God,Family,Farm, and Forum !

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I Love this Forum, perhaps I like it too much ! This has been my families theme to me lately. Priorities. The internet has been a great tool to us. However, when it begins to interfere with my relationship with my family, I must rethink the advantages of it. My children are correct, "we used to do more things, dad" ! I admire the people who practice what they preach---so--I am going on hiatus. I'm going to read the messages that my family deems that I could help someone. What good would it do me if I gained a world but lost the faith of those that I hold so dear to my heart ? I am going to miss many parts of your comments, but count me with you as you struggle ! I'm always here if you think you need me but, for a while I am returning to those things that are my first priorty--God, Family, and Farm. God Bless You All and GL (this means you too, Vickii)

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), June 23, 2000

Answers

I think you're doing the right thing, but I'll look forward to reading one of your posts again.

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), June 23, 2000.

Good for you, Joel. My time on the 'puter is during lunch and breaks at work, so interferance w/family and farm aren't really affected. But I respect your decision...it is a good one.

-- Jim Roberts (jroberts1@cas.org), June 23, 2000.

Joel,

I cannot agree with you more. Although my hubby uses the 'puter for his business, I get to use it often. BUT...I have found myself thinking the same thing. Once a "thing" begins overtaking those things which are or should be more important in our lives, that's all it is, a thing. That's why I haven't been here too often lately. I'm just now catching up on the past 7-10 days worth of posts. I enjoy using this tool & that's all it should be. So now I'll go practice what I preach also, after I check my email. God, Family and Farm, sounds good for the title of the book you may consider writing!

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), June 23, 2000.


We'll miss you Joel but a guys gotta do what a guys gotta do. Via con Dios amigo.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), June 23, 2000.

Gotta give you praise and credit for hearing your families cries!! I have found I've been doing the same thing. It is so easy to get busy reading all the posts. I too am only reading part of them now. Thanks for your honesty!

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), June 23, 2000.


Good Luck, good Choice, and I'm following right behind.......

-- Novina in ND (lamb@stellarnet.com), June 23, 2000.

I for one am really going to miss you Joel. I just wanted to let you know how much you have brightened up my time on this Forum. Vaya Con Dios, my friend. You have some lucky kiddos.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), June 23, 2000.


Good luck Joel! Good priorities...

As for me, I am WAY behind already in school...only an 8 week quarter and I have to do 10 weeks worth of stuff, plus guess what! It's summer and there's a lot to do outside on the farm. I am one to procrastinate (big time!)and this forum is so much fun and a great distraction! So I will also have to be around here less.

Time for everyone else to chime right in, though! Good luck!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 23, 2000.


Joel, this is going to be a whole lot less fun without you here. Perhaps your family will allow us visitation rights to you now and then, time off for good behavior and all. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), June 23, 2000.

And who, might I ask, are we going to have set us up for the wonderful discussions we've been having???

Just kidding -- I've often thought you must be a pretty great person - - the choice you've made just proves it. Good luck, and drop in when you can!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), June 23, 2000.



Oh, the eternal search for balance!It does take time doesn't it, but you will be sorely missed. I didn't know that Founding Fathers was your first post...kind of strange since that is when I first found this forum. I thought you were a regular, then I thought you might be an agent, then I thought, this guys pretty dang fun! I will miss your kanooter valves and all the other fun stuff.

Enjoy your break and your family. God Bless.

-- Doreen (livinginskin@yahoo.com), June 23, 2000.


Joel my friend! Don't stay away too long but do enjoy those little gifts from Almighty God. They do grow up so fast. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@otbnet.com), June 23, 2000.

A wise man knows his prioritys. You have raised my blood pressure a few times, and I think I might actually miss that.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), June 23, 2000.

Joel, Kudos to you! I too have so enjoyed your thoughts and will indeed miss them. God Bless!

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), June 23, 2000.

Very interesting discussion. Have enjoyed reading the thoughtful different points of view without any of the hatefulness that ususally accompanies religious discussions. I think in some ways religion or whatever you want to call it, is closely tied with homesteading. The simple life, love of and taking care of the earth that God gave us, community, taking responsibility for our families, raising our kids right, trying to do what is morally just, hard work. I know I got alot of those traits from my parents, but it was taught to me through religion and it naturally led me leading the life I do now. Although it's interesting to read different points of view, I'm sure most of us are comfortable with what we believe and more than likely will not change. My Grandfather was a Southern Babtist minister and on his tombstone he had these words inscribed.."Not by the good works we have done, but by the Grace of God, will we meet again." I have seen it all my life, but just recently really understood what he meant. God, not man, will decide who will be with Him. Only He alone knows. Man can theorize till doomsday, but we are not the authority to judge or condem others, that is Gods' position, and only His alone. I'll bet there will be quite a few surprises come judgement day, who God chooses and who man thought would be chosen!

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), June 23, 2000.


Oops, got so engrossed in the religion discussion, I posted on the wrong message. Should have been down a few messages!!!!! Sorry!!!!

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), June 23, 2000.

Joel.....what can I say except "you are ALWAYS welcome on my porch"...How about a family trip to Northeast Alabama???God Bless!

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), June 23, 2000.

Thank you for charging up our brain cells, Joel Rosen - your name comes up in many discussions around here - sure wish you and yours were neighbors here on the hill! Then again, nothing would get done around the homestead!!! Looking forward to your return. Enjoy your family, faith and farm - we're enjoying ours.

Judi

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), June 23, 2000.


Joel, come back quick as you can. Your "spot" is always open. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), June 23, 2000.

See ya in Australia on Survivor II! Good luck, and please give us a comment now and then. Our best to your family. Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), June 24, 2000.

Durn!! Try not to stay away too long - you are too much the voice of our concience here. Either that, or you're the little guy in the red suit on the OTHER shoulder....

Enjoy the kids - wouldn't know what to do without mine, that's for sure!! (Of course, it's the other way around at our house - she ignores me for the computer!!)

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), June 24, 2000.


A man usually never knows how many friends he has till after he is dead. Thank You for your nice thoughts while I still draw breath. I wish there was more of me to share but I am only flesh and blood. I'm always with you, in spirit, if not in word. I owe my children more than hugs and kisses."For the woods are lovely ,dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep" Thanks Again !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), June 24, 2000.

Joel, well you are a very interesting character and I will miss reading your posts. You always give me food for thought and have become the voice in the wilderness for many of us. I respect your decision, the family must come first. I have already cut back on my computer hours but all I have here on the itty bitty farm is my goats, chickens, dogs, cats, and rabbits, the boys are all grown and find themselves helping me more than the other way around. they grow up too fast!! enjoy them while you can and God bless karen

-- Karen Mauk (dairygoatmama@hotmail.com), June 24, 2000.

Joel, I know that line you quoted and can't think who wrote it. It's driving me crazy!!! Yes,the computer can really soak up your time! Will miss your posts. Enjoy your family. Hope your crops do well. Best wishes to you all, Pauline

-- Pauline Adderley (tworoosters_farm@AltaVist.com), June 24, 2000.

Stopping by the Woods on a Winter Evening-- by Robert Frost. Hope you enjoy it, Pauline !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), June 25, 2000.

You will be missed, Joel! I don't always agree with you, but you have sound values and good advice -- hope you'll pop in once in a while, at least!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), June 25, 2000.

Hi Joel, I am a relative newcomer on this board, but I have read a lot of the "old" stuff b4 my time and I have enjoyed your writing although I certainly don't agree all the time. Intelligent opinions and feelings are always very interesting and thought-provoking. Family comes first, but do come back soon, Helen Walker

-- Helen (bluechicken@wildbearnet.net), June 26, 2000.

Joel, been gone for 3 days to a family reunion--& have missed soooo much while I was gone! Felt like comming home this morning--I finished my bible study, scripture reading, Etc. that I do on the computer---then slipped over to Country Side as I always do---felt like comming home! What a busy weekend ya all had! ha! Joel, I spend the time on this forum while my hubby is at work--as it feels like I'm with family while he is gone! Do check in when you can--soo glad you have your priorities in order! God Bless! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), June 26, 2000.

Joel---try to pop in once in a while. It's great to see someone who is so passionate about the same things as myself, sometimes I wonder if anyone even cares about our rights & liberties anymore (Countrysiders excluded!). And YOU remember that if you think you need us, we're here. God bless.

-- dave (tidman@midiowa.net), June 28, 2000.

Joel, for Heaven's sake! We are all a bit weird, although you and I may be on the edge! I, too, found myself a little too addicted, but as I get busier, I visit less often. When family and business are slow, I come here more often. Tonight, I have an hour that I may use to view the network news, or come here. It's my one hour every couple of days that I give myself, as we all should. Network news loses! So here I am. And so shall you! See ya' around the campus! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), June 28, 2000.

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