I Just Can’t Get to You

I was visiting with our grandson, Dominic on the phone the other day.  Dominic, who is five, had all kinds of excitement to share.  It was so fun to hear his stories.  Living hours away, Dominic has yet to visit our new home.  I told him that I missed him and that it would be really neat if he could come to visit us and see his horse friend, Wonder.  When I asked if he thought he might do that some day, Dominic quickly and emphatically responded, “No.”  “Oh, why not,” I asked?  “Because you live far, far away and I just can’t get to you,” he asserted sadly.  My heart sank.  In Dominic’s little mind, Grandpa and I are alive, we are out there somewhere, but no matter how badly he wants to, no matter how hard he tries, he could never ever get to us.

Dominic’s mindset reminds me of where my heart has been numbers of times in my relationship with God.  While I’ve trusted that He is alive and “out there somewhere,” it seemed that no matter what I did, I just couldn’t “get to” Him.  Hours of prayer and intense study of His Word not only seemed fruitless, it activated further frustration and deeper longing.  I’ve heard it said that God is within us, so I even spent a great deal of time trying to be still in order to find God within.  The harder I tried the more questions developed.  The confusion and frustration was over-whelming at times.  Those around me didn’t seem to understand.  My questions were irritating to more than a few.  On one hand I was warned to stop asking all these questions and simply trust; on the other hand many admitted that they were also disturbed by the allusive answers to such questions.  Consequently, they’d rather I keep the questions to myself.  I suppose I could do that, but… something inside of me compels me to ask:

While it might be humbling to admit, who of us really “knows” God?

Isn’t there great pride and arrogance in assuming that we can?

• Can we possibly know and understand the One who brings both life and puts to death, who both heals and wounds (Deut. 32.39) and who sets both blessings and curses before us (Deut. 30:3)?
• Are we capable of understanding the One who “make(s) peace and create(s) evil (Isaiah 45:7)?
• How do we rectify that evil and good come from the mouth of God (Lamentations 3:38), yet evil does not dwell with this same God (Psalm 5:4)?
• What do we do with a God who is Love (1 John 4:8), yet brings evil upon those He created (Amos 3:6)?  Why do we blame evil on another when Scripture clearly reads that it comes from the hand of God (Job 2:10)?

I’ve heard the standard answers.  Dare I say that I’ve “left no stone unturned” as I’ve deciphered the “supporting” Scriptures many times, but when the rubber meets the road, the supports are quite shaky and there seem to be no reasonable answers.  How dare I challenge God’s Word and question God?  Some would go so far as to question my “Christianity”!  Let me give you a Scriptural example of a person who dared to do such a thing.  In doing so, I will also give you an example of those who give all the “pretty,” prepackaged answers, but fail to honestly ask the questions.

In his effort to understand God, Job went so far as to question and accuse God.  Job’s friends, on the other hand, mouthed knowledge, but it was not living knowledge of the God whom they claimed to honor.  In their piety, they would never, ever consider questioning God.  Instead, they simply accepted and trusted in what they had been taught.  As much as we might want to believe and portray that we are “good Christians,” the reality is… this is much more risky than questioning and accusing God.   Why?  Because, while God left Job to wrestle in the confusion and frustration manifested from his genuine desire to know and understand his Creator, Father’s heart was touched by Job’s hunger for Him and answered his prayers.  On the other hand, God was angry with Job’s arrogant friends who assumed they had a handle on their Creator.  In fact, He would not even hear their prayers (Job 42)!

I realize that the questions are unsettling.  I understand that the seemingly inconsistent Scriptural references can be more than we want to consider.  But… it is necessary.  While the wrestling may never bring clear answers in this life, it seems that it is necessary preparation for the next.  Wishing I or someone else could help you through the process?  I will do everything in my power to make it possible for my precious Dominic to get to us, but neither I nor anyone else can give you the answers for “finding” God, any more than Job’s friends could help Him.  We all have to go through our own process of questioning and searching.  I can assure you that, as much as this long lonely road seems fruitless at times, our Creator declares,

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me, (Jeremiah 29:13).

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

“You Nasty…” and Other Challenges a Crown Bearer Faces

My sister-in-law, Marcia is a berry pickin’ queen!  When she goes out, she’s prepared!  She doesn’t leave the house without a cane and a pair of nippers, along with her bucket.  Decked out in long pants, long sleeves and a scarf on her head, Marcia uses the cane to pull distant brambles toward her and to find the luscious succulents hiding under branches near to the ground.  She uses the nippers to cut those old razor sharp brambles that aren’t producing anything except annoyance.  Brilliant!

While she’s quite a berry scout, through her years of experience, Marcia has learned that berry pickin’ can be risky business!  The story goes that, one year, she returned to the house with her bucket full of berries, but the back of her shirt was ripped to shreds, appearing as though a bear had attacked her from behind!  Now those are some wicked brambles!  Last year, she nearly fell into the swamp groping for the dangling temptations just out of her cane’s reach.  She is one dedicated berry picker!

There isn’t much conversation when we are picking berries together.  Except for the ecstatic, “Oh, my gosh!  Look at these,” an occasional “Ouch!  You nasty …”, and “Holy cow, it’s hot out here,” reaping our harvest is mostly business.

While it does have its trials, I love picking berries.  I could and do pick for hours!  Not only do I love being outside, I appreciate the free fruit and I enjoy dreaming about all the delicious berry recipes that will soon be filling our home with homemade freshness!  And… although it may seem foolish to most, I love the challenge of getting to the most “unreachable” berry.

Speaking of foolish… I wonder how many people have free fruit in their back forty and don’t even know it or worse yet, they know it, but don’t care.  “Too much work,” they say, “why in the world would I risk falling into the swamp, having my shirt torn off my back and frying in the hot summer sun when I can simply go to the store and just buy ‘em?”

Easier; yes, but where’s the adventure?  Where are the stories?  Where are the lessons learned?

Sadly, most of us look at life the way that we look at picking berries.

We’ll go to great extremes to skirt around anything that may be

somewhat prickly and treacherous in order to avoid discomfort.

We expect life to be easy and we get discouraged when it is not.  In fact, typically we attempt to pray away anything that resembles suffering.  However, according to Scripture, it seems that this expresses a misunderstanding of the purpose for life:

Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:1-4

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to come to the end of life and discover that, while I may be old, I’m immature in my faith and lacking the greatest gift because, at all costs, I worked to avoid a little discomfort.  Instead, my heart’s desire is to be,

Blessed (as) the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

So... quit whining and get out there!  Use a “cane” to get through those rough spots in life, if you have to.  Who knows, you just might find yourself wearing a crown!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

Haste in Choosing Toilet Tissue and Other Important Decisions

I’ve been up and out in the berry brambles early the last few mornings, collecting gallons of the beautiful fruit that surrounds our farm.  While it isn’t all joy, I do love picking berries.  Most of us know that wherever there are prickly brambles, there lives poison ivy.  For some reason the sight of poison ivy always reminds me of a particular childhood experience:

My youngest brother, Louie and I spent a lot of time playing in the woods.  Home was often a long way from where we were playing and returning there to take care of our bathroom needs seemed senseless.  So… we often “did our duty” wherever we were playing.  Old fallen trees worked well for a “resting” seat and leaves were often handy and useful as toilet “paper”.  Well… most of the time, that is.

One day, I was overly anxious to get back to whatever we were playing and I didn’t take the necessary time to consider what leaves I might be holding in my hand

It wasn’t long before I realized that

my hasty toilet “tissue” decision was going to result in

a long and excruciatingly painful consequence!

When the itching, blisters and burning developed, I thought I’d die of discomfort before I’d ever get better.  Needless to say, I learned my lesson about my choice of nature’s toilet “tissues!”

Have you ever made hasty decisions that led to painful consequences?  Maybe you

• married too quickly.
• left a good job out of frustration.
• spent money unwisely.
• opened your mouth too soon.

We’ve all found ourselves suffering the consequences of our haste.  What is important, however, is “did we learn?”  Most of us nod our heads an emphatic, “Yes, I learned that

• I should have never married the jerk!”
• I should have stayed with the great job that I already had!”
• I should have not purchased that!”
• I should have kept my mouth shut!”

It’s good that we all learn something from our mistakes.  But… are we missing the broader and possibly more important lesson in these experiences?  While it’s true that I should not have used those leaves, is the greater lesson found in simply gearing my pace down a notch or two in order to prevent the major “pain in the wazoo” in the first place?

It’s not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Proverbs 19:2

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

An Alternative to Chemical Wormers

Our critters are important to me, so I like to protect their health as best as I can.  I’m learning about worming without harmful chemicals.  While, I’ve much more to learn, I like to share what I do know so that others don’t have to spend so much time researching, planning etc.  I’ve been buying a wonderful product for worming, but have wanted to make my own in order to save money.  Plus, I like the adventure of learning and concocting.

Let me begin by saying that it is normal for almost all animals to carry internal microscopic creatures.  When in balance, the host and the parasite can live in harmony with one another.  However, as a result of poor dietary habits, improper hygiene, poor pasture management etc., the host can develop an internal environment that breeds an over population of internal parasite.  When this happens, the parasites begin to consume more nutrients than the host can relinquish without suffering nutritional deficit.  Something must be done!  The host could die, or at the least, suffer unpleasant health problems.  However, we have a big problem when it comes to commercial wormers!

Like most herbicides and insecticides, our world is becoming more and more resistant to the chemicals available to destroy parasites.  The harder we work at developing new chemicals, the stronger the strains of parasites become.  Not only that, these chemical wormers are becoming more and more hazardous to the health of our livestock.  The key, I believe, is in prevention.  We must work at developing an internal environment in our livestock that the nasty critters have no desire to live in.

To accomplish this, we need a product that:

• does not have adverse affects on the animal as a result of harsh chemicals.
• builds, not destroys the animal’s immune system.
• establishes an internal environment in the animal that the parasite is adverse to.
• slowly, but effectively kills the parasite without consequential toxicity due to a build-up of dead parasites.
• promotes expulsion of the parasites without developing diarrhea and nutritional imbalance.

Using my research and the ingredients of other products as my guide, I’ve developed two products that I believe meet the requirements above and are cost effective.  The two formulas are given over an eight week period and the cycle is repeated throughout the year.  Remember this is not a harsh chemical that literally blows the crap out of the parasites, causing adverse effects on the animals and is repeated a few times a year.  Instead, throughout the entire year these ingredients will establish an environment that the freeloaders do not like while causing gentle expulsion of the dead scroungers.

WORMWOOD/BLACK WALNUT WORMER FORMULA - #1

4 Cups Wormwood                     4 Cups Garlic

1 cup Fennel seed powder           1 cup Diatomaceous Earth

1 cup *Black Walnut powder (* NOT FOR HORSES)

DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY

Use right before breeding and resume day after delivery.

During pregnancy substitute with Formula #2 for 3 consecutive days

Administration: Given for three consecutive days of week one

Dosage:

Goat: 1 tbsp…………..Kids under 2 months: ½ TBSP

Sheep: 2 tsp        Llamas: 2-3 tsp         Alpaca: 1-2 tsp

Cattle 3-4 Tbsp             Horses: 2-3 TBSP

Dogs: ½ to 1 tsp           Cats: ¼ tsp

Pigs: 2-3 tsp                 Chickens 1 Tbsp to 6 chickens

**Horses: (*Carefully mix and mark container without Black Walnut)

WORMER FORMULA - #2

4 Cups Mugwort                          4 Cups Garlic    4 Cup Pumpkin Seeds

1 Cup Fennel seed powder           1 Cup Diatomaceous Earth

1 Cup Thyme                                1 Cup Hyssop

Pregnancy Safe: Substitute for FORMULA #1 during Pregnancy!

Administration: Given one time weekly for seven weeks.

Dosage:

Goat: 1 tbsp…………..Kids under 2 months: ½ TBSP

Sheep: 2 tsp        Llamas: 2-3 tsp         Alpaca: 1-2 tsp

Cattle 3-4 Tbsp             Horses: 2-3 TBSP

Dogs: ½ to 1 tsp           Cats: ¼ tsp

Pigs: 2-3 tsp                 Chickens 1 Tbsp to 6 chickens

For the babies, administer a three day dose of Formula #2 beginning at 4 weeks of age, repeat every 3 weeks until they are 6 months old.  At that time, start them on the 8 week cycle.  You may have to add water to the product and use a syringe to drench them if they are not interested in eating the wormer.  If diarrhea develops, immediately administer Formula #1 for three consecutive days.

In order to make the product more palatable, I mix it with black strap molasses.  Not only do the animals love it, the molasses adds nutritional value that helps to build their health.  What a treat!  A few gulps of apple cider vinegar splashed in their water is an additional way to establish the internal environment that we’re seeking in our animals.  All of this may sound like a lot of additional work, but once you get into the routine, it goes quickly and it gives you the necessary time to closely evaluate your animals rather than rushing through chores simply for the sake of getting them done.  In my opinion, their health and the blessings that they offer to us are worth every minute!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

DISCLAIMER:

The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc.  Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.

All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  This is best left to the Creator of the universe.  In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted.  The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified.  The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material.

Bluegrass Festival Success

Marigold Meadows was literally humming with activity last weekend with our first annual Lloyd Loar’s Hometown Bluegrass Festival!  We couldn’t have asked for a better “first”.  We did have a brief downpour of rain, but it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of crowd or the musicians.  At one point, we counted over 120 attendees just under the shelter.  There were additional jammers and listeners scattered around the meadow.

Festival Highlights:

• Bluegrass Express from Elizabeth, IL showcased the event with Andy Hatfield who is the National Banjo, Mandolin and flat top guitar pickin’ champion!
• Carol Jean (Smith) Trulson surprised me with a visit.  Carol Jean is the late Oliver Smith’s daughter.  For years, Oliver and his family hosted the internationally recognized Harmony Pines Bluegrass Festival in Gilson, Il.  Carol Jean & I were high school friends who sang together often and participated in state vocal contests together.
• We were blessed with several local musicians who were the backbone of the festival, helping with odds and ends from start to finish, filling in when other band members weren’t able to come, etc.
• Fred and Carol Barrett who are the hosts of the wonderful Bluegrass Festival at New Salem State Park came to support and encourage us.  They are so impressed with and excited about our festival that they offered to showcase us at the New Salem Festival!
• Members of Bluegrass Express have assisted with other youth programs at various Bluegrass Festivals.  They have offered to help us organize youth workshops for our future festivals.
• Phil Belcher was Johnnie-on-the-Spot offering to help as we were getting ready, being our festival photographer and offering a demonstration at the festival of his handmade mountain instruments!  What a craftsman he is!
• Steve Hatfield’s band, Heartbreak Mountain from Peoria, IL joined us.  Andy is Steve’s son.  There’s no question where Andy’s talent comes from!
• My sister-in-law, Marcia had an opportunity to bake in her new wood-burning oven that my brother, Art built last winter.  Known for miles for her pie baking skills, Marcia’s new oven will bake 16 pies at one time!  No one was disappointed in how the oven or Marcia performed!
• Steve Smith from Barnyard Guitars in Macomb, IL set up a vending tent of instruments, picks, strings etc.
• Tony Williamson owns a collection of Lloyd Loar mandolins.  While he was not able to join us this year, he sent us CDs at a discounted price to help us raise money to encourage youth in Bluegrass music.  On the CD, Tony is playing the various mandolins and explaining the history behind them!
• Mark Wheeler, Steve Smith and Bill Kuhn were individual musicians who shared their talents with us.
• Gary, my brother Art & I had the honor of joining in with various musicians.
• We were astounded to have a young man show up in the meadow one day when we were preparing for the festival.  He introduced himself and said, “My wife and I think what you are doing is just wonderful and we want to do whatever we can to help.”  Pete and Stephanie Scrogum were a God-send to us from that point on and I’m sure they will be an ongoing part of our lives.  What a blessing!

Although he desired to be here, due to his traveling schedule, we missed the opportunity by about 24 hours to have the Lloyd Loar’s historian, Roger Siminoff join us.  Roger owns several of Lloyd Loar’s instrument prototypes, blueprints, compositions etc.  As everyone’s “go to” man regarding Lloyd Loar, Roger has been very encouraging and helpful from start to finish.  Hopefully, Roger will be able to join us next year with his historical presentation about the musical genius, Lloyd Loar.

There is no doubt in my mind that next year’s festival will be even better.  Musicians are already lining-up to join us on stage, as well as offering to hold workshops, etc.  Festival attendees are already spreading the word and we learned a thing or two that will hopefully make our future festivals even more enjoyable for everyone.  Mark your calendars for the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June.  You won’t wanna miss it and we’d love to have you!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

They Don't Bug Me Anymore!

We’ve had so much moisture this spring that the bugs are thick here at Marigold Meadows!  It’s difficult to work in the garden without fearing that you might be carried away by a swarm of gnats!  I’ve never been to Minnesota, but I’ve heard about their man-sized mosquitoes.  I think their cousins are living here on our farm.

The horses are pretty smart.  They are spending a lot of time in the barn where there is a breeze which somewhat keeps the annoying insects away.  While the barn is one of my favorite places to be, I do have things that need to be done.  However, in my efforts to make it through my “to do list,” it seems that I’m doing more fruitless swatting than accomplishing anything else!  So… as I’ve considered plants that are on my side against these pesky intruders, I think I’ve fashioned a insect repellant recipe that will make outdoor work and fun activities a little more enjoyable.

I knew that I wanted to stay away from DEET, the neurological damaging compound used in most commercial insect repellants.  I also knew that Catnip was an effective insect repellant, but I didn’t realize just how effective until I came across the researchers report given in 2001 at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, that the essential oil in catnip is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET!  However, like all enterprises, those manufacturing insect repellants are interested in making money and catnip oil is not cheap!  Consequently, while I wanted catnip as my foundation, because of it’s costliness I realized that I needed to use it as a tincture or undiluted in minimal amounts.  Not having any catnip tincture on hand, I chose the essential oil of Catnip.

I decided to use witch hazel as a carrier because it is not oily.  No one likes dirt and sand sticking to their skin because of oily lotions and sprays.  I concluded that it is best to mix insect repelling oils in order for the end product to be most effective and least expensive.  Here is my non-oily, insect repelling end-product:

4 oz Witch Hazel Extract

1 ounce Neem oil (purchase this diluted in olive oil)

80 drops Citronella essential oil

80 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

40 drops Lavender essential oil

20 drops Rosemary essential oil

20 drops catnip essential oil (may use 4 oz. Catnip tincture instead)

10 drops Lemongrass essential oil

10 drops Lemon essential oil

Mix in a spray bottle.  Shake well before each use.  Reapply as needed.

They don’t bug me anymore!  Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

DISCLAIMER:

The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc.  Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.

All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  This is best left to the Creator of the universe.  In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted.  The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified.  The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material.

Hot Dog of a Man

We’ve met a man who is known in our community as, “Hot Dog”.  Hot Dog often attends music jams with his wife, who seems to be one of the most loyal, supportive persons I’ve ever observed.  While he mostly gets around in a wheelchair, when Hot Dog stands he is a very tall, big man!  Hot Dog is unable to speak clearly, but works very hard to communicate with those he is interested in.  He can tell you that he is “Hot Dog”.  Otherwise, under normal circumstances he only utters, “Yabba, yabba, yabba”.  However… it is simply amazing that at the jams, Hot Dog will pull himself up out of his wheelchair to stand and lead the crowd in singing “God Bless America”.  While it is obviously a struggle for him to get the words out, every word is quite clear!  His tenacity brings tears to my eyes every time.

A few weeks ago, I sang a closing song entitled, “Where Could I Go But To The Lord” written by James B. Coats.  Hot Dog’s eyes were glued to me as I sang:

Living below in this old sinful world,
Hardly a comfort can afford.
Striving alone to face temptations sore,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Neighbors are kind, I love them every one. 
We get along in sweet accord. 
But when my soul needs manna from above,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Life here is grand with friends I love so dear,
Comfort I get from God's own Word.

Yet when I face the chilling hand of death,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

It was obvious that Hot Dog was listening, but I had no idea how deeply the song touched his heart.  After the jam, he got up out of his wheelchair and using his cane, Hot Dog made his way over to where the musicians were sitting.  He began to shake each one’s hand.  To my surprise, instead of shaking my hand, Hot Dog drew me to himself and kissed me on the cheek.  Looking me straight in the eye he spoke, “I lub you”.  I nearly broke into tears.  Using his unaffected arm, he lifted his limp arm.  It was obvious that Hot Dog had something very important that he wanted to communicate to me, yet all that he could utter was, “Yabba, yabba, yabba, stroke.”  Our hearts were connected at that moment and I knew exactly what he had on his mind.  He wanted me to know that as a result of his stroke he had learned a very important lesson; “Where could I go but to the Lord?”

It is my understanding that Hot Dog was once a very stoic man and quite intimidating to most, especially his wife.  Today, when my brother Art sings, “I Wouldn’t Change You if I Could,” Hot Dog’s gaze locks onto his wife’s face with tears streaming from his eyes.  It’s amazing to me what the hand of God can do to a man’s heart.  I don’t know who this man used to be, but what I do know is that today… he’s a Hot Dog of a man!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845