Plenty of Room: Family Keys International | December 2020

PLAIN VALUES

4

Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER

PUBLISHER

KEVIN BILLE

GENERAL MANAGER

MATT YODER

ACCOUNT MANAGER // OHIO

AARON STUTZMAN ELAM STOLTZFUS

ACCOUNT MANAGER // INDIANA ACCOUNT MANAGER // PENNSYLVANIA

NIC STOLTZFUS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

JAN SCHLABACH

CUSTOMER SERVICE

BETHANY TROYER ISAAC HERSHBERGER

BOOKKEEPING // CUSTOMER SERVICE PRODUCTION MANAGER

SETH YODER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

LANDON TROYER

PHOTOGRAPHER

ELAINE TOMSKI

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

NIC STOLTZFUS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. DAVID MENTON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FERREE HARDY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MERISSA A. ALINK

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MARCUS A. YODER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DAVID AND KARIN HOLDER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JANUARY AD SALES DEADLINE

/

DECEMBER 4, 2020

Plain Values is published monthly by Room to Bloom. Room to Bloom is a nonprofit, tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Please contact us with any questions regarding Plain Values.

PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, OH 44690 Phone: (844) 260-4578 | Fax: (330) 601-4099 www.plainvalues.com | reachout@plainvalues.com

THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are © 2020, Room to Bloom. Individual copyrighted items, trademarks, etc. contained within are the property of their respective copyright holders. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed by any means without authorization from the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ offers, products, or services, and publication neither expresses or implies an endorsement.

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DECEMBER 2020

ISSUE 90

CONT PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE

// 22

An easy Christmas dessert for your holiday family gatherings.

PLENTY OF ROOM: FAMILY KEYS INTERNATIONAL

// 12

Horace and Phyllis Leister have created a home for an enormous family.

Their forty-four foster children have a God-stamped identity and purpose on every single one of them.

PLAIN VALUES

HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE

// 37

This is one of those things you should never need to buy from the store.

PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE

Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values. // page 9

FUNDS AND BENEFITS

Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. // page 50

GOOD STUFF WITH KEVIN BILLE

This month, Kevin discusses the importance of gratefulness. // page 51

ON THE COVER

A graphic showing just how large the Leister family is in Africa.

6

ENTS MillerTech

SKIN: OUR LIVING ARMOR

// 25

// 29

DECEMBER 2020

HOLDING HANDS // 33

MillerTech has expanded beyond selling lithium batteries; they are a distributor of renewable energy products.

God’s handiwork in creation is evident in everything He has made — even our skin.

“You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). Can you believe God is holding your hand?

COLONIES OF WEALTH

FEAR

WORMS: THE INTERNAL PARASITES

// 39

...the Russian Mennonites grew rapidly and had a tremendous financial, cultural and social influence on the society...

// 42

Part two of Tanner's story – discover if Tanner's bear hunt will end in success or in fear.

// 47

This month we will cover internal parasites, namely–worms.

This new section of Plain Values is devoted to showcasing local goods and services to our readers. Each reader will enjoy one of four editions, depending on where they live. Our hope is that the "Plain Pages” can be a resource in finding local businesses to assist you in your needs as well as in your wants. // pages 34

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DECEMBER 2020

MESSAGE from the PUBLISHER words by: MARLIN MILLER Is it just me, or are we seeing right and wrong switching

may move his heart to compassion at the right time. Here’s

places almost everywhere we look? In Isaiah 5:20 we read, “Woe

my point: let’s not stay silent anymore. No one will know your

to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for

perspective unless you share it. Let’s be bold.

light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet

~

for bitter!” As followers of Jesus, we need to be wary of those who switch right for wrong and those who replaced truth

~

~

~

~

A wise and humble preacher (in his 70s) recently gave a

with lies. We are called to a higher standard of righteousness

beautiful description of life I just can’t forget, and I want to

and truth; God’s standard of compassion and love for the

share his words with you:

downtrodden and those in need.

“God is working out his plan in history through imperfect

A good friend recently made a profound observation. He

people and in less than ideal circumstances. Think about your

said, “the only way to change a person’s view is dialog, genuine

own life, think about your own family history, think about the

deep dialog.” It struck me powerfully because a few days before,

foolish decisions that each of us have made along the way.

I had a great conversation with an older gentleman. We talked

Think about the things that we would go back and repair and

life, history and family. Then it went deep. He said if he was 20

redo and put back in place if only we could. And people say

again and his wife was expecting a baby that was not “normal”

to us, ‘Well you’re stuck now. You just have to live with those

he would push her to look at her choices.

implications forever.’ No! No, because our King, Jesus, he’s not

Then he added, “life is hard enough, I wouldn’t want to

only righteous, he’s faithful, and he’s gentle.”

add that”.

How wonderfully thankful I am for Christmas! His

I sent a barrage of mini prayers for guidance and asked if

coming is what made redemption possible! From our families

I could speak to that exact point.

to yours, Merry Christmas!

He grunted, “sure, knock yourself out.”

~

I told him it just so happens my wife and I have a son with autism and three younger children with Down syndrome.

~

~

~

~

Finally, we have been asked a few times if Room to Bloom

Before I could say anymore, he cut in and said, “What!

has a board in place, and I am happy to say it has had one from

How’d that happen?”

the very beginning. I simply did a poor job of communicating

I shared with him we adopted them all, and then I said, “I

that clearly. I do apologize. Thank you.

understand your thought on life being hard and all that but I

As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //

can tell you from experience… our kids are worth it! They have dignity and they make our life fuller and bring joy to everyone they meet. There are many times it’s not easy but it’s always worth it because our kids are worth it!”

He was quiet for ten seconds and then ended our conversation with, “Difference of opinion I guess.”

Now, I doubt that old guy will change his mind even in the slightest, but maybe it was a seed planted and could grow to become something more. The words I shared with him

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DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

PLENTYof ROOM

A Family of Forty-Four, and the God That Brought Them Together

Horace and Phyllis Leister have created a home

words by: ELAINE TOMSKI

for an enormous family. Because their forty-four foster children's identities require protection from

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

public display, the names listed above are fictional.

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

However, there is a real name and a God-stamped

and laid him in a manger;

identity on every single one of them. Their hope

because there was no room for them in the inn.

(in Swahili, tumaini) is in God, and their home is

LU K E 2 : 7

named accordingly. Welcome to the Tumaini Home,

Imagine Christmas dinner is ready, and mothers

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where there is always room for love.

worldwide are calling children to the table by name.

The vision of the Tumaini Children's Home is

If the family is large, she takes a big breath before

"to see children, and people in general, who have

rattling off the list. However, Phyllis Leister must

been orphaned or abandoned know that this is

pause several times for a breath while calling her

not their identity, giving them a new truth. Their

children one-by-one. The call for dinner might sound

identity exists in their Father and Creator. Their

like this. "Leroy, Lydia, Uriah, Cindy, Amy, Ann,

future potential is as large as He is. We hope

Abigail, Ava, James, Hannah, Andrew, Rosemary,

to bring about this new knowledge of identity,

Kyle, Aaron, Thomas, Silas, Noah, Melissa, Lucas,

potential, and a promising future by creating a

Eva, Josh, Leah, Layla, Benson, Dana, Josiah, Lee

loving, Godly home and family environment for

Ann, Jason, Karen, Julianna, Landon, Leon, Lavon,

those who have been set aside and discarded,

Jeremiah, Mary, Isaac, Micah, Jesse, Loretta, Jacob,

giving them value and worth by our actions and

Ethan, Laura, Abe, and Rueben, it's time to eat!"

sacrifices as Godly parents."

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

New Beginnings

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

children worldwide. During this meeting, Horace

How does a family gain forty-four children,

also heard God's call to missionary work in Africa.

you ask? Let's start at the beginning of the story

He first questioned that call because his son, Josh,

and discover how God's plan for the Tumaini

had always been the one with a dream to serve

family unfolds.

in Africa. However, several months later, Horace

Horace and Phyllis were married in 1975 and,

received a word of confirmation. The Leisters sold

in their twenties, committed to fully follow Christ.

their Genesee, Idaho, home of sixteen years and

God gave them a love for children and a desire to

solidified plans to follow the call. In 2006, Horace

provide home and family for children who need

and Phyllis attended Schools for Pastors in Eldoret,

both. Living in the Pacific Northwest of the United

Kenya, and discovered the place where God was

States, they served as foster parents for eighteen

calling them to help orphaned and vulnerable

years,

children.

children. Within a year, they moved to the Eldoret

Their immediate family grew to eight children,

fostering

over

one

hundred

area, with four of their eight children. Their purpose

including five adoptions, with a growing number of

was to build not an orphanage but a home.

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Horace

served

as

a

deacon,

The Tumaini Children's Home is all about and

family. Many children who desperately needed a

ultimately an ordained pastor. Phyllis served in

elder,

family came to the home: there were children who

children's ministry, and together they taught

were rescued from garbage dumps, infants who had

marriage seminars. While attending a conference

been abandoned naked in the hot sun, and a baby

with other church leaders, Horace and Phyllis

who was rescued from a rat-infested latrine. All of

heard a presentation on providing homes for

these abandoned little ones found a place of safety, 13

DECEMBER 2020

HORACE AND PHYLLIS LEISTER // above PHYLLIS WITH HER FOSTER-SON // below

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and love with the Leister family. Children continued to come until Horace and Phyllis thought they could take no more. Thirty-three children seemed like plenty enough for one family.

Becoming Family Keys International As the family grew, so did their support, their mission's reach, and their building projects.

Their oldest son Josh decided to remain in Kenya with his parents. He became a Certified Clinical Officer, which is similar to a physician’s assistant. Josh, along with his wife Rachel, who is a nurse, tended to the medical needs of the Kenyan people.

Many infants come to the Leister family in critical condition, so Josh lovingly tends to their urgent needs and all medical needs of the Tumaini children. Gratefully, all of the abandoned, vulnerable, and malnourished children brought to the Leisters have survived.

In addition to their medical mission, Josh, Rachel, and their four children, together with Horace and Phyllis, help abandoned children understand the original intent for the family. "Advancing God's Kingdom through His love of family and the generations." They are Family Keys International (FKI), and they live out the truth of Psalm 22:27, "There are no orphans in God's family and

required. Therefore, God has circled the Leisters with an

our Father lacks nothing."

invaluable team of supporters.

FKI is located on a ten-acre farm, including a vast

One such supporter is the Nussbaum family from

home, workshop, schoolhouse, playground, basketball

Dalton, Ohio. Jeremy and Kelly Nussbaum and their

court, fire pit, prayer garden, vegetable garden, and fields

children have been supporting the Tumaini Home since

of maize and beans. On the back acre is a house and barn

2015, developing a close relationship with Horace, Phyllis,

for Josh and Rachel Leister's family. FKI also leases an

and the children. Kelly is in contact with someone from

additional ten acres adjacent to their farm. Maize, beans,

the Tumaini Home almost daily.

and oats fill these fields with the hope of feeding their

The Nussbaum family first learned of the Tumaini

families and many others who cannot feed themselves.

Children's Home one day during homeschool when

Because many guests and supporters will travel to

Sandi Stoltzfus shared her experience of Kenya. Sandi

Eldoret to lend a helping hand, a guest house is also in

and her late husband, missionary aviator Brian Stoltzfus,

the works. Every structure, garden, and field has been

served with Samaritan's Purse in Eastern Africa. During

built, created, or planted by the Leisters, friends of the

Sandi's visit, she asked the Nussbaum children, "Can

mission, and through the support of generous donors.

you imagine having thirty-three brothers and sisters?"

God supplies the funds, and his people accomplish

Jeremy and Kelly’s seven-year-old son Daylan cried out

the work.

emphatically, "NO!" No way could he imagine having

Room for Support

that many siblings! He also could not imagine the

As the family grows, so must the support grow.

Tumaini children not having their own toothbrushes.

Extra hands, extra hearts, and additional funds are

However, when there are thirty-three children aged

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DECEMBER 2020

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eight years or younger, it is not possible to keep track of all those toothbrushes. Therefore, Kelly says, "They gather the toothbrushes every morning and boil them, so they don't mix their germs."

Although Daylan came to understand why the children couldn’t have their own toothbrushes, he strongly believed they needed some things to call their own. So, he began drawing pictures to sell, raised money, and purchased a new pair of shoes for all thirty-three children. The Nussbaum's seven-year-old son started

"...AT A TIME WHEN MANY PEOPLE ARE READY TO RETIRE, HORACE AND PHYLLIS CHOOSE TO PARENT FORTY-FOUR BLESSED CHILDREN."

the family tradition of raising money every year to help supply Tumaini children's needs. Kelly also uses photographs to memorize the children's names as she prays for each one. Through Kelly Nussbaum's visit to the Tumaini Children's Home in February 2020, we gain an eyewitness account of family love spread across the FKI acres in Eldoret, Kenya.

Tumaini Family Life Horace is a builder by trade. The head of the Tumaini household needs building skills to accomplish multiple ongoing projects and repairs. He also manages the farm. His kingdom work requires a strong back, math mind, trowel, hammer, welder, and the patience to teach young ones the same skills along the way. As an ordained pastor, Horace is also well equipped to be the spiritual leader of the family. He shares his open Bible with the children and, no doubt, spends much time on his knees in prayer.

Phyllis has always been a homemaker. At times, she taught preschool and kindergarten. She was a school bus driver, a counselor, and served as a foster parent recruiter. It seems God was preparing Phyllis and her mother's heart for their Tumaini family. Can you imagine the massive amount of laundry, shopping, and meals she must manage? On the blessing side, how many hugs does she share every day? And imagine the difference she is making in each of their lives!

The Leisters had stopped adding to the Tumaini family when they reached thirty-three children. Horace and Phyllis were becoming old enough to be concerned about raising the children to adulthood. However, they changed their minds when they discovered abandoned babies were dying with no one else to rescue them. Even the local hospital lacked funds to keep the infants alive.

A FAMILY GATHERING TO SHARE A GENEROUS DONATION OF NEW SHOES

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DECEMBER 2020

"PART OF SHOWING CHILDREN HOW TO BE A FAMILY INVOLVES FORGIVENESS. EVERY ONE OF THE TUMAINI CHILDREN HAS AN ABANDONMENT STORY."

So, in the spring of 2019 Horace and Phyllis reopened

Part of showing children how to be a family involves

their doors. Within nine months, they welcomed eleven

forgiveness. Every one of the Tumaini children has an

more babies, making the total of forty-four children.

abandonment story. The Leisters work with each child

Today at the age of sixty-eight and sixty-three, at

to deal with their trauma, and they help the children

a time when many people are ready to retire, Horace

to find forgiveness for their birth parents. Horace and

and Phyllis choose to parent forty-four blessed children.

Phyllis point them to God, who has graciously provided

Thankfully, Josh, Rachel, and their four children have

a way for the children to know what it is to be loved

come alongside. Family life may take forty-four times

and nurtured in the Tumaini family home.

the sacrifice, but the Leisters also get forty-four times

When a new baby made its way to the Tumaini

the wiggles, laughter, and love.

Home during Kelly's visit, she heard Phyllis say, "I

"Meeting basic needs is really difficult when there

always think of the mom, missing her baby today."

are only two parents and some staff with forty-four

How confused or deceived that young mother must

children to care for," says Kelly. Organization is critical at

be. Phyllis helps the children find compassion for their

mealtime. Each plastic picnic table has an assigned group

birth parents, so children learn how to be loving rather

of children, including older and younger children. The

than confused. The children learn what good parenting

meal is family-style, and the oldest sibling at the table is

looks like through examples in the scripture and the

responsible for seeing every child’s plate gets food. There

example set forth by the Leister family. Choosing

are no second helpings. Kelly says, "When the food is

forgiveness blesses the future of the Tumaini children

gone, it's gone! They do dinner well. They make it work."

as well as the future of Kenya.

Somebody must also organize school time. Kelly

What does the Tumaini family do for fun? An

says, "Their homeschool is like a mini private school

occasional family movie night is always a delight. So

with hired teachers joining to teach a homeschool

are the family volleyball games with plenty of players

curriculum from the States." The school is lovingly

for each team. Phyllis claims, "Dad's team usually

named Shining Light Mission School. Can you imagine

wins." And how about family vacations? How do you

how many pencils, markers, and sheets of paper it takes

take forty-four children on a yearly vacation? You

to homeschool so many children? Recess time ushers in

don't. Instead, the Leisters make four different trips

playground fun and soccer games.

per year, taking eight to ten children along. They plan

When the school day is over, life-skill learning

small group activities over three days and two nights,

continues because there are now eleven babies needing

creating Tumaini family memories to last a lifetime.

care. The older children are helpful in the afternoon and

On one such trip, the rains came. Still, Phyllis said,

evenings. Kelly says, "They do a good job of jumping in

"Life is so good with family, even in the rain." FKI

and grabbing a baby and just playing with them. They're

is grateful for financial supporters who make these

pretty awesome. They know their little buddies and take

opportunities happen.

care of them pretty well."

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DECEMBER 2020

THE JOY OF REALIZING SOMEONE LOVES AND CARES FOR CHILDREN LIKE HIM

Room for Jesus Horace and Phyllis face a considerable challenge to

name, visited with them one-on-one, and gave them

provide financially, educationally, and emotionally for

their name-engraved copy of God's True Word. Kelly

so many children. But, Kelly says, "I know their greatest

says, "It was really cool to sit there and hear them say,

heart's desire is that they all love Jesus. After supper,

'Oh, I know God loves me. I know he sees me.' Their faith

everyone gets on their pajamas and ready for bed. They

is pretty awesome." During her one-on-one visits, Kelly

come with pillows and blankets to join together as a

asked how she could pray specifically for each child.

family for a time of devotion and worship."

The children asked her to pray that they don't lash

The Nussbaum family's fundraiser for 2020 creates

back at their sisters and brothers, and they asked her

a lifelong opportunity for each of the Tumaini children.

to pray that their words and actions be kind. She says,

Although the COVID virus traveling restrictions

"It really shocked me how much they are just like any

threatened Kelly's plan to visit in February, ultimately

other person on the planet with all the same fears, all

she was permitted to travel from Ohio to Kenya to deliver

the same dreams. Maybe more fears than some because

the best possible gift. The Nussbaum family raised

of the trauma they experienced early in life. They're

funds to purchase Bibles for all forty-four children. And

just so funny and sweet and kind and happy! I guess I

on each Bible cover, the child's name is engraved.

thought, going halfway around the world, they might be different. But they are just like any other kid who wants

Kelly says, "In a family so large, it's easy to feel

love and attention and care."

unseen." So, during her visit, she greeted each child by

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Do you recall how one of the babies was rescued from a rat-infested latrine? Thankfully, she is now an amazing 12-year-old girl who struggles like every other girl about to enter her teenage years. Even with such a traumatic start in life, she's still a blessed child loved

by God and family. Kelly says, "It is amazing to me how Horace and Phyllis saw a need and moved across the globe to meet that need."

Room for Sacrifice Being called to serve in Africa does not come without sacrifice. Of their original eight children, Josh's family is the only one living in Africa. Horace and Phyllis's remaining seven children, along with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, have either returned to the United States or never left the country. For the Leisters living in Kenya, not being near their American family is a sacrifice felt by both parents and children. There is no possibility of a Christmas day drive to mom and dad's house from the U.S. to Kenya. Instead, they will celebrate Christ's birth back home in the snow.

On Christmas day in Kenya, eighty-five-degree temperatures will not bring snow. However, there will be plenty of snowflake ornaments on the tree. This Christmas, the flurry is to be found in the excitement of forty-four children who cannot wait for the celebration to begin. Brothers and sisters will wrap gifts for one

How to Support Family Keys International:

another. Children, ages nine-months to fourteen, will circle on the floor to sing out Christmas carols and wait to peek into the stockings all hung in a very long row of nearly four dozen stockings.

If the Lord is urging you to support Family

Although the little town of Bethlehem struggled to

Keys International, please find our donation

find room for the birth of baby Jesus, you can be sure

card on page 34. Complete it with your donation

there will be room at the table for all the Tumaini children

information, tear it out, and mail it, along with

when their mother calls each one to the table by name.

your check, to:

Perhaps, there was no room for the Christ-child at the inn because that is not where he chooses to be born.

Room to Bloom

Rather, in our humble hearts, He will dwell. And when

P.O. Box 201

we invite Christ in, there is plenty enough room, energy,

Winesburg, OH 44690

provision, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love to accomplish any task our heavenly Father gives us to complete. Horace

Funds designated to Family Keys International

and Phyllis, Josh and Rachel, and forty-four blessed

will be passed onto the ministry of Horace and

Tumaini children, live this truth out every day. They

Phyllis Leister.

understand the key to a family is God's love. //

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DECEMBER 2020

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23

DECEMBER 2020

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

words by: NIC STOLTZFUS Lester Miller was frustrated. He was working with his logging crew to pull trees out of the woods with a twelve-volt high-power winch on his logging cart, but the batteries they were using weren’t strong enough to keep up with the work. Lester and his crew went through up to eight lead acid batteries a year, and he was tired of constantly having to replace the batteries. Plus, it seemed like it was an unnecessary expense. Wasn’t there something better out there on the market that could handle the heavy amperage? So one day on the way home from work, he asked his driver to Google “best batteries on Earth.” The result that his driver came up with was a new and upcoming kind of battery promising to replace lead acid batteries: lithium.

Excited to see if they would work, Lester ordered some lithium batteries, but they didn’t work well. Undeterred by this, he bought his own lithium cells and assembled his own batteries. These batteries worked much better, and he found that they could handle the heavy amperage for the winch better than the old lead acid batteries.

25

DECEMBER 2020

reminded what his Dad told him growing up: “Lester, if

His friends found out about what he had done, and

you’re not honest, people won’t be honest with you.”

they asked him to build batteries for the work they were doing. Pretty soon, Lester found himself assembling

Today, MillerTech has expanded beyond just selling

forty to fifty batteries a month in his shop at home.

lithium batteries; they are a wholesale distributor of

People were impressed by the quality of the batteries,

renewable energy products. Their mission is the same

and Lester realized that there was a strong demand for a

now as it was from the beginning: to provide the highest

high-quality lithium battery. He realized that there was

quality products possible at prices that make sense.

enough demand that he could make batteries full-time.

When experimenting with developing high-quality

However, he had his concerns: he was newly married,

lithium batteries, Lester realized that you had to have

and he didn’t feel as if he had enough saved up to start

high quality every step of the way. Many lithium batteries

his own company. Besides, his dream was to own his

are produced in China, and Lester did his research to

own sawmill, not start from the ground up in a different

find out which companies produced the highest quality

industry! But Lester saw that it was a good time to get

Grade-A cells. As a result, all MillerTech batteries are

into the battery market: many Amish were transitioning

sourced from two of the top five Chinese lithium battery

away from propane and natural gas to more efficient

manufacturers. The batteries may be manufactured

energies and cost-effective energies such as solar,

in China, but they are designed by MillerTech here in

battery, and LED lighting. So, in 2017, Lester left his job at

America. Each battery is manufactured according to

the logging company and started MillerTech.

MillerTech’s rigorous specifications.

He started out making 40-amp lithium iron

In particular, MillerTech’s premium lithium batteries

phosphate batteries. Like other lithium batteries, they

are backed by a five-year warranty. Lester Miller realized

put out a high amperage and last a long time. From the

that, in order to have longevity in the batteries, it is

very beginning, Lester decided that it was important that

essential that you not cut corners.

he make a battery that was based on quality first and

For customers who don’t need a premium battery

foremost. He knew that it was easy to make a cheaper

for high-cyclical applications, MillerTech has developed

battery and not tell the customers about it, but he was

an economy line. These batteries are just as safe as the

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26

premium line and are backed by the same level of safety

One of the promises that MillerTech has for its

precautions. MillerTech’s economy batteries are backed

customers is that all products manufactured and

by a three-year warranty and are good for 1500 cycles.

distributed by MillerTech Energy Solutions have a

Another innovation in the market MillerTech

warranty ranging from 1 to 5 years, with all MillerTech

has provided is with using lithium batteries as solar

premium lithium batteries backed by their five-year

batteries. Many solar installations are still using lead

warranty. With MillerTech you can rest assured, that if

acid batteries, but these types of batteries are inefficient:

by chance, you have a warranty claim, it will be solved

they lose energy and take longer to charge. MillerTech’s

with an honest, understanding, hometown approach. //

batteries are 98 percent efficient and charge quicker than the lead acid batteries. In addition, there is not as

To request a catalog, order a product them, or

much heat build-up, which makes them safer and at less

inquire about dealership opportunities, give them a call

risk of starting a fire.

Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm EST, at (855) 629-5484.

MillerTech Energy Solutions has expanded beyond the battery market, with a focus on renewable lights.

One of their bestselling lights are their renewable-

“As one of Lester’s distributors, it’s

battery headlamps. Built with an aluminum frame, with

interesting working with his company and

bright LED lights that are highly visible and clear to see,

a privilege…I actually speak with Lester

they come backed with MillerTech’s 5-year-warranty

on a weekly basis, sometimes daily basis,

and up to 1,000 charges.

and I don’t have that kind of a relationship

Instead of having to worry about the constant

with other businesses that I work with on a

expense of buying AA or AAA batteries for your

business-to-business level, so I’ve developed

headlamps, all you need to do is continue to recharge the

a friendship with Lester.

same battery. Now in its second generation, these lights

“And I’ll back that up on the warranty: he’s

have a USB-C charging port, which is more heavy-duty

got more of a Costco thing going on where

and proven to charge better than the old USB ports.

customers are trusting him because they

A new product that MillerTech has developed is

know that he is going to stand behind those

LED directional lighting. Instead of using the corncob

batteries. He’s not looking for a loophole.

style bulbs that shine bright light directed outward,

He’s going to honor that warranty.”

MillerTech’s LED directional lighting is focused on only lighting up the area where you need the most light. This

JASON LEE

way you can use less energy and still light up the area

LDS Reliance - MillerTech Distributor

you need lit up just as well.

27

DECEMBER 2020

SKIN OUR LIVING ARMOR

PLAIN VALUES

28

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

words by: DR. DAVID MENTON Only a few millimeters of skin separate our bodies from the dangers of the outside world. Yet skin’s multilayered design provides us with the perfect combination of strength, flexibility, and durability. Unlike any spacesuit or body armor designed by man, this protective covering is alive, constantly repairing and renewing itself.

You have perhaps heard that “beauty is more than skin deep.”

While that is certainly true, the skin itself is beautiful and tells us a lot about people. For example, we recognize one another mostly by the skin on our face.

The skin’s blood supply and facial muscles even permit us to tell on sight when people are happy, sad, angry, or embarrassed. The skin is the largest organ in our body (weighing about 10 pounds [4.5 kg] in the adult) and covers the entire surface of our body, including our eyes, where the skin covering is conveniently transparent. Being on the surface, skin is the most accessible organ of our body, and thus must be marvelously resistant to our vain efforts to “improve” it with pigments, chemicals, punctures, and tattoos.

Skin, Thick and Thin Skin is generally classified as thick skin (on our palms and soles) and thin skin (on the rest of our body). With callouses, thick skin can reach thicknesses of nearly half an inch (13 mm). Thin skin varies in thickness from about 0.5 mm on the eyelid to about 2 mm on the back (1 mm is about the thickness of a dime). Skin is made up of three major layers called the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.

Each of these layers serves its own vitally important functions.

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DECEMBER 2020

"...LET US THANK GOD FOR OUR SKIN, WHICH IS SO ESSENTIAL FOR OUR VERY LIVES." Epidermis–The Skin's Outermost Layer

If the epidermis just kept adding new cells, our skin would grow thicker and thicker. To prevent this, the

The Body's "Miracle Wrap" The outer layer of our skin, the epidermis, is

dead cells on the outer surface must regularly loosen

subdivided into two layers: a thin surface layer of dead

their tight bonds and fall off the surface of the skin

cells, called the stratum corneum, and a deeper layer of

in a precisely controlled manner. In fact, every minute

living cells. The stratum corneum is made up of tightly

we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead corneocytes from

connected dead cells called corneocytes that form a

the surface of our skin. That comes to about 9 pounds

barrier between the living cells of our body and the

(4 kg) of dead cells every year! We are not aware of the

outside world.

loss because normally these cells fall off individually.

If we suddenly lost our stratum corneum, death

The outer cells can’t fall off too quickly, however. If

would quickly follow from massive fluid loss and

cell loss exceeded cell production by only a few percent,

bacterial invasion. Amazingly, over most of the surface

we would quickly lose our stratum corneum and die.

of our body, this critically important dead layer

Amazingly, cell loss precisely matches cell production.

measures less than half the thickness of refrigerator

Dermis–The Second Layer of Skin

shrink wrap. Indeed, we might call the stratum

The Body's "Leather"

corneum “miracle wrap.”

The dermis, which lies just below the epidermis, is

In thin skin, the dead cells are flattened like thin

comprised of very strong fibers made of a protein called

pancakes and are stacked on top of one another in

collagen. The collagen fibers are exquisitely woven into a

precise columns (Figures 1 and 2). Each cell is tightly

very complex tissue that in animals, such as cows, serves

attached to its neighbors on top and bottom by over

as our source of leather. The dermis accounts for most

a hundred little “spot welds” called desmosomes. This

of the skin’s strength and is highly resistant to tearing.

tight bond is necessary for the dead layer to resist wear

While the dermis must be strong, it must also be elastic

and tear.

and flexible to permit us to move comfortably. Though

In the thick skin on our palms and soles, the

the collagen fibers themselves are very inelastic, the

epidermis, and particularly the stratum corneum, is much thicker than thin skin. Here the corneocytes

way they are woven permits the skin to stretch much

themselves are thicker and interlock like jigsaw puzzle

like a double-knit fabric. Special elastic fibers woven

pieces (Figure 3). Thick skin is designed to provide high

through the dermis help restore stretched skin back to

resistance to wear and shearing on the much-used

its relaxed condition, much like the rubber strands in

surfaces of our palms and soles.

the elastic waistband of underwear.

Cell Turnover in the Epidermis

The Body's "Radiator"

The main function of the living layer of the

Another important function of the dermis is

epidermis is to produce the dead cells of the stratum

regulating our body’s temperature. When our body gets

corneum. As they mature, these cells become filled

too warm, heat in our blood needs to reach the surface

with strong protein fibers called keratins. It takes

of the skin so that it can dissipate into the air. To control

about 28 days for the new cells produced in the lowest

how much heat reaches the surface, blood vessels in

level of the living epidermis to rise up to the surface of

the dermis have valves that can divert the blood into

the skin.

smaller vessels (capillaries) in different levels of the

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dermis (Figure 4). Under control of the brain, blood

skin. Without these numerous sources of new skin

is diverted to fill these capillaries and dissipate heat.

cells, we would require a skin transplant for even a

The regulation of heat is further aided by sweat glands

skinned knee.

that pass through both the dermis and epidermis.

Conclusion

We have about three million sweat glands in our skin

God’s

that can secrete up to about three quarts of sweat per

handiwork

in

creation

is

evident

in

everything He has made—even our skin. Like so many

hour. Sweat, which is largely water, evaporates off the

other things, we take the protective functions of skin

surface of our skin, giving a cooling effect.

for granted. But let us thank God for our skin, which is

Hypodermis–The Skin's Deepest Layer

so essential for our very lives. Most of all, let us thank

The hypodermis, the skin’s deepest layer, can vary

our Lord and Savior who endured those who pressed

immensely in thickness. Most of this layer is body fat

a crown of thorns through the skin of His brow and

that serves as the principal source of energy when we

lashed the skin of His back to shreds. By His stripes we

are deprived of food. Strands of collagen pass through

are healed from sin, death, and hell (1 Peter 2:24). //

the fat of the hypodermis, anchoring the skin to For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand

underlying muscle and bone, limiting the mobility of

at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed,

our skin.

this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I

Most of the length of our hair follicles and sweat glands resides in the hypodermis. Indeed, it is here that

shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not

hair grows and the sweat glands produce their sweat.

another. How my heart yearns within me!

When we lose skin in a deep abrasion, the surviving

JOB 19:25–27

sweat ducts and hair follicles serve as a source of new 31

DECEMBER 2020

Holding Hands PLAIN VALUES

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

words by: FERREE HARDY

2020 has been a hard year. It seemed like

bake. Would you rather send Christmas

our nation crashed into one disaster after

cards? Then send cards. But if you don’t

another with hurricanes, the Iowa derecho,

have the energy, time, or money for these

floods, enormous wildfires, political riots

things or some of your other traditions,

and fights, a divisive election, and to top it

then allow yourself to skip them this year.

all off—an invisible enemy called COVID-19.

Perhaps you would like to hibernate

Who could have imagined one year ago

like a groundhog until next spring. While

that industries would switch to sewing face

that’s just not possible, it is alright not

masks, that schools would close, businesses

to do some of the Christmas activities

would go bankrupt, unemployment would

that will cause you undue anxiety. But

soar, and millions of people would huddle

only you can decide what’s right for you.

alone behind locked doors, afraid to go out?

Some people need to cocoon and rest.

As if preparing for a blizzard up north

Others need to be around people and give

or a hurricane down south, people stormed

of themselves. You might cry, but that’s

the grocery stores and bottled water, bread,

normal and to be expected.

and milk flew off the shelves. I won’t even

Many people tell me that memories of

mention the toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

the first Christmas without their loved ones

And then we waited to get sick. Some did, and sadly, some died. Worse yet, some died alone and some grieved alone. And in some cases churches had to close.

2020 was extremely stressful and lonely, and that was magnified even more for everyone who lost a loved one. As we turn our calendar pages to December, we’re reminded that Christmas is coming.

What will it be like? I can assure you that it will be different, but it doesn’t have to be another disaster.

If this is the first Christmas without your loved one, my heart goes out to you.

Please be kind to yourself. Decide ahead of time what changes you will make. Do you love baking Christmas cookies? If so, then

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DECEMBER 2020

are a blur. The first Christmas seemed very important

first times back to church after Bruce died, a lady saw

as it approached, but in hindsight it wasn’t all that

me sitting all alone. She slid in next to me and grabbed

they made it out to be. It’s good to relax a bit; grief is

my hand. She held on tight through the whole sermon.

exhausting enough. (If you’re like me that’s very hard to

Sometimes she’d groan a little because she had chronic

admit.) Please don’t force yourself to try to do all you’ve

back pain and sitting there was very uncomfortable for

done in the past; pray about it and then do what’s most

her. With her aching back and my aching heart, we were

meaningful for you and your children.

together in our pain. No words were necessary.

Despite the difficulties of widowhood, the challenges

We usually don’t need to talk much when we’re

of COVID-19, and the deep loneliness and stresses

holding hands. The simple togetherness says it all. Did

brought on by 2020, the true message of Christmas is

you know that God also will hold our hand? “You hold

evermore powerful this year.

me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). Can you believe God

If I could design a Christmas card to mail to you,

is holding your hand? Can you believe he never lets go?

here’s what it would look like: the front of it would

In John 10:28-29, Jesus explains that no one can ever

show two people holding hands. Not shaking hands,

break his grip on us.

that’s done for greeting or agreement. What I mean

The Christmas story reminds us that, “God is with

is the “togetherness” way of holding hands. The two

us” (Matthew 1:23). The picture of holding hands on the

people might be a grandson holding a grandma’s hand

front of my imagined Christmas card is just right for

as they cross the street together. Or picture how you

this year, especially if you picture that it’s Jesus holding

used to hold hands while sitting on the couch with

your hand.

your husband or wife. That was a special kind of

Now, still using your imagination, slowly open my

togetherness, wasn’t it? Many other ideas could come

Christmas card to you. It will show all of us holding

to mind, too. Envision two little 3-year-olds enchanted

hands! We are kneeling together to worship at the birth

with each other and not letting go, or a newborn baby

of this wonderful Savior—the One who holds our hands.

clutching her mama’s finger...

He has led us through this dark and discouraging year.

I also love to see elderly couples holding hands.

He’s been with us in our sorrow and pain. He will never

In August, a man and wife in Ecuador, South America,

let go of us and nothing can break his hold on us. His

set the world’s record as the world’s oldest married

name, Immanuel, which means “God is with us,” is also

couple. Cameras flashed snapshots. In each picture,

his promise. He has been, he is, and he will continue to

they were holding hands or touching shoulders. He’s

be together with us.

All the calamities, grief, and stress of 2020 have not

110 and she’s 105. In February, they’ll celebrate their

separated us from his love and care. Tears may flood

80th wedding anniversary.

our eyes, grief may break our hearts, but nothing can

There’s something special about holding hands.

separate us from his grip of love. In spite of everything,

I will always cherish the time my Great-Aunt Millie

we have a reason to rejoice!

visited from California and came to church with me in

Merry Christmas everyone! //

Ohio. Her husband had died a few months after mine.

She held my hand all through the service; it was unusual

Until next month,

for me because I’m not much of a hand-holder, but we

ferree l

were together in our sorrow. Another time, one of my

NEW ADDRESS! To learn more about widowhood, order a copy of Postcards from the Widows’ Path – Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth. It’s a gentle, biblical guide for widows that has many saying, “This is the best I’ve ever read!” Contact your local Christian bookstore or mail a check for $14.99/copy (paperback, 248 pgs.), along with your address to: Ferree Hardy, 244 Sweetwater Landing, Dr., North Augusta, SC 49860. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery. Free shipping for all Plain Values readers! www.WidowsChristianPlace.com

PLAIN VALUES

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35

DECEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

homestead

+

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

roots

words by: MERISSA A. ALINK Ricotta Cheese is one of those things you should never need to buy from the store. Why? Because it’s just so easy and so cheap to make at home!

Yes, I realize this recipe isn’t for “traditional” Ricotta Cheese (made from whey), but it’s a perfect homemade ricotta cheese recipe when you need a frugal and quick substitute in a recipe.

Once you learn how to make Ricotta Cheese, you will see that it takes just 5 minutes of prep time and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand, so there’s no need to make a trip to the store and no need to spend more money. Quick, easy, frugal…What’s not to love?

.............................................................................. homemade ricotta cheese ..............................................................................

Start by prepping your draining bowl. All you need to do is stretch some cheesecloth over the edge of a bowl and secure it with a rubber band.

Place your milk and the pinch of salt in a saucepan on the stove top. Turn the heat to

what you need • 2 c. Whole Milk

medium-low and place a candy thermometer in the pan. Stir occasionally until the temp

• 1 T. Vinegar (or lemon juice)

reaches 165 degrees.

• 1 Pinch of Salt

Once the milk reaches 165 degrees, turn off the heat and add the vinegar. Give it a little stir, just enough to move around the vinegar and let the whole mixture sit for a

• Cheesecloth • Candy Thermometer

minute or two. You’ll see the milk begin to curdle, much the same way it does when you add vinegar to milk to make homemade buttermilk.

Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth into your bowl slowly and gently. Let the cheese set on the counter for about 20 to 30 minutes to drain. Once the cheese has drained you can place it in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to use or you can use it right away!

This recipe makes about 1/2 cup of homemade ricotta cheese per 2 cups of milk used and will store for a few days in the fridge, but make sure to use it up within a week. Extra ricotta cheese can be frozen for later use.

37

DECEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

Colonies of Wealth words by: MARCUS A. YODER Last month we began the journey east into Russia as Dutch and German Mennonites settled in the Ukraine under the invitation of the Russian government. Here they were granted large parcels of land, and colonies developed. These were not communal colonies like the Huttterites; rather, each family was given a parcel of land that was their own. Most of the people lived in small villages and traveled to their land, which they farmed. As the colonies grew, new villages were started to keep the people close to their farms.

This pattern follows an age-old European tradition where families often did not live directly on the lands they farmed. This was for safety, and also allowed the best land to be farmed rather than settled in villages. Since the colony was first settled in 1788-1789, it was often called the “old Colony.” At its peak, the colony owned 405,000 acres and had a population of 14,000 people in 19 villages. Each family who initially settled here was given 175 acres. The people could farm

A SECTION OF THE "BEHALT" CYCLORAMA PAINTING

39

NOVEMBER 2020

“LIKE THE HUTTERITES, THE RUSSIAN MENNONITES GREW RAPIDLY AND HAD A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE ON THE SOCIETY AROUND THEM.” or develop other economic structures, such as factories and shops. The government promised these people freedom in religious matters, but they were not permitted to try and convert their non-Mennonite neighbors. They were exempted from military service and not forced to swear oaths.1 It appeared as though the Mennonites had finally found their place. Here they farmed, worshiped, and raised their families. As the colonies grew, they appealed to the government for more land, and other colonies were developed. By the late 1800s, the Mennonites owned several million acres of land and were a significant factor in the agriculture industry in Russia. By the early years of the 1900s, there were over 100,000 Mennonites in these Russian colonies, with none of this growth coming as a result of outreach, but rather family growth and resettlement by other Mennonites.

Mennonites developed not only farms and farm-related businesses, but also numerous factories and businesses, and at their height they accounted for over six percent of Russia’s industrial output. Some of the factories and farms employed hundreds of people, including Russian peasants and other Mennonites.

Their villages were well developed, and many of the wealthier Mennonites lived in large brick homes, with magnificent gardens and orchards. Old people’s homes, orphanages, schools, and hospitals were started to take care of their own people. These colonies were often seen as model success stories and were noted as the “most prosperous and well-developed rural communities in all of Russia.” 2 Since each colony was responsible for not only their religious governance but also their civic world, they soon became enclaves of culture much different from the Russian world that surrounded them.

In order to hold office in the colonies, one needed to be a Mennonite, which resulted in a small group of men who had tremendous power and influence. This murky relationship between religious and civil government is ultimately what led to the demise of the Russian Mennonites.

The first fissure that developed within the group was in 1814, about 25-30 years after the group had moved to the colony. A small group felt that the spiritual life of the church was beginning to diminish. Of specific concern was the lack of personal and corporate morality, the power that some of the leaders used in punishing civil crimes, and the support of the Russian military through taxes, etc. This group became known as the Kleine Gemeinde (small church), a name they continued as they later emigrated to Canada and the Americas.

Like the Hutterites, the Russian Mennonites grew rapidly and had a tremendous financial, cultural and social influence on the society around them. And like all groups that focus on self-goverance and isolation, the colonies grew rapidly but faced unique issues that would eventually lead to their demise.

It was these issues that would eventually lead their neighbors to retaliate and strike against them. That is story that will come a bit later in history. For now, we leave them in their colonies and move back to America to see what has become of their spiritual cousins, the Amish and Mennonites who had Swiss and South German roots. //

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If you would like to learn more about these people, or any other areas of history, please call or visit the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center. We offer guided tours of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265 ft. cyclorama oil-on-canvas painting that illustrates the heritage of the Amish and Mennonite people from their Anabaptist beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland, to the present day. Behalt means “to keep” or “remember.” We are open Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00 and are located near Berlin; you can find us at 5798 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH 44654. Please call (330) 893-3192 for more information or to schedule a day or evening group tour.

MARCUS A. YODER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMISH & MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER AND THE OHIO AMISH LIBRARY. HE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF CATHEDRALS, CASTLES, & CAVES: THE ORIGINS OF THE ANABAPTIST FAITH.

1) WALLY KROEKER, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE RUSSIAN MENNONITES, (INTERCOURSE PA: GOOD BOOKS, 2005) 11-12.

2) KROEKER, 23.

41

DECEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

PT Part

Two

II

FEAR

Turn Your fears Into focus

words by: DAVID AND KARIN HOLDER ~ Continued from the November 2020 issue of Plain Values ~ If you don’t face your fear, it can cripple you. But harnessing the power of fear can propel you forward into adventures you never dreamed possible. What you are afraid of doesn’t matter; what matters is how you handle it. Tanner Webb was determined to harness his fear, and the result would be life changing.

We settled into the blind, hoping today would be the day Tanner took his first bear. We hadn’t been there long when I heard a limb crack. My heart pounded in my ears, making it difficult to tell which direction the noise was coming from. I could see flashes of black dipping in and out of the timber in front of us.

Tanner’s breathing accelerated, and I could sense his tension.

I could imagine his heart must be slamming against his chest the same way mine was. As a 175-pound bear appeared to my left, his excitement grew, and I’m pretty sure fear was the last thing on his mind. The bear cautiously moved down the trail toward the blind.

The bear stopped 17 yards away. This was Tanner’s big chance.

With a deep inhale, he lined up his crossbow...

Zing.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

43

DECEMBER 2020

TANNER WEBB, ALONG WITH HIS 175-POUND BEAR IN CANADA

“TANNER’S FEAR OF BEARS, AND MY FEAR OF FAILING HIM, HAD BOTH BEEN CONQUERED. THANK YOU, TANNER, FOR HELPING ME REALIZE THAT FEAR TURNED INTO FOCUS IS A GOOD THING.”

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44

The arrow passed through the vitals of the bear, sending a red spray into the air. A perfect shot! Tanner

ANCHOR POINTS

was all smiles, and so was I. He had done it.

•

Tanner had killed a bear, but that wasn’t all. He

If you don’t face your fear, it can cripple

had faced his greatest fear, and in the process, he

you. Harnessing the power of fear can

discovered that what he feared most wasn’t nearly as

propel you forward into adventures you

terrifying as he thought.

never dreamed possible.

We waited in the blind just to make sure the bear was dead.

•

Pray about it; don’t worry about it.

•

You can conquer fear when you begin to see yourself doing what terrifies you.

I clapped the proud boy on the shoulder the way •

I would have congratulated Warren or Easton. “You

Conquering fear begins where self-reliance ends.

know who I bet is looking down today and cheering •

you on?” I asked. According to Tanner and his dad,

Fear holds you back and keeps you from fulfilling God’s purpose.

Tanner’s mom, Amy, had loved her son more than anything in this world. She’d always been his biggest cheerleader—which explained a lot about how Tanner had the tenacity to face his fear and do what a lot of

CONFESSION FIRE

grown men wouldn’t have attempted. Sadly, two years before, Amy had gone to work and, at lunchtime, had

•

laid her head down on her desk and passed from this

Fear can stop you dead in your tracks when you refuse to confront what terrifies you.

life into the next. Without warning, and only in her forties, she suffered a massive heart attack.

“She’d be proud.” Tanner’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “She also would have wanted to come with us. Her worrying about me would’ve ruined all the fun.”

Fear holds you back and keeps you from doing

We found Tanner’s bear less than 50 yards from

what God intends for you to do. If I hadn’t allowed

where he had taken the shot. Its coat was coal black

God to help me with my fear of tree stands, I’m not

and made a beautiful rug. Tanner’s fear of bears, and

sure what role I’d be playing at Raised Hunting. I know

my fear of failing him, had both been conquered. Thank

I wouldn’t be in front the camera as often. My fear

you, Tanner, for helping me realize that fear turned

would have set lim- its around me.

into focus is a good thing. Thanks for reminding me

Facing your fear is never easy, but neither is

that life begins where fear ends.

anything worth doing. Don’t give up, and if you fall out of the tree, climb back up. Staying at the bottom will

~ KARIN

~

~

~

get you nowhere. //

~

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for

- Like David, I believe faith helps us overcome

I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll

fear. For me, conquering fear begins when I admit to

hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

God that I’m human and need His help. I’ve learned to

ISAIAH 42:10

trust Him and believe He’s got my back. Keep in mind

MSG

that God is kind, loving, and patient. The more you talk to Him about your shortcomings, the more He’ll

TAKEN FROM: RAISED HUNTING: TRUE STORIES OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND

support and lead you in the right direction. I had no

THE ADVENTURE OF HUNTING. COPYRIGHT © 2019 BY DAVID HOLDER, KARIN HOLDER, AND LARRY DUGGER. PUBLISHED BY HARVEST HOUSE

real reason to be afraid of heights or tree stands; I was

PUBLISHERS, EUGENE, OREGON. WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM.

just unfamiliar and unskilled.

USED BY PERMISSION.

45

DECEMBER 2020

46

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

WORMS

The Internal Parasites

words by puppy expert: DR. TERESA HOXWORTH As a follow up to last month’s article on external parasites, this month we will cover internal parasites. The internal parasites that affect the intestines— excluding coccidia and giardia (which I covered in a recent article)—are worms.

Worms are more commonly seen in puppies, but also sometimes in adult animals as well. The most common worms which I diagnose are roundworms and hookworms, but I’ve also seen isolated cases of whipworms and tapeworms as well. I will be writing a brief summary of all four of these common internal parasites. Although most people have their dogs on a very strict deworming protocol, this article will serve as a reminder for why it is essential to continue these protocols and not miss any doses.

Roundworms are large worms that can be seen when passed in the feces of dogs. They are often described as looking like spaghetti. Roundworm eggs are large eggs, but you will need a microscope to see the eggs that are passed in the stool.

These eggs are infective between dogs by fecal-oral transmission. Roundworms 47

DECEMBER 2020

can also be passed from the female to puppies from larvae that become dormant in muscle or other tissue and then during stress situations (such as pregnancy) become reactivated. The larvae can then pass through the placenta and enter the puppies while the female is pregnant or enter the mammary glands and pass through the milk and infect the puppies. Puppies may get very sick from a roundworm infestation because roundworms eat the puppies’ blood through the intestinal wall. Signs include vomiting and diarrhea, distended abdomen (potbellied appearance), coughing and general poor condition.

Pyrantel and fenbendazole (Safeguard or Panacur) are treatments for roundworms and need to be given every two weeks to puppies starting at two weeks of age and to adults monthly or every other month. Females also need to be dewormed every two weeks along with their puppies. These eggs are hardy and can live in the environment for a long time, so it is very important when controlling these parasites to be careful about cleaning up stool to prevent animals from becoming exposed more than necessary. This includes cleaning up stool in play yards and outdoor areas as these eggs can live in soil.

Hookworms

are

much

smaller

worms

than

roundworms and will likely not be seen in a dog’s stool.

They will need to be diagnosed by looking at a stool sample under a microscope and seeing the hookworm eggs. These worms are spread from eggs being passed in the stool, the eggs hatch and larvae can either be ingested or they can penetrate the skin and migrate to the lungs where they are coughed up and ingested where the worm develops in the intestine to produce more eggs. The larvae can also be passed in milk to nursing puppies. Hookworms also ingest the animal’s blood, so signs include pale gums, weight loss, weakness, and diarrhea. Treatment for hookworms is also either pyrantel or fenbendazole. You will need to start deworming puppies and their dam at two weeks of age and then continue every two weeks until they are sold at eight weeks. It is also recommended that females be dewormed in late gestation to help control the larvae’s passage into the mammary glands. It is also important to clean runs and outdoor areas to help with control, as these eggs can stay in the ground for a long time, so it is important to pick up stool in outdoor areas frequently.

Whipworms are also small worms that can only be diagnosed by finding the eggs in a stool sample. They

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48

are less common than roundworms and hookworms.

may have no signs from tapeworms other than seeing

They are spread by fecal-oral transmission and most

the worms passed in the stool, occasionally weight loss

dogs do not show signs when infected, although they

and diarrhea may occur. Treatment depends on the type

may show weight loss and chronic diarrhea. Treatment

of tapeworm ingested and may include drugs such as

for whipworms is fenbendazole (Panacur or Safeguard),

praziquantel and epsiprantel and possibly fenbendazole

but must be given for three days in a row and repeated

for the rodent/animal tapeworm if given for extended

two more times, one month apart. These eggs can also

times. Since this parasite can only be spread by an

live in the environment, so cleaning up stool in pens and

infected host, control involves controlling fleas and not

play yards is vital for control

allowing the animal to hunt prey, and by not feeding the

Tapeworms can be seen in stool samples and

animal raw meat.

appear as smaller flat, white worms that are about the

It is important to work with your veterinarian on

size of a grain of rice. This is actually the best way to

an internal parasite treatment and control plan for your

diagnose tapeworm as they are rarely seen under the

specific situation. Routine stool samples and excellent

microscope. These eggs must actually pass through an

sanitation are important procedures that will be helpful

intermediate host before they can be infective to dogs.

in a parasite control program. //

There are two types of tapeworms, the flea tapeworm and the rabbit, rodent, or animal tapeworm. The flea or animal ingests the larvae of the tapeworm and then the tapeworm matures inside them. If a dog eats a flea, rabbit, rodent, or other animal that has been infected by

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH IS A VETERINARIAN AT DANVILLE VETERINARY

these tapeworms, they can become infected also. A dog

CLINIC IN DANVILLE, OHIO.

49

DECEMBER 2020

FUNDS an d BENEFITS //

URIAH AND LIZZIE HOSTETLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Uriah and Lizzie Hostetler. Their 5-year-old son has acute leukemia and is going to Akron Children’s Hospital every other week for chemotherapy, blood tests, and blood infusions. Each hospital visit takes anywhere from a day to over a week, and this process may take up to three years. All contributions and prayers are greatly appreciated. God bless you.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mt Hope Charities Inc., Po Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Hostetler NE District #134-1.

//

ELI AND AMANDA MAST FUND

Eli Mast is 25 years old and has Sarcoma cancer. A tumor is pushing his hip out, and he has developed a blood clot the length of his leg. He had to go to the ER multiple times for help and is now on pain medicine and unable to work. Eli and Amanda lost their son Andy when he was a baby due to health conditions, and there are many hospital bills that they are still trying to pay off from that. They have two little girls at home. A fund has been set up at their local bank. Eli & Amanda Mast, First State Bank, PO Box 910, New Castle, WY 82701. The need is real, thank you for helping.

//

ELI M. TROYER FUND

A fund has been set up for the Eli M. Troyer Family. On July 15th, their three sons were in a pony accident taking the life of Eli Jr. (7); their son Nathan (11) has been at Akron Children’s Hospital since then. He is still unconscious at the time and expenses are high. Thank you and God bless you for sharing. Tax-deductible donations can be made to: Mt Hope Charities, Inc. and mail to: Mt Hope Charities, Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope OH 44660. Attn: Shreve SW Church 74-1.

//

CLEMENS AND CHRISTINE BORNTRAGER FUND

Christine Borntrager has a chronic medical condition and she is in need of financial help to help pay her medical bills. Over the past few years, Clemens and Christine have traveled many miles to seek help for her condition, including two trips to Mexico and a trip out-of-state to Duluth, Minnesota. Handling these costs has been difficult enough, but recently they had to move out of their old house because of mold issues. If your heart is moved to help them, please send payments to BTC Bank, 3606 Miller Street, Bethany, MO 64424. In the memo line, write “medical fund,” with checks payable to Roman Borntrager. May God bless you for your help!

//

EDWARD YODER FAMILY FUND

Edward (55) and son Kenneth (11) were with a driver when a lady with three children in her back seat ran a stop sign and hit their driver’s car. Both drivers were killed. Kenneth and the three other children only had minor injuries. Edward had 9 broken bones and a collapsed lung. He was in the hospital and rehab for nearly 2 months and will have a long recovery. A fund has been opened at: Edward Yoder Family Fund, Choice One Bank, 1423 West Main St., Fremont, MI 49412.

//

HENRY AND LEONA BEECHY FUND

A fund has been set up for Henry and Leona Beechy. Leona has been fighting cancer, and she is currently in Arizona for treatments. Not only are they burdened with costs from the cancer treatment, they also have responsibilities for their children, ages 3-20. Any help would be appreciated. Make checks payable to: East Church #2. Mail to Mose Burkholder at 660 SW 65th St., Jamesport, MO 64648.

//

TIM FISHER FAMILY FUND

A fund has been set up for the Tim and Miriam Fisher Family. Tim is currently residing at Sunrise Meadows seeking healing for his mental health. Miriam is at home alone with their children; two of them are adopted children with special needs. With Tim away from the home, they have very little income. Their special needs children require a lot of care and generate a lot of expenses. Your prayers and contributions are greatly appreciated. Make checks payable to: First National Bank, c/o Tim Fisher Family Fund, 16652 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335. /

P L E AS E N O T E

/

If you are conducting a fundraiser to assist with medical or hardship expenses, please let us know and we will be happy to feature it for one month at no cost.

Funds must be payable to a bank, church, or charitable organization.

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50

Hey, what’s the good word!

appreciation for people, opportunities, and possessions.

Gratefulness. What better time to talk about this

They don’t take anything for granted and are not entitled.

than during the season of Thanksgiving, as well as with

Once you get used to looking for things to be grateful

everything going on in our world.

for, you will find that you begin to appreciate simple

As Oprah Winfrey once said, “be thankful for what

pleasures and things that you previously took for granted.

you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on

Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you

what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

want. Gratitude should not just be a sometime thing, it

This is something that I feel affects all of us from the

should be an all the time thing, the kind where you notice

inside out. It allows us to place our focus on all the things

the little things, and where you constantly look for the

we have been blessed to receive and not on the lack of what

good even in unpleasant situations. Today, start bringing

we don’t have.

gratitude to your experiences instead of waiting for a

Being grateful can affect you personally in many

positive experience to feel grateful; in this way, you’ll be on

positive ways, such as an increase in happiness as well as

your way toward becoming a master of gratitude.

a reduction of negative emotions and depression. Grateful

So, ask yourself this: what is one specific thing I can

people have better relationships, more resilience, less stress,

do to show more gratefulness? Write a thank you card to

and better health. Who doesn’t want any or all of that?

someone. Say a prayer for that close friend. Write down

When discussing this value with others, I tend to

five things you're grateful for every morning. Express

hear excuses: people create barriers that get in the way

appreciation for your possessions and opportunities. You

of displaying gratefulness more consistently. One such

become more pleasant to be around when this is a key

barrier is that we get caught up in going after what we

value in your life.

Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //

want instead of being grateful for what we already have.

We take that which is precious and dear in our lives for granted. Another barrier to gratitude is this assumption: “People already know I’m appreciative, so why do I need to say it again?” Practicing gratitude for others is like watering

Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or:

a flower: you need to keep repeating it over and over again to nourish the spirit.

To me, gratitude is a choice and mindset that we can

Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690

control. We need to make a conscious effort to choose it every day. Even when we get busy, it is important to slow down and choose gratitude. Grateful people have a deeper

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DECEMBER 2020