That's OK......or is it??

I was watching a young Momma with her little one (about 3 years). The child did something wrong, Mom corrected him, and when the child said "I'm sorry", Momma said, "That's OK." What?? Why was it not OK before, but now it's OK??

I do know that the Mom was trying to tell the child "All is forgiven, and we'll not bring it up anymore." My question is.....why don't we say, "All is forgiven, and we'll not bring it up anymore."???

When I was a young Momma, I did the same thing. When my little ones wronged someone (usually their other sibling), I tackled that situation with an iron fist. 1) Here's what you did wrong. 2) Now you need to apologize 3) Remind the offended individual know they are supposed to say "That's OK" 4) Pat myself on the back for another job well done in the parenting arena!! I know it was a sight to behold watching me in action....

Thankfully, GOD sent someone to straighten me out.

First, while it is good to point out what my little ones did wrong, my reason for doing so was to remind them they served a Holy GOD who had standards. If the incident was against HIS standard, I wanted them to know that, so I started "discipling" them (imagine that concept). If it was an incident that went against our family standards, then I wanted them to know that as well. I didn't want them to become adults thinking that something was sin because our family said so. I wanted them to know that sin was sin because GOD said so, but at the same time, I also wanted them to understand that some things we do because that's what we like - not because GOD said so. (You know, no burping at the table unless it's BBB night)

Second, I did not want them to apologize. Webster says this about apology:

"An excuse: something said or written in defense or extenuation of what
appears to others wrong, or unjustifiable;"

Ummm, maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't think there are too many cases where you can make an excuse for hitting your sister because she took your toy away. Seriously, though, I do know I'm splitting hairs here, but it did get me thinking about what I was doing. Was I really teaching them GOD's way or man's way when I told them to apologize for something they did wrong? Did I want them to learn to justify their bad choices, or did I want them to understand what THEY did wrong and how to make amends. For me, it was as simple as teaching them to ask for forgiveness.

The Psalmist teaches us in Psalm 79:9, "Help us, O GOD of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name; and deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake."

He doesn't apologize and try to justify to a Holy GOD why they did what they did. No, he asks for GOD's forgiveness. I realized that's what I needed to do and what I wanted my children to do as well.

Third, I had to ask myself why I wanted the offender to apologize for something when I've taught the offended to say, "That's OK." NO!! If it was OK to begin with, then why in the world did Momma just say to not do that?? OK. So, I'm a redneck at heart and a little slow....but I eventually catch on.....

If the offense was wrong by GOD's standard....and the offender needed to seek forgiveness.....then it only stands to reason that the offended needs to forgive. I get it!! I didn't want them to learn to just walk away from the situation, but I wanted them to know that when we wrong someone, they can actually still love us, forgive us, and desire to be in a relationship with us. I wanted them to learn that lesson with each other because that's what their faith would be built on. I knew that my dear children would offend GOD during their lives, but that HE will always be standing there with open arms waiting to forgive them, to love them, and to be in a relationship with them - no matter what. Jeremiah 9:17, "...But THOU art a GOD of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and THOU didst not forsake them."

Is it splitting hairs? I don't think so. I think there is a huge difference in apologizing and asking forgiveness. There are even times when you need to do both. "Honey, I'm sorry I was late. There was an accident on the freeway and traffic was stopped. Please forgive me for not being here when I said I would." Will that make a difference? You bet. How much nicer it is to have someone acknowledge that they've offended you. Then, how much nicer for the offender to hear, "I forgive you" instead of "That's OK" The offender knows it's not OK. So do you. If that's what we know as grownups, then why don't we start that lesson when they're little??

Take this to the next level.....how do we feel when we know we've offended GOD? Do we really feel better when we pour our heart out and 'apologize' to GOD and let HIM know WHY we did something - as if an omniscient GOD didn't already know. Or do we feel a relief and overwhelming outpouring of love when we repent and seek forgiveness knowing that GOD already promised to forgive us in 1 John 1:9. If that's how we feel, then let's help our children learn that feeling, too, because it's NOT OK......

Hunting/Sewing

Ahh!  The Weekend our family has looked forward to for a long while!  The boys as they are going hunting in Tucumcari at Dad's parents ranch, while the girls are staying at home sewing, watching movies, and just plain ole enjoying each other! 

Thankfully everyone is feeling well and no one else has felt icky.  So, have a wonderful weekend- I am off to finish watching Bleak House!  (It is a story by Charles Dickens that Mom and I both read, so now we are watching the movie) 

~Rebecca

We are here, we are here, we are here!!!

Ok, a little "Horton Hears a Who" humor.. lol!!

However, the Herd IS here.. we have NOT fallen off the face of the earth! :-) lol!  Actually, we just had a rather busy weekend weaning calves and preg checking cows.  Becca was out there snapping pics when she wasn't busy, so you can look forward to a better post coming soon.
 
I will let Becca share some of the exciting highlights (injuries that occured, cows on the freeway, etc) when she posts pics. :-) I must say, though, that I am rather dissapointed.  I got kicked right in the thigh by a 650lb calf. Yes, it hurt. The bummer is that my bruise is already fading away.  Ok, maybe most girls don't like battle scars (or as one friend put it "cattle scars"), but when something unusual happens like that, it is fun to have something to show, right? Well, I can't exactly show my bruise, but it is fun to 'say' things about it; how big it got, what color is was, etc.  Oh well!!  My dad saw the whole kick thing happen and he said there was a perfect hoof mark on my blue jeans before I brushed off the dirt. lol!!

So, is any one glad they couldn't volunteer? lol!!!

Hope everyone is having a good evening!

Your limping authoress (ok, I am not actually limping.. lol!)
Sarah

Busy, busy, busy!!

Howdy folks!!

Well, the Herd is startin' up on their annual busy season.  This here season comes 'round every year, been like that since I was knee high to a grasshopper.  Any hoo, we got them cattle all rustled up and shipped out to some other part of the county.  Yes, sir, Friday mornin' was a beautiful one, it was.  We woke up bright an' early, even afore the sun was up, to get things movin'.  While Ma, Becca, and I started rustlin' up some grub for the cattlemen, workmen, etc, them boys (our boys) were out pitchin' hay and getting ready for the big day.  People started arrivin' and coffee cups clinked as everyone gathered for a bit of chat before the work began.

    Now the sun is just startin' to peak over the hill.  It stretches red and gold fingers of warmth on the land and brightens the sky for a promising day.

    The men thank us for the coffee and breakfast cake, put on their hats, and jingle their spurs as they walk to their horses.  Now their off!!  Ridin' straight and tall towards the distant pasture that holds the cattle. 

    Ma and I start cleanin' up the dishes and get to work on lunch.  Green Chili Enchilada's, beans, sopapillas, salad, apples, and mint chip cookies!  We work all morning long baking, cooking, cleaning, washing.

    Soon the big trucks start to arrive.  12 semis lined up along our long driveway as they wait for their turn to get a load of beef. ;-)                 
                                                       

    As Ma and I just barely get lunch on the table, the men start comin' in. They wash up and sit down wearily, thankful for a hot meal after a long mornin's work. They have gathered all the cattle, weighed 'em, and loaded 'em into the trucks.
    As we finish eating, I can barely keep my eyes open. I sit quietly by while the men laugh, joke, and tell stories from their younger days.

   Now the meal is over, clean up has begun. While we children clear the table, the men continue their business talk.  Soon, all is over.  The men have gone.  We sit with grateful sighs and enjoy a moment of rest before supper prep begins!

     Yes, this really is how Friday was.  A neighbor rancher of ours leases some of our pasture for his yearlings. They stay there getting nice and fat for most of the year.  Then, on one day, they are gathered, weighed, and shipped to some place (probably a holding yard where they wait until it is their turn to be hamburger.. more than likely the patties you eat at McDonalds.. lol!)

   This time, however, we had a slight break. We were able to sleep in a little later and didn't have our usual morning service.  The men were late and had to get right to work, so they didn't have time for coffee and breakfast cake.  However, they did have lunch, and my that was a lot of work! lol!

   We also didn't have as many semis as we shipped quite a few yearlings out early.  So, this time we only had 4 or 5.  It was kind of sad not seeing all the trucks lined up! :-) That is one of my favorite parts! Next year I will have to get some good pictures.

    So, that is what the Herd has been up to!  Today is a nice resting day, tomorrow we will work around the place, and next weekend we will be working our own cattle.  Weaning calves and putting all cows into their respective winter pastures.

    Any volunteers? lol!

Well, off to clean and get the house ready for another weekend!

Hope ya enjoyed our lil' update. :-)

Sarah

** all pictures, except very first, from Google images

Not a good time...

to view recipes!!!!  5 pm after a hard days work is NOT the best time to look for recipes!!!  I thought I would share a link for my new favorite recipe place.  http://www.recipe.com/!!

It has absolutely ALL the best recipes ever! One evening when I was totally out of ideas, I went online and found this. Our supper that night was super yum! lol!  You can even narrow your search to "hamburger" (all the recipes tha require hamburger), "pork", etc! It is great!

Any way, I was needing calzone dough today for supper. Poor man's pies! They are SOOOO good and cheap to make too!! Cabbage, hamburger, some swiss cheese, and mustard. We have our own hamburger, so we never have to buy from the store.  Cabbage comes from the farm for free, so it is a pretty good deal! Lots of mustard, though.. lol!!

Hope you all try it and let me know what recipes you find!

Love always, Sarah

PS don't those pictures look SO good!!! I am SOOO hungry!! ;-) =P

October

Can you believe it is already October? Wasn't it just spring?

Things are going well at the Heckendorns. We are getting prepped for shipping yearlings out, and weaning, tattoing and weighing the calves. The cows are looking good, too. The grass has been wonderful and they are slicked off. 

It is thundering and raining!! There is nothing like a rainy day to make you want to curl up with your family all around. We are all looking forward to winter with fires, cocoa, and cozy family time. Did I say I have a cat in my lap? Cats are such good lap warmers….especially when they are purring. I think a couple of us have sleeping cats on our laps. (It is raining outside so we felt sorry for them.)

We are all done with harvesting at the Schwebachs. It was such a blessing while we had it; but we are all glad to be done. It makes for some long days. Now it is getting ready to work cows.

 Our family is looking forward to the end of October. The guys are going to go hunting and the girls are staying home and sewing, quilting, watching movies, eating foods the boys don’t like.... The guys are taking some little bulls to Tucumcari to the bull test there. They will stay with my grandparents and hunt deer on their ranch.

These are pictures I took at the Market of some pumpkins.   Doesn't the first one look like an old man?

 

Blessings!

Rebecca

School

Today is the first day of classes at CNM for me!  At this point I can't do any of the assignments as I do not have my book yet.  Due to not paying attention to the shipping dates, my original book wasn't going to get here until the 19-29 of September...  Not going to work.  I just ordered another book and did fast shipping.  It should get here in the next day or so.  The original book I will either send back or sell on e-bay, craigslist, etc. 

I am really excited about this class.  I am only doing one as I am working at the Schwebach's Market.  Business English is my class this time.  Next semester I will need to take three classes to finish my certificate for the Medical Transcription.   I am looking forward to see what God has in plan for me! 

For now, I will curl up with a kitten and enjoy my day off with my family.

~Rebecca

Home again, home again, jiggity jig... ;-)

Yes, we are home!!  We left for a three day weekend to attend a family reunion (My Dad's side).  We had a pretty good time, though family members can often be rather interesting.. ;-) lol! We have some pretty crazy family members, but I guess that makes us crazy too!! lol!!

Sometimes the trip can be stressful, trying to get over there and whatnot, but we enjoyed ourselves and got to catch up on relatives.  Also neat and interesting to see everyone come together. :-)

My Grandparents house was where everyone mostly hung out.  It over looks Ute lake, which is the Canadian river.  However, because of the dam in Logan, the river has been backed up and is now considered a lake. ;-)

The views are simply stunning over there!!  If you beg enough, I am sure we can get Becca to post some pictures of our fun time. :-)  Not that she has to be begged, but it is sometimes a pain to upload photos, so she needs some encouragement. ;-) lol  There are red rocks that glisten in the sunset, beautiful gold shimmers on the water as you drink in the view from their upper deck.  The sunsets are so vivid and just add to the glory.  Last night we were able to enjoy watching a lightning storm that was miles away.  We couldn't even hear the thunder, but we enjoyed the lightning show while we visited, or simply watched with awe at God's awesome power.  He is amazing, isn't He?  I just love seeing His awesome power displayed in Nature.  You know what it reminds me of?  Have you ever seen a young couple who are dating/courting?  Have you ever noticed how the young man is usually doing things to show off to his girl? Opening the car door for her, carrying heavy things, lifting weights, arm wrestling, etc?   Well, it is almost as if God is showing us His awesome power to show off, though in a Holy way, if you follow me.  You know, the Bible is His love letter to us, so why wouldn't He show off some with His awesome nature?? Just a thought.... ;-)

Any way, we are off to watch the first movie of LOTR (Lord of the Rings).. looks like we will be up late for a few nights! Lol!!

Talk to all of you soon, and looking forward to your comments!!

Love,
Sarah

Any one else???

Because I don't want to miss the "early birds" of the give away, I want to make a list of who has done a post for voting on my side polls..

If you post this before the giveaway, you earn extra votes for the give away! There is some really neat stuff that is going to be given away, so you DON'T want to miss out!! *giggles*! I have a couple friends who are helping me out, so you can imagine the stuff we are rallying up. ;-) lol!!

So, here is who I have so far. 

Samantha,
Atlanta,
Maggie,
Johanna,
Addie,

If you have posted, please leave a comment with a link directly to that post.. if you haven't posted but I have your name on the list.. well, GO POST! LOL!! Just kidding, just let me know...

I can't wait for my birthday give away!! Well, hopefully I will be able to do it if everything goes smoothly.. lol! Knowing me, all sorts of things could go wrong...

Unfortunately, my birthday lands right on Farmers Market day! So, I will be very happy to spend the day at the farmers market, playing my fiddle and happily smiling at everyone who stops by. lol! We are planning on going to dinner afterwards to celebrate..  It is amazing how when you start getting older, birthday parties lose their... "charm"?? lol!

Love to all,
Sarah

Bampa.. a tribute

I am a little early in getting this posted, but as we will be gone this coming weekend, I wanted to get this post done. :-)

On Monday the 12th of July it will be a whole year that my beloved grandfather (lovingly known as 'Bampa') passed away.  He suffered through pancreatic cancer for a whole year and half, maybe longer.

Bampa was not my biological grandfather, but I never thought of him as a 'step' grandfather.  He was always just Bampa.  He loved us tremendously and didn't care that we were "related".   I was able to enjoy 17 full years with him, though I suppose when I was a baby, I didn't care much!

Bampa was always so very kind.  I loved how he always made me feel important and never gave up on me.  He was always there to encourage me in my fiddle playing, book writing, and whatever projects I might be doing at the time.  His famous question was always "What have you been up to?" and it was always the YOU that caught my attention.  He never wanted self admiration.  He only cared about others around him and had such a great interest in what others were doing.  You could always try to talk about what he was doing, but he somehow always turned the conversation around so that you were once again talking about your self.

I was his little princess, though I am not the only princess he had.  However, he always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world, no matter what.  I didn't have to worry about how my hair looked, or how I dressed to get his approval.  He loved me for who I WAS, not for who I looked like or acted like.

Whenever my Nana would take me on my special birthday lunch, and he needed to come along for some reason or other, he always let me sit up front.  It was my time with Nana, not his, and he made sure I enjoyed myself to the fullest.  He was always putting me first and wasn't selfish.

Bampa always had such an interest in life.  He was always willing to learn new thing, meet new people, and go to new places.  He absolutely loved living on the ranch, and though he grew up in Brooklyn NY, he could sure fool you with his cowboy costume.  :-)

He loved working the cattle, giving the shots, running them through the chute, whatever needed to be done, he was there.

Although he lived right behind our house, not more than five steps away, I could never get enough of him.  Any time I popped up for a visit, he was always there to give me a big hug and kiss and tease me like no one else.

Any time we came home from a bull sale, all of us kids would rush up to tell Nana and Bampa how the sale went and what not.  They were always so supportive of us.

Now it is no longer "they, them, or y'all".  It is only "her, she, and you."  However, Bampa lived a wonderful life and enjoyed it to it's fullest.  There was never a dull moment when he was around.

I love you, Bampa, and miss you so much.

Sarah

New 'family' member!!

Hello friends!

I am very happy and excited to post pictures of our newly added addition to our 'family'. ;-)

I call him Spot, though I don't know if we have all agreed to it yet.. we did think about following Mike Wazokis wisdom: "Sully, you're not supposed to name it. Once you name it, you get attached to it.  Now, put that thing back where it came from, or so help me!"... So, without further adieu I would like to introduce Thing!

Don't you just love the little 'spot' on his tail bone??  Lady (the mother dog) had him Tuesday night.  She only had one puppy, but since it is her first time, that isn't surprising.  We are also relieved as we can't keep the little thing (or maybe we might, since it is only one...) Not sure if it is a boy or girl yet, though Becca thinks it is a boy.  I wouldn't know, as I am not the dog pro. ;-) lol!

Becca will be posting more pictures later on, but I just couldn't wait!!

In Christ Alone,

Sarah