EnglishSpanish

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 were filled. 
I didn’t see hope. I saw the Dirty 30s. And I was saddened. 
  Then, I saw a piece on Charles Barkley, a former player on the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He said in high school, he was a small point guard who never really played much varsity ball. As a junior he was 5’10” and didn’t make the Varsity team. But one summer he grew to 6’4” and played his senior year and did well. 
But he credits his time as the small point guard for learning to be fast on his feet and dribbling down the court well. 
   It reminded me of all the times are dreams are stuck on hold, we are being dealt a hand that doesn’t seem fair, or we are further behind that we think we should be. 
  Maybe that time is for building and growing skills which will help us in the future. Maybe that setback or hold is creating a skill or strengthening you for something coming up.
How do we handle that? Complain? Force it? Or continue on with learning and growing. 
Maybe it’s trusting you are exactly where God wants you to be. Or maybe things are so bad because God wants you to listen to Him and break out of the situation you are in. 
Maybe you are being stretched. 
 All those uncomfortable situations don’t feel good but are they more palatable when we see a bigger picture?
 I do better when my focus is on the goal not the pain. 
  But what if we don’t see a goal or a plan? Maybe that is the time for faith, for trust in God. 
  You know that saying if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?
 I saw a cartoon that had two plans, mine and God’s. Mine was a straight line to the goal. God’s was filled with twists and turns. 
 How often have you read a book or movie and thought, “Come on, just get there already?”
 Maybe the hardships make us grow. Maybe the strength and the fortitude comes from when it all falls apart. 
 I don’t have the answers but I can see I have grown in my lifetime. 
 Some things that were incredibly hard made me stronger. 
 My plan would be boring. God’s plan is like a novel. It has plot twists, character development, action, and more.
 So which would you choose? 
The movie Parenthood has a scene in it when the grandma said something like - people like the ferris wheel, but that just goes round and round. I like the roller coaster with the highs and the lows. 
  Wherever you are today, I hope you have enough good in your life to smile, enough challenges to grow, and enough adventure to keep you excited.
 Maybe the plan you had isn’t working on your timeline. But maybe something even better is coming!
 And who knows, maybe it will rain again? It has to, right?

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

Travel Is Fatal To Prejudice, Bigotry, And Narrow-Mindedness. So Is Returning Home.

Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejuidce, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s... [More]

More Opinions


SPORTS

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

More Sports

NEWS

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

More News

OBITUARIES

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries