Both Hands: One for the Widow, One for the Orphan | November 2020

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Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER

PUBLISHER

KEVIN BILLE

GENERAL MANAGER

MATT YODER

ACCOUNT MANAGER // OHIO

AARON STUTZMAN ELAM STOLTZFUS

ACCOUNT MANAGER // INDIANA ACCOUNT MANAGER // PENNSYLVANIA

NIC STOLTZFUS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

JAN SCHLABACH

CUSTOMER SERVICE

BETHANY TROYER ISAAC HERSHBERGER

BOOKKEEPING // CUSTOMER SERVICE PRODUCTION MANAGER

SETH YODER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

LANDON TROYER

PHOTOGRAPHER

NIC STOLTZFUS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JOHN UpCHURCH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FERREE HARDY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MERISSA A. ALINK

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MARCUS A. YODER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DAVID AND KARIN HOLDER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DECEMBER AD SALES DEADLINE

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NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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ISSUE 89

CONT DUTCH CROSSWORD

// 22

It's that time again! Test your knowledge of old, forgotten dutch words with this month's crossword puzzle.

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BOTH HANDS: ONE FOR THE WIDOW, ONE FOR THE ORPHAN // 12

SPAGHETTI SAUCE FROM SCRATCH // 37

In 2019, Both Hands served over 120 widows and helped bring 130 children into their forever homes.

Merissa shares her favorite spaghetti sauce recipe with us this month.

PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE

Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values. // page 9

FUNDS AND BENEFITS

Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. // page 50

GOOD STUFF WITH KEVIN BILLE

This month, Kevin discusses the importance of humility. // page 51

ON THE COVER

One of the many children that Both Hands has helped bring into their forever homes.

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ENTS MUSTAD HOOFCARE

// 24

JOURNEY HOME

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THE WRONG PARENT DIED // 33

The Mustad Hoofcare Group is the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of hoofcare products...

Getting to the right place–on the right day–isn’t a simple matter of flapping wings, swishing tails, or moving legs.

If you’re a widowed parent, you’ve probably had that thought. Often.

Maybe you’ve even said it out loud.

RUSSIAN MENNONITES

FEAR

LITTLE PESTS

// 39

While not connected as closely to the history of the Amish, these people are a part of our Anabaptist community...

// 42

The beginning of a brand new set of outdoor stories from David and Karin Holder's book, Raised Hunting.

// 47

External parasites should be suspected and tested for if an animal is having skin problems.

This new section of Plain Values is devoted to showcasing local goods and services to our readers. Each reader will enjoy one of four editions, depending on where they live. Our hope is that the "Plain Pages” can be a resource in finding local businesses to assist you in your needs as well as in your wants. // between pages 34 and 35

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MESSAGE from the

PUBLISHER words by: MARLIN MILLER

Have you ever tried to do something nice for

up: six boxes of fruit and french fries. Not one chicken

someone only to make a mistake that messes up

sandwich! I had assumed the chicken sandwiches were

everything you had planned?

in those boxes, never thinking for a second to double-

I recently went to a morning conference, and the

check. The kids were very disappointed, and my wife

organizers brought everyone Chick-fil-A for lunch. After

still had to prepare the main course for lunch. My best-

the event was over, I was chatting with a few folks

laid plans were derailed, and—needless to say—I felt

and they told me that there were some leftovers. One

like an idiot!

of the organizers suggested that I take the leftovers

I thought about what I had failed to do, and a line

home to my wife and children. I thought this was a

from one of the speakers that morning came to my

great opportunity to show my family what a thoughtful

mind: “will the fruit of my life show up in the branches of

husband and father I could be. I called my wife Lisa and

other people’s lives?” That morning I could emphatically

told her that I got Chick-fil-A for lunch for her and the

say yes! Chick-fil-A fruit ended up in other people’s lives!

whole family. As you can imagine, the kids were very

I had to smile at how his words connected to my actions.

excited, and were looking forward to chicken (which

What fruit from your life will end up in people’s

happens to be their favorite food, by the way!).

branches around you today? We may not always get

I said my goodbyes to the folks at the conference,

things right, but when you try to live a Godly life, the

grabbed six boxes off the table, and headed for the

fruit of our lives will be a benefit to those around us.

As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //

truck. I saw the word “fruit” in a corner of one of the boxes, but I didn’t think much of it. However, a thought did cross my mind that the boxes were rather light for chicken sandwiches. I hurried home, looking forward to surprising my family with Chick-fil-A lunch. As I’m handing the second round of boxes to my wife, she looked over at me and asked, “Marlin, where is the chicken?” I replied, “It’s in the boxes, isn’t it?” Lisa opened up the boxes and showed me what I had picked

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Both Hands One for the widow, one for the orphan

had ten children and taking care of them was a big

words by: NIC STOLTZFUS

enough responsibility.

The kids continued to beg their parents to

Religion that God our Father accepts as

reconsider. They placed photos of Kiara around the

pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans

house and signs that read “if not us, then who?”

and widows in their distress and to keep

After much deliberation and time spent in

oneself from being polluted by the world.

prayer, Tim and Dawn Haines agreed that they

JA M E S 1 : 2 7

would adopt Kiara. But the question was—how

Tim and Dawn’s children wanted their parents

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would things work out financially?

to adopt another child. Specifically, they wanted to

Tim and Dawn’s older children had recently

adopt Kiara, a little girl with down syndrome who

gone to a conference where they met a couple who

lived in an orphanage in Albania. Tim and Dawn

had adopted children from China; the couple had

Haines had ten children—five biological children,

received financial help from an organization called

five adopted children—and they had just adopted

“Both Hands.” They told their parents about it, and

their last child, Hudson, from China in 2015. Tim

Tim and Dawn looked into it. They liked what they

told his kids that adopting a child from Albania

read and decided to contact the organization to

was not an easy thing to do: you had to stay in the

seek help in adopting Kiara.

country for a period of time before adopting, and

Both Hands agreed to help with the adoption.

sometimes that process took months. He didn’t feel

This was their model: couples who want to adopt a

comfortable leaving his job for that long. Dawn was

child get together with their friends and family, and

also uncertain about adopting again—they already

they all send out letters of support asking people 12

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

to sponsor them for a day they spend helping a

Meanwhile, Tim’s employer agreed to let him

widow. The funds they raise then goes towards the

work remotely for a period of time and had also

couple’s adoption fees.

given him a bonus. When he got home, he told the

The Haines family got to work. They showed a

family what happened. Tim said that between the

video about the Both Hands organization at church

funds from Both Hands and his bonus, the whole

one Sunday along with photos of Kiara. The family

family would be able to travel to Albania to adopt

and their friends then sent out letters asking for

Kiara. By living in Albania for seven weeks, the

financial support to adopt Kiara. Since they had

older children had the opportunity to visit the

never done anything quite like this before, they

orphanage. They saw firsthand that there wasn’t

were nervous about how it would all work out.

enough staff to tend to the orphans, and this

The family was amazed by the response:

experience led them to encourage Tim and Dawn to

strangers who had never met the family sent them

adopt more children who needed a family.

checks for hundreds of dollars for Kiara’s adoption.

In 2017, the Haines family decided to adopt

By the time it was all said and done with, the family

another child, Sophie from China. Working with

had raised over sixteen thousand dollars that went

Both Hands was such a positive experience that

towards Kiara’s adoption.

they decided to do it again. This time, they helped

The widow that the Haines family and their

a young widow named Miss Lucinda who lived

friends agreed to help was Miss Mary Alice, who

in New Holland, Pennsylvania, with some tree

lived in Reading, Pennsylvania. The volunteers deep

trimming and house repairs.

cleaned her windows, power washed the house

In 2019, the family was led to adopt little

down, and painted her porch and porch swing.

Valentina from Bulgaria. For this Both Hands 13

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project, they helped Miss Susan, who lived right up the road from the Haines family in Honey Brook, with painting and mending fences.

Even after the Both Hands projects were finished, the Haines family, their church, and their friends have remained connected with the widows.

Today, Tim and Dawn Haines have thirteen children—eight adopted and five biological— ranging from four to twenty-six, and their oldest daughter is married. In reflecting upon their journey, Dawn said, “Our journey has been very different. We never set out to have thirteen kids. We never set out to have eight adoptions. It’s been a journey and God’s faithfulness has been written all over it.”

For the family’s last three adoptions, they were grateful for the support that Both Hands provided.

Through Both Hands, the Haines family raised over $67,323 for the adoptions.

When they adopted one of their sons from China, they had a benefit auction, which was a good experience, but Dawn said that there was something special about (above) THE HAINES FAMILY

the Both Hands experience.

(right)

“When you're serving somewhere there's some

KIARA, VALENTINA, AND SOPHIE

camaraderie that comes with this. You’re coming alongside cleaning and serving and seeing all the different ages. I think that's one of my favorite parts of seeing everyone out there; there is nobody there that’s

included, but instead with a sticky note scribbled with

too young to help.”

this message: “JT if you told me you were working on ~

~

~

~

a widow's house I might sponsor you but you're just

~

golfing. Nice cause, but not my money.”

The note was pointed and it stung a bit, but the

In 2019, Both Hands served over 120 widows and

idea stuck in JT’s head—what if he did a fundraiser to

helped bring 130 children into their forever homes. The

help widows? Would it be more effective than a golf

average family project raised over fourteen thousand

tournament or a 5K run?

dollars, with a total dollar amount raised in 2019 being a

JT would have the chance to test the idea three

little over 1.5 million dollars.

years later. After church one Sunday, one of his friends,

The organization was founded in 2008 by JT Olson.

Don, approached him. Don told JT that he was adopting

Over the past decade, the organization has grown

four children from Moldova. This came as a shock to

substantially, but it all started back in 2003 with just one

JT—Don already had three children of his own and now

little note.

he was going to add four more?! He asked Don what

At the time, JT Olson was heading up a charity

happened that he decided to adopt four children. Don

golf tournament to raise funds for Bethany Christian

told JT that he had gone to Moldova on a mission trip

Services. When he sent a letter to his friend asking for

delivering beds to orphanages and a little boy named

money, his friend sent him the letter back, no money

George captured his heart, and they were inseparable

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the whole week. Don continued and said that, after he got home, he talked with his wife and they decided to adopt George. In the process, they found out that George had three other siblings and Don and his wife didn’t want to separate the children. Don said that the total cost for adoption of the four children was around fifty thousand dollars, and he had no idea how he was going to raise the money.

Without hesitation, JT told his friend that he would do whatever he could to help raise the money to keep the children together.

For JT, this was no longer just about George and his

“IN 2019, BOTH HANDS SERVED OVER 120 WIDOWS AND HELPED BRING 130 CHILDREN INTO THEIR FOREVER HOMES.”

three siblings—this was also about what he and his four siblings experienced as children.

JT Olson and his siblings grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. JT enjoyed the rural lifestyle, helping his parents and siblings with chores around the farm. One Saturday, when he was twelve years old, his parents had left home to spend the night out to celebrate their sixteenth wedding anniversary. JT had gone away for the day and, when he got home, his older brother told him the news that would change his life forever: “Mom and Dad are dead.” JT was speechless—his parents were dead? His brother repeated what he said, “Mom and Dad are dead.

They died in a car accident.” Just like that, JT and his four siblings were orphans.

JT’s aunt and uncle from Wisconsin agreed to take all five children into their home and raise them, even though they were already raising three children of their own. JT had not forgotten how important it was that he remained together with his siblings after his parents died. As JT listened to his friend Don share his story, he knew that he didn’t want George to be separated from his siblings, either.

Furthermore, JT also knew how difficult—and rewarding—the adoption process could be. When he was in his 40s, JT was an active volunteer with Bethany Christian Services. Part of their ministry is to help with adoptions. His wife Sara and his four children wanted to adopt a child, but JT had concerns. When Sara would bring up the subject of adoption with JT, he would remind her that they had just started their own business, and the only way they could afford to adopt was if they dipped into their life savings. Every time Sara brought the subject of adoption up with JT, he would tell her that he didn’t want to use up their life savings.

FOUNDER OF BOTH HANDS, J.T. OLSON

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“BUT HE DIDN’T WANT TO RAISE THE FUNDS WITH JUST ANOTHER 5K OR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT. IT WAS TIME TO PUT HIS FRIEND’S STICKY NOTE IDEA TO WORK.” Christmas Eve 2001 arrived. JT was up in the attic

thousand dollars. But he didn’t want to raise the funds

to get the Christmas stockings to hang by the chimney,

with just another 5K or charity golf tournament. It was

as that was his job every year. He looked around at the

time to put his friend’s sticky note idea to work. He was

stuff in the attic and this is what he saw: a playpen. A

going to do a project that would help both orphans and

crib. A stroller. Toys. JT and Sara had saved all the things

widows. JT decided to call the project “Both Hands”,

from when they were raising their four children.

taking their inspiration from James 1:27—one hand for

And then God laid this on his heart: what is wrong

the orphan, one hand for the widow.

with using your life savings to save a life? JT realized

Don and JT recruited around fifteen friends of

that he needed to let go of his insecurities about money

theirs and they all sent out letters saying that they

and trust in God.

were going to volunteer to go help a local widow for

JT came down from the attic with the stockings

a day, Miss Lucille, and asked people in their letters if

and said to his wife, “Honey, we got a playpen, we got a

they would sponsor them, with the intent of the funds

crib, we got a stroller, we got toys.” Sara thought he was

going towards adoption fees for George and his siblings.

bringing this up because wanted to sell all the stuff for

Around thirty-five people showed up on the volunteer

a garage sale.

day to help Miss Lucille. Their supporters sent in

JT said that these are the things that the family

donations, which ended up totaling over fifty thousand

needed to raise an adopted child. Sara couldn’t believe

dollars. Don and his wife had enough funds to adopt,

what she heard her husband say. JT said that he wasn’t

and George and his siblings found their forever home in

worried about the money and shared what God laid on

Nashville, Tennessee.

his heart: “What’s wrong with using our life savings to

Six months after he helped Don, another one of JT’s

save a life?”

friend approached him and said, “JT, I heard what you

When they told their friends and family that they

did for Don—can you help me with our adoption?” JT

had made the decision to adopt, JT and Sara were

agreed to do so. Like the first go around, they found a

humbled at the outpouring of support. One friend

widow to help, sent out donation letters, and planned a

told them that he couldn’t adopt, but he believed he

volunteer day to help the widow.

should support people who do, so he gave the couple

At the volunteer day, JT was standing on the rooftop,

five hundred dollars to support their adoption fees.

looking down at all the volunteers helping the widow,

After finding out that the family was adopting a child

and he had a flashback to his childhood.

from China, another friend gave them airline vouchers

The spring and summer after his parents died, JT

to travel as a family to see their baby sister for the first

and his older brother stayed on the family farm in Iowa

time. In 2003, the Olson family adopted a girl from

before they moved to Wisconsin. Their aunt and uncle

China, and they called her Grace.

in Wisconsin had agreed to this arrangement, and had

JT knew the risks and rewards of adoption from

asked JT’s uncle who lived in Iowa to take care of the

his own experience. And so when his friend Don asked

boys until they moved later that fall.

JT for help in adopting George and his siblings from

One April afternoon, the school bus dropped JT off

Moldova, he knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. He

at the bus stop at the end of the farm road leading up

knew that it would take a lot of work to raise that fifty

to his house, as it did every afternoon. As he got off the

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bus, JT noticed something different: there were dozens of tractors rumbling in the fields, discs towed behind.

The farmers—JT’s father’s friends and neighbors—had come over to help plant the spring crop.

As his neighbors back in Iowa gave a hand to the orphans, JT saw he was returning this by giving both hands to the orphans and widows. In that moment, standing on the rooftop, JT felt alive. He felt like he was living in the midst of God’s purpose for his life. Later, JT would explain how he felt through Mark Twain’s quote: “The two most important days in a person's life are the day they were born and the day they find out why.”

He looked down at the people helping the widows and orphans, and thought of how his father’s friends had

How Can I Get Involved?

helped his family in their time of need, and JT Olson

Along with the family projects, another way

was overcome with the realization that he had found

that people can get involved with Both Hands

his "why" for living.

When JT shared his enthusiasm with his wife Sara

is through the Orphan Care projects. These

that evening over supper, she said, “JT, you’re positively

projects allow people to raise money for an

aglow!” The couple knew that this was the mission that

orphan care ministry or church adoption fund.

God had laid before them, but they weren’t sure of how

If your church, business, or community would

it would work out. However, they decided to trust God’s

like to apply to do a Both Hands Orphan Care

plan for their lives, and they took a leap of faith. At 52

project go to www.BothHands.org/apply and fill

years old, JT left his job and began working full-time for

out the Orphan Care application. Individuals can

Both Hands. His wife also went back to work.

do a project on behalf of a ministry as long as the ministry signs off on the project.

Twelve years later, Both Hands has completed one thousand forty one projects in forty-four states. They’ve

If you are interested in supporting the Both

raised over thirteen million dollars. And one hundred

Hands General fund, you can write a check out to

percent of the money that adoptive families raise

the Both Hands General fund and mail it to Both

goes towards helping widows and orphans. All of Both

Hands, PO Box 2713, Brentwood, TN 37024. If you

Hands' operating expenses are covered by a separate

want to donate to a specific family, you can go to

General fund.

www.BothHands.org/project, find a family who

As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to aid the

is in the process of adopting, and donate to that

orphans and the widows. Both Hands is an organization

project. Remember, Both Hands does not charge

that is doing both, by giving one hand to the widow, and

any administrative fees for donations to projects.

one hand to the orphan. // PLAIN VALUES

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How to Support Parents Who Adopt

How to Support Widows

If you want to serve an adoptive family, take

Invite a widow over for a meal or take her a

them a couple meals each week, do their laundry,

meal and stay to visit. Widows often have great

mow their lawn, say to them, “I'll take care of the

wisdom and can share their perspectives on

kids, you and your husband go out to eat tonight.”

history, life, and so much more.

That's what they need. In some churches they

~ DAWN HAINES

have what they call a “wrap around” program and the “wrap around” program means several families

You know there's a lot of widows out there

who have decide to come around this family who's

who don't need 25 people for a whole Saturday,

adopted and they do all those things.

but they could sure use one or two people for an hour. You'd be surprised how sometimes light

~ J.T. OLSON

bulbs don't get changed because the widow It takes a village to raise a child. It does

just can't get up there and do it. So, so over to a

take, I think, an understanding of a church and

widow’s house for an hour or two and just bless

a community to understand that these kids are

the widow.

more vulnerable or more at risk and more at need.

~ J.T. OLSON

So I think just being patient with families that have adopted kids and being more understanding.

You can support them by providing meals and other tangible acts of service. ~ DAWN HAINES

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The Mustad Hoofcare Group is the world’s largest manufacturer and seller of hoofcare products, serving the needs of farriers, horse owners, and veterinarians.

Mustad has been active in the hoofcare market for 188 years. Founded in a small industrial town called Gjøvik (Norway) in 1832, the small family business has come a long way since it was established.

After being in business for nearly two centuries Mustad has a rich history of innovation, determination, and overcoming insurmountable challenges. The industrial pioneers who have run the company during different time periods have led Mustad to shape the hoofcare industry on a global scale.

Early Days A bright young farmer from Norway called Hans Skikkelstad had a dream to start a factory and in 1832 his dream came true. He establishes a small nail and wire factory that in time starts producing a wide variety of products such as nails, horseshoe nails, screws, paper clips, thumb tacks, needles, margarine, stoves, and fishhooks.

The factory was perhaps not impressive; situated near a rapid on the river, machines and tools were quite primitive and were operated through four water wheels. The iron was brought from Sweden and rolled to the correct dimensions through a roller machine. In 1843, at the age of 56, Hans Skikkelstad died and the factory carried on under the leadership of his widow and son in law, country chief constable Ole Mustad; he had just turned 33 and many challenges awaited him.

1843-1874: Free Trade, Industrialization, Tough Times, and Golden Moments When Ole Mustad took over the company in 1843, the relatively modest nail factory was not qualified enough to satisfy a growing demand, nor was it ready to face the competition that was becoming stronger day by day. The export of industrial machinery from England was finally allowed, as British producers were no longer limited to selling to local customers, they took the opportunity

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

188 YEARS OF TRADITION, INNOVATION, AND INDUSTRIAL PIONEERS

to explore new markets. Consequently, many new factories started up nail production in Norway. Jacob Melhuus was able to produce better nails at a lower price and several customers left Mustad to be served by Melhuus. This situation triggered many improvements to quality and service, but commercial results were not immediately evident and the financial situation for the company was tough for quite some time. It was clear that the craftsman production method which had been employed since 1832 was too old fashioned, making a point was impossible and the heads were stuck by hand, causing production inconsistencies from nail to nail. In 1847, Ole Mustad purchased new state of the art machines and as soon as the machines were put to use that same year, nail production doubled, and labor expenses reduced dramatically. After two years using British machines, Ole Mustad decided to create an internal workshop where they built their own nail production machines which further improved Mustad nails compared to the competition. Mustad’s innovation was noticed by the industry and for some time Mustad became a supplier of nail machines to many other industrial enterprises

OLE MUSTAD (1810-1884) HANS MUSTAD (1837-1918)

in Norway. However, after a while the decision was made to no longer supply any competitors and strictly keep any technical knowledge exclusive to Mustad.

1874-1885: Mustad Banknotes, Horseshoe Nails, and Internationalization In 1874 there was a severe drought in Norway which reduced crops drastically and created a tough economic situation in the country for several years. Hans Mustad (son of Ole Mustad), who had gradually taken over management, experienced one of the most difficult days in his life when in September 1879 he sat down to write a letter to his creditors asking them to accept a composition

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Mustad

The demand for horseshoe nails was almost insatiable.

suspended all payments to employees. Then something

Production as well as sales increased quickly, and profits

extraordinary

in 1885 were three times higher than in 1881.

agreement.

On

September

happened,

the

27th,

1879

workers

continued

working tirelessly without payment for two years!

1885-1912: Conquering the World with Horseshoe Nails

They received “Mustad banknotes” instead which

Hans Mustad realized the enormous potential on

acted as written acknowledgments of debt from Mustad

the export market for his products. The technology

and were accepted by shops in Gjøvik. Even though the

that had been developed in his machine workshop was

crisis was severe, it did not last long. When Hans Mustad

superior to that of other producers. However, there

weathered the storm, he invited all creditors to his home

were obstacles. Protectionism was in progress in every

for dinner. By each table setting there was an envelope

country, and tariff walls sheltered industry from outside

containing a check for a full settlement including interest.

competition. Mustad decided that these walls were best

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mustad

evaded by starting production within the countries that

employees the company was healthier than before, and

had the largest potential for growth.

Hans Mustad saw the opportunity for expansion in order

The competition was high and in 1891 the United

to combat the recession. The company started to make

Kingdom introduced a new method for producing

many new products that the world needed, among them

horseshoe nails. This provoked a price-cutting war, and

horseshoe nails.

subsequently an intense development process at the

At the time, cars were not yet an option for the

factory. Hans Mustad’s son, Clarin, constructed a so-

road. The horse was the most important means of

called cold nail machine that produced horseshoe nails

transportation and they needed horseshoe nails, and

from wire, which was more efficient as the iron did not

horseshoes. Mustad’s exceptionally skilled factory

need heating.

manager, Mathias Topp, and his men were busy

The new cold nail machines paved the way for

developing new machines, one of them for automatic

enormous expansion and it was imperative that

manufacturing of horseshoe nails. In 1881 he built two

the production method was kept secret. One of the

horseshoe nail machines which further improved quality

procedures was to build factories with many small rooms

and efficiency. Topp’s inventions and constructions were

with one process in each; workers from one department

the foundation of Mustad’s incredible progress. Some of

were not allowed into the neighboring room. In this

his technical solutions are still in operation 130 years

way, no single worker had a total understanding of the

after they were invented. Once Hans realized they had

production process. It was essential to allow very few

a better product at a lower cost, Mustad did not hesitate

people into the cold forge and all factories purchased

and took advantage of this market opportunity to

by Mustad were rebuilt in the same manner. The secret

export horseshoe nails as soon as production started.

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machines were produced in Norway and brought to

markets such as Cuba or Argentina. All in all, the export

each factory to prevent proprietary leaks.

volumes for nails increased heavily. Unfortunately, this

Mustad companies abroad were a reaction to tariff

period of growth was halted during World War II, which

walls. Mustad wanted at least one plant in each of the

had a devastating impact on the company causing it to

large markets for horseshoe nails. Before World War

lose two-thirds of its factories and workforce.

I, Europe consisted of five great powers: The United

Rebuilding for the 21st Century – Modern Era

Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and

As the 6th and 7th generation of the Mustad family

Russia. Another two nations with many consumers for

took over the company it was evident that Mustad had

horseshoe nails were Italy and Spain. By 1913 Mustad

to restructure to remain ahead of the competition. In

was established in all of them except Russia.

the true entrepreneurial spirit that was typical for the

1912-1945: In Between the World Wars

Mustad family, Christian and Ole Mustad embarked

Even if Hans Mustad in many ways was ahead of

on a number of ventures besides the steel wire related

his time, a shrewd observer and a competent analyst,

business, which remained the company’s core. The total

there was no way he could have foreseen World War

number of companies in the newly formed Mustad

I. The war changed everything. Transportation needs

International Group went up in a few years from 12 to

grew, new roads were constructed, canals dug out

over 30. Typically for Mustad, every company within

and railways built. Everything was prepared for a

the group was run independently and a key task for the

new communication infrastructure, not the least the

owners was to keep the group together under common

automobile. Nevertheless, the demand for horseshoe

business principles and a solid ethic that were still based

nails was high, as horses could make their way where

upon the teachings of the founders.

modern

communications

were

not

present.

Rapid

The

expansion

happened

mostly

through

main challenge during World War I was access to raw

acquisitions in the hoofcare sector, adding horseshoes

materials and the lack of competent workers. Many of

and many types of farrier tools – all in an effort to serve

the workers employed by Mustad in war-struck Europe

the many local farrier traditions that thrive in countries

were on the battle fields on both sides of the frontlines.

and regions around the world.

The war increased the demand for horseshoe nails not

Mustad further secured a global leadership position

only in warring countries, but even outside Europe.

in the hoofcare market with the acquisitions of the

Europe’s increasing demand for food, raw material, and

historical Capewell Nails Company, with its 139-year

industrial products had to be supplied from other parts

heritage, St. Croix Forge Horseshoes and Heller Rasps.

of the world. This entailed a greater need for horses

In 2009 Mustad joined forces with the Delta Horseshoe

in overseas countries, and Mustad exports increased

Company completing the North American brand offering.

In Latin America, Mustad acquired Emcoclavos

during the war.

When the war ended, everything changed, including

in Colombia and Mattheis Borg in Brazil, which

Mustad markets. The horse was nearly out as a means

have become key suppliers of horseshoe nails and

of transportation. Canals, railways, and tramways took

horseshoes for the continent and beyond. Additionally,

over, and­—as mass production of automobiles started

Mustad acquired a horseshoe production facility in the

in the 1920’s­ —the horse was in serious trouble. The

Netherlands and O’Dwyer in Australia to cement the

political picture also changed. Europe altered country

company’s global presence.

boundaries after the war, which created more states and

Today Mustad products include horseshoe nails,

more tariff walls. This implied several challenges for

horseshoes, hoof rasps, farrier tools, as well as specialty

Mustad.

products for the care of horse’s hooves. The Mustad

Hans Mustad died in 1918 and his five sons took over

Hoofcare Group employs over 500 people in companies

the company. In the years between the two World Wars,

located all over the world and is truly a global company

they managed to expand the group by establishing

with a local presence. //

factories in Eastern and Western Europe (Austria, Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania), and explored new 27

NOVEMBER 2020

JOURNEY HOME Astonishing Animal Migrations PART TWO

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

words by: JOHN UpCHURCH ~ Continued from the September 2020 issue of Plain Values ~

Dancing to the Rhythm of the Sky But there’s more to “bird brains” than following magnetic fields from the north and south poles. If you trapped a Manx shearwater and transported it far from its nest, this seabird can simply fly in a circle long enough to figure out where it is and then fly straight home—even as far as from Boston to Wales.

How do they do it? They look up at the sun.

Many creatures use the sun or stars as a “compass,” including the famous honeybees. It’s one thing to know where to travel on a day’s expedition from the hive, but it’s another thing altogether to know when to migrate on a seasonal journey to another home.

Animals can’t pull up the calendar app on their smartphones to see what day it is and when they need to leave. But they have something better.

Our planet tilts about 23.5 degrees. That slight lean causes the sun’s path to move ever so slowly through the sky over the course of the year.

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NOVEMBER 2020

skimmers, rely on a similar design to get them from

Like sailors, many migrating creatures use objects

India to Africa.

in the sky as a directional guide. But whereas sailors rely on sextants, chronometers, and charts (or computers

The moon can work just as well as the sun. Newly

nowadays) to plot a course, God gave animals and

hatched sea turtles rely on moonlight to find the

insects the nifty ability to do geometry without the

ocean (and they switch to magnetoreception once

help of instruments. Instead, the complex equations

they’re out to sea). To test this skill in birds, some

and tools are built right into their internal clocks.

creative researchers released garden warblers inside

As the sun progresses through the sky, migratory

a planetarium and then spun the stars on the screen.

animals recognize the changes via their internal clocks.

The birds faithfully headed “south” depending on what star configuration was projected above them.

In mammals, shorter days mean less light enters their eyes and stimulates the part of their brain that

My, How You've Changed!

processes light signals. This part of the brain is called

Researchers are looking for ways to study other

the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN tracks

animals, too. Experiments seem to indicate that salmon

the amount of daily light and produces a special mix

use visual cues and their internal clocks to guide them

of proteins when it’s time for the animal to scoot. (All

on their epic migratory swim. But what happens to the

mammals and insects have a mechanism like this to help

salmon during this journey is even more fascinating.

them distinguish day and night, but migratory animals

Salmon migration upstream sounds exhausting.

use this to help them know when it’s time to travel.)

First, the silvery fish make their way through the

Migrating insects have a similar mechanism,

ocean to the stream where they were born (in fact,

though the details vary from insect to insect. In

some experiments indicate they may smell their way to

monarch butterflies, for example, their “sun compass”

it). Once they find it, they push against the current for

depends on an internal clock built into their antennae.

many miles, leap over rocks, jump up waterfalls, dodge

Scientists also suspect that dragonflies, such as globe

bears, ride fish elevators, avoid crafty fishermen, and

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finally make it to the calm pools where they can lay

each year. Over the months, their footpad size varies to

their eggs.

handle the changing ground cover. In summer months

The trip has the added challenge of requiring

they require larger, sponge-like pads to navigate the

the salmon to jump from freshwater to salt water (as

wet, slippery ground. In the winter, the pads shrink so

a hatchling) and then back again. Most fish would

the sharper hooves can grip the ice.

die switching from one kind of water to the other,

A Designer Move

but the salmon is designed to transform as it travels.

These are just a few of the myriad designs God has

As daylight hours increase, the young salmon’s brain

given to his world travelers. The next time you see a

produces a special chemical that prepares its body for

flock of migrating ducks overhead or glimpse a pod

the open sea.

of dolphins leaping beside your boat, remember who

The smolt (as it’s called) loses its camouflaging

designed these creatures so they could find their way

bars, and then it moves down the stream and stays

to the ends of the earth and bring glory to their Maker.

near the edge of the ocean for several days. While

Getting to the right place—on the right day—isn’t

there, it gradually begins to drink less water because

a simple matter of flapping wings, swishing tails, or

drinking seawater would cause too much salt to build

moving legs. Millions of miniscule reactions in each

up. The salmon’s kidneys slow down and excrete less

creature’s brain and body allow it to undertake its

urine—but it’s more concentrated; and its gills adjust

incredible journey.

God in his wonderful plan made all of his creatures

to handle the brine.

Amazing physical change isn’t restricted to fish—

with everything they need to fulfill their purpose,

even large mammals get into the transformation act

including us. That’s the lesson the prophet Jeremiah

as they’re on the move. Among these, Arctic caribou

wants us to learn from migratory animals: “Even the

are the stars. They migrate farther than any other

stork in the heavens knows her times” (8:7). //

land-dwelling animal—as far as 3,100 miles (5,000 km)

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

The Wrong

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CANINE CORNER

Parent Died!

words by: FERREE HARDY

“The wrong parent died!” If you’re a widowed parent, you’ve probably had that thought. Often. Maybe you’ve even said it out loud. I remember yelling a version of this phrase to my middle child during an emotional argument when she was a teenager. “I wish I was the one who died!” I cried! And we both knew I meant it!

Single parenting is one thing. Widowed parenting is even more complicated. “You have all the responsibilities from Day 1,” said psychologist Justin Yopp in an interview with Jenny Lisk, a widowed mother of two boys in Washington state. They did not mention how faith helps, but they made some good points.

The Earthquake of Widowhood Most people do not realize how traumatic losing a parent is for the whole family. “It’s like an earthquake,” Dr. Yopp said. “We often leave the families lying under the rubble—overlooked and under-served.”

It’s hard enough to raise a family, but when one of the parents dies, the risk for negative outcomes increases a lot.

The widowed parent is easily overwhelmed. Fathers have to learn skills that the mother used to be responsible for. Does a dad know when and where to get the best buys on groceries, clothing and household needs? Widowers sometimes have a regular “meal train” coming to their home for months because people don’t think they can cook. People know the man needs to go to work so they help arrange childcare.

But losing a spouse just as hard on a widowed mom, sometimes harder. I’m sure a few mama widows wouldn’t mind some extra meals or childcare every now and then. They get overwhelmed too, especially because the breadwinner is gone and most jobs for women do not pay as well. Can she get a job to support the family? Will it pay enough? Who will take care of the children when she’s at work all day?

The world might learn a lot from the Amish community and how families can depend on one another when hardships strike. But it’s a long and lonely path even under the best of care.

The following ideas from Dr. Yopp can help lighten the load.

The "Good Enough" Parent You don’t have to be a perfect parent, instead Dr. Yopp recommends aiming for “good enough.” This calls for changes in the very basics of housework and daily life. A widowed friend told me she eventually learned that if she could get her 1st and 3rd grade children to school with clean clothes and a lunch bag that was a success. Her life and circumstances required her to trade in her pride for a dose of humility.

For me, lawn mowing was an issue. My husband had always mowed and edged our 2 acre lot. It always seemed like it took forever—not only was it a big yard, but he'd also 33

NOVEMBER 2020

transplanted about twenty "volunteer" maple saplings

develop new relationships with others. Finding a group

in one section of it and he'd have to carefully mow

of other widows or widowers close in age can be a great

around each one! After he died, my teenagers and I

source of support. If it’s not possible to find a group

took turns battling the lawn. When my turn came, I

of widows/widowers your own age, make friends with

just wanted to get the miserable job over with. Those

older or younger ones. Reading books about widowhood,

poor little saplings were gone with a few turns of the

gathering some pen pals, or keeping a journal are also

mower! I wanted to yell up to my husband in Heaven,

good ways to connect.

""Why don't you just come back and mow the yard

Remember that God sometimes sends help you

yourself if you don't like the way I've done it?" You

wouldn’t expect. On another lawn mowing adventure of

widows know how I felt. I knew that I was far from

ours, my son got the lawn mower stuck on the edge of a

perfect, but without the pressure of carefully mowing

retaining wall. He had gotten too close to the edge, and

around each of those saplings, I was a little bit closer

one of the wheels had slipped over the edge. Brad jumped

to "good enough."

off and the mower teetered, threatening to topple over

A “good enough” parent aims for two things: 1) to

the wall. A car passing by with two young couples saw

be emotionally available to their kids and 2) provide

what had happened. Before I knew it, the car, a jazzed

structure—the routine and some rules—for the family.

up sports model, turned around and pulled into my

A good enough parent allows their children to come to

driveway. Two muscular young men—dressed in jeans

them and ask their questions, express their fears and cry

and bulging t-shirts—jumped out of the car, followed

their tears. They don’t isolate themselves behind closed

by their girlfriends, who were frantically pointing their

doors or wordless dinners, instead good enough parents

boyfriends towards the dangling mower. The boyfriends

accept their imperfections and allow themselves to be a

scrambled down the wall, braced themselves beside the

humble and safe person for their children to talk to.

mower, and on the count of three, lifted it up, and placed

A parent’s goal is not to protect their child from all

it on safer ground.

the pain of life. Children don’t need perfect parents who

Oh! That was a close call! I couldn’t help but think

give them a carefree life. Instead, they need a parent

that God’s angels had arrived in an unexpected way!

who is available to help them to learn how to tolerate

(But they sure dressed funny for angels!)

pain and to grow through life’s painful challenges. They

It’s natural to feel like we’re all alone, to feel as if

need a parent who can cut down maple saplings for

“the wrong parent died.” After the death of your loved

them! You are that parent. You are good enough.

one, it’s easy to become filled with failures and regrets.

Some days I still fight those thoughts. They are like

You Are Not Alone

repercussions from the earthquake of widowhood.

When the wrong parent dies, the surviving parent

This is not an easy path but the truth is this: the wrong

needs to realize that they are not alone. Others have

parent did not die. With God’s help, you are the right

gone through this and survived. Some children of

parent for your family. Maybe you’re not perfect, but

widows and widowers have become quite successful

you are good enough and you are not alone.

and theirs can too. In the beginning, the death of a spouse feels like the end of the world, and it is true that

Until next month,

it IS the end of many things for the family. But it is also

ferree l

the beginning of a new way of life. You must learn to

ADDRESS CHANGE! To learn more about widowhood, order a copy of Postcards from the Widows’ Path – Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth. It’s a gentle, biblical guide for widows that has many saying, “This is the best I’ve ever read!” Contact your local Christian bookstore or mail a check for $14.99/copy (paperback, 248 pgs.), along with your address to: Ferree Hardy, 122 Breckenridge Dr., North Augusta, SC 49841. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery. Free shipping for all Plain Values readers! www.WidowsChristianPlace.com

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

homestead

+

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

roots

words by: MERISSA A. ALINK One of our favorite staple meals is spaghetti. I think the best tasting spaghetti sauce comes from fresh tomatoes, garlic and herbs. There is something gratifying about making spaghetti sauce from scratch that elevates the flavor.

Plus the aromatics that results from cooking with fresh ingredients certainly helps the overall experience. Your house will feel warm, fragrant and inviting, much like an Italian restaurant.

Spaghetti can be a delicious and simple meal to make, even if you do make it with jarred tomatoes from the store.

But nothing beats the delicious taste of spaghetti sauce from scratch that is made with fresh, homegrown tomatoes.

ingredients • 3 lbs. Ripe Tomatoes • 1/8 c. Olive Oil • 1 Large Onion, diced • 6 Cloves Garlic, diced • 3 t. Fresh Thyme, chopped (optional) • 1/4 c. Fresh Basil, chopped • Salt & Pepper to Taste If you do not have fresh herbs or cannot find any that look good at the store, dried herbs will work just fine. Just be sure to use about half of the amount that is recommended for fresh herbs in your sauce.

..........................

.............................................................................. spaghetti sauce from scratch ..............................................................................

Remove the cores and roughly dice the tomatoes. I love using my tomato slicer for jobs like this! It makes quick work of any tomato or soft produce dicing.

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, thyme, and basil. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using a spatula, periodically press down on the tomatoes to help break them down. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the sauce from heat and blend with a typical blender or an immersion blender until you acheive your desired texture. BE CAREFUL, sauce will be very hot.

Use the sauce for dinner, or preserve for later by canning or freezing.

.............................................................................. optional tips for added flavor For an extra special kick of flavor to this sauce, add in a handful of sun dried tomatoes. SO good!

The longer you simmer this sauce, the more flavor it will have. If you have time, let it cook a while longer.

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

Russian Mennonites words by: MARCUS A. YODER At the same time that Anabaptists were coming to America from Europe, others were moving eastward. While not connected as closely to the history of the Amish, these people are a part of our Anabaptist community both historically and in the present day.

From the beginning of Anabaptism in the 1520s, there had been Anabaptists in Holland. Two of the principle leaders of those early Dutch Anabaptists were Dirk Philips and then Menno Simmons. It is from Menno that these Mennonites got their name. Some of these Dutch people had moved eastward in the 1560s and settled in lands in the Vistula Delta near Danzig, which is located in modern-day Poland.

Here they drained the river lowlands using the wooden windmill and dike technology that had developed in Holland.

Here these Mennonites lived and worshiped for over two centuries.

As is often the case, they had moved here in search of the religious freedom to worship, and, because of their belief in nonresistance,

A SECTION OF THE "BEHALT" CYCLORAMA PAINTING

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NOVEMBER 2020

to not be conscripted into the military. The ruler of the area promised them this freedom, and the communities grew and prospered in both numbers and wealth.

In the later half of the 1700s there was considerable opposition to the special freedoms granted these people, and the wealthy estates they developed.

At the same time, the ruler of Russia, Catherina the Great, invited German and Dutch people to settle lands in southern Russia, in what is modern day Ukraine.

These Mennonites arranged a scouting party and many soon decided to settle in Russia. Catherina the Great promised special privileges to the Mennonites, including an exemption from having to serve in the Military. The first group of 55 people in five wagons settled on the left bank of the Dnieper River and named their settlement Chortitza.

Many more families of Mennonites made the journey from the Vistula Delta southward and by 1819 Chortitza had 560 families and 2,888 souls. The Russian government sold them the land as unit and it was then sub-divided into farms for each family. A few years later another settlement was started about 100 miles southeast of Chortitza, which they named Molotschna. By 1835 this settlement had

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a total of 1,200 families and an estimated population

It seems like all would be well in their world. But this

of 6,000 people living in villages throughout the

would change rapidly in a few short years, which we will

settlement.

examine in next month’s column. //

This migration of Mennonites eastward was different than the migration of Amish and Mennonites

If you would like to learn more about these people, or

to North America. The colonies were sold large chunks of

any other areas of history, please call or visit the Amish

land and distributed them to the families from within. In

& Mennonite Heritage Center. We offer guided tours

the case of Molotschna, the colony owned 324,000 acres

of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265 ft. cyclorama oil-on-canvas

of rich land, while Chortitza had approximately 405,000

painting that illustrates the heritage of the Amish and

acres! In addition, the colonies rented some lands

Mennonite people from their Anabaptist beginnings in

surrounding their own lands for agriculture usage. The

Zurich, Switzerland, to the present day. Behalt means “to

colonies were self-governing in that they choose their

keep” or “remember.” We are open Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00 and

own leader in both religious and civil affairs. Within the

are located near Berlin; you can find us at 5798 County

colonies were village leaders and other authorities that

Road 77, Millersburg, OH 44654. Please call (330) 893-3192

helped govern the lands and peoples.

for more information or to schedule a day or evening group tour.

In effect, these settlements became “little” pockets of German-speaking, self-governing lands that looked very different from the Russian people around them. They also became very wealthy and led all of Russia in agriculture

MARCUS A. YODER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMISH &

output and development. Here these Mennonites were

MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER AND THE OHIO AMISH LIBRARY. HE IS

safe from the world around them, could function as

ALSO THE AUTHOR OF CATHEDRALS, CASTLES, & CAVES: THE ORIGINS OF THE ANABAPTIST FAITH.

they thought fit, and worship freely as they desired.

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NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

PT Part

One

I

FEAR

Turn Your fears Into focus

words by: DAVID AND KARIN HOLDER We all know the feeling of fear that shoots adrenaline through our veins. It happens when we’re faced with the thing that terrifies us most.

We must make a split-second decision: fight or flight.

I first met Tanner Webb in 2013 through a mutual friend and an organization that took kids with disabilities out hunting.

From the moment I met Tanner, I knew there was something special about this teenager. He had been born with cerebral palsy and was unable to walk, but he was still determined to hunt. To make matters more complicated, however, his motor skills made it difficult for him to hold his hands steady while trying to shoot his crossbow.

This was a hunt I was destined to remember. Every detail is permanently etched into my mind. The organization that hooked me up with Tanner asked if I would be willing to film his firstever deer hunt. I was happy to say yes. For two days we tried to position Tanner close enough to get a shot at his first deer. We had no luck. The following year, our family took it upon ourselves to help Tanner get his first deer, and we finally brought his eightyear quest to a successful conclusion.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

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NOVEMBER 2020

Our next set of outdoor stories come from David and Karin Holder's book, Raised Hunting: True Stories of Faith, Family, and the Adventure of Hunting. We pray they will be a blessing to the hunters in your household.

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After the hunt was over, I decided to offer him another hunt. I asked him, “If you could hunt anything, what would it be?”

“A bear,” he replied, “but I’m kind of scared of them.”

Now the wheels in my head were turning. Maybe it was part of my destiny to help Tanner overcome his fear of bears.

I invited Tanner and his dad to Buck Country Outfitters in Canada to hunt the animal he feared most. I wasn’t sure which was greater, his fear of bears or my fear of failing him. All I knew was that we were both about to be tested. When we arrived in Canada, Tanner’s dad wheeled him into the hunting lodge.

As they crossed the threshold, Tanner spotted the beautiful, blond bearskin rug stretched across the floor, and his face clouded with apprehension. To the kid’s credit, he didn’t let the sight of those teeth and claws scare him off. He recovered quickly, and as with most boys of his age, there was a glimmer of excitement shining through the fear in his eyes.

Just as a soldier never goes into battle without preparing mentally, a hunter doesn’t hit the trail without being fully prepared either. Tanner trusted me to haul him deep into the Canadian bush and set him, in a wheelchair, 20 yards from food strategically placed to draw in the animal he feared most. To succeed on this

Anxiety about facing a bear for someone with full

bear hunt, he would have to turn his fear into focus. (I

control of every muscle would be bad enough. I could

would have to do the same.) There was no room for error.

only imagine Tanner’s fear. He would be sitting just a

Facing your fear is easy to talk about but hard to

few feet away from an animal weighing hundreds of

do. I wasn’t scared of the hunt—I was afraid I wouldn’t

pounds, an animal with the ability to take a human

be able to help make Tanner’s dream of killing a bear

life in a matter of seconds. This kid was braver than

come true. And of course, his safety was foremost

he knew.

on my mind. Due to his disability, this situation was

His dad and I both tried to reassure him. But the

anything but typical. Success demanded we adjust our

fact that either of us would give our life before we’d

approach to this hunt with Tanner’s unique challenges

let Tanner be mauled by a bear wasn’t really the issue.

in mind. I knew Tanner could make the shot. I just had

Fear is like that. It grips your gut and shoots what-ifs

to get him in position to take it.

to your brain. There’s not a whole lot you can do but

The following morning, Tanner’s anxiety was

face it head-on. //

evident. Over break- fast, he rattled off questions as fast as he could manage. Would we take shotguns as

TO BE CONTI NUED...

backup? What if a bear climbed into the blind with us?

He talked more than he ate. I finally realized why he was so afraid. I could run from a bear if the situation

TAKEN FROM: RAISED HUNTING: TRUE STORIES OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND

called for it, but Tanner couldn’t even walk. If left to

THE ADVENTURE OF HUNTING. COPYRIGHT © 2019 BY DAVID HOLDER, KARIN HOLDER, AND LARRY DUGGER. PUBLISHED BY HARVEST HOUSE

his own devices, what could he do if something went

PUBLISHERS, EUGENE, OREGON. WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM.

wrong? The fear factor for him was at a different level.

USED BY PERMISSION.

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

THE CANINE CORNER

LITTLE PESTS words by puppy expert: DR. TERESA HOXWORTH This article will include a brief description of external parasites of dogs excluding fleas. External parasites should be suspected and tested for if an animal is having skin problems. Some of these parasites will be able to be seen if you look closely at the skin, and others will need a skin scrape to be examined under a microscope in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

Lice are a common external parasite that can be seen in dogs. If your dog has lice, you will be able to see them by looking very closely right next to the skin. They will usually be attached to the skin and feasting on blood or skin secretions. They do not have wings, but they can crawl between animals when they come in contact with each other and are contagious between dogs. They are species specific though, and cannot infect people or other animal species.

Lice can make dogs itchy with a poor hair coat and dry skin. Treatment includes ivermectin or any treatment that you would use for fleas, including shampoos, dips, sprays, and spot-on or oral flea treatments.

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LICE

TICK

CHEYLETIELLA, OR "WALKING DANDRUFF"

SCABIES

Ticks are commonly seen on dogs that have access

tick attached to them. Most ticks can be easily seen on

to areas with high grasses and especially close to wooded

your dog, mostly around the head, neck and ear areas,

areas. I rarely see ticks on dogs in kennel housing unless

especially when they have become full of blood. It is

it is in a wooded area, but with more play yard areas, I

important to note though, that there are types of ticks

have been seeing more ticks on dogs housed in kennels.

that may be so small that they will be very difficult to

Once a tick attaches to a dog, they rarely move to

see. Ticks will be tightly attached to the skin and should

another dog. Ticks can carry a large number of diseases

be removed by grasping it next to the skin and turning

and spread them to a dog that they become attached to

and pulling it off as soon as possible after it is found.

for an extended period of time. I have also diagnosed

Ticks can be controlled by keeping grass mowed in and

some of these diseases in dogs that have been in kennel

next to the play yards of dogs. There are also topical and

environments, so I know that at some point, they had a

oral products that can be given to dogs to kill ticks that

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may be used if ticks are a problem in your situation.

Cheyletiella or “walking dandruff” is a type of mange that I see relatively commonly in puppies.

It may be difficult to find since it is too small to see without a microscope, and sometimes can be missed even on microscopic exams if a mite is not found in the sample that is examined. Commonly when I diagnose cheyletiella, I see lots of dandruff and flaking, especially just above the head of the tail, and it may or may not make dogs itchy. The dandruff tends to be white to yellowish in color. It is very contagious between dogs but can be controlled by weekly dipping with pyrethrins or lime-sulfur and also ivermectin. It is also recommended to treat the environment with a good insecticide, such as any treatments for flea control.

Scabies or sarcoptic mange is not seen commonly at all anymore. It is highly contagious between dogs and also to people. The mite lives inside hair follicles and is spread by direct contact between two dogs or a dog and a person. Diagnosis of the scabies mite can be difficult, but it may be seen on skin scrapings that are looked at under a microscope. Since it can be hard to find these mites on skin scrapes, diagnosis is sometimes made by looking at signs, exposure history, and involvement of other animals, including people. Scabies causes severe

under the microscope. Demodex mange can be seen

itching and skin infection, especially on the belly, chest,

in two forms, localized or generalized. The localized

ears, elbows, and legs. Treatment can include lime

form is seen as small patches of hair loss anywhere on

sulfur or other dips, ivermectin, and various topical and

the body, this form is usually easily treated and lots of

oral products that are also approved for flea treatment

times eventually clears up on its own with no treatment.

can be used.

Severely affected cases are the generalized form and

Another type of mange that is seen much more

develop larger patches with skin infections where dogs

frequently is Demodex mange. These mites are normal

can actually be sick from the severe skin lesions. Once

inhabitants of the animal's skin and hair follicles,

an animal develops generalized demodex, it can become

but are seen to cause signs when the immune system

very sick, and some of these animals may actually

does not keep the number of mites at a low number.

die from the severe signs that it causes. Treatment

Demodex mange is not contagious between animals.

for Demodex mange can include ivermectin or some

How an animal develops demodex is complex, but there

oral flea treatments for generalized Demodex, or as

is thought to be a genetic component to the weakness

suggested previously, no treatment may be chosen for

to develop demodex mange, and therefore, animals

localized Demodex with careful monitoring.

that develop this mange are not recommended to be

If any of these skin parasites are suspected in your

kept in a breeding program. Things that predispose an

dog, you should schedule an examination with your

animal to show signs of demodex mange if they have

veterinarian to help in the diagnosis and treatment. //

the genetic weakness are things that cause an animal to have a weakened immune system such as a systemic disease, pregnancy or being in heat, or heartworm

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH IS A VETERINARIAN AT DANVILLE VETERINARY

infection. These mites are easily seen on skin scraping

CLINIC IN DANVILLE, OHIO.

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NOVEMBER 2020

FUNDS an d BENEFITS //

URIAH AND LIZZIE HOSTETLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Uriah and Lizzie Hostetler. Their 5-year-old son has acute leukemia and is going to Akron Children’s Hospital every other week for chemo, blood tests, and blood infusions, staying anywhere from one day to over a week.

This will be ongoing for 2-3 years. All contributions and prayers are greatly appreciated. God bless you. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mt Hope Charities Inc., Po Box 19, Mt Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Hostetler NE District #134-1.

//

IRENE KAUFFMAN FUND

A fund has been set up for Irene Kauffman’s living expenses in the Eberhart assisted living facility. She is 79 years old, has Parkinson’s disease, and has no income. Irene is a single lady and needs a lot of care. Thank you for your prayers and support, and may God bless you. Make checks payable to Irene Kauffman Fund, Arthur Community Bank, 201 S. Vine St., Arthur, IL 61911.

Attn: Dawn Boddy.

//

CLEMENS AND CHRISTINE BORNTRAGER FUND

Christine Borntrager has a chronic medical condition and she is in need of financial help to help pay her medical bills. Over the past few years, Clemens and Christine have traveled many miles to seek help for her condition, including two trips to Mexico and a trip out-of-state to Duluth, Minnesota. Handling these costs has been difficult enough, but recently they had to move out of their old house because of mold issues. If your heart is moved to help them, please send payments to BTC Bank, 3606 Miller Street, Bethany, MO 64424. In the memo line, write “medical fund,” with checks payable to Roman Borntrager. May God bless you for your help!

DUANE AND DORA YODER FUND

//

A fund has been set up for Duane and Dora Yoder. Due to mold in their house, they have health issues and are completely rebuilding. Thank you for your donations. Make checks payable to: The Commercial & Savings Bank, Duane Yoder Fund, PO Box 36, Charm, OH 44617.

//

ELI AND AMANDA MAST FUND

Eli Mast is 25 years old and has Sarcoma cancer. A tumor is pushing his hip out and, recently, he developed a blood clot the length of his leg. He had to go to the ER multiple times for help and is now on pain medicine and is unable to work. Eli and Amanda lost their son Andy when he was a baby due to health conditions, and there are many hospital bills that they are still trying to pay off from that. They have two little girls at home. A fund has been set up at their local bank. Eli & Amanda Mast, First State Bank, PO Box 910, New Castle, WY 82701. The need is real, thank you for helping.

//

ELI M. TROYER FUND

A fund has been set up for the Eli M Troyer Family. On July 15th, their three sons were in a pony accident taking the life of Eli Jr. (7); their son Nathan (11) has been at Akron Children’s Hospital since then. He is still unconscious at the time and expenses are high. Thank you and God bless you for sharing. Tax-deductible donations can be made to: Mt Hope Charities, Inc. and mail to: Mt Hope Charities, Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope OH 44660. Attn: Shreve SW Church 74-1. /

P L E AS E N O T E

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If you are conducting a fundraiser to assist with medical or hardship expenses, please let us know and we will be happy to feature it for one month at no cost.

Funds must be payable to a bank, church, or charitable organization.

/

O L D D U TC H W O R D S C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E A N S W E R K E Y

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50

Hey, what’s the good word!

tries to stand on their own, but the humble person sees

Humility. This is something I really admire in other

the value in listening to others. Lastly, they assume

people. I will be very transparent in telling you that I have

responsibility. Rather than placing the blame on others, a

struggled with this value over the years, and it does not

humble person assumes responsibility by speaking up and

come easy for me unless I’m intentional about it.

owning his part. Instead of blaming others and pointing

Unfortunately, being competitive and wanting to be

his finger at them, a humble person realizes his own faults,

right have a lot to do with that. But, then again, I’m sure

points his thumb at himself, and says, “this was my fault.”

plenty of you would rather be right than wrong. In that lies

Personally, I’m humbled EVERY day now when I go

a balance of understanding what you’re good at and also

home, especially since two of our three kids are 13 and 11

being willing to acknowledge where you need help.

years old. ☺ In their eyes, Dad isn’t the smartest guy out

To begin with, I always am reminded of the C.S. Lewis

there last time I checked. But that’s ok if you have people

quote when it comes to this value: “Humility is not thinking

in your life to keep you grounded with this. Part of being

less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” The essence

humble means realizing that you don’t have all the answers.

of this is embodied in what I shared last month: God and

No one does.

others before myself. Putting others first is a skill, and the

So, ask yourself this: what is one specific thing I can

best leaders I have been around are able to do this.

do to display more humility? Take time to serve someone

I’ve come to respect the fact that practicing humility is

else. When you’re wrong, be willing to admit your mistakes.

a key component of leadership. Humility is not a virtue that

When you see a friend or neighbor succeed, congratulate

stands on its own, however. Just as pride and foolishness

them on their success. Listen more to others and talk less

are twin virtues, humility and wisdom are likewise linked.

about yourself. Doing this will be fulfilling for you, as well

Think about it: when you are proud, you will make many

as bring you a sense of value and self-worth.

Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //

foolish mistakes. But the more humble you are, the wiser you will be.

People with humility stand out to me in other areas as well. First, they are situationally aware. They focus outward as they try to learn more about situations. Next, they are curious. Humble people seek knowledge because

Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or:

they have a thirst to grow and learn, but they also realize that they don’t have all the answers. They are willing to accept feedback from others. Humble people are not only

Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690

receptive to constructive criticism, but they also actively seek out constructive criticism because they know that feedback is a pathway to improvement. The proud person

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NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2020

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