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Follow the Sun

Snow fell Monday morning. It was beautiful, wet snow showers that continued for several hours. It was joyful to see the ground wet, to see the white flakes glisten on trees and vehicles. And it was sad when it ended. 
We live in an area well known for drought. We cherish the drops of moisture that fall from the sky. 
  As I write this, the temperature is 14 degrees. A little too much winter in my autumn for me.
But I will take cold if we can get moisture. In my opinion, cold without precipitation is just mean.
But in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the roof over my head, my family and warm clothing.
 I threw a pair of long johns on under my jeans, added a heavy coat, hat, and gloves and took a morning walk with my dogs and a good friend. 
 For this walk we decided to follow the sun. And as I thought about what I should write for my column, I liked that - follow the sun. And deeper, follow the Son.
In our life, busyness and getting the next thing checked off my list seems to be the priority. But once in a while I need to check in and see where I am giving my energy. Even great things can be too much, if out of balance.  
  Next week is Thanksgiving and my birthday or birthdaygiving lol. It’s five weeks till Christmas, six till the end of the year.
 And it’s the time of year I reflect a bit on where I am, what I have accomplished, what I am happy about in my life, and what I would like to change. 
So in the spirit of following the sun, the warmth, the joy, what am I working towards. 
I have a fitness watch I wear on my wrist to keep track of my steps, exercise, and to remind me to stand up. 
I have always been vehemently opposed to these devices for myself because they felt like I had an electronic monitor on. 
But the truth is, it is helping me. If near the end of the day I only have 9,000 steps, I walk around my house for the last thousand. 
If I have 27 minutes of exercise logged, then I get on my bike for ten or fifteen minutes. I hate to admit it but I was wrong. The watch helps me. 
 I have never been a fan of shoes. I like boots, sandals and being barefoot. 
But my daughter got a pair of these comfortable slip on shoes. I tried them on. Yes, my eleven year old daughter wears the same size shoe as me.  I bought myself a pair. A couple of weeks ago I was in church and looked down at my feet, smiling, and thought wow, these are really comfortable shoes.
 I admit it. Some of my uniqueness is giving way to comfort and functionality. 
 And if it is helping and challenging me to head in the right direction, then it is what I need. 
What about you? Where are you at?  
 Following the sun to me means going towards the things that I believe spur me on towards where I want to be as a person, a wife, a mom, a business owner, a friend, and a community member. Following the Son means I need to stop and check in with Him. 
So as we are heading into this wonderful holiday season, I need to remember to stop. Maybe my challenge for the rest of the year will be to open my bible up and just read a scripture or a chapter daily.  (Pause as I grab my bible for the first time in a long time.)
 I just opened to Psalm 103, verses 1-6 - 
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
I wish you could feel the peace I have compared to right before opening the bible.  
There will be a lot of noise this season about what you need to do, why you aren’t a person of faith, why the  religion you believe is false or  the mistakes you have made are too great. Remember He renews you. Just ask Him. 

OPINIONS

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.”... [More]

A Sun Scorched Land

As soon as this paper goes out I am headed to get bloodwork drawn. So I am fasting which means no caffeine, which also means I can’t believe I am able to put words together or function well right now. LOL.  Spring has begun!  As I write this 40+ MPH winds are... [More]

Wonder

I woke up Tuesday from a good night’s sleep and excited for the day to begin. Since I am not a morning person, this was a nice change.  I showered, dressed, and went with my daughter to help her with morning chores at the barn.  Since it hadn’t rained I... [More]

Strong Women

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Looking Forward

I am writing this on a beautiful Wednesday morning, the first day of March. Snow in the forecast for today, Thursday.  As I write this it looks like a 70% chance of 1 to 2 inches and breezy.   I am always grateful for the moisture but I would be ok with some long,... [More]

Recharge!

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What's The Next Move?

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SPORTS

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

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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

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

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Spring Sports Start

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NEWS

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Questions Surround Veterans Access To Local Care

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FULLMER CATTLE DONATES $10,000 IN MEMORY OF TY FULLMER

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KanCare Members: Update Your Contact Information NOW!

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New Business: S-D Family Reserve Beef

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Hospital Lab Success

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FARM BUREAU 9TH DISTRICT DISCUSSES WATER ISSUES

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Elementary Carnival Rousing Success

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OBITUARIES

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Nathan “Nate” Hobson

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William “Pug” Eugene Mitchell

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Victor D. Mustoe Jr.

Victor D. Mustoe Jr. passed away on February 18, 2023 at age 79. The Celebration of Life, conducted by Brother Scott Moore, is 1 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. Inurnment in Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery will be scheduled... [More]

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Rose Marie (Jellison) Vana

A celebration of a life well lived and so deeply loved for Rose Marie Vana, will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, CO. Pastor Mike Lewis will officiate. Rose’s final resting place will be in Walsenburg, CO with her... [More]

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Brayan Leyva-Montes

Brayan Leyva-Montes, 16, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 due to injuries from an auto accident near Liberal, Kansas.  Brayan was born on August 24, 2006 in Garden City, Kansas the son of Otoniel Leyva and Veronica Leyva-Montes. Brayan spent his entire life living in... [More]

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Kathleen “Kathy” Weckerly

Kathleen Elaine “Kathy” Weckerly passed away at her home in Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the age of 67.  She was born November 24, 1955 at Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, KS.   She was the daughter of Gene and Eloise (Hughes)... [More]

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Beverly Jane Pollart

Funeral services for Beverly Pollart will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with interment to follow in the Holly Cemetery. Deacon Allan Medina will be presiding. Recitation of the Rosary will be held prior... [More]

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta, 66, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2023 at his home in Coolidge, Kansas.  Leopoldo was born November 9, 1956 in Urireo Guanajuato, Mexico the son of Salud Penaran Huerta & Maria Piedad Salinas. During his childhood years he worked with his... [More]

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