Spring Again !

Pikes Peak with fresh snow

It has been cooler here, in Colorado. We spent the first night in Fairplay, visiting Corrie’s brother. Here we experienced snow on the ground! The weather in Colorado Springs has been a little bit gentler, but we have gone from sweaters to shorts and back. I guess we get to celebrate spring all over again. It has been slower in coming than what we experienced in Iowa. Only two irises blooming in a sunny spot.

There is water running in the creek and if one wants to go to Dorothy Falls, wet feet will be part of the experience. The many creek crossings needed to get there, are awash with cool running water.

The Big Horn sheep are in the mountains, probably taking care of the lambs. The turkeys are alive and well, still roosting in the trees every night. They wake us in the morning with their calls and noise, when they come down again. The deer are losing their winter coat and the grass needs mowing.

We do have many new “SOWER” volunteers at Glen Eyrie and the General likes showing them around. We were privileged to show off the “Pink House” to a group of them. Normally the “Pink House” is not open for public tours, but we have the option to conduct private tours while we are hosting here.


It really is a blessing to be able to serve here. We meet many really great people and are able to share many of our experiences.


Not only do we serve as Pink House Hosts, we also help with food service and facilities functions, like helping with landscaping, painting, building maintenance, and other services.

Spring 2010

Just a quick update.
We plan to go back to Glen Eyrie, in Colorado Springs. We will be host and hostess at the “Pink House” during the month of May. We were here also last fall. You can review my blog entries on October 8, 19, & 27 and also November 15, for my notes and pictures of that time.


The weather has turned to "real" spring weather here. The temperatures are cooler and we are enjoying spring rains. I am glad that we decided to take the motorbike trips when the weather was dry and balmy. We were able to see many of the trees in bloom and also the tulips and other spring flowers have been in full bloom already.

Our trip includes a stopover in Norton, Kansas, where we spend a day with dear friends we met on previous occasions, providing hospitality using the “Mennonite Your Way” system. We have used this hospitality network for many years already and have met with a lot of interesting travelers. With some of these over-nighters we have developed ongoing friendships. It is surely much more enjoyable to spend an evening with acquaintances after a day of travel. Most, if not all, of these travelers have a decidedly Christian world view. So, we always have something in common. I also wrote about this in my blog of September 21, 2009.

New Life

The winter weather has vanished. Trees are sprouting, grass is greening, birds are singing, and the sun is nice and warm on my face. We have put on nearly 500 miles on the Bergman, since the temperature has remained above freezing. We are exploring the surrounding area of Des Moines. Usually we find a local hang-out for something to drink or a bite to eat. Many times we look for local wineries, for a taste and maybe taking a bottle or two home for later enjoyment.

On Tuesdays we work at the VA. Corrie works at the volunteer office and I work as a HHV volunteer, Helping Hospitalized Vets. We provide leather-craft kits, wood working kits, some modeling kits, like cars or airplanes, as well as a variety of other occupational activity kits; poster painting, sun-catchers and so on. Most of the patients I am working with have some limitations, they usually need some help completing their craft kits. I really enjoy doing these crafts with the patients and I get to complete some for myself as well, like the clock.

Thoughts on Spring

Is this the last big shovelful ???


When I look out of my window I see green snow! No, wait, it is grass, – !

I rode my Suzuki Bergman on Friday and on Monday, because the weather was above freezing; the sun was even out. Had to really watch for potholes, though!
Could the winter be waning? Could this season make room for “Lente” (the Dutch word for Spring)

I like this better than the “season of Lent,” which often has a negative focus of giving something up. Lenteh (pronounce the “teh”) has such a melodious ring to it.
It reminds me of lambs in the pastures and calves jumping for joy in the green meadows, the promise of flowers, the gentle warming of the air, even the renewed buzz of insects. (Now that’s heavy - looking forward to bugs...)

It has been a long season of “giving up.” There are some exiting winter activities, I’m sure. But, I like riding my bike or scooter, walk in the woods, and feel the warm sunshine on my face.

So, why do I live in Iowa? Primarily, so I can make these observations. To be able to appreciate warm sunshine, to anticipate the awakening of creation after winter’s sleep, to look forward to being outside in clothes which allow one to move. We have had a “good” winter. We have been active: working on crafts, creating train layout pieces, entertaining guests, teaching Bible truths, enjoying a nice warm home, do some remodeling, read, and shop. Winter slowed us down some, made us reflect on who we are and where we are going on life’s journey. It made me focus on the beautiful relationships we have. Another season is coming; the journey goes on! Life is good, God is in charge, and I am able to relax in that knowledge. I can’t change the changing seasons, but I can enjoy this season of life! May you be blessed by Lente.

Another Tradition

Finding Spring...
Well, we have started on one of our other “rituals.” Finding spring. I was done with the need for more snow, by Christmas. Yet it take another 3 or more months for even the first promise of spring, here in the Heartland of the USA. (When we lived in the Dakotas it took until May, usually.) So, after we retired and spend winter at home, we use an early opportunity to go a bit farther South. We look for Red buds, Dog woods, and Forsythias, even a Dandelion gives me great hope for the coming warming period. This usually goes coupled with a Mission Support trip to CEF in Warrenton, MO. On the way and during our weekends there, we visit with Rick and Jena. Often there is some project for which an extra hand comes in handy; so we get to work together while we visit. By the pictures you can see, that we were successful in finding Spring. We are at Rick and Jena’s house in Saint James and even though it is rainy and cold outside, we see the huge forsythia blooming. This weekend in the later part of March is our start of our enraptured enjoyment of the budding of the trees and other wild vegetation this year. Missouri is a great place to find spring. At least until Saturday night, winter tried to get back in, with about 1 ½ inches of snow. It was a wimpy show, fortunately. On Sunday the sun was back to melt it all away. Keep coming spring!