No Hoarders Here

Since moving back to the Bend eight years ago, so many people have offered to help and have gone out of their way to enable Mother and me to live in the place she most desires to be.

                 Benders often illustrate thoughtfulness, unselfishness, and genuine concern. This did not change but only increased during the recent COVID-19 quarantine.

                My paternal grandma, Mamie Irene Tripp Gates, wrote during World War II to my father, Edmund Gates, Jr., of the thoughtfulness and helpfulness of her neighbor, Martha Ethel Christy White. When Joe and Ethel went to town, Ethel always found out what Grandma needed.

                Ethel’s neighborliness passed down to her granddaughter, Lisa White Crabtree, who is a neighbor of ours. Lisa enjoys her little hens and shares eggs with us. (A blog post featuring Lisa's maternal family in the Bend - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2014/07/miracles-at-little-house.html )

                Jim and Sharon Binkley have provided eggs for Mother and me, too. Mother appreciates farm fresh eggs since she had chickens for at least the first 50 years of her life. (A post about Jim and Sharon's neighborliness in the summer of 2019 - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2019/05/you-never-miss-water.html )

                Just as the “sheltering in place” policy was about to be activated in our state, another neighbor, Shelly Doshier, called while enroute to pick up groceries. Her question was, “What could we pick up for you and your mother?” Thankfully, I had made my own “run” to Fairfax for cattle feed, supplies and groceries. (A post with photos of Shelly's daughters -  https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2019/10/benders-are-still-shining-at-tulsa.html )

                That same week, I called Charlotte Hutchens checking on her and our oldest Bender, her husband, Hubert. The iconic Fun Club had a “drive-by” meeting the day before at her house, with Charlotte and her daughter, Cecilia, hosting distributing grab and go treat bags from their porch. (A post about Hubert's neighborliness - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2017/06/happy-birthday-to-oldest-man-in-big-bend.html )

As we visited, Charlotte related interesting blessings. Cecilia had gotten Charlotte and Hube the groceries they might need, except no eggs could be found. Charlotte ran into town to take our friend, Joan Higgins, one of the goody bags since she had missed the “drive-by” meeting of Fun Club. As Charlotte handed the bag to Joan, she related of her trip to the grocery store, saying she got all she needed but eggs. Joan, who loves her chickens, exclaimed immediately, “I have three dozen eggs for you.” Charlotte offered to share her eggs. ( A link to a post about Joan's encouragement to me -  https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2018/01/learning-from-tiny-black-hose.html

                       Mother retained notes from Connie Goad on the refrigerator. She offered and specified she would get anything we needed and even gave her cell phone number. Anything included notifying of a calf out and literally maneuvering it back through the fence with her mail mobile. Her daughter-in-law, Bailey Goad, emailed the very first week of “safer at home” with her offer to pick up any items we might need. (A link to a post about Connie and the iconic Belford Bridge over the Arkansas River, plus features Jayson and Tim Gates who have shown us "neighborliness" - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2014/09/only-in-country.html )

                Lauren Goad Graham and her family became the last mail stop on the west end of Big Bend Road when they moved to the Bend less than a year ago. Mother and I are always grateful for new residents with good character relocating to our community, so we rejoiced when they moved into their newly built home. Lauren called the second week of COVID-19 of the “safer at home” saga and volunteered to get any supplies for us. The one item I had been unable to buy was toilet tissue. Lauren procured one of the last packages for us. (Although I didn't mention her name, Lauren, inspired me to write this posting in 2017- https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2017/11/an-inspiring-christmas-list.html )

                When I began putting up groceries the day of the last March trip to Fairfax, I groaned upon realizing cranberry juice was absent from my grocery bags. Mother drinks it daily for kidney health. What a relief when our closest neighbor to the east, Vonda Goad, called within a week after the previous mentioned trip! On her trip to Pawnee, she found the last jug of cranberry juice. (This is a link to one of several of the postings on the neighborliness of Vonda and Greg - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-wheelbarrow-vs-tractor.html )

Vonda also began looking for toilet tissue for us when I had been unable to get any on my trip just before “sheltering in place” became the unwritten “law of the state.” Her concern for us entered her conversation with her sister, Brenda Bennett. Brenda kept our need in her mind and grabbed a package for us when she saw it on the shelf on a shopping trip of her own.

As a preteen, I read the highly recommended classic, Little Women. I distinctly recall being unimpressed with the chapter entitled “Being Neighborly.” Now I found myself pulling my 50-year-old copy of it off the shelf. I have finally reached the age to value the art of neighborliness.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, referred to the second portion of the royal law given by the Lord Jesus. In the preeminent, initial part Jesus emphasized the command to love God wholeheartedly. In the book of James, chapter 2, verse 8, we read,

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

Prior to the Coronavirus Saga, I heard urban dwellers almost boast, "We don't even know our neighbors." It seemed to be a badge of honor to maintain a distance from those living closest to them.
              Yet caring about those living near seems to have come back in vogue. Just as Louisa May Alcott's Little Women endures as a perennial classic so does community comradery remain timeless.

I love this illustration of Josephine
March from the cover of my first
copy of  Little Women. 

             Neighborliness continues to be the royal law of the Bend. The way Mother and I love these dear neighbors back is by praying for them daily. The Bend way of sharing, caring and praying is a model for any community - rural or urban.

The Graduating Class of 2020 Is Not Forgotten

            A few weeks ago, I saw Braiden Holloway in Fairfax, during my COVID-19 virus-dictated-once-a-month trip. Keeping our “social distance,” I congratulated him early, hoping we would get to see each other again at the Woodland 2020 class’s commencement exercises. Sadly, that seems not to be.

            As I looked at the faces of these students in the third grade class group photograph, memories flooded my mind. I recalled students who enjoyed using “primitive” computer games to master and build speed with automatic recall of their multiplication facts. I celebrated quietly that some of these students acquired a love of reading and recognized the value of reading. What fun when these students suddenly “got” a concept or mastered a paper/pencil algorithm such as long division or subtracting across zeros! I loved to say, “You are smarter than you think!”

Some of these faces reminded me of Mrs. Gullic challenging this group to memorize Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Other of these students thrived on art projects and reveled in using color and sketching in Mrs. Gullic’s art class.

I smiled as I remembered the Valentine’s Day party when, with the mothers of Cameron Potter, Taytum Kelly, and Brett Graham, these three discovered they all descended from the same couple – Elias Henry and Martha Elizabeth Rice!

One of these students, Jaxon Bevill, came to mind once again on September 11. When we recalled the horrific attacks of 9/11 rolled in the fall of 2010, Jaxon told me his mother gave birth to him the same day of the attacks.

A look at these faces prompted recollections of their more recent recognitions in sports, academics, and livestock showing along with developing proficiency in music and a myriad of other worthwhile endeavors. They have acquired life skills along with attaining career training to serve them well in the future.

The students in the group photo above were only the students in my home room in 2010/2011. That year I taught reading and spelling to Mrs. Beth Gullic’s home room of third graders while she taught Social Studies, Science and Art to the students in my home room. I remembered fondly her students, too.

Eight years ago, I shifted from teaching all day in one room to help care for my father following his stroke plus caring for my parents’ small cattle herd. Many times, I heard Zach McInroy’s voice echoing from a very wet spring day when I had playground duty. That weekend, Zach had helped with a repair and learned a new bit of information that I have used in some difficult situations here on the farm. I remember Zach had a little ditty that he repeated numerous times as he walked around the track with me. (To have outside recess, we were relegated to the track since the spring rains rendered the playground a muddy mess.) Zach’s little memorable saying was Righty tighty, Lefty loosey! His repetition lodged in my mind. When I found myself hoping to repair something I never intended to have to fix and in a precarious spot, usually finally trying to get the “project” put back together, I heard Zach’s voice, "Righty tighty, Lefty loosey. "

The WHS Class of 2020 has not been forgotten by teachers, families, and those who love them. It is my hope this unparalleled spring will be unforgettable in the memory of these students since it became a time when life slowed down. Those we loved were held closer, even though with some, they could only be "held" in our hearts. Many renewed the practice of prayer. All of these are good to implement even in a post-COVID-19 world.

 God’s Word reminds of a couple of things to never forget. Both are from Psalms, the portion of the Bible that contains songs. Here is the first one from Chapter 78, verse 7:

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.

What a concise directive for the Seniors of 2020! Set your hope on God. Don’t forget His miracles in your life. Obey His commands.

            The second edict for success comes from King David, the most revered king of Israel. He exclaims in Chapter 103, verse 2 of Psalms:

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.

One of the healthiest daily routines is closing the day with a prayer of thankfulness for the good things experienced throughout the day – no matter how great or small.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Remembering Margaretha Schneider Schorr on Mother's Day

My mother, Bernyce Gates, continues to be a learner, a thinker, one who spends much time in God’s Word and prays about everything. She insists on doing most of the cooking - always nutritious and kitchen cleaning - disinfecting with Clorox. Daily she and I have given thanks that we are sheltering in place “together” this spring. She doesn’t like the limelight so as a gift to her I have written a Mother's Day tribute about a matriarchal ancestor much like my mother. Margaretha Schneider Schorr, my great-great-great-great-great Swiss grandmother who lived over three hundred years ago, gives such inspiration for a time like this.

Honoring a Swiss Grandma on Mother’s Day

            A year or so ago, I stumbled upon the surprising genealogical fact revealing Grandpa Edmund Gates, Sr., my paternal grandfather, had a sprinkle of Swiss mixed in with a robust amount of German. I had known about the German ancestry all my life. This week I delved a little deeper into the Swiss influence.

            When researching Grandpa’s grandmother, Passingfair Shore Gates, an upstanding woman in her community in northern Illinois in the 1800s, I happened upon the small, important tidbit of information -  the spelling of the surname of Passingfair’s father, Friedrich, had changed from Schor to Shore. Almost immediately, I found the Schors (Schorrs) had immigrated from Switzerland.

            I discovered another twist. The first Schorr in Switzerland immigrated from Baden, Germany. In Baden, Germany, the Schorr family held beliefs closely aligned to the Anabaptists, but persecution ensued. Friedrich’s great grandfather, Hans, relocated to Muttenz, (rhymes with “buttons”) Switzerland, in the canton of Basel in the late 1500s. He became a naturalized Swiss citizen and the innkeeper of Hotel Rossli. Life seemed good.

Drawing of the Rossli Hotel as it looked in the time of Karl Jauslin, renowned
artist of Muttenz. He sketched this during the 19th century.
source: https://www.heimatkunde-muttenz.ch/index.php/wirtschaft/gaststaetten-
restaurants-cafes-pensionen-hotels/verschwundene-restaurants/
hotel-restaurant-roessli?showall=1
(This site will need to be translated from Swiss German to English for most
readers.)

Yet things changed when persecution began in Switzerland. In 1731, all Anabaptists were threatened with banishment from the city of Basel within six months. Even though few were banished, the threat remained. Study of the Anabaptist persecution revealed the ruthless efforts to destroy these believers who held staunchly to baptismal immersion following one's conversion and profession of faith in Jesus. Their opposition to infant baptism put them at odds with both the Catholic Church and more newly formed Protestant churches.

            When Friedrich Schorr, the third Schorr generation born in Muttenz, was 44 years old, he chose to immigrate to the colonies with his family. He, at age 22, had married Margaretha Schneider, a 20-year-old Swiss lass, in March of 1729. When they chose to immigrate, she was 42 years old. They were accompanied on the voyage by their sons, who were 18, 16, and 13 years of age and their only daughter who was 7 years old. Two sons had died in Switzerland. Margaretha was pregnant with her seventh child.

            The question came to my mind – Why did they immigrate if few Anabaptists had been banished? Why did Friedrich and Margaretha uproot their family from the little village of Muttenz, Switzerland, and board the ship, The Sandwich?

            The historical backdrop in Basel, Switzerland, provided some insight into their decision. 100 years before the marriage of Friedrich and Margaretha, the plague reduced the small village’s population of around 800 when 112 of its citizens died. The city of Basel legally held the villagers of Muttenz as subjects. In reality, they were serfs or sharecroppers, rendering the villagers unable to rise out of poverty in spite of their hard work. Friedrich and Margaretha desired much more for themselves and their children.

            In May of 1750, the Schorr family boarded The Sandwich at Basel, Switzerland, traveled down the Rhine River to Holland. Captain Hazelwood then navigated the passenger ship across the English Channel to Cowes, England. While awaiting the resumption of their voyage, Margaretha gave birth to a baby boy.

Heartbreak touched the Schorr family as they launched on the arduous Atlantic Ocean journey. Their tiny son lived only a few weeks. Margaretha soon joined her precious little one in death. Both were buried at sea.

 Friedrich and his remaining children arrived in Philadelphia in the Colony of Pennsylvania. He pledged allegiance to his new land of America in November of 1750. He and his children moved to the colony of Virginia where he realized his dream of owning his own land. By 1756, the Schorr family had continued south to the colony of North Carolina, settling in Surry County.

Friedrich lived 23 years after the death of his beloved Margaretha. He never remarried but his four children grew to adulthood. This statement was made of her son, Heinrich, from whom Grandpa Gates descended: “a Brother who loved the Lord with all his heart.” 

Margaretha, my dear fifth Swiss grandmother, married a man who shared and valued a strong relationship with the Lord, even if it meant persecution. She cherished her children even to the point of risking and giving her own life for a later-in-life pregnancy. Even though she did not live to see it, her husband and children and even those of us who descend from this courageous woman realized the shared dream of her and her husband. They yearned to live on a place they owned, from which they could reap harvests, and worship their Lord and Savior with no fear of constraints from the government or anyone else.

Lord, thank you for the strong mothers in our ancestry who loved their families fiercely, worked tirelessly for the betterment of their husbands and little ones, and worshiped You daily with awesome reverence and obedience. We desire to honor them and You as we follow their devoted obedience to You. Now we pray to You as the Psalmist David did in Psalm 61:5

For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
We know, Lord, our God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant of love for a thousand generations with those who love You and keep Your commandments. (personalization of Deuteronmy 7:9)
Lord, You have blessed us, the descendants of Margaretha and other godly women, as You promised in Your Word. Please empower us to be faithful so as to impact, in a godly way, future generations. In the Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.

Note of Appreciation: Dawna J. Vicars, another descendant of Margaretha Schneider Schorr, granted gracious permission for me to utilize Schorr research of hers that I discovered.

Must Know Who to Call

You Have to Know Who to Ask

                A few months ago, I jumped in the borrowed feed truck after putting out a bale and pulled the door closed. But it wouldn’t shut. In the cold, I tried to investigate the issue. After multiple, unsuccessful tries, I gripped the door’s handle with my left hand as tightly as possible to hold it closed. Using the other hand, I steered the feed truck slowly back to the house.

                After “Googling” what I perceived to be the problem and repeatedly trying the recommendations unsuccessfully, I duct taped the door shut. I was concerned about any possible moisture getting into the interior of the feed truck that had been loaned to us.

                The following day, I only needed to feed the cattle pellets so I used Dad’s old pickup. Early that morning, I tried to get the driver’s door shut – without success. For quite some time after feeding the cattle, I tried to implement some internet suggestions.

            

Every time I closed the Goad pickup
door during the remaining winter
 days, I thanked the Lord for Vonda's
 mechanical knowledge. Daily I pray
 a blessing upon Greg and Vonda
for their generosity to Mother and me.

The third day in the saga of the pickup door that wouldn’t shut, Vonda Goad called just to visit. Embarrassed about the situation in which I had somehow gotten their feed truck, I didn’t mention the problem. Mother insisted I speak up about it during the phone call. Vonda responded, “Oh, Sarah and I had that happen when she was little!”

                I renewed my effort and tried to follow directions online with no success. Doris McInturf called explaining she had dealt with a similar issue with her pickup door. She described exactly the way to get the door mechanism unstuck. I could move the latch as Doris had instructed but still could not get the driver’s door shut.

                Greg came to put out a bale. Vonda was coming later to visit with Mother. He and I tried to get the door shut without getting it to latch. In seconds, Vonda moved the latch, making it operational and shut the driver door completely. My only regret remained that I didn’t get to observe her method of unfreezing the latch.

                Boy! My recollection of that stuck door latch experience revealed the truth You have to know who to ask! That thought sent me to passages in God’s Word that bear this out. This is especially true as we navigate this COVID-19 crisis.

                As I thumbed through the pages of scripture, I thought It really is important to know a reliable source of truth. Numerous times, I have read and heard erroneous information ranging from inaccurate cures to people touting surefire protection against contracting the viral disease to misleading numbers or reports about cases nearby. Our source of information must be dependable and authoritative.

                Here are a few verses that affirm who we can go to for help during this stressful time. They remind us our hearts and minds can be at peace when we go to the Sovereign of the Universe. We know who to CALL, so let's go to Him, knowing He knows the way through this pandemic and all its aftermath. Let's affirm to Him we want to do things in accordance with His Word and live life His way.

Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we CALL. Psalm 20:9

Thus says the Lord…”CALL to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

“Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity (Iniquity implies a deliberate action against God and His laws.)  by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed (disobeyed) against Me.”

Jeremiah 33:2-3, 6, and 8

Lord, the Holy King of Heaven, we hunger to see the mighty things You desire to do. We need Your healing, Your peace and Your truth in our families and in our nation. Cleanse us from our deliberate sins against You, as we as a nation flagrantly disregard Your Word, and instead twist truth to accommodate our selfish wishes. Shamefaced,* we implore You, by the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus, take these transgressions away from us and enable us by Your strengthening Spirit, imparted to us, to obey and honor every principle 
from Your Holy Word.

*Daniel uses "shamefaced" in his prayer for national forgiveness recorded in Daniel 9:7 in the New American Bible, Revised Edition and The Living Bible.