Change of plans, answered prayers, more prayers

Plans changed through the morning yesterday. I was thinking I would be going with Mama to Muenster and Gainesville for errands we had there but the man we have been buying calves from called yesterday morning. He had two calves for us, his brother had one and a friend had four ready to sell. The calf the brother had to sell was a beautiful heifer that has an Angus bull as the father. She is very much her father’s daughter and the brother was getting ready to call a friend to offer him for sale when Tom called and told him to hold her for us. This was an answer to prayer.


We went to Tom’s farm first and loaded up two calves. One was a preemie but the other was a pretty big bull calf. We then went to the brother’s farm and loaded up the heifer. For the price we paid Grandma was irritated that she was not bigger (She is only one week old now.) but she is a great start to our breeding stock. Tom pulled me aside and asked if I was disappointed but I assured him I was not.

Tom rode with us to the farm of the friend he recommended to us. He did not want us to buy calves from just anyone and he obviously thought very highly of Robert. When we got to his dairy we found out why. Grandpa was impressed with the setup, the neatness and the cleanliness of the farm. He had four calves ready to go. He had another three that he felt like he needed to doctor up a bit and five others that were newborns. He was planning to hold them for several days to see how they turned out.

All in all we got seven calves last night. Two from Robert were almost a month old so we are already money ahead on them. One we are a little worried over since he is so young and so small, but we did the same thing with Tiny. This one Victoria has named Teeny Tiny. He is a beautiful little bull, just very small. I do not remember the names of the others but I am sure Victoria and Mama will. I hope to hear good news this morning after the first morning feeding. My original prayer list request was for 13-15 head of calves so we better get ready for six to eight more pretty quickly.

On the way back to his farm to drop him off, Tom expressed an interest in getting a couple hogs. He had heard that someone at Trade Days had some pigs for sale and we were able to tell him that they were not worth the money since Grandpa had looked them over. Tom asked to let him know if we found some good ones. He would like two or three on the farm to eat the spilled feed. That excited Grandpa. Now we are going to look for pigs. Another prayer answered.

I suggested getting the pigs and trading for the calves. That got the conversation going. Now we are going to progress on the hog building at a much faster pace. Grandpa is looking for any way to turn a profit and keep the cattle stock growing. Having the building will give us the resources to kick the process into high gear. When these farmers find out what Grandpa can do both in raising great stock animals and as a mechanic, we will have the resources to grow our little operation without sitting in a booth at Trade Days. Also an answer to prayer.

Becky called last night to tell me that an Army recruiter told her the Army wants her back as a paramedic. I told her that if she was asking my advice I would advise against it. Based on her past experience in both her personal life and her married life, I think it would be a mistake. I have to believe God has a better way for her and Charles than that. Whether or not they will pursue it is another matter altogether.

Be praying for Charles’ salvation. It is the key to their success.