A Month in the Life

Stylin
So I finally caved. I got “with the times” and purchased a portable global positioning system. I chose the TomTom ONE. The thing is incredible, and no doubt, in a matter of days it will become yet another technogadget appendage like the digital camera, cell phone, pager, radio, laptop and USB flash drive we can’t live without.

Aren’t things moving a little too fast? What’s wrong with introducing one new thing each year or two? Can’t we start with a black and white GPS then move up to color later?

Or how about having a modified version for those of us who are old fashioned or ThinkGeek?

The Plain Truth

Take the term “Bluetooth” for example. It makes my mouth hurt every time I hear it. And now this “tooth” is in my GPS and my cell phone. Scary!

Also this week my laptop died. I think they said there was a mother who was bored and had a hard drive short. At any rate – if I don’t let her rest in peace, it will cost me more than a new one. Considering we are blogging and preparing for vacation next week-end, I had little choice. So today I made a Compaq purchase. Why some cost $600.00, while others are $2000.00 beats me. They all are made of plastic, with a color screen and buttons etc. I wonder; does it have a blue tooth in it? And how long till the root canals and relines are mandatory for compatibility?

Sometimes I just want out. Think Amish!

Steve

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Labels: amish, bluetooth, gps

I just read the "Simple Life or Abundant Life" By Cara Baker (Davis)

She writes, "But although people are looking for escape, and finding it (everywhere from yoga to the movies to extreme sports), most are only looking for a temporary fix."

I agree. Many also say they would like to withdraw from the helter skelter rat race they find themselves in, but few will do so for any length of time.

Plain Attractions
Twenty five years ago, after the Academy Award winning "Witness" was released, the Amish and the plain people of Intercourse and Lancaster County suddenly found dozens of wanna-be-Amish in their communities. Attracted by a lifestyle seemingly oblivious to the cares of the greater world around them, some even entered the probationary phase for membership in Amish Churches. Needless to say they fell by the wayside, and one insider tells me that none of the "Witness" converts became devotees in the Amish churches of PA.


Steve



Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Labels: Abundant Life, amish, Intercourse, Lancaster County

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Hello! The Hoover family is totally excited about being the resident Bloggers for July in A Month In the Life 2007
Hopefully that will translate into an enjoyable experience for the readers as well.

I suppose introductions are in order. We are Steve and Kristin Hoover from the Show Me State. We have three daughters, Emily Nikole (7), Grace Marie (5), and Alivia Joy (3).

Our home is located just outside the Lake of the Ozarks in ‘Versailles’. Uh…, No! Not the Palace of Versailles (Our fountains aren’t finished yet!).


My Background
I was born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. My parents bought a farm East of Versailles, MO and we moved in 1970.

Raised a conservative Mennonite, my first language was Pennsylvania Dutch (a German dialect). My family’s primary mode of transportation was, and for many in my family still is, horse and buggy.

We were often thought to be Amish, and did in fact, shared many similarities with them. Those of us who went to public school were always known as “the Amish kids”. Schooling beyond the eighth grade (in a classroom setting) is discouraged by most Old Order Mennonites, though many have continued education via GED courses or on the job training programs.

As a rebellious teenager, I left my home and the Mennonite lifestyle at age 16, but soon came to terms with what it really was that I sought to reject/embrace. I had a rich history and was not at all eager to discard entirely the God of my fathers. My lifestyle did change some, but I gave my heart to the Lord and became a part of the Pentecostal church.

I fell in love and married Kristin (Bentley) Hoover in 1992 (Smart Move!)


Out of this Nettle, Danger, we Pluck this Flower, Safety.
---William Shakespeare
A defining moment in my life was the destruction of the cherished family home in the mid 1980’s. It was apparent that faulty construction of the chimney serving the wood stove, and a chimney fire had ignited the structure inside the wall resulting in a total loss.
When I had opportunity to purchase some chimney sweeping tools shortly thereafter, I recalled the tragedy of the fire and became a “Chimney Sweep”. What started as a part time novelty became a fulltime business. Today, as a self-employed chimney sweep, I service approximately 1000 chimneys, fireplaces and stoves each year. I am certified by the Chimney Safety Institute and the National Fireplace Institute.

I am also an active member of the Versailles City Fire Department and respond to about 200 calls each year as a firefighter and EMT. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of a vital community volunteer group, and pray I can make a difference in some ones’ life for the better.


Wife Swap!
Oh, yeah that!
Our intro on ninetyandnine.com said

Introducing: Wife Swap’s infamous couple

in·fa·mous
ADJECTIVE:

Labels: amish, chimney sweep, lake of the Ozarks, mennonite