A Rich Heritage

Many people who were born and raised in this area have a very rich heritage.  The area was settled by many Russian immigrants who left everything so they could begin again in a new country.  The town of Grunthal was settled in 1876 by Russian Mennonites who fled their country because of persecution and in search of religious freedom.  We will enjoy learning more and will build a new section of library to help educate us about the history of our new area.

Henry and I have a rich heritage as well.  Our parents immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in search of opportunity.  This was 'way back' in the 50s when both sets of parents were barely out of their teen years themselves.  And they settled into farming communities and they worked HARD.  It is my guess that our definition of 'hard work' is not the same as the one they hold and remember from experience.  The stories I hear about the labour they put in to make a profit, to buy a farm and to keep it going are amazing. 

Want to help with haying anyone?   This is Ev's Opa and Dad in the 50s.

Henry's mom worked harder than any woman I know.  She was not just the farmer's wife, she was also the farmer.  Dad had to work out for some time to ensure an extra income for the farm and mom did a lot of milking then.  Without machines.  How many cows can you milk by hand?  It is more than my mind can handle.  And dad, yah, he worked hard too.  Just because he had a job off the farm did not mean he didn't also farm.  The hours he put in everyday were more than just from sun-up to sun-down. 

This all is a very rich blessing to us.  They taught us the importance of hard work and counting every penny twice before spending it.  (Farm Credit continues on with that training today!)  They bred right into Henry a love for dairy cattle that will be part of him until he leaves this earth - and beyond, Lord willing!

If that were not enough, this richness that is ours because of sacrifices our parents made, we have more reasons to be thankful.  In each home we were taught about the love of God and both of us have taken hold of this and accepted Christ as our Lord.  That is a gift that makes life worth living and writing about!

I don't have a photo of Dad and Mom Stam working but I have this photo that proves that a real faith and hard work lead to smiles and lives that are worth much more than any earthly treasure.