30 years ago today was a big day for me. My parents dropped Julia and I at Uncle Fred’s and we settled in for a stay.

I remember I kept busy out in their new chicken houses and doing whatever a 6 year old does whenever she’s visiting cousins until the call finally came: a girl “Emily Renee” was added to our household. What a gift she is!

We started celebrating early. Em got the idea to host a charcuterie carry in with family and friends. It was amazing!

Google gave me this explanation about the charcuterie rage: “The term “charcuterie” refers to the preparing of cured meats, like prosciutto, bacon, salami, etc., but these days when people say charcuterie, they are usually referring to a fun, meat and cheese board that typically includes cured meats, a variety of cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dipping sauces”

A carry in goes a step further because the sky is the limit. Just bring a platter filled with something. And wow our guests delivered!

As I watched the beautiful and unique boards roll in the door- I thought “there’s no way we’ll eat all this” but the boards emptied surprisingly fast.

Everyone had gone to so much effort and it was so much fun to see the creativity!

A taco board, beautiful fruit platters, dessert boards, traditional charcuteries..

As I wandered down the table trying to soak up the 20+ boards before the crowd descended on them, I couldn’t help but imagine that this is is a small taste of what the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be like. Did you ever think about what food in Heaven will be? I’m wondering if mushroom soup and gourmet potatoes will be passed away, and we’ll feast on whole foods like we did Thursday eve. Delicious and beautiful.

Pinterest gives unlimited ideas and when I came across a charcuterie house, I couldn’t help myself. Admittedly the pepperonis gave me heart burn because they wanted to slide off the roof, but watching the delight of the children made the extra effort worth it.

We hosted the party at the church/school combo where Sherman’s worship and the twins were so excited to see us “at mine’s church!!!” When I pulled out the olive penguins for my house Isaiah won the quote of the day: “Never me see a bird at mine’s church! Get that bird out of mine’s church!” 😂 What a zealot! 😂❤️

After the food, we moved upstairs to another type of a smorgasbord. Emily has a bunch of musician friends and they entertained us well into the night.

What a unique fun evening!

Celebrating Em is just beginning though. For the last several months I’ve been plotting a treasure hunt for her. I’ll post more on that later, but for now, if you have any good ideas of ways to understand how your sisters brain works-I’m sure she’d appreciate it 😂

Here’s the birthday girl this morning, fresh off of a sleepless 24 hour shift at her fire and rescue job- discovering the hidden treasure in her old barn. One treasure down, a few more to go 😆💪🏼😂 More on this project later 😉

She’s the actual treasure. Happiest of birthdays, Em!

Luv you,

Kendra

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (peace on Earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on Earth)
Peace on Earth, good will to men

I heard about the bells on Christmas Day… thanks to Philip and Myrna. I’d never heard of ice bells before. But apparently they form when the water levels of the creek are high and dropping and the temperatures are cold.

Amazing

Em and I trudged up and down the banks of Muddy Creek attempting to capture the intricate beauty.

“This is what I love about winter.” I commented “so much of it, I hate. But then there’s these super unique things like this that show up. This is incredible!”

“I have to make myself go outside. Then it’s incredible… but if I just stay inside- I drive myself crazy” Em added.

And then suddenly the bells ceased. Ice still lined the shore, but no bells.

“What makes the difference?” I pondered out loud “Oh wait I get it- the more turbulent the water, the more elaborate and beautiful the bells!!”

“I can hear a blog post coming on” said Em

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

The same Hands that decorated the creek side with this elaborate beauty can take whatever the rough waters are you’re traveling through and exchange it for something beautiful. “A crown of beauty instead of ashes”

Honestly it’s a little hard for me to fathom that God is so powerful that even the hardest things in our lives He can use for good if we surrender it to Him.

So if you find yourself in the rough waters- take courage! Through our difficult experiences, God often equips us for a very specific ministry, if we allow Him to work in us. “Better not Bitter” can be easier said than done. But it’s a blessing to witness this lived out.

And can I just say, to the Ice Bells who’ve impacted my life: Bless you for being vulnerable and allowing your rough waters to become a thing of beauty enough to inspire those around you!

Beauty for Ashes/ Ice bells for Bitter cold… Thank you Jesus!

Kendra

Bonus Pics:

The birthday train arrived yesterday for these eager 3 year olds 😂 The cake has been a hot topic for weeks. There’s so many possibilities for cakes and so few of birthdays 😂

The delight of a child is so precious. Somehow they were able to keep up their excitement over all of the Christmas AND birthday gifts 😂💪🏼

The dairy farm that I grew up on was at the foot of “Paradise Mountain“ in a little valley known as “Eden Valley”.

Moving away from that immediate area made me realize that every neighborhood has a mayor. Sometimes that position is self appointed, sometimes it just happens. Eden Valley was no different.

The Shank family has been our neighbors for as long as I can remember. My first definite memory of them was going to supervise the cleanup of a wagon that had rolled during chopping season. (Julia takes time to smile for the press, I’m too focused on the task at hand for such things 😂)

Mr Galen lived smack in the middle of Eden Valley and was the best neighbor you could wish for. If we had a mayor- it was him.

I have so many memories of their trusty Dodge pickups rolling in to move cows to town for us, or hauling load after load of straw to other farmers.

Mr Galen loved to travel and during harvest, we’d spend hours in the field chatting about whatever car tour he’d just been on. Or what part of the West he’d recently explored. I loved his stories of traveling in the Rocky Mountains.

Mr Galen was a true gentle giant. He was the first neighbor that I called when our silo was collapsing (full story Here) I knew that the calamity we were facing was going to require reinforcements. And roll in they did. I love this pic- Mr Galen and Mr Maynard were sighting in the silo’s movement and when it started to shift significantly- they warhooped and Father and his JCB roared off to the sidelines to safety.

At the cleanup the next day, Mr Galen’s dad- Norman wanted to help. So Mr Galen brought a four wheeler, and ice cream sandwiches and his dad was kept busy handing out treats to the volunteers.

But most memories don’t come with pictures. Mr Galen took my dad aside right before Julia’s wedding to address the elephant in the room “Eldon, I feel TERRIBLY sorry for you! You’ve got a big job ahead of you- giving away a daughter is so hard…”

Another conversation he had with Father, as his dad was slowing down after he’d turned 90… “I tell you, I don’t want to live to be that old..”

And today, Mr Galen got his wish.

Go rest high on that mountain
Son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a-shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son

We will miss you, friend. Your cheery smile, friendly wave, your sense of humor. You showed us by example of how to be a great neighbor. And your stories will be retold in our family for as long as I’m around.

Thanks for watching our little valley… We will take it from here.

Love,

Kendra for the Horst family