1
JUNE 2020
PLAIN VALUES
2
PLAIN VALUES
4
Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER KEVIN BILLE SUE WENGERD PHIL BARKMAN MATT YODER
PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER SENIOR EDITOR COPY EDITOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
ISAAC HERSHBERGER
GRAPHIC ARTIST
SETH YODER
GRAPHIC ARTIST
LANDON TROYER
PHOTOGRAPHER
BETHANY TROYER
CUSTOMER SERVICE
JAN SCHLABACH
CUSTOMER SERVICE
KAREN RABER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DR. DAVID MENTON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
FERREE HARDY
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MERISSA A. ALINK
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
NORITA YODER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DR. TERESA HOXWORTH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
JULY AD SALES DEADLINE
/
JUNE 5, 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.
5
JUNE 2020
ISSUE 84
CONT FATHER'S DAY CARD HOLDER
// 22
An easy DIY project for children to make for Father's Day.
THE MIRACLE OF TRANSFORMATION
UMCOMMON COURAGE
// 11
Did you know that the miracle of new life from an old creature is something you can see with your natural eyes as well as experience in your own life? One you can watch in a jar on your kitchen counter...
PLAIN VALUES
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
ON THE COVER
Thousands of monarch butterflies hibernating on an oyamel fir tree in Mexico.
6
// 37
The voices and actions of the women we will be hearing from in the coming months stand as a monument.
ENTS
JUNE 2020
SALT REMOVAL ON DEMAND // 25
NEW COLUMN! HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
How is it possible that certain birds can drink salt-saturated ocean water?
Merissa graces our pages with a favorite from her book, Little House Living.
Even in the midst of a world-wide health crisis, God is good.
THE BEAR REMOVAL TEAM
HEARTWORM
GOOD STUFF! WITH KEVIN // 51
// 42
Discover how Torry Martin attracted a bigger bear to his cabin doorstep.
// 29
// 47
A very timely and important topic for springtime –the treatment and prevention of heartworm disease.
SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE // 30
Focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can't.
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 for you to find local businesses in times of need, as well as in times of want. // between pages 32 and 33
7
JUNE 2020
MESSAGE from the
PUBLISHER words by: MARLIN MILLER
Gary Haugen, in his book, Just Courage: God’s
simply and making the most of what they have. The
Great Expedition for the Restless Christian, says you
gardening tips, recipes, homesteading advice, and
only really believe something when you do something,
instructions for making everything from laundry
when you act on that belief. You don’t really buy in all
detergent to cheese to homemade chicken feeders
the way until the moment you act on it. I love that! I
continue to inspire us to add new skills. Merissa shares
used to sell stuff for a guy who didn’t care one lick for
project ideas for the whole family to work on together,
words; he cared about actions. He used to say, “Don’t tell
and many of her recipes have become staples and
me, show me!” I wonder if God doesn’t think that about
favorites in our household. To kick it off, we’re sharing
me, about all of us, at times. We say one thing and then
our absolute favorite recipe. Many Saturday mornings,
either don’t follow through or, as I have done in the past,
we use this Chocolate Muffin Mix and bake them in
turn around and do the opposite! We are continuing to
donut pans for a special treat. As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //
improve Plain Values with a big goal in mind for the fall! I am so fired up to share it with you that I can hardly stand it… but I can’t! Not yet! You are just going to have to trust me and wait a little longer. It will be worth it, I promise! We will hand you a wonderful opportunity to DO something and ACT on what you believe. Something we can share with you is our new column, “Homestead + Roots.” We came across Little House Living soon after they launched their website in 2009. A fellow adoptive family, they also enjoy living
9
JUNE 2020
the miracle of
TRANSFO
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
CANINE CORNER
RMATION words by: KAREN RABER
Do you remember the miracle Jesus performed when his friend Lazarus passed away? Jesus had arrived on the scene, several days after the burial, to find Lazarus’ sisters weeping in despair while many others attempted to offer comfort and consolation. The scene was so dismal and sad that Jesus groaned in His spirit and wept, too. He asked those standing by to remove the boulder at the mouth of Lazarus’ rocky grave, then cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” Expressions of shock and sheer astonishment must have etched the faces of mourners as from deep within the grave, a shuffling like dried leaves sounded, and a figure cocooned in white grave-clothes emerged. Jesus asked the gaping bystanders to unwrap him, and they did. How could it be possible? Lazarus was standing before them in a body of vibrant health! Hadn’t they buried his wretched old body, shrouded in the blanket of death, four days ago? But here he was, pulsing with life! (You can read the story for yourself in John 11.) It was a miracle. Living in 2020, several thousand years after this incident, it’s tempting to think miracles are elusive or even archaic. We form these conclusions in part because we are too busy to notice
A MONARCH CATERPILLAR ABOUT TO BEGIN ITS TRANSFORMATION INTO A BUTTERFLY
11
JUNE 2020
the wonders that frequently occur before our very eyes.
changes slightly in color, indicating that changes are
Did you know that the miracle of new life from an old
happening inside its shell. First, it is a buttery yellow,
creature is something you can see with your natural
then white, then grey. On the fourth day, it develops a
eyes as well as experience in your own life? One you can
black spot, which is the head of the larva inside, working
watch in a jar on your kitchen counter, and one that you
its way out of the shell. When it has hatched, the larva
can anticipate in the future for yourself?
commences doing what it does best—eat! It will first
Were we to witness Lazarus’ resurrection today, we
consume its own egg shell, which provides an excellent
would struggle to understand, just as the mourners did.
boost of protein, and then it turns to its favorite food,
Because we wrestle to comprehend the supernatural,
which happens to be beneath its very feet. Milkweed!
God has provided smaller three-dimensional object
When the larvae first hatch, they are the size of
lessons in nature to help us understand. One of these
a human eyelash, making them very difficult to see.
lessons is found in the larvae of the Monarch butterfly.
However, the larvae do not remain in this minuscule
Now, you may have an aversion to worms, but before you
stage for long. In fact, by the end of the ten to twelve-
dismiss the idea, look beyond its worm characteristics
day larval stage, a caterpillar will have grown 3,000
and study the complexities and miracles happening to
percent! If you want to do some interesting math, take
the little creatures. Prepare to be amazed, then let the
your own birth-weight and length and figure out how
lesson speak to your heart as it was meant to. Here are
large you would have grown at this incredible rate in
some Monarch facts to get you started:
twelve days. Imagine the amount of food you would
The lesson begins in a mountainous region, far off
have consumed! To accommodate this rapid rate of
in central Mexico. There, in a few select locales, oyamel
growth, the larvae shed their skin, called molting, four
fir trees are swathed in orange layers of Monarch
times. During molts, the caterpillar stops eating and
butterflies. The butterflies are hibernating and hardly
concentrates on shedding its skin. It hangs head-down
move as they cling to the twigs and needles of the fir
from the underside of a leaf by its back five pairs of
trees. This high-altitude region provides the perfect
legs and remains motionless except for occasional
temperatures needed for hibernation—adequately cool,
writhing and the strenuous convulsions which course
but never freezing.
through its body. Its brightly striped skin darkens, when
then completely fades and appears loose and wrinkled.
temperatures begin to warm in March, the butterflies
Finally, it weaves a silky mat to which it attaches itself
bestir themselves and begin what is their sole objective;
with a pair of special hooks and, with forceful jerking
reproducing the next generation of Monarchs. After
motions, wiggles from the old skin, revealing a baggy,
mating, they begin to look for the perfect spot to lay
loose-fitting skin underneath. The caterpillar stretches
their eggs; the milkweed plant. Monarch females
happily in its expanded exoskeleton and, after resting
know that milkweed alone offers the nutrients
for a bit from its exertion, resumes its voracious diet,
their offspring will need. No other plant will do. The
stuffing its skin once more. This action is repeated two
butterflies migrate toward Texas, laying their eggs
more times during the larval stage.
After
hibernating
for
three
months,
as they discover patches of milkweed. Each female
Once the worm has reached its mature size, it will
butterfly will lay approximately 200 eggs. Once they
seek a sheltered spot high on a twig or leaf and prepare
have laid their eggs, cunningly placed on the underside
to enter the pupal stage. Here, its tiny jaws work back
of a milkweed leaf, the adult butterflies die. Under the
and forth, releasing a sticky, silky substance from its
leaf, the eggs lay hidden from predators, bearing the
spinneret. This substance receives its sticky texture
life of the next generation.
from the milkweed sap, which provides the perfect
The tiny eggs are the size of the tip of a ball-point
adhesive compound needed to secure the larvae to the
pen and will hatch in four or five days. Each day, the egg
twig for this third stage. The exoskeleton, or skin, of the
THOUSANDS OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES HIBERNATING ON AN OYAMEL FIR TREE IN MEXICO
PLAIN VALUES
12
13
JUNE 2020
THE PROCESS OF A MONARCH CATERPILLAR FORMING ITS CHRYSALIS
caterpillar splits open at the head and, for the last time,
literally liquifies inside the shell. While the worm’s
is shed to the ground. After the skin has dropped away,
body dissolves and its worm characteristics die, the
the caterpillar thrusts its cremaster into the sticky gauze
butterfly cells, which have been within its body all
it deposited on the twig and securely fastens itself. The
along, begin to grow. The larva’s stubby suction-cup
cremaster is a tiny, many-clawed structure at the very
feet will now be six slender and graceful legs. Simple
end of its abdomen and adheres to the sticky gauze much
eyes, which saw only lights and shadows, are changed
like Velcro. In fact, it adheres so well that when severe
to complex eyes, which now can see all around it.
weather elements such as wind or rain assail the pupa,
Amazingly, the ever-munching jaws are transformed
it will hold fast. Now the worm hangs upside down, and
into a long, double straw called a proboscis, and even
immediately, a hard shell called a chrysalis forms over its
the internal organs are completely revised because the
soft body. Emerald green in color, the chrysalis will hang
food for this new creature will also be changed. Yes,
there for ten to twelve days.
the butterfly hatching from this shell will still have an appetite, but it will no longer feast on bitter milkweed;
Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what’s happening
instead, it will sip sweet nectar from flowers.
inside? Scientists have discovered a way to peek inside the chrysalis with an MRI, but since most of us won’t
After ten to twelve days, the transformation inside
ever get to sneak-peek, we will have to be content with
the chrysalis is complete. The chrysalis changes in color
imagining what’s happening inside. We do know that
from bright green to black to transparent, exposing the
if you would poke a hole in the chrysalis (which I don’t
colors of the butterfly through its shell. The perfectly
recommend), only liquid would flow out. The larva
formed body gives off a fluid that separates it from the
PLAIN VALUES
14
shell, then the butterfly will push through the wall of
down for nectar but otherwise keep pushing toward
the chrysalis and emerge head-first. Once its head and
Mexico. This journey takes three months, and once
thorax have emerged, it will pull the rest of its body free
more, the Monarch butterflies have come full circle.
from the shell and turn itself about, hanging its hook-
So, what do you think we can learn from the
like front feet onto the ridges of the chrysalis. At this
Monarch? Don’t you think God is demonstrating what
stage, it is similar in size to a bumblebee. Its body is
He desires to do in each of our lives? If we give up our
chubby, and the wings, though vibrantly colored, hang
worm-like nature, this is what He promises: “A new heart
like wet and shriveled rags. Slowly, softly, it begins to
also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within
flap its wings. The black veins branching out through
you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your
the wings serve as straws to draw air and blood from the
flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26
body. The wings enlarge and flatten as the body grows
KJV). That sounds like a great exchange; brand-new,
slender and aerodynamic. After several minutes, its
pliable hearts for old, stiff, and hardened ones. It also
antennae move forward, and it is ready for flight.
sounds like transformation! Maybe our lives share
As the butterfly lifts off for the first time, it’s fun to
greater similarities with Monarchs than we thought.
imagine how it must feel. We wonder if it looks down
At our conception, we are created in the image of
upon its host plant and marvels at how light and free
God. We are given the ability to think and reason, love
it feels without stubby legs and an overstuffed skin. We
and hate, and be sorrowful or joyful. But because we
wonder if it remembers the yellow and green stripes of
are born into a fallen world and with a fallen nature, we
its humble body as the scales on its gossamer wings bend
immediately seek to use our God-given characteristics
to catch the light, giving it a shimmering, iridescent glow.
to please ourselves. Our self-seeking actions swiftly
And the feeling of gliding and soaring on the breeze—it
progress into a voracious, self-destructive appetite. We
must be exhilarating!
indulge until we feel sickened with the futility of it
This butterfly is one of the first-generation
all. We long to be who we were created to be; a man or
offspring of butterflies from Mexico. It will live for two
woman of purpose. We yearn for freedom from sin and
weeks, dining on the nectar of flowers and drifting
self, but to gain freedom, we must give up our diet—
toward Ohio, laying the eggs for the second generation
our thought patterns, our habits. We may try to break
of Monarchs. These eggs, too, will repeat the thirty-day
these vices on our own, but much like the caterpillar’s
metamorphoses and drift still further north. A third
shedding of skin, we expend large amounts of energy
generation will reach the northern states and the lower portions of Canada, where the fourth generation, also called the super generation, will hatch.
Our self-seeking actions swiftly
The super generation is distinctly different from the previous generations in that it will not immediately
progress into a voracious, self-
mate and die. This generation will now live for eight months and fly the nearly 2,000 miles back to Mexico. What’s even more amazing, these butterflies will fly
destructive appetite. We indulge
back to the same forests in which their great-greatgrandparents had hibernated! How do the butterflies
until we feel sickened with the
know? Secular scientists are still unable to explain these details, but it isn’t difficult to see the hand of our creator
futility of it all. We long to be
God. He directs and cares for each of his tiny creatures, and the Monarchs are no exception.
who we were created to be; a
As the fall temperatures begin to lower, the metabolism of the super generation changes, and they
man or woman of purpose.
know it is now time to migrate south. Drifting along like a leaf on the wind, these tiny but mighty insects touch
15
JUNE 2020
FINALLY, AT THE BECKONING OF GOD’S SPIRIT, WE REALIZE THAT OUR LIVES HOLD NOTHING GOOD OF THEMSELVES. yet remain the same, like larvae feasting on bitterness. Finally, at the beckoning of God’s Spirit, we realize that our lives hold nothing good of themselves. We need a complete transformation. That’s when we enter the pupal stage, and as we surrender our heart and will to Him, God refashions our lives. Inside our heart, the old nature dies and the new nature of Christ begins to grow. Just as the caterpillar has in it the building blocks of the butterfly but can never become one without first dying, so every person is created in the image of God but can never experience the life of Christ without dying to self. When we emerge from the chrysalis, everything has changed! The Bible states it this way, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). Now, like the butterfly, we are light and free, and our appetites have changed completely. We rise above our bitter host plant and see it for what it was—self. God has now given us the power to overcome our old lusts, and gone are the feastings on carnality. Instead, we desire nectar, the Word of God. Our lives now have purpose; instead of living for ourselves, we strive to bring others to the kingdom of God. We go forth with a burning desire to bring the next generation to the threshold of this transformation.
PLAIN VALUES
16
THE FULLY-FORMED MONARCH BUTTERFLY EMERGING FROM ITS CHRYSALIS
Unfortunately, after our new birth, we continue to live on an imperfect and fallen earth, and hardship and opposition surround us. At times it may seem that all the forces of evil have united to bring us to extinction. Butterflies don’t have an easy life after their transformation, either. While the previous narrative of the Monarch metamorphosis may have sounded carefree and simple, their populations have been dangerously close to extinction. In 2012, it was calculated that Monarchs were 90 percent extinct. Why? Well, several reasons play into the decline of this favored butterfly species. For one, they have natural predators such as birds and other insects, which eat both the eggs and the larvae and, sometimes, the adult butterfly. Looking at the big picture of our ecosystem, predators play a significant role in keeping the Monarch population under control, ensuring that the food supply and butterfly ratio are balanced. Another reason for the monarch’s decline in recent years is the agricultural practices of mankind, which have swung the pendulum from a natural balance to the endangered species list. It’s easy to blame deforestation in Mexico’s Monarch wintering grounds and several untimely weather events as the culprits of the decline, all of which are true. Still, other reasons may lie closer to home. Many farmers in the United States use highly concentrated chemical sprays to keep both invasive insects and weeds under control. While these sprays have strict guidelines for application, overspray onto the milkweed and larvae growing along fencerows and borders has had dire consequences. And coming even closer to home, our endeavors to keep our properties immaculate have been detrimental as well. If we wield weed trimmers in every corner of our properties and along creek banks, we may have unwittingly destroyed the milkweed and other wildflowers essential to butterfly reproduction. With such a combined force of opposition, it’s no wonder the Monarchs were disappearing! By 2013, people began to notice the decline of Monarchs with alarm. They began research of their 17
JUNE 2020
PLAIN VALUES
18
own, and then joined the efforts of scientists and conservationists to help the butterfly population make a comeback. Schools began to educate children on the importance of helping the butterflies in our ecosystem by planting butterfly gardens and raising the larvae. Children took the ideas home to parents who also joined in the battle against extinction. While most individuals are only able to help several caterpillars to maturity, every one of them counts! By 2017, in five short years, the Monarch population in Mexico went from two acres to ten acres, and in 2018, conservationists found a brand-new colony of Monarchs! And now comes the best part of our transformation. A Monarch will undergo metamorphoses only once. When they die, they will cease to exist. We, whose hearts and lives have been changed, are transformed twice! On earth, we live in failing and limited human bodies. We are subject to time and weakness, ill health and old age. We cringe from dying because the grave holds no beauty or attraction. We weep as the mourners did for Lazarus because we know that our body decays and turns back to dust. But the grave is the chrysalis our body must enter before the eternal soul within us can be transformed into a new and vibrant being. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, said this: Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 NIV) We shall be like Him! Our bodies will never again know death or pain, abuse or persecution, shame or reproach. We will have new bodies that will live forever. We no longer need to fear that day, but anticipate it with joy! Paul wrote of that day to his fellow believers in Thessalonica: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV, emphasis mine) We will be with Him! Can you imagine how a place must look and feel where the Lord lives and reigns? If a Monarch on planet earth can dazzle our eyes with its colors and beauty, we would be speechless with amazement if we could see what the Lord has in store for those who love Him! We get a glimpse of this place when we read Revelation 21 and 22, but we struggle to comprehend even that. We can only imagine because “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for those that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV). It is indeed a mystery, but that should only heighten our thankfulness, love, and zeal for Him. And until that day, let us seek out the object lessons—miracles—He hides for us in nature, like the Monarch! //
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FOR THIS ARTICLE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY BUTTERFLY ENTHUSIAST MARY ELLEN THORNBURG, AS WELL AS THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA AND LITERATURE FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE DIVISION.
19
JUNE 2020
PLAIN VALUES
20
21
JUNE 2020
PLAIN VALUES
22
23
JUNE 2020
SALT REMOVAL ON DEMAND
PLAIN VALUES
24
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
CANINE CORNER
words by: DR. DAVID MENTON On Day Five of Creation Week, God created the birds and all creatures that live in the water. While some of these creatures live only in freshwater and others live only in saltwater, some creatures, including many birds, are able to live (and drink) in both freshwater and marine environments. Since about 97% of the earth’s water is saltwater, the ability to drink seawater presents a big advantage, but also a big challenge. Seawater has about three times more salt than is found in the blood and other body fluids of most land-dwelling vertebrates. If any of these creatures are to survive drinking seawater, they must somehow rid themselves of excess salt. The excretion of salt is one of the main jobs of the kidney, but few land-dwelling vertebrates have kidneys capable of handling seawater. Still, some vertebrates, including many birds, can live by drinking seawater. But for birds, it is not just their kidneys that make this possible. Rather, their survival depends on a pair of special salt glands located above the orbits of the eyes that
25
JUNE 2020
excrete the excess salt via ducts that drain through
of a few days to survive on seawater, permitting it to
the nostrils. This explains why some seagulls appear to
live in a coastal marine environment. When exposed
have a runny nose.
to saltwater, small and inactive glands lying over the
Salt glands are present in at least 10 of the 27 living
orbits of the eyes grow rapidly in size and salt-excreting
orders of birds, but functional salt-secreting glands are
ability. The consumption of excess salt triggers the
generally restricted to orders containing species that
release of hormones and other factors that promote
inhabit marine environments. The remarkable thing
the full functional development of the salt gland.
is that some birds that generally live on freshwater
Even in unexpected ways we find marvelous
are capable of quickly adapting to live on seawater by
evidence of God’s providential care for birds. God’s
developing salt glands. To some this might seem like “fast evolution,” but God has provided them with access to the
Word reminds us that not a single sparrow will fall to
amazing salt gland, which lies dormant until needed.
the ground apart from our heavenly Father’s will—so
For example, a mallard duck living on freshwater
don’t be afraid when challenges come your way. You are
ponds and lakes is capable of adapting in a matter
worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29–31). //
When seabirds drink ocean water, huge quantities of salt enter their bloodstream. So God gave them a special gland to get rid of excess salt that would otherwise kill them. These birds actually have two salt glands, one above each eye. The excess salt flows down ducts through the nostrils and onto the beak. This concentrated salt solution then drips from the beak. That’s why seabirds sometimes look like they have a runny nose.
PLAIN VALUES
26
27
JUNE 2020
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
homestead
OUR HERITAGE
+
GREAT OUTDOORS
CANINE CORNER
roots
words by: MERISSA A. ALINK There is just something about a chocolate muffin that makes it so much more tempting to me than all of the rest. I have a feeling that thing is... chocolate. When I imagine the perfect chocolate muffin, it is full of rich chocolate flavor in a moist muffin. I've spent many years trying to figure out how to make the perfect Chocolate Muffin Mix recipe to store in my pantry because all of the muffins usually turn out dry, or just don't have that strong flavor that I'm hoping for. I think you will love this simple Chocolate Muffin Mix recipe that I've finally settled on. It's easy to make and store in your pantry until the day comes that you want to enjoy a yummy muffin. Plus, thanks to the addition of sour cream in this recipe, these muffins stay moist for days. They also freeze well so you can have them on hand for a quick snack or breakfast anytime.
muffin mix
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour ~ or All Purpose Gluten Free Flour • 1 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder • 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda • 1/2 teaspoon Salt • 1 1/2 cups Chocolate Chips • 1 1/4 cups Sugar
....................................
chocolate muffin mix recipe ..............................................................................
....................................... to bake
• 1 jar Chocolate Muffin Mix • 1 Egg • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil ~ melted coconut oil or mild olive oil work great • 3/4 cup Sour Cream ~ or yogurt • 1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
29
Combine all of the "Muffin Mix" ingredients in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into two equal portions and pour into an airtight storage container. I prefer to use Mason jars closed with a plastic storage lid. This Chocolate Muffin Mix will store for up to a year if kept in a cool, dry place with the lid in place. This recipe will make two jars of Chocolate Muffin Mix. Each jar makes twelve muffins. When you are ready to make your muffins, simply grab your jar of Chocolate Muffin Mix and follow these directions: Combine all of the "To Bake" ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are combined and no dry ingredients remain. Scoop into a greased or lined muffin tin. Each jar of muffin mix should make twelve regular-sized muffins. Bake the muffins at 375˚ for about twenty minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the muffins comes out clean. Enjoy warm.
JUNE 2020
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
GOOD for a NEWS change some
words by: FERREE HARDY Do you remember what it was like in April? All “non-essential“ businesses were closed. Schools were closed. Churches were closed. You couldn’t eat in a restaurant. Grocery stores could only allow a few people in at a time, and they had to follow the arrows. Post Offices taped squares on the floors, six feet apart, to show people where to stand. Hospitals and nursing homes isolated the dying patients; loved ones couldn’t come close. Funerals and weddings went on hold. Graduations were canceled. People scurried in and out of their houses like mice. Many wore masks. The streets were eerily empty of traffic. And if you did go out and anyone came near, each of you swerved away as if wearing a gigantic invisible bubble to keep a social distance. When you got a chance to talk to someone, briefly and loudly because of the six feet between you, the conversation lit up with bursts of complaints, confusion, and concern.
PLAIN VALUES
30
CANINE CORNER
When will this be over? I can’t stand this! I need a
into a room; they misplaced their keys more than usual.
hug! I have to get out—the walls are closing in on me!
“This is grief, folks!” she wrote on her Facebook
This is crazy! I’m losing so much money! I need food!
page on the Internet. She went on to explain that even
Someone’s sick?—Oh no! I’m so lonely! I don’t even
if we don’t get sick with COVID-19, it’s still a trauma;
know what day it is anymore. Where are all the toilet
there are many losses to experience and things to
paper and hand sanitizer? Now what do we do?
recover. That is so true!
A widow friend of mine noticed this, too. The effects
We often only associate grief with death, but other
of this pandemic are everywhere. She’s a businesswoman
things cause grief, too; the pandemic is one of them.
in Colorado, putting her children through college. Her
Grief shows up in many behaviors. Some people find
husband died when they were missionaries in Mexico.
themselves extra irritable, angry, anxious, or in a mild
She’s been through dramatic changes in the few short
shock. Uncertainty is unnerving. It’s also hard to sleep
years since his death, yet the memories and strong
when disasters loom.
emotions are always quick to surface and easy to
It’s not that we’re spoiled or weak if we have these
recognize. She listened as friends and co-workers told
feelings; we’re just human. It doesn’t matter if you’re a
her how disconnected and shocked they felt. They were
man or a woman, young or old, rich or poor; we all have
numb and often found themselves doing nothing but
these challenges. Here’s my short list of things besides
staring off into space. They’d forget why they walked
death that are surprisingly normal to grieve about:
PLAIN VALUES
32
•
Loss of employment and financial security
•
Change of plans for the future like missing out
BECAUSE OF JESUS, WE KNOW OUR FUTURE IS SECURE
on vacations, retirements, weddings, parties, etc. •
day since their husband died. Social distancing? This
Imposed physical limitations like quarantine,
frequently happens, especially with the English widows
reduced traveling, and keeping a social distance •
I know. The first week or two they are the center of
Disrupted routines like irregular workdays,
attention with the funeral and all, but after that, it seems
church closures, and canceled meetings
they’re forgotten. They feel like they have a disease and
If the pandemic has brought unwanted change,
people are avoiding them. Financial strain? You bet! This
remember that grief over the changes will come, too.
is one of the hardest things they’ve ever gone through.
I hate to admit it myself. I’d rather pretend it doesn’t
And it takes longer than anyone ever would guess. But
bother me, but the reality is that changes cause
they get through it! They call on the Lord, and He shows
problems until we learn to adjust. I know that’s not
up! That’s good news!
good news, but stay with me.
There’s so much talk about producing a vaccine
Please let me put in a word of praise here for widows.
for COVID-19. We hear that things will not get back
Like my friend in Colorado, they have been through
to normal until we have the vaccine and testing
worse situations. Isolation? Many experience that every
procedures for everyone.
33
JUNE 2020
Ultimately, though, things will never get back to normal. This will be like 9/11 was for all Americans. Life before 9/11 and life after 9/11 didn’t look the same. Life before and after COVID-19 won’t look the same, either. We will need a lot more than a vaccine can offer. We will need what widows (and widowers) who’ve learned to trust in God can teach us: HOPE. Our biggest problem is not coronavirus. Our biggest problem is not that we’re going to die. Our biggest problem is if we die without that hope in Christ. God offers us a “vaccine” to protect us and give us eternal
OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IS NOT CORONAVIRUS. OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IS NOT THAT WE’RE GOING TO DIE. OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IS IF WE DIE WITHOUT THAT HOPE IN CHRIST.
hope. Placing faith in Jesus Christ is like accepting that vaccine. God’s “vaccine” covers us with the blood and “antibodies” of the righteousness of Jesus. What could be more complete? Romans 8:32 gives us a lot to think about and a lot to hope for: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” It’s a lesson in humility for me when I consider this verse. God delivered His beloved Son Jesus to die for my sins— therefore He will freely give me all things? He will see me through to Heaven and also through a pandemic and everything else I need? Yes! All means “all!” Well, it’s the month of June now; April has passed. May has passed. Perhaps COVID-19 has passed too. If so—Hallelujah!—but there will be a ripple effect, and things might get even worse before they get better. But because of Jesus, we know our future is secure. If you have trouble believing that, then talk to a widow (or a widower) or anyone who knows the hope found in Jesus. She (or he) is waiting for you with some really good news. // Until next month,
ferree l ADDRESS CHANGE! 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, 122 Breckenridge Dr., North Augusta, SC 49841. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery. Free shipping for all Plain Values readers! www.WidowsChristianPlace.com
PLAIN VALUES
34
35
JUNE 2020
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
CANINE CORNER
UNCOMMON COURAGE words by: NORITA YODER The courage it took for women such as Felix Manz’s mother to choose re-baptism fades against the canvas of Anabaptist history unless we shine a light on what it meant to be a woman in sixteenthcentury Europe. The majority of the people were peasants who lived in poverty due to wealthy landowners and rulers who abused their power. Waves of war, the bubonic plague, and
famine
had
swept
across
Europe in the decades leading up to the reforms. In this world, women and children lived at the bottom of these corrupt and abusive power systems. When reforms broke out in the early 1500s, The Holy Roman Empire and feudalism had ruled the
PART OF THE "BEHALT" MURAL
37
JUNE 2020
Germanic-speaking part of Europe with its Frankish
the situation for women under Roman civilization and
influence for over 600 years, and women, in particular,
Christian influence. Although these changes were made, many of the
had paid the price. Anabaptism and early lasting reforms sprang up
old ways remained. Women were beaten and misused
first in the Germanic-speaking region of Europe that,
and still regarded as children in many ways. They had
prior to Charlemagne, was ruled by the Franks. In early
few, if any, legal rights, and were viewed as the property
Frankish culture, women were bought and sold as wives
of men. That Christianity was submersed in the various
with no say in the matter; they were beaten, they had
cultures throughout the Holy Roman Empire is evident
no legal rights, they did not own property, and they
in the writings of the church leaders. In the 1200s,
could not read or write. They were treated as perpetual
Albert the Great, a German Catholic bishop, writes that
children incapable of making adult decisions. Moreover,
“woman is a misbegotten man and has a faulty and
if a husband died, his wife did not receive custody of her
defective nature.” Pictures, used to tell stories since most
children; instead, they were given to a male heir. These
people could neither read nor write, often depicted the
abuses were in addition to the daily toil of survival.
Genesis account where woman first ate the apple in the
Any complication or abnormal pregnancy generally
Garden of Eden. It was a common story used to enforce
meant she would die while giving birth due to a lack of
the abusive and pagan practices. Since the only legal
medical help. Under this system, women lived a slave-
language was Latin, and the common person could not
like existence.
read or write, these practices and teachings drove the narrative for women.
As Roman Catholicism was spread throughout the world, Christian practice and Roman civilization
At the time of the reformation, feudalism was in
generally improved the lives of people in ways that
place for well over 600 years as the system that allowed
were significant for the times. By AD 800, Charlemagne
the Holy Roman Empire to work at a local level. Under
decreed that no polygamy was to be practiced among
feudalism, a wealthy 10–12 percent of kings and queens,
his subjects, a practice the Germanic men kept even
lords and ladies, and popes and priests ruled over the
after accepting Christianity. Eventually, women were
remaining 88–90 percent of people. In the fifteenth
permitted to keep their children and inherit at least
century, a middle class began to rise due to the wars and
some, if not all, of their land if their husbands died.
travel. While this provided new opportunities for men
Girls could also no longer be bought as a wife by a
and women alike to both produce and sell merchandise,
man they did not wish to marry. Moreover, a single girl
the majority remained as peasants scraping an existence
could inherit her father’s land if there were no male
from the land while bowing to and serving the nobility
heirs. All of these changes fundamentally improved
and rulers.
In some sense, the peasant women had more freedom, provided their husbands or fathers were benevolent-hearted people. They worked alongside their husbands, planting, harvesting, and caring for the land and the animals.
PLAIN VALUES
38
Ladies born into nobility had maids and servants. Noblewomen were legally permitted to wear fashionable dresses with ruffles and lace and pointed shoes, according to their status. Under the law—and the threat of beating or imprisonment—peasant women were required to wear a particular type of clothing that signified their low status. Yet, even women of nobility were viewed as property of their husbands and most could not own land. Neither peasants nor women of nobility were taught to read or write outside of the few at the very top of nobility. Although there were some differences for women depending on their social status, childbirth was an equalizer, since one out of twenty women died from complications during childbirth. Moreover, since their husbands were military men, women of nobility spent little time with their husbands. In some sense, the peasant women had more freedom, provided their husbands or fathers were benevolent-hearted people. They worked alongside their husbands, planting, harvesting, and caring for the land and the animals. And they bore children. If a woman survived childbirth—one in twenty women did not survive—her child had only a 50 percent chance of living past twelve years of age. This was the reality of life.
sat in storehouses where it rotted or was eaten by rats.
Aristocratic women such as Hildegard Bingen had
Additionally, waves of the bubonic plague swept across
the option of entering an abbey and taking the vow of
Europe from 1348 through the 1800s. In the first four
a nun, a luxury available only for those wealthy enough
years, nearly one-third of the population died. From
to pay the costs of rent or land to the abbey. Yet, it was
this harsh existence, riddled with hunger and disease
the one place a girl could learn to read and write—they
and poverty, the Peasant Wars of the 1520s broke out as
could not choose both love and literacy—and it was an
the people rebelled against the system. Yet, there were
option envied by many women. At times, young girls
changes in the air.
were left at the abbey to be raised by nuns, against the
The use of the printing press was blowing a
child’s wishes, of course. Elizabeth Dirks is an example
fresh wind. It allowed ideas, such as the reformers
of such a child left at the abbey by her widowed father.
were advocating, to be preserved and rapidly spread
While the nuns mostly treated her with kindness, she
throughout the Holy Roman Empire. This wind picked
was imprisoned for nine months as a teenager when
up velocity when Luther translated the scriptures into
caught reading scripture on her own. After her release,
the German language. For the first time in 1,200 years,
Elizabeth escaped from the abbey by dressing as a
people were hearing the scripture and Truth in their
milkmaid. What must life have been like if becoming a
own language. Like people starved and with no water
nun was the best life possible? The
nobility
and
church
rulers
for a long duration of time, they gathered for Bible
demanded
studies, drawing a new kind of strength from the words,
increasingly heavy taxes and tithes, which were used for
and women were deeply involved.
building castles and cathedrals while the peasants went
One-third of all martyr accounts in the Martyr’s
hungry. At times, food the peasants were required to pay
Mirror are of women. In the region of Tirol, Austria, two-
39
JUNE 2020
THE VOICES AND ACTIONS OF THE WOMEN WE WILL BE HEARING FROM IN THE COMING MONTHS STAND AS A MONUMENT.
VIEW OF THE ALPS FROM MODERN-DAY TIROL, AUSTRIA
thirds of all Anabaptist participants in civil records were
both the push and the pull these women faced. The push
women. That we have these court records is remarkable,
of desperation to escape the centuries of oppression
considering women were not to speak in court. When
for something better. The fantastic and liberating pull
arrests began happening for re-baptism, it was ruled
at discovering a Truth that set them free. That these
that since these women had requested adult baptism
women would endure terrible persecution and torture
by their own mouth, by their own mouth they would
of their physical bodies even to the point of death
need to testify before the court. This ruling is the reason
tells us how heavy were the chains of oppression that
we have their voices today—it tells us the importance
otherwise bound them. They began acting on what they
of their actions, both for them and for their world. If
long felt; that women were not children, and God was
the ruling was intended to demean women, it instead
not a tyrant. As they cast off the shackle of lies they had long
elevated those formerly at the lowest rung of society
been told and had themselves believed, they burst into
and provided a space for their voices to be heard. The voices and actions of the women we will
the freedom of Truth. Truth that individuals are formed
be hearing from in the coming months stand as a
in the image of God and thus worthy of respect. Truth
monument. They reveal to us the tremendous force of
that every person is created with a voice and agency to
PLAIN VALUES
40
choose between faith and unfaith. Being thus created
beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland, to the present day.
and freely choosing for faith freed their minds from the
Behalt means “to keep” or “remember.” Hours: Mon-Sat
inner constraints that bound their souls and bodies more
9:00-5:00. Location: 5798 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH
surely than any outer force. Grasping this Truth set them
44654 (near Berlin). Please call (330) 893-3192 for more
free to live differently in their real lives and nothing in
information or to schedule a tour.
the world, no torture or persecution, not even physical death, could persuade them to return to the former NORITA YODER IS A HISTORIAN AND THE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF
imprisonment of the inner shackles. They had seen the
THE AMISH & MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER.
light, and nothing in this world could stop them. //
Bainton, Roland H. Women of the Reformation in Germany and Italy. Gies, Frances and Joseph. Women in the Middle Ages.
If you wish to hear more historical stories like this,
Gordon, Dr. Bruce. “Anabaptism and Peasants War” Class Lecture, Reformation Europe. Haude, Sigrun. “Anabaptism” in The Reformation World, edited by Andrew Pettegree.
please call or visit the Amish & Mennonite Heritage
Kimberly D. Schmidt, Diane Zimmerman Humble and Steven D. Reschly, Eds.
Center. We offer guided tours of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265
Strangers at Home: Amish and Mennonite Women in History. Marshall, Sherrin. Women in Reformation and Counter-Reformation Europe: Public
ft. cyclorama oil-on-canvas painting that illustrates the
and Private Worlds.
heritage of the Amish and Mennonite people from their
McKee, Elsie ed. Katharina Schütz Zell Church Mother: The Writings of a Protestant Reformer in Sixteenth-Century Germany. Chicago
41
JUNE 2020
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
PT Part
One
I
THE BEAR R E M O VA L TEAM
words by: TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON Then he went tearing around the trees, sprinting in a half circle, and wound up back at the cabin’s front door. At last, he looked down and finally spotted the big bear, sprawled out in front of our cabin steps. He went suddenly quiet and stared at the bear for about a second or two. Then it was back to what he did best— barking. “THERE’S THE BEAR THERE’S THE BEAR THERE’S THE BEAR THERE’S THE BEAR THERE’S THE BEAR!” By this time, Rob was running late, so he left for the airport, putting me in charge of disposing of 250 pounds of bear. So I did what any normal person in Alaska would do when they have a bear on their doorstep. I called Alaska Fish and Game and asked them to bring in someone to cart away the carcass—a free food removal team, you might say. Without a hunting license, we were not allowed to keep the bear. The state would keep the hide and give the meat to the first name on a special list maintained by the state. By about midmorning, a free food removal team drove out
PLAIN VALUES
42
CANINE CORNER
43
JUNE 2020
to claim the meat—a real Alaskan meat and greet.
animal, I left the youth pastor to his gory work, went
Imagine my surprise when I saw that the group was
back to the cabin, and finished packing. On the way
comprised of a youth pastor and four teenagers. In the
to my Jeep, I had to step directly over the dead bear,
Lower 48, church youth groups play games and go to
luggage in tow. Only in Alaska.
water parks. In Alaska, youth groups gut bears. At first, the youth pastor began to do the gutting
As I left for the airport, I assumed that the youth
right there at the foot of our cabin stairs, but I was
group would dump the bear guts in the woods, far from
having none of that.
the path to our cabin. Little did I know that after the youth group had finished gutting the bear, they tossed
“I’m not going to have guts right in front of our
the entrails just a few feet off our path. (Isn’t there an
cabin. You’re going to have to take it down the trail.”
old cowboy song about that? “Happy entrails to you,
So the youth pastor and the teens dragged the
until we meet again… ”)
carcass halfway down the trail, chatting happily. “The backstrap of a berry-fed bear is much better than
Thanks to the guts near our trail, when Rob
the backstrap of a fish-fed bear,” the pastor said. (Try
returned from his short work trip, he was shocked
saying that eight times really fast.) The backstrap, by
to find a full-grown grizzly directly on the path. The
the way, is the best-tasting part of a bear.
creature had been lured there by the discarded guts
“I’m really glad you guys live up here on the
and was having himself a jolly feast. This grizzly had to
mountain,” he continued. “That means this is a berry-fed
weigh close to 800 pounds, making the black bear look
bear, not a fish-fed bear. The backstrap of a fish-fed bear
as small as a cuddly Star Wars Ewok. Rob backtracked to his car and spent the next two
tastes fishy, but the backstrap of a berry-fed bear doesn’t.”
PLAIN VALUES
I think I followed all of that.
days at a friend’s house until it was safe to return to
When the group found a good place to skin the
the cabin.
44
The crazy thing about this story is that about four years later, when I was no longer living in Alaska, I returned to the state to do my comedy routine, telling stories about the Last Frontier. I just happened to tell the tale of the black bear and the grizzly, and a man at the back of the room suddenly started waving his arms and announced that he was the youth pastor who had gutted that bear. After the show, he told me he was sorry about leaving the guts by the trail, but at least I got a good biblical message out of it. That’s right, I can even find a parable in bear guts. In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus says that when a man drives an evil spirit out of his life, it will try to return to the man, and it will bring seven other spirits more wicked than itself. “And the final condition of that man is worse than the first,” Jesus said. Those ugly guts are a lot like the evil spirit from Jesus’s story—the spirit that had been driven from a certain man. When my youth pastor friend tossed those guts right by the trail, they attracted a grizzly that was far more dangerous than the original bear. The grizzly was like those seven spirits, which were far more wicked than the first spirit. After all, that grizzly don’t let God occupy your life, you become like an
was more than three times the size of the black bear. In the previous chapter, the one about the moose
abandoned house, open for spiritual squatters.
poking its nose in the window, I talked about keeping
So once you dispose of the “guts,” make sure you
evil out of your life. But there’s another part to the
invite God into your life, for He’s the ideal lodger. He
lesson. When evil invades your life and you boot it out,
helps around the house and provides you with living
make sure you get rid of it completely. When you drive
water, and I hear He sets a nice table in the wilderness.
a particular sin from your life—when you’re disposing
By the way, this is by no means a lesson that I have
of the guts, so to speak—make sure you drive it far from
mastered, and I have to remind myself of it daily.
you. If you don’t completely clear the sin away, you’re
After all that happened with the two bears, I am
going to attract something far more insidious than
happy to report that Rob was eventually able to get
the original sin. You’re going to replace that 250-pound
back into our cabin, and I made it safely to the airport
black bear in your life with an 800-pound grizzly.
and flew to the Christian Artists Seminar in the
Here’s another important lesson to draw from
Rockies.
Matthew 12. After you drive away a sin, replace it
There, things got even more interesting, but that’s
with God. In Matthew, note that when the evil spirit
another story. //
returned, it found the house “unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.” Although the man got rid of the evil spirit, he didn’t invite the Lord into his house to replace the diabolical lodger. The house, which symbolizes the man’s life, was left unoccupied and abandoned. And
TAKEN FROM: OF MOOSE AND MEN. COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY TORRY MARTIN
we all know what can happen to an abandoned house.
AND DOUG PETERSON. PUBLISHED BY HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS, EUGENE,
It becomes the perfect place for squatters. When you
OREGON.
WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM.
USED
BY
PERMISSION.
45
JUNE 2020
46
FEATURE STORY
GOD OF WONDERS
WIDOW'S PATH
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
OUR HERITAGE
GREAT OUTDOORS
CANINE CORNER
THE CANINE CORNER
HEARTWORM words by puppy expert: DR. TERESA HOXWORTH A very timely and important topic to write about in the spring is the treatment and prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. Due to the increase in breeders raising larger dogs which spend more time outdoors and also the increased number of breeders that are building outside run and exercise areas, the exposure to mosquitos which carry the deadly heartworms is also considerably greater. We will discuss the life cycle of the heartworm and how it is spread to dogs. I treat dogs frequently for heartworms, and I feel it is very important that breeders should be aware of this parasite. Heartworms are spread to dogs by mosquitos. Dogs CANNOT become infected just by being exposed to another dog that is infected with heartworms. The heartworm must travel through the mosquito in order to become infective to the dog. A mosquito must first bite an infected dog and ingest the larvae that are circulating in the blood of the infected dog. The larvae have to develop inside
47
JUNE 2020
Treatment involves strict rest after the injection of at least two doses of a medication called Immiticide deep into the muscles of the back on either side of the spine. This treatment is risky and costly. It is much easier to prevent heartworm disease than to treat it. There are many types of heartworm prevention available, most of which involve giving a medication to every one of your dogs every thirty days. I recommend discussing heartworm prevention with your veterinarian, and they will be able to prescribe the best type of prevention for your particular situation. It is important to administer the prevention as prescribed in order to prevent adult heartworms from developing. Heartworm prevention will kill the circulating larvae before they develop to adults and begin to cause signs of heart failure or even sudden death. Most heartworm preventives will also kill adult heartworms gradually. This can be a dangerous way to kill adult heartworms, and it may also result in the death of the dog. Because of the slow kill of the adult heartworms, you cannot predict when these large adult worms may die, and you cannot monitor the dog and keep it quiet during the time the worms are dying. Therefore it can be somewhat risky to administer heartworm prevention without knowing
the mosquito for several weeks before they can become
if your dog has adult heartworms. If you have not
infective to other dogs. After the larvae mature inside
been consistently giving your dog monthly heartworm
the mosquito, and this mosquito bites an uninfected dog,
prevention, it is recommended to test them before
the mosquito can inject the heartworm larvae into the
starting them on prevention. It is also recommended
uninfected dog. These larvae travel through the tissues
to test dogs yearly for heartworms even if they have
of the dog’s body until they develop into mature adult
been on monthly prevention.
heartworms. It takes about six months from the time
Because mosquitos spread heartworms, mosquito
an infected mosquito bites a dog until adult heartworms
control around the dogs also helps to minimize
develop in the heart of the dog.
exposure to your dogs. Keeping dogs indoors at night
The adult heartworms cause the clinical signs that
and the elimination of standing water in and around
you may recognize in affected dogs. These signs include
dog pens will help minimize mosquito exposure. Also,
lethargy, coughing, and difficulty breathing. As the
dogs with longer, thicker coats are less likely to get bit by
disease worsens, you may also see episodes of fainting,
a mosquito than dogs with shorter coats. Heartworms
fluid buildup in the abdomen, and weight loss. In the
are a complex subject, and there are many layers to the
early stages of the disease, there will be no signs.
treatment and control. If you have further questions, I
A blood test is required to diagnose heartworm
recommend that you work with your veterinarian for a
infection in a dog. There is no way to tell just by looking at
control program for this disease. //
a dog if they are infected. Dogs do not pass heartworms out in their stool; this parasite lives in the bloodstream. Bloodwork and X-rays will need to be performed, and if
IF
YOU
HAVE
a dog tests positive for heartworms, then a treatment
PREVENTION
plan will be recommended based on the results.
(740) 599 - 5991.
PLAIN VALUES
QUESTIONS
OR
TO
ABOUT
SUGGEST
HEARTWORM
FUTURE
TOPICS,
DISEASE DR.
OR
TERESA
HOXWORTH CAN BE REACHED AT DANVILLE VETERINARY CLINIC -
48
49
JUNE 2020
FUNDS an d BENEFITS //
CRIST M. AND ESTHER MILLER FUND
A fund has been set up for Crist M. and Esther Miller. Crist was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, is currently taking chemo treatments, and has ongoing doctor and hospital bills. Any donations and prayers will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and God bless you for sharing. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope OH 44660. Attn: Martins Creek East Church.
//
AQUILLA KING FAMILY FUND
A fund has been set up for the Aquilla King family. They have six adult children living at home with myotonic dystrophy, a muscledisabling handicap. The costs increase as they age. Thank you. Send to Coatesville Savings Bank, 185 E. Lincoln Hwy, PO Box 390, Coatesville, PA 19320. Make checks payable to Aquilla King Family Fund.
//
LEROY & ESTHER MILLER FUND
A fund has been set up for Leroy and Esther Miller. Esther had a bike accident and broke her leg in multiple places. She needed three surgeries and therapy afterward. Their son Eddie was in an accident in 2011 and still needs assistance and therapy. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mount Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mount Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Mt. Hope Middle East Church #125.
//
SUSAN HOCHSTEDLER FUND
A fund has been set up for Mrs. Susan Hochstedler and her family of five children, ages one to thirteen years old. Her husband, Clemance, died in a farming accident on January 9, 2020. All donations are appreciated. Make checks payable to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Salt Creek North Church.
//
DANIEL STOLTZFUS FUND
Dan was in and out of the hospital in Florida for three months with heart and lung problems. He has a huge hospital bill and is currently off work. He is on oxygen and has ongoing medical expenses with very little income. Coronavirus put a stop to benefit sales. Make checks payable to Daniel Stoltzfus Fund and send to Coatesville Savings Bank, 1099 Georgetown Road, Christiana, PA 17509.
//
MILLIE BONTRAGER FUND
A fund has been set up for Millie (Lavern) Bontrager, a widow in District 66. Funds will be used to help pay for a new house; we would like to start building in early August. Checks can be made payable to the Millie Bontrager Benefit Fund and mailed to Farmers State Bank, PO Box 1010, Shipshewana, IN 46565 or dropped off at any Farmers State Bank location. Thank you for your support.
//
ARLEN AND WANDA MULLET FUND
A fund has been set up for Arlen and Wanda Mullet. Arlen, 31, fell at home and fractured several vertebrae in his neck. He is currently paralyzed from his chest down. They are facing large medical and rehab expenses. They have two children, ages 2 and 7. Thank you for your prayers and support. Make checks payable to Mt. Hope Charities Inc. Po Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Fairview West Church.
/
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. PLAIN VALUES
50
GOOD STUFF! wi th Kevin Hey, what’s the good word! To control or not to control, that is the question. Being able to differentiate between things we can control and things we can’t makes a difference in our lives. Personally, I think it’s a game-changer, an opportunity to bring both clarity and peace to our lives. But it will require daily discipline on our part, and that’s where we tend to struggle. It certainly is a practice rather than a one-time event. It’s also the difference between consuming things and creating things. Sitting around worrying about all the variables and outcomes beyond our control keeps us in a state of inactiveness. Sometimes it takes discipline to keep moving forward step by step, even when we feel vulnerable and uncertain. When we focus on what we can control, we don’t worry as much about what we can’t. For me, it’s Where can I make a difference? The more I know that I’m doing as much as I reasonably can in that area, the more peace I feel about all the variables outside my control. Now this doesn’t mean I’m absolutely free of nerves or anxiety, but that effort does give me deeper self-trust. We can control our input, but we can’t control the outcome. I can control how I show up in my relationships, but I can’t control what other people think of me. I can control how much time and effort I put into preparing for a job interview, but I can’t control whether I end up getting the job. In all of these situations we can influence the outcome, but we can’t control it. I continually remind myself to refocus on how I can make a difference, rather than spend precious time and energy worrying about all the areas in which I can’t. One thing I’ve learned from this process is that focusing on what we can’t control often takes our energy and attention away from what we can control. And that’s the key! Focusing on what we can’t control makes us less effective
Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or: Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690
and potentially leads to the outcomes we fear the most. The more time and energy we’re spending on the things we can’t control, the less time and energy we’re spending on the ways in which we can make a difference. If you're dealing with uncertainty in a particular area of life right now, start to clarify where you have control, where you don't, and how to focus on what matters. So, ask yourself, “How can I focus more on things that I can control? What would that look like?” And once you identify that, I challenge you to make that a part of your daily discipline. Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //
51
JUNE 2020
PLAIN VALUES
52