Wedding

I thought that my time to cry would be when the reception was over and I kissed her goodbye.
I didn't. Maybe it's still coming.

A Brother came to me before church service Sunday morning and with tears in his eyes told me how fortunate and blessed I was and how thankful I should be to have such a Godly daughter marrying a Godly man. And how blessed our family is. I agreed. He reminded me that even Godly, competent parents sometimes end up with "wayward" children. I thought of my weaknesses and mistakes as a parent and was humbled. That set the tone for the day for me.
So throughout the day, when I would get a lump in my throat or my eyes would get misty, It wasn't because my little girl was getting married and leaving home, it was because of how incredibly blessed/thankful/unworthy I felt on this special day.

I enjoyed meeting the rest of Bob's family and relatives this weekend. I would like to spend more time with them.

It was good to meet Jenny and Bob's old roommates and friends. Some I already knew, some I had never met. Only heard the stories and saw the pictures . . .

The chemistry theme and Amber's floral arranging was a hit at the reception.

The Dr. Pepper was a novelty that went over well.

Somehow in all the preparations, I forgot that I was going to have to stand up front shaking hands for two hours. That's asking a lot of an old farmer! It was tiring, but I enjoyed it.

The old farmer's lovely wife looked nice in her new dress (number 19?) :) And she did a great job planning and organizing the wedding and reception.

We are very thankful for all the help and support we had from our family and church family.

Nephew Brent had the morning service, and he read out of Revelations. His sermon reminded me of the following verses:

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
Revelation 19:6-11

Cold and Wet

Going into the weekend, it felt like spring had finally arrived and we would soon be in the fields. But by Saturday afternoon it was already cloudy and sprinkling. Ominous. It rained Sunday, it rained Monday, and it rained today. We were still wet before the rain, and now we are once again over saturated. We've missed our April 15 target planting start date. We've missed our April 20 ideal start date. And there isn't much hope of getting in the field at all this week. Even if conditions would be favorable by Saturday, there is this wedding thing going on this weekend that creates a conflict of interest! Maybe I can at least get some sweet corn planted in the garden.
We went shopping last night for reception supplies. If anyone gets ill, the Doctor will be on hand. Thirteen cases worth.

For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
Job 37:6

New Experience

Today was Paul's funeral. It was an interesting and new experience for us. It was a full Catholic Funeral Mass. I wasn't used to all the rituals, symbolism, ceremonial objects, responsorials, up and down, and the Eucharist. I hope I didn't look like an old farmer his first time in the big city. Because he was a fire chief for two different departments in his life, he received a fireman's farewell. There were about 20+ different fire departments represented by about fifty firemen in dress uniforms. Each department brought a fire engine for the funeral procession to the cemetery. At the end of the ceremony the firemen performed the "Fireman's Final Bell"-three tolls, three times, symbolizing calling a fireman home after his final service. Paul's favorite version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was the version played by his daughter's Junior High Band in 1983. A recording was played as the recessional hymn. It was touching, but it sounded like a Junior High band from 1983. The line of 20+ fire engines led the funeral procession past the firehouse on the way to the cemetery. Out front of the firehouse were two aerial trucks forming an arch with their ladders for the procession to drive through. At the cemetery eight fireman placed the flag draped coffin above the grave while the rest lined the path in salute. Because he was a veteran, the military performed the removal and ceremonial folding of the flag and presented it to his wife. This was followed by a twenty-one gun salute and the playing of taps. Because of the unique situation, I took a camera with me. I tried to be discreet about taking pictures, but noticed that I was not the only one doing it. My daughter had my good camera, so the pictures are poor quality.
The after-funeral meal was typical and good, and we got to meet some of Paul's family and friends.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.

Ezekiel 31:15

Paul

Our friend Paul died last night. He was diagnosed with advanced Pancreatic cancer about five or six weeks ago. He was a retired Caterpillar engineer who drove a grain truck for us during harvest. It was always interesting listening to the stories he had to tell. A veteran, he built helipads in the jungle during the Vietnam war. He was a longtime fireman and organizer of fire training schools. A Purdue grad, he took a couple Saturdays off each fall to attend home football games with his brother (also a Purdue grad). He would come out to the farm in the winter and summer and cut and split firewood. He was a happy, good natured gentleman who loved to visit. He enjoyed working for us and took a real interest in our farm. At the end of harvest each year, he would bring us donuts, coffee, and his wife's apple cake and would have a little celebration. We appreciated and will miss him and his help.
When our kids were little we had a Classic Little Golden Book, "The Happy Man and His Dump Truck" that we read to them. They say that's who Paul reminded them of as he drove a truck for us each fall.
He is survived by his wife and daughter. We pray for them.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

April Snow

We awoke to an April snow on Monday morning. It was pretty, but it is really time for it to be spring. Fortunately, it was not as much snow as last weekend. We need a lot of warm sunny days to dry out our yard, lots, and fields. We are tearing out the old landscaping around our house in preparation for new. In the process we are really rutting up the yard. Not exactly looking like a showplace right now.

Saturday evening was communion at church. A time to reflect on the broken body and the shed blood of our Savior Jesus Christ and to spiritually partake in his suffering. It was a blessed evening and a great way to start the week leading up to Easter. If only we could keep the peaceful, contemplative, quiet, thankful spirit in command of our hearts every day.

This afternoon, I helped move Uncle Andy and Aunt Freida into their "new" apartment at the Eureka Home. They spent their entire lives in Lester, IA, but all their children have moved away. There was no one to help care for them there as they age. So they made the hard decision to sell their stuff and make the 500 mile move to central Illinois. We look forward to and will enjoy their fellowship here, but I am sure they will be missed in Lester. We wish them God's Blessings in their new home.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:7