During the Christmas season, these four words seem to be the theme of most of the Christmas songs. Oh Holy Night has all these words except JOY, but it comes close by using the word Rejoices.

LOVE: Love is one of the greatest of all of the words in the English language. “We love Him because He first loved us”.  The greatest verse on LOVE is John 3:16  “ For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE us his son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.  If you have not received the free gift of eternal life by inviting Jesus Christ into your life, today is the day. If it is not a practice to use the word lOVE in your family.  Start today.  

SONG:  Oh Holy Night -   Truly He taught is to LOVE on another. His law is LOVE…      

JOY -  CHOOSE to live a joy-filled life.    J -  Jesus – Put Him first. Matthew 6:33 tells us to Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things (food, clothes and shelter) shall be added to you.  O – Others and Y – You.   I can promise you that 2021 will be a   blessed and fruitful year if you follow the order of the letters in the word JOY.   Of my collection of many hats, my favorite one says JOY on the front.     

SONG:   Joy to the world, the Lord has come.

PEACE:  Probably the most sought after emotion and yet eluded by the majority of the people in the world.  WHY?  Because they have never invited the Prince of Peace into their lives. Peace can only come with a right relationship with your creator.  Knowing Him as your Personal Lord and Savior.   No God, No Peace: Know God, Know Peace.

SONG: Peace on earth, good will toward men by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.   

HOPE:  Jesus is the hope of the world.    …A thrill of HOPE the weary world rejoices… “May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him”  Romans 15:13  “…Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Many things this year have been canceled or postponed which leads to disappointments, but LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND HOPE are available and fresh to us each day; however, you must intentionally embrace them. 

Merry Christmas!

This is our family rolodex advent calendar (homemade) with 25 different pictures. Each one has a pocket with a different Bible verse. Todays verse is Matthew 1:18 which announces the birth of Jesus.

As we close out another year, December is a great time to reflect back over 2020.  For some it was the toughest year with continual setbacks and disappointments.  Adding to family challenges was covid-19 which for some had a devastating effect.  So another year is almost past.  I encourage you to ‘not dwell on the past’ but look to the future for God to show His grace and love.  With Christmas being just a few days away, I just heard the song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”.  I am going to take the word wonderful to mean, Christ’s birth.    

The Bible challenges us over and over to use our adversity to strengthen our faith and trust in God.  Take God at his word by claiming Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches…” Put your faith into action and don’t convince yourself that God may or may not supply your needs. 

Two of my favorite December things to do besides family, celebrating Christmas and being thankful.   1) I look forward each year joining Steve Yaggy and spending time at Fleet Farm ringing the bell for Salvation Army.  It is so special seeing children come up with a smile and drop in some money.  What a great example for the kids to see.   2) I enjoy being in my van by myself, then I can turn up the Christmas music and sing to the top of my lungs.  When my wife Jode is along, my singing is a joyful noise so I tone it down just a little.

Looking forward to 2021:  For several years the first retreat at Ironwood in January was called, “A Brighter Tomorrow”.  This is a non-profit group that works with the challenged population in our community. Despite their many challenges, they always believed that better days were ahead and always kept that positive spirit.  Let’s you and I embrace that saying and go forward in 2021 expecting better days ahead.  Let us be reminded that we are not alone because God is with us – Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

Song of the day:   Oh Holy Night.  I can’t get enough of this one.

Verse of the day: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit Prov. 15:13

16,565 extra days is the number of days from my accident until the book went to the publisher.    If you or someone you know needs a good dose of encouragement, consider buying this book by emailing the office at office@ironwoodsprings.com or calling the office 507 533-4315.  The cost is $20 and all proceeds go to Ironwood Springs. I will sign the book and send it to you. Here are some of the topics:

• Personal Challenges

• Family Life

• Life with Disabilities

• Life at the Ranch

• There’s more to my Journey

There are 25 chapters along with some homework and 40+ photos.  $20.00

Since my last blog a week ago, lots of things have happened in my life and I am sure in your life as well - I will mention a few.  Celebrated thanksgiving with family;  got a deer while deer hunting; delivered 16 pies to neighbors; heard of the death of a wheelchair friend; sawed lumber at a local sawmill; counseled a friend who is not sure life is worth living; and celebrated another week of my life.   I also finished reading Mike Huckabee’s book – ‘Do the Right Thing’. One of the best examples of volunteering is the army of volunteers that joined Mike in his run for President.  When the volunteers (people who were willing to do anything, anytime for anybody) were asked why they supported him and sacrificed so much is because he was a man of integrity, honor, faith and vision.  His cause was clearly to ‘change the world’.    It reminded me the army of volunteers at Ironwood.

Seven Wonders of the World.   A teacher asked her elementary class to write down what they thought might be the Seven Wonders of the World.   They did a good job mentioning the Grand Canyon, Empire State Building, Great Wall of China, Panama canal,  etc.  One student did not write down anything.  When asked, she said she was thinking and came up with her answer to the Seven Wonders of the World, which were sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, laughter, and love.  A reminder that all of us have been given the Seven Wonders of the World by our creator. 

Song of the day:  Silent Night by Mercy Me

Saying of the day:  “The greatest motivator to the starting five on a basketball team is the bench” Roy Williams – N. Carolina - Tar Heels.

Verse of the Day – 1st day of Advent – Isaiah  40:3-6  … Prepare ye the way of the Lord….

Three eagles sitting in the big cottonwood tree as you enter the ranch.

A military family who recently attended Operation Welcome Home.

One of nature’s colorful bushes in late fall is “Bittersweet”.

I don’t think I will be sharing anything new outside of the photos and stories, but we all need daily reminders to count our blessings. The Bible repeats several times “…to give thanks always for all things.” For me to understand that, I take it to mean that in all our circumstances, troubles, disappointments and heartaches, we are to take time to think of how worse things could be and be reminded that God can turn all our troubles into good. Three examples:

1. Jim Martinson was severally injured in Vietnam leaving him without his legs. Because of that injury, he has gone on to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

2. While Dana Bowman was in the military, he was doing a routine parachute jump with a partner and they collided midair, severing both of Dana’s legs. Dana has gone on to be a national speaker sharing his story of faith and courage

3. Veit Le, a marathon runner was stricken with a stroke and says that, “It was easier to run a marathon than to pick up a cheerio one at a time and put into a bowl.” All three of these people have come and shared their story at Ironwood.

I just got a reminder from Tee It Up For The Troops to be thankful for Faith, Family, Freedom, Flag, Friends and I will add two more - Food and Fun.

I know tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day) may be a very difficult day for many of you because of Covid-19, but I want to encourage you to make the best of it and to take time to intentionally think of things that you are thankful for and share it with those around you, either in person or virtually.

Verse for the Day: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34

Thanks to Eagle Scout Kyle Weinschenk from troop 27 for building this fully accessible firepit, which will be a blessing to all of the people in wheelchairs that we serve. It was used this fall already for wheelers! Kyle’s helpers and donors include: Collin Weinschenk, Dominic Schwirtz, Griffin Becher, Steve Weinschenk and KC Reed, Rochester Concrete products and Rochester Sand and Gravel.

We are thankful for the creativity of the board and our staff in stepping up our snowtubing experience for this winter. We are creating an outdoor winter village experience with outdoor warming shelters, broomball, and fun games. Now we just need snow and tubers. You can watch for tubing schedules online!

The two words to keep in our hearts and minds daily, thankful and blessed, certainly don’t mean everything in our lives and families is going great. They mean that we take time to COUNT OUR BLESSINGS and focus on the positive things, make changes where we can and leave the result in the Lord’s hand.  If you will intentionally focus on these 2 words, it will definitely brighten your day and turn your heartache to hope and tears to triumph.

I am thankful that I got to deer hunt with the help of several people. My deer hunting ended with a shot using my camera of 2 twin fawns 30 feet away but I felt blessed for having good friends and being able to see God’s beauty.

We are thankful for the time, talent, and treasures of many Ironwood supporters that have allowed us to improve our facilities during this slower year, including the Cabin in the Woods remodel, the completion of our Miracle Lodge room redecorating, resurfacing of all parking lots. Scores of volunteers helped with this, along with donations of money and materials. We were also blessed to be able to serve some great groups this fall including one military family retreat. We were built to serve!

Verse for the day:  “Be on guard, be strong, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and do everything with love.” I Corinthians 16:13

Saying for the day:  God is too wise to make mistakes and too loving to be unkind.

Song for the day:  Truth be Told – Matthew West

One of over 50 retreats serving our military families the past 11 years (Operation Welcome Home).   We are excited to serve our military again in 2021. “All gave some, Some gave all”  Thanks for your continued support and thank a Veteran today.

This is also deer hunting season.  This photo was taken years ago. It is a photo of Jack hanging out with Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell hung around the ranch for several years. She was both tame and wild. She loved coming into the dining hall and having a plate of pancakes before going back into the woods.

With the prediction of warm weather, I decided to hunt for the 1st time in about 10 years. I hunt from my golf cart, which is wheelchair friendly.  Besides my golf cart scaring them, they can sure hid in the bushes. I have seen 20-30 deer, turkeys, ducks and squirrels, not to mention the beauty of the woods.  No venison yet, may go home with mostly photos and priceless memories. 

Morning devotions: I read from Our Daily Bread, another good one is the Upper Room and maybe you have your own.  This morning was a touching story about a MIA and later a POW that returned home to surprise his family. 

Song for the day:  Lee Greenwood  “God bless the USA”  Lee sang that song at Ironwood at the Miracles Happen Festival.

Verse for the Day: “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people” Proverbs 14:34

Saying for the day:  “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all”  “May we think of Freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right”

Miracles Happen.  Spread Love and kindness.

Bob Bardwell  

Soon after my injury in 1973 while I was still in the hospital a friend came to visit me and brought me a heavy box. Inside was this rock with Romans 8:28. What an important time for me to be reminded that God is in control, has a plan for our lives and can bring Hope out of Heartache. I have relied on that promise all throughout my life. God is faithful.

The answer to that question, “are you prepared”, lies in what was my focus and priorities for today?

My day starts with a devotion and pray with Jode my wife and out the door we go. I no more got to my office and my internet said UNSTABLE.  Six hours later it came back.

Here is what I intentional focus on:

1. Be Christ like as much as possible.

2. Keep the JOY Jesus,Others and You.

3. May my words be true, kind and necessary

4. Get ready for disappointment’s, changes and challenges.

5. Be an encourager.

6. COUNT MY BLESSINGS.

A FEW PHRASES I WILL REALLY MISS AFTER TUESDAY (NOT!): “Now or never”, “final alert, “Dire consequences”, “2 hours left”, “let me be blunt”, “700X match”, “Out of time”, and “No sugar coat”.

“Every Good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:17

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” I Thessalonians 5:16

Last weekend I came into the Miracle Lodge to welcome the military families and when the door is shut to the Riverside room this Old Testament scripture is put into the wood door. It is referring to the time when Solomon was building the temple and needed some encouragement, direction and wisdom.   I don’t think I ever came across this verse in my lifetime.  One year before we started this 9 year Mt. Everest size project, I read it and God used this verse to SPUR ME ON and get to the starting line.  There are 6 points to this verse and I needed every one to begin:

1. Get to work

2. The size of the task is huge

3. I am the Lord your God

4. Be strong

5. I will never fail you

6. It will be finished correctly.

In 2000 the Miracle Lodge was begun and I can’t tell you the many unknown and human uncertainly the next 9 years.   Did I have a few sleepless nights? I am sure I did, but God was always faithful IN HIS TIME. I did hang a sign in the lobby, which read, “Due to economic uncertainties, the light at the end of the tunnel is turned off until further notice.”   Believe me I read it many times, but with time and patience He never failed us and it was finished on time correctly. God definitely honored this verse and the saying, “If God’s in your dream, no request is too extreme.”

HOW ABOUT YOU?  What challenges and uncertainties are you facing today?  I understand that the pandemic is heavy on your heart and taking its toll on everyone.  The best advice I have is not my words but the words of the Lord and there are many.  “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.”  Deuteronomy 31:6  “Lo I am with YOU ALWAYS until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.  The rock outside the Miracle Lodge says, “With God all things are possible” 

If you don’t have a copy of my book (16, 565 extra days and counting) I would encourage you to get one. In chapter 21, you will read of the 31 miracles stories of the Miracle lodge.

Miracles Happen.

Bob