Owen Daniel, Cori and Nate, getting behind

I do not remember what time Makaila and Chase got to the hospital, but I know that Mama was texting the two of them through lunch yesterday afternoon. They were both very gracious keeping Mama posted on every development of effacing, dilating, and contracting. Through the quiet periods between these events Mama remained anxious to know the next bit of information. That continued through the evening, and then through church. It was only at the end of the church service that things went very quiet. We assumed that the phones had been set aside as the baby made his introduction to his parents. Right after we got home those assumptions were confirmed. Owen Daniel was born. Our youngest son now had a baby son to hold. The baby is healthy. Mommy is healthy. Chase is adjusting – and excited to be doing so. Owen was 7 pounds 11 ounces, 21 inches long. The next phase of the birthing celebration has begun with the initial pictures being sent. I still maintain that conception is the greatest miracle of creation we get to witness on a regular basis as a child is born to us. We take so much of it for granted.

Mama and I will be headed to Amarillo tomorrow morning. In addition to meeting our newest grandson, I have a meeting set up with our tax accountant for Friday afternoon. Mama and I make the trip every year about this time however, this is a very special trip having added Owen to the mix. I am always curious to see how our taxes turn out. I am fairly confident that this is the last year we will be in a position to get a refund on taxes paid. Starting in 2018 and continuing for the foreseeable future, we will be paying taxes over what has been collected through the year – which is not a bad thing. It just means we will be earning money rather than breaking even each year.

Cori and Nate let Mama know yesterday that they have purchased tickets to Honduras for early April – around the Easter timeframe. They are going down to look for housing. Whether they will purchase or rent remains to be seen, but the goal is to secure a dwelling so that when they do relocate to Honduras on the 10^th of May, they will have a place to unpack and set up a home. Meanwhile, the kids will be staying with Grammy – and Papi (only by extension.) Grammy is excited. It will be our last hurrah with that set of grandchildren before they head to Central America.

The Lord had blessed Nate and Cori throughout deputation. Nate has been very wise with the love offerings given and with the support raised. They have been able to accomplish in about eighteen months what takes many missionary families three years or more. When Mama announced their pending move as a praise during the time we were taking prayer requests last night, out pastor was quite pleased to hear they would be moving to their field in May. His remark, “They did that quickly.” Yes, they did.

Mama and I are falling behind on the work that needs to be done at the farm. I made a list of projects and related costs so we could set some financial goals to get the projects completed, however, that list has not had anything checked off for some time. As Mama and I have given priority to our new business, evenings have been relegated to that pursuit versus getting things done at the farm. None of the things we lack interfere with our care for the animals or maintenance of the house but all of them still need to be done. For instance, I am not sure if Mama and I will plant a garden this year. We are not to late to do so, but we are rapidly approaching that deadline for this area. Mama has big flowerbed ideas, but I have not even looked at the scope of that project. I want to do a lot of cleanup on the property and have not found the time to get that done. Doors need to be installed. Fences need to be built. Shelters need to be erected and all kinds of little repairs need to be made around the property.

Hopefully, by October of this year we will have the free time we are looking for. We just have to make due until we get there.