A Four-Wheeler with an Attached Wagon-

I rode the 4-wheeler down the dusty rows a bit faster than I had been advised to do.

The set of wheels came on loan with my promotion. The new position had no title and no specific list of tasks- which happened to be great for my potentially undiagnosed ADD.
Undoubtedly the gig was so far superior to the first one I had taken that summer after my Sophomore year of college. –
The first job was selected purely based on potential financial gains.

I was working in a factory.
My task to be repeated every several seconds over my 8-hour shift was to quickly grasp a handle from the box and place it in the slot of the machine as a plastic cup rotated onto the top location.
Seconds later the machine heated the union and another large plastic soda mug was ready for wherever it had been ordered from.

Grasp a handle.
Slide it into the slot.
Repeat.
For 8 hours.

Did I mention I worked the graveyard shift? It was worth a few more pennies an hour.
The job was miserable and I was miserable doing it.
Daily, I scoured the newspaper’s Help Wanted section looking for different temporary work for the summer.

One day- I saw an ad to pick strawberries. The pay was 25 cents per quart.
Due to my Iowa upbringing and countless hours of experience harvesting from our family’s gardens. I deemed myself more than qualified. After my first few days on the job, my expectations regarding my performance proved to be correct.

Boss man saw my quick work and decent people skills and I was promoted to harvesting cauliflower and broccoli and selling it and the other produce at the roadside stand.
When I saw my new ride – a four-wheeler with an attached wagon, I was so grateful for my new summer job.

This looked fun.

My boss asked if I knew how to drive it.
I had never even been this close to one of these magnificent machines before and without hesitation I lied and said “Of course!”
I quickly figured it out and before long, I was headed full-throttle to the far fields. I excitedly harvested the day’s vegetables in preparation for the roadside stand to open.

Each day- I’d report to the fields just after dawn, harvest, and return the produce to the stand. It was a great gig!

One week before my last shift of the summer, I carelessly sliced my finger open as I cut the cauliflower spears.
Thus-
I rode the 4-wheeler down the dusty rows a bit faster than I had been advised to do.
Dripping blood all over the handle, I told my boss I needed a bandaid-

Six stitches later, six days later, I got married.

33 summers have since passed.
There’s likely been a million decisions since the pivot of summer jobs from the depressing factory to the sun-filled days on the farm riding my (boss’) four-wheeler with the wind in my hair and dust marking my previous path.

The best decisions I’ve made and continue to make are deliberate.
They are the result of counseling with God- but not just on my knees…
Usually, it’s out for a walk, the accent of a hike, mowing the lawn, driving in my car, or at my Kitchen-aid.
My decisions are also riddled with mistakes that result in literal and figurative stitches, scars, bumps and bruises.

Through life’s experiences, I know for sure God only has imperfect people to work with. Thus- I can continue climbing through my discipleship grateful for do-overs and God giving me as many chances as it takes to get “it” right.

Read it again…

I can continue climbing through my discipleship grateful for do-overs and God giving me as many chances as it takes to get “it” right.

How are you climbing?

-JC

Oreo Cake Bars

Oreo Crumb Mixture

Crush 18 oz. Oreo cookies into crumbs.
Set aside 1/2 cup of crumbs for garnish.
Add 6 Tablespoons melted butter and ¾ teaspoon of salt to Oreo crumbs. 
Mix together.

Prepare a 15’ x 10’ pan with parchment/baking spray.
Pat Oreo Crumb Mixture into a prepared baking dish. Spread Chocolate Cake Layer over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. Cool completely.
Frost with Oreo Cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish as desired with Oreo crumbs/additional Oreos
Share!

Chocolate Cake Layer
1 boxed chocolate cake mix (15 oz.)
1 3 oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup water
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. 

Oreo Cream
8 oz. softened cream cheese
20 crushed Oreo cookies
16 oz. thawed Cool Whip
Mix cream cheese and Oreo cookies together until well blended. Fold in thawed Cool Whip.