Seasons

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...  Ecclesiastes 3:1

In the late 1950's Pete Seeger wrote a song that took the verses from Ecclisiastes 3 almost word for word.  I remember singing it as a kid.  We had a record of it and it was on the radio.

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of war, a time of peace
A time…

Sarah and I have been so privileged to help lead a young moms' group for about 10 years.  The picture up at the top is this year's group.  Over the years, different girls have come and gone.  Some went back to work, new ones came to our church and wanted to get connected, some weren't from our church but wanted other mommy friends.  Some joined other studies or moved to other communities.  What a joy it has been to get to know so many young mothers!

But now both Sarah and I have sensed God's leading us in another direction.  Our season with young mothers is done.  We had a party this week for "end of year" and for us, an end to this time of ministry.

Everyone brought yummy food to share!

Sweet babies!

The young moms plan to continue meeting and we are glad to hear that!

Some pictures from years past:

Being silly!

Over the years, we have done many different studies - 

Beth Moore studies, 

Nancy Guthrie's "The Promised One", 

 "Real Moms, Real Jesus",

Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood by Melissa B. Kruger

(possibly my favorite!)

"Entrusted with a Child's Heart" by Betsy Corning, 

"Draw Near to God" by Fellowship Bible of NWA, 

 we've studied books of the Bible, 

and our last study was "Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World"by Hetti Bretz 

who came to our church for a day conference because 2 of our young moms got in touch with her!!  

Thank you, young moms for your love for us - for putting up with us and our "old fogey" ways at times - HA!  We learned a lot from you!  We cried together, laughed a lot, spent much time in prayer with you and for you.  Some of you have told us this time each week was a highlight of your week; just to spend time with other fellow mommies.  One mom told me that her young daughter pretends to "go to Bible study" with her dolls!  You mothers are an example to your children as you walk with Jesus daily!

The young moms each gave us cards that we read once we got home.   Have to admit to tears!!  I will treasure these and keep them in a special box I have (inside joke about my love for cards) !!

                         

Hillsboro Museum

I drive by this museum pretty regularly but I had never visited it.  I decided it was time!

Did you know that this house, called the Peter Paul Loewen House, is a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture because it is the last remaining immigrant Russian Mennonite clay brick structure left in North America?  

I called ahead to make sure the museum was open.  I made arrangements to meet the curator at 1:00. The cost of admission was $5 which is pretty reasonable.

 This museum shows the history of the Russian and Polish Mennonites that settled in Marion and McPherson Counties back in 1874.  My ancestors on my father's side are also Russian/Polish but they settled in Reno county.

Book of martyrs.  Our ancestors faced persecution for their beliefs.  This book which told stories of the martyrs was read along with the Bible at worship services.  Many of the services were conducted in secret.  My Swiss ancestors worshiped in a cave far from home so the towns' people wouldn't hear them singing.

We used to think that Hillsboro was named that because it was a town with a hill. Except there was no hill (at least in the town).  So it makes sense that it is named after a guy named Hill.

 
They enjoyed their coffee too!

The kettle was heated by wood stove beneath it.  The other wood burner (by the basket) would heat the bedroom wall.  Picture to follow later.

A window that is there does not look outside, but brings in light from the entrance room.

Who doesn't want a heart-shaped waffle maker?!

This orange wall behind the sofa (that pulls out to a bed for the parents) is the wall that is heated from the kitchen.  On the other side is another bedroom for the babies.

They were clock-makers.  This one still works!

The 3rd dial is not a second hand, but shows what day of the month it is!

Built in 1858.  Brought across the ocean.

 

Medicine cabinet

From the outside, you can see that the house is L shaped.  The section on the left is the barn and shed.  This house is called a house-barn since they are connected.  There is a double-door to the house to keep the barn smells out of the house.  My ancestor's home in Switzerland has the same configuration.  Ingenious since it gets so very cold!  No need to walk outside to the barn!

 Thresher stone.

Threshing wheat in those olden days was quite the chore!

In the shed was this buggy.  The curator told me it was a mail buggy.

After touring the house-barn, he took me to the windmill.

Mr. Friesen built the original mill in Gnadenau in 1876 and was located several miles south of Hillsboro. It was reproduced in 1994. 

The one-room school house.

On the way home, I took Happy Hills road.  I love the up and down and up and down.  Just so people coming from the other direction don't take the middle of the road, huh?  I parked the car off to the side and took a picture since there was no traffic.  I met 1 car the entire way.  I like to take this fun, happy road! 

Now I have seen the museum in Hillsboro.  Now I really need to visit the one in our town.  We've lived there since 1981 and I have yet to go there.