In many aspects this is more of a prayer request than anything else. Becky and company flew out yesterday to Iowa. My pastor an many of my crew left this morning and I will be taking the Red Eye at 2 am this morning with my two older sons. At 9 am tomorrow morning we will begin this battle of homesteading ideals in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

It is our lives on the line this time and next week it could be yours. We request your support and prayers and we promise you a noble and honorable protrayal of the Homesteading lifestyle in return. I can't ever remember asking anyone here for any support in the past but we could really use your prayers this time.

You see-prayers are all we have because Delta wouldn't even allow our assualt rifles in the belly of the plane. It is my sincere hope that these type of events never happen to you !!!

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), March 27, 2002

Answers

So Joel, What exactly is going on? What's in Fort Dodge,Iowa and why do you need assualt rifles? Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.co), March 27, 2002.

You have my prayers Joel. I'm not exactly sure what for, but God knows.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@farm.com), March 27, 2002.

He had posted before, on the "Spring Break" thread, about the looming custody battle that his wife had to go through with her ex-husband. I "think" he was just kidding about the assault rifles, but maybe not (!)...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 27, 2002.

We just got home an hour ago from a trip to Sears in Ft. Dodge. Is Ft. Dodge where you'll be or going on to another town close by? We're about 35 miles NW of there. I can't quite figure out why you're coming to this area but good luck with whatever you're talking about.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

He wasn't kidding. Airlines won't let you check your assault rifles any more.

I hope you can reason with these people and you will be remembered in prayer. Keep us posted and my best to all of you!!!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), March 27, 2002.

Yes, I was kidding about taking weapons, it is a court battle. However, Doreen is correct we used to check our weapons with airlines and that is no longer permitted.

Anna--my wife is from Fort Dodge and I have lived in Gowrie, Manson, Grand Junction, Eagle Grove and Primghar. So where are you from ?

Got2go--ImLa8

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), March 28, 2002.

It lasted two and half hours. That was 30 minutes of our 13 year old and an ninety minutes of myself--than my wife"s ex-husband withdrew his case. I can't even remember what I said ? It must have been enough--or it was God talking, I think !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), March 30, 2002.

you cant even check rifles as luggage? If you break them down, then the arent rifles at that point,, and only parts. That might work. HAd to do that for a Cananda trip once,, since we wernt going thru a guide

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 30, 2002.

I am glad it worked out for you Joel.

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), March 30, 2002.

Glad that worked out!!

As to the rifles, I guess you can take them as checked baggage, but they have to be declared and you have to pick them up seperately. I don't know about dismantling. I had heard that you couldn't even take them anymore as checked, but it may have just been rumor.

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), March 30, 2002.

Hi again Joel,

We live on an acreage outside of Renwick. I was in Eagle Grove this last week actually, I'm on a bowling league. So, I grocery shop at Fareway and run my other errands while I'm there. When did you live in Eagle and for how long? I actually grew up in So. CA but have lived here 30 years. As you know, Ft. Dodge is the largest town around so we go there for the big things periodically. Small world isn't it?

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), March 30, 2002.

Anna, I lived in Eagle Grove from 1960 to 1963 at 805 west Broadway, the house is still there or was in 1995. My father was the Pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church which is one block west of the main intersection of Broadway and highway 17 ? on Broadway. I grew up with some kids from Renwick who had lost their mom to cancer and my mom watched them for a period of time. Their dad was our milkman---boy, that goes way back. Anyone remember getting milk delivered to your porch everyday ?

While you have your map out, look 5 miles south of Harcourt and find Lanyon. What is unique about Lanyon ? I was Mayor of Lanyon from 1990 to 1994. It is also the home of Lyle and Rick Eckstrom. Rick has been in more firefights than any man alive and I wouldn't go anywhere without him ! If you should happen by someday than you'll see what is truly funny about that town ---You know--40 houses and 12 of them liveable, a church, and one old school falling down.

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), March 30, 2002.

I've been to Harcourt a number of times to eat at the Blue Willow Tea Room but have never been to Lanyon. We'll have to drive down that way next time we're in that area just to see what you're talking about. I have a good friend that lives in the 700 block of Broadway in Eagle so I'll have to look up 805 next time I go down that way. You didn't happen to go to Eagle Grove Junior College when you lived there in the 60's did you? My husband did from 62-64. I asked him if he ever knew Joel Rosen but he said the name wasn't familar. Did you know any Galen's, that's his first name :) Nice talking to you. Where do you live now?

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), March 30, 2002.

I live outside New Castle, Virginia which is 25 miles N.E. of Roanoke, Va. Do they let 7 and 8 year olds in Jr. College ? I was attending Lincoln Elementary during that time. No, I'm sorry that name is not familar to me now. Blue willow was always a little upscale for me but I drank a few coffees with her husband at the store in Harcourt. He is a pretty fair farmer--a passion that we share. Take Care !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), March 31, 2002.

I realized as soon as I posted about jc that you were probably too young......I forget how old my husband and I are. LOL The Blue Willow Tea Room was too upscale for dh too but when I took kids to church camp at Dayton Oaks an aunt and I would enjoy it once a year. Not only was it too unpscale for him the food was not to his liking.....too sissified! If he "has" to eat out give him Taco Tico in Ft. Dodge or a McDonald's.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), March 31, 2002.