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40 Days and 40 Nights

Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and I can’t get through a five minute conversation without getting irritated. 
  I am laughing - sort of, about this, because in the past few weeks I have had people contact me saying that they “knew I would understand.”
 And, it is true. I think because I am willing to share my vulnerabilities that people feel more comfortable sharing theirs. 
 On that note, I have had numerous encounters this week that have frustrated me. The main one is with myself.
  Sunday I opened up my bible and read Matthew 4:1-11 - 
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
And then in verse 7,  Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
In verse 10,  Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
 Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and THEN the devil tempted him.
 After reading  those verses on Sunday, I had a meltdown Monday. Not with anyone else but my fears, worries, and anxieties. What mama doesn’t these days?
 Fentanyl, school shootings, automobile accidents to name a few. The world is a scary place. 
 I was so filled with worry that I could hardly function at work. I did something I never do, I drank a mimosa at noon and walked back to my office. 
 I got testy with someone and couldn’t wait to get my daughter after school and hang out with her.
 When I went to bed it hit me. 40 days and 40 nights. Could you do that? 
 Can you encounter your own fears or anxieties with gentleness and resist the devil? Can you handle someone else’s irritants and stay calm? 
 It is said when we get to Heaven we answer for ourselves, no one else. 
 I can’t say well so and so did this. That’s not how it works.
 So today as I write this, I am humbled again that I have a long way to go. 
  Easter is in less than two weeks. 
I admit I have not done much for Lent or anything else besides work and sheep to prepare my heart.
 But I feel like this is a good place to get real and say if you are struggling in this capacity, you are not alone.
  We weren’t meant to do this life on our own. And today I am grateful for God’s mercy and forgiveness because I fail over and over again. 
 So maybe the next time someone gets under your skin,  you don’t handle a situation the best, or they don’t appear to be the kindest person you have run into, ask yourself if you could handle 40 days and 40 nights. 
Because, I can’t. 
  Watching women’s March Madness college basketball with my family I notice there is a lot of unkind behavior, intentional fouls, even an assault in the handshake line. 
  It is so easy for me to point out someone else’s failings. But holding up a mirror to myself, this week has reminded  me we ALL fall short of the glory of God. 
 Zach Williams sings, “A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me”

OPINIONS

Quiet

It’s quiet in town. It’s as if the world left to go on vacation. I can hear birds chirping, a gentle rain shower, and peace is rushing through me.  Last week my daughter had basketball camp and sheep shows. For the past couple months It was go, go, go, the paper... [More]

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Time, Precious Time

I am writing this from a hotel room out of town. Summer is me traveling which sounds exciting but really it is getting my daughter from this camp to that camp to livestock shows, and rarely catching up on chores at home.  Even when I am home I am busy with work or getting... [More]

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It's Dark Sometimes

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr Have you ever met the person who lives a long beautiful life and dies surrounded by their loved ones?  I think that is awesome.  In truth most of the people I know who died were younger. ... [More]

Thank God for Biting Flies

I am writing this on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow is the last day of school here in Syracuse.  Summer break is here.  We have had a little bit of rain fall, some chances on the radar. Have you seen the Miller moths around here? Wow they are crazy.   But, they... [More]

To You or For You

I went to bed Tuesday night happy about life and the peace that comes from checking things off your list, helping someone, and having a plan for the next day.   I  had a dream that night, I was in a hotel room and it caught fire. Wednesday morning I woke up to... [More]

Practice, Practice, Practice

  Last weekend was our first sheep show of the season. Our lambs had never been in the show ring before. They were nervous with all the different noises, animals, people. And it is to be expected.  After a long couple of days getting ready, we got there and had forgotten... [More]

Changed

I watched a piano recital Saturday afternoon. After the children played, two extremely dedicated and talented pianists performed.  The first played impeccably. She was a virtuoso who became the piece and her fingers flowed almost effortlessly. For what felt like 20 minutes,... [More]

My Plans?

Here we are again. I am sitting writing this on a Wednesday morning bracing for another round of high winds, dirt, dust, no rain in sight, crops failing or failed. Will it rain again? It has to right?  When I drove through Oklahoma the dirt looked like powder and the ditches... [More]

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SPORTS

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

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Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

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HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

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Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

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NEWS

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McAllister Retires

After 41 years, Steve McAllister saw his last group of students leave his classroom at Syracuse High School on Thursday, May 18. Instead of a big sendoff, McAllister chose to test himself in a 60 mile race.  An avid bicyclist, Steve loaded up his bicycle and headed for Hico,... [More]

Alumni Success - Cecil O'Brate

“I have found no substitute for an honest day’s work, an inquisitive mind, and a desire to always do more.” –  Cecil O’Brate. What happens when a 1940s Syracuse High School alumni crosses paths with a Syracuse Bulldog activity bus? Well,... [More]

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Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute

This Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute is brought to you by Scoular. Thank you to the brave and selfless men and women who have gone before us. Thank you for their service and sacrifice. ARTHUR AESCHLIMAN CECIL ADKISSON JIMMY AKERS JERRY ALEXANDER THOMAS AMERINE VERNON ANDERSON... [More]

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FINLAY - NEW BRANCH MANAGER AND LOAN OFFICER FOR VALLEY STATE BANK

The Valley State Bank in Syracuse is pleased to announce Casey Finlay has been hired as the new branch manager and loan officer. His primary duties will be managing employees in the Syracuse office but more importantly, helping customers with their financial needs.  Finlay... [More]

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LEVENS GRADUATES PEPPERDINE MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Ali Levens, 2019 SHS graduate and daughter of Rhonda Levens and Randy Levens recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and double minors in sustainability and multimedia design.  While her degrees... [More]

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Yonkey Book Signing This Saturday in Coolidge

Best-selling Kansas author to speak in Coolidge May 13 Roxie Yonkey, former Syracuse Journal editor and best-selling author, will discuss her newest book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, from 5 to 7 PM, Saturday, May 13, at the Coolidge City Hall,... [More]

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WEEKEND IN SYRACUSE BUSY WITH GOLF, COLOR RUN, AND CAR SHOW

Mother Nature delivered a beautiful day Saturday for the many happenings in Syracuse with the Hamilton County Hospital Golf Tournament, Crusin’ Into Summer Car Show and SHS cheerleader color run.  The first golf tournament had 27 teams enter from Syracuse, Denver,... [More]

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BUSY WEEKEND EXPECTED IN SYRACUSE

It’s an eventful busy weekend coming up! Beginning Friday evening at 4:00 PM, the Syracuse Youth Activities Association is sponsoring the third annual track meet for first through sixth grade.  Grades first through sixth can compete in the 50 to 1600 meter, relays,... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Mickey Watson

Mass of Christian Burial for Mickey Watson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery.  Rosary will be held prior to the Mass, at 9:30 a.m. Mickey David... [More]

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Anthony Contreras

Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony Contreras will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Anthony John Contreras was born on November 26, 1976 in Lamar, Colorado to... [More]

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Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma

Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on May 22nd, 2023 at home in Syracuse, Kansas.  The eldest daughter of Algene Jay Houtsma and Johnna Harvill, she was born on September 21st, 1991 in Redlands, California. Juliana spent her early years in Syracuse,... [More]

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Shilo Christine Van Tatenhove

With the heaviest of hearts, we let our friends and family know that Shilo, my wife of almost 30 years and mother to our amazing daughters, passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, May 12th, 2023, due to complications with a long-term medical condition. She passed on to... [More]

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Eva Wauneta Holdren

Eva Wauneta Holdren, 98, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Faulkton Senior Living. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Shawn Stoll presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery.... [More]

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Joyce Ann (Reynolds) Horning

A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Joyce Horning will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church with Pastor Ray Frankofficiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Kendall Cemetery in Kendall, Kansas. Joyce Ann (Reynolds)... [More]

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Winston L. Sears

A graveside memorial service for Winston Sears will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kurtis Klinghammer officiating.  Military committal rites will be provided by V.F.W. Post #4281. Winston L. Sears was born... [More]

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Marjorie L. Nairn

Marjorie L. Nairn, age 90 of Johnson, Kansas, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Stanton County Hospital, Johnson, Kansas. She was born August 10, 1932, in Dighton, Kansas, the daughter of Royce O. and Ida M. (Long) Wells.   Marge grew up and graduated high school in Syracuse,... [More]

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