Cooped up, travelers, a good report, squeezing out the time

It may be safe to plant a garden now. Since Mama and I added the extra height of wire to the coop yard we have had very few escapees. We do have to make minor adjustments to the inhabitants of each side every night in order to keep the chickens that like to get out on the side where we have added the extra wire, but other than that, we seem to be able to contain the hens in the assigned enclosure. As for planting, we will wait until the garden dries out a bit before getting into it to plant. So far, we have had about an inch and a half of rain. That is a blessing for the ground but not so much so for the dogs being let in and out of the house. That is always the tradeoff.

Kira’s pups have discovered the food dish and are routinely emptying it. Kira is about ready to wean the pups so getting them interested in dog food was a necessity. This weekend I will get the kennel attached to the birthing center so the pups have a small outside area to go potty – rather than in the building; if Victoria can make that work. The pups are growing very quickly and should be ready to find a new home in about three weeks. One is already spoken for. Mama and Victoria have already chosen their favorite so that one will need a very special owner.

Nate, Cori and the kids should be here tomorrow. Nate and Cori will be traveling to Honduras next week while the kids stay at the farm with us. This trip will allow them to locate and set up a house to move into at the end of May when they relocate to the field. They are excited about getting to the work and getting involved. Having a house ready to go will facilitate not only the move, but also the initial involvement in the work they will be doing there. It is a tall order to find and secure a house in a foreign country in only a few days. We will bathe the search in prayer and trust the Lord that, as He has supplied every other need for Nate and Cori as they have been on deputation, He will have a house ready for them that will be just the right home in just the right area with just the right neighbors. Hopefully, Mama and I will get to see the house this year, but that remains to be seen.

Norman took Grandpa to the doctor in Hot Springs yesterday and the report from the doctor was a good one. Grandpa’s vitals, his bloodwork and his heart all look good – for his age. I am always a little suspect when the doctor dismisses a lack of energy, a general malaise and periodic bleeding in the bowel to the consequences of age, but that was the prognosis. “You’re as good as can be expected for your age,” was his general disclaimer. Grandma and Grandpa were both thrilled. We will celebrate the good news with them. While they were in Hot Springs, they stopped by to see Rebekah and Bridgette – and pick up a bumper Mile had hauled to Hot Springs to sell for me and Mama almost a year ago. I will put the bumper on my truck and explore the option of selling the freshly outfitted truck.

I taught class yesterday and Mama and I came to the office later in the evening to work on our business. We seem to be making small steps forward, but it is a painfully steep learning curve. I am not complaining. At some point in the near future, it should prove to be worth all the effort we can muster to get it going. However, Mama and I did not realize just how busy our lives are until we needed to extract ten to twelve hours per week for this project. I need about twice that amount of time to get grounded, but that’s not going to happen.

You gotta love it!