The Intentional Life

I don't know too many people personally that have gone to war for me. Although I do have some family members who have served in the armed forces. Cousins. Uncles. Grandpa. My dad. I think that is that one that strikes me the most.  Even though my dad didn't know me yet as he signed up to go fight a war. To leave family and security behind. To trade it for nightmarish reminders and medical affliction that still plague him today. I don't know all the reasons behind why he signed up.  But I believe he was wanting to see freedom for others who did not have it.  Freedom that he enjoyed here in America. He went, along with many, many others to fight a controversial war. I don't know many details.  As one could guess, my dad doesn't share too many of the stories of his time oversees in uniform.  But that's OK.  I've seen him suffer physically over the last 30+ years to know that all things were not pleasant. My dad was expose

 Our good friends in Zambia, Erik and Carrie, work closely with single mothers on their strawberry farm that they run.  Yesterday, they put out a plea for help.  To help these women have decent roofs over their heads and their childrens'.   Below is portions on their request: "Boss, can I have this piece of plastic?"  "Sir, are you going to use that cardboard box?" I can tell rainy season is right around the corner.  Every year, the ladies on the farm start patching up their roofs for rainy season.  And every year, I give them what the farm can spare so they can stay dry.  In the 4-5 months of rainy season, our area of Zambia will get OVER 3 FEET of rain.  We need it to get through the other months of hot, dry weather.  But, it presents some pretty big challenges for our workers. In addition to the natural  increase in malaria in rainy season, they deal with wet houses.  Their roofs are a collection of tin sheets, asbestos tiles, cardboard, plastic,

It's no secret around here that October is my favorite month. It does not contain my birthday or anniversary.  But it contains the season I love the most.  Autumn: it appeals to all the senses. In the midst of enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colors and smells and sounds, we managed to pack a lot into the 31 days. And thankfully I had my camera out to catch quite a bit of it along the way...  Though we had a few dips into freezing temperatures, we also had some pretty warm days.  Managed to make it through the month without having to fire up the furnace or woodstove.  But the warm weather confused a few things and our crab apple started blooming again.  Don't know what that means for next spring.  Owen did another season of Fall Baseball  Enjoyed the way morning light comes in the side door window  Got together for the Annual Columbus Day weekend bash. A few birthdays were celebrated as well.  The girls love holding the you