our second year: a fresh set of months

reflecting on
​​potato soup

[Ken and Deb 01/01/2017]  I read about a man who loved very much to cook.  He was particularly proud of a very special pot of potato soup that he had once prepared.  He worked carefully to prepare all of the perfect ingredients.  Their freshness measured in exactly the right proportions, they were added at just the right time to the simmering pot. The stove was watched ​meticulously as a guarded “family secret” began to steam.  A blend of seasonings was cooked in; not too long, not too short, not too hot. 

In the end, the soup was extraordinaire!  Neighbors came from all around to get a taste of this most magnificent meal.  The aroma was alluring.  The taste was lucious.  They all agreed, it was better than expected – the finest that they ever had.  The man was so proud of the exciting combination of flavors, presentation, and texture.  He, however, vowed never again to make another pot of this most appetizing soup. He feared that he could never out-do his previous acheivement.  This single savory accomplishment lived-on only in his mind. He never again attempted his family's extraordinary recipe.
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Last year was an extraordinary year for us.  There is no other way to say it.  Our first full year of retirement, 2016 was joyfully complete -- full of service opportunity, travel excitement, and warm encounters.  The year was our first with the SOWER Ministry.  This time one year before (2015) we did not know what we did not know about serving in this way. With a bit of apprehension, we stepped out in faith knowing that we would somehow be rewarded by the unfamiliarity, uncertainty, and unknown new friendships that would frame our new lifestyle.  We served eleven months, in eight different states, and traveled 5600 miles to do so.  Wherever the SOWER assignment, we learned that our service is less about the facility or the project, and more about relationships. The number of people we met on this path, with whom we had worked and helped along the way is countless. Our own personal growth must be acknowledged, as well, having been influenced by worship and fellowship with ministry leaders across the country.  We are thankful to God for these occasions and for how He had prepared our way in 2016.

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• We thank God for what He provided in 2016.  We are overwhelmed by the many different things he taught us, the ways that he had encouraged and made this ministry possible for us, and the wonderful people that we met through SOWERs.  We are affirmed that where He puts you, He will use you, and, that if you do your part, that He will do His part.  We were humbled by the vastness of His impact as we worked side-by-side with both small and large, under-funded and well-funded ministries. We grew closer to Him every day!

• ​We are overwhelmed with His blessings through the past year, including provision of the property we found in Texas that will become the Base Camp for our ministry.  We discovered great things and saw God glorified on every SOWER project. We learned that it was not about the work, it was about the people.  In our relationships, as in our work at each SOWER assignment, we were blessed.  We witnessed the tremendous need that exists at faith-based academies, orphanages, camps, churches, conference centers, etc., across the country and were, and are humbled to have been chosen to serve Him in this way.​

• We are thankful for safety and good health as we traveled and served. Navigating busy highways with a 62-foot long vehicle was not always so straight-forward. And on projects, we worked inside pits, on top of buildings, up on ladders, worked with heavy-equipment, pulled barbed-wire, used countless power tools, lifting, bending, cleaning, painting, sewing, exposed to electrical shock, toppled by a donkey, and even once came face-to-face with a black bear.  We were protected every day, both on projects, and as we traveled between them.  We had no injuries, praise the Lord!​

• We thank God for the opportunity to participate in so many extracurricular activities.  We kayaked in almost every state visited, hiked steep and wonderfully scenic trails, ogled a wide world of colorful bird habitats, paddled the most iconic of US canals, biked a portion of the railroad bed that carried Abraham Lincoln to Gettysburg, and even pedaled through alligator infested swamps. Our love of history was enhanced by visiting battlefields and museums. Quaint towns welcomed us to absorb their inviting culture and experience new culinary delights. We were amazed at the beauty of the country He showed us.  These, as well, are blessings.    ​

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​In every category, 2016 was fruitful and fulfilling.  The year exceeded our expectations; it was one of terrific growth and experience for Deb and me.  Like the potato soup, there were great seasons, plentiful textures, and wonderful flavors. Unlike the cook who stepped away from his most magnificent culinary creation, we are willing to be challenged by the bigger and better things that our Lord has prepared for us in the coming year.  And now, we head into 2017 with the confidence of heavenly protection, of roads paved ahead, and with the wondrous anticipation of even more fruitful and fulfilling service opportunities and travel excitement.  ...And of even more warm encounters with new Brothers and Sisters.

2017 ... HERE WE COME!!!
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