The Farmer's Donkey

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovels later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred
Free your mind from worries
Live simply
Give more
Expect less

-Shelly

Memorial Weekend!

Remembering with gratitude and pride for all those who serve and have served to protect our country.

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither, and lose both.

-- Benjamin Franklin

Red-Wings and Buzzers

Spring has really sprung in Chicagoland. It is evident with the arrival of the red-winged blackbirds and the early cicadas.

I am sure if I was up and more alert at this time last year that I would have seen the beautiful birds and the first infestation of the buzzing cicadas. (A cicada looks similar to a locust, but it has a larger body and is more colorful.

I feel bad for the early cicadas because they will be devoured by the birds and dogs as they venture out of their underground burrows; however do not feel too bad for the industrious and noisy insects. Soon there will be so many of them around, the dogs and birds will be sick of eating them, and then all the male cicadas will sing; and the stereophonic buzzing will sound like a den of rattlesnakes.

I saw my first sighting of a red-winged blackbird a few weeks ago. It was sitting on the tip of cattail and I would have totally missed the little black bird, but it hopped off the plant and I immediately saw the bright red feathers. It was the most beautiful little bird I have seen in a long time. When Lynn and I were driving up to Madison, Wisconsin, I saw oodles of red-winged blackbirds off the freeways defending their small territories. The birds nests in marshes, cattails, fields, etc. They migrate from the Southern states and Mexico around March to the Northern states, including Aurora, IL, in swarms. They will migrate back to their warmer climates in the fall.

It is raining today in Chicagoland. With the arrival of the cicadas, along with the red-winged blackbirds, and the rain, it feels like spring!

-Shelly

Utah Visitors

We are SUPER excited! Tomorrow we will be having some dear friends visiting from Utah. They will stay overnight and head back to Iowa on Thursday. We have missed our wonderful friends and family who live in Utah and other areas in the United States. Our only wish is that Geri and Bill’s visit could be longer; however, we are not picky. We will enjoy whatever time we have with our good friends.
-Shelly

To The Great Women in Our Lives ...

Lynn & Shelly

How To Plant Your Garden

A friend of mine reminded me today of a few helpful planting tips. Especially now, as we begin to plant our gardens; may we remember to place in the ground peas, squash, lettuce, turnips and thyme? The seed tips for healthy growing vegetables are:

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:

1. Peace of mind

2. Peace of heart

3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

1. Squash gossip

2. Squash indifference

3. Squash grumbling

4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind

3. Lettuce be patient

4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings

2. Turnip for service

3. Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:

1. Thyme for each other

2. Thyme for family

3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.

Shelly

An Update on my Sister, Lisa!

Lisa had her breast cancer’s surgical procedure a few weeks ago. We felt good and we are still feeling extremely positive about her chances for a full recovery. However, when Lisa's pathology tests came back the doctor noticed more cancerous tissues that will need to be removed. After Lisa’s next procedure, the doctors, Lisa and Steve, will then begin talking about treatments, reconstruction surgery, etc. Lisa is strengthened by everyone’s faith and prayers. I know Lisa and her family would still be grateful for your prayers and faith on their behalf.

-Shelly

Spring, Spring is in the Air!

There have been a few times during the last several weeks when I questioned if we were 'actually' in the season of spring or if we were really still in a winter rut. Then I saw it the other day!!! It is the true test of spring! Two Canada Geese were walking around a pond and there scurrying around their feet were little cotton balls of feathers, goslings!!!! Now, I know IT IS SPRING!!!

-Shelly

A Monument to God and Man

I am transfixed and in awe of another mountain range, it is a mountain range that is not made up of rocks and stones that have been heaped up on the earth for thousands upon thousands of years. Instead, this is a mountain range in the midwest created with the hand of steel, fiberglass, cement, and the sweat of man's brow.

This is a monument to creativity, imagination, and foresight. It is a testimonial to extraordinary architecture, curved lines, beautiful colors, with spires and tips that can literally reach the sky. It is the Chicago skyline. To me, it is truly a masterpiece created by the inspiration of God and given to man.

-Shelly

My Sister, Lisa

Monday morning (4/12), my sister Lisa called. She informed me that she had breast cancer and would be having a mastectomy in two (2) days. The doctors found a massive tumor in her right breast. The doctors did not know if the cancer had spread to Lisa's lymph nodes or if she would need chemo or radiation.

I am thrilled to report that my little sister sailed out of both surgical procedures with flying colors. The cancer was pretty much contained in the tumor itself and had not spread to Lisa's lymph nodes.

Steve, Lisa's husband, said Lisa was well enough to go home last night. However, all my family seems to have a very hard time with the anesthesia. I was sick to my stomach for days after my surgeries. I know my mom and sisters have had a hard time with it as well. So, I wasn't surprise to hear that Lisa too was having a reaction to the anesthesia. Lisa's blood pressure was very high and she was pretty light headed so the doctors and Steve wanted to play it safe and had Lisa stay over night in the hospital.

We still will not know where things really stand until the lab work comes back on the tumor cell(s). The plastic surgeon and reconstruction surgery will begin in a few weeks. By next week we will know if she will need chemo and radiation.

I am so thrilled to know that the Lord watches over us all. I know God has a mighty hand in the lives of Lynn and I. For that I truly feel blessed.

-Shelly

Happy 50th Birthday Barbie!

I received this from one of my friends and I needed the extra chuckle today. :o)
-Shelly

Twinkies and Root Beer

Shelly and I got this in an Email yesterday from some good friends, and I thought it good enough to post to our blog

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"

He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~

Appreciate people who have touched your life in a special way. Let them know how important they are. Have lunch with God!

Spring and Baseball ??

You can just tell that spring is in Chicagoland’s air. The news topics around here have changed from corrupt governors, Chicago Bulls, and outrageous movie stars to Chicago's real love, which is BASEBALL!!! In fact, the main topic of one of our morning news shows was a poll being conducted on which baseball team, the Chicago White Sox or the Chicago Cubs have the best fan base. If you want to want to place your vote click here http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/debates/. So far with 11 days remaining, the White Sox fans are winning the poll!

My niece, Cori, her husband Jeff, and their son,Seth, live about an hour north from us and they have a soft or favorable spot for the Chicago Cubs. Lynn has a more practical approach when it comes to Chicago’s baseball teams. He says the Chicago White Sox are like Rodney Dangerfield, they ‘get no respect’, so that means Lynn leans a little bit farther to the White Sox bench. I like watching both teams. Since spring is in the air and Tuesday’s White Sox opening game is fast approaching let’s stop slinging hash and start playing Ball!!! The pennant and bragging rights are up this year for grabs.
-Shelly

In Honor of Mom's Everywhere!

In honor of mothers and to the strong and beautiful women who mother other mothers children, thank you for being you and for sharing your love and tenderness with us. We love you!

Shelly & Lynn

A great visit with the Bates & Mohr Families

Lynn and I are having the time of our lives with family visits. Lisa, my sister, and her family are in Chicago visiting their daughter, Cori. For some of Lisa's family, they are meeting Seth for the very first time. We got the entire gang together last night in Glenview at Hackney's Restaurant. I will be heading with Lisa, Steve, Kim and Andrew for a fun-filled adventure to Nauvoo, IL. We will come back tomorrow. Poor Lynn, Cori and Jeff have to work, so sadly, they will not be able to go with us to Nauvoo. Picture postings of Nauvoo will be posted soon.

-Shelly

A friends blog WORTH reading

I have a friend in Idaho who's daughter has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). A year ago she crashed and had to have a double lung transplant. She has written a blog that chronicles her ordeals, her faith, her highs, and her lows.. That she is alive today is a miracle. I thought it good enough to post a link to her blog on our sideboard to the right. I think that for it to make more sense you should start at the older posts and follow them to the present. Her name is Jamie. If you know anyone who has Cystic Fibrosis, refer them to her site, it would be worth their time. She is more than willing to communicate with others about her illness, and has done so with many people.
Lynn

A week with Vali

Last week with Vali (our niece) was wonderful as we toured various parts of Chicagoland. We had a nice time when we visited my sister Ami in Dearborn, MI. I am going through over a hundred pictures (I'm not kidding either) of our outings so I can post some of them, send copies to Vali, and to just categorize them. Here is a picture we had taken of the three of us when we were sampling brewed root beer at Walter Payton's Roundhouse Restaurant. I have more pictures to post or I will put them on a small video at another time.
-Shelly

Second Missionary from the Hook Siblings

Just wanted to report that my nephew just received his mission call to go to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. Our second Missionary, and the first foriegn Missionary.He is leaving on Aug 6th. He is bummed though. He was hoping that it would be sooner than that......Congratulations David you will do well.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Lynn & Shelly

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wow! It has been amazing living in Chicagoland. The communities that dot the landscape surrounding Chicago and Chicago itself really get active and festive for their holidays. North Chicago celebrates St. Patrick's Day the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Then the South side of Chicago follows suit and celebrates the 'BIG GREEN' day on Sunday. Parades, dying parts of the Chicago River green, wacky and elaborate St. Patrick's Day costumes, are all part of the holiday revelry.

Since Vali (our niece) was in Chicago during this spirited and fun holiday. We decided to celebrate as well. We took advantage of the day by cruising through the lime, slime, shamrock green Chicago River dining on corn beef & cabbage, potatoes, etc. while admiring Chicago's architecture.

So, on behalf of the Chicagoland community, Lynn and I would like to be the first to wish you a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. (The green dye is harmless to the environment and wildlife and will be gone by the end of the week.) May the Luck of the Irish be with ye this week and always!

-Shelly