I Hear You!

Wow, I'm getting pounded for not posting more on my blog. Even my wife got after me yesterday and one friend told me they stop by everyday to see what I've written. Honestly, I did not know you really cared so much!!!

One quick story for now....

With our friends out of the country adopting a child from China, we had the joy of having their 3 youngest at our house for a week and then we switched with others and now have the two older kids.

While we had the tiny tots they really enjoyed a particular DVD. They would watch it over and over. If you asked what they wanted to watch it was this DVD.

One morning as I was checking my e-mail at the house, Lynn asked if they would like to watch a DVD, of course the answer was a resounding YES! That was expected but was not expected was the name of the DVD. The youngest daughter yelled "I want to watch "Princess Diarrhea's"!"

I'm not going to lie to you I laughed until I cried! I kept asking her what she wanted to watch and she kept telling me!!! It was a riot!

BTW, the title is "The Princess Diaries"

I remain,
Pastor Steve

Mid-Winter Couples Retreat

I'm not going to lie to you - December and January have been very difficult months. Starting with my broken ankle and ending with the death of my Dad, it has not been a banner 60+ days.

Sometime back without knowing what all was coming our way, I had asked our leadership team at the Church if they would be willing to send Lynn and I to the Mid-Winter Couples Retreat in Des Moines the second weekend on February. Without hesitation they said YES!

So the Friday following my Dad's funeral, Lynn and I along with two other couples from our church arrived at the Stoney Creek Inn in Des Moines for a time of relaxation, togetherness and fellowship.

I believe there was about 90 couples there from all over the state and the speaker was Pastor "Duke" Crawford from the church in Mt. Pleasant. Duke did a Great Job! It was good to be reminded of the Biblical principles regarding our marital relationship.

I'm very thankful to my church for sending us down to the conference - it was just what we needed.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Sportsman's Adventure

On Feb. 2 the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches held its annual Sportsman's Adventure at the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fair grounds.

This is a great day of seminars followed by a great meal and the grand prize give away! A couple of guys from our church won big prizes, so that was really fun!

We are already looking forward to next years event!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Just A Common Soldier

One of the many things I learned from my Dad was a love for our country and a respect for our flag. With that in mind, some years ago, I ran across a poem and saved it for just this time. I gave it to my Mom to see if she thought it would be appropriate to display at Dad's visitation. She cried when she read it and asked if I could enlarge it for the visitation so that it would be easier to read. With some help from friends, I was able to have this displayed on Sunday afternoon. I hope you find it a blessing as well...

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

(A Soldier Died Today)

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land?

A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,

That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part

Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

© 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

I Remain,
Pastor Steve