the other horses.



Mackenzie really liked Pedro too. The kids had a blast riding Pedro and I'm sure Cassie's wanting for a horse is even greater now. Actually, we have learned that horses, at least around here, are fairly cheap. We've been told that you can get a young one for as little as $100 and of course we have the space for one in the 6 acres of pasture we have. So, we are thinking about it, but first we want to get through our first winter and then we'll decide about a horse!!

Oh yeah . . . this little guy was at the Franks too!! He looks pretty scary up close, but as we walked towards the gate he would actually back up, but we didn't want to test too much just in case he decided to charge.

Cassie’s story of herding the cattle

Cassie Jackson

Experience Paper

December 1, 2009

 

Herding Cattle via Horseback

 

Well, on November 30^th, 2009, I went to the Frank's house to go herd cattle. The cattle were about 9.5 miles out, and we had to bring them home for the season via horseback. When the Franks asked me the day before, I was super excited and couldn't wait! After all, I hadn't been riding in 3 or 4 years. I wasn't in the least bit nervous, since I knew I was going to get a really good horse, and Patti said she knew two of her friends were going to be there and they would keep an eye on me. And they did.

After everyone got there, they loaded up the trailers, and Patti went over things Pedro (her horse I was going to ride) liked to do and stuff. Then when everyone was ready we got in the trucks and headed out. The time was around 9:30 am. On the way out to the field, the scenery was AWESOME! The open fields, being slightly blown by the wind; the sun shining brightly down to heat the cool earth; and a clear sky; all signs of a wonderful day. It was in the low 40s with the wind-chill. I was layered up from head to toe: I wore a hat and when that didn't work one of the gals gave me a head band to go around my ears; I had a tank top on under a long-sleeve shirt, that was under a T-shirt, and that was under an oversized sweatshirt; I had leggings under my jeans; two pairs of socks on, one knee high and one low rise; and skater shoes on. I also had my coat tied onto the back of the saddle incase I needed more layers.

We finally got to the field and after putting the bridles on the horses, we headed out into the pasture to round up the cows on the horses. Riding down to the field, I asked Jeanette and Nancy (Patti's friends whom she told to keep an eye on me) about refreshment questions: the best way to stop any horse; how to keep my balance while trotting; and how loose to have the reigns.

When we got into the field we spilt up into two groups: 5 of us went to go get the cattle into a group while 4 of us (including me) went the other way to open gates that they would come through. Once we were done with opening the gates, it was our turn to join in the chaos. All the cows were mooing as they were rounded up. There were a couple of us in the back and on both sides, letting them head to the gate themselves. There was a little over 100 cows. A sea of black and brown cows…

After going a couple miles out of the pasture, we chased them through the section line for about two miles. The section line is a path between two different pastures. Meaning, there was one field on one side and another field on the other side. Three of use rode ahead of the cows to make sure they would go the right way; and the rest of us were on the sides making sure all the cows who stopped to eat would get back with the group; and the rest of us were in the back making sure all the cows moved, and chased any that would stop so they kept going with the group. When the section line was over, we were in the ride about 3 hours and were traveling on the road. When that time came, my toes were numb from having thin shoes and not having thick socks on, and my fingers were a little numb as well, from not having thick gloves on.

For the last 2 hours I rode in the trailer. The trailer duty (ha ha ha) was to go to the top of the next hill and warn any cars coming towards us that we were moving a little over a hundred cows and that they could either wait for them to go past or wait for the riders to move the cows out of the way. Luckily we were very fortunate, and only came across 3 or 4 cars.

From the top of the hill the trailer driver (I can't remember his name) and I would get out and watch. The view was gorgeous! The sun was reflecting off any of the little ponds of water in the fields, and all the open fields below us, not to mention all the cows. The thick huge group of cows… J

When they finally got to the Frank's yard, we parked the trailer blocking their way to the left, and we also stood there, making sure they went to the right and into the pasture at the house. They all went into the field and Kevin (Mr. Frank) closed the gate. SUCCESS!

We were done about 2 hours before expected, and Patti (Mrs. Frank) had some stew ready and when all the horses were put away, everyone chowed down. And Patti had Kevin started a fire. Good outside fun.

    I had so much fun herding the cattle, and I hope I can do it next summer and fall, too!