It's been ages since I've blogged.  I am here in the lovely Elmira enjoying an extended visit with family and friends.  I haven't been in Elmira for about one year and although I lived here most of my life I had forgotten the unique smell that accompanies the beautiful landscape of this picturesque town.  It smells like...poop!  Horse poop, cow poop, PIG poop, chicken poop...you name the farm animal, you can smell it all, right here...no joke!  

I took Keilan to a friend's farm on Friday for some up close exposure to good old Waterloo County.  Keilan was fascinated with the barn and especially the baby calves.  He giggled as they sniffed him and was started when one tried to suck his fingers.  We stayed only about 40 minutes then stripped him of his poopy shoes, took off his smelly sweater and drove back to my parent's house.  Even though we had been there for a brief time, we STANK!!  Even Caleb's hair stank - and that's saying a lot because he doesn't have much!  I gave Keilan a bath, washed my hands...and arms!...changed my clothes, Caleb's clothes, threw them in the laundry and lathered on some mango lotion.  Guess what!  I could still smell FARM on me and Caleb!  It made me think of the residue that sin must leave on us.  Try as we might to do what we can to get rid of it, unless we are washed from head to toe, we will still stink...for a long time!  I wonder how I smell?