Saturday, July 23, 2011

There's Only 24 Hours In A Day?



How many times have you found yourself wishing that there were more than 24 hours in a day? This thought runs through my head so many times every day. Why? I simply don't have enough time to do everything I want to do.

Or do I? Do I have all the time in the world that I would ever need? Simply, the answer is YES. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." If I am made in God's image, I have all I would ever need. He created the whole world in seven days. That's SEVEN days. If He had enough time to create us in His image, then we definitely have enough time in our day to do whatever we need to do.

Beyond what God has shown us, I have two friends that have shared different ideas with me about time. When I was once saying to one of them how I didn't have time to get something done, Justin's response was,

"If you really want to do something, you will make time for it."

If I really want to do something, I can make time for it?!? That struck me, because this summer I have called myself busy. Busy with my internship, farm chores most nights, training fair cattle, and seeing a friend or two from time to time. However, I recently had a friend visit the state. I hadn't seen him since October, and decided that I would have to make time if I wanted to catch up. I finally took Justin's advice. I made time. I rearranged a travel schedule, made special work arrangements with my boss, and traveled an extra 9 1/2 hours round trip. Hanging out with that person completely made all the effort worth it, and I proved Justin right. I really wanted to see my friend from out of state, so I made time for it.

Just the other night, Chris told me, 

"If you don't value your own time, how are others going to value it?"

I only have 24 hours in a day. I need to make an effort to do everything in that 24 hours with purpose. Valuing the activities I spend my time doing will be the only way others will value my time. With my obligation to our family farm, I may not get to spend as much time "hanging out" as others do or as I would like sometimes. I do, however, value the time I get to spend doing chores with my family and having great conversations. When I do get to hang out with friends, I truly value that time, since it is so rare. I need to value my time before anyone can truly place value on it.

We only have 24 hours in a day, which is more than enough time to get all we have in a day done. What really matters is the value we place on our time and making time to do the things we want to do. 

Do we make time to do the things we want to do?
Do we value all of the time we have so others will value our time?

Just a few more thoughts from a farmer's daughter.

Erin

Friday, July 15, 2011

Where I Come From

....is corn bread and chicken!

Sure it's a good ol' country song, but have you ever stopped to actually think about it? Hmmm, where I come from....

I am Irish, Norwegian, Dutch, Welsh, English, Austrian, and French Canadian. This all explains my ability to become lobster red within minutes of being outside, but it also has another word- my heritage. My heritage is not simply defined by these nationalities, though.

Holidays defined by my heritage are great! We have AMAZING food, namely lefse. Yum :) However, we make sure to add in some more of the old traditional favorites as well, with my dad's side of the family being huge fans of saurkraut.

However, there is one more piece. My heritage is defined by the people involved with it. Those people have three main things that they have passed on to me in great quantities.

Love of agriculture. No matter what, I know that my heart belongs in the barn, pasture, and field. Growing up around ag has given me an incredible sense of gratitude and passion for dairy farming. Agriculture is one more way that my family bonds- we all do chores together. According to my dad, "The family that works together, stays together." Based off of that and our recent past with work, I think we will be staying together forever.

Hard work. There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, like getting up before the sun rises to do chores and staying up long past dusk to get work done. The desire to work hard has extended far beyond the farm; it goes into school, sports, and whatever else I get my hands into. Having the satisfaction of a good day's work is a feeling that is irreplacable.

Faith. In my family, our faith has always and will continue to play the most important role. Learning to love one another, being patient, and appreciating God's creation are lessons that most farm kids can tell you are learned at a young age. Every time a calf comes into the world or a hail storm destroys the crops, we have to take a moment and thank our Creator for the blessings He has given us.

Agriculture + hard work + faith = my heritage.

How has your heritage formed you? What will you give to the next generation?

Just a few thoughts from a farmer's daughter.

Erin