Tuesday October 13 2015  A DAY TO REMEMBER

CALENDAR WISDOM

IN THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN

THE STREAM AND THE ROCK,

THE STREAM ALWAYS WINS,

NOT THROUGH STRENGTH

BUT BY PERSEVERANCE.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

By Kathleen Martens

October 13 2015

Certain days are to be remembered,

And this is one of those.

A day unplanned, so beautifully displayed,

Like when you stop to smell a rose.

Simple pleasures sweet as a blossom

That uncurls just because,

And when it blooms it is perfect,

Without wrinkle or flaws.

Such was today, discovered each hour,

No plans to thwart our day.

Like a leaf being blown by the wind

Creating new ways to play.

The hours unfold bringing pleasure

That happened in sequential song.

Unencumbered by constraints or time,

And to the hours we seemed to belong.

Very rarely do I title a poem before I write it.  The poem usually comes first and then I figure out the title.  However, today’s title was written first as if I no choice as what to write.  The poem describes the day so accurately.  We had a day open before us and on the spur of the moment we just followed our hearts.  We discovered some interesting places to go and things to see. 

I don’t know if any who read this blog knows about the COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS in Hollister, Missouri near Branson.  I’ve often read its roadside signs as I have traveled these highways for the past 29 years when I went to see my family in Arkansas.  I never gave the signs a second thought.  Well, what we discovered is that this is a college, like no other college we’ve ever heard of.  Its roots began back in the early 1900’s when a missionary came to this area and realized there were no high schools and not much education happening in “these here” Ozark hills.  A high school was formed which later became a Junior College and then later a four year accredited Liberal Arts College.  Following is an excerpt from a website that tells about the college.  I think you will find its concept quite interesting.

“Christian values and character, hard work, and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U” experience.  At a time when there is much talk about what is wrong with the nation, College of the Ozarks exemplifies what is right with America.

C of O is committed to its founding mission of providing a quality, Christian education to those who are found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to obtain such training.  Instead of paying tuition, all full-time students work campus jobs to defray the cost of education.  Upon complete participation in the Work Education Program, the College guarantees to meet the entire cost of education for students, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt-free.  The College openly discourages debt by not participating in any federal, state, or private loan programs and leads by example through having no institutional debt of any kind.

 “Hard Work U” earns numerous accolades yearly, including…”

One of the “business” ventures that the students are involved in is working in a restaurant on campus in the Keeter Center.  It is huge and cavernous, more like a beautiful over sized barn. All the food is grown on the premises, farmed by the students, prepared and served by the students.  We decided to have lunch only to find out that the only way you eat there is through reservations and they book up way ahead.  We made reservations for lunch tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.  You take what you can get when you are only going to be in town for two more days. 

We did a little exploring in the Keeter Center and then left to eat lunch elsewhere due to Dave’s schedule of eating.  We plan to get up early tomorrow so we can walk the campus and do some more exploring.  The campus is situated on a mountain top and it is absolutely beautiful.  There is much to see and discover.  After lunch we dropped off our lunch leftovers at our cottage and took off for the movie theater which Dave had discovered earlier in the day.  The movie we wanted to see was “90 Minutes in Heaven” based on the true story of Don Piper who died in a horrendous head on collision with a semi-trailer truck.  After being pronounced dead for one and a half hours he was prayed over and came back to life.  It is an amazing story.  I recommend reading the book (same title) before you see the movie.  The movie was done well but a lot of the details in the book had to be left out due to limited movie time.

When the movie was over Dave and I went directly to the Starlight Theater on the Branson Strip for the one event that we had previously planned.  We went to hear “THE TEXAS TENORS”.  They were awesome.  I think they rank number one show of all that we have ever seen here in Branson (except those in the Sight and Sound Theatre).  I have never watched the T.V. show “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” so I had no prior knowledge of who they are.  This was the show that led to their stardom.  All three were having a difficult time making a living and one of the men was the instigator in forming the group so they could try to get on the show.  The grand prize was one million dollars.  They made it to the finals and won the million dollars.  I can see why.  They are awesome!  If you are ever in Branson or have the opportunity to see them on the road when they travel I encourage you to treat yourself to a wonderful evening of exceptional entertainment.

And now we are back at the cottage and I am enjoying my day all over again just writing about it.  I think what makes a day such as today so pleasant is the peace that Dave and I share doing things together, without the stress of work, and no demands on our time.  All the riches in the world cannot replace peace.  I am truly one of the most fortunate people in the world to be loved like I am by a man as wonderful as Dave.  And what makes it even better is that I have Dave to love in return.  It is a day such as this that makes it a day to be remembered.

Good night and God bless your tomorrow that it will be a day to remember.

P.S.  Below are some photos taken on campus of The College of the Ozarks.