Monthly Archives: June 2020

The Quest for the Perfect Birthday Gift for My Ben Friend

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I love birthdays and the chance to celebrate the blessing of life in the people that God has surrounded me with.

I love finding the perfect gift that is a small token reminder that says “ you’re special and you mean a lot to me”

But Help! what do you get a boyfriend?

Ever since our Christmas gift exchange, I knew today was gonna be the next big deal, so I’ve been on the lookout for the appropriate gift for my Ben friend.

Don’t misunderstand- Gift giving is pretty high on my love language charts, I love giving- but until the gift is happily in the hands of the recipient, I’m always second guessing if it’s the best option 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

In April when Ben and crew emptied our pit at the dairy, I was riding shotgun at the end of the day and I watched as Ben serviced the tank before shutting down for the night- he clamped his pocket flashlight in his teeth and ran his grease gun with confidence.

Several days later, my dad and I stopped at a local tire shop and the owner couldn’t get done bragging about the new rechargeable battery headlamp he’d just purchased in town.

And a light came on in my brain. Ben could really use a handsfree light!

So when my dad and I stopped at that same store later that day, you can imagine how pleased I was to secure a headlamp for Ben’s birthday.

I knew Ben could use the light immediately, so I gave him his gift 2 months early (*note: not the best plan- but I was so afraid he’d get the same tire shop sales pitch and purchase one himself.) Only to have my dad swoop in after Ben was done opening the gift and say “hey what exactly is that? I’m gonna look on the internet and see how bad Ken got took”

Long story short- my dad proudly found the exact same headlamps for $34 less than the original one I’d purchased and he’s been mass ordering them ever since and giving away Ben’s birthday gift to everyone and his brother.

So Happiest of Birthdays, Ben. The world is brighter because of you (and not just because there’s 25 more 350,000 Lumen LED headlamps shining out into the darkness) 😂😂😂 I’m so thankful for you! ❤️

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16

Blessings,

Kendra

This is My Father’s World

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Sunday afternoon found Ben and I out for a Jeep ramble. The weather was perfect and the sun smiled on us as we meandered up the side of the mountain.

There’s such a variety of wild flowers blooming right now, they waved gently in the breezes as we eased past.

A pair of Grouse (incidentally what do you call two Grouse? Grice? 🤷🏻‍♀️😂) didn’t seem at all in a hurry to get out of our way. A mama Whitetail and her fawn ignored us as we passed. It was gorgeous.

After getting distracted by several mud puddles and a rock pile or two along the trail, we eventually made it to a lookout at Bald Knob. Wow.

We stood on the edge of the world and looked as far as we could see. The low humidity made it to where we could easily see the mountain range that stops just below Stevens City. How far is that- 60 miles? Maybe further.

We paused for a moment and enjoyed the hustle of the forest- the sounds of the wind and the birds and a random bee that floated past.

As we looked out into the wild blue yonder, Ben mentioned how small a view like that makes you feel.

And it does- in the midst of this crazy season of emotional ups and downs that this chaotic world is throwing at us, it did my heart wonders to stop, and recognize how microscopic my problems and perspective really is. God is on the throne and in control.

My hearts been singing these lyrics ever since:

This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Blessings,

Kendra

Bonus Pics:

Hosted our first out of town guests at the cabin… I loved the photo feed of what all critters these adorable boys discovered here . Come again, Beth and family ❤️

We had a pretty major freeze a month ago and we’ve been carefully monitoring our wheat for damage… pretty crazy that it’s just now showing up… the head on the left is healthy. Notice how the other two only have 2 or 3 healthy kernels per head

It’s so fascinating how many variables come into play with growing and harvesting a crop… I’m so thankful that this is my Fathers World and I can trust Him to provide what we need ❤️