I am not a native Kansan or even from a prairie state. As a child, I traveled all over the world following my Air Force father. We always considered home to be south Georgia where my mother was born and raised. When we retired and settled down there, I was about twelve. South Georgia is a sultry place with large pine trees, swamps, flat land and lots of sandy soil. Even though the land is flat, you cannot see for great distances because of the dense vegetation of the woods. I know that the sun sets there but somehow, I just never really noticed it.

Our family moved here in the spring of 1999. Not because of Y2K, despite what my friends and family in Georgia thought, but because of a better job. My husband is an extroidinary hog farmer. I know doesn't sound very glamorous but-- it is his calling and passion. We were moving to Kansas to manage a hog farm for another family. As part of the deal, they allowed us to bring along the rest of our homestead of goats, horses and dogs. I don't think that they knew quite what they were getting into. My husband is a work-a-holic. This job allows us to live on farm and work with Dad. He is able to earn a living and still be very much a part of our day to day lives.

The whole move brought big changes. Over all, we were thrilled with our new home. This area is just on the edge of the Ozark foothills so we are not into the hard core prairie but just enough to give us magnificient views for miles. The best part of the day for me is sunset. There is just nothing to compare to a Kansas sunset. The sky colors of deep orange and pink/purple hues just touch my soul. Make no mistake, our days are long and full but each evening, I try to find time to just pause for a moment to let the peace of the sunset seep in. Often as we are finishing up the chores of feeding calves, milking the goats or gardening, the kids and I will stop and admire the sunset and it just seems to end the day in just the right way....

It reminds me of a time before I was saved. I was searching and restless. A friend had given me a Bible and I admit that I had not read it. At one particularly lonely time, I picked it up and somehow found Ecclesiastes. Almost 25 years later, I still remember reading it and relating to the author in a mighty way. Chapter 9 verse 9 was a kind of eureka moment for me.

"Live joyfully with the spouse whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do,do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going."

Sounds kind of grim to some but for me it is a very comforting verse. At sunset, when I am weary from the day, the beauty reminds me that the days are fleeting but so very good.