Roller Coaster

Life is like a roller coaster. The ups and downs continue through out the whole course of the ride. The job of the person riding is to joy in the process; trusting the creator of the ride with all the details of construction, direction of twists and turns, your seat mates, and the length of the ride.

If there weren't any ups and downs, the ride of life would be over. How blessed a day that will be when we greet our Redeemer face to face and all things will be made clear, but until then, we should enjoy the ride: the unexpected heights and drops, and the process of learning to joy in the midst of it all.

Phillipians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand;

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—
practice these things,
and the God of peace will be with you.

We're Back!!

Dear Friends,

It is with much joy (and tiredness) that we report a very successful Men's Leadership Advance these past few days. Pastor Kevin Swanson and our dad, Marcus Serven, challenged the men and boys who attended to a biblical picture of the father as the family shepherd and delighting in the Sabbath day.

We'll put up pictures Lord willing tomorrow when Lydia and I take our weekly trip into the city for violin lessons . . . until tomorrow then!

For Christ's Kingdom,
Rebecca of the Serven Clan

Lacuna

"Hustle" and "bustle" are the optimum words around the Serven Clan home these next days. We are preparing for the Men's Leadership Advance this Friday and Saturday and will enjoy having several out-of-staters visiting our home and church, including blog readers the Macfarlanes, the Reins, the Wennekers, and Kevin Swanson. We have Servens working on various parts of the conference including, speaking, catering, sound recording, hospitality, event coordinating, etc, etc. : ) It promises to be a very full weekend . . . so we are going to take a break on blogging 'til next Monday or so.

Anyone want to guess why we titled this post the way we did? Leave your comment with a guess.

ENN: Big David's House

Wild screams of delight emanated near the computer this morning--Andrew's second ENN has aired!! Click here to see "Big David's House".

Wrap and Windows

Drum roll please . . . No, I have not been sitting on my hands this whole time since that last "house" post. In fact, the main reason that I, Nathan J. Serven, am typing this, is because I recently broke my toe and have had a correspondingly large amount of time to spend at home. These pictures are a bit dated, but they are the most current that we have. I hope you enjoy.

- Nathan



Over the past weeks, among other things, I have been working on changing out all the windows and wrapping the house in Tyvec. As you can see it is coming along . . .



The master bedroom windows up close. You can see how the bottom half is plain and the top is divided by two vertical mullions. This window style is a classic Arts and Crafts design.



This is a view of the back deck and new Master Bedroom addition. In all, I added 450 sq ft to the house. It is comprised of one bedroom, two bathrooms, a laundry room and a walk in closet.



In the cold weather (20 degrees and lower) it has been great having a way to thaw out my finger and toes in my unheated and uninsulated house.



Keeping warm by the heater.



Arched doorway into the little hallway.



As anyone who has spent time on a job site will know, paper is a thing not easily come by. So, any and every semi-flat surface is used to record phone messages, diagram new ideas on window placement and occasionally record multi-thousand dollar change orders



Rebecca and Mom have been my "architectural review committee" in residence and I am greatly in debt to them for their advice and council. In this picture, Mom and I are considering window placement in the kitchen.

John Newton on the Christian Life

As of late, I have been reading through John Newton's autobiography titled Out of the Depths. This analogy of the life of a Christian was quite comforting and helpful in considering the different walks with which the Lord blesses us. - Rebecca

"My connexions with sea affairs have often led me to think, that the varieties observable in Christian experience may be properly illustrated from the circumstances of a voyage. Imagine to yourself a number of vessels, at different times and from different places, bound to the same port; there are some things in which all these would agree--the compass steered by, the port in view, the general rules of navigation, both as tot he management of the vessel and determining their astronomical observations would be the same in all. In other respects they would differ; perhaps no two of them would meet with the same distribution of winds and weather. Some we see set out with a prosperous gale; and when they almost think their passage secured, they are checked by adverse blasts; and, after enduring much hardship and danger, and frequent expectations of shipwreck, they just reach escape and reach the desired haven.

Others meet the greatest difficulties at first; they put forth in a storm, and are often beaten back; at length their voyage proves favourable, and they enter the port with a rich and abundant entrance. Some are hard beset with cruisers and enemies, and obliged to fight their way through. Others meet with little remarkable in their passage.

Is it not thus in the spiritual life? All true believers walk by the same rule, and mind the same things: the Word of God is their compass; Jesus is both their polar star and their sun of righteousness; their hearts and faces are all set Sion-ward. Thus far they are as one body, animated by one spirit; yet their experience, formed upon these common principles, is far from being uniform. The Lord in His first call, and His following dispensations, has a regard to the situation, temper, and talents of each, and to the particular services or trials He has appointed them for. Though all are exercised at times, yet some pass through the voyage of life much more smoothly than others. But He "Who walketh upon the wings of the wind, and measures the water in the hollow of His hand," will not suffer any of whom He has once taken charge to perish in the storms, though for a season, perhaps, many of them are ready to give up all hopes.

We must not, therefore, make the experience of others, in all respects, a rule to ourselves, nor our own a rule to others; yet these are common mistakes, and productive of many more. As to myself, every part of my case has been extraordinary. I have hardly met a single instance resembling it. Few, very few, have been recovered from such a dreadful state; and the few that have been thus favoured have generally passed through the most severe convictions; their future lives have been usually more zealous, bright, and exemplary than common.

Now, as, on the one hand, my convictions were very moderate, and far below what might have been expected from the dreadful review I had to make; so, on the other my first beginnings in a religious course were as faint as can be well imagined. I never knew that season alluded to, Jer. ii. 2, Rev. ii. 4, usually called the time of the first love. Who would not expect to hear, that after such a wonderful, unhoped for deliverance as I had received, and after my eyes were in some measure enlightened to see things aright, I should immediately cleave to the Lord and His ways with full purpose of heart, and consult no more with flesh and blood?

But, alas! it was far otherwise with me. I had learned to pray; I set some value upon the Word of God, and was no longer a libertine: but my should still cleaved to the dust. . . "

Excerpt from Out of the Depths, written by John Newton, Letter 10.

Happiness Is . . .

. . . A perfectly balanced checkbook.

. . . Listening to the children sing silly songs and laugh.

. . . Roasting a turkey from start to finish and having it turn out tender and juicy.

. . . Walking up to the mailbox in the winter air and falling down in the snow.

. . . A kind younger brother who is learning to ship packages and run the family business.

. . . Sitting on the couch at 6:00 in the morning cuddled up with a sweet little person.

. . . Crocheting while you talk to a dear friend on the phone.

. . . Planning a surprise birthday party and successfully keeping it a secret.

. . . Watching ENNs with your little brothers and sisters.

. . . Writing a sweet card to someone you care about.

. . . Coming into the girls room and finding it teeming with activity--big girls sewing, little children playing dollhouse, people reading.

. . . Reading a biography of men and women who value God's mercy in their lives.

. . . A chat in the laundry room with Mom.

. . . An oven that caught on fire during the cleaning process, but subsided as soon as you turned off the automatic cleaning.

. . . Staying around the dinner table after most everyone has left chatting with the big kids.

. . . Getting up early in the morning before anyone else is awake.

. . . Digging with your hands in the dirt.

. . . Going by a construction project and giving ideas to your brothers on window placement and paint schemes.

. . . Sharing a cup of tea late at night.

. . . Singing hymns of praise in your heart to the Lord while you wash dishes.

About - The Serven Clan - Winter 2007

The Serven Clan
Marcus and Cheryl
Rebecca (26); Nathan (23); Elizabeth (22); Peter (18 almost 19); Benjamin (16); Sarah (14); Lydia (11); Andrew (8); and Joel (5).

www.genevanfoundation.com

www.servenclan.com

In updating "Our Abode" pictures, we thought you might also like to see a picture of all the members of the Serven Clan one year older (and hopefully wiser! : ).

Each year is a continual wonderment as the days keep growing better and better--not necessarily easier mind you! But there is a deepening understanding and amazement of our sinfulness and God's graciousness. I can only attribute this to God's overwhelming mercies being showered upon us and covering our radical depravity with His redeeming love. It is beyond comprehension. How great a God we serve.

Sacred Harp

The famous "Hollow Square"

Recently we've had the joyful privilege of singing some unusual praises to the Lord.

I'm sure you all know that the Serven Clan enjoys singing Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, but most people have never heard of "Sacred Harp". The name Sacred Harp refers to a branch of historical songs mainly composed from the 1700-1800's by American composers and taught in singing schools across our country during the early and mid 1800s. The story, Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry tells the story of one such singing teacher, Justin Morgan--several of his tunes are in The Sacred Harp book and other similar volumes. Also, you may have heard of the hymnwriters Issac Watts, Charles Wesley, William Billings, or Timothy Dwight. They each boasts many poems and tunes in the Sacred Harp.

The harmonic structure of these songs are different to our modern ear, but in truth, the sounds are the "children" of the medieval harmonic structure. For those musical people out there, the structure does not follow the modern accepted rules of harmony and counterpoint, but has a raw, open structure (lots of parallel 4ths and 5ths, etc). When the refined Europeans heard this rustic American made harmony, they frowned on it's folk like quality and encouraged the Americans to use the new "progressive" rules of harmony. This trend resulted in the gospel music of Lowell Mason, Fanny Crosby and others. Many of the old hymns were re-harmonized to fit the new rules of harmony and the sounds of Amazing Grace, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and countless other tunes from years past were altered--some say for the better, some say for the worse.

Despite the overall disdain towards the old singing schools, the Sacred Harp tradition migrated in a southerly and westerly direction and thrived across America albeit in an "under-ground" fashion. Over the last 30 years or so, it has seen a rebirth as people have gained interest in historical singing.

The term "sacred harp" refers to the instrument the Lord gave each person at birth--the gift of the human voice lifted in song. Sacred Harp is sung with four parts a cappella (with out any instruments) and is led in turn by each person in attendance. That's right. Most choirs have a director or leader, but Sacred Harp gives opportunity for every single person to choose their favorite song, stand in the middle of the glorious "hollow square", and beat out the time in a straight forward fashion. Everyone from young to old gets their chance; if you are a new comer and not quite comfortable with keeping the time, you can just stand and listen, or even just choose the tune for everyone else to sing. But this is a participatory event. It is not a concert. If you come, you sing.

Tenor sings the melody (high melody for men and women), then Trebles (high harmony for men and women), Altos (low women), and Basses (low men) all join in with counter melodies. Some of the "front-rowers" will pitch the tune without an instrument or pipe, using relative pitch to choose a starting place for the song, then everyone sings through the song using the "fa-so-la-mi" syllables. These shaped notes (triangle, circle, rectangle, diamond) were used in the old singing schools to teach people how to read music in an easier fashion. The music is of a distinctive polyphonic texture--instead of singing a hymn where every one sings the same words at the same time, there is a joyful cacophony of sound with each part singing it's own tune around the others. These hymns and tunes were not written to be listened to, but for the benefit and edification of the singers and to bring praise to our Risen King.

This particular "club" (for lack of a better term) in St. Louis is particularly active. They've published/re-published their own book called The Missouri Harmony and hold a yearly state convention. Some of the members have been singing since the early 1980's and others are quite new to the whole experience.

We have greatly enjoyed singing with these new friends twice now. As we referred to in a previous post, we learned about Sacred Harp from our fellow Genevan Song member, Jonathon Landell, and have enjoyed exploring it over the years. Some of you Californians may remember how I had the ACTS girl's choir perform a few pieces from the Sacred Harp several years ago.

In mentioning Sacred Harp on the blog a few months ago, we met Michelle aka "Strem" : ) who told us about the St. Louis singing group and about a whole group of people who attend the sings from her local church. We had been meaning to go, but it had not worked out yet . . . then we providentially met another member, Mr. Hearne, when looking for a music teacher. He lent us Awake My Soul, a video on the history of Sacred Harp, and we were fascinated.

When we arrived at our first Sacred Harp sing, it was just as we've heard it described--we were greeted by a wall of sound. Full bodied and rich in tapestry, the music of the Sacred Harp is unforgettable. The text to the tunes are written by many godly men of yore, and are almost all based off of scripture.

"Protection" (First) C.M.
Text, Issac Watts, 1719. Tune, P. Sherman, 1808.

"He hath shewed strength with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts"

Luke 1:51

God, my supporter, and my hope,
My help forever near,
Thine arm of mercy held me up
When sinking in despair.

But to draw near to Thee, my God,
Shall be my sweet employ.
My tongue shall sound Thy works abroad,
And tell the world my joy.

We've greatly enjoyed the sings with our new friends.


Some of the Serven Clan at a Sacred Harp Sing

Did I get all the history right Strem? : )

Musings of Miscellany

"Good Maurning to Ye!"

Morning with Serven Clan starts at many points during the day. For some members of our household, the alarm wakes them consistently everyday at the same time (between 5:00 and 6 AM). Others have a changing pattern depending on the day's activities (rising between 6:30 and 8:00), and still another group tends to sleep until right before the morning repast (8:30 or 9:00). It is a happy conglomeration of individual personalities and we like it very much. : )


Heading into town.

We are so happy to have Nathan around--very long story, but we'll just say the Lord has been merciful to spare him for a few more years. His trusty red truck is totalled (rolled 2-3 times) but he is safely home from his adventures with nothing more than a scratch. We are so unbelievable grateful for God's kindness to us.


Looking for new wheels.


Sarah with a Sweet Someone.

We are definitely baby depleted. At 5 years old, our little guy is not so little anymore. We try to take the opportunity as the Lord graciously brings sweet ones around for our young women to serve, but it is just not the same as having your own brother or sister always around.


Turning under some garden gold.

Beth has been planning for this years gardening endeavors. The soil has been getting a good rest through the winter days as it lies fallow, plus we have spread some good composting material on top to build it up for our garden this spring. There are wonderful plans afoot with flower gardens, an arbor, and vegis galore. We continue learning more and more every year in the agrarian department.


Random Picture--Snowy night on the back deck.

We've been seeing several of these types of nights with a fresh blanket of snow covering the landscape. What a glorious gift to consider God's creation and providence. Until we moved to Missouri, we had never looked at a snowflake with the bare eye and been able to see the exquisite beauty and individuality. It brings to remembrance the fact that our Redeemer knows and cares for each of His children. What a bountiful God we serve.

ENN In the Making

We snapped a few pictures when we were making Andrew's "Giant Snowman" Every Day News Report. Keep a watch for more ENNs . . . we are filming another one today!


Cast and crew.


Taste test.


Posing with our Friend the Giant Snowman

Old Fashioned Sourdough Bread

After referring to "moving the sourdough along" in Phone Calls of Providence, we received a request from Dwiebes for this recipe. It is a bit involved as recipes go, but well worth the effort. After it gets into the daily routine it is quite easy to keep it going. The first week you will need to make a starter, but after that just keep it going and make the bread once a week.

If you have never tasted whole wheat bread you might want to try this recipe first. Once you are ready for a hearty, old-fashioned bread you might enjoy trying this more involved recipe that gathers the yeast from the air. : ) I know, that sounds strange. But it works. The only ingredients in this bread are flour, water and salt. No honey, oil, yeast, dough enhancer, gluten, etc, etc. This is the really old fashioned way to make bread. And it tastes like it too. We enjoy this recipe very much and though you might too!

PART 1: Sourdough Starter

2 cups freshly ground rye flour
2 cups cold filtered water
cheesecloth
6 cups freshly ground rye flour
cold filtered water

[Editors Note: To make this recipe work you need to have access to a grain mill that you can use every day--this recipe won't work if you purchase ready made rye flour or even if you mill all the flour at one time to use later in the week. You have to mill the grains fresh every single day].

Best results for sourdough starter are obtained from rye rather than wheat flour, perhaps because rye contains a lower phytate content than wheat. You will need two gallon-sized bowls. Total time to make the starter is 1 week.

Grind 1 cup rye berries into approximately 2 cups rye flour and let it sit for a bit to cool. In bowl [Editors Note: no aluminum; glass, plastic, or stainless steel is ok], mix flour with 2 cups of cold water. The mixture should be quite soupy. Cover with double layer of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band--this will allow yeasts and bacteria to get in but will keep insects out. In warm weather, you may set the bowl outside in the sade if you live in an unpolluted area and no pesticides have been used in your garden. Otherwise, keep it in a warm open area indoors or on a patio [Editors Note: We keep our starter on top of the refridgerator].

The next day and every day for a total of 7 days, transfer the starter to the other clean bowl and add 1 cup freshly ground rye flour (1/2 cup rye berries) plus 1 cup cold water. Cover and let stand [Editors Note: Don't forget to mix well with a wisk!]. Repeat every day for 7 days. After a few days the starter will begin to bubble and develop a wine-like aroma. It should go through a bubbly, frothy stage and then subside. After 7 days, the starter is ready for bread making. Use 2 quarts for a batch of sourdough bread, but save the leftover for your next batch of starter. If not using remaining starter immediately [Editors Note: re-starting it for a batch of bread a week from now], you may store it in airtight jars in the refrigerator or freezer.

Do not be tempted to add honey to your starter, as some recipes require. Honey encourages the proliferation of yeasts at the expense of lactic-acid-producing bacteria and may give you an alcoholic fermentation.

To start a new batch of starter, place the quart of leftover starter in a clean bowl. Add 1 cup freshly ground rye flour plus 1 cup water every day, changing bowls, until 3 quarts are obtained [Editors Note: I keep it going for a week and then have a little over 2 quarts--this works perfect for our family for making bread].
----

PART 2: Sourdough Bread

2 quarts sourdough starter
13 cups freshly ground spelt, kamut or hard winter wheat [Editors Note: We use hard winter wheat just because that is what we have on hand. We would like to experiment with other grains]
2 1/2 tablespoons coarse sea salt [Editors Note: We use Celtic sea salt from Trader Joes]
about 1 1/2 cups cold filtered water

Traditional sourdough bread, prepared with a starter rather than with yeast, has a delicious flavor but tends to be heavy for modern tastes. Spelt gives the most satisfactory loaf.

Your starter should be at room temperature and have gone through the bubbling, frothy stage.

[Editors Note: The recipe calls for making the bread by hand, but see below for directions to use a food-processor/bread mixer like a Kitchen Aid or Bosch]
Place starter, salt and 1 cup water in a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until the salt crystals have dissolved. Slowly mix in the flour. Towards the end you will find it easier to mix with your hands. You may add the other 1/2 cup of water if the dough becomes too thick. It should be soft and easy to work. Knead by pulling and folding over, right in the bowl, for 10 to 15 minutes; or knead in batches in your food processor.

[Editors Note: We use our Bosch to make the bread, so we follow these directions: Place starter, salt and 1 cup water in Bosch bowl, pulsing with bread dough hook to mix. Mill grain allowing time for salt to dissolve in water and starter. Add 8 cups flour. Turn Bosch on to speed 1, and allow flour to work into dough. Continue adding flour by 1 or 1/2 cup increments until dough pulls away from sides of bowl leaving it "clean". Continue kneading in machine for an additional 5 minutes.]

[Editors Note: Turn dough out onto large flat surface.]

Without pressing down the dough, cut or shape loaves into the desired shapes or place in 3 large well buttered loaf pans or 5-6 smaller loaf pans [Editors Note: We shape the dough into 4 loaves, dividing it in half, "pinching" not tearing or cutting the dough into the shapes. Shape into 4 loaves. Make sure the pans are WELL buttered. Butter works better than oil or oil spray.]. Cut a few slits in the top of the dough, cover and let rise from 4 to 12 hours, depending on temperature. [Editors Note: In the winter, we let ours rise by the wood stove.] Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour [Editors Note: More like 45-50 minutes]. Allow to cool before slicing.

The break will keep for up to a week without refrigeration. [Editors Note: Tastes much better in the first few days when it has the "spongy quality"].

Recipe from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon with bountiful Editor's Notes courtesy of the Serven Clan Kitchen.

California-Missouri Connections

A few days ago when I looked at our friend Lydia's blog, I saw that our family had been "tagged"! [Editors Note: For those of you who like me are still learning blogger lingo, "tagging" is sort of like an electronic informational chain letter thing. You don't have to do it, only if you want to]. As this tag related to some things near and dear to our heart, stories and facts about the states we have lived in, we decided to participate. : )

Ever since we were considering moving to Missouri, we noticed some fascinating connections between California and Missouri. We thought you all might be interested in seeing a couple of those highly intellectual and life changing facts. : )



1. Mother and Child: We have always loved the west and were quite loathe to leave in in June 2005. It was some comfort to know that one of Missouri's names is "The Mother of the West". As we were transferring our loyalties to a new state, it was comforting to think that we were not just making an across the country move, it was a move to a bigger circle of ministry. Instead of just working for God's glory in the state of California, our efforts were now going to be in "The Mother of the West" and thus affecting many communities across the nation. It has been so wonderful to see how the Lord has blessed us by allowing us to meet so many of God's people all over the country. We must admit though, we'll always have a particular fond place in our heart for the states of California and Missouri.

2. Icy Delights: The World's Fair in 1904 was the place to be. Held on the grounds of Forest Park in St. Louis Missouri, this fair was the place of some very significant events. [Editors Note: Our family has taken much delight in exploring the beauties of Forest Park--we have done so many things there over these last 20 months. Here, here, here, here, and here are just a few examples chronicling things done in that wonderful setting]. Three particular vendors at the World's Fair make the all important connection between California and Missouri. The first vendor, an ice cream man, as he dutifully scooped away during those hot balmy days, realized with horror that he had run out of paper cups in which to serve the ice cream. He questioned a neighboring waffle vendor and they worked out a mutually beneficial business deal--roll up the waffles and put the ice cream inside of them--and ice cream cones were born! The second icy notable regards Richard Blechyden, a marketer of hot tea. In the warm weather of the fair, he decided to make a novel change for the summer time--he put ice in the tea that he sold to customers. "Iced Tea" was a huge hit. The connection to California? All true Californians love ice cream and hardly any know what sweet tea even is.

3. Golden Arches: No, we are not referring to our least favorite restaurant. Rather, we refer to the similar shape between two famous landmarks of California and Missouri. In California, the Golden Gate Bridge stands as an icon of the west. By the way, if you have never seen the bridge, it is really not golden--sort of a orangey-red color officially titled "vermilion". Of course Missouri's Gateway Arch is another universally recognized landmark of Missouri and the west. We thought the inverted shape between them just had to be significant.

4. Shaky Towns: Earthquakes are another commonality between California and Missouri. In 1811 New Madrid, Missouri was home to the most powerful earthquake in North America. Affecting 1 million square miles this quake was felt up to 1000 miles away! We had plenty of our own earthquake adventures in California, but have yet to experience any of the midwestern variety. We would definitely prefer quakes to tornados any day--with an earthquake, you don't have to worry about it coming. You just remain as ready as you can be and then the Lord sends an little interruption to your day. : ) But, I know most Missourians would disagree.

5. Choo-Choo-Chuggin: The first train of the Atlantic-Pacific Railroad ran in 1870 from St. Louis, MO to San Franciso, CA. This became known as the "Frisco" line. 'Nough said.

6. The Fruit of the Vine: Before the prohibition, the little town of Hermann, MO produced more than one million gallons of wine a year and was home to the nation's second largest winery. Prohibition from 1920-1933 almost dried up the entrepreneurial effort in Hermann, but the wine region in Missouri is making a slow and steady comeback. California's world famous Napa Valley is home to more than 260 wineries, but our little neck of the woods on California's Central Coast boasted the moniker "Little Napa" and had over 150 wineries (let alone all the vineyards). Wondering the difference between wineries and vineyards? A vineyard is basically a grape growing farm, wineries can also grow grapes, but that is where they process the grapes into wine. Many wineries will purchase their produce from the surrounding vineyards. During grape harvest in CA it was always a busy time--one evening late at night after being in town, we were invited to journey to a vineyard and witness the harvest. In the moonlight they had huge machines combing the rows of vines, gently shaking the plants to bump off the grapes. It was quite the experience.

7. Today's Latin Lesson: In researching California and Missouri I realized that I had not a clue as to what our new state's motto is. Of course California's is "Eureka!" which literally means "I found it!" Perhaps it refers to the gold rush of 1849, the beauty of the golden hills, or the blue of the ocean spray. I think it perfectly sums up the fondness we have for the state and this beautiful corner of God's creation. In Missouri the motto is a little longer: "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto". I don't know hardly any Latin but according to official state sources it roughly translates, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law of the land". Hmm. A little too much democracy for my theocracy. : )

8. What's in a Name? Many moons ago, an Indian tribe of great proportions called themselves the "Missouri" Indians. [Editor's Note: I kid you not]. Because the Missouri Indians lived in a particular geographic area, they named a nearby river and the section of land after themselves. And you ask, what pray tell, does the word "Missouri" mean? Why, "The Town of Large Canoes" of course. Hopefully it does not refer to the large riverboats that line the shores around the modern city of St. Louis. Surprisingly, California's name rises from a potentially more ancient document. Las Sergas de Esplandian is a romantic novel written by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo circa 1500. In the novel he speaks of an island quite close to "Paradise" that is called "California". Early explorers Cortes and later his enemy Alarcon refer to this beautiful supposed "island" with a title similar to California and the name stuck. Other scholars believe in a much more pragmatic origin of the name: "cali" = hot, "fornia"= oven. Thanks to Wikipedia for these fascinating stories. : )

9. A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell Just As Sweet: In understanding the nicknames of our two favored states, a bit of mystery prevails. When we learned upon first moving here that Missouri was called "The Show-Me State" we diligently questioned our friends as to the reason for that phrase. Most said it had to do with the matter-of-fact attitude of Missourians. Sort of like a modern day Thomas. : ) Thankfully, the purported attitude has not been observed by us in any but a very few Missourians. California calls it's brown dusty hills "The Golden State". Remember, this is the home of Hollywood. All these good marketing agents are painting the picture they want you to envision. "The Brown State" just does not sound quite as glamorous. But even in the brown-ness of the western summer, a scene of golden hills dotted by the dusty green of the huge live oak trees is very beautiful. So is the verdant green of Missouri, accentuated in the spring with fuchsia red buds and pinky-white dogwoods.

10. Population Myths: In these days, there is a popular legend in vogue. It floats round the world, but is mainly embraced in urban areas. Interestingly though [Editor's Note: Someone please check my math and correct me if I'm wrong!!] these census observations show something quite different.

• 2005 Missouri Population: 5,800,310 people.
• Missouri Land: 68,886 square miles.
• Missouri People to Land: 84 people a square mile.

• 2005 California Population: 36,132,147 people.
• California Land: 155,959 square miles.
• California People to Land: 232 people a square mile.

Now here is the really interesting thing. For all you city folks, an acre is a little bit less that a football field. According to the math . . .

If you divided up all the land in Missouri and apportioned it out to each person living in the Show-Me State, each person would live on: 7.61 acres (almost 6 football fields).

If you divided up all the land in California and apportioned it out to each person living in the overpopulated crowded and burgeoning Golden State, each person would live on: 2.75 acres (a little more than 2 football fields).

That is more than plenty of room to have a home, extensive gardens, raise chickens, goats, sheep, and house a little cottage business. Hmmm. This smells like a conspiracy.



Well, that is our contribution to the "Interesting Facts About Your State" meme. You can click here to learn about the Hayden's Kansas, the Girotti's Virginia and Old Fashioned Girl's Georgia. If you would like to write 10 facts about your state, please join in the game and consider yourself tagged! Leave a link in the comments saying where you posted.

Too Cute

"Hey Rebecca, Can I have some brefkust? I'm starrrving!"

Pronunciation and Definition for Individuals Who Don't Have Enough Little People In Their Life . . .

"Brefkust"
Pronunciation: Pronounced phonetically as written, "BREF' kust".

Definition: The morning repast. The need for Brefkust is usually realized upon arising with much anxiety. After a request is made, the need is alleviated by an older sister dishing out a bowl of granola and milk. Several hours later it is followed by more substantial courses of scrambled eggs, sauteed vegis, and sourdough toast. Occasionally a "snayuk" is in order during the mid-late morning; depending on the situation this can be an extension of Brefkust.

Phone Calls of Providence

"Hello, this is the Serven's--may I please ask whose calling?"

I had been teaching piano lessons all afternoon and needed a break. My brain's fuzziness was accentuated by the fact that I had not done much with my hands that day except type and write with a pen. What I needed was a little bit of a break and to work with some trusty kitchen tools.

The smooth metal of the stainless steel bowl felt cold in my fingers as I lifted it gently off the top of the fridge. I reached around the edge of the bowl, carefully prying the rubber band off that keeps the open weave cheesecloth in place. Grabbing a spatula, I scraped the contents of the bowl into a fresh one, measured a cup of water and milled up half a cup of rye grain into flour.

This comforting daily ritual of "moving the sourdough starter along" is only interrupted one day a week when I turn all but a small amount of the starter into a hearty, spongy whole wheat and rye sourdough bread. After whisking the flour and water into the appointed bowl, I spread the cloth over the top and snapped the rubber band back into place. Walking back over to the fridge, I gingerly set it atop the high, warm surface.

All of a sudden, the phone rang.

After giving my usual telephone greeting, I was surprised to hear it was Mrs. __, a newer yet very dear friend of our family. We chatted a little about the joys of their newest little dear, providentially placed in their family by adoption. Gradually through, the conversation shifted.

I had scarcely hinted at some of my current struggles and concerns then she started talking rapidly. "I don't know if these are things that you are thinking about right now, but just in case, I want to share them with you . . . " Point by point she brought up and addressed several of the fears with which I have been struggling, telling stories of God's hand--of how He had worked in her life years before. Of course, she could not see into my heart and know what I was thinking. It was my Father's kindness in directing her words as a wise and godly older woman. In God's kind providence, He had purposed for her to call, for me to answer, and He guided our conversation into the areas I needed to hear.

I realized that I had now migrated from the kitchen and was perched atop a stepping stool in the laundry room, enthralled by the work the Lord had done in her life, and so grateful to God that He had purposed for us to speak together.

Many times I find myself praying that the Lord Christ would be pleased to "direct my steps and my conversations". And I literally mean each footstep; guiding me by His sovereign providence to the people I need to talk to, encourage and learn from. I believe the Lord is kind to extend His mercies to us in that way all the time--wether we ask Him or not. But what makes our trust grow in him is when we realize He is guiding each step and conversation for His glory.

"Righteousness will go before him and make His footsteps our pathway". (Psalm 85:13)

After earnestly talking and listening to this wise woman for nearly an hour, I queried, "Well, I'm sure you did not call to talk to me. What was your real reason for calling?" She wondrously expressed, "I think this was the real reason for the call--to speak so honestly and openly with you." I agreed wholeheartedly and smiled to the Lord as I passed off the phone to my sister.

How thankful I am to my Father that he sovereignly "knows our frame, remembers that we are but dust" (Psalm 103:14), and sends His saints into our life who He uses to bring comfort to our hearts.