To Everything... A Season

School Has Started Again

2011-09-10T17:03:00.000-05:00

Cassville R-IV Schools began on August 18, 2011. And man, did my route change. It is a little longer.

I now go down to the place by the Lake I did when I first took the route four years ago. Down there I pick up two little girls who are a couple of sweet little girls, but need to learn how to stay in their seats, and be quiet; especially one of them; the youngest.

I do not think people realize how much of a distraction moving around and a loud voice can be to a bus driver. It really is though. One sudden move can call the driver's attention to the mirror and away from the road. Sure we have training, and experience, yet, even the best and most professional driver can mess up, by a child's scream and such as that.

If you are a parent; please teach your small children to be seated; and a non-distraction. It will go a long way in a peaceful ride on the School Bus and a long life for your child and the others on the bus.

I do not want to see any of them hurt, nor do I enjoy the idea of taking them to see their Principal. If I must though, I must and will do so.

I will be taking care of; and most drivers I know will be taking good care of your children on the way to school. There is no other way.

Tim A. Blankenship

Sunday Morning 061211

2011-06-12T15:49:00.014-05:00

We had a wonderful time of worshipping our Lord this morning at Carr Lane Baptist. We missed seeing you there. Hope to see you next time.

To those who don't know I do attend church every Sunday; morning and evening most of the time. All the time except for certain occasions when we take off a Sunday evening for family events and such. It is always good to be in God's house and to have His house with us always.

I preached this morning on the text of 2 Chronicles 7:12-16. The title was "When Heaven is Closed". It is time for God's people to humble themselves, pray, seek God's face and turn from their wicked ways. Then we will have God hear our prayers, forgive our sins and heal our land.

The people of God; those who have been purchased by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus; must repent and get right with GOD.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Second Week

2011-06-06T17:05:00.000-05:00

I have began my second week of no driving the school bus. Have I missed it? Not yet. I have been busy. I spent the very first week working at Youth Camp at Baptist Hill near Mt. Vernon, MO serving as a camp cook.

I really don't think that camp cook is a proper title for me. I have put food in the convection oven, prepared chicken for the oven, bacon for the oven, eggs for the scrambling - 47 and one half dozen as a matter of fact - that is Jerry W. and myself cracked that many eggs. We also added lemon juice to keep them from turning green, milk to make them fluffier, and also salt and pepper to season them. The eggs were for breakfast Wednesday morning.

We were feeding about 175 youth and workers. There were 9 youth who called on the name of the Lord for salvation; 11 other decisions and one who decided they needed to follow the Lord in Baptism.

My schedule while I was at camp went a little like this. I was up at 3 a.m., at the cafeteria by 4 a.m. making coffee for the workers coming soon; and when the head cook [Jerry] arrived we visited a while, drank coffee, then started prepping breakfast. One morning following breakfast I did go to my room and took a nap. It was quite restful; and one afternoon I went and rested for a while. Each night I was in bed by 9 p.m. Tired, tired, tired; ready for bed and sleep.

The second week; it is hot, hot, hot. I prefer hot to cold though. This morning I went out and hoed around our potatoes. Even at 7 a.m. it was still pretty warm out. I have more taters to work.

I am thankful for the strength which my Lord and God Jesus Christ has given me. Thank YOU Lord.

Tim A. Blankenship

Not Just Another Week... Gone

2011-05-30T08:03:00.000-05:00

There is no possible way the past week can be called "Just another week" in my life; or in anyone's life for that matter. Events, life changing events have taken place. For many people around where I live they have been life ending events; at least as far as physical life is concerned.

For many it has meant life will never be the same. There are probably many who are angry at God, and are starting a downward running away from Him. Let me just say, Don't run. Stop! Turn to Him. Surrender! He wants your heart, your life, your all.

My have experienced one of the most fierce tornadoes ever experienced in Joplin, MO. Madge's and my youngest son and his wife were in their house when it hit, destroying their home, but leaving them and their dogs untouched (physically), but very emotionally and spiritually drained. Please pray for them and all who are in such chaos of heart.

Since that tornado hit I thing I have a new fascination for tornadoes; and maybe I shouldn't say "New", but that I have grown more fascinated with them. They remind us of the awesome power in God's created order; but even more; if this creation has such power and force; think of the awesome power of creation's Creator GOD.

It has not been just another week. It has been a week for faith and growth. Growing faith.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Dorothy Doesn't Live in Kansas Anymore

2011-05-23T21:17:00.000-05:00

In the film the Wizard of Oz Dorothy and her puppy are swept away by a tornado in an altogether house, and kept safe as they journey on the "yellow brick road".

There have been many storms across this country of ours. Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, with flooding causing devastation in many places; and tornadoes doing even more damage. That is why the title.

There has not been much safety in the tornadoes of late. People have died. People are lost, and are not found, or found dead. We may not like that word d-e-a-d, but that is an honest to goodness word. People die in these things. Maybe someone would like hearing the term "Cessation of life". Is that better. They are still d-e-a-d.

Dorothy is not in Kansas anymore could not be any more true. There are Dorothy's, Tom's, Tim's, Tammy's, Jane's, Joyce's , Joe's and James' who have experienced the damage of Joplin, Missouri last evening. Our son and his wife were involved in the tornado which practically leveled Joplin.

They heard the sirens, James sent Amber to the bathroom, he went and got their "boys" Skillet, Pillar, and a guest; and by the time they joined Amber debris followed James into the bathroom. When the tornado was over they came out and found a tree in their living room, windows blown out, roof missing, and devastation all around them. The joy of it all for all of us was they were not harmed. No cuts, bruises, or broken bones; and they were alive. For the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in this we thank Him and give Him praise.

To all those families who lost loved ones I am praying for you. For all those families who have yet to find your loved ones I pray for you as well. May God put His Almighty hand on your life and draw you nearer to Him.

As Paul wrote; "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Thank YOU Lord for YOUR grace and mercy. Thank YOU for saving the lives of all that YOU have.

Have YOUR way in the storms of our lives; and be forever glorified.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Week That Passed Us By

2011-05-14T17:33:00.000-05:00

That is how it has seemed to me. It has been a busy week with mowing yard, driving the bus; both regular route driving and activity trips, as well as Vo-tech afternoon route at least one afternoon.

Since the riding mower is broken down I have been trying to keep up with our two and a half acre yard with a 20 inch push mower. It is probably helping me to get into better shape; but I do miss the rider.

The weather has gotten cooler around here, but I'm not complaining it sure was a blessing today while I was mowing the front yard. I wore a jacket doing it.

We had earlier planned on going to our son Philip's and wife Sarah's home in Arkansas this weekend, but the birth of the baby was postponed until next Friday, so we will be going next weekend. My how fast time flies when you're having fun. Life is fun. It may not be fair; but it sure is a hoot. The week that passed us by has been that way.

I look forward to the next day. Shall I awake in my bed, or before the face of Jesus Christ; may His will be done.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Maple Trees in The Yard

2011-05-10T20:26:00.000-05:00

On April 30, 2010 as I was walking back from taking the lawn mower to my parent's home I plucked some maple saplings from the side of the road to our house. When I arrived home I grabbed my shovel and began planting them.

It seems now that at least one of them will not survive. It was one that I had hoped would make it. We water them frequently - every day - once a day, unless it rains.

We do want some trees in our yard. These will probably be fast growing, soft maples and make a fairly good shade.

It seems that I am recovering well from the stent work. My energy level is growing I do believe. Though it seems it is slow in coming. I do recover quicker than I did.

When I arrived home from bus driving this evening I went and did some work on our fence. It is a different kind of fence; at least for me. We are nearly finished with the part which extends from the road to the creek. The, we will need to get started cutting cedars and build along the road around to the corner of the garden. It will look pretty good I think.

Thank the Lord of creation, the Creator for all He has done. His name is Jesus.

-Tim A. Blankenship

There are Storms A Plenty

2011-04-30T15:49:00.000-05:00

It has been amazing the amount of rainfall we have recently received, and more in the weather forecast. What is even more amazing are the numbers of storms, and especially tornadoes which have struck the Southern States of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and if I missed anyone I apologize.

At my last reckoning there were 329 deaths associated with these devastating winds and twisters. To those families my heart goes out to you along with my prayers.

One of the things which amazes me too is the strength and grit of the human being. You see it our resiliency to go on despite the storms of life. Some have that because God gives us zeal for life and living, and we thank Him for it. Others, wrongly, just give that to the human spirit which is virtually dead to God. Let me say to all of you; Hang on. Turn to God now if you haven't yet. He loves you. He gave His Son Jesus to die for your sins, and raise Him again to life.

As the title suggests "There are Storms A Plenty". Not all storms are made up of physical clouds, and wind. Some are going on in the political realm. Some in the matters of health. Some are financial. You get the picture. With all the hot air that is coming out of Washington D.C. and the truth of God's Word there are upheavals in our Nation. With a President who claims to be Christian, but seems tto give more honor to the muslim than to Christ we are in for one doozy of a storm.

I want to give you a link to follow. It is written by a man by the name of Jack Woodard. Read it and let's pray for our President.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Matters Of The Heart

2011-04-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

When we hear the word "Heart" we think of the blood pump in each of our bodies, we think of a person's character or life; we even think of spiritual matters, and hear phrases like "Give your heart to Christ"; and I have used that one a few times. By that we mean, "Give of your whole being, and self to Christ; leaving nothing out."

Well the heart is a major organ within our body, and it is amazing what doctors can do for our hearts in this day and time. We need to realize though that doctors cannot heal; that there is only One Healer and His name is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.

The reason I bring this "Matters of the Heart" up is that my wife Madge and I have just recently had doctors work on our hearts. Back on 2007 or '08 my wife was diagnosed with an anyerism of her aorta in her heart. It was not large enough for them to do surgery, so waited until it grew large enough to do it. They did the surgery on September 21, 2010, and by the grace and healing power of God she came through it miraculously.

In February of this year (2011) I was scheduled for a stress test by my cardiologists order. As far as I knew there was nothing wrong; had no chest pains, if I did too much at one time I needed to take a rest, thinking it was due to being physically out of shape. The February appointment was postponed due to bad weather; until April 05. I took the stress test and they found what they called "abnormalities" and wanted to do an angiogram.

On Monday April 18 I went in to the hospital for the angiogram, and they ended up putting four stents in me, and never finished; I was to return the following Monday (April 25) to get another stent for another artery of my heart. Due to these surgical procedures I spent a total of two nights in the hospital.

I am thankful to the Lord for His watch and care, and recovery of these things. He is wonderful, powerful, and gracious and merciful. To Him be all the praise.

I believe that I am feeling much better, though it is yet to be seen when I am able to get out and become more physically active again.

I appreciate all who have prayed for my wife and I, and thank you very much. Where would we be without you all. Thanks also to the great doctors and nurses who provided the physical care and knew how to use the technology available.

Thanks and praise be to the One who is Lord of all.

-Tim A. Blankenship

It's Spring Now Two Thousand Eleven

2011-04-20T14:22:00.000-05:00

This Spring is wracking up the numbers. Numbers of mysterious events in our lives. My family and I that is. We enjoy Spring. I know I do.

It is amazing how you can plan to do things, get things done around the house, yard, garden and such, and there are inconveniences and mysterious events taking place which work at odds to prevent it - what you have planned that is.

I have plowed and worked a bit of a garden. I have an acre and a half of yard to mow, and now things have been slowed for now.

Last Fall my wife had heart surgery, and we moved into a new home by the end of October. We have been slowly laboring to improve things around the house and such. Build a fence around it so cattle don't get near the house and tear things up, as well as mess up the yard, spread ticks and such. Moving dirt has been a chore we were doing as well.

Now I have had to go into the hospital for an angiogram, and it was discovered that I had a lot of blockage in the vessels of my heart. They put in 3-4 stints; one of them doubled to make it long enough for one blockage; and on Monday I will return to the hospital for more stints, I think a couple more. I am off of work for at least two weeks, and who really knows.

I don't mean to sound as if I am complaining, but rather I laugh as I think of what I have written. I laugh because our plans often fall far short of what God has planned for our lives. His plan always out weighs our own; and is the one plan that is far better than our own.

I don't know what the Creator has in His plan, but I can trust and know that it is for my good, your good and for His own glory.

I still love Spring. I will always love Spring. The grass returns to greening, the leaves bud and sprout on the trees, flowers bloom, gardens grow; and so much more. It is a time for growing; and that's how I looking at what is happening in life right now.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Never Mind Summer...

2010-12-09T10:59:00.000-06:00

...What about Winter. I haven't even written anything concerning Fall of the year, and now Winter is only 12 days away. It has been one amazing Autumn. Not just the beauty of changing colors of leaves and such but changes in the lives of my wife and I. We have been blessed.

I would love to have everyone be just as blessed as we are. All that we have been blessed with has been a gift from God. First of all on the Eve of Fall we went and signed papers (what a long ordeal that isl; but such a joy) for our new home, and my wife signed in the hospital for surgery. On the 21 day of September my wife had heart surgery, and after a scare in ICU, she recovered nicely and is doing quite well now.

On the 29th day of October we moved into our new home. Sitting down on Flat Creek just about 3 miles South of Jenkins we hear the water trickle over the rocks on the rapids below the Mill Pond, we can watch eagles soar effortlessly in cloudy, or blue skies, and hear one make its chilling call (it is a chilling call to the rabbits, mice, or fish I'm sure).

To the Almighty Creator of all that is, Thank you Jesus for all YOU have done.

T.A.

What A Summer

2010-08-02T13:40:00.000-05:00

It has been a different kind of Summer for me. I have not accomplished near what I have wanted to concerning the old house and getting it ready to live in, and mostly due to be ill. I have decided that the illness has been caused by the dust of the old house; at least much of it.

My wife (Madge) and I have decided to buy a double wide manufactured home, and set down on the old farm stead. We are waiting now for everything to get approved and such.

It won 't be too long and school will begin again. I have had my physical and passed it and looking forward to the new School year.

It has been a great Summer in that we were able to go to both Youth Camp and Children's Camp at Baptist Hill in Mount Vernon, MO. We were blessed to serve the CGL's and campers as cooks and kitchen help. It has been our privilege to do so for the past four years. We hear that there were 24 children who trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in Children's Camp, and a few less than that at Youth Camp with other decisions being made as well.

If things go well I may use this site as a daily log of driving the bus during the School year. If I don't every day, maybe I can at least once per week.

My wife and I celebrated our 37th Wedding Anniversary just last week. We went and spent two days in Branson. Nice place to visit, especially in November through February, but rather busy in July. Really Branson is a great place to visit for family relaxation and fun.

See you next time. Continue to have a great Summer.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Summer Is Nearing

2010-05-24T19:33:00.000-05:00

I haven't wrote anything here since January of this year. Much has happened in my life and the life of the world since then. Earthquakes that have left many thousands dead and many more homeless in Haiti, and Chili, and China. Floods have hit in many parts of this country [USA] up North in the South in Nashville, (Country Music City), and much chaos in the gulf from BP's blunder with the oil well.

Since my last post my wife and I have moved. We are now living with my parents, hopefully helping them out while helping ourselves be nearer our work on our own home which is nearby. We have also planted a garden, and we spent time with it today; tilling the rows of potatoes we have planted; and they are growing quite well with blooms on the plants and new potatoes growing under the soil. I brought some of them home this afternoon, which I accidentally dug up while tilling the ground.

It seemed that the whole 2009 - 2010 School year moved by quickly. We are now out for the Summer vacation; and boy am I relieved. I was ready. I think every other bus driver was ready too; and not only the Cassville drivers.

It was sure warm; maybe even hot as Madge and I planted three rows of corn today. It didn't take us long, but boy were we worn out, bushed, beat, and nearly busted of all our strength. We're not that strong any way, and that sun beating down on us didn't help.

I don't mean to sound as though I am complaining; I am actually quite thankful. Thankful to our Lord that He has given us the strength to do what we can do; and leave what we can't do up to Him. Sometimes even that which we think we can do we must let Him take care of too.

Looking forward to a grand and glorious Summer. We have Youth camp next week; and Children's Camp in July. What a wonderful Summer it will be. Every day is wonderful when the God of all creation is in it; and He is.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Just Thinking 01/31/10

2010-01-31T18:03:00.004-06:00

We are in the midst of the Winter months, and we are reaping the cold and snow of "Global warming", and I laugh. It seems that most of the US of A is under a blanket of white fluffy snow, and temps are in the teens and below at night.

The cold of Winter is still expected in the Winter, and the heat of Summer is expected in the Summer. I believe that is how God has ordained things, at least, since the fall of man in the garden of Eden; and maybe since the flood of Noah and the ark; which God used to deliver the human race from total destruction.

Summer and Winter; and Springtime and Harvest (Autumn, Fall) will continue as long as the sun and the moon endure. Let's trust these matters to our Lord, Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Almighty God in His Son Jesus Christ.

We received a little more ice and snow on Friday morning which suspended School activities of Cassville, MO, and a few others. Some waited longer and canceled. I was glad to be out Friday.

The reason I was glad is my son and his wife Sarah L. had a new baby girl - Lydia Rae. She was scheduled for Friday January 29, by caesarean section. She weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces at birth and was 21.5 inches long. She was a Blankenship baby. I mean by that that most of us are born fairly good sized.

As long as sinful man continues there will be heat and cold, drought and snow; and yes even life and death. One day there will be an end of sin, and sinful men; and all will be made new. That comes when Christ comes to rule and reign on earth, and puts sin forever away.

The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Just Thinking

2010-01-21T19:23:00.004-06:00

I was just thinking that it has been a while since posting anything here at "To Everything...A Season", and yet thinking it will probably just be a filler; although I pray not.

It seems that I may be getting a little tired of this blogging thing. I have deleted a few of them I use to have; here on Blogger and at Wordpress, as well. I don't have in mind to delete any more. I will not start any more either. It is hard to keep up with all of the ones I have now, and do any thing of quality, or what I might consider quality.

Like the title of this blog is TO EVERYTHING ...A SEASON, and so we see that this is a part of EVERYTHING.

We have just finished the first month of Winter, and boy was it a doozy. Snow, cold, frozen water lines; and God's grace is always abundant; no matter what the weather.

There are times that I get so discouraged. Discouraged with myself, and my lack of verbal witnessing. Discouraged with our finances. Discouraged about being discouraged. Now, that one is a real dinger isn't it? I think it is silly and a waste of a good mind; not to mention time; to be discouraged. Like David, king of Israel of old, I just must encourage myself in the LORD.

It seems that we are finally going to be able to move into our own house. I only pray we can fit. God will provide, and give us grace. Though this writing may not seem like it; I am a thankful person. Never, can we praise and thank the LORD enough for His many blessings.

Like I said JUST THINKING. Sometimes is does us all good to use our mind to muse on certain things, and even most things.

Back again soon.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Thanksgiving, Winter, and Christmas

2009-12-28T07:31:00.002-06:00

It has been over two months since I wrote here. To do some catchup work I will be short.

We had a wonderful family get together at Thanksgiving as usual. On Saturday following my son Timothy, his son Josiah [my grandson], and son-in-law Sam made a trip to St. Louis to watch the Cassville Wildcats defeat the Bowling Green Bobcats 23-7 in the Edward Jones Dome for the 3A State Championship. Quite a trip.

Now Winter has come. Such a delight it always is for me for the shortest day for daylight hours of of the year to roll around, and then, the days start getting longer. The sun has reached its lowest point in the Southern hemisphere and then begins its trek back North. That tells me that Spring and Summer are not far behind.

Now another Christmas has come and gone. We have celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is sad to me that far too many do not know what Christmas is about. How can it be wrong to remember God sending His Son? "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He sent" (John 6:29). "Sent" to die for the sins of the world. "Sent" to do the Father's will. "Sent" through the virgin conception and virgin birth through a woman named Mary. "Sent", born in a manger in Bethlehem. No shame, no guilt, no sin for all who will trust in this One who was "Sent" to die for our sins.

It may be Winter, Spring is however, just around the corner.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Questions, Questions, Questions

2009-10-01T04:31:00.004-05:00

The more I know; the more I realize I don't know. Does that make any sense? I think it does. Anyone who has any real sense realizes that the more we learn the more we realize we need to learn. Am I right?

Questions are usually asked by the questioner for the purpose of learning. How many of us who have children and grandchildren haven't had one come up to us with one of those questions, and then, always; upon hearing the answer, ask, "Why?" The question that ends all questions. Sometimes there are really odd, and silly questions like, "Why is that car yellow?" The obvious answer to that is "Because they wanted it yellow", or they bought it that way.

Questions also sometimes spark a debate. Debate is sometimes good. Debates sometimes turn into heated arguments.

I know I am just rambling it seems. "Why?" I am not really sure. I feel like rambling I guess. This is going to be online for the whole cyber world to read. And I really don't care. I know others feel like this at times. I read some of their blogs and other stuff, so I know. Even politicians; like our President of the USA, rambles on a lot and never says anything meaningful, or constructive. I think I have that right too.

Well! Welcome to Autumn or Fall as we call it often. We are well into the Fall of the year, but around where I live the grass is still green and growing. Farmers are still putting up hay, though it must be a booger to cure for baling.

There is one thing I know and am assured of that God is God. He is Creator of all that is, has been or ever will be; and He has a Son whose name is Jesus who died on a cross for my sins and the world's sins, was buried, and He rose again. One day He is coming; and to that day I look with great expectation.

Still I want to know more, because the more I know the more I realize I don't know.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Talk About Seasons

2009-09-04T23:01:00.004-05:00

Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter are inevitable for us, and we appreciate them; most of the time. The things which we may call "Seasons" of our lives also come with mixed appreciation.

It seems sometimes that the seasons of my life have been stricken with only the "Winter" mode, and that of my wife as well. This is not meant to capture anyone's sympathy, empathy or what ever, but I pray it will encourage you. I know, and am trusting completely in our Lord's goodness, grace and love. He holds my life, my wife's life, all our family's lives in His powerful hands.

You see I cannot see the finished picture which He is painting for my life. I have only what is today; however, He sees the complete picture. When He is finished with this painting it will be a glorious picture which will glorify His Son Jesus. No work He has began in me or any of His children will fail.

Before I go on with this let me tell you what my wife and I have found out from our doctor, and blood tests. According to my last blood test I have a high glucose level, and a failing liver. She has also told me that my kidneys are only functioning at 60% (just the other day a woman gave one of her kidneys to her husband whose kidneys had failed completely, so she is on fifty percent kidney function) WOW!!! Thank the Lord.

My wife has an aortic anyrism (an enlarged aorta of the heart). When it was first discovered she was told it was at a 4, and when it reached a 5, they would need to do surgery. We were told Monday that it is now at 4.5. The surgery we have been told would be open heart surgery. I am so thankful that our God who has created all things, and holds all things together has it all in His mighty, everlasting hands.

We have also determined to fight these things through prayer, praise, and eating right, or at least closer to right, and getting some much needed exercise, starting with walking as often as we possibly can.

He can heal us if He chooses to do so, and we would be thankful, and we are thankful to Him for the privilege and "Right" through His Son Jesus for having a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus our Savior and God is the Creator of all, is worthy of our praise. We will love Him, serve Him, and will not bow to the words of men or the devil; but we will praise and serve the LORD of hosts. There is no rest without this God and Savior who died on the cross for our sins.

Look to Him today. Have peace through faith in Him. Live His faith.

Give thanks for every day you can arise from your bed, take a breath, take a step, look into the early morning skies and see the stars, the moon, the planets, and have a knowledge that there is the Creator. There are those who cannot do those things and are thankful still.

When we are oppressed by the rough seasons of our lives; let's be sure we make it a season of praise to our Creator.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Summer's Ending

2009-08-19T04:06:00.003-05:00

Summer vacation for some Schools began in late may, late Spring, and now Summer vacation has come to an end. Some Schools have already began. The School which I drive the School bus for begins today [August 19, 2009].

It seems to me that Summers are really too short. Maybe its due to global warming :>), and I do say that with a smile. It is actually due to kids going back to school, the teachers being there to teach them, drivers being their to get the kids where they are supposed to learn. Enough frivolity.

I am thankful to be driving a bus for a school like Cassville Schools. We have a staff that works together to make the best possible environment for kids, teachers, bus drivers, administration, and the maintenance people. At the bus garage it is almost like we are family.

That kind of environment makes it where you enjoy going to work everyday. It doesn't seem like work. It is a joy to see the kids you haven't seen all Summer long. If they come back that is. I say that because we did hear of one who will not be returning due to drowning just this past week. My heart goes out to the family. That will be so tough, and my prayers are with them in this difficult heart breaking time.

If you have a clean record, love kids, and need to make a few extra dollars; and you can fit it into your daily schedule; you might want to think of driving one of those big yellow monsters. Go to your nearest school and I know they can tell you how to go about it. You might only get started as a sub driver, but that is how I started. Try it out. You might enjoy it. And in most cases you do get all Summer vacation off.

-Tim A. Blankenship

A Family Weekend '09

2009-07-22T06:19:00.003-05:00

My wife and I have what some would call a large family. It doesn't seem that large to me when I know of some parents who have 16 children. I don't know them personally. I do know personally one family who has 8 children they have raised and in the process of raising. I really think large families are great. You're never short of a friend that way.

Our family of 5 children, minus one (he and his wife were away to Florida for their 6th Anniversary), their spouses, and our grandkids had our annual family get together at our son Philip's and wife Sarah's home in Booneville, AR. Our eldest son Timothy, his wife Sarah, their three kids; Naomi, Josiah, and Eli; along with Madge and I journeyed down that way last Thursday evening - Madge and I rode with them. Charity, husband Paul and their three kids; Rachelle, Jonathan, and Caitlyn beat us there. Monica, husband Sam, and Addison came along on Friday evening. It was James and Amber who was away for their Anniversary, and we missed them being with us, but understand.

On Friday my parents Mike and Juanita were brought down by my sister Jane so we could go up Magazine Mountain. They have quite the park on the mountain, and we enjoyed the beautiful day which our LORD provided us. There were several scenic view areas and you could see for miles and miles. You can see the Arkansas River from those views, and it is about thirty miles North of there.

My Dad enjoys things like that, as do I, and we had a very good time. I think Dad was exhausted, as was Mom, and they drove back home that afternoon. We were all pretty worn out for the day.

On Saturday we spent the day playing, enjoying the weather, each other's company, and that evening we went swimming in the City Park Swimming Pool. We had rented it for a couple of hours. No one there but the Blankenship family, and the Life Guards. It was a nice way to spend the evening and to finish off the day.

Following church on Sunday we had Sunday Dinner together with Philip and Sarah Joyce, Rene'e, and Natalie (Philip's and Sarah's two). We packed up and returned home. We arrived home around 5:30 p.m. and spent the evening resting.

We missed the people of our church on Sunday. Look forward to being back this Sunday. They are like family to us. Best people I have ever had the privilege of being their pastor. I pray that I can become a better pastor for them, and always proclaim God's Word for them to hear.

Great weekend. Great kids and grandkids. Majestic God and Savior. What a wonderful life.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Guest At My Front Door

2009-06-26T10:48:00.002-05:00

It is infrequently that we have any guests show up at our door. Usually they come in cars, pickups, or ATV's; and they don't come often.

Yesterday morning June 25, '09 I had just settled in my reading chair, settled in for my daily reading in the Bible, and I heard a scratching sound at the front door; and that is in my office where I do my reading. I got up, turned on the light for the front porch, and there he was. It was a young raccoon come letting me know he was there.

He turned to walk away, then turned to face me again, and stood on his hind legs with his arms up in the air. I believe that is a universal sign of surrender. "I give up.", he said; then he turned and ran away as I unlocked the door.

God's creatures have a way of teaching us lessons.

-Tim A. Blankenship

First Day Of Summer '09

2009-06-21T06:30:00.003-05:00

The first day of Summer 2009 is starting out acting like Summer. Hot, muggy, summerish to say the least, and I guess I am one of a few or many (not sure of stats) who enjoy the hot, muggy days of Summer.

This day also is Father's Day. Father's are a blessing from God. I know mine is to me. I pray that I have been to my three sons, and two daughters too. Our daughters Charity and Monica both have children with their husbands and are both happy and to to be Moms. Two of our sons are Dads and happy and blessed to be so. I am now blessed as a grandfather of nine living, two with Jesus in heaven, and one on the way.

On this Sunday we will be attending church at Carr Lane Baptist, preaching the morning message, worshipping in the preaching and singing of hymns, songs, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. On this beautiful first day of Summer. What a wonderful day our Lord has wrought.

Thank YOU Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

One Saturday In May

2009-05-19T04:12:00.003-05:00

I know there is a couple of Saturday's left in May. On the 23rd and 24th I will be away from the pulpit of Carr Lane Baptist Church, taking a vacation Sunday. I will be visiting another church to listen to a good sermon, from a good preacher.

The "One Saturday..." of which I write was on the 9th of May. The day before Mother's Day. Our son Philip came up from Booneville, AR. along with his wife Sarah Joyce, and two daughters Rene'e and Natalie, spent the night on Friday and went to Mother's Day breakfast with us, at Carr Lane Baptist on Saturday morning. The men of our church provided, cooked and served bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and scrambled eggs for the honor of our mothers.

Following the breakfast we; that is our son and his family; our daughter Monica, her husband Sam and daughter Addison went to Silver Dollar City near Branson. We often, jokingly, call it Steal Your Dollar City; around here in Southwest Missouri. It is a theme park, amusement park, music park, crafts park; taking you back to the 1800's or so. They also have rides; roller coasters, wet rides, and kiddy rides.

Even I got on two of the roller coasters. The first one I rode was called "Powder Keg". It sends you off on a short ride which starts you from a standing stop at about 60 miles per hour. From that stop you top a steep rise in the tracks to a sudden drop with twists and turns which would leave you breathless, if you are not screaming; or laughing all the way around. I laughed on every twists and turn. Were it not for the seat restraints you would come out of your seat.

We finished with Powder Keg then went and rode "WildFire". It has loops and loops and one more loop. It too is a thriller, but I think I liked Powder Keg the best. It sets you back in the seat, and leaves you longing for more. That is if you like that kind of thing.

Spring is here. Enjoy it in our Lord's Creation.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Winter In Spring

2009-03-29T05:47:00.003-05:00

It is not so uncommon for Missouri to have Winter in Spring. It turned Spring officially last weekend, and a few days have been Spring like with warm sunshine, and just wonderful.

Now, however, this the final weekend of March, and it is more like Winter again. Snow, blizzard like conditions in parts of our country to the West - Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado receiving snow in the foot proportions. Here in Southwest MO; at least at my house there is none on the ground; but on Saturday/yesterday it did some snowing.

I am looking forward to when the warmer weather comes and stays for a while. God is so good to give us the change of seasons, and reminds us that better days are coming.

Enjoy your Spring.

-Tim A. Blankenship

What's Happening???

2009-01-27T09:00:00.004-06:00

Here we are in the final week of January 2009, and we are being hit by a Winter storm. Ice is falling from the sky, and making the roads and streets slickery (that is a word coined by my grandson who is the picture on the left side of this blog), and unfit for travelling, so schools all over Southwest MO. has been cancelled today.

I was scheduled for a medical precedure today at 9:00 a.m., but that was postponed yesterday when the hospital called basically asking if I would do that - they left it up to me - saying that I might not be able to arrive there due to weather and some of the hospital staff may not be able to arrive either, and my prep for the precedure would need to be repeated when it is rescheduled. So, I told them to postpone it. I had requested a couple days off from driving the School bus due to this.

When it was known that the event was called off for today, I called my Supervisor and told him I could drive now. He went ahead and let me off for the evening run, because he already had a sub driver, and told me I could go ahead and plan on driving today, but today "NO School". That is a good thing considering the road conditions. I am already longing for Spring. I always look forward to Spring.

I am learning more everyday that our God is good. He is full of grace and mercy. What's Happening??? God is working and moving in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

HAVE A GREAT WINTER!!

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Season of Christmas '08

2008-12-27T16:46:00.004-06:00

It is now officially Winter as of the 21st of December. On that day it really turned out to be quite cold. My last day of driving the School Bus for the year of 2008 was on Friday December 19, and we had a Christmas dinner at 11 a.m. It is quite okay for me to call it dinner, because dinner has always been the time others call "lunch".

The bus drivers all agreed to bring their favorite dish or dessert, and we made a potluck dinner of it. I asked permission to bring my wife, and I was told, "If she is preparing the turkey you're bringing, then I wouldn't have even bothered asking", but maybe not quite that way.

I mentioned it being cold on that first day of Winter. The temps dropped down into the single numbers on that evening, but then it has warmed up to the sixties the day following Christmas, and today [Saturday 27th].

We had a great time with my siblings, my parents, my wife and kids, and my siblings spouses and kids and all the grandkids. There must have been nearly sixty present at my parents house. At our small home we had about 21, and is it ever crowded with only one bathroom, and really only one bedroom with an upstairs that is open. There are at least two families who stay upstairs overnight at Christmas time.

The most important time about Christmas is Jesus Christ, and remembering His birth, His incarnation as a man; the day that God became man, to dwell among us - Immanuel is "God with us". A great part of Christmas is the family get together.

I do need to admit that by the time it is all over I am ready for a break, and right now I am having a break. The house is empty with the exception of God and me. Those times do serve as a time to freshen your thoughts, and receive assurances from the Lord and His Word. I even went for a short walk this afternoon, and it was after the temps started to go down. It is beginning to feel like Winter again.

We may indeed have a strong, hard, snowy, icey Winter this year. I am praying we don't, but I have no say in the matter. I only pray for God's will, for safety, for warmth, and all our needs to be met, for the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is always the season to be thankful. Even in the Winter.

-Tim A. Blankenship

For Anyone Who Is Interested

2008-12-15T18:36:00.004-06:00

It has not been too many days ago that we had the first snow fall of the season. It, however, did not amount to much. For that I am glad. It is not that I don't like snow; I don't like cold weather, and it seems that the two just happen to go together.

Last night [Sunday] the weather suddenly turned from an almost balmy, warm Spring time temperature in the sixties during the afternoon to freezing and below. From the time my wife and I left our church the temp dropped fourteen degrees, and that was driving a short 17 miles. It only takes us about 30 minutes, with about one third of that time spent driving the last two miles to our home (it is a rough dirt/gravel road).

When I arose this morning, planning to go and drive my School Bus I looked out the window and everything looked pretty good. There was a dusting of snow on the car, but nothing bad. I spent time doing my quiet time and then blogging, and then got myself ready for leaving for town (also 17 miles away) to go and drive the Bus.

I got in the car, and was out of our driveway when my wife called me on my cell telling me "Joe called, and there is no school today" (Joe is our Supervisor for the bus drivers). Because there was no school I saved a little bit of gas.

I saw Joe later in town, and he told me there was a thin sheet of ice on the school parking lots, and that was mostly the reason for the cancellation. While my wife and I were in town it was snowing, and the weather reports are calling for 1 - 4 inches of it by morning. If we get that there will be no classes for Tuesday. Our last day of School for this year was going to be on Friday December 19, but we may get a few extra days, if things continue as they are.

That is one of the problems with Winter. Mostly it is the cold of Winter I dislike. I prefer to be warm, even hot compared to being cold. I like the seasons, and I thank God our Savior for giving me these days. I appreciate those warms days even more.

Have a great Winter, and be thankful to our Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Headlights On the Road

2008-11-03T08:48:00.006-06:00

This is just going to be a short reminder to those who drive the highways of our land. It is important that you be seen when you are on the highways driving a motorized vehicle. Some evidently do not realize how dangerous it is when they cannot be seen by other motorists.

Just this past Saturday morning near my place of dwelling, it was foggy, I was making a left turn into a gas station when all of the sudden there was a F150 pickup which did not have any headlights on. I made a quick and sudden decision and sharply and quickly got back into may lane, and there was no accident; thank the good Lord. The funny thing about this is the man driving the Ford pickup was some one that I know. I did not find that out until this morning when I entered the bus garage, before driving my bus route for the morning.

When we are on the highways we need to be as visible as we can possibly be. Safe driving is no accident. I do not claim to be the safest driver on the road, however, there are things which I endeavor to do which helps me to be more visible, and one of them is turning headlights on in the fog, even when it is light out. It is also wise to turn on headlights during cloudy days and rainy ones. Another time to have them on is at least thirty minutes before sunset, or sooner, and have them on up until at least thirty minutes after sunrise. It is a wise thing to even keep them on when driving long distances day or night. It is especially helpful when you drive a dark colored, and some other colors of car.

Better to arrive alive, than to the morgue dead. That is for you or the other driver.

-Tim A. Blankenship

It Is Autumn Once Again

2008-10-06T19:54:00.003-05:00

It seems to come upon us quickly. Summer is too short to suit me. It could be Summer all year long and I would be happy. I do know some people who are my friends who like Winter weather, so I guess I am probably in a minority concerning Summer.

Autumn does have its beauties, and I can't be where it is Summer all year round - in fact I don't know if such a place even exists. On this planet, there are four seasons during the year wherever we may be. If it was Summer all year round though, things might begin to be a bit monotonous. I best be thankful for all four seasons of the year.

Our God and Creator of all things has made our earth, since the fall of man, to have the four seasons; and I think to remind us of lifes circle. Every life has a Spring and that takes place at our birth, then there is Summer, our Autumns, or Falls; whichever you wish to call it; then there is Winter in our lives where life has its end. The end is what not too many people like to deal with, talk about or confront.

There is a question I have always had in my mind. When whoever it was who came up with our present calendar (is it called the Gregorian calendar?), why didn't he begin the year with the first day of Spring, and end the year with the last day of Winter. That calendar would make a lot more sense; to me anyway. Wouldn't it make sense for January 1 be the first day of Spring, and December 31 be the last day of Winter?

Anyway here we go toward Winter, then thank the Lord, then Spring and then Summer. Thank the Lord He has designed things so.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Disruptions or Designed for Faith

2008-09-14T12:18:00.002-05:00

There has been an abundance of hurricane problems lately, especially for the folks along the coastal areas, and the Gulf. If you live in those areas know that I think and pray for you, and your faith to grow.

Living in Southwest Missouri we have our storms, tornadoes, etc., and we do receive some of the benefits and troubles of the hurricanes, when they come up from the Gulf.

Last evening when my wife and I went to bed for the evening, and rest, there was a calm rain coming down from the residual affects of hurricane Ike. Like I said it was a calm, mild pouring rain; no troubles right?

About 2:30 a.m. I awoke to complete darkness, similar to being in a cave with no lights on. Our house has never been so dark. Our electric power was off, the air was not on, nothing was running, no refridgerator, or freezer, and worst of all no light. I needed to get up for a little while, so I got out of bed found the wall with my hands, and worked my way to where I knew there was a flashlight. I got the flashlight, turned it on. Oh, how good it was to be able to see. Oh, how good it is to know that God has given me that ability to do so. I pray that I never lose the heart of thankfulness for my eyesight, or anything the Lord has given me.

When I got up this morning about 5:15, the power was back on. I am thankful; for I know that there are millions in Houston today who do not have power, and will not have it for a few days, maybe weeks; let us pray for these good people.

The water which crosses our road after we get out of our driveway was up over the road, and deeper. When we needed out to go to worship our Lord, it was down enough to cross it. That is when I saw that it had risen higher than it had been before, to my knowledge since we have lived here. We wouldn't have been able to get out at the depth it had reached.

We arrived at our church, had no Bible Study class, and we had three people present; including my wife and I. We had a hymn, read the fifteenth chapter of John, had prayer and came home.

I ask was this storm a disruption, or was it a design for faith. I choose to make it a design of faith. God always knows what He is doing. The prophet Nahum has written, "The LORD hath His way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." 1:3 (KJV).

We must learn to trust Him through every storm. The one's which are made up of wind, lightning, rain, and tornadoes and hurricanes; and the one's which are made up of our troubles, trials, fears, and sicknesses and diseases. Even these are in His hands, and He brings us through them, prepares us for the glory that is ahead.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Going Again

2008-08-23T08:02:00.003-05:00

It is going again. It seems, that without fail it never quits, though it would not be good for it to quit, because whether we like it or not; as children or as adults; we must have it. This is probably not a mystery to those of you who may read this; meaning, you probably know what I am writing about.

I won't mention the name of what I speak, but only give some clues, which will probably be quite obvious.

All Summer long these people aree busy preparing for the next year, and the people they help are on break. There are also some of the employees who are on break, because of a big yellow thing they steer down the roads to bring in the people who ride it. The distance the steerers take varys from only a few miles, and a few minutes to 150 to 175 miles per day.

The year round employees keep the grounds clean, the buildings in good repair and working well; and there aree those who make the plans, and take care of the day to day business during their months of quietness.

As I have been out steering one of these big yellow things down the roads I travel, the sun comes over the Eastern horizon, and is so beautiful, as it glows through the clouds, and morning fog. The deer, the coons, the squirells, rabbits, birds; such as the cardinal (red birds), blue bird, sparrow, crow; are all busy collecting their morning meals. The deer crossing the roads, and making many a steer man or woman be cautious as we approach them on the roads.

I didn't steer the big yellow thing on the first day. I was away for my son's surgery. He had heart surgery at age 28, and seems to be doing well, after a night of not doing too well.

It is good to be back. I pray that I will be strong in discipline of the people who ride, yet merciful when there is time for it, and that God will give me strength, and patient with them. I realize that I just asked God to help me be "patient", and that it's dangerous, because "Tribulation worketh patience" (Romans 5:3). I don't like tribulation, but I can appreciate it, when I grow nearer to the Lord because of it.

Monday morning will begin the first full week back on the big yellow thing. So Lord, give me your strength, and your patience.

-Tim A. Blankenship

It's Time Again

2008-08-10T06:11:00.002-05:00

There is a thing that seems to constantly sneak up on you. Most of you can probably figure out what I am talking about by the title. It's Time Again... that the sun comes up a little later of the morning. It's Time Again... that the sun sets a little earlier in the evening. It's Time Again... for a whole lot of things.

Can you believe that children are preparing for returning to school? When I was a kid I hated School and loved the Summer break. My problem was that the nine months of School lasted for nine years, and Summer break only for three days. However, It is that time again that Schools will be opening their doors to millions of School children; in the School for which I drive a School bus; that will only be in the 15 hundreds plus range.

Last year at this time I was really wondering if I would be driving anymore due to my high blood pressure, but I did, though I had problems with it a little later and was suspended from driving for two weeks because of it. I failed my physical provided by the School. I then went to my Physician and they worked with me, got my blood pressure down to an acceptable level, approved me for 3 months, but then, I guess it was not controlled.

Now, this year, on the eighth of August I went to the Physical provided by the School and my blood pressure was in the normal range, and I passed. Thank the Lord. For the past six months or so, when I check my BP it has been good, and for that I am grateful.

I guess I enjoy driving 50 or so screaming kids to and from School or something. I enjoy the people I work with. The drivers, the mechanics, and administration are all like a part of a family, and it seems that all are treated with great respect. School has not even started yet, and we have eight Sub drivers. At the end of the School year we only had one. The School gave the drivers a little pay raise, and every little bit helps. Thank YOU Lord.

It's Time Again... at least about time; for the people on the highways to keep their eyes and ears open for the sight of those big yellow monsters, called School buses, and the little ones who will be riding them.

IT'S TIME AGAIN...

-Tim A. Blankenship

Summer - Well Under Way

2008-07-21T19:31:00.002-05:00

The last I wrote here it was the end of May, and it was late Spring though Summer vacation had begun for many students of schools.

As of the last writing my wife and I had been cooks at the Youth Camp for Barry County Baptist Association, actually helpers in the kitchen. It was a great time. We were also looking forward to the birth of our eleventh grandchild, and third grand son. Eli Andrew was born June 30, 2008; around 10 a.m. at the mammoth weight of 7 pounds and 14 ounces, and was the grand length of 22 inches.

On July 4 we participated in our families annual fourth of July picnic down at the old swimming hole, had food, and fireworks, and fire arms sounding the sounds of the revolution. On Sunday evening of July 6, following our evening worship at Carr Lane Baptist Church; Madge and I went to Baptist Hill Campgrounds to help cook for Barry County Baptist Children's Camp. That was a great four or five days. There were five decisions to trust Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and about 20 other decisions with four of those being rededications to Christ, and the rest pretty much relating to surrender to Christian service.

The Summer is going good, getting hot, but it sure could be hotter. God is good. God is greater than our thoughts, greater than our deeds. He alone is worthy of praise and glory.

I am thankful for this Summer and every day God gives us.

Live the rest of the Summer for the Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Summer Break, YEAH!!!

2008-05-31T07:38:00.004-05:00

For some you don't know what it might mean by the term "Summer Break", however, everyone who has about anything to do with School, and its yearly sessions knows, at least those who are working from around the end of August to the end of May. There are workers of public schools, such as the maintenance people who work all year round, and they only get a week or so vacation each year. Thank you maintenance people and all year round workers at the public Schools, yes, even the Administrators.

Summer break is great for those who face the students each year, teaching them Reading, Riting and Rithmetic; you know the "3 R's". I am afraid, however, that it has now gone beyond the three R's to covering a lot of things that really should be left to parents, and churches. Then there are the Bus Drivers who always have their troubles behind them. Until you have driven a School Bus you have no idea how stressful the job is. The driver must always try and maintain a safe driving speed, keeping eyes on the road, watching the mirrors, and from time to time watching the kids. A sudden movement from one child can distract the driver, and if not careful can lead to a very serious accident, with a few children being seriously injured and, God forbid, maybe even killed.

I have sometimes wondered how I could handle it if I made such a grave mistake as to do something that would injure or kill a child while driving a Bus. I have determined that if I ever do, the School will not have to fire me; I would quit, and never drive a bus again. I pray that never happens.

Yeah! School bus driver's need the Summer Break, as do the teachers, and all who work with students while school is in session. Summer is not officially here, but it is here.

My wife and I just returned on Friday May 30 from spending a few days at our Baptist Associations Youth Camp at a place called Baptist Hill Assembly near Mount Vernon, Missouri. We fed about 196 youth, camp staff and CGL's for near to four days. We will return, the Lord willing, in July for Children's camp. We are working with a good group of of people, about nine total, as cooks. It is such a joy to see their faces light up as you feed them something they really enjoy eating.

May all have a great, safe, and God blessed Summer.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Missed the Wading This Time

2008-04-12T15:08:00.004-05:00

We received a whole lot of rainfall this past Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. When I woke to prepare myself for the day, and to go and drive the School Bus morning run I wondered if I would be able to cross our low water bridges below our home. I waited until it was time to go to check it out, and the rain kept pouring down out of the skies.

After I had tended to my devotional reading and prayer, tended my blogs, and took my morning dose of medicine [at least some of it] I got in the car and headed down our washed out driveway to the main road. When I arrived there I could see the water was rolling quite rapidly across the bridge, and was almost whitecapping. I pulled the front of our car into the edge of it, sat there and looked at it, thought about crossing, then I decided not to attempt it. Attempting it was what I did not want to be successful at. Attempts without successful crossing happens to far too many people. One local TV station in Springfield, and one of their Meteorologist has a saying concerning water across roadways, "Turn around, don't drown", so that is exactly what I did.

I then, turned around and went to see how the other side looked, and it was worse. I had already called into the Bus Garage and told them I could not get out. The one mechanic at the Garage who is familiar with where I live said, "I was afraid of that". That is the first time in almost two years we have lived here that I could not get out, when I wanted out. There has been a time or two I could not drive the car back to the house because of high water, but I could cross on foot by wading.

The water from all the rainfall we have been getting has nowhere to go now. The ground is soaked to the point of being like a sponge in some places, and you sink in the ground as you walk across it.

I don't want anyone to take me wrong in this writing. I am not complaining about all the rain. I actually find it adventurous, and something new. I do feel for those whose homes and lives have been drastically changed because of it. I am sure they find no adventure in any of it. Many of these homes are far above flood stage, and no one ever suspected that they would ever be flooded, but now they have been. We really just never know. I do remember the rainbow.

I am thankful that I MISED THE WADING THIS TIME.

-by Tim A. Blankenship

A Spring Storm

2008-04-08T20:57:00.005-05:00

Here in Southwest Missouri we have seen a good amount of Spring thunderstorms. I get the chance to view the activity of some of them. I love watching the bolts of lightning as they flash across the sky, and light up the darkness. Not too many months ago I had just driven out on a nearby highway headed into Cassville about 5:30 a.m. during a storm, and a bolt of lightning came down pretty close to where I was. You talk about a loud clap of thunder, and I let out a whoop. It startled me at first, but then I thought WOW!!!, that was awesome

This morning as I was driving into Cassville, and it was about fifteen minutes later or about 5:45 a.m. and off near the horizon; that I could see; there was a flash of lightning that lit up the whole western sky within the clouds. That was a beautiful sight to behold. It made me think of Nahum 1:3, "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." (NKJV).

The other night some had heard that a nearby community; the one that I grew up in; was under a tornado warning. Some of our family called to check on us, worried that we might have been near it. I went outside, looked to the south, and southwest, then all around, and there were no low lying clouds, not any that looked threatening at all. A daughter in law called doing the same thing, and her husband, our son, could be heard in the background saying, "Tell Dad to come in from watching that tornado". My kids know me. I have always enjoyed the storms. I have to admit that should we ever get hit by a tornado I might not be so anxious to see one again, but then I don't know.

I hurt and weep for those who are touched by the storms; whethere it is by flooding, winds, tornadoes, hail, or lightning it would be a horrible thing. In the midst of all this though we must remember "The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." He is sovereign and in control of even the storms that touch our lives. Even the storms that have to do with sickness, finances, and He especially cares for our spiritual need of knowing Him. This wasn't meant to be a sermon or even a Bible Study, but I hope any who read it may find encouragement in their storm.

There will be many more storms, much more lightning, more tornadoes, more hail, more straight line winds, and there will be more destruction, and more lives touched by the storms. How we handle them declares our faith in God or our lack thereof.

The next time you see that bolt of lightning, or a flash which I saw this morning, remember who is much more powerful than all the lightning ever lightninged [new word!!!], and the winds that have ever blown, all the tornadoes that have ever twisted their way through cities, farms, towns and homes, and more powerful than all the floods that ever flowed. His name is Jesus. To that I say WOW!!!!!

-by Tim A. Blankenship

It Is Spring Again

2008-03-21T12:02:00.004-05:00

The past few days here in Southwest MO. has been wet. Wet may not be big enough word for it. It has been downright in the, at least next to the Noahic Flood proportions. That is probably slightly overstating the situation, but I know that is how some of us have felt. Some have even accused me of building an "Ark" and getting ready to float away.

Life sure is interesting at times. One week we are dismissing schools due to snow, ice, and winter storms. The next week we are getting out of school early due to flooding rainfall. Letting out early so as to be sure we get the kids home without buses getting cut off, and such.

Well! Welcome to the second day of Spring 2008. It is great. I have never made any secret to Spring and Summer being my two favorite seasons of the year. It seems that I am especially appreciative of this Spring. Snow, ice and cold just doesn't do anything for me. I don't complain about it. It is the days our Lord have given us, and they do have their function and purpose, and they too give glory to their Creator.

Let me tell you about my last two or three days of Winter with Spring affects. Monday night March 17 we received a large amount of rainfall. Tuesday morning when I drove down our driveway toward the road I was wondering about my ability to cross the branch which crosses the road on both sides of our access. When I got to it I saw it deeper than any other time I had crossed; I looked and debated with myself whether it would be the right thing, and safe thing to cross or not, and finally decided I would cross. I did, and made it across in good shape. Upon returning home the branch had risen considerably, with the waters wavy rolling across the crossing. I decided not to cross in the car, but to find a fallen tree across it upstream or something. I walked upstream for awhile until I found a mangled mess of two or three trees which reached across. It was still raining, I crossed, walked to the house, soaked and ready to get my jacket off and my feet dry.

The School called me about noon, and told me they were lining up the buses at 1:15 p.m. to take the students home. The water was still rising. The rain was still falling, and at times in record proportions. As I walked back to the car, I once again crossed the mangled trees, got successfully to the other side, jumped down on the bank, at which time that bank collapsed and the bank and myself went down into the stream up to my knees. I crawled out even wetter than I hoped I would be, went on to the car, and went and drove my kids home.

When I came home that afternoon, the water was higher, and I decided to keep the car on the side it was on and just wade across the low water bridge. I have been around these waters around here for a long time, and I know what it can do so I was very cautious in doing it. I slowly put one foot in front of the other, through the water, got stable in the fast moving water, then would move the other. By the way, it was only about knee deep, but there is a whole lot of power in knee deep water moving with any speed. I made it safely home, took off my wet shoes, socks, and clothes and got comfortable.

The next morning going back to drive the School bus, I did the same thing. It had gone done an inch or two measuring on my knees, but was still a bit swift. I almost lost my balance, but managed to regain it. I sure didn't want to fall down; I don't think I could have stopped too quickly. On my return home the stream had receded some more, and I drove the car up to our house. I was glad.

I have had quite the adventure. I like adventure. I am thankful that the Lord is my Caretaker, and that He is still watching over all who are His, and over those who are not His. I am so glad that it is Spring, and that the grass will begin turning green, the easter lillies are blooming, the birds are singing the peepers are peeping. It is so good to know that "The LORD hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet" (Nahum 1:3b).

-by Tim A. Blankenship

Winter's Cold Ice - Again

2008-02-12T14:18:00.000-06:00

It has happened once again. The State of Missouri has been hit with an ice storm again. I think this makes the third one in the past 13 months. In January of 2007 several thousand homes were without power, and for quite some time people were hurting without heat, and the comfort of their homes.

I don't know of any in my area who have lost power. I must give our Electric Cooperative applause for their maintenance of our electric lines. The Barry Electric Cooperative is very good at keeping the wires cleared of timber and brush. Even that though, sometimes is not enough. This ice can grow quite heavy as it builds up on the lines. These men are ever vigilant to keep the power on and for that I am grateful to them, as should be all their customers. Let me make one thing clear before I continue with this post; I am not an employee of the cooperative, but only a customer, and I guess since it is a Rural Cooperative I am a member as well, who is very proud of these men and women who keep it going.

This is being written on the second day of school cancellation at the Cassville School District. My usual departing time for the morning - to go and drive the school bus - is about 5:15 a.m., and it takes me approximately 30 minutes to get to the bus garage. When I left yesterday morning it was about that same time. There was ice on the car, which I had to break loose from the door, then started the car, took the ice scraper to the windows, then departed. I had gotten nearly half way to Cassville when my wife called my cell phone and told me that my Supervisor had called with his automated call, and informed all drivers there was no school.

I found a place to turn around, and I came back home. The roads were getting "slickery". That word "slickery" is a word I learned from my four year old grandson. I liked it so I use it here. They were icing, slushy, and driving carefully is required in such conditions. When I found a good place to turn around I came home. Then, it continued to pile up some more.

The temps are not bitterly cold, but it is still Winter, and I am still waiting for Spring to arrive. I have never made it any secret that Spring and Summer are my two favorite seasons of the year. I am, however, very grateful to our God and Creator, for everyday of life and living. It all comes from Him.

A Winter Storm

2008-01-31T15:48:00.000-06:00

They said it was coming. Who said it was coming? This Winter storm. When I arose from the bed this morning there was not a flake of snow to be seen, and I found out almost two hours later that there did not appear to be a cloud in the sky. Sometimes I am amazed how accurate the weather people can be in their predictions. I guess it is all that stuff they call technology, sattelite, GPS, and all that.

It has not been bitterly cold. I am thankful for that. I don't do very well in the cold. Especially when the electric bill comes due, and that is what we heat with. That is our choice. I am also thankful that we have not experienced a major power outage like some other places and people I know. We would be in a world of hurtin'.

When I jumped in the car to go to Cassville School Bus Garage to drive the bus, there was a moon shining down from above with a few stars that I could see. I left about 5:15 a.m. and arrived there at 5:45 a.m. There were three buses already headed out for their morning pickup of the kids. Two more headed out shortly after I arrived. One driver radioed in from one of her farthest points, "Snow is falling and covering the roads. What do you want me to do?" The decision was made to call them in, ie., the five that had already departed. School was called off for the day.

After helping shut down the engines on the other buses, I got back in our car and came home. It is good to have a day off, but I would rather get out earlier at the end of the year. I guess I just needed the day. Thank the Lord. He always knows what is best for us.

The snow is still falling, and if it continues we probably will not be in school on Friday. There are some pretty wicked roads here in Southwest MO. with curves, hills, hollers, and many of the roads here have no shoulders; only ditches. It can be fun navigating at times.

Latest Happenings

2008-01-12T14:15:00.000-06:00

Since I last posted Winter has arrived, and in some parts of our Nation, with a vengeance. We have had a bit of cold weather, into the lower teens, but that isn't too bad. Besides that it didn't hang on and last forever. The longest spell of below freezing we have had was about three days, and that was just at the beginning of January. I am, however, already looking forward to Spring.

I went to the cardiologist in early December to have him tell me that the EKG showed "no significant sign of a problem". I do have an appointment to return on the twenty third of January for and ECG.

The family and I had a wonderful Christmas. The wife and I's kids went together got us a Crossley entertainment cabinet. It is an old style look radio, with CD player, audio cassette player, and turntable for 33, 45's and 78 records. That was a really pleasant surprise and gift for us. We have been enjoying it.

Back before Christmas the Eastern part of Southern Missouri was hit pretty hard with an icestorm, which left a lot of people in the Joplin area without power, no lights, no heat, no television (Oh no!). Our son James and his wife Amber were in the thick of that, and were without power for about 9 days. They did get to come for Christmas. Their power was on shortly before that.

On Tuesday a friend and I went to Branson to see a mutual friend in the Skaggs Hospital there. As we were about to get off the elevator on the floor he was on, my cell phone rang, and it was my sister Judy. "Guess what Dad just did", she said. I said, "I wouldn't have a clue". She said, "He rolled his truck". My answer to that was, "WHAT?!", and I know I placed a question mark and an exclamation mark after that, because I am not sure which it was. Yes, he had rolled his old blue Ford pickup truck. He wasn't injured any, except maybe his pride. Evidently he has experienced no pain from bruising or anything either. He has been trying to get used to a prosthesis on his right leg. That may have played some part in the incident. It also was on the farm away from any major roads.

At the beginning of this week, Tuesday evening and into the early hours of Wednesday morning there was a consistent storm of tornadic activity hitting in the Northwestern part of Barry County. We live in middle Eastern part of the said County. That storm is very hard to describe. It took a path in a straight line. One tornado warning would come to a town, and then after it passed another one on the same path would be right behind it. Homes, businesses, and some lives were taken in areas further from us.

Near 3 a.m. my wife and I were awakened by a strong straight wind. It was near time for me to get up for the day, so I just got up, and Madge went back to bed. The wind died down and everything proceeded as normal the rest of the day, at least for us. May the Lord help those who were touched and harmed by this storm, and especially those who lost loved ones.

There is no one who is not touched by some sort of storm in their lives. If they are not presently they shortly will be.

"If I never had a problem, how could I know that God could solve them." Isn't that in a good old song or something.

Blessing for All

2007-11-30T11:28:00.000-06:00

Christ Jesus came to bless all nations. He is the fulfillment of God's promises.
It is because of Christmas month, and a need for a break that I inform you the reader or readers who come here of this.
There will be no further posts until after the New Year. Until then, have a wonderful Christ filled Christmas and a Blessed-Happy New Year.
In Christ love,
T.A.

Another Blessing from God

2007-11-19T20:41:00.001-06:00

In a couple of the past post, as a matter of fact the last two; I may have seemed a bit discouraged. I was. Discouragement is a horrible thing, but one thing I can say about it is that when you get lifted out - you really know it.

There have been a really great event of news that has not gotten out a long ways, and that is Madge and I are going to be grandparents once again. I won't say which of our kids yet, but it is supposed to be due in early July. Used to you didn't even know you were expecting that quick, but technology has a way.

I also returned to the doctor today to see about my BP, and surprise of surprise, he released me to return to driving the School Bus. That tickled my goat. That is a good thing. Most adults would not think of another adult being glad to get back to driving a School Bus. People in their right mind wouldn't be driving a School Bus; or so I have heard and as we bus drivers often kid around about. I drove the evening route today, and was glad to be back, and the other drivers were glad to see me back.

One of the things that helps me enjoy driving the Bus is the other drivers, the supervisor, and mechanics, and the School Administration and Board. Cassville School District is a pleasure to drive for. They pay the drivers the best of any School District in the State of Missouri, provide health insurance, sick days, get 2 personal days per school year (paid), and paid holidays. Not many School Districts provide such a good package. The best thing is the people I work with. Mostly a lot of fun to be around.

I am thankful to be back to driving the bus again, and I pray God will use me to be a faithful witness for His glory, and will bless the Carr Lane Baptist Church greatly too. I want to express a word of thanks to all who prayed for me these past two weeks. God has answered and heard you. Bless the holy name of Jesus, Son of the Living God, and who is God incarnate.

Update - Autumn

2007-11-17T05:54:00.000-06:00

This is just to update all who are interested concerning my blood pressure and such. I was not given permission to return to driving the school bus. The blood pressure was down at home, but back up when I went to the doctors office. Because of that he told me to come back "Next Monday" - that will be on the 19th, and check it again.

I went off to Springfield yesterday, ie., Friday Nov. 16, and forgot to take some of my meds with me so now I may be back where I was a week ago.

I now have an appointment set with a cardiologist for December 5th, however if I have no job driving the school bus I have no insurance. If I have no insurance I will not be going to the cardiologist. Things like that are too expensive. I have a pretty strong heart. The only one who can stop is my Creator, God and Savior. Please pray for my family and me.

O, Lord, I am in YOUR hands. YOU are the Great Physician.

The Autumn of the Year

2007-11-07T10:19:00.000-06:00

I just looked in the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY to make sure I was spelling the word "Autumn" correctly. I was, and noticed the definition was, "The season between Summer and Winter." That is a correct definition.

I must admit Autumn or Fall is not my favorite season of the year. It has its beauties, with the changing of the leaves on the trees, especially here in the State of Missouri; the hills are full of color. It is amazing how our God paints such a beautiful picture even in the picture of aging and dying. Therein lies the reason Autumn is not my favorite time of year. I appears as death and dying. It is not that I fear dying or death, because I know where I am spending eternity, and that is with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the things I don't like about it is the cold. I like being warm, and even being hot is not as hard to bear. I can cool down much easier and in a more enjoyable fashion, than by trying to get warm. When it turns cold, I am never warm; that is not to say that I am freezing or anything like that. The cold just gets in me, and I am not warm until Spring comes around again.

I am not liking this Fall especially. I went to the doctor yesterday, and my blood pressure was way high, and he grounded me/suspended me from driving the School Bus. It is for an indefinite period. I am hopeing that when I go back to see him on Monday he can renew my health certificate and I can get back to driving. I am appreciative of a Supervisor at the School who is willing to work with me, give me a medical leave, keep my route for me, and get paid while I am off too. I have twenty days of sick leave, so that should be taken care of. One thing the doctor told me was that he was going to get me an appointment with a cardiologist. I don't know when that will be yet.

If things don't work out with driving, then, I know the Lord has something greater in mind. This Fall/Autumn is the season of color, and a reminder that life on this earth is not forever. God is in control of life and that is what makes the whole year, and the four seasons so interesting. Life might be a little boring if every day was the same, and every season of the years, as well as the seasons of life.

My wife and I went to the Missouri Baptist Convention the week of October 29-31 at the Tan-Tara Resort on the Lake of the Ozarks. It is a beautiful location, the weather was great, and some events of the Convention were disappointing; but the preaching was great, and the singing was fantastic. God is good.

Taking Tests

2007-10-15T13:32:00.000-05:00

When I was in school, whether it was Elementary or High School I hated tests. it really didn't matter what kind of test; I just hated them.

Entering into the grown up work force and life's reality I learned that every body has tests, even we adults. The problem with life's reality tests is that sometimes you don't know you are taking the test. There is no one who will tell you, "We are having a test tomorrow over the studied text", and you sometimes have no way of knowing what's going to be on the test.

Since my last article here at "To Everything...A Season" where I wrote of the song "I Choose", and how it had been a real encouragement to me. If you don't remember read the previous post. I do know the chorus a bit better now, and I did notice that I used the wrong word for a song chorus, and wrote "course". I knew better I just didn't catch what I had written.

The song's chorus is this way; "I choose to believe You are faithful, and my heart is in your hands; that this mystery I face today is part of a greater plan. I choose not to be discouraged when the sun will not break through. I have the choice of trusting You; so Lord, this is what I choose." It is still a source of encouragement to me.

The only thing that has changed is that I have been and I am presently being tested to how sure and true this is to my life. Sometimes I just wonder if I missed God's real calling for my life. I do believe, having studied the Scriptures for over 33 years that every Christian has a calling in their life. That doesn't mean being a pastor, missionary, or anything like that. It just means some Christians are called to be farmers, school teachers, policemen [or any form of law enforcement], soldiers, dog catchers, doctors, nurses, carpenters, bus drivers, and you could add your own occupation or vocation here.

Whatever it is God has called you to be content in doing it. And, do it as unto the Lord. I do know one thing for sure. If you believe God is calling you to a work, then, you better go to it as soon as He calls. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Think about what happened to Jonah.

I still dislike tests, but today I have a better understanding of why we have them. They strengthen our resolve to get done what we know we need to get done. They also show us things about ourselves we didn't know before. Like, how durable and faithful we really are. Then, we can give God the Son and His Father all the glory.

A Word of Encouragement

2007-10-01T11:20:00.000-05:00

For some days now, up until this past week, I have been greatly discouraged and wondering what my ministry is really worth. With the problems at church, and some of our own personal problems I just sometimes wonder.

As I was driving home from picking up kids on the School Bus I was listening to the Christian Radio station I have on in the car, and they played a song which picked me up and made me do some thinking. The words of the course go something like this, and I am doing this from memory: "I choose to believe You are faithful, that grace is in Your hand. This mystery that I face today is part of a greater plan. I choose not to be discouraged when the sun does not break through, I've made the choice of choosing You", and of course this is addressed to God and His Son.

I really want the words of the song. It is titled "I Choose", and I don't know the group who does it either. It is such a wonderful song which puts the thoughts on the Father and His Son rather than our situation in life.

It seems that discouragement is so easy. It doesn't take much to get me anyway, and I don't need that junk. I say "Junk", because that is what discouragement really is is J.U.N.K. Someone once said, "Discouragement is from the devil", and that is for certain. It is especially true for the Christian. The devil doesn't want us living in victory, and courage; so he does whatever he can to bring us down.

The next time I sense a bout of discouragement; I will redirect my thinking to the One who has all those matters in His hand. Join me in courage in the Lord Jesus.

Just Another Rambling

2007-09-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

It seems that most of the thoughts I write here are just ramblings. What I am doing is writing what is presently on my heart. Some of it is basically meaningless, at least to those who may read it; other than myself.

Sometimes I get really aggravated with people. Adults, especially Chrisitian adults, sometimes just need to put their feelings aside and go on with the way life is. Brush those feelings off the sleeve and go on loving like Jesus calls us to. Maybe I have grown hard, and don't let accusations bother me anymore. It bothers me more what the accuser is doing to themselves. It bothers me more that they are telling things to others and turning them off of Christ. It hurts to see my Christian brothers and sisters behaving so childishly.

Another thing is why do kids [children to you more sophisticated folks] not understand the safety rules for riding on a school bus. You know the simple things; like, stay in your seat; no standing, turning around backwards in the seat, no crawling on the floor - in the aisle or under the seats, no eating or drinking on the bus. These are all safety issues. If one child makes a sudden movement or scream this distracts the driver, and could very easily cause an accident. Today I caught a elementary age boy sneaking a candy treat from his case, and I asked him to bring it to me. He was upset. When he got off the bus at his home he asked if he could have his snack, and I told him no. I think that really upset him. He lost it. Period.

That's about enough of ramblings for today. Until next time. Say, after the Autumn begins.

Loose Lips

2007-09-03T06:18:00.000-05:00

The lies people tell are not just little "white lies". Lies are destructive. They harm people, and even the one who is telling them.

There is a phrase which has been said for years, "Loose lips sink ships", and man, is that ever so. The ship that lies sink will be the life of the one whose lips are loose. No home, church, or organization can long exist when lies are told.

Malicious lies are especially harmful. That is, when someone lies to purposely harm or hurt another person, or organization. This form of lying is one which God calls an abomination. That is in the same line as gross sexual immorality. No liar has any part with God.

I guess I am writing this because lies have recently been told of myself. They have been exposed for what they are, ie., the lies. The person involved has not acknowledged any involvement, but offered this apology, "I am sorry for all the words that have been said". Now, when this individual has been the one saying them, that is not much of an apology. I pray that this individual will get their personal life right with God. Any one who lies like this is not right with Him, and have opened their lives for judgment; unless they seek forgiveness from Him.

This individual has left our church. I believe the Lord takes care of problems in His Church. I just pray this does not go to the church they are not in.

The lies told were not lies of any real merit. They would not do any real harm to me. As a matter of fact, I originally laughed about it, and I still laugh about it, except for the harm it could do to our church. One lie was that I had, during VBS (Vacation Bible School) in July, dropped off some of the kids along the main highway, and had them walk home. I drove the bus. The closest I came to that was dropping them off on the edge of the road that runs about 200 yards from their home. It was also told that I refused to take the kids home on Friday evening, the night of Parent's Night. The bus did not run that evening. The parents/guardians were responsible for seeing their child arrived, and were returned home.

Because of these things some of the people of our church has left, and say they are not returning. When I have spoken to some of this matter, they tell me their leaving has nothing to do with those things. It is always something else.

May God forgive us all. And He does.

In the end, "Loose lips" still "sink ships".

Back To School

2007-08-25T04:56:00.000-05:00

Since my last post School has started and I have driven the bus seven and one half days. I took the morning of August 22 off, because my Dad was supposed to have surgery, actually amputation of his right foot and part of the leg. That has been due to lack of circulation to the foot, due to vein removal for his heart a few years ago.

They ended up not doing the surgery because the anesthesiologist saw a problem in one of the tests concerning his heart, and would not allow it to proceed. He has now been back for more of those tests, passed them, and now the surgery is rescheduled for Monday the 27th. He is supposed to check in at 11 a.m.

I am still driving the same bus that I drove at the end of the last School year. Old Bus 23. The mechanics of the School did some work on her, and she runs much better this year than she has in a long time. She is still a bit sluggish on take off. Her zero to sixty time is probably about 2 minutes. If I ever get her to sixty.

There are not a whole lot of people who can say they drive a vehicle with a price range of eighty thousand dollars. Yellow as a color in automobiles is growing in popularity, but it is usually a slightly different yellow than a School Bus.

The kids on the buses are being kids. Some of them get slightly overly active. Then, something must be done. They do have a problem obeying rules. Rules to remain seated. Rules that are for their safety, and the safety of all on the bus and all who are on the road, at times.

As I was driving down one part of my curvacious road one day I saw a puff of torn papers in my driver's side mirror fly through the air. I did not see who did it. What could I do. All I did was ask who threw it out. To no surprise, I received no answer. This is a generation of people who are supposed to be so concerned about our environment. I am not so concerned about paper, it will go back from whence it came.

I guess "Litter-bugging" is one of my pet peaves. I cannot stand seeing people throwing trash out the windows of their cars or leaving it where they have brought it; like to a campground, or picnic area. It is ugly on some beautiful highways in the USA as well.

Anyway, School is back in session, and it may be a long School year. I plan on making the most of it and living for my Lord.

More Summer Rambling

2007-08-10T06:50:00.000-05:00

Well, it appears that I will be driving the School Bus anyway. I am thankful for that. I went to the doctor yesterday, and we got me approved for a three month period, and I will need to go in for periodic BP checks.

That takes a big gorilla off my back. That is an extra income which also provides our health insurance. The Lord, of course, is our greatest provider and means of our sustenance. He does, however, call us to our work, and to do it as unto Him. I am just thankful for all His provision of grace and mercy.

It just seems that a whole load of pressure has been lifted off my back. That alone does not help a persons BP. I appear to people as being mild mannered, easy going, and I have had people to tell me that they are surprised that someone with my demeanor could have high BP. The reason for that may be that I keep things in, rather than exploding. I want to say with that, that there are times I release them, by my writing in my journal. I have also found blogging a release and renewing as well.

The school I drive for will begin on August 16. That is next Thursday. In the hottest time of Summer. Our temps here in Southwest Missouri have been at or near the century mark. Air conditioning sure feels good when it is like this.

Last night our son Timothy, his wife Sarah, and their kids Naomi, and Josiah were over, and we barbecued a couple of t-bone steaks and burgers. Man, was that good stuff. I told you this was more Summer rambling.

Summer Ramblings

2007-08-04T06:12:00.000-05:00

Summer is nearing an end, at least as far as School vacation is concerned. The teachers and administrators are gathered at the School during the week days getting things all situated and ready to go, and they have had the physicals for all who need them; like the Bus Drivers, and there are others,

I went for mine on Tuesday, July 31, and failed my physical. I have a problem with my blood pressure being too high. It was high when I went in for my physical. The doctors have ran test on me, even did MRI's and MRA's (Maybe the same, I don't know), they have done stress test and found nothing causing it. These have all been prior to July 31 of this year.

It really has me perplexed. I take three medications for blood pressure, but it seems they do no good. I feel pretty good with the exception of when I get discouraged, or depressed concerning these matters. I know blood pressure is a life or death matter, but then, I see every day as a blessing from God, and know that whether I live or whether I die it is of the Lord.

Some have told me I should get disability for my blood pressure, but I really don't think I could get it and remain a pastor; and I don't think that is what God would have me do. Preaching and pastoring is what God has called me to do, and I will probably die doing that.

This may sound gruesome to some, but my prayer to the Lord, concerning my death is that I would die in one of three or four ways. The first one being to die while preaching His Word in the pulpit. The second, to die on my knees while in prayer. The third, to die while a soul I have dealt with is praying to Jesus for salvation; and the fourth, to just die while I am asleep. I see no problem in asking my Lord and Savior for this. I know that I have no say over the time or place, but those are my requests.

I am ready and anxious to meet my Savior face to face. There are many unredeemed here that I have failed to tell about Jesus, His death on the cross taking the judgment of sin that was mine/ours, being rejected by His Father because He had become the very thing that He despised, and took all the wrath for all sin. Jesus was buried carrying all our sins away, and leaving them in the depths of the ocean and cast as far away as East is from West. On the third day He rose from the grave for our justification (right with God) by God's declaration; and He lives forever seated at the right hand of God the Father.

If the Lord allows me to continue to drive the School Bus, that will be great, if not maybe I can spend more time with my church people. I would certainly not mind that at all.

The Stinker Family

2007-07-24T15:56:00.000-05:00

There was a family, and their neighbors called them, "The Stinkers". That is the name they had lived with for many generations. There were times when they would gather together, and everything would be just great, but then, there would be times they gathered and boy! what a stink that would rise.

It seemed upon their once per week meeting everything went well. They would even bring in their dinners once per month, sit down together at their tables, talk and enjoy their meal. When there were new things to do however there would almost always be one stinker who would rise up and start calling the rest of the family.

Everything in these special things could be going really well, but because one Mrs. Stinker was not in charge she would call others who were not present telling them that another stinker was being mean to the kids, and treating them unfairly. Can you imagine one Stinker working against another Stinker. All you get is STINK.

It is a shame that one Stinker cannot get along with another Stinker. One Mrs. Stinker says to the other Mrs. Stinker, "Well that Mr. Stinker of our family, he really doesn't know how to be a leader." The phones start ringing and the ears of all the Stinkers start buzzing. Lips start yapping, and in the end there is no peace.

What are the Stinkers going to do? What is their Creator going to think about the stink that is being raised within the Stinker family? The domineering female Stinker will need to cease and desist in her stink making, and seek to yield to the leading of the Creator. As long as any of us Stinkers think we can control the family we will continue to stink.

Aren't we all stinkers at times?

Some Good Stuff

2007-07-16T09:04:00.000-05:00

The past two weeks have been pretty busy for my wife and I. We have enjoyed the days though. On the fourth of July we had our Blankenship family, friends and neighbors celebration down at the swimming hole, with picnic, fireworks and all. On the weekend preceeding the ninth we had our kids and grandkids at the house for our annual family get together.

My previous writing was concerning produce in our garden, which has been greatly neglected. With the rain and lack of time to get to it it has only been tilled one time. Yet, it is producing. My wife Madge and I went on Friday and dug some new potatoes, picked some green tomatoes, some bell peppers and some cucumbers.

On the ninth Madge and I headed to Mt. Vernon, MO. to join others in the kitchen of Baptist Hill Campground for Barry County Southern Baptist Association's annual Children's Camp. We were about a dozen strong doing kitchen work, cooking, distributing salads, drinks, cereals, and such as that. It was a long day for about four days. The day started for me at 4 a.m. with my regular devotion times, then, at 5 would go to the cafeteria where some of the men would have a cup of coffee and fellowship a few minutes before getting breakfast started.

As soon as breakfast was over and the pots and pans were clean we started lunch, then as soon as lunch was over we started preparing for supper (dinner). There was rarely a time to relax. I don't mean that as a complaint. The time flew by. It was also a joy to see those 280 campers come by getting their meals. Many of them were saying "Thank you" as they went through the line being served the food for that meal. That was a great thing.

One of the best things was having a young lady tell of her receiving Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. An update from our Director of Missions was that there were 20 decisions for salvation. That is sure one of the worthy affects of camp. We praise our God of grace and mercy

A Producing Garden

2007-07-09T07:23:00.000-05:00

It seems as though we have had plenty of rain this year, so far. The month of July, usually a hot and dry month has yet to produce much rain; some but not much. Of course, we are only 9 days into it.

Now concerning our producing garden. I have not seen it, but I have been told, that our garden is producing things like bell peppers, tomatoes, and that the potatoes are going to be ready soon. I have not seen it because I have not been in it recently. The abundance of rain has kept us from getting in the garden on our schedule. It has grown up with the weeds, but Hey! if it is producing let it produce. I am going to have to get over there and get some of the fruits of my labor.

My wife planted some tomato plants here at our home we are living in. I think three plants, and they are planted in buckets. They are doing well, and looking pretty decent. Tomatoes are growing on them. Our Creator is the one who gives the increase of produce. To Him alone we are grateful.

Every life should be like a garden. It should not necessarily be like ours. It looks neglected with the weeds growing. The ground grows hard and with it hard it is hard to pull weeds as well as being hard to run a tiller through it. Gardens should be worked at least once per week. The life of the Christian requires daily weeding, tilling and preparing for produce. One day Jesus Christ is going to come and gather His produce. What will He have to gather.

We are called to be diligent to the service of our Lord and Savior. If you are not, make a commitment today to get into God's Word. Read it. Study it. Most of all let God's Word read you.

A Weight

2007-06-30T05:57:00.000-05:00

When I got out of bed this morning there seemed to be a weight on me which I had no explanation for. It may just be concern for my Dad, as he is having problems with his foot once again, and they want to amputate, but he doesn't.

Dad believes that the Lord has assured him that he is going to keep his foot. If Dad has that assurance I believe him, and that is how I prayed last night as we met and had prayer.

We, ie., my wife Madge, Mom and Dad, Judy (my sister), her husband David, Dave and Edna Eaton (David's Mom and Dad), Duffy and Dawn Guyton (David's sister and her husband from Memphis, TN.) got together at the Eaton's home and had a time of prayer specifically for Dad's foot and leg. I am believing that God is going to renew that foot and leg.

Dad has said he is willing to receive God's will in the matter, as am I. God's will and plan is the most desired plan of all.

As for that weight on me; I really just don't know why it is there. The spiritual condition of the Nation, the world. I am anxious for the return of Jesus for His Church. I pray that the many whom I am praying for for salvation will be saved.

It is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

May the Lord help me with this weight. As I write this and express it I can feel some of that weight lifting. Thank YOU Lord.

If you are a Christian; in your time of prayer would you pray for my Dad. I would appreciate it, and pray for God's will and glory.

One more item I want to write about is that I drove the School bus for the last day of Summer School. My cousin Marie called a couple of days before and asked me if I would fill in for her on Friday. I told her I would. I drove the bus my granddaughter Naomi rode for Summer School. She will be in Kindergarten when School resumes in August. She will not be riding my bus at that time. When Naomi got on at the morning run, she gave me a great big hug. Those hugs are great.

Another Funeral

2007-06-19T20:58:00.000-05:00

On Saturday morning sometime before the rising of the sun, there was a deadly car accident in or near Rogers, AR., and it was the daughter of a cousin of mine. There was no alcohol or drugs involved, it appears just to have been the affects of a tired young lady.

I received notice of this on Saturday morning from my Mother while I was in Booneville, AR. helping our son and his wife move to their new home. It seems that my cousins daughter pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle, and she died at the scene. She was only 26 years of age, not married, and had no children. She did have loving parents, a sister, and grandparents [my aunt and uncle], and they will all miss her greatly.

I attended the funeral today, and to me it was a sad event. They gave her all the accolades of praise they could think of, such as, "She always had a sunny disposition, was always smiling, and that she enjoyed life". I guess that is all they could say about her. There was no testimony of faith in Jesus, nor of any commitment to a church. I wept as they applauded her, and were silent about Jesus.

The pastor spoke a very good message concerning having the right foundation, and that foundation being Jesus Christ. I applauded. I hurt and I ache for my cousin, and her parents, and grandparents. If Sunni did not have Jesus, she is no longer smiling. I only pray that she met Him, but has been silent about it, if that is possible.

A Parable Continued

2007-06-18T06:21:00.000-05:00

The story of a Certain Man, Speaks Out, and Sister Not Present; hopefully now is a story that can be put to an end.

When there is conflict in a family that is not good. The good Lord never intended conflict, at least not to the point of causing confusion, hurt and distancing one's self from the rest of the family.

The family met for its weekly gathering twice on the first day of the week. The Certain Man was calling for a time of talking with the Father of the family. Before going into the talk Certain man called out a couple of things which needed to be dealt with before addressing the Father. It was not a pleasant thing to do, but it was a necessary thing to do.

Certain Man mentioned the annual family outing to grow the family, and the charges which had been made, and was used to harm the feelings of Speaks Out. The charge was that Certain Man and Speaks Out had gotten together and planned the event without Sister Not Present. Certain Man informed the family that that charge was not true, that it in fact was a lie. The brother who did this was simply trying to cause a family problem.

Certain Man also addressed another issue which had recently came up. That is a charge that he was getting his weekly addresses from electronic devices. Certain Man made it clear that he had not, nor will not do such a thing, but in fact makes posts of these address outlines on the electronic device.

Will the problem be solved? Will the family begin to grow, and put aside all bitterness, wrath, malice, and anger? We can only rely on the Father of the family. He will give us peace.

Rain, Be Thankful for the Rain

2007-06-11T19:22:00.000-05:00

For a few years around the parts of Missouri where I currently live and grew up it has been dry during these months with farmers bringing little crops of hay. Ponds have gone dry, and even heard of a well going dry now and then.

We have been getting rain. Today (June 11, 2007) it has rained nearly all day long. There have been flood situations near Joplin and some roads closed, and holding trucks back from making their important deliveries. Now, I can undertand their frustration, because that is their livelihood, and others are dependent upon their getting their good through to them. Let's all remember that many of those goods could not be delivered without water, and in some cases, actually in most cases, that means rain.

Even out in California, where they irrigate most of the time and some of the farmers don't even want it to rain, because that messes up their schedule of irrigation, that water they use comes from somewhere, and some of that comes from the Sierra Mountains, of snow run off coming down to them, and that snow comes from the same place rain does, and God Almighty gives it all.

The aquifer which is really the underground water supplies, [underground lakes, rivers, streams] are supplied by rain, which the good and gracious Lord gives to us all.

Whether we like it or not we all need rain. When it comes in too heavy for our liking or when it comes in little bitty doses; we must be grateful for it all. Without water, without rain, we die.

Rain, Be Thankful for the Rain.

Tilling the Garden

2007-06-06T05:58:00.000-05:00

We have a garden this year. It is down at the place where my Dad grew up. There are several rows of Potatoes - yes I spelled that with e-s, because it is in the plural. It seems as I have mentioned this in a previous article. However, I have not mentioned this before.

Last evening I went and used a tiller, you know, one of those things that has two wheels behind some metal tines which spin under the power of a 5 horsepower engine, or whatever horsepower. It is supposed to really be an aid to keeping the soil around plants loose where it can receive and retain moisture, thus, grow faster and better. You may be thinking, 'This guy grew up on a farm, and he has never used a tiller'. That is because we always either used a hoe, or it was cultivated with another implement behind a tractor, set for the width of the rows.

This was the first time I ever used a tiller. I quickly learned that you do not just walk behind one of them. The operator must maintain control. It would be so much easier if you could just hold the handle bars and walk behind it, but then, what good would that do the garden. The ground does not get broken up that way.

This garden really needed a tilling too. It was weedy between those potato rows, and that was basically all I got done. I was ready to quit by the time I got to that final row of potatoes. Of course, I was ready to quit after the second row was finished, but there were about six more rows to do.

When I did finally quit for the time being, I was as wet as if I had jumped in a shower with all my clothes on, but it was only sweat. My hands, even as I am writing, are hurting from new blisters, and the muscles are acheing as well. I must say that I am thankful to be able to do this. I was there with my Dad, a couple of nephews, and they were planting tomatoes, and peppers, I think. I am not so sure about the peppers.

Just like a garden needs tilling once in awhile to get rid of the weeds, tear up the soil, and such as that, so too, do we who are Christians need to have our lives plowed and the weeds destroyed so that we might better grow, and produce fruit; that is, if the bugs don't get it.

Death - Not a Pleasant Topic?

2007-06-02T21:26:00.000-05:00

My wife just had an older sister to die. I am not afraid of using that word die, because that is what happens when these bodies stop breatheing and the heart stops beating and the mind stops functioning. From the day we are born, and even before, our destiniy on earth will be death. It is not a pleasant topic, but it is a reality of life.

As I said, my wife's sister died on Friday, May 25, 2007 in Fairbanks, AK., and actually I should say in Two Rivers, AK., because that is where Estell and her husband Kidrick lived. Estell had been battling with cancer for several years, and when they sent her home from the hospital the last time they knew it was to die. All knew it was going to come. From all things that I heard of her and her battle with cancer, even to the final day, she held on to her faith in God.

We had her funeral today in Walnut Grove, MO.. It took them that long to get her body shipped on a cargo plane to Missouri. Isn't it amazing how slow a cargo plane is? Pastor Gene Terry preached a wonderful message of grace and everyone's need to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. At the gravesite he pointed out that Estell is not with us any longer, but that she is in heaven with our Lord and Savior, and the only way we will ever see her again is if we know Jesus.

I am very thankful for the grace of God and am glad to say, By the grace of God I know I will see her again, as well as her mother, my grandparents, and some friends who have gone on before me. Most of all I know I will see Jesus, my Lord and my Savior.

I pray all who comes here will know Him. Death isn't so bad, when you know it has been conquered by the resurrection of Jesus, and that He is alive today.

The Price of Gasoline

2007-05-25T09:41:00.000-05:00

I am not one to complain; at least not too often. The price of gas, however, gets into the pocketbood, and I have very little there to spare, as many in this great nation of our do.

With Oil Companies making record profits - something I heard around 16 billion dollars in a quarter this year. They say they put those profits back into exploration, but let me say something; PROFITS ARE COUNTED AFTER ALL EXPENSES ARE COUNTED, and that includes EXPLORATION.

Until just a few days ago I had not thought much about that. Someone pointed it out to me, and that is correct. You count profit after all expenses are deducted. Is EXPLORATION not an expense. It is an expense.

There is no doubt that we are the most fuel consuming nation on earth; and we even have some of the cheapest prices, and for that we should be thankful.

These prices, however, are going to put the poor of our country completely out of commission. Maybe we don't care for the poor. Then, we are headed for a really big catastrophe. It will be more than a problem with Oil; it will and is a problem with our Creator.

When gas reached 2 dollars per gallon I had to start watching where, when, and how often I drove. Now that it is 3 dollars plus it has become even more necessary.

I don't guess there is anything that can be done about it. I can be thankful for what I have and realize that God is still in control, and He supplies my every need. I do pray that I can and will be a better steward of His resources. How about you?

Let Me Tell You About My Days

2007-05-23T07:08:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of Summer vacation from driving the School Bus. I am so glad for Summer vacation. Now, it is not that I dislike kids (and I mean no offense by using the word kids; because I was always called a kid, and it never bothered me), it is just that they have a way; especially when they are screaming, fussing, fighting, playing; and all when they shouldn't be; on getting on your nerves. After nine months of driving them I am ready for this break.

During school my days started on most days at 2:30 to 3:00 a.m. No! I did not have to get up that early to go and drive the bus. I get up that early to have a quiet time with the Lord, pray and read His Word, and to also write articles, and maintain the blogs that I have. I try not to do much, if any blogging during the daylight hours. I leave to drive the bus at 5:15 a.m., then drive approximately 17 miles one way to the bus garage, arrive there at around 5:50 a.m., do the pretrip, and leave to pick up the kids at 6:05 a.m. I have about a twenty five minute drive before I pick up the first student/rider. We then, arrive at the High School to drop off riders at around 7:45 a.m. and then, to the other shortly thereafter. The bus is parked by 7:50 a.m.

Most times I return home for breakfast with Madge (my wife), and after breadfast I am back in the office for studying the Word preparing for Wednesday night Bible Study and the sermons for Sunday morning and evening. I break for lunch around noon, and after lunch, I may take a short nap or return to the office to study some more. It is probably about an even split between which one I do.

At around 2:00 p.m. I return to the bus garage, to return the riders to their homes or sitters. I usually arrive back home around 5:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter. My evenings I usually spend relaxing, watching television news, then, programs Madge and I enjoy watching together, and there are times that I feel I need to update a blog or something like that.

There are some days that I will stay in town, or go down around Carr Lane and visit our church members.

Since School is out my plans are to spend two days other than Sunday and Wednesday on the church field visiting members and the people of the Carr Lane area. I am still planning on arising before the chickens at around 3:00 a.m., during my Summer vacation

Looking Forward to Summer

2007-05-15T04:42:00.000-05:00

Here it is that we are nearly two thirds of the way through Spring, and I am looking forward to Summer. Spring and Summer are my two favorite times of year. Spring because everything starts coming back to life. The trees begin to grow their leaves again, the grass begins to green and grow - now if you hate mowing your yard you will hate that part of it - and the air begins to warm and the blood begins to flow through the veins again. There is life. Summer, because it is warm and sometimes hot. I like heat, but not too much heat. I can stand the heat, and endure the cold, but when it comes to cold, that is all it is enduring.

One thing I am glad of about Summer is that School will be out. It is good that whoever set up our school system to have a Summer break was wise. It is too hot for children to be in classes in July. It is also good, because it gives teachers, and bus drivers a break from the hustle and bustle of those large and tiny voices. Teachers, I do not mean to demean your work, it is a good one, but you are mostly standing facing your students. The bus driver has them all at his back. Remember, someone once said, "A school bus driver is someone who has all his troubles behind him." I like that. Kids are great. They all need teaching and direction. They all need Jesus as their Lord and Savior as well.

I like Summer. I am looking forward to our Fourth of July get together down at the Old Swimming Hole. I am looking forward to my immediate family getting together on my wife's birthday. We have started making that an annual event. The kids will all be here and having fun, barbequeing, eating, drinking sodas, tea, water and juices.

Another thing I am looking forward to this Summer is trying to be the pastor to Carr Lane Baptist Church that I should be. We have Vacation Bible School coming in July 16-20, and we are waiting to here from Angel Food Ministries, and hopefull will be starting that ministry to our area. Making visits in the homes of the people. Visiting homes in the area of our church, and prayerfully pointing some folks to Jesus.

This Summer will be great.

Time To Be Born

2007-05-08T04:06:00.000-05:00

The title is of course one in which we ourselves cannot decide. If I did not say that clear enough, let me say it like this. We have no say concerning the time we are born. That time is determined by God Himself, and no one else. He also determines the other end of life, and that is the day or our death.

I did not write the above to be morbid, or frightful. On May 04, 2007 Natalie Joyce Blankenship was born into this world. Her parents are Philip and Sarah Joyce Blankenship.

Natalie is our tenth grandchild. We have eight living and two with Jesus in Heaven. We claim them as our grandchildren, even though we never saw them, but we believe we will when we enter those blessed portals of eternity and see our blessed Savior Jesus Christ.

It is a joy and a blessing to be a part of this life. Without living here there would be no Heaven. We would be none existent. Before we were made we were in the heart and mind of God, and the day of our birth, as well as the day of our death is determined by Him.

I am thankful for these things, for knowing that the future is in the hands of our Almighty God and Father. Thank Him for His sovereignty over all things. Bless His holy name.

God Changes People

2007-04-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how God works and changes people. When people are called to faith in Christ by the Spirit of God they believe, trust, obey, and just become all around better people.

Take myself for an example. I was saved at the age of eleven years. God's grace has continually been with me, even though, when I was in my teen years I did things for which I am not proud. I am gravely afraid that I offended the One who loved me enough to give His life for me. I also know that I have even since becoming an adult. It is wonderful and great to know that I am His, and He is mine.

Something has began to happen to me which I really never thought possible. I am enjoying do some garden work. I never enjoyed working in the dirt as a boy, and even into adulthood, and now, here I am fifty two years of age, and I have been riding a tractor, plowing a garden, digging that garden to tear up the sod patches, and smooth the ground using a harrow. Harrow, that is a new farming implement for me. Never used one until today. Got the garden ready for planting.

As I have mentioned in a previous article; I have not plowed ground in many years. The old blue Ford tractor still does not have power steering, and now it definitely wears me out; and probably quicker than the soil gets ready.

God is so good, His mercy is everlasting, and His grace is so full and free.

A Journal

2007-04-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

"I don't know why, but there has been a new hope come in my heart. I don't physically see any hope, but at least there is some in my heart. This hope is for a better financial situation. That maybe all it is, and that is just wishful thinking.

It seems that I have always been a dreamer, but I have never worked toward those dreams. Most of my dreams have always been material oriented, I believe. Even when I have dreamed things in spiritual matters it seems, they have been for my good, and not God's glory. I do not believe I have ever seen any spiritual fruit come from my "spiritual" dreams.

Lord, give me YOUR visions and dreams for YOUR glory alone. AMen."

This was written in my own personal journal by hand on April 22, 2007. I find it rewarding to write thoughts and feelings onto paper. This is the first that I will have shared with the public. I don't think it will be the last. And, BTW, I know you are not supposed to use contractions in writing, unless it is in a quote, or something like that. To Everything...A Season.

The Smile of God

2007-04-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

My wife, Madge and I were getting near home this evening and I had been noticing the moon. You can't see much of it; there is the faint outline of the whole moon, but in darkness; with the exception of a long curved lighted bottom. I had thought that was rather odd.

I do not remember ever seeing the moon in that phase. I said something to Madge about it, and she said, "A smiley face". I told YEAH!, I had not thought of it that way and then, I said, "It's as though God is smiling down on us.

I still think that is a pretty neat moon; especially if it is a reminder of God's good grace toward His people, and a smile to the world of His mercy.

He is smiling down on you. He loves you. Love Him by loving His Son Jesus Christ.

The Return

2007-04-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

It was here for quite a bit of the month of March, at least two weeks. It brought pleasant temps, the ground was warmed, and most people I know loved it. The grass turned green and grew. Flowers blossomed and bloomed. Tulips were popping up in gardens everywhere. Even the oaks were beginning to spring forth with new leaves.

I am, of course, speaking of Spring. It was here and then, it went on a two week vacation. We were left with remnants of Winter. There were mornings when I went out to get in the car, go drive the bus, and the windows were covered in frost. I even started wearing my jacket once again. I love this time of year. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons. The Falls of the Ozarks are beautiful when the trees begin to change. The colors are beautiful driving through the hills. Winters have their own beauty too, but I cannot stand the cold. I can tolerate, but only because I grew up here and live here.

My wife and I lived in the Northern part of Southern California for 16 months, and I could enjoy that type of Winter for a long time. We moved back here, though, and we love it here.

Like a good, old and faithful friend Spring has returned, and I am hoping he stays around ; at least until Summer arrives.

Welcome back Spring.

Plowing Along

2007-04-10T04:29:00.000-05:00

Many have heard someone say, "I am just plowing along", meaning, of course, that they are struggling along with life, but they are progressing. That is not what I mean by the title.

I did something on Monday April 09, 2007 that I had not done in many years. First of all I rode the old farm tractor that I ran into a tree when I was a boy of about twelve years of age. That is right - I ran it into a tree, or maybe I should say, it rolled into a tree after I jumped off to catch my horse or something, and I did not set the brake, and it ran into a tree. It was a brand new tractor at the time. That is not what this is about though.

The reason for riding the tractor was to take it to the old home place where my father grew up, and plow the old garden spot. My Dad told me several months ago that he would like for the family to have a garden spot down at the old house, and nothing was ever done about it. So, I was setting out to do something about it. With my brother Steven's help, we got the tractor and plow ready, and then, I headed over there.

It was a little tough plowing a little piece of ground that had not been plowed in probably thirty five years or more. Old fescue roots build up in that sod, and just make it plumb tough. I don't believe I did a very good job. It had been twenty five years or more since I had plowed anything. The old tractor has no power steering, never did, and it is harder to steer now than it ever was.

Anyway when I returned home I was really tuckered out. I did not do anything all evening. We will be planting some things there soon. Now some reading this may think, "Shouldn't things have been planted already?" Most usually, yes. This year; NO! We have had a freeze the past week. The first week of April has been quite damaging to the things that came out and bloomed. This freeze has even set the oaks back some for sure. So NO! We are in good shape for planting a garden.

Until next time.

Tim A.

Sunrise

2007-04-02T09:55:00.000-05:00

As I was driving my School Bus route this morning; it was the first time since beginning this route two weeks ago that I had seen the lake as the sun came up.

I enjoy being up before the sun rises. I use to almost hate being up that early, but I did not know what I was missing. Of course during that time I was also more of a 'Nightowl' and stayed up till all hours of the night and into the morning at times. I know that I would much rather be up and going early and see the sun rising than going on and on and on after sunset.

Now for those who like the sunset, I can also agree with you, but to me there is something special about sunrise. It signals the beginning of a brandnew day. It is the sign of new things. It is hope that this day will be better than the one before.

As I drove by the lake with the sun not yet up over the horizon I could see the reflection of the tree covered Ozarks hills in the waters with the glow of sunrise. I see that and I think, 'My how wonderful our God, our Creator is. That He could make this all for us.'

Let me challenge you; if you have not seen a sunrise in a while try it Tuesday morning April 03, 2007. If you make it that far, then, be thankful that you made it another day.

A Parable

2007-03-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

There was a Certain Man and he had a rather large family. Occasionally the family would get together and discuss matters of family interests. On a certain date early during a year the Certain Man standing addressing his family made a statement concerning an annual family Event.

That statement was one encouraging an early start in the planning of the Event. He spelled out some details, and suggested that it be done a little differently than past years. Using materials that were coming from other family, and not using outside help for the production of the Event. This coming Event was a gathering of family and discussion of increasing the family, encouraging the family and just an all around good time.

One of the sisters, Speaks Out, says, "I think it is a good thing that the Certain Man is suggesting. Let's listen to what he says, and see what happens". The matter was put aside for a time, so a Sister Not Present and had been a vital part in the previous Events could have some input into the matter. It was agreed by all to do so.

One of the brothers who was at the meeting called the sister who was not there and told her that the Certain Man and Speaks Out, who spoke in support of the Certain Man, had gotten together before the meeting and discussed the Event. They had not done so.

The Certain Man spoke privately with the Sister Not Present about the Event in the hope of getting things worked out. The Certain Man was pretty insistent on not bringing the outside help from previous years in, but wanted to work with Sister Not Present. The word was still going around that Certain Man and Speaks Out had got together and spoke of the Event without Sister Not Present who in that case should have been meeting with them. The meeting between the Certain Man and Speaks Out did not take place.

Is there an answer to this problem? There must be. First of all in such cases they could question those involved. "Was there a meeting that took place to plan this Event?" A simple question, not the blank and blunt statement, "You two met and planned this all out..." That is not only an accusation, but when the person denies it, it is a declaration of the one denying as lying. There should be no accusation until one knows the truth.

In the second place no one came to the Certain Man to ask him about the matter, they only approached and accused her. These type of things should not happen in families.

The matter of the Event was really only being presented for means of discussion, and approval or rejection. Has it been rejected?

What Is It With Kids???

2007-03-13T20:30:00.000-05:00

Well here I am back to this blog writing once again. And the title of this one may leave some of you wondering. Wondering what is he going to write in this anyway?

Well! I have mentioned before that I drive a School Bus. Yeah! One of those big yellow, roaring road huggers, and maybe some would say "Road hoggers", because sometimes when you meet us it does seem like we are hogging the road. Don't complain unless you have driven one, and then, you will realize that those things take up most of the lane.

Anyway, back to the "Kids" thing. WHAT IS IT WITH KIDS??? While driving the bus, we have a mirror where we can look back and keep an eye on things, when we are not watching the road; which, by the way, watching the road is the most important thing; that is, if you want those "Kids" home safely.

Here is the thing I am wondering about. When I look into that mirror and I see one of them in one seat, then I return my eyes to the matter of driving, searching the mirrors, watching the road and such things as that; then, look back at those same kids. Only now one or two I have seen in one seat are now in another. It is almost like they think the driver doesn't notice. Do they think we don't know what seat they were in? Do they think we don't know one side of the bus from the other.

You tell them to stay seated, and they turn around backwards in the seat. You know the driver is not supposed to notice. I just pray that none ever get hurt. I sure would not want one to be hurt while I was driving them.

WHAT IS IT WITH KIDS??? They are kids, being kids. I do pray they will learn that the driver does notice, and that is why she/he is constantly on them to stay seated; especially while the bus is in motion.

New

2007-03-04T15:21:00.000-06:00

This blog use to be called "The Blankenships", however that site has been moved to wordpress, and is doing well. The address on this one has been changed as you can tell, as well as the name so this is basically a new site.

As it says in the title of the blog, "To Everything... A Season", so will this blog be. I may post here once in a while, but I also may not. To Everything.. A Season you know. If I have something to post that will not necessarily fit with the theme of my other blogs I will post it here, and there may be times I will post something here that I posted there.

I will guarantee one thing, there will not be any material here that a child of any age could not or should not see or read. It will be wholesome family oriented materials. If you find otherwise please alert me to it, and I will do my best to make it right.

Please feel free to post a comment in the comment section anytime and for anything. I do ask one thing of you when commenting; keep it clean, keep it simple, keep it civil, and keep it wholesome.

May God Bless You Richly.

Tim A. Blankenship

The Blankenship's Blog is Moving

2007-02-06T11:18:00.000-06:00

I do not know how many have found this site, but to those who have come on over to Our new site.

Tales of The Life

2007-02-01T16:51:00.000-06:00

I will not begin today, but in a few days, after I have had some time to think things over I will begin sharing some personal "Tales", and leave you in awe. :>)

When I was growing up under the care of my father and mother there were some things I did and had happen to me that I do not believe they ever knew about, and some that they did. Some were not so bad as they were stupid. Sometimes they were bad as well.

Anyway, not only will I tell some things on myself, but you may have a hard time telling truth from fiction. I will not tell you the difference.

Isn't it fun to have something called a "Tale" rather than a "Lie"?

Happy and Blessed New Year

2007-01-21T16:15:00.000-06:00

A New Year greeting may be a little late, but I guess you could say, 'Better late than...' The New Year got off to a really good and warm start, and then, turned nasty on us - weather wise.

We, that is, Madge and I, had a wonderful Christmas with our kids and grandkids. We also attended my parent's home for Christmas on the Eve of Christmas Eve and had a time of feasting with my brother and his family, and my three sisters and their families. When we all get together that makes for quite a house full.

I hope all who are reading here is as blessed or even more so than I am. God is so good and full of grace and mercy. So much better than what I deserve. I am so thankful for that though, because without Him there would be nothing.

Be sure you look the the Lord Jesus in this New year. Here we are well into the first month, and I pray you have given yourself to Him and His grace for eternity. Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried carrying your sins away, and was raised to life after three days, and is forever seated at the Right hand of the Father. He will come again soon, and I pray you are ready. Call on His name, and He will hear you and save you.

Remember if you are a Blankenship, know a Blankenship, or anything about some, please let me know. Also let them know about this site. We all could make it quite interesting.

To the Blankenship Family and All

2006-12-15T13:53:00.000-06:00

Have a very merry and blessed Christmas, and a good, godly, God filled New Year, 2007.
There will be no more posts at this site until around January 16, 2007. Let me know about you. It does not matter who you are tell me about yourself.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr......

2006-12-08T11:38:00.000-06:00

I got up this morning by the alarm shortly before 4. Out house was nice, toasty and warm, and I had no idea what the outside temp was until about an hour and one half later when I went to start the car. Brrrrrrr. the title is correct. I did not look at the thermometer in the car when I went to start it, but I did as I was leaving to go drive the bus.

As I pulled away the temp was four degrees. That is what I wrote 4 degrees. It is cold like this that makes me like 100 degree temps in July and August. I love the Summer temps. That is almost my favorite time of year.

I hope we are having an early Winter, then, when Winter officially arrives maybe it won't be so bad. Wouldn't that be nice.

Hope all are warm.

May God bless you all.

Cold, Snow and Ice Day

2006-12-02T09:23:00.000-06:00

It is December second, of the year 2006. I am sitting at the computer, and it is cold outside. I would even say very cold.
It has been a while since we have seen cold and weather like this. I guess we were due to receive it.
Cassville Schools did not hold classes on Thursday or Friday, that is on Nov. 30 and Dec. 01. I find it almost hard to believe we are in the month of December the last month of the year. The New Year is just 30 days away.
If no one has noticed I enjoy blogging. That is why I am here now. I am thinking of doing another one on Biblical Manhood, but I wonder if I am the one to do that.
There is a policy I have for myself in blogging and that is that I will not edit the text I have written at some later date. If it has an error in it, that will stand. If I said something that was wrong toward someone else that will remain, but I may follow it up with an apology; where one is needed. I have no desire to unnecessarily offend anyone. My sole intent is that my life, my words - spoken or written - will glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As the title says it is a, "Cold, Snow and Ice Day". At least where I live. It would be great to be in Australia for there late Spring and Summer coming up.

Post Thanksgiving

2006-11-30T05:47:00.000-06:00

It was great to have the three days off from driving the School Bus, for what the School called Thanksgiving Break. It just did not last long enough. It is amazing how fast time goes by.

I think that part of the reason the time went by so fast, and it did not seem like there were five days involved in this past weekend, is because I spent most of the day at the hospital having an MRI done on me. They were trying to figure out why my blood pressure is being so obstinate. The report came back, "There is no significant problem"; whatever that means. For that I am thankful. Thank YOU Lord Jesus.

The question comes to my mind sometimes as to why I have high blood pressure. My thinking sometimes goes back to something I remember saying a few years ago in a sermon I preached, and speaking of holding bitterness, and anger toward others, as being the cause of such. I have searched my heart concerning this matter, and there is no one who I can think of which I am angry or bitter toward. Bitterness, anger, envy, and such things as that can cause physical problems. I still believe that. Will continue to believe that until I am shown otherwise.

Paul the apostle spoke of a "Thorn in the flesh" which God had given him to keep him humble concerning his heavenly experience. I sometimes feel that way about my blood pressure, but I have no word from God on that matter. I do know that my life is entirely in His hands. He is the one who is keeping me alive, and He is the only one who can take my life from me.

As I write this it is raining outside. There are predictions of a winter storm moving in with cold, ice, snow, freezing rain. Cassville Schools have been cancelled for the day. That is why I am still at the computer. I was getting ready to leave a few minutes ago when they called from the Bus Garage to let me know they had called school off today. They told me they had tried to get me earlier but the line was busy. That is the problem with having a single phone line and dial up internet service.

We had a great service at Carr Lane Baptist Church last evening. We finished the study in the fourth chapter of Romans. Isn't the grace of our Lord really marvellous. We also prayed for the sick, and for blessing and encouragement of our members.

Let me say that anyone coming across this blog is welcome to leave a comment. I am just particularly interested if you are a Blankenship, or know some Blankenship. Please let me know.

FOREVER IN THE LORD'S CARE.

Thanksgiving Eve

2006-11-22T16:30:00.000-06:00

I should be attending Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Meeting this evening, but I woke this morning with runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and that developed into a bad headache.

Not to mention that only, but I had an appointment at St. John's Hospital in Cassville this morning to have an MRI done on me to try and figure out why my blood pressure is not cooperating. I lay in that machine for what seemed almost like forever, with my arms laid back over my head. After about half the time I was inside that tube my right shoulder began acheing, and I could not move, because of the test.

I just realized this sounds like I am complaining, but I do not mean to be. I am thankful that I am able to feel any pain. Pain is a friend, you know. It lets us know when something is wrong and that we need to find out what it is. Or, it could be a friend in letting you know that something is getting accomplished.

This is Thanksgiving Eve and like I said above, I should be in church this evening, but I decided to call and let them know I would not be coming due to the way I am feeling. If, this that I have making me sneeze is contagious, then I certainly do not want anyone at church to get it. I will be there on Sunday, the Lord willing, of course.

I hope everyone heard that WalMart has decided that they will not be giving out contributions to things which are of a controversial matter. That is good news, for which to be thankful.

Events of Thanksgiving

2006-11-20T10:21:00.000-06:00

The days of driving the School Bus this week will only be two. We drive Monday and Tuesday, and then, we are out until the 27th of November. It is a nice long Thanksgiving break.

On Wednesday I have to go to the hospital for an MRA to check me over to see if they can find what is causing the high blood pressure problem. I am supposed to be there at 7:45 a.m. Sometime Wednesday afternoon, or so, Philip, his wife Sarah, and our grand daughter Rene'e will be coming up from Booneville, AR. and staying with us until Saturday. It will be a great joy to have them with us.

Wednesday evening, of course, we get to go to church for Prayer Meeting and Bible Study at Carr Lane Baptist Church. That will begin at 6:30 pm. I do not know how many will be there, but I know there will be prayers of thanks offered to the Lord for His many blessings.

On Thursday we will all be going to my parents home for our Thanksgiving dinner (around the Ozark hills dinner is what most city people call "lunch"), but it is usually later than most eat 'lunch'. Just about all the Blankenship family of Mike and Juanita will be there.

There will most likely be another couple there. Dave and Edna Eaton. They are my sister Judy's in-laws. They are a blessing to have around, and to be around. Dave just recently retired from the pastorate in Las Vegas, NV. All of us have always considered them a part of our family. And they are.

EVERY BODY HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING

Being Thankful

2006-11-12T06:51:00.000-06:00

There are many times it seems hard to be thankful. One thing for which I am always thankful is for the family I was born into. I had no control of that thing, but the Lord of heaven and all of earth saw fit to place me in the Blankenship family.

I was born the son of a farmer. Most of the Blankenships I know are farmers, mostly dealing with cattle and such as that. My Dad for most of my life has milked cows - a dairy farmer - and I milked cows with him after I was married, and now my brother does that. As a matter of fact he pretty much takes care of all of it.

We attended church when I was a child at home and received a godly education from both my Mom and Dad. All of us were taught to love the Lord, and His Word. I can remember seeing my Dad pick up the Bible and read it, and I guess it was because of that thath I have done the same thing.

I am very thanful for my parents; Mike and Juanita.

I am also thankful for my wife and children, and grandchildren. I pray that I will leave them a godly legacy such as has been left me.

HAVE A GREAT LORD'S DAY.

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving

2006-11-07T21:36:00.000-06:00

The Blankenship household of which I am a part; from my parents, to my own household get together for this wonderful day of the year. There have been times there has been 40 or more of us gathered at my Dad's and Mom's home.

My sisters, Jane, Judy and Jill; Jane's husband Allen, Judy's husband David, and Jill and her boys, and her boyfriend and his daughter sometimes; along with my brother Steve and his wife Deanna. All of their children are often there.

Most of my siblings children and Madge's and mine are all married. There is the exception of Steve and Deanna's son Jeffry. He is still in school. Jill's two boys are not yet old enough to even think about marriage yet.

When you get our family together on Thanksgiving it is great to see so many of the family together celebrating Thanksgiving to the One who gave and gives so very much.

Just of my wife and I plus our children and grandchildren there are 19.

Anyone seeing this can see that we do have much to be very thankful for. The thing for which I am most thankful is the grace of my God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Leave your story in the comments, and it may get posted on the blog, if that is okay with you.

I Thought This Might Be Interesting

2006-11-06T10:31:00.000-06:00

I was wondering how many people who read this would let me know if they are a Blankenship or related to any Blankenships.

Let me give you some info about myself.

I live very near the place where I was born and where I grew up. The community of Jenkins, Missouri. Born in Cassville, Missouri, and I currently live in an area known to the natives of the area as Cato, which is near to a small lake town known as Shell Knob.

My grandparents were "Bunk" Blankenship, and Chloe (Hudson) Blankenship. My parents are Mike and Juanity (Turpin) Blankenship. I am married to Madge (Andrews) Blankenship, and have been for 33 wonderful years. We have five children, and seven living grandchildren, one on the way, and two are with Jesus in Heaven.

My Grandfather "Bunk" spelled our last name with 'in' rather than the 'en' as we do. The name is still the same no matter how you spell it. I do not know why we changed it, but we did.

No matter how you spell it I would be extremely glad to hear from you. Tell me about yourself in the comments section. I will post it later on. No bad language please.