WINTER HAS ME ASKING
For nearly six decades I have pondered
When the shadows cast nearly north.
And the sun catches the distant horizon
And the days of winter now set forth.
The winter solstice has me asking
What is it about the enduring night?
That sets in at the end of each day
When the darkness outlasts the light.
The "North Country" is where I call home.
Often, sunup to sundown happens to be my clock.
It is no use to fret that the day is done.
Makes little difference on the path I walk.
So, I will take each moment in stride.
Perhaps the seasons say it best.
The days of summer I work long and hard.
The days of winter it is time to ponder and rest.
I am reminded a lesson to adhere.
To everything there is a reason,
As the Scripture of old clearly states
To the passage of day and of each season.
Larry B. Reinhold
December 21, 2021
SUNDAY AFTERNOON FAMILY MEAL
Oh my... So good... Danny grilled the steak... Kiersten and Robin made the Swedish Rice Pudding for dessert. A nice Sunday Afternoon Family Meal.
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Good Black "Ranch" Coffee to enjoy after the meal... A real treat.
EMANUEL JACOB FISHER... A TRIBUTE TO YOU
Not a word to say, Daddy carried in
A pine box to be their son's earthly bed
Mommy whispered through her tears,
"I sure wish it was a toy box, instead."
A little boy conceived in love.
A dream to enhance the human race.
Delivered from the warmth of mother's womb
Into the loving arms of God's embrace.
In their home and in their eyes...
So much evidence of joy.
In their heart they know God is love.
But oh how they miss the heartbeat of that little boy.
Carefully they lay their son in,
This homemade box of pine.
They fold his blanket all just right.
And in the silence, "Mommy, Daddy will you be fine?"
Daddy holds Mommy real close and tight.
"Our son...'God With Us'... It's even in your name.
Emanuel Jacob Fisher.... A tribute to you...
We will be fine... But we will never be the same."
***
Larry B. Reinhold
December 10, 2021
DECEMBER 5, 2021
12/5/21 It was a good day we went to church we had a fellowship meal talked to friends and family and made our way home. That afternoon we went out on our place and cut down our Christmas Tree what a wonderful time of year celebrating new life. The 5th of December was also my beautiful wife's birthday, oh so much to be thankful for... As the evening approached and the sun had set in the west I prepared Mollys birthday dinner... we sat down and blessed the food and I thanked God for blessing me with a wonderful wife.. A short time after we found ourselves on the way to the ER due to a allergic reaction to something, some swelling and harder breathing was comming on. As I am driving and holding Molly's hand I thought Lord why on her birthday? Why the ER?
So many questions with no answers at the time, after some hours her swelling had let up some, her breathing was coming easier and the babys heart beat was checked and supposely in great shape so we left the ER being told Molly and the baby where good. That night we went to bed thankful we where all okay but wondering why
12/06/21 I went to work and throughout the day checking in on Molly to see how her and our 38 week old baby where doing... Molly was worried about our baby there wasn't movements like there should be. I encouraged her and told her the baby is okay i told her Molly just trust me and keep praying. Later that day I got home and our mid-wife came to check on our baby, as we waited for her to find the heart beat ... time passed still nothing ... we all rushed back into the ER a short time later molly was on the bed and they couldnt find a heart beat. God why? Why cant the find a heart beat? That baby was allways full of energy all the time and perfectly healthy... words cant explain what we felt we just held hands and cried until the tears stopped coming. We left the ER that night broken, confused and angry. Why would God take our First baby?
12/07/21 we woke up in hurt and in tears, my family gathered and prayed that day and that evening Mollys folks came in from SD. Many tears and aching and prayers that God would be glorified.
That night at 1145pm Molly's water broke and we rushed back into the ER, questions and tears and thoughts of I cant do this truly filled our minds ,how can we deliver this baby knowing its allready gone? ....
12/08 Molly was induced and contractions began around 1am, I sat by her side holding her hand and praying and telling her you can do this God is with us and I will never leave your side It was so hard watching my wife in pain for 14 hrs of contractions, and at 2:45 pm Molly delivered our baby boy, we held our baby and cried. We Grieved in every possible way it seems but God gave us so much peace and comfort. We knew our baby was allready in Gods hands. It was so hard to never hear our baby cry and to not see it move but our baby never had to deal with the sin of this world
It doesn't seem fair and we could blame
God but Molly and I belive and know that God will and allready has used our Emanuel Jacob Fisher in healing broken hearts and convicting the hearts of people who aren't walking with the Lord, and encouraging the hearts of many, and by the grace of God so much more then you and I will ever know or understand.
Molly and I are doing well thank you to everyone who has been praying and sending meals, we have a long road to travel yet but Gods is using our family of 3 for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Molly Reinhold Fisher was such a champ and I am so proud of her she truly was amazing and she never went on any pain medication durning or after delivery.
We will be having a funeral tomorrow where I grew up, with most of our family. The homemade coffin is made of pine that was cut right where the burial site is at.. God works all things for the good even when we dont understand. We are grateful for our little 8lb 2oz Emanuel Jacob Fisher.
Caleb's First Whitetail
Caleb's first whitetail and a pretty one at that. Nice tall rack on the buck, taken with a a beautiful shot with a 22-250 rifle. Thanks Rachel for taking the picture and the being part of the hunt. Great memory.
One Shot... All Season
One shot...
Four point...
Young Buck... Really pretty...
Good job Julia.
A Beautiful Sight
A beautiful sight as the full moon rises above the eastern horizon. What adds is that the reflection across the water is a full Swimmin' Hole. The rain we had in October raised the water level to about a third and we have been running water in from the well for the last month since we don't have the cows on the system. Even with most of our ponds still close to empty we are hoping that we can keep this pond full for ice skating this winter. And yes we are praying that all the dams are full next spring.
Weaning Calves East of the River
The girls and I just returned home from Spink County, South Dakota as we weaned our calves yesterday at the Mendel Farms. Sort of crazy to go over 300 miles to work our cows. The day went extremely well and overall the cattle looked pretty good. The cows were in good condition. The calves showed "a change of diet" but we are grateful to have found feed and to work with such a fine family. Danny and Caleb will return home tomorrow with the horses as they kept an eye on the calves today and then moved the cows back to cornstalks.
Thanks Rachel for the pics. We missed having Robin along with her camera, but as they say in the movies... "Someone had to stay back and run the ranch."
"WHAT GOD DOES"
Many live aimlessly asking, "What does God do?"
I live amazed proclaiming, "What God does!"
Larry B. Reinhold
***
Photos by Danny Reinhold from this morning over the ranch using his drone.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
A Little Western... Back East
Homemade Applesauce
Home made with love... And we love good apple sauce. Phenomenal apples (Haralred) that we picked from a very nice tree that belonged to some very nice people. And to make the task even more fun.. Grandma Ellen Paulton was part of the team. Excellent sauce and not a bit of sugar added. Will make some pretty good desserts this winter with a little cinnamon and cream added.
When making Apple Sauce… You start from the top.
Persevere...
Rachel… way to persevere. I know how much you enjoy gardening.... sort of your "get away". And what a summer... Hot and no water... had to replant... And today you invited the family to help you harvest pumpkins and we have been enjoying cucumbers... and when did you replant... July 15th... Wow... way to persevere. And by the way... I am waiting to hear the story of your garden in your words
Peace...
We have numerous peaceful views across the ranch. Thankful for these settings, where one can collect his thoughts and pray.
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I must say that the "drama of humanity" has weighed heavy.... Dear friends where their marriage is falling apart... a mother daughter relationship that is really "just a wreck" and we have been asked to help... the passing of a grandma whose grandchildren have long been a part of RBR... a family where the "patriarch" has died and a new chapter begins.
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We realize that we are privileged to offer help in time of need. Our hearts may be heavy at time, but the burdens may lightened when we support one another and allow God to have His rightful place.
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A timely reminder during troubling times is found in Philippians chapter four:
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our front yard... I was able to put some water on it after we took the cows east. Notice the rock work on the right.... My dad and his Dad, Emanuel, laid that up around seventy five years ago.
