Yesterday was a blur – of sorts. I left the farm and drove to Borger where I spent the rest of the day in meetings. I excused myself from dinner with the group that evening so I could go to church. I have to pick up on the meetings this morning in a few minutes. This meeting is scheduled for the entire day. It is the conclusion of the assessment we did at the beginning of July and it continues to tie up about thirty people. Hopefully the outcome will yield the benefits that are expected.
I got to spend a few minutes with Chase last night before he had to go pick up Makaila for church, but he seems to be doing very well. He was most encouraged that his snake is shedding – a sure sign of growth – and that the snake is eating live mice. That kind of feeding is so much more fun to watch than seeing it eat a thawed, very dead mouse.
He is prepping us for missing both thanksgiving and Christmas with us as he tries to arrange his work schedule for maximum earnings through Black Friday and the Christmas season. Mama will be disappointed, but I expected as much. Money is more important at this point than family. Besides, if he and Makaila stay together he will have family to spend the holidays with. I am certain they will not mind.
Mama and Grandma went to church in Decatur last night. Victoria did not get off in time to make the trip. I guess things at Wal-mart got too busy to let her go at the appointed time and Grandma and Mama could not wait, but Mama said the service was great. The pastor’s son preached and they really seemed to enjoy it.
I enjoyed the service at Central Baptist also. It was encouraging to see the Faith Promise commitment made for the coming year - $166,500. Attendance last night was way down and I couldn’t help but wonder at the magnitude of the commitment, but the church has met its commitment year after year and God is still the greatest enabler known to mankind. We will be a part of the Faith Promise at our new church in Decatur this year. I will have to ask what their commitment is for the year.
I had to leave before the service was over because they were serving communion and Central Baptist is closed communion. Since I am no longer a member I would have been asked to leave so I left at the altar call. I have no problem with the practice of closed communion, but I still do not see it in the scriptures the way Pastor Chadwick does; even though he says it is very plain to see. With our church in Decatur I will not have to answer that question since it is not their practice.
Tonight and tomorrow I will pack up some things at the Amarillo house for transport to the farm. I am trying to be careful to bring only what we either can readily use or what we have room to store because there really is no good place to put extra things.
We are making progress on the shop and apartment but it is much slower than I had anticipated because the amount of travel required of me this month. The plumbing is set to go in this Saturday and I am hoping to get the concrete down next Saturday. I am not sure how much Grandpa will do without me, so the real construction will not begin until October.
Mama and I will be in Amarillo together the last week of September to oversee the packing and shipping of the items we still have in the Jennie Ave house. I am planning on those items being stored until after Thanksgiving – at which time I hope to have the apartment ready.
Even that seems very ambitious at this point.
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Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Fun week, work ahead, sad news for our church
Last week was a fun and productive week for us at the farm; putting up the first hay from our meadows, getting the shop ready to set forms, horseback riding on our farm for the first time, sharing the farm, the animals and the pond with Nate, Cori and the grandkids. On Saturday, as they traveled home, Grandpa and I worked on setting the forms for the apartment. We finished getting everything level and square late in the evening. Now we are in a holding pattern as we wait on the plumbing to be done. I really needed Sunday to rest up.
I hired out the plumbing under the slab to a man in our church who has just started his own business. He came out early Monday morning to look the job over and give me an estimate. The only caveat is that he may not be able to get to it until Saturday afternoon. With that time table I will not get the slab poured until the following weekend – unless I can find someone to do the pour for me. I have not found anyone yet and I will be in Borger for the better part of the week next week and the week following. I have to trust it is the Lord’s timing even though I had different plans.
Through our church contacts, Mama did find a place where we can buy some piglets for a very good price. We will probably start back with two pigs pretty soon so they will be the right size before it gets too hot next summer. (Grant seemed to get over the fact that we were eating the pigs whose pictures still adorn his bedroom door.)
We will also look into getting another six laying hens at Trade Days this weekend or next – I still cannot figure out how they do the “Second Monday Trade Days” on whatever Saturday they pick. Since we are here it will be no real issue for us to go whenever the activity is scheduled, but I have yet to figure out just how they schedule it. October should be a month in which we take full advantage of the many items offered for sale there – especially for doors and kitchen counters. We will supply much of the rest of the cabinets and such from IKEA – which Cori helped us find.
Mama and I spent the majority of the day shopping yesterday. I spent a good bit of time at Lowe’s where I picked up some stakes to reinforce the forms. The only problem is that the ground is so hard that they cannot be driven into it. I also bought a framing nailer that I found on sale. I have wanted to get one for years but have not been able to justify it. With the framing work we have ahead of us, I thought it was the right time. It will save Grandpa and I a lot of forearm strain not having to drive every nail with a hammer. (I replaced my stolen air compressor with that thought in mind – even though I had no idea at the time we would buy a farm.)
When we got to church Sunday morning we got some bad news. On Saturday afternoon a young man in the church was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was Victoria’s age so she knew who we were talking about then we told her later that day. She was not with us because she is still quite sick with some respiratory infection. He was the youngest son of one of the church families and since there are several branches of the same family in the family in the church, the loss was significant to the congregation in general. On Friday the same family had a grandson born to them. This life is truly unpredictable.
On the same morning our church entertained a missionary family that has a ministry to the military. They were a delightful group; the husband, the wife and the fourteen children.
Mama and I only made it half way there.
I hired out the plumbing under the slab to a man in our church who has just started his own business. He came out early Monday morning to look the job over and give me an estimate. The only caveat is that he may not be able to get to it until Saturday afternoon. With that time table I will not get the slab poured until the following weekend – unless I can find someone to do the pour for me. I have not found anyone yet and I will be in Borger for the better part of the week next week and the week following. I have to trust it is the Lord’s timing even though I had different plans.
Through our church contacts, Mama did find a place where we can buy some piglets for a very good price. We will probably start back with two pigs pretty soon so they will be the right size before it gets too hot next summer. (Grant seemed to get over the fact that we were eating the pigs whose pictures still adorn his bedroom door.)
We will also look into getting another six laying hens at Trade Days this weekend or next – I still cannot figure out how they do the “Second Monday Trade Days” on whatever Saturday they pick. Since we are here it will be no real issue for us to go whenever the activity is scheduled, but I have yet to figure out just how they schedule it. October should be a month in which we take full advantage of the many items offered for sale there – especially for doors and kitchen counters. We will supply much of the rest of the cabinets and such from IKEA – which Cori helped us find.
Mama and I spent the majority of the day shopping yesterday. I spent a good bit of time at Lowe’s where I picked up some stakes to reinforce the forms. The only problem is that the ground is so hard that they cannot be driven into it. I also bought a framing nailer that I found on sale. I have wanted to get one for years but have not been able to justify it. With the framing work we have ahead of us, I thought it was the right time. It will save Grandpa and I a lot of forearm strain not having to drive every nail with a hammer. (I replaced my stolen air compressor with that thought in mind – even though I had no idea at the time we would buy a farm.)
When we got to church Sunday morning we got some bad news. On Saturday afternoon a young man in the church was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was Victoria’s age so she knew who we were talking about then we told her later that day. She was not with us because she is still quite sick with some respiratory infection. He was the youngest son of one of the church families and since there are several branches of the same family in the family in the church, the loss was significant to the congregation in general. On Friday the same family had a grandson born to them. This life is truly unpredictable.
On the same morning our church entertained a missionary family that has a ministry to the military. They were a delightful group; the husband, the wife and the fourteen children.
Mama and I only made it half way there.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Farm news
Nate, Cori and the grandkids have enjoyed their time at the farm. We have gotten into all kinds of activities but the boys seem content to roam about freely outside catching grasshoppers and throwing dirt clods. Victoria took the Florida crew fishing on Monday morning and they caught quite a few bass. The real fun was catching grasshoppers in the field at the pond to put on the hooks as bait. Many of the fish were big enough to keep but all were returned to the pond. I am about the only one that likes to eat them.
We have been back almost daily and have now caught bass, catfish and several kinds of perch. Grant spends almost all of his time trying to catch frogs – which we have in abundance. Although he killed several by exercising too tight a grip on them he was not willing for us to use them as bait. So I bought some worms, which proved far more efficient bait than grasshoppers.
Grandpa has been very busy through this week; cutting and baling hay, grading for the foundation on the shop building, disking the meadow for reseeding and spreading gravel. He has been a part of almost everything farm related we have done. He is pretty worn out. Grandma has gotten involved in as much as she can, but has been most diligent in preaching her interpretation of sin and salvation to Nate and Cori; mostly in quiet conversation to avoid any input from me or Mama.
Yesterday Wes showed up to help us get the horses saddled and ready to ride. Nate had never been on a horse before and was not overly comfortable but Mama, Cori, Victoria and I had fun switching out horses. Cori and Victoria went for a good distance in a quiet ride. Cori had Mykenzie behind her for much of the time. She seemed to enjoy being on a horse more that either of her brothers. Wes even left his saddle and bridle so we could ride again this evening.
Today is the last day of their visit. They will head home in the morning. We are giving them our little van in the hopes it will last a couple of years for them. We do not need it as badly as they do. In preparation for handing it over we had the power steering pump replaced. The replacement pump sounded worse than the old one so Mama scheduled the van for another replacement at a shop in Wichita Falls. She and Cori took the van in on Wednesday and we picked it up yesterday. This shop did a great job on the repair. It is at least one thing Cori and Nate will not have to work on.
All of the grandkids have done well adapting to the dogs whose moist muzzle is right in their faces every morning. Once the initial greeting is over, they all seem to be okay – both kids and dogs. Mykenzie loves dealing with the chickens, one of which is friendly enough to be picked up and carried about. On Tuesday evening the kids even decided they would save Grammy the trouble and collected the eggs. Five of the eight even made it back to the house. It took some effort to get the chickens put back up but, all in all, they cooperate well with us.
It seemed God had His own timing on releasing the guineas. When we got up Wednesday morning they were all roaming about. The donkeys use the coop door that faces the west to scratch themselves (it is a frame covered with chicken wire.) and knocked it loose enough that the guineas were able to get out. The dogs always check them out when they see them, but mostly they are left alone to eat bugs and make noise. We will all get the routine down eventually. They have stayed close by. We were watching them make their way across the meadow last night to roost in their coop.
If they are happy, I am happy.
We have been back almost daily and have now caught bass, catfish and several kinds of perch. Grant spends almost all of his time trying to catch frogs – which we have in abundance. Although he killed several by exercising too tight a grip on them he was not willing for us to use them as bait. So I bought some worms, which proved far more efficient bait than grasshoppers.
Grandpa has been very busy through this week; cutting and baling hay, grading for the foundation on the shop building, disking the meadow for reseeding and spreading gravel. He has been a part of almost everything farm related we have done. He is pretty worn out. Grandma has gotten involved in as much as she can, but has been most diligent in preaching her interpretation of sin and salvation to Nate and Cori; mostly in quiet conversation to avoid any input from me or Mama.
Yesterday Wes showed up to help us get the horses saddled and ready to ride. Nate had never been on a horse before and was not overly comfortable but Mama, Cori, Victoria and I had fun switching out horses. Cori and Victoria went for a good distance in a quiet ride. Cori had Mykenzie behind her for much of the time. She seemed to enjoy being on a horse more that either of her brothers. Wes even left his saddle and bridle so we could ride again this evening.
Today is the last day of their visit. They will head home in the morning. We are giving them our little van in the hopes it will last a couple of years for them. We do not need it as badly as they do. In preparation for handing it over we had the power steering pump replaced. The replacement pump sounded worse than the old one so Mama scheduled the van for another replacement at a shop in Wichita Falls. She and Cori took the van in on Wednesday and we picked it up yesterday. This shop did a great job on the repair. It is at least one thing Cori and Nate will not have to work on.
All of the grandkids have done well adapting to the dogs whose moist muzzle is right in their faces every morning. Once the initial greeting is over, they all seem to be okay – both kids and dogs. Mykenzie loves dealing with the chickens, one of which is friendly enough to be picked up and carried about. On Tuesday evening the kids even decided they would save Grammy the trouble and collected the eggs. Five of the eight even made it back to the house. It took some effort to get the chickens put back up but, all in all, they cooperate well with us.
It seemed God had His own timing on releasing the guineas. When we got up Wednesday morning they were all roaming about. The donkeys use the coop door that faces the west to scratch themselves (it is a frame covered with chicken wire.) and knocked it loose enough that the guineas were able to get out. The dogs always check them out when they see them, but mostly they are left alone to eat bugs and make noise. We will all get the routine down eventually. They have stayed close by. We were watching them make their way across the meadow last night to roost in their coop.
If they are happy, I am happy.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Kids on the farm, repair work, caged birds and answered prayers, Joshua
Nate, Cori and the kids arrived safety on Friday evening. It had been a long day for them. It took over two hours just to get through the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. When we knew they were only a few minutes from the farm Mama and Grandma went to the intersection of Mac Donald Loop and Hwy 59 to meet them and guide them the farm. Since our property is only a few hundred feet from that intersection it was a very short part of their trip, but it was the best part for the two grandmothers.
We walked around a while before going into the mobile home. Cori and Nate were glad to be there. The kids were happy to be out of the vehicle. We looked at the horses and collected the eggs. Grant helped Mama with the evenings feeding and watering. It was pretty late when we finally went inside. The kids got down pretty late. We were much later.
Saturday Grandpa and Nate worked on the tiller. We had been unable to get it started last week. Turns out the carburetor was fouled and had to be taken apart to get a small plug out of the tiniest part of the pathway of the gas to the engine. After one attempt to clean it, it still would not work so Grandpa will pull it apart again today. I am glad he and Grandma are back. I think both of them are glad to be back also.
On Saturday morning while Nate, Grandpa and I were blowing out the carburetor the guineas decided to come home. Grandpa was working on the tiller and Nate and I had gone into the farm house so I could show him the materials and tools to build a swing for the kids. When I got back over to help Grandpa he told me to look in the coop where we had kept the guineas and all four of them we were in there.
I closed the door and got them some food and water. Mama and Victoria told me to just open the door let them go about as they pleased, but I would like the chance to do it correctly this time. I have been given a second chance to try this out. Maybe it will end up in the dogs killing them one at a time as I turn them out. Time will tell but it is a rare opportunity for a take two. I would like to be able to use this particular answer to prayer wisely.
Mama, Cori, Mykenzie and I spent the better part of the day in Dallas at IKEA. Cori had her heart set on getting some items there for her home and for gifts. We were in the store for about three hours. Mykenzie was content to ride along and look at all the items we were showing each other. Cori found everything she was looking for and Mama and I got a few ideas on how we can do the kitchen and bath in the apartment we are planning to build.
No work has been done to the shop since I cut away the piping that needed to be removed. I am hoping to get started leveling the area so we can move forward with our plans to begin construction. There is a lot that needs to happen before we can pour any concrete or put up any wood to attach the metal siding and roof. I am getting a little anxious to get started but Grandpa is still getting over the trip to West Virginia. We will get there, but it is slow going. (Grandpa is more interested in getting the hay put up; which is as it should be.)
Joshua did not make it up on Saturday. Part of the reason for our trip to Dallas was to use the time shopping to be there for his arrival later in the afternoon. He called late in the morning and told us that he would not be making the trip because he did not feel the bus company was treating his case fairly and the cost to change his ticket ($50) was more than he was willing to pay at this time. He managed to catch Russell before he got too far away so he could get a ride back to Victoria, TX.
It was disappointing, but not totally unexpected.
We walked around a while before going into the mobile home. Cori and Nate were glad to be there. The kids were happy to be out of the vehicle. We looked at the horses and collected the eggs. Grant helped Mama with the evenings feeding and watering. It was pretty late when we finally went inside. The kids got down pretty late. We were much later.
Saturday Grandpa and Nate worked on the tiller. We had been unable to get it started last week. Turns out the carburetor was fouled and had to be taken apart to get a small plug out of the tiniest part of the pathway of the gas to the engine. After one attempt to clean it, it still would not work so Grandpa will pull it apart again today. I am glad he and Grandma are back. I think both of them are glad to be back also.
On Saturday morning while Nate, Grandpa and I were blowing out the carburetor the guineas decided to come home. Grandpa was working on the tiller and Nate and I had gone into the farm house so I could show him the materials and tools to build a swing for the kids. When I got back over to help Grandpa he told me to look in the coop where we had kept the guineas and all four of them we were in there.
I closed the door and got them some food and water. Mama and Victoria told me to just open the door let them go about as they pleased, but I would like the chance to do it correctly this time. I have been given a second chance to try this out. Maybe it will end up in the dogs killing them one at a time as I turn them out. Time will tell but it is a rare opportunity for a take two. I would like to be able to use this particular answer to prayer wisely.
Mama, Cori, Mykenzie and I spent the better part of the day in Dallas at IKEA. Cori had her heart set on getting some items there for her home and for gifts. We were in the store for about three hours. Mykenzie was content to ride along and look at all the items we were showing each other. Cori found everything she was looking for and Mama and I got a few ideas on how we can do the kitchen and bath in the apartment we are planning to build.
No work has been done to the shop since I cut away the piping that needed to be removed. I am hoping to get started leveling the area so we can move forward with our plans to begin construction. There is a lot that needs to happen before we can pour any concrete or put up any wood to attach the metal siding and roof. I am getting a little anxious to get started but Grandpa is still getting over the trip to West Virginia. We will get there, but it is slow going. (Grandpa is more interested in getting the hay put up; which is as it should be.)
Joshua did not make it up on Saturday. Part of the reason for our trip to Dallas was to use the time shopping to be there for his arrival later in the afternoon. He called late in the morning and told us that he would not be making the trip because he did not feel the bus company was treating his case fairly and the cost to change his ticket ($50) was more than he was willing to pay at this time. He managed to catch Russell before he got too far away so he could get a ride back to Victoria, TX.
It was disappointing, but not totally unexpected.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Safe returns for all, more travel, Chase
Mama and I arrived at the farm about an hour after Grandma and Grandpa. I was surprised to see only the baler on the trailer but after really looking, it is about all that would fit. The good news is that it is here. We can bale hay; such as it is.
Mama and I got there in time for me to set up our bed. I was done before 10 p.m. but I was a sweaty mess from the activity. It was really good to have our own bed to sleep in. Victoria helped me and Mama unload the couch and she and Mama rearranged the living room to accommodate the entertainment center we managed to squeeze in the little van. We are going to miss that vehicle when it goes home with Nate and Cori.
Mama and I were a little disappointed with the repair of the power steering pump. Even though it has been replaced Mama says it still groans. Not as badly as before but it still can be heard. Maybe Grandpa and I can flush the system and at least lessen the noise. After $400 worth of repairs, it is frustrating to still have to work on the system we thought was fully fixed. It should still work well for Cori and Nate. I am praying so.
As we were coming through Wichita Falls last night Mama called me to tell me that Victoria had just called to tell her the guineas were back. They were roosting in the cedar tree in the back yard of the farm house; right outside her bedroom window. She found them as Dodger chased them into the tree and at first report she thought there were only three. Last night she and Mama found that all four were there. They spent six days walk about. Only God knows if they will stay. I am praying they will.
I told Mama earlier that I was praying for them to come back. It was a “fun miracle” kind of prayer. One that God never really needed to answer but one that would be fun to tell about for years to come. In light of that answer to prayer, I am continuing to pray for the sale or trade of our log home package. It would be more significant than God bringing back the guineas, but it would not be nearly as miraculous.
Cori, Nate and the kids should be on their way this morning. I understand that Grant is disappointed we no longer have the range of animals we used to. When we reassigned the pigs from the farm yard to the freezer, Cori took the pictures of them off of Grant’s door. He noticed immediately. Even though the pigs are no longer among the living their memory lives on on his door. I hope he is not too disappointed by the stock we do have.
We may have to go to Dallas tonight to get Joshua. It will be like driving to Bowie from Amarillo in terms of time on the road, but it will be worth it. Mama and I have not heard from Joshua this week so we are not sure if he is coming. I am still not completely sure but we should know sometime today. It looks like another long night.
Chase and Makaila are planning to come over sometime later next week. Chase hates to miss the weekend in the electronics department. He says it is usually enough to make the whole work week worthwhile. He was groaning yesterday about a man wanting seven 60 inch TV’s for a business presentation he had to do. Sears had only five in stock so the buyer went to Wal-Mart instead. Later, a couple had him ring up an 80 inch with all the accessories only to tell him they would have to think about it some more.
The life of a salesman is fraught with such disappointments.
Mama and I got there in time for me to set up our bed. I was done before 10 p.m. but I was a sweaty mess from the activity. It was really good to have our own bed to sleep in. Victoria helped me and Mama unload the couch and she and Mama rearranged the living room to accommodate the entertainment center we managed to squeeze in the little van. We are going to miss that vehicle when it goes home with Nate and Cori.
Mama and I were a little disappointed with the repair of the power steering pump. Even though it has been replaced Mama says it still groans. Not as badly as before but it still can be heard. Maybe Grandpa and I can flush the system and at least lessen the noise. After $400 worth of repairs, it is frustrating to still have to work on the system we thought was fully fixed. It should still work well for Cori and Nate. I am praying so.
As we were coming through Wichita Falls last night Mama called me to tell me that Victoria had just called to tell her the guineas were back. They were roosting in the cedar tree in the back yard of the farm house; right outside her bedroom window. She found them as Dodger chased them into the tree and at first report she thought there were only three. Last night she and Mama found that all four were there. They spent six days walk about. Only God knows if they will stay. I am praying they will.
I told Mama earlier that I was praying for them to come back. It was a “fun miracle” kind of prayer. One that God never really needed to answer but one that would be fun to tell about for years to come. In light of that answer to prayer, I am continuing to pray for the sale or trade of our log home package. It would be more significant than God bringing back the guineas, but it would not be nearly as miraculous.
Cori, Nate and the kids should be on their way this morning. I understand that Grant is disappointed we no longer have the range of animals we used to. When we reassigned the pigs from the farm yard to the freezer, Cori took the pictures of them off of Grant’s door. He noticed immediately. Even though the pigs are no longer among the living their memory lives on on his door. I hope he is not too disappointed by the stock we do have.
We may have to go to Dallas tonight to get Joshua. It will be like driving to Bowie from Amarillo in terms of time on the road, but it will be worth it. Mama and I have not heard from Joshua this week so we are not sure if he is coming. I am still not completely sure but we should know sometime today. It looks like another long night.
Chase and Makaila are planning to come over sometime later next week. Chase hates to miss the weekend in the electronics department. He says it is usually enough to make the whole work week worthwhile. He was groaning yesterday about a man wanting seven 60 inch TV’s for a business presentation he had to do. Sears had only five in stock so the buyer went to Wal-Mart instead. Later, a couple had him ring up an 80 inch with all the accessories only to tell him they would have to think about it some more.
The life of a salesman is fraught with such disappointments.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Travel safety, Joe West, Chase news
Today Mama and I will pack up our bed and head back to the farm. I elected not to take the day off so I could get a few things done in the Borger office and collect some items from that office to take with me. I will not have my own office in Decatur for several more weeks but there is a place I can put my things temporarily. Hopefully we will be on our way before the predicted rains hit. I really will miss this office and the people here.
Grandma and Grandpa are almost halfway home as of last night. They called as they were stopping for the night so we could pray with them about the safety of the equipment they have loaded on the trailer – there is no way to lock it up or secure it against theft. It is a legitimate concern but God is able to take of that pretty easily. If we could see into the heavenly realm it would be interesting to see how many angels are posted on the trailer.
We should arrive at the farm about the same time this evening. (Victoria will be elated to have her roommates back.) There will be very little time to unload anything tonight but it will be a blessing to see everything arrive safely. Maybe that is one of the first things Grandpa will need help with after everyone else arrives tomorrow. At any rate, Saturday should be very busy and if Grandpa deems the fields ready, we should be baling hay early next week; depending on the weather.
Mama and I went to hear Joe West preach at Central Baptist last night. As we talked with Joe and Doris before the service we counted twelve years since we have seen them. They look very much the same in every way. They have been married for over 62 years now and Joe says it just keeps getting better. We love the way he speaks. Last night is the only service we will get to attend but at least we made that one.
He talked about having unreasonable faith. One illustration he used was the woman who cast her two mites into the offering at the temple. Jesus said she had cast in all she had; her entire life’s savings. Joe West asked, “Don’t you imagine that if she had asked her friends about the decision to give the money they would have told her she was foolish?” But it was something God had asked her to do. The Bible says she cast it in (Mark 12:42), rather, threw it in (Luke 21:2).
He went on to say that it can be imagined she struggled with the decision right up until the moment she got there but at the last minute cast it away from her into the temple treasury. She walked away in great victory. Jesus saw and recognized the sacrifice and the Word of God bears a permanent record of the event in her life. Although we cannot know the heart, only the action, it is not hard to imagine that God took care of her in honor of her obedience. It was an exercise of unreasonable faith.
One young couple at Central went to the altar last night and committed themselves to full time mission’s service. They are the least likely of almost any couple in Central Baptist but God does the calling to suit his purpose and we will pray for them as they begin to arrange their lives to answer that call. It will not be easy, but if God is in it, it will be best. It always makes me wonder if he has the best working in my life; not good (because it really is good), but best.
Chase got a call on an apartment last night. It is the complex where Makaila’s father has the painting and repair contract. The manager offered to meet the price Chase was given on a smaller apartment with less amenities. Chase was excited. It topped off the raise in earning potential he was given by Sears yesterday. He was moved to a lower hourly rate but a higher commission rate.
He is seeing dollar signs on everything in the electronics department.
Grandma and Grandpa are almost halfway home as of last night. They called as they were stopping for the night so we could pray with them about the safety of the equipment they have loaded on the trailer – there is no way to lock it up or secure it against theft. It is a legitimate concern but God is able to take of that pretty easily. If we could see into the heavenly realm it would be interesting to see how many angels are posted on the trailer.
We should arrive at the farm about the same time this evening. (Victoria will be elated to have her roommates back.) There will be very little time to unload anything tonight but it will be a blessing to see everything arrive safely. Maybe that is one of the first things Grandpa will need help with after everyone else arrives tomorrow. At any rate, Saturday should be very busy and if Grandpa deems the fields ready, we should be baling hay early next week; depending on the weather.
Mama and I went to hear Joe West preach at Central Baptist last night. As we talked with Joe and Doris before the service we counted twelve years since we have seen them. They look very much the same in every way. They have been married for over 62 years now and Joe says it just keeps getting better. We love the way he speaks. Last night is the only service we will get to attend but at least we made that one.
He talked about having unreasonable faith. One illustration he used was the woman who cast her two mites into the offering at the temple. Jesus said she had cast in all she had; her entire life’s savings. Joe West asked, “Don’t you imagine that if she had asked her friends about the decision to give the money they would have told her she was foolish?” But it was something God had asked her to do. The Bible says she cast it in (Mark 12:42), rather, threw it in (Luke 21:2).
He went on to say that it can be imagined she struggled with the decision right up until the moment she got there but at the last minute cast it away from her into the temple treasury. She walked away in great victory. Jesus saw and recognized the sacrifice and the Word of God bears a permanent record of the event in her life. Although we cannot know the heart, only the action, it is not hard to imagine that God took care of her in honor of her obedience. It was an exercise of unreasonable faith.
One young couple at Central went to the altar last night and committed themselves to full time mission’s service. They are the least likely of almost any couple in Central Baptist but God does the calling to suit his purpose and we will pray for them as they begin to arrange their lives to answer that call. It will not be easy, but if God is in it, it will be best. It always makes me wonder if he has the best working in my life; not good (because it really is good), but best.
Chase got a call on an apartment last night. It is the complex where Makaila’s father has the painting and repair contract. The manager offered to meet the price Chase was given on a smaller apartment with less amenities. Chase was excited. It topped off the raise in earning potential he was given by Sears yesterday. He was moved to a lower hourly rate but a higher commission rate.
He is seeing dollar signs on everything in the electronics department.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Being numb, Aaron, Becky news
Mama and I both survived our dental appointments yesterday. She had three fillings and I had two. Both of us were numb for most of the evening. After the appointment we went to Lowe’s to get some prices on bathroom and kitchen items as well as slab reinforcement items. We were each laughing at the other for the way we were talking – or rather the way our mouth was moving differently due to the numbing. It has always struck me how profound the effect of dental numbing is yet no one around you can see it other than very small changes in the lip movement.
Grandma and Grandpa will be pulling out today hoping to arrive home late tomorrow. As it happens, Mama and I will be getting home tomorrow also. We plan on leaving in the afternoon so we can arrive in time to set up our bed before we have to be in it. I will be taking it down after I get back to Amarillo from the office. Several other items will be going with us on this trip but the bed is the main concern.
I did not hear if Mama and Chase got to look at any apartments. Chase has not spent much time with us in the evenings – preferring Makaila’s company to ours; go figure. As you can imagine this is a cause for concern to Mama but there is little we can do to change it; nor would I necessarily want to. Besides, who would deny them their one year anniversary celebration?
Aaron is going back to work today. It seems odd timing for resuming work but the Coast Guard has an odd schedule. I think Maggie is getting used to it overall, but she likes to have her mini-meltdowns on occasion. She is still worried about Aaron’s health. He still has several lymph glands that are swollen and he is running a low grade fever. To date, all that has been recommended is rest and fluids. That is not a bad prescription. I just may not be the right one for this instance.
Becky called to update us on some of the strange things going on in her life. Most of the “stranger than fiction” happenings center around her mother-in-law; who, thankfully is no longer living with them. Hearing the incidents through the prism of Becky’s view of life, it is difficult to be certain, but it would seem that that Charles’s mom needs some medical supervision.
The woman claims she has only six weeks to live. That is down from the two years she originally claimed when Charles and Becky took her in two or three months ago. Becky was questioning whether or not her mother-in-law ought to be hospitalized with such a short life expectancy. My only question to her was whether or not a woman in that poor a mental health condition really knows how long she has got to live? It is a moot point.
Charles had a job for two days but has not been called since. Becky said he has been at home waiting for a call to return to work for over a week. I suggested that she tell him to go get another job. That long a delay spells trouble and there was no need to wait. I would not want to work for someone who will not call and talk to me. On the other hand, it is a good excuse to feign loyalty while sitting at home. I am not sure what will happen, I only sense what should happen while Becky continues to go to school and works as many hours as she can. What did the Apostle Paul say, “If a man will not work…?”
The little van goes in the shop this morning to have the power steering pump replaced. Mama will be stuck at the house for the day. At least, that is the presumption. There are things she could do while there and I do not think the car repair work will take more than three or four hours.
By noon she should be mobile again.
Grandma and Grandpa will be pulling out today hoping to arrive home late tomorrow. As it happens, Mama and I will be getting home tomorrow also. We plan on leaving in the afternoon so we can arrive in time to set up our bed before we have to be in it. I will be taking it down after I get back to Amarillo from the office. Several other items will be going with us on this trip but the bed is the main concern.
I did not hear if Mama and Chase got to look at any apartments. Chase has not spent much time with us in the evenings – preferring Makaila’s company to ours; go figure. As you can imagine this is a cause for concern to Mama but there is little we can do to change it; nor would I necessarily want to. Besides, who would deny them their one year anniversary celebration?
Aaron is going back to work today. It seems odd timing for resuming work but the Coast Guard has an odd schedule. I think Maggie is getting used to it overall, but she likes to have her mini-meltdowns on occasion. She is still worried about Aaron’s health. He still has several lymph glands that are swollen and he is running a low grade fever. To date, all that has been recommended is rest and fluids. That is not a bad prescription. I just may not be the right one for this instance.
Becky called to update us on some of the strange things going on in her life. Most of the “stranger than fiction” happenings center around her mother-in-law; who, thankfully is no longer living with them. Hearing the incidents through the prism of Becky’s view of life, it is difficult to be certain, but it would seem that that Charles’s mom needs some medical supervision.
The woman claims she has only six weeks to live. That is down from the two years she originally claimed when Charles and Becky took her in two or three months ago. Becky was questioning whether or not her mother-in-law ought to be hospitalized with such a short life expectancy. My only question to her was whether or not a woman in that poor a mental health condition really knows how long she has got to live? It is a moot point.
Charles had a job for two days but has not been called since. Becky said he has been at home waiting for a call to return to work for over a week. I suggested that she tell him to go get another job. That long a delay spells trouble and there was no need to wait. I would not want to work for someone who will not call and talk to me. On the other hand, it is a good excuse to feign loyalty while sitting at home. I am not sure what will happen, I only sense what should happen while Becky continues to go to school and works as many hours as she can. What did the Apostle Paul say, “If a man will not work…?”
The little van goes in the shop this morning to have the power steering pump replaced. Mama will be stuck at the house for the day. At least, that is the presumption. There are things she could do while there and I do not think the car repair work will take more than three or four hours.
By noon she should be mobile again.
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