The Month of Thanksgiving – Fourteenth

I am thankful today for my third born child, who is our firstborn son.

Timothy named after me for his first name, and my Dad Mike for his middle name. He was born in Springfield, MO in 1979.  It was such a joy for Madge and I to be blessed with a son.

Timothy has a wonderful wife Sarah, and they have four wonderful children; Naomi, Josiah, Eli, and Lydia. Timothy is the pastor of the Baptist Church in Stott’s City, MO, and is employed by Baptist Hill Campgrounds near Mount Vernon.

Timothy, Sarah, and our grandkids are truly a blessing from the Lord and we are thankful for them, their love for each other and their children; and also the love and respect they give Madge and me.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 12

I am thankful for each of Madge’s and my children who have grown into fine, strong, respectable adults. Today I will begin with our first born.

We named her Charity when she was born, because the name means “love” especially godly love.  That name is fit for her still.

I am thankful for her because she is my daughter, because of her faith in God, through His Son Jesus Christ, and she also loves her family, and has been strong, faithful, and loving in being a wife to her husband Paul; and a strong and loving mother to her three children – our grandchildren; Rachelle, Jonathan, and Caitlyn.

I am thankful for the Lord’s goodness in watching over her through the years; and especially these last two years.

Thank You Lord for Charity and her family.

The Month of Thanksgiving – 5

Today I want to express my thanks to the Creator who brought my wife Madge into my life. We have been blessed with 5 great children, and their spouses; Charity and her husband Paul; Monica and her husband Samson; Timothy and his wife Sarah L.; Philip and his wife Sarah J.; James and his wife Amber.

We have been blessed as well with twelve [12] grandchildren; four boys, and eight girls.

I am thankful that Madge and I have been together for forty six years plus some, and every day of each year was a learning experience, and a blessing for which I must thank my God and Savior.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

What Is Going On?

What is going on at your house today?  There is no classes in Cassville Schools today; and of that I am sure the kids are glad.

By the way; I hope no one is offended by me calling children “Kids”.  I have always called them “Kids”.  I probably always will.  If you are offended by that, just do not read this blog anymore.  Now that is a statement isn’t it?

Too many people are offended by whatever offends them.  Do I ever get offended?  Most certainly I do.  Do I tell people that what they said offends me?  Maybe!  Maybe not.  How ever I respond to them I do not start a riot, or set up a blockade to try and cause that sort of speech to stop.  Maybe I am offended that you are offended by what I say.  So what.

Let me help you here if it does not offend you.  Let it roll off your sleeves.  Get up. Get out. Make a difference in your life today, by doing something.  Do something for someone who has offended you.  There is a catcher.  Right.  Do something for someone who has offended you.  I mean something good.

If it is an offensive neighbor take them some of their favorite cookies.  If their lawn needs mow; mow their yard without expecting anything in return.  In fact do not let them know you did it.  You might find yourself with a better neighbor, and find yourself to be a better neighbor.

You also might take being offended a whole lot better.

What is going on  at your house, in your life today?

My thoughts from the banks of Flat Creek.

~tim

Driving a School Bus

Where I live the new School year for ages K – 12 began on August 13; so we have been in school now for two weeks.

I have been driving for the Cassville R-IV School District in the southwest part of the State of Missouri now for the last 9 years, and started my tenth year.  I have a total of 16 years driving with the Cassville School District.  With the first stint being from 1984 – 1990.

I quit driving a bus for 12 years, even gave up my CDL for a regular license for a while until I decided I needed to go back to driving a bus.  That was in 2003, and I have been driving a bus ever since then.

Actually I am driving for Cassville for my third time.  When I came back in ’03 I came in as a sub driver, then was given a route in the beginning of 2004 (January).  I left at the end of that school year, moved to Farmington, Missouri, and drove a School bus for the Farmington District for two years, then moved back to Cassville.

Driving a School bus is a challenging job; yet it is rewarding.  The reward is watching those kids grow up.  I took the route I have now in March of 2007.  I now have one student who is the only original student who was riding when I started it.  She is a Senior this year.  She was a third grader when I started.

It is a difficult job while you are driving, watching the road, tending misbehaving children, and watching for other drivers who are not watching what they are doing.

I guess I am writing this because I know many School Districts are in need of good bus drivers; people who love and care for kids.  If you are one of those go to your local School District and talk to them about driving a bus.

If you do it for the money you will not make it.  If you do it because of the kids, and you enjoy it.  You will do great.

I am writing this from the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

Book – Empire of the Summer Moon

On July 17 of 2013 I posted an article on this book, “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S. C. Gwynne, copyright 2010.  I neglected to write further of it after I finished a few weeks later.

I am a slow reader, and it just never happened.

This cannot really be a finished review, but I will state I was involved in the story.  The history has much to do with Quanah Parker, his mother Cynthia Ann Parker, and Quanah’s rise in the white man’s world.

The following is a quote from the book about Quanah Parker:

“Quanah speaks English, is considerably advanced in civilization, and owns a ranch with considerable livestock and a small farm; wears a citizen’s suit and conforms to the customs of civilization–withal a fine-looking and dignified son of the plains….He is tall, muscular, as straight as an arrow; look-you-straight-through eyes, very dark skin, perfect teeth, and heavy, raven-black hair–the envy of feminine hearts….He has a handsome carriage and drives a pair of matched grays.”

The quote is a chapter 20 footnote for a quote from James T. DeShields, article “Cynthia Ann Parker: The Story of Her Capture”.

I found it to be very interesting for history, and after I really got into the story found it hard to put the book down.

It is not a children’s story.  It is for an adult reading.

-tim

Flat Creek is Still Rolling

This is a post just to let you know we are still here, and that Flat Creek is still rolling right along.

Many floaters; in canoes, inner tubes, boats, kayaks, etc. have come by.  I have not seen them all, but I have heard many of them as they float by and go over the small rapid behind our house.

With the rain we have gotten this Summer it has been a busy time just keeping up with the lawn mowing.  I have loved every minute of it.  I appreciate every drop of rain.  Thank the Lord for His blessings everyday.

My wife and I spent a couple of days with our son Philip and his wife Sarah and their daughters; Rene’e, Natalie, and Kylie in Booneville, AR. this past week.  It was kind of our family get together time.  However on July fourth we were with most of our kids at the family swimming hole for our annual Fourth of July get together.  It was a wonderful time, both times

Our daughter Monica, husband Sam with their two kids; Addyson and AlexZander were at Philip’s too.  All great kids.

Those Poplar trees we planted back in the Spring of 2011 are about twelve feet high now.  Some not quite there, but most are.  The Rose of Sharon’s we planted are just now blooming.  Some have not yet made any blooms.  Others are about to.

I have also built a Yard Deck, for our charcoal grill to set on.  I really like it away from the house where it will pose no problem with flames, yet not so far away as to be distant.  We have enjoyed the grill on the new deck two or three times this Summer.  Good food.

It is amazing how fast the Summer is rolling along.  School will be starting in just less than a month now.  I am sure no one wanted to be reminded of that.

From the banks of Flat Creek

-tim

Forever Thankful

I realize that it has been some time since I had a personal post here on Flat Creek Rolling.  There have been some events to take place in the life of my wife and I that could have been very horrific were it not for first of all our Lord GOD and Savior Jesus Christ; secondly family – all our kids, their spouses which we really view as our kids too; our grand kids, other family, and a wonderful hosts of friends.

This past Friday November 1 I was weedeating around the fence of our yard.  It had not been cleaned out since about June; so it really looked rough and needing it bad.  I was feeling pretty good, full of energy; so I grabbed the weedeater, filled it with gas, filled the head with cutting cord, and started to do just a bit of it.  Well, when I got that bit finished, I still felt pretty good, so I proceeded to work the bigger part.

I went all the way down to the creek, then started back up the hill toward the road.  About three fourths of the way up I started experiencing chest pains, but tried not to pay attention to it thinking it was a heart burn at first.  Since I was so close to finish I kept working.  Running out of gas in the machine I walked down the hill where I had left the fuel container, picked it up, took it back to the weedeater, filled it, then proceeded to the end of the fence at the road.  I finished.  Went and put the machine away, then fed the dogs, and went in the house.

After stopping the work the pain increased greatly, and spread to my arms and once in awhile to my upper back.

After all of this I ended up in the Emergency Room in Mercy Hospital in Springfield.  When we arrived there the nurses, doctors, and others proceeded caring for me, asking questions; and when I was questioned by a doctor on the floor; suddenly our youngest daughter cried out, “Mom, What’s wrong?”  I turned to see my wife passed out, then a nurse ran over, he could feel no pulse, rolled her in the floor, did some chest compressions, and after two or three of those my wife (I was told) knocked his hand away.  By this time they had rolled me into the hallway to care for my wife (Madge).

I was blessed when a nurse who had earlier entered my room mistakenly, came to my bed, in the hallway, and asked if she could pray with me, speaking comforting and encouraging words.  Now my wife was admitted to the hospital, and they are caring for her, trying to find what had caused this collapse.  This was all Friday night.

On Saturday morning they took me to the Cath Lab, and did an angiogram on me finding a stent I had done in April of 2011 with 100 percent blockage.  The doctor repaired that one, and found some more clogged arteries.  For those I am scheduled for more work on Monday.

I was released from ICU on Sunday morning.  Then went directly to Madge’s room and spent the rest of the day with her and the kids.  It was pretty much determined that her collapse was due to her allergies, asthma, and other oxygen issues.  Madge did not get released until Tuesday afternoon.  We are now home FOREVER THANKFUL for God’s wonderful presence, power and glory through all of this.  He is our Healer, Sustainer, Friend and Savior.

Thank GOD for the doctors, nurses, aids, housekeeping, and all who were there in our time of need.  May God richly bless you all.

-tim

It is Thanksgiving Day

This is the first Thanksgiving since the start of this blog.  Just a note to myself and anyone else who might have an interest.

I am a person who endeavors to be thankful every day.  First of all thankful to our Creator who has given us all things for blessing us.  The air we breathe, the ground upon which we walk, the beating of our hearts; He gives us every beat.  At His own will and discretion He could take us to our eternal destiny.  Be thankful today of all days.

I am thankful for my family and friends as well.  The Creator has given them to me to love and enjoy and to learn from them as well; and I pray I can be as good a family member and friend they have been to me.  My wife is the gem, the jewel of my life.  She was a gift from the Creator for sure.

Just over a year ago in September, on the 21st of September, as a matter of fact my wife had a rare heart surgery for an anuerism of the aorta of her heart.  The surgery was a success; and she went for a annual exam yesterday with a CT scan and all looked good.  For that I am thankful.

I am thankful for the five children the LORD has given me as well.  They are all different in many ways, with very different personalities, and gifts.  For that I am thankful too.  I am thankful for my 12 grandchildren, and are they all so grand.  I am thankful too that we have two already with Jesus.

I am thankful for the family I grew up in; my mother and father, brother, sisters; aunts and uncles, cousins; and all my fore fathers.  Without them all I would not be who I am today.

I am thankful for so many things, and one last thing I want to let the world know is that I am thankful for our home and the land on which we live.  It is God’s gift to us.  I pray I will be a good steward of all the LORD has given me.

Thank YOU LORD.

Thankful on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

I Lost a Kid

To some of you “Kid” is my word for child, not a goat.  I was always called “kid” when I was, and I am still called “kid” by some distant family members who are a few years older.

While driving my school bus yesterday afternoon; I had just departed from the high school picking up my kids there,  and I had a kindergarten boy who, along with a kindergarten girl was standing, turning around in the seat, and I told them both to turn around and stay in their seat.  Well,  I did that a couple of times at least.  When I leave the high school my bus is loaded and there is no room for any more.

I have eight stops in town before I ever leave town to go on the 45 – 50 mile trip out of town.  In town I drop off over half my load.  There are three of those eight stops where 30 to 40 (combined) get off.  This little fella, some how managed to get past me at one of these stops without me seeing him.  When I get to his stop; he is not present.  At the stop, the mother, which I find out is his foster mother, comes to the bus to walk the boy back to the house; but he is not there.  She asks me if she can come of the bus and look.  I tell her she can.  She does, walking to the rear of the bus; but he is not there.

I radio the principal of K- 2 and inform her; and they proceed to seek the child.  I need to leave from this stop, because I have traffic on the street backed up in both directions.  By the time I have all my other kids unloaded I radio in to find out about the boy, and I am told they have found him.

Evidently some kind person; and I am thankful it was a kind individual; has found him walking the side of the road, picked him up and taken him home.  Thank you!  Who ever you may be.

I will learn to watch this little boy much better at these other stops.

-Tim

School Has Started Again

Cassville R-IV Schools began on August 18, 2011.  And man, did my route change.  It is a little longer.
I now go down to the place by the Lake I did when I first took the route four years ago.  Down there I pick up two little girls who are a couple of sweet little girls, but need to learn how to stay in their seats, and be quiet; especially one of them; the youngest.

I do not think people realize how much of a distraction moving around and a loud voice can be to a bus driver.  It really is though.  One sudden move can call the driver’s attention to the mirror and away from the road.  Sure we have training, and experience, yet, even the best and most professional driver can mess up, by a child’s scream and such as that.

If you are a parent; please teach your small children to be seated; and a non-distraction.  It will go a long way in a peaceful ride on the School Bus and a long life for your child and the others on the bus.

I do not want to see any of them hurt, nor do I enjoy the idea of taking them to see their Principal.  If I must though, I must and will do so.

I will be taking care of; and most drivers I know will be taking good care of your children on the way to school.  There is no other way.

Tim A. Blankenship

Maybe the heat is gone

It has been over 100 degrees at my house for the past three or four days.  One day, Wednesday I think it was 109, and miserable.  Now though according to forecast maybe the heat is starting to go South for a while.  I like the heat of Summer, but the body and the earth can only endure so much of it you know.

Yesterday I did almost nothing.  We had Men’s Breakfast at church, and only four of us were there.  We had great fellowship and enjoyed the time and good food.  In the late afternoon we attended a surprise Birthday party for a niece (Sarah Kay), and celebrated her 30 years of living in this world.  She and her husband David have become a lovely Christian couple and have a wonderful family of 5 children.  My sister Judy invited us all to come, and we were served hamburgers cooked on the grill, along with hot dogs, and even had turkey burgers; though I did not even try any of that.

We had a great time.  It was a little warm outside.  James told us that when they arrived there the temp was about 98 degrees.  I am glad we had plenty of shade to be under.

I really hope and pray that all the heat will not be gone.  Without it we would all die in short order.

From the banks of Flat Creek, I am praying that all who read this blog will be right with the Lord and attend worship services in your local church today.

-Tim

Marriage and Friends

The title of today’s post is probably does not have to do with what you might think.  I learned yesterday of the importance of keeping your marriage as a top priority in your home.

I finally got around to calling a long time friend.  We had not talked in about a year.  After our conversation was over, and the phones placed back on the dock I had a lot of thinking to do.  When a couple has children the children cannot be the major event of the home.  In this day and age we live this will not be too popular to say; but when you have children the most important thing they need to see is not you keeping them busy and hopping and happy.  The greatest thing you can give your child, other than the message of Christ Jesus, is a good marriage.

Your children need to see Dad loving Mom, respecting Mom, and Mom respecting Dad.  They need to know you two are together forever.  The two of you have made a vow to God, “Until death do us part”.  Your children will grow up and leave home.  You will no longer have them in your arms, and within reach any longer.  Be glad, not sad about that; that is what growing is all about.

I have watched several homes, though not intentionally, but usually from afar.  They have majored on their children, neglected their marriage; then when the children are grown and out on their own the marriage falls apart and they divorce.  These are far too often Christian homes.

Love your children, YES!  Cherish your wife and love her like Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her.  Cherish your husband, love and respect him in the Lord.

Just a note.  Marriage can only be between a man and woman.  Anything else is perversion.

My wife and me celebrated our 38th Anniversary on July 28 and look forward to many more empty nest years together.  Have they all been smooth and trouble free?  No way.  But they have sure been good.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Nightmare for a School Bus Driver

And it was not as I was sleeping.  It happened as I was driving my morning route yesterday morning (8/25/11).  It was my last stop picking up children.

This year I had part of the town of Cassville added to my route.  I pick up thirty to forty children on this extra leg of my run; and drop them off of the evening before I head out of town to run the rural area of my route.

On this morning I put my yellow overhead lights on.  They were flashing at least 500 feet before the stop; there was on coming traffic; some not making any seeming effort to prepare to stop.  As I pulled to the stop one pickup truck went by as I was opening the door for the stop sign to come out and the red lights started flashing.  The boy I was picking up from the left side of the road came running out of the house toward the street with an oncoming Chevy Tahoe, burgundy in color; the boy running toward the bus, looking at the bus, seemingly unaware of the oncoming traffic.  I am screaming for him to stop; hoping that he will hear me.  I am screaming, “Stop. Stop. Stop.”  I should have laid on my  horn; but I did not even get the license plate number of the Tahoe.

The boy did finally stop when he reached the edge of the street/highway and the Tahoe went right on through the stop sign with red flashing lights.  Question.  How does someone miss seeing a large yellows School Bus with yellow or red flashing lights.  Red flashing lights in the stop sign on the left side of the bus.  Red flashing lights overhead on the bus.

I don’t know this for a fact, but my thoughts tell me that this person, male or female, was had one of those pieces of technology attached to their ear called a cell phone.  What are we supposed to be doing when we are behind the steering wheel of a car?  Driving.  Driving, especially in the city or a small town like Cassville; requires devotion to driving.  Concentrating on what you are doing.

DON’T BE STUPID!  How would you feel if you hit a child and killed, maimed and/or injured them?

A few years ago when I was driving a bus in Farmington, MO. I saw a kindergarten girl hit by a car as I was getting ready to pull up to a stop where several apartment children met to ride the bus.  It was a horrifying sight.  I was relieved when I got there that she was not injured, but just in case, her father took her to get checked out.

Again, DON’T BE STUPID.  Schools are beginning to be in session.  Drive with care.  Notice those big yellow monsters called School Buses.  They are hauling the most precious cargo.  Your children and grand children.

Just another reflection from the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Summer is Ended…

No Summer has not officially ended; it does have another month or so for the sun to continue its downward trek to the South toward the Autumnal equinox and then to Winter Solstice.  Summer is ended as far as the education or our children and grand children are concerned; at least in many School Districts of Southwest Missouri.

As I typed in the title of this post I thought that sounds like a verse from the Bible; I looked and it is found in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah chapter 8 and verse 20;

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (KJV)

No, children you are not saved from the coming of school, classes, math, reading, literature, Social Studies or what ever it’s called nowadays.  No, teachers you are not saved from the hustle and bustle, disrespect, sometimes disagreeable, and angry children.

The Summer is ended for vacation.  Its time to fill the minds of the children with the desire to learn.  Even to learn how to learn.  I think we adults sometimes forget that we all need to learn how to learn.  That must start in childhood.  From the newborn on through adulthood.  As you can tell by my writing; I am still learning; at least I hope so.

Summer is ended… for school students across Southwest Missouri and other parts of the Country; and the grass is growing, greening, and cooler weather is coming.

From the banks of Flat Creek with my rambling; I pray all the teachers, Administrators, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cooks and all have a great, safe, and wonderful new school year.

-Tim

Worshipping the Creator

Today is the day most Christians will arise early, for the weekend, and prepare themselves and attend the church of their choice.  Will they worship the Lord of all, or will they be distracted by children, cell phones, employment, unemployment, or something else?  Only God knows our hearts.

We are told by our Creator; “They that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth”.  The only true worship of God is found through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; dying in our stead, for our sins, being buried, carrying our sin and its death, condemnation and guilt away; and Him rising victoriously for our justification; making us, in God’s sight and by God’s decree RIGHTEOUS and Just.

Now the Creator who would do that is worthy of our worship and praise.  Go to worship Him with the brethren today.  Worship Him on Monday – Saturday too; with all your heart.

Worshipping the Creator, not creation, along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Family Weekend is Over

We made it to the end.  WHEW!!!  A house full of grand kids, their parents and the grand parents is an experience that will  not be soon forgotten.  When you have a family of 22 in one small home, sleeping in the living room floor, on the hide-a-bed, on the living room floor; on the dining room floor, the kitchen floor, and in all three bedrooms; there is bound to be some tension build up.

We all get along very well, yet there is tension.  I must give the credit to our getting along well to our GOD and Savior Jesus Christ.  Without that it would be nigh to impossible.  It also has to do with loving one another, and understanding matters.

We have had our problems; we continue to have problems where there are arguments occasionally over various matters; yet we still get together, converse, and enjoy our time together.

When we have got together at Philip’s and Sarah’s I have always been happy to return home.  When the kids are all here I am happy to see them come; but I am also happy to see the tail lights or rear bumpers of their cars headed toward their own homes.  Some people thinks that’s mean.  That’s the way life works.  Children are supposed to grow up and leave home.  If you don’t like it; get over it and accept the fact that you can’t hang on to them forever.  Nor, should you even want to.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Life

Life is a gift of God.  From conception to the birth, to the everyday life, until the death of the body; that is life.  For the human, even following the death of the body there is still life.  We were created by GOD eternal from conception and the Bible even tells us that God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5 and other places).

I just listened to and watched a video of an interview with an unborn baby.  It was gripping.  Now I know that no one actually conducted such an interview, yet these are words we need to hear and heed.

For when the life of the unborn human child is no longer precious; neither will the life of the born human child be precious.

All human life is precious.  It is the human being who is made in the image of God.  That is not said or claimed by any other created being.

God loves you today.  You are precious in His sight.  That is why He sent His Son Jesus to die in your place, and give you access to His throne.

-Tim

Just Touched by…

I was on Facebook moments ago and noticed my oldest daughter Charity had left me a Father’s day greeting.  My how touched I was by her sincere and earnest words.  I am not going to post them here, but I did want to say that I was genuinely touched by the words and thoughts she expressed.

Not only was I touched by them, but I was greatly blessed and encouraged as well.

Thank you Charity.  You are also a good mother leading your children on the right path toward the Lord.

-Tim

It’s Time Again

There is a thing that seems to constantly sneak up on you. Most of you can probably figure out what I am talking about by the title. It’s Time Again… that the sun comes up a little later of the morning. It’s Time Again… that the sun sets a little earlier in the evening. It’s Time Again… for a whole lot of things.

Can you believe that children are preparing for returning to school? When I was a kid I hated School and loved the Summer break. My problem was that the nine months of School lasted for nine years, and Summer break only for three days. However, It is that time again that Schools will be opening their doors to millions of School children; in the School for which I drive a School bus; that will only be in the 15 hundreds plus range.

Last year at this time I was really wondering if I would be driving anymore due to my high blood pressure, but I did, though I had problems with it a little later and was suspended from driving for two weeks because of it. I failed my physical provided by the School. I then went to my Physician and they worked with me, got my blood pressure down to an acceptable level, approved me for 3 months, but then, I guess it was not controlled.

Now, this year, on the eighth of August I went to the Physical provided by the School and my blood pressure was in the normal range, and I passed. Thank the Lord. For the past six months or so, when I check my BP it has been good, and for that I am grateful.

I guess I enjoy driving 50 or so screaming kids to and from School or something. I enjoy the people I work with. The drivers, the mechanics, and administration are all like a part of a family, and it seems that all are treated with great respect. School has not even started yet, and we have eight Sub drivers. At the end of the School year we only had one. The School gave the drivers a little pay raise, and every little bit helps. Thank YOU Lord.

It’s Time Again… at least about time; for the people on the highways to keep their eyes and ears open for the sight of those big yellow monsters, called School buses, and the little ones who will be riding them.

IT’S TIME AGAIN…

-Tim A. Blankenship