What in the world is a "Frolic"?

 Photo from AmishAmerica.com

I was talking with a couple of my brothers in Christ recently, when the subject turned (OK, I turned it :-) to the building plans for our home in the woods, beginning in the Spring/Summer/Fall of this year.  I told them that it became clear to me LONG ago that there was no way I could accomplish this endeavor with my pea-sized knowledge of construction (or lack thereof).  I then asked them, if I put a date on the calendar (say, over the course of some upcoming three-day weekend), would they come out and help us "raise the roof" and eat a bunch of food?  One of them, who's had extensive interaction with the Amish in both Montana and Maine, said, "Absolutely!  The Amish call it a 'frolic' or a 'work-bee' ".  They were both quite enthusiastic about the possibility of helping building our home, which came as no surprise to me, given the reality of the love and Spirit of Christ operating in their families' lives.  (Not to mention that they both have some serious labor forces in their families!  :-)

Then I got to thinking.

God has blessed me with such dear family-in-Christ in other locales as well, several hours' drive away, but reachable nonetheless.  I suspect there may be many who would like to visit Montana in the Summer (a gorgeous time to visit here; isn't it always?), and perhaps swing a hammer or heft a saw in productive fellowship on the outskirts of beautiful Whitefish, Montana.

So, here it is:

If you're interested in being a part of our family's biggest project to date, a labor of love that will represent the culmination of a lifetime of prayers and dreams, please consider joining our "Frolic" this Summer.  If you are seriously considering making the trip to join the effort and fellowship, please leave a comment on this post, or send me an email, letting me know when you might be available.  If you are unable to attend, please pray for the Lord's protection, provision and wisdom as we build.  This will undoubtedly be a very long project, overall, but we would be honored to enjoy your company for even a small part of it.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Venison Report

WARNING:

If you are a member of PETA, I apologize in advance for offending your sensitivities.

Now that that's out of the way...

This morning the three wanna-be deer slayers (My two oldest children and I) went over to our friends' house, who had graciously offered us one of their deer, a buck with a mere 4" of antler on his cranium.  When we arrived, the animal had already been expertly eviscerated, decapitated and elevated by his hind legs:

Now let me just brag right now on a couple of young gentlemen, whom our family is proud to know.  Matthew, I believe, is about 13.  He's the lad responsible for our family's recent motherlode of meat.  He dropped that buck in his tracks with a shotgun slug, right out in his own backyard.  Handy.

Then there's his older brother Daniel, who seems to live-and-breathe hunting-and-skinning.  At 14 years old, the way that guy wielded a skinning knife and a sawz-all was downright impressive:

With the skills these guys have, it would have been easy for them to make sport of our inexperience.  But the best thing about Matthew and Daniel is that they have been diverted, by loving and wise Christian parents, from the trap of cruel and thoughtless peer pressure so pervasive in public education.  These guys have been taught to show love and respect at all times, and they wear such qualities like badges of honor.  They were glad to be able to help us out, without needing so much as a word of oversight from their father (who was occupied nearby).

Hats off to young people like this everywhere (including my beloved children), who will undoubtedly bring hope, healing and provision into this broken world, in Christ's Name.

Babies and Bathwaters (or: Facebook, part II)

About a month ago, I wrote a post on why I wanted to "leave" Facebook.  My main reason for doing so was that I had lost count of how many times I had become incredibly frustrated and disillusioned over conflicts and futile arguments that had resulted from trying to dialogue with other professing Christians about sometimes-weighty matters.  Well, I am slowly learning that for some reason, electronic correspondence (incl. Facebook) is not an adequate way to resolve conflict.  Also, I am learning that engaging in these sorts of fruitless debates is too much of a temptation for me, and it brings out some nastiness in me which I don't want to foster or waste time on.  A face-to-face conversation of disagreement, sure... but without the elements of non-verbal communication inherent in personal conversations, these "comment" sessions often quickly devolve into a sort of one-upmanship that I do not think honors the Name or unity of Christ.

So, I had decided to throw out the bathwater.  Then, I heard a little cry...

Well it wasn't really a cry, just more Facebook comments.  Only this time, they were kind.  People — actual "friends", not merely Facebook "acquaintances" — were telling me that they would miss staying in touch with me, and that really made me feel cared for and appreciated.  Furthermore, I found that if I could just say NO to my many temptations to "set people straight" (probably an impossibility in most cases, anyway), that I could actually enjoy some benefits from the FB.

So, in a sense, I'm back on Facebook.  And in a sense, I'm not.  For while I can't guarantee that "aggressive Ric" won't come out swingin' from time to time, I can promise that I'll choose my battles carefully, not cast my pearls before swine, and over all this, put on love...

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

 

¹² Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

"Normal Kingdom Business"

Big thanks go out to Dad & Mom for having us over last night for "hanga-burgers" (what the Dear Wife used to call them as a child, I think).  This photo op was forced upon me, but it was fun, after all:

This morning started out really well, since the Man-Cub and I got to go over to Manly John's house and have a "prayer breakfast" with some authentic and Christ-like brothers in the faith.  We had huckleberry pancakes (a Montana treat), farm-fresh eggs, and sausage.  Hungry yet?

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On my lunch break today, I picked up some books I had put on hold at the library.  (Both were about timber framing houses, which causes me to salivate with delight... but I digress.)  As I was leaving, I browsed the used-books-for-sale rack, and for $1, picked up this title:

I had never heard of the author, though I have heard of (and appreiate) WORLD Magazine, which she writes for.  I googled her name, and here's what came up.  I hope you enjoy it.

Lots to catch up on

"Part of the difficulty of blogging is that it requires so much writing."
--Anonymous

..OK, it's not really an anonymous quote.  I said it.  Or rather, I typed it.

Today marks our 72nd day in Montana, and much has happened... and much has not.
Happenings:

• Found a job, with the most scenic commute I've ever had.
• Got snow tires for the L-O-N-G winter
• Found a place of our own to live for the winter.  (And no, it's not in our big Coleman tent.  That novelty wore off some time ago.)
• Met some good friends
• Visited Glacier National Park in the summer
• Went river-rafting with the kids (except the smallest :-)
• Kids got to milk a cow, ride horses (prepping for our own), and just generally completing their metamorphosis into "country-folk".
• Helping to build a friend's house (also prepping for our own)
• Had relatives over for a visit (Dad, Uncle and Cousin)
• Discovered the blessing of these local and highly-organized thrift stores... we even know some folks "on the inside" ;-)   (Nice pants for $3!  Who knew?!?)
• Bought the Mrs. a gun and a knife... it's legal in this state to carry both in her purse.  Boo-ya!
• Checked out some scary properties
• Made use of an outhouse.  More than once.
• Slept outside in 30-degree-ish weather.  Regularly. (Don't worry Mom... we're safe and warm at night!)
• Performed "surgery" (so-to-speak) on fire engines, ambulances and heavy construction equipment

OK, on to the [drum-roll please]...

"Not-(yet)-Happenings"

• Buy a homestead of our own
• Own a dog, and various and sundry other domestic animals.  Some for milking, some for laying.  Fill in the blanks.
• Build our own house.
• Feel like we are prepared for winter... Brrrrrr!
• Acquired a pickup truck with a full gun rack, a metal grille and a winch.
• Earn as much as we did "B.M." (Before Moving)

WON'T Happenings

• Losing faith, or losing heart.  Won't do it.

Keep praying for us, as we continue to see the Lord's provision more clearly, in the most mysterious ways.  Pray that He uses this time to make us more like Him.

Oh, and a very happy birthday to my dear Bride.  She is truly the most amazing creation I know.  "Thank you for saying 'yes'!"

Full Circle

I want to tell you a story, one that started eight years ago.

I was sitting in my new office at Daybreak Church, which (at the time) shared a door with the main sanctuary, which I had propped open.  I was working at my desk, and the sanctuary was unlit.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone walk to the front row of chairs, and kneel down quietly to pray, probably counting on being unseen.  When I looked over at him, I realized he was a military (Navy) guy, in fatigues.  When he was done praying, I introduced myself to him, and we started a friendly dialogue that has only deepened and broadened these last eight years.  Today, I count him as a brother-from-another-mother, one of my closest friends, whom I would trust not only with my life, but with my family's lives as well.  He is significantly larger than me in stature (a nice feature to have in a friend, but not so much in enemies), and yet his meekness and humility have always exemplified Christ in a very real way.  Through all the trials we have helped each other bear, through all the victories, he has become one of what we call "the 2a.m. phone call club".  I don't have to explain that one.

So it was a fitting and divine appointment that, recently on one of my last days in the main sanctuary of our church, I should unexpectedly find him once again, in uniform, come to lay his burdens before the Lord in prayer.  My friend — and you know who you are — you truly are "God's Man".  I hope to find that the Lord brings your family, also, to the Flathead Valley soon.  You have my deepest respect and gratitude for your permanent friendship.