GOOD-BY LINCOLN - THANK YOU FOR YOUR 14 YEARS SERVICE !!!

As Elmer and Anna are on their way from Florida and Jean plus her family, are getting ready to go next week, we are short of people to do posts.  So you are stuck with me.

As you can see, I traded in the Lincoln this weekend.  It was not my because I wanted to, but because I had to.

I purchased the 1997 Lincoln in 2001 from a Toyota Dealer in Florida.  The man who owned the dealership's wife would not drive a Toyota.  So every four years he would buy her a Lincoln Town Car and sell the previous one at his dealership.  That's how I found the car.  I was driving my the dealership, went in and looked at it.

As I was driving a 1999 GMC Yukon, which I did not like, my car was newer than the Lincoln.  After a lot of dealing, I finally got the Lincoln and they paid me money - I didn't pay them money.  That Lincoln was the car I had always wanted.

There are  a lot of memories in that car.  I moved from Florida to New York full time in that car in 2002.  I had two dogs, Niki and Rickie.  Had the car all through the time I had my store.  Also went and sold at a lot of gem shows.  That was the only car that I could hold the tables in, my jewelry in, table coverings, boxes, bags, etc. in.

When I got New York State of Mind, I have put I don't know how many miles on that car going to Jean's, Elmer's, Martha's and more.  Also going places to take pictures.  Most of the miles on the car are for that.

My Dad use to drive a Lincoln Town Car.  I know the car is an earthly object, and my Dad is with the Lord.  I felt closer to my Dad with that car.  It might sound silly, but I did.

You know all the problems, I had last June.  Most of you gave money to pay the bills on this car.  I thought those repairs would be the end and I would have the car for many more years.  But, that is not the way things turned out.  It seemed one problem after the other.  The catalytic converted started making noise.  Car started leaking oil.  In the near future it would need a new gas tank as the other one was almost rusted through.  The ALB (or whatever your call it), went out on the brakes.  The drivers door wouldn't close right and would cost $600.00 to repair.  It was smoking in the back end.  It needed to be jump started as something was drawing on the battery.  I had the car to two garages and a Lincoln Dealer and none of them could figure what was draining the battery.  Finally, it started leaking gas.  It would not pass inspection which was do next month.  I did not feel safe in it with gas leaking and it not starting.  It would cost in the thousands to fix it up again.  It was 19 years old.

I went looking from dealer to dealer.  My credit is far from best in the world.  Either that or they were trying to sell me cars that I could not get out of easily because of a back condition I have. I thought I would have to go to one of those pay here places.  But I feel the Lord lead me to the dealership He did yesterday.  I got a car I like.  They took the Lincoln in on trade.  My loan went through a bank.  The payments are just a bit over what I wanted.  Now, I have to make the payments.

I hope you understand why I traded it in.  If it were in better condition, I would have kept it.  There were tears in my eyes as I drove away and left my old car there.  I felt, in a way, that I was leaving my Dad.  But, I also know, if my Dad were alive he would not want me going down the road in a car like that.  I hope everyone understands, too.

I will tell about my new to me and Pierre car tomorrow.

Blessings,
Marilyn

NOTE: Elmer, Anna or Porter were NOT on that Amtrak train that jumped the track in Kansas.  They are on an Amtrak train, but not that one.

GOD'S CREATURES - LAMBS

Saw these while driving down a back road.  Thought you might enjoy them.

BARNS - AGAIN

The yellow barn at the top has been on before - but not yellow.  It was a natural wood until they recently painted it.  Rest of the barns, I got while driving around.  Some are Amish, some Mennonite and some Englishers.

JEAN'S WHOLE-WHEAT OATMEAL BREAD

JEAN'S WHOLE-WHEAT OATMEAL BREAD

2 Cups wheat flour
2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup molasses
3 cups + 2 Tablespoon quick oats (uncooked)
1 egg
4 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour
2 pkgs dry yeast
3 cups water
6 Tablespoon margarine

Combine wheat flour, salt and yeast in a 2 quart pan.  Add water, molasses, margarine and heat over low heat, until margarine melts.  Place mixture in bowl and gradually add quick oats.  Mix on low speed until blended.  Beat in 1 cup whole wheat flour on medium speed.  With wood spoon, stir in 3 cups whole what flour.  (Makes a soft dough).  Kneat bread 10 minutes.  Shape dough into ball and place in greased bowl.  Cover with towel and let rise one hour.  Grease cookie sheet.  Punch down dough and place on greased sheet.  Cover and let dough rise until double (about 40 minutes).  Cut top of loaf with 5 slashes.  Brush top of loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle with 2 Tablespoon quick oats.  Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

JEAN'S FAMILY

Well, as Elmer said, Grandmother Olive and Grandfather Albert are going to have a week to rest before the next crowd.  We are going to be the next crowd.  On March 21st, we are leaving on Amtrak and we will be returning on March 28th.

At first, we thought we wouldn't go.  Finances was a part and taking Katie and Susan out of school was another.  Grandmother Olive and Grandfather Albert sent us the tickets.  They said we earned it taking care of them at our house.  We tried to refuse, but they wouldn't hear of it.  Of course Thomas and Ruth are coming because of the wedding gift they received.  Grandmother Olive has it all set where everyone was sleeping so that is settled.  We can't wait to go.

My parents got a little upset.  David says upset is minor.  Okay, really upset that we are going before they are.  Grandmother Olive called them and straightened them out.  She explained that we did not ask them, they asked us.  Not only that, they had lived in our home and it was a way to show they appreciate what we did and will do again, if necessary.  I don't know exactly what she said, but my parents are now glad we are going and hope we enjoy it.

The girls will only be out of school, five days.  The school is closed on Good Friday.  Teacher will give us information on what they will be studying while they are gone so the girls can bring their text books and study.  The teacher told them to study, but enjoy the trip, too.  Don't spend all their time in books while they are in Florida.  Both girls are doing well in school, so they can catch up when they get back.

We are really looking forward to this trip. It will be brief, but we will enjoy it.  The children are all ready going through what they want to do when they get there.  Michael and Edward are coming, too.  This is a family event.  David said we should enjoy it as Thomas has his own farm now and soon will Michael and Edward.  In a few years, they will be marry and be on their own.

I asked Grandmother Olive what should we bring to wear.  It will be much warmer there than here.  She has given me a list and we are all packing up.  David made sure that our farm and Thomas will be taken care of while we are gone.  Any customers that Michael would have while he is going is being referred to Kevin, while he is gone.  Edward is taking off during tax season, but this is a special trip.  So we think we have everything covered while we are gone.  We are really looking forward to this trip.

Someone asked how the boys plow.  Our tractors are run on gas.  We have plows that attach to the front of them during the winter.  So that is how the boys do plowing in the winter.  They have been very good savers this year, with what little snow we have had.

We are trying to get Michael to put a post on here.  I think he did a long time ago, I can't remember.  He and Edward are also planning on what they want to do when they get to Florida.

Well I feel I should be saying more, but can't think of more to say right now.  I have Florida on my mind.

Be With God,
Jean

ELMER FROM FLORIDA

Well, this is our last week in Florida.  We are leaving so Olive and Albert can get some rest before the next crowd comes.  Porter is coming to pick Anna and I up on Saturday to take us to his and his wife's home.  I will get to see his train collection that I have heard so much about.  We will be staying Saturday night and Sunday night.  Monday, we will be going to work with Porter.  We will get on the Amtrak and head home.

Anna and I took Olive, Albert, Fanny and Amos out to dinner at Yoder's to thank them for all they did for us.  They said it wasn't necessary, which it wasn't, but we wanted to.  We all had a good time.

Also, Anna went to the doctor and he removed the original cast.  He gave her a walking cast.  She can get around with that and a cane, but not as good as she can in the wheel chair or the electric chair.  Our children, up north, are seeing if they can rent an electric chair for Anna when she gets home.

We look forward to coming to Florida each year, but it is nice to get back home again.  Eli is still trying to talk us into buying that cottage.  We had a contractor over telling what it would cost to remodel it.  Anna and I are thinking about it.  Eli and I could do it our self, but Anna asked if we both would want to come down to Florida and spend our whole vacation remodeling.  She had a good point there.  We haven't even bought it - yet.

John called and told us he wants to plant already this year.  I told him to remember a few years ago when we had an early spring and I planted all those crops.  About a week after I got the crops in, it froze and I had to buy more seed and replant.  That was an expensive lesson for me.  Told John to wait.

I know, every farmer, gets the ich when all the snow melts and spring weather comes.  Also, I know that John has a wife and son that he must support and take care of.  He wants to get as much profit as he can for when the bad year comes around or when crops don't sell as well.  I can understand.  But there is such a thing as moving too fast.  Told him to go out and turn the ground over, but don't plant, it is way to early.

We also try to get more than one crop in a year.  Usually, I get two crops in, depending on the vegetables, maybe three, but I don't push it more than that.  I also know that the Lord wants us to use the money we get for crops wisely.  He wants us to save during the good times for the bad times.  Anna and I have done this over the years.  Should we get a bad season, we would make it through.  We might have to cut back on a few things, but we would make it.  John, has to take time to build this up.  He and Sarah have some set aside now, but it takes a few years to build this up.

If things got bad, you can be sure Anna and I would not allow any of our children to starve or do without necessary supplies.  We would help.  But, on the other hand, they are to plan ahead to take care of their own.  It is hard to save when you are starting out.

John is not the only one going through this.  Jean and David's Thomas is also going through the same thing.  Many young farmers are going through it when they first start out.

Now before someone asks, yes we give a some of the money for our crops to the Lord.  We are not asked to give a certain per cent or amount.  What we are asked is to give generously to the work of the Lord.  We collect at church twice a year.  Bishop Eli lets us know when it will be.  One of the donation times is after harvest.  Before we give Anna and I pray that the Lord will let us know how much we should give.  On the Sunday of the collection, a bag is set by the door, you put your money in. No one watches it to see how much anyone puts it.  Unless you write a check no one knows who puts in what.  The money is used to help others.  It could be for medical bills or groceries or building a barn, etc.  If they do run short between collections, Bishop Eli announces that at church and advises that someone will be coming to our homes on such a day to collect.  It is usually the deacons that show and we put money in the bag.  Whatever amount we feel comfortable with.  No one is asked to put in a certain amount.  Since Eli has been Bishop, they only came to our house once.  It was when one of the people had large medical bills for a sick child.  Our money is conserved - used wisely.

Well, I went on longer than I thought I would.  The next post you get from me will probably be from New York.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

MY LATEST REPORT

I want to thank everyone for your prayers and kind thoughts.  I really appreciate them.  Feeling much better now.

Also, want to thank Michael for handling the computer for me while I was sick.  It was so kind of him to do it for me - especially seeing how busy he is.

Am trying to see if we can get him to a post on, but he says he has nothing to say.  Just a run of the mill life.  I told him, we want to hear about his run of the mill life.  So we will see.

Hope to have everything back on next week.  Thank you for your patience this week.

Thank you.
God Bless You,
Marilyn