8/12/22 8/12/22

Blog The best sort of trip

Recently we visited our daughter, not to go someplace or celebrate some event. Our daughter and husband had meetings to attend for a couple of days—just during the day. It was in the area, but they asked us to watch the kids while they were gone. We’ve watched the kids before. Keith has changed many a diaper as the kids went from babies to toddlers.

But watching younger kids is exhausting, even though we were glad to help out. The kids are now 5 and 3. Better yet, they can handle the whole potty situation by themselves. They are at that willing to help stage. The “fun” stage if you will.

I planned and brought lots of activities, including a brand-new box of crayons for each along with pen with four colors they loved using. We colored, made popup cards, books, and origami boats and planes. They loved walking and dancing with grampa’s cane, especially when wearing his large shoes. I brought my DVD player with such classics as A Charlie Brown Christmas and an animated The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. They played games with grampa on his iPad.

In the mornings, they spent time outside playing with our grandson’s trucks and trailers, our granddaughter showed me how she could hang upside down on the bars of their swing set. What was nice was that the two get along great. During quiet time they could play together quietly. I even got naps.

What was different this time was that we did not end the day exhausted. Those two energized us, and brought so much happiness. When it was time to go home, I knew I’d miss those kids. Who wouldn’t miss those smiles? As I told our daughter, we were blessed to spend time with them. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I can’t wait to see them first part of September when they come to Kearney for Keith’s birthday celebration.

God is soo good,

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8/3/22 8/3/22

Blog Brand Names, School and Lessons Learned

Here it is August already and we’re headed into fall. Families with kids are gearing up for school. This means shopping for school supplies, clothes, and shoes. Every year this becomes more stressful and expensive.

I remember school shopping and some memories aren’t good ones. Our budget was stretched thin with children, then teens who preferred brand name clothes when we hardly had a Walmart budget. It might sound out of line for kids to want brand-name items, but I early realized why, especially since my son really cared nothing about such things—at least not for its own sake. No, those with brand name items made the wearers “cool”, “in” or whatever they were called at any given time.

Kids not wearing brand-name items were put down, teased, and, often, bullied. One year my son and I actually got into a yelling match in Walmart over shoes. That’s not something we ever did before or after that. I am glad that for us, those days are behind us. For one granddaughter those days are just beginning.

I knew brand names really weren’t either the problem or the solution. My husband and I tried instead to instill in our children that they were special creations of a loving Lord. They had value and worth simply because they existed. That God loved them as they were. We tried to instill confidence and a willingness to be and to think independently, even go against the crowd when the crowd was headed the wrong way. We taught our kids not to bully and stand up to those who were.

Our children may not have had fancy clothes, shoes, or school supplies, but they learned lessons of caring, kindness, independence, and faith that have stood them much better as adults than brand-name items that lasted a very short time.

The very best thing we can provide our kids is a foundation of faith in the one who is the essence of love--Jesus Christ.

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7/30/22 7/30/22

Blog Politics What Happened to Free Speech & Freedom of Thought?

One of the foundations of America has been free speech which is founded on freedom of thought. Both seem to be disappearing. We have a generation who has re-interpreted tolerance to mean “anything that agrees with my point of view (POV).” If you have a different POV this segment of the population will do everything possible to shut you up and change your mind or otherwise silence you. This violent response to a different POV is especially evident against anyone with a conservative or Christian POV.

Even relatives, including those they care about, do not escape. If it is someone they care about the excuse is, “Well, their minds have been polluted by such as Fox or other conservative talk shows or other hosts or information outlets. Instead of allowing their loved one the right to hold a differing view, they badger the person to change, almost becoming bullies to force a change of thought and POV.

To say bright, intelligent people cannot hold views on their own, but simply accept whatever these conservatives have to say is a huge put-down and an insult. They actually believe we are too stupid to form our own opinions. It never occurs to them that some of us are drawn to outlets such as Fox not to be indoctrinated, but because, finally, we found a place that REFLECTED views we already had.

I am tired of bullies who seek to force me to their way of thinking.

Believe what you want, but how about giving me the same courtesy?

In fact, it is the conservatives who are the closest to the foundational beliefs of our founders--

Faith, freedom, family, tolerance (like free speech & thought), and personal responsibility. It is believing citizens should be, as the Constitution dictates, in charge & run the government—having the right to speak out without being labelled a threat.

Big government is not supposed to be in charge—becoming little better than another dictator with mostly unelected persons forcing their will on the citizens—government agents who often restrict free speech. This is completely opposite of what our Constitution is about.

How about returning to a nation of free speech with the right to differing POVs and stop seeking to shut down everyone who disagrees?

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7/29/22 7/29/22

Blog Bio Mom Scheidies is gone but we still enjoy getting together as a family

Daughter Cassie & hubby Kurt with Jiggs & Bert

Since my in-laws, my husband’s parents Jiggs & Bert passed on, family gatherings haven’t been the same. For years, we followed his Mom’s pattern of a Scheidies weekend gathering the weekend after Thanksgiving in the fall and a gathering the last weekend in April.

In the fall, we celebrated Thanksgiving with a Saturday night potluck at the Scheidies farm and brunch the next morning in Minden with Keith’s folks. We also celebrated Christmas—with gifts for the children, birthdays, and any special event around that time period. In the spring we celebrated Easter, birthdays, and graduations.

Covid forced us to get together via Zoom for a couple of gatherings. While I was thankful for the technology and I was glad to visit with family, Zoom isn’t the same as face-to-face conversations, smiles, and those all-important hugs.

We have gotten together, but too often in the last couple of years, it has been for a memorial service or special acknowledgments, etc. Finally, we held a Scheidies gathering, this time in June 2022, that mirrored the ones Mom Scheidies initiated.

On Saturday night we met at the Scheidies’ farm now owned by Keith’s younger brother and sister-in-law Randy and Nancy who are raising their two grandkids.

Uncles went outside to keep an eye on the little ones. They also gave the kids rides on the 3-wheeler and even on a burro (Someone took a picture of our 5-year-old granddaughter, Ellery, on a burro. She has the biggest smile.)

The kids also got to swim in the above-ground pool on the side porch. Inside, we talked, laughed, remembered, and hugged. We also took time to see who wanted what from two tubs of items from the folks that had not been divided up.

Of course, we had potluck with lots of good food. Only a few stayed for the traditional late-night card game at the farm. The rest of us returned to our homes or hotel rooms for the night.

When the folks lived, we met at their home in Minden where we made eggs and bacon and supplied other breakfast/brunch items. We ate, and hung out until it was time to disperse to our homes—West to Colorado, East to Lincoln, Omaha, and Florida, for Randy and Nancy a short drive North of Minden to their farm and, for us 20 minutes to Kearney. The folk’s home in Minden has been sold. This year we rented the Mitzi Center at Yanney Park in Kearney for our brunch. The park offers so much for the family—including climbing the tower.

We ate, laughed, remembered, and took pictures. We’d gotten together as Mom always wanted for her family. This time without being brought together by death and tragedy. Now the big debate—when should we hold our next get-together? Looks like we’re returning to the last weekend in April. I can’t wait.

Published in the Kearney Hub as “Mom gone: we still get together” 7/28/2022

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7/25/22 7/25/22

Blog Life, Not All About Sunshine and Roses

It has been raining pretty steadily today. In fact, we’ve had rain the past several days. Gloomy days wear on me. I have to fight from getting gloomy, too. One way I deal is to turn on lots of lights—the more and the brighter the better.

When there are too many rainy days, complaints start. We want sunshine. We crave warmth. Too much gloom encourages us to become grouchy and gloomy, too. Yet, consider what happens after a rain. The lawn sparkles a rich green. Leaves fill the trees and flowers are more colorful than ever.

Farmers crave rain. They know something many of us prone to complaining and wishing away those rain-filled days do not want to consider. (We’d rather grumble than rise above the gloom to think more positive thoughts.

God never promised continual sunshine. He never said we’d never have rain or bad times or even suffer illness, death, or horrible tragedies. He didn’t create our world that way either. Farmers know without the rain and storms, there would be no crops. Rain, gloomy days and storms are a necessary ingredient to nourish the earth, allowing the sun to do its job as well.

Life is the same. It is through difficult times we most often learn and grow the most. It is during those difficult times we know we need Jesus. If we commit to following Jesus believing that it gives us a pass for hard times, or thinking life will be all sunshine and roses, we haven’t understood what Jesus calls us to do and be. Following Jesus isn’t about ME at all. It is about following Jesus through the darkness as well as the light. If we turn away from our faith because our lives are hard or we blame God for allowing sorrow as well as joy in our lives, we truly do not understand our faith at all.

Following Jesus means we become disciples—spending time daily communing with Him, asking for, listening to, and following His guidance. It is daily reading and studying God’s Word so we know what God is saying to us. How can we say we know what someone is trying to convey to us if we refuse to read the letters or posts sent to us? It is the same with our walk of faith. Prayer and an intimate knowledge of the Bible are bedrock foundations of faith.

As much as I don’t like a host of rainy days, I can focus on not complaining, but praising God for rain that helps plants to grow. With life, instead of getting mad at God for hardships, I can be thankful He is there, He doesn’t desert me, but walks beside me through the hard times—when I turn to Him.

So today, I refuse to complain. Thank you, Jesus for the rain.

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7/18/22 7/18/22

Blog Marriage About Sacrifice and Serving

In our culture, too many marriages are centered on “ME.” I am in love. My partner meets MY needs. For many, marriage is little more than a legal agreement to live together until one partner decides to move on.

The sacredness and sanctity of the union has been exchanged for the selfishness of “whatever makes me happy—at this time.” Marriages do not survive because the two involved never consider their union of two should become one entity, two separate individuals, working together for the benefit of the marriage and those within that union. Yet, marriage isn’t about what you can do for me. It isn’t even about what I can do for you. Marriage is about how we can best serve one another. That’s real love. That is love that lasts.

Recently I attended a wedding that graphically symbolized this aspect of marriage. In all their finery, the bride and groom got on their knees on the platform and lovingly washed each other’s feet. The act symbolized their desire to show their love for and commit to one another--through humbly serving one another. It was a beautiful representation of Jesus. Though the leader, master, and teacher, Jesus served by stooping to wash his disciples' dirty, dusty feet.

How many marriages would be different if we followed Jesus’ example of service? How many relationships would be enhanced if one was less concerned about ME and more concerned with how to serve their partner? This isn’t about abuse or being a doormat, but about voluntarily loving someone enough to consider the other’s needs on par with your own.

Who wouldn’t follow a partner who loved and lived like this? Do you, do I reflect this unselfish love?

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7/14/22 7/14/22

Spring, Summer and Fall disappear in a blink. How we live matters.

Here it is the middle of July. More and more I am amazed that time can disappear so quickly. It certainly doesn't feel that half of 2022 is already history. How can I possibly be in my 70s when only yesterday I was in my thirties having and raising children?

I remember my pastor dad changed pastorates every few years. Our family moved from Canada, which I remember mostly from things my folks and older sister told me, to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, a great place for this would-be cowgirl, Kansas, where I finally got my horse--and got sick, to Iowa and finally to Kearney NE so I could attend college--in a wheelchair.

We also traveled, going south to Texas, across to California to visit many of Dad's siblings, and meeting cousins we didn't know until then. Like any child, I'm sure my parents heard, "Are we there yet."

That was something our kids echoed on trips to Colorado or Minnesota to visit family or to attend family reunions. Traveling as a child seems to take forever, but traveling through life is much different. When exhaustion dogs our steps and we still have kids and work and more with which to deal, one day seems like a hundred. On other days, when all is going well, time is our friend. Children change everything.

Suddenly time begins to move faster. We watch our children grow and at times we blink and they've gone from toddlerhood to teenagers. Keith and I are now dealing with adult grandchildren as well as young ones. Life. Where did it all go?

But as fast or slow life passes us by, it isn't the amount of time that matters as much as how we live each day. The Bible clarifies how to live life to its fullest and it starts with making Jesus the center of all we think see, say, and do.

"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "--Ephesians 5:15-20 BSB

Living life with a sense of thankfulness and gratitude will make even the bad days better.

Thank you, Lord, for today, tomorrow and for time to honor and follow You. Amen.

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7/9/22 7/9/22

Blog Bio Patience, conflict and learning to let go

I’ve always struggled with patience. I want to wade in and get done what needs doing. When there was conflict, I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to discuss and talk about the issue until it was solved. I really didn’t mind conflict with a purpose.

I didn’t understand until many years into our marriage that not everyone viewed dealing with issues the same way. Instead of hitting a subject while hot, many, like my husband, preferred to go off to a quiet place and think things through first. Only then was he ready to work through the situation. That used to frustrate me. I didn’t like to wait.

I knew patience was a problem. I knew God encourages patience. It is a virtue. I worked at developing more patience—with kids pushing my last button, with situations out my control, with my body that often frustrated my efforts to accomplish one task or another.

Yes, with my writing I could write, rewrite and keep rewriting until the passage shined. Even then, by the time I turned a book manuscript into my editor, I was heartily sick of it.

When I fell and scrambled my brains, when I had to reach into the darkness of my mind for words and concepts, I had to work hard at regaining what I’d lost. When I tried to explain, I’d get stressed when my mind refused to reveal what I wanted. (I knew the information was in my head, I simply couldn’t readily access it.) My impatience actually increased with my serious fall.

I recovered so very much. I could think more or less clearly, I could read, even write again. In time, I was thankful to be able to breathe without a trach, eat and swallow without a feeding tube. But there are changes. I no longer like confrontation.

I avoid some detective, lawyer, and mystery shows I used to enjoy. I still search for words at times, but I have learned to stop and allow the word or phrase to form in my mind. (My husband has gotten pretty good at figuring out what I want to say.)

In many ways, like my speech, I have learned patience. In other ways, I am more impatient. I have a hard time sitting through a two-hour movie. While I used to force myself through any book I started to read, now I am easily bored. I won’t stay with a movie or book once that boredom sets in.

There is nothing wrong with striving for patience. God made me and He knows doing so is not easy for me—especially now. I may be in a new phase of life and there have been changes, but none of that is a surprise to God.

I’ve learned that while my patience is limited, God’s is not. I can let go and let God be God. After all, I have also come to realize God knows my situation and loves and accepts me just the way I am. All I need do, is wait on Him. That’s something we all can do.

Scheidies' Kearney Hub Column published 7/8/2022

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7/5/22 7/5/22

Blog Celebrations Don't Have to Be Big or Loud

***Photo by*** ***Jingming Pan*** on ***Unsplash***

Monday was Independence Day or as we usually call it, the 4th of July." Over the years we've celebrated in many ways. When there was a big firework show at the fairgrounds, we attended with good friends Jeff & Gloria Geiselamn and our families. They had a pickup and we'd get into the back and settle in with snacks to watch the show.

When the Fredrickson family had reunions over the 4th, we'd watch fireworks or do some family activity, which included grilling and eating picnic-style--whether in the Black Hills or Manitou Springs. One year the Arch held its own fireworks show and we attended with brother and SIL, Paul and Lorene.

One of my fondest memories was the year we planned to go to the fairgrounds but didn't quite make it. Keith usually didn't get home from work until 9. Our family was hurrying north when we went over the overpass on H. We looked up and had an excellent view of the fireworks show that had already begun.

Keith parked our car at the bottom. Keith and I, our kids Chris and Cassie walked up, and settled on top to watch the show. Not much later, Paul and Lorene, also late, drove onto the overpass. They saw and slowed. Instead of heading north, they parked and joined us. We had a great time together watching the fireworks without any of the hassle.

Some years when our kids were growing up, we bought our own fireworks and shot them off.

This year we were alone. No kids or grandkids. We celebrated quietly and together. I touched base with Facebook friends and family. We enjoyed our food and chose to watch a movie instead of watching fireworks. Unlike many who don't seem to understand or care what the celebration is all about anymore, we know the why of July 4th.

While not all is well with America, we are thankful for the country of freedom, faith, and family our parents and others fought for. It is also up to us not let falsehoods about our founding take the place of truth.

We need to share the truth about the founders and the founding of America so that, however, we celebrate, we'll still have a reason to celebrate our freedom, faith, and families.

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6/29/22 6/29/22

Blog Bio Unusual but Fun Bridal Shower

Recently I attended a bridal shower. It was very different from others I’ve attended over the years. Our college friends, the Farlins, entered missionary service after college. Their children grew up in Indonesia and the Philippines. All four children returned to Kearney when it was time for college. Shannon, the oldest, was the only one who followed her parents into missionary work. She became a teacher teaching first in the Philippines and then back to Indonesia.

The school has teachers and students from all over the world. Who knew she’d meet a guy not from some far-flung place, but one from right next door in Iowa. They returned home to get married. The shower came first. It was held in the church her next youngest sister, Rachel, and my husband and I attend.

While Shannon and her intended came home, many of her friends live overseas or in other locations. Her youngest sister is now stationed in Hawaii with her military husband. No way she was getting home for the shower. That’s where technology came to the rescue.

While there was good attendance from the area, others tuned in with Zoom. It was set up so those online could see and participate with those attending in person. It was fun talking to those who lived so far away and yet feel they were as present as those of us who attended in person.

The shower went off with only a few hitches of muted mikes. We were all together sharing a special day with the bride-to-be. It was fun and memorable for the bride-to-be that she could include family and friends from around the world.

Unusual, but oh so special. It is cool that no place is too out of reach. Let’s make a difference by sharing God’s love around the world.

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6/24/22 6/24/22

Blog Bio We All Need Crutches of One Kind or Another

Because of my limitations, I can’t reach all that far. Only one hand extends to my face. Even leaning over, I can’t extend my reach past my knees. I can’t pick things up from the floor. Can’t reach things too high or even a couple of feet away. I have trouble with grasping and dexterity.

That translates to often dropping things large and small. In order to be able to retrieve things I drop or that are out of reach, I add loops to everything from clothes to electronics. If I drop something the added loop ensures I am able to pick it up.

The loops are only part of the equation. I use different varieties of utility sticks with hooks to pick up those things out of my reach. I have three-foot hooks and hooks half that size. I carry expandable hooks in my purse and on my person. I have some sort of hook or squeezable tong in almost every room.

The first hook was created for me at a rehab center when I was still a teen. The center was helping me become more independent. Things they taught forged my imagination in other ways to foster my independence. I could be angry I need such assistance, but that would not help me live my best life. I could refuse to use help such as a wheelchair or crutches when required after one surgery or another, but I’d never recover what mobility I could have.

Some mock Christians with the claim that Christianity is a crutch. Most Christians cringe at the very thought. I don’t. Do you know why? If we’re Christians it’s because we realize we do need help. We can’t do life on our own without messing up. Jesus came to offer life, guidance, and help.

I can’t live my life to the fullest without assistance. My utility hooks are crutches and my crutches, when I need them, are very real crutches. So what if we need Jesus? I do. But He is so much more than a crutch. He is my Savior, my friend, my confidence, and my hope.

Everyone needs some sort of crutch in life and Jesus in my life brings a peace and joy that no amount of wealth, power, sex, drugs or alcohol—all crutches—can provide. If I’m going to need a crutch, I choose Jesus. How about you?

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6/14/22 6/14/22

Blog Bio As siblings, we debated with fun, respect

When we were kids my younger brother and I often started arguing over nothing. One of us would say, “No.” The other would say, “Yes.” and off we’d go. At times, we might even switch sides. We did it for fun. As we grew up we debated all sorts of things going on in our lives from chores to things we learned in school or church. Our older sister sometimes joined our “discussions.”

My dad had been a medic close behind the front lines in WW 11. Mom had an accounting degree and managed a firm of doctors or lawyers (I never remember which) in Minneapolis. They married after years of living on their own. Our parents were strong independent individuals who were not afraid to stand up for their point of view. Dad became a pastor and mom became his helpmate. Dad preached. Mom was a musician who played piano autoharp and accordion. We served small churches that took the abilities of both of our folks.

We grew up understanding the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. We also knew God’s love and the care of our parents who listened to us, spent time with us, read to us, and loved us. They also expected us to use our minds.

We learned if we wanted to present a case when we got into hot water, we’d better have a good argument and points to back up our side. If we truly were in the wrong, we might have been heard respectfully, but there were still consequences. Most of the time, we really couldn’t talk ourselves out of serious trouble.

When I was in elementary school in Wyoming, we had one TV channel and our time watching was limited. We didn’t have a telephone until a year before we moved to Kansas. Instead, we played board games, spent time with friends, and read--we all became readers and enjoyed debating.

Even as adults, Karin, Paul, and I would debate--each convinced the opinion held was correct. These weren’t physical fights, there was no name-calling or seething with anger. We enjoyed debating, discovering where our siblings were coming from, and, maybe, even scoring a point or two in our favor.

We have always been very different individuals, raised to think for ourselves. Sometimes one of us would play devil’s advocate. My brother’s wife would leave us alone when we got into it. She’d shake her head, saying if her family did this, they’d never talk to each other again.

Of course, we discussed politics, which was rather amusing since, as conservatives, we were pretty much on the same page. We just had different ideas of how to accomplish what we felt needed doing.

Today many don’t read. They do more interacting on their cell phone than in person. Few know how to interact without anger. We learned and grew from our discussions because we stayed on a topic, not on personal attacks. We also actually enjoyed the time spent together.

My brother is gone now. While my sister and I talk about different topics, political or otherwise, we don’t get into debates. It isn’t fun anymore. With a generation who seems bent on allowing anger to drive their actions, explode whenever someone disagrees with them and seek to stifle open and honest debate/discussion, I wish they could learn that tolerance for different points of view shouldn’t be stifled.

America is supposed to be a place of freedom of speech. I’d like to see others enjoy interacting with ideas without put-downs, anger, or seeking to cancel out the opposing point of view. Maybe then we’d become a more unified and caring country once again.

Scheidies column published 6/13/2022 in the Kearney Hub

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6/14/22 6/14/22

Blog Bio Time for a Different car

Little did we know, in an accident, this car helped protect us.

After Keith retired several years ago, we were able to purchase the car of our dreams. Most of our married life we had old cars that didn’t stress out our extremely tight budget. It felt good to be able to purchase something better. We found a car both of us could get in and out of fairly easily. Though, of course, we cared about what was under the hood, we were excited that we found a car that worked in “our” color—a deep burgundy red. I also loved the heated seats.

That car gave us good service and we never stopped liking that car. However, we are older, we don’t bend as easily. Also, we needed to keep our front seats back. That meant we basically had very little room in the back seat. Certainly, it wasn’t comfortable for adults. Keith needed a car that was easier to get in and out of without pain. Further, we planned to vacation with friends in August, now that they are also retired. Our car would not do.

Finally, we headed to Midway after lunch. Keith made it clear to the salesman assisting us that we weren’t planning to buy that day. We were simply in the looking stage. In his office, he brought up a car meeting our requirements. And it was red. You bet we’d take a look.

The more he talked about the car, the better it seemed to meet our expectations. Yes, getting in and out went well. The sticker price was a surprise for that much car, which was only couple years old. Wow! Our drive was great.

Who knew God would make sure the very car we needed was on the lot—let go by a couple who, after buying it, sold it back because they had been assigned to go overseas as missionaries. So, instead of looking at other cars, we found ourselves back in the office filling out a pile of paperwork to purchase the car.

The car now sits in our garage, and we can’t believe the speed with which this went down. We expected a drawn out process, but God knows our abilities and energy. While I doubted we’d find a car we liked and in our color, God smiled and blessed us anyway. How can I not trust He cares.

I am thankful for our new-to-us car.

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6/7/22 6/7/22

Blog Abortion, the Bible and Guns

Some cherry-pick passages in order to claim the Bible allows for abortion. The question is, do passages such as Numbers 3:15 and Leviticus 27:6 really support abortion—the taking of a preborn baby’s life? Is a child of less than one month in the womb of less value?

Numbers 3:15 “Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.” -KJV

Leviticus 27:6 “And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver. –KJV

Actually, one has to force a meaning on these passages to assume they refer to abortion. According to the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, these passages refer to “…the amount of money a person would pay the priests in order to redeem, to buy back, an infant who had been dedicated to the Lord in a solemn vow (Leviticus 27:6) and the minimum age for the census of the Levites that Moses was going to undertake (Number 3:15).”

Another passage used is Exodus 21:22-25. If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. --KJV

Some Bible versions translate the passage as miscarriage and is used by the pro-abortion crowd. Other versions translate the phrase as premature birth. There is a word used for miscarrying, but the word here is not that word, but the word used refers to a live birth. Either way, when taken within the text and original word uses, this passage has nothing to do with abortion.

Even if the first translation is correct, the passage does not support abortion. This is about an accident. Abortion is a deliberate act. Because a penalty is attached, this shows the value of the child. In this and other passages, an accidental death engenders lesser consequences than a deliberate killing. This affirms not destroys the humanity of preborn children and human life itself. Further, many who seek to twist Scripture to prove abortion don’t even believe in the Bible as God’s Word. The sole intent is to harm not deal honestly with the issue.

The overall message of Scripture is about a Creator who loves and acknowledges and values His creation even in the womb. Scripture backs up the value of life even for the preborn. "Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.'" --Jeremiah 1:4-5

"The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name."--Isaiah 49:1b

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works…. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret” --Psalm 139:13-15, NASB

In the New Testament, Jesus has bad things to say about those who harm His little ones. The Bible is not a book that promotes abortion. Instead, the Bible affirms life from a caring, deliberate Creator, and Jesus who came to heal and set free those in bondage, to the Savior who chose to give up his life to save His human creations, offering life in Him. Jesus is about life and love.

Abortion, on the other hand, is about torture and violence against the most innocent among us. Too many abortions, which is the deliberate killing of a preborn child, are done when that child could survive with medical care.

Planned Parenthood likes to abort in a way, when possible, to produce an intact child with a still-beating heart. These living babies are cut up, with no anesthesia, to sell for parts to be used for experimentation or for cell lines. There is big money in the sale of baby parts. Why? Because these babies are living and are fully human.

Abortion is a basic outcome of not believing in the preciousness of each human life. It discounts the value of life itself. This comes from pretending knowable truth doesn’t exist and there is no higher being who values life.

This affects the gun argument. Again, guns don’t kill, people do. It is a choice. When our young people are taught that life doesn’t matter, that it is ok to kill unborn babies, the sick, the elderly, why should they value life? What difference if society or they kill? Murder becomes simply another outlet. After all, those killed might legally have been killed before, and now in some states, even after birth.

The problem is not owning guns nor is it about abortion per se. It is what we feed our and our children’s minds and hearts. Why not instead, teach our children they are precious and special— because they are. Why not lift up a God who loves and cares for them, cares about life, and cares enough to be there for those who follow Him? Why not promote a culture that treats every person born or preborn, disabled or elderly with care and respect? Allow our culture a foundation of faith and the mental and physical health of the nation will rise. We’ll once more become a nation of life instead of death.

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https://wels.net/faq/bible-passages-used-to-support-abortion/

https://abort73.com/abortion/exodus_2122_25/

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-misuse-of-exodus-21-22-25-by-pro-choice-advocates

https://julieroys.com/survivor-of-botched-abortion-tells-congress-planned-parenthood-makes-sure-failures-like-me-dont-happen/

5/30/22 5/30/22

Blog Bio Energy, age and learning what's important

As a child, I had endless energy. I wooshed through my days. In Siren, Wisconsin, I walked from one end of our small town to the other, though I was only in first and second grades. I visited friends, played with pets, and told imaginative stories.

At home, I had chores, such as making my bed and helping to keep things clean. Dad patiently showed us, kids, the proper way to make a bed with the covers smooth, and corners just so. That meant I needed to learn to slow down and not just tug my covers up and forget them.

In Wyoming, I was allowed to wander the hills behind and around our home, in daylight hours only. I carried a pocket knife and my father taught me how to stay clear of rattlesnakes and what to do if I could not.

In Kansas, as a young teen, I contracted Rheumatoid Arthritis. Pain and exhaustion became my companions for years. But thanks to prayer and effort, I entered a more healing phase and regained some of that energy. In college, even from a wheelchair, I actively entered into going places and doing things with friends. After college, extensive surgery got me back on my feet. I married my husband I started my married life.

While I continued to have surgery and I often needed to rest in the afternoon, I was involved in home, church, and community activities. This only increased when our children arrived. Sometimes I was incredibly tired, but I still kept up a schedule of home, writing, and everything else. When my books sold to publishers and were available everywhere, organizations began asking me to speak, adding another layer of activities. I got very good at making and keeping schedules. Sometimes I got stressed out, but I also enjoyed my life.

After the kids left home for college and to start their own families, I settled down to writing and speaking and church activities. My career was going well. I landed a good contract with Harlequin’s Love Inspired brand that’s sold at most book and department stores. Yet, I needed more effort to get everything done on my list each day. I realized I needed to pare down that list. Still, my days were full.

The big change came with a bad fall that put me in the hospital for 2 ½ months, with a trach and feeding tube. While I was eventually able to lose the trach and feeding tube, it took me over a year to fully recover. Now things were different. My aggressive edge was gone. My energy was quickly depleted each day.

Each year, I find it more difficult to complete a long list of things. In fact, it seems to take more and more time to get less and less done. My list is often things that I need to do as well as things I don’t want to forget.

I realized my writing would pass away as would most everything else I did. What mattered was my relationships with Keith, our kids, grandkids, other family and friends. Now, a phone call from family or friends takes precedence over my daily list. I am thankful we are relatively healthy. I am thankful I am still writing and selling. I also still find the energy for those things that matter most. my faith, my family, and the freedom to honor both. I am blessed.

Kearney Hub Column 5/30/2022

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5/28/22 5/28/22

Remembering—Memorial Day 2022

The first Memorial Day I remember was as a first or second grader in Siren, Wisconsin. We were given flags and taken to the cemetery. We watched as the uniformed veterans stood proud and brave for a 21 gun salute. My dad Rev. William Fredrickson, a WW II vet, stood with the other vets. He’d explained why. Back then our people and culture understood the sacrifice. We honored those lost.

While we don’t worship our ancestors, as some cultures do, Memorial Day has expanded to include all our departed loved ones—not only our veterans.

My brother was the youngest of we three siblings. Paul Fredrickson always felt he had to watch over his older sisters. Yet, January 8, 2019, God took him home first. Suddenly Karin and I were two instead of three. We, his wife and our families were devastated at the unexpected loss.

Friday, hubby Keith and I bought a basket of red and white flowers to put on his grave. Yes, my brother and I would argue, sometimes even yell at each other. But we loved each other. He was there in so many ways when I or our family needed him. Flowers seem a small remembrance for a life time of memories.

Miss you, Paul.

Carolyn R Scheidies

5/25/22 5/25/22

Blog Bio Rain, Rain, and More Rain

***Photo by*** ***Nick Nice*** on ***Unsplash***

I was a preschooler when we lived in Clitherall, Minnesota. (My father was a minister.) After it rained, I’d plop down and play in the large puddles lining the dirt roads by our house. I had a great time splashing until, one day, my older sister Karin spoiled it all by pointing out I shared those puddles with worms that rose to the surface. Yuck! So ended my puddle splashing.

I remember dancing on the lawn during a gentle rain shower in Siren Wisconsin. I preferred being outside, even in the rain. Other times, I splashed through puddles secure in my rain boots.

Wyoming was different. It didn’t rain much. Only one creek ran most of the year. The others only filled and swirled with water during a long, hard rainfall or during Spring thaw. They were mostly dry creek beds suitable for exploring. It wasn’t fun being out in the rain that turned the ground into muck, ripping shoes off feet as it sucked and tried to drag the wearer down. The ground became almost, but not quite, quicksand consistency. A person needs to take care. Once while down by the rushing Lance Creek, I got stuck and lost a boot before my friend help me to safety.

Every place we lived had differences. Kearney Nebraska has long dry spells. It also may have days and days of almost freezing rain even in the last of May. After several hot days, we turned off the heat only to turn it on again when the temperatures inside were more like January than May.

I like rain—for a day. Too many days of gloom and rain drag down my mood. I need sunshine and light. If the ceiling light doesn’t give off enough, I turn on lanterns and flashlights. After days of rain, I remind myself the farmers need rain. I pray the rain will soak into the ground and not runoff. I pray for good crops. And, I hope the rain will stop for a while and come again another day.

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5/23/22 5/23/22

Blog Bio Girl's Weekend Out

Recently Keith drove me to York on a Friday where we met our daughter Cassie who drove from the Omaha area. We ate lunch together, transferred me and my “stuff” to Cassie’s car, and said goodbye to Keith who headed back home to Kearney. Cassie and I headed south to McPherson Kansas where my sister Karin lives.

The sun was out, the weather chill and I was glad I wore long sleeves under my lightweight jacket. Cassie and I talked all the way to Karin’s house. Out came Karin and her daughter Kelly who’d also come for the weekend. After a round of hugs, they helped me up the stairs to the front door. My stuff was brought into Karin’s bedroom. (Karin slept on a blow-up mattress in her office. I needed the high bed with the firm mattress.)

That evening, after supper we relaxed on Karin’s back patio. It has always felt so peaceful back there and still did. We talked and laughed until after midnight. No one slept really well that night, but in the morning we shared breakfast and hit every subject imaginable. Karin had planned to take us to visit her son and family, but Deanna said a couple of the girls weren’t up to par, colds, etc. We were tired, didn’t want to catch anything, and decided to stay put at Karin’s though Kelly and Cassie went for a 5-mile walk later.

Jim, Karin’s ex, stopped by to say “hi!.” Good to see him for a bit, though I gently scolded him for not having his phone—a safety precaution for those with health issues. Both Karin and I took short naps in the afternoon to get us through the rest of the day. Karin’s supper was delicious. We planned to sit on the porch again, but winter wear and me bundled up in a quilt still didn’t keep the cold at bay and we settled into the living room.

We did spend time going through another box of things that belonged to Karin and my dad, each taking what we wished to keep. I saved some things for son Chris and his family. I was excited because we finally found dad’s slides and early home movies. I’m hoping Chris can put them in a form we can watch and keep.

That night we all slept pretty well and kept up our conversations over breakfast. Cassie and I took time to pack up our stuff, which was taken to her car. Then we settled once more in the living room remembering experiences from our past and memories our folks told Karin and me as we grew up. No subject was off base. We left with hugs and some reluctance. But once Cassie and I headed north, we were anxious to get to our homes. We had a nice drive back to York where we transferred me and my stuff to our car. Keith and I said our goodbyes to Cassie, and we were on our way home.

It was a wonderful weekend, but it felt so good to be home. Even better that Keith said he missed me. Home is good, but I am glad we took the time to make memories with family.

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5/16/22 5/16/22

Blog Bio Celebrations worth effort to make positive memories

From the time we kids started school, birthdays meant having friends over for games, presents, and cake. There was the year in Wisconsin my older sister Karin was sick on her September birthday and in bed, she couldn’t have her friends over. But Mom still managed to make her birthday special. We all went upstairs to her bedroom. Karin had already gotten her first wish, which she could see out the window--snow. My parents also made sure she got her second wish--ice skates.

In Wisconsin, kids started ice skating at a very young age. Karin didn’t have her friends, but she had good wishes, cake, and skates. Mom saw birthdays as something to be celebrated. As we got older, we got to choose what we wanted for our birthday dinners. By our teens often we opted for a couple of close friends to do something special with as well as dinner and Mom’s delicious cake. In Iowa, we lived out in the country, so I opted for a friend and the family. My choice for dinner was sloppy joes and chips.

Mom loved birthdays but loved Christmas even more. She went all out baking a variety of cookies, etc. not only for our family but for an open house for those from church and from wherever we lived at any given time. She’d also make plates of cookies to give away to those unable to attend the open house. Mom provided positive memories. Once I contracted Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and was in constant pain for several years, those memories helped me focus on something good. I learned we need milestones of positive memories to look back on when life isn’t always so nice or when we’re dealing with hurt, pain, or loss.

Celebrations bring people together. Sometimes we don’t realize how important those gatherings can be. When my niece Crystal got married the family gathered. It was a great and fun day. Crystal’s Mom Jenni, Jenni’s siblings and families were all there celebrating--making memories. No one had a clue those memories would have to last a lifetime. It wasn’t long before one of her brothers passed away. That time together, eased some of the grief.

When I turned 70 on January 24th, 2020, our kids, Cassie and Chris, threw me a party at the Mitzy Pavilion Center. Family and friends gathered for pizza, cupcakes, gifts, games, and I received a special hug from my grandson Dane--who doesn’t give hugs. (Of course, he made quite a production of it, and I got pictures.) I loved it.

Keith’s Dad Jiggs was also able to attend. It was good to see him. Keith had fallen on ice in early January and had seriously damaged his ankle. He wasn’t supposed to put any weight on it at all. It meant we couldn’t go visit Dad in the home in Minden. So, it was great getting to spend time with him.

What we didn’t realize was that Covid 19 was about to hit, and we’d all be isolated. I never got to see Jiggs alive in person again. In the summer he fell, was taken to the hospital in Kearney, and, for a time, it appeared he was improving. Then he lost ground and we ended up with a funeral. I am so glad I can look back and remember him smiling and enjoying himself at my birthday.

Don’t let opportunities for celebration go by. We need the encouragement of celebrations. Since we can’t see the future, we also don’t know how important those times may turn out to be. So, take the time, to lift someone up with a celebration.

Hub column published 5/16/22 titled “Celebrations put exclamation point on life”

5/12/22 5/12/22

Blog May, Flowers and Hope

We might expect warm weather by May. Yet warmer temperatures have been slow in arriving this year. Many turned off furnaces when we had a few very warm days, only to turn them on again when the temperatures dipped into the freezing range bringing high winds, rain, and even hail.

Nevertheless, the grass is starting to green, trees are budding, and flowers are hesitantly poking their heads through the ground. I recall one year when cold temperatures kept Spring on hold while cold prevailed.

Then one day, almost by magic everything changed. Temperatures warmed and suddenly, as though waiting for just the right time, the outdoors bloomed with color and enticing smells of flowers and grass and so much more.

That special moment is what happens when we give control of our lives to Jesus. He comes in and everything becomes new. We become new creations in Him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

What better time than now to become the beautiful creation God has in mind for those who follow Him?

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