The Event ~ 2020 in a Nutshell ~ The Joys that Choked out the Woes

 2020 was like no other year we have ever experienced in our lifetime.  It started out like a normal year. Tim and I traveled to Australia and New Zealand in March.  Talk of a wold pandemic was swirling around.  In the middle of our first week in Australia, we watched the news in our hotel room of a world shut down due to the pandemic.  Schools, businesses, travel - all being shut down.  But we continued to be delighted in our amazing trip and did get home very safely, only to quarantine ourselves at home for the next two weeks.  A practice that became quite common for the remainder of the year.  The year ended with a devastating national presidential election in which the democrats literally stole the election by fraud to begin their socialist and leftist agenda taking away the freedoms on which America was founded on.  But among all the wickedness and evil  and sin abounding in our midst,  God is still in control and HE is the victory.  

However, we enjoyed life in 2020 despite the corona virus and other stuff.    Tim and I celebrated our 50th anniversary November 28.  The kids wanted to throw us a a big party, but the pandemic put an end to that as people just were not going out in big groups as much. 50 years is quite an achievement, not without struggles and trials amidst the joys and blessings.  We couldn't have made this milestone without building the foundation of  our home and life on God, His Word, and His Son Jesus Christ. 

November 28, 1970

We enjoyed Joe spending the summer with us and working with Grandpa as his summer job.  He was a hard and good worker, and I am sure the memories will remain for his lifetime!  He enjoyed tending the cows, and swathing some hay, and baling.  We did a South Dakota trip with him and took him to Mt Rushmore.  Later when his family all came out, we all took a trip to Toadstool Park in northwest Nebraska.  Our first time there after all these years living in Nebraska.

Kids enjoying Toadstool Park

Kids enjoying Toadstool Park

A little hard work before the fun: Jon, Josh, Joe, Ben

At Toadstool Park

Joe on a toadstool!

In September, I went to Billings and brought my mom down to spend two weeks with us in Nebraska.  Cash and Annie and Penny, Charlotte and Wyatt came to spend a few days with their Grandma and Great Grandma. Josh even showed up one weekend and had time to give his Great Grandma Esther a hug.  The grandkids always enjoy a little tractor time with us in the field. 

Wyatt all smiles in the tractor

Wyatt helping Grandma bale hay!

Josh and his Great Grandma Esther

Cash, Annie, Penny, Charlotte, Wyatt, Grandma Esther

Summer fun in the stock tank

A friend took this picture from a hot air balloon

Life on the farm during hay season

I turned 70 on September 28. Cash and Annie surprised me on my birthday and took us out to dinner.  The big  surprise was when they planned a party at El Charrito with about 30 friends.   Tim turned 72 on November 11.  I made him a special quilt depicting his farm life

Tim wrapped in his birthday quilt I made for him.

We ended the year 2020 by spending Christmas in Lincoln with Tim and Janel and family.

Me with Willa and Esther

Tim challenging Esther in arm wrestling

Christmas feast

Grandpa and Willa frosting Christmas cookies

A good start to a new year 2021 at the sweetheart dinner

After finally turning the page to a new 2021,  our life priority is to remain faithful to God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and spread the Gospel.  The harvest is ripe for the end times.   Believers in Christ are assured of eternal life in heaven.  We have the hope and promises of God.  We must cling to God's Word, the Holy Bible, and live a life pleasing to Him. 

The Event ~ Merle - Our Dog

We  have always had pets, both dogs and cats our whole married life.  Tim had pets as a child.  I had pets as a child.  Pets are and have always been part of our family.  The longest we have ever had a pet was a dog for 14 years.  Our dog Merle.  We got Merle in April 2007.  We had to say goodbye to Merle in Feb 2021.  It was a hard sad day as we took Merle to the vet to have him put down.  We have never had to do that to a pet before. Merle was a red merle Australian Shepherd.  He went everywhere with Tim.  He loved donuts at the gas station when Tim took the jeep in to fill gas.  Merle was afraid of thunder and lightening and fireworks.  

A few days before we said goodbye

The last picture at the vet office.

Because pets and dogs have always been a part of our lives, we have already found a new puppy to love.  Also an Australian Shepherd, but our new puppy is a mini Australian Shepherd.  As I write this, we do not have her yet, but are scheduled to pick her up on March 21, 2021 near Lincoln.  A friend of Janel's raises mini Australian Shepherds.  This one will be a red tri - more solid red with some white, and a little bit of brown. We think we may name her Ruby.  Maybe.  Maybe not. Will have to wait and see.

The new puppy - a mini Aussie born Feb 5, 2021