Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan.
We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know what may happen.
Last week I wrote about how battles are hard sometimes! Well, on a similar note, I have been thinking about the Kansas state motto Ad astra per aspera, Latin for “To the stars through difficulties.”
This year we as a family have met a lot of our goals but they haven’t come easily.
Not sure why I think when the going gets tough, things fall apart.
Sometimes life gets hard and you have to push through, buckle down, fight for it.
But other times you need to let go. How do you know when?
My husband sets goals and we are going to complete them no matter what. I on the other hand tend to roll with things a little better. Sometimes the world is just out of our control.
I am glad I have a partner who is the opposite of me. We can draw on each other’s strengths.
When I am ready to throw in the towel, he is there to say keep digging we aren’t done yet.
When he keeps digging, sometimes I have to be the one to say stop, big picture, let’s refocus.
Last week I talked about drawing closer to God.
When things are really beautiful I thank Him. And when things start to go downhill, I don’t. But then I notice when it seems like it is all falling apart, I seek Him with desperate prayers.
The other day I had a conversation with someone about a few miracles I have witnessed in my life - just a few magical moments that I knew God was there.
I realized that lately my spiritual life has been meh. I give myself a little grace because change always shakes me a bit. But I also see that in those shaky times, I don’t turn to Him right away.
I tend to complain a lot about little frustrations and irritations.
But discussing with someone the goodness and glory of God reminded me of how amazing His blessings are.
They often come out of nowhere, like little surprises, gifts. And when my prayer life is blah, that is how I see the world. Blah.
But God!
When I pray bold prayers like - God I can’t wait to see what you do today, I feel more expectant of good things. I watch for them. In fact, my shift in attitude makes me look for ways to bless others.
I am not a morning person. I am not a nice morning person. Yet, I woke at 3:20 AM yesterday, and went for a three mile walk at 5:30 AM thanks to coffee and friends.
All the while walking, inside I was smiling, thank you God.
Are you waiting expectantly for something good to happen?
Honestly, lately, my prayers have been please don’t let these bad things happen. Please let this go ok.
So today I am praying for you to find the good, to find someone to bless, to find the joy, and realize sometimes there are great joys in the midst of big battles!
I was watching the movie Armageddon the other night. Before the possible end of the world, Gracie says something like, “Do you think anyone else is this happy right now?”
And her fiance replies,“I hope so or what are we fighting for?”
I guess I am saying don’t wait till things are perfect.
Once upon a time a friend said right before bed tell me five things that went well that day.
I started to practice it and then randomly throughout the day repeat it.
Sometimes I just need reminders. My daughter called home with her grades on Monday and I got to hear her voice for just a minute or two and I beamed.
I was so happy to hear her. I stopped and said thank you.
During a tougher moment, I smiled and said thank you God for giving me my husband or I probably would have walked away from a certain situation.
Thank you God for providing what I need even when I don’t understand. And thank you God for the fun, little blessings along the way that make life so sweet.
Sometimes the miracles are staring you in the face and we just need to refocus.
Here is my countdown. 12 days to Christmas Eve. How are you feeling? Stressed? I know a lot of people including myself that are being pushed to their limits it seems. Where holiday music and lights were once comforting, they don’t seem to be enough. What... [More]
It’s December. My tree is up! The lights on the roof light up the night for me along with our outdoor decorations. I am still struggling that it is December. While I have many presents already purchased, ornaments hung on the tree, I can’t quite get into... [More]
It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job. I am thankful I can do some of that work from home. We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for... [More]
Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in. I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world. There is an 80% chance... [More]
It is the last day of October. I love the changing colors of the leaves. They stop me in my tracks. Absolutely gorgeous! There is rain in the forecast. Even if it is a mist, I am ready for moisture! The clocks turn back on Sunday. It will be darker earlier and start... [More]
It rained in Hamilton County this weekend. Thunder boomed and rain soaked the ground, the fields, and put smiles on many faces in town. Conversations in rural ag communities after a rain start off happier. “Hey, it rained.” We have a week without sports... [More]
It’s a cool October morning. It’s weather I love! I read something that said you should never begin a story with the weather. Well where we live it is the basis for almost everything. Temperature, climate, frost, wind, all determine how a farmer will approach... [More]
On Tuesday afternoon I drove to southeast Colorado to watch my daughter cheer at a junior high football game. I smile at the things I do that I wouldn’t have done before she was born. I have said before I was not a cheerleading type of person but watching... [More]
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
The Great Hamilton County Treasure Hunt ended on December 8 at 10 am when Aaron Plunkett and team solved the mysterious location of the buried $2,000.00. The hunt arranged by Jim Barrett had many teams signing up online to receive clues by mail. Barrett said, “I sold... [More]
The Herndon Gym was filled with excitement for the annual Alumni Scrimmage Saturday, November 30. Admission was a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry and fans could enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and homemade desserts with proceeds to benefit the basketball program. ... [More]
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced Scott Goodheart of Pratt, Kansas became the Director of Officials. Goodheart serves in the role that Francine Martin fulfilled during the 2022-23 school year, the first year for this position at the KSHSAA.... [More]
Veterans Day, the day we honor all veterans who served in times of war and peace. Veterans day, originally Armistice Day, marking the end of WW l which ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. This tradition of honoring veterans during school... [More]
Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]
Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach, Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College. ... [More]
Darrell Gene Dikeman II (Gene), has recently been named the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman. The mission of the KBA is “Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers... [More]
Pictured Front - Asher Battin, Monroe Kuder, Brynnleigh Bennett, Aytzel Zapata, Emma Simon, Janney Velarde, Katalyna Perez, Bentley Simon Back - Ana Aguilera, Sean Michealis, Vance Keller, Anita Ramos, Deysy Miramontes, Haley Forest, Matt Bennett/photo by Michele Boy
Rohn Kester, 59, passed away on Friday, December 6th, 2024 in Trenton, Nebraska. He was born at the Hamilton County Hospital on February 22, 1965 in Syracuse, Kansas. The son of Thomas and Betty Kester, he grew up in Syracuse where he attended Syracuse High School... [More]
Charles “Carl” Gould was born on May 18, 1956, to Dennis and Karleen (Helfrich) Gould in Syracuse, Kansas. He grew up in Syracuse, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1975. After graduation, Carl worked for various farmers in the area but... [More]
Vaughn Chamberlain, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Harlowton, Montana, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was born at home on September 21, 1930, in Syracuse, Kansas, the son of Artimus & Evadee (Craven) Chamberlain. Vaughn... [More]
Raymond Lewis Henry, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. Raymond was born in Chariton, Iowa on July 22, 1930, to Guy Martin Henry and Nellie (Curtis) Henry. At three years of age his family moved... [More]
Darrel Glen Cook, 62, of Syracuse, KS passed away peacefully in Garden City on November 20, 2024. He was born July 24, 1962 in Syracuse to William and Leota Cook. Darrel grew up with a big family on the family farm. He played football in school and graduated in 1980. Darrel was... [More]
Graveside funeral services for Max Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Holly, Cemetery in Holly, Colorado. Max Shane Williams was born August 21, 1940 to Roy O. and Thelma L. (Hager) Williams in Wellington, Kansas and went... [More]
Julie Ann Lewis. What was in a name and in a life? Julie is derived from the Latin name Julia associated with qualities such as youthfulness, beauty, and vivacity. It is associated with a person who is gentle, kind-hearted and a strong sense of loyalty. Ann is a derivative... [More]
A graveside memorial service for Celinda Barrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Celinda’s family invites those in attendance to join them at The... [More]
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