Rocks

In the last two weeks we were blessed to partake of Holy Communion, Palm Sunday with two Sunday School programs, Good Friday services with a singing afterwards, and Easter Sunday services followed by a family dinner.  I am thankful for salvation and the spiritual opportunities we have because of Christ's sacrifice.

We haven't had a lot of rain this spring, so the fields have dried down nicely.  I did a little fieldwork the Saturday before Palm Sunday, and then on Monday started planting soybeans. We hit it pretty hard because conditions were good, and I finished Thursday.  I planted my first field of corn on Friday, and then we got a little shower Friday night.  It rained Sunday and Sunday night, and it rained again this evening.  I don't know when we will get back in the fields now.

I have had three repair projects waiting for me; bad wheel bearing on my seed tender, bad fan control board in my planter tractor, and bad tach sensor on my tillage tractor.  I was able to get two of the three fixed today.  I am waiting on a special tool before I can tackle the third.

We are blessed with good soil here in our area with few problems with rocks.  But, there are numerous old farmstead sites from many years ago where old foundations were buried.  In the old days they didn't bury deep enough, so over time with freezing and thawing, rocks, bricks and concrete chunks work their way to the surface.  Every couple of years we have to go over these spots and clean up the newly exposed trash.  I spent most of the afternoon on Saturday picking up from on old farm site that the buildings were gone before I was born!

 In soybean fields that were not tilled last fall, henbit is really coming up this spring.  We have a neighbor who has an entire field covered with the beautiful purple flower.  Unfortunately it is a weed and will need to be destroyed before planting, but it sure adds color to an otherwise drab look to the fields this time of year.  Actually, henbit can be eaten in salads or cooked.  It also supposedly has medicinal uses.  I snapped a picture while planting next to this field.

Some seed fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.                              Matthew 13:5,6

Sabetha

 At rotating potluck one evening, the question was asked; how many AC churches have you been to?  I had not thought about that in years so I really couldn't answer the question.

Rod and Arlene invited us to Sabetha for an invite-a-guest weekend.  As we were traveling west, the old farmers wife got out the Church and Minister Book and we started counting.  It turns out that I have visited 76 churches plus 3 that no longer exist for a total of 79!  The total number of churches I think is 92 (North America).  We had an enjoyable and blessed evening at the Fellowship Center with a meal, singing, and fellowship.  It was good to be reacquainted with many we know from Sabetha, and also many of the other guests that were there for the weekend.  Afterwards we got caught up on Rod and Arlene's family and happenings.  After a blessed day in church Sunday, they gave us a tour of Sycamore Springs Whitetail Ranch which their son and family owns.

Indian tribes knew of the mineral springs for hundreds of years.  They believed the water had healing properties.  In the 1800's as settlers moved west, the springs became one of their important water stops.  By the late 1800's it was developed into a health resort complete with picnic areas, hotel, and hospital.  The 60 room hotel and the hospital burned down in 1916, and a smaller hotel and hospital were built using the old stone walls in the 1920's.  A large swimming pool, the largest roller rink in Kansas, and campgrounds were added later.  This is a very condensed history!  

Sycamore Springs underwent many changes and owners over the years, but now the ten room hotel and the guest house (old hospital) can be rented,  there is a large campground, tennis court, pickleball courts, mini golf, playground, event center, event barn, fishing pond, splash pad, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the old roller rink has been restored to its former glory.  They also raise whitetail deer in several large pastures around the park and springs.

Upper Springs #2

The Hotel and Guest House

The Roller Rink

Rod and Arlene fed us a snack in their private family compound onsite, then we said our farewells and headed to KC to visit the Kellenbergers.  We were going to hit KC around 7:00 PM, so we agreed to meet them at the west side Jack Stack for a late supper.  We all love their BBQ!

 We appreciated our stay and visit with the Kellenbergers, but had to be back on the road by midmorning Monday.  

Last week was cousin Darin's 50th birthday! Mary and Virg had a big open house birthday party for him Saturday afternoon.  Many of the relatives from Sabetha were there, along with some from Lester, Elgin, Bloomfield, Indiana, and more local.  I think he enjoyed it!  He has two first cousins the same age.

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.            Joshua 15:19