Brittany, Victoria, inside/outside

Brittany should be on a plane headed home this morning. I have not heard yet, but Mama will be letting me know sometime later this morning. She spent her day yesterday looking at houses and found one that she really liked, in an area she would like to be in, at a price that was in her budget. She talked it over briefly with Andrew and made an offer on the house only to find out that the seller had already accepted an offer on the house. I am not sure of the time lapse between offers but it had to be very short for her realtor not to be aware it. Brittany and Andrew were obviously very disappointed but they know as well that God’s timing is always perfect. I am not sure what the plan is for now, but Brittany talked about renting for a short time once they get to Wichita while they take their time and really hunt down the house they need. It is a five to ten year commitment on their part so it would be best not to rush.

Mama and I went to FBI last night even though Mama was still feeling a little croupy. Victoria stayed home because of a severe headache. On Sunday, she and Erin went to the visitation for the coworker that died suddenly last week. I do not think Victoria would have gone without Erin even though she liked the coworker very much. Victoria is not expressive in that way. Yesterday was the funeral. Walmart called out personnel to backfill the pharmacy so the coworkers that wanted to could attend the funeral. Victoria elected to go. It was a wise decision on her part and hopefully will provide a chance for witness sometime in the future, but it was very hard on her emotionally. I get the impression that this affected her deeply but it is always hard to tell since Victoria is not one to talk openly. She seemed to need last night to recuperate emotionally.

Mama will be off again today because the boys at the school have a special activity away from the school. Bro. Zach did not feel it was appropriate or necessary for the girls to go to the activity so they all get the day off. There are only two girls at the school so it did not make sense for Mama to spend the day at the school for only two students. Plus, they would have been doing school work all day while the boys were out playing. I think it was a good call and Mama needs some time at the house to get a few things caught up. Since we have been traveling through the weekends recently and have had church services through the week last week, we have gotten behind on a lot of little things; laundry, vacuuming and dusting, general upkeep outside, etc. I am not sure how much will actually get done at home today but Mama is not feeling as sickly as Victoria and I did through the bronchitis battles we just had to fight and inside duties are not something she favors. There is plenty to do outside also and like the normal inside needs, there always will be since we live on a farm, but Mama and I have a tendency to like the outside chores rather than the inside ones. Our house will not win any prize for cleanliness, but other than the small magazine and paperwork piles Mama and I tend to accumulate, it is pretty organized. It all eventually works out and everything gets done – enough to get be anyway.

A house can either be lived in or looked at. We live in ours.

Dad’s Memorial, Brittany

Mama, Victoria and I traveled to Chappell Hill and Brenham to attend Dad’s memorial service Saturday. Brittany, Chase and Makaila met us in Chappell Hill Friday evening. The service was relaxed and welcoming.  There were friends from Hong Kong, Kenya and Mexico in attendance. All eight of the children were there, including Tony, who had to fly in from Indiana. Steve traveled down from Wyoming. All the others of us were somewhere in Texas. We took time to get a family photo since it has been many years since we have been together as a sibling group. I will upload one of those photos when I get it. Of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, fifty-one were in attendance. The rest of the crowd of about ninety were friends and adopted family. It was especially good to see my brothers and sisters singing the hymns from memory. That would have pleased Mom and Dad.

Enrique Cepeda preached. He has been a friend of the family since he was in Gulf Coast Bible College in Houston in 1962. Mama and I have not seen him since Joshua was very young; about three as best we can figure out. That would have been some time in 1986. Even with all those elapsed years, he had no problem recognizing me and Mama. He is still as much fun to be around as he was all those long years ago. Doug Waku and his wife, who run a medical mission in central Kenya, were there. Mom and Dad were instrumental is getting the clinic up and running – and supported financially. He told how heartbroken my Mom was when she told them they would have to stop supporting the clinic because of life changes they were dealing with – especially Dad’s advancing dementia. . Mom died a few weeks after they had that conversation. “She gave all she had until the very end”, he told me later.  It was my first time to meet them but we will be in contact from here on out. A friend was there from the Hong Kong ministry that helps get Bibles to the persecuted church in China. (Name withheld intentionally.) I had heard Mom refer to him as she recounted their time crossing into China. He took time to share some stories with me about those times; especially about getting Mom out of detention when she had been arrested at the border.

When the pastor, leading the memorial service opened for floor for testimonies or remembrances of Dad or Mom, the first person who got up was the owner of a local tire shop in Brenham that Dad used to frequent. Dad would stop by to visit with the owner and his staff because it was one of the places he knew how to get to easily in his declining years. He became a good friend to the man; and a good witness. Pastors of churches Mom and Dad had attended were there with some of their congregation members to remember Dad and to comfort the family. My lifelong friend Randy was there and told a wonderful story about how he met Dad. He broke down in tears as he remembered how that initial encounter had affected him. It was a good time of celebration of a life that had meant so much to so many.

We headed towards home after lunch was over. I think we were the last persons out of the church, but we were catching up with Randy and that always takes a lot of time. Mama and I will be making another trip over in the coming weeks to collect some items Martha wants us to have but after that, it is doubtful we will drop by Chappell Hill very often. That chapter of our life is complete. It is a sad thought on this side but one day there will be a very happy reunion. That is the blessed hope of the Gospel.

Brittany will fly back to England tomorrow. She got a rental car in Denton yesterday and drove to Wichita so she could have all day today to look at houses. We had talked about Mama taking her back and the two of them looking at houses together but Mama started getting sick Saturday evening and by last night she was in bad shape, so it was a good thing Brittany went off on her own. If she does not find a house today that she absolutely loves, she and Andrew will rent for a time while they continue to look. They should be in Wichita by mid-April. God’s timing is perfect in that, but it will still be a challenge to get all the packing and moving done in the next six weeks.

Many changes will be coming this summer.

A few minutes extra, Mama’s travel, loss and regret

In spite of the time constraints last night Mama and I took our time getting the animals fed and watered and set up for the evening. There was still a lot left undone and we will eventually have to catch up with the workload, but last night we got done what was needed and enjoyed a few minutes of a beautiful afternoon. On our free evening this evening, we will need a list to keep on track of what work is left outstanding so we can get the most important things done prior to our being gone this weekend. My biggest concern is that the cow we have in the corral at the barn will be forgotten. For her to go without feed for two feedings would undo much the good we have done over the past week. It would not be fatal, but it would be counterproductive. Other than that, I need to take time to water the plants. It is hard to believe that the temperatures are a high as they are. Today the temperature is predicted to get to 90 degrees. I had to look to make sure it was still February. On the bright side, the goats love the warmer temperatures.

Mama’s travel time will not be over when we get back from Brenham Saturday evening. We still need to help Brittany get home. If there is a flight out of Wichita Tuesday morning, she will have to take Brittany to Wichita to catch it. It is six hours each way with an overnight in Wichita so that Brittany can be at the flight terminal by 6 am. That is the only way she will be guaranteed a seat. But it is a free flight for Brittany and Mama is willing to take the time to make it happen for her. The hard part is that Brittany will not know if there is a flight out on Tuesday until mid-day Saturday. So, we are all on hot standby. If she has to spend an extra week with us Brittany will survive the boredom and isolation somehow. She did find out from Andrew that his orders came through and he will be reporting for duty in Wichita at the end of April. It is the outcome we were all praying for. Like the song that was sung for a special last night at our revival service, “Prater is as big as God is.”

We got home from church a little later than usual because we stopped by the restaurant to show Alex a house and property Mama had found. He and Leslie have already scheduled a time to look at a property they found but he was thankful for us stopping by the show him the new property. Mama and I have no idea how soon they will be able to buy but they are on the move. When they get an idea together they do not waste any time implementing it. For now, they are all fully engaged in the activity and with the way they are able to coordinate their efforts, it will not be long before the deal is done. Then the questions will begin. I have a hunch we will be learning a lot from them.

When we did get home, Victoria told us that one of her coworkers had died suddenly and unexpectedly from complications of the flu. From what Victoria described, she had some health issues but none that would have prepared her or her family for something like this. Victoria was pretty upset by it and today will be a hard day for her and her coworkers as they live out the “life-goes-on” addage. She said they were all crying yesterday evening through the remainder of their shift after they heard the news and Victoria was still visibly upset last night as she told us. Mama asked if she knew if the coworker that died was saved. Victoria’s answer still brings tears to my eyes. “I don’t know” She answered, “And I never told her.” That’s when she truly began to weep. We will see over the next few weeks the impact this had on Victoria, but the immediate impact was profound.

Who have I not told?

New glasses, title issues, Church

Our new glasses came in last Friday but we did not get the message until Monday evening. Mama was excited to pick them up. She has been struggling for some time with the old prescription glasses she has. I think the exam that gave her those glasses was done more than two years ago, and her eyes have changed significantly. I have struggled with my far vision but nothing else seemed to be too different – and the exam we just had bore that out. So, she picked up all the glasses we had ordered and took them home with her when she got off work. I thought I had to go to the office to get mine so they could be fitted but I guess not. If there is an issue I can always stop by and get them to adjust the fit. She is very pleased with the two pair I got for her. I did not realize how badly she needed them.

Mama has been trying to get things sorted out with a trailer we picked up for Coria and Nate before we met them in Temple a couple weeks ago. It appears that in the State of Florida you have to have a title for a trailer to get it registered and we did not have one with the temporary registration paperwork we got when Mama got tags for the trailer. Nate and Cori overnighted the paperwork to us to see if we could get the trailer registered in Texas so they can have permanent plates on it when they travel north in a week or so. So, Mama called me and asked me to meet her at the title place in Decatur to find out what the hurdles were to get the plates. She said she needed me to do the talking so she would not prattle and give too much information, getting herself in trouble. It turned out to be pretty simple. We were done in just a few minutes. We could have titled the trailer but it was not required for the registration so we did not get a title only to find out that Nate thought we should go back and get the title made in order for them to have it when they sell the trailer. However, later yesterday evening, Cori called back and said they had rethought it and would skip getting the title. Mama is overnighting the paperwork and plates to them this morning. From here they should be legal for the road. Mama was happy to get that off her plate – and with a favorable outcome.

Seth and his girlfriend came over last night just before we were going to leave for church. They were out driving around and wanted to stop over to visit with Brittany. She is in Amarillo with Chase and Makaila so they were a bit disappointed by that. When Mama told Seth that we were on our way to church he was shocked. It was Tuesday after all. I think he and Norman have not been to church for over a year. For Grandma and Grandpa, it has been a couple years. Anyway, Mama invited them to come tomorrow but he and Gabriella have made plans to go to a concert in Dallas tomorrow. When Mama asked about what kind of concert it was he glossed over the question. Tomorrow is his birthday. The evening and the concert are his birthday present to himself. It is always sad to see someone drift away from the Lord. Years ago, when Victoria was moving to Bowie to live with Grandma and Grandpa – before Mama and I got transferred – I thought Grandpa’s conviction and faith would be a help to Victoria. Little did I know where he would be spiritually today.

Tonight is our last service of revival. The services have been great. The preaching has been outstanding. I have not been able to lead the singing because I am still wrestling with bronchitis but I have enjoyed being there. God has definitely blessed each service. Two were saved the first night and baptized the second night. One more raised their hand for salvation last night. God is still at work and we have not seen the final results. I know God is working in the hearts of many of our church members. I know that because He is still working in me.

Tomorrow we have a full evening as we try to catch up to our limited evening time over the past few days and get ready for travel. Thankfully it is only an overnight trip.

Chores, still busy

I was off yesterday for President’s Day. I have never had that as a holiday before but I took it and enjoyed the time off. I got to do a few little things but nothing major. All the little things were the kind of chores that take time to get done but when you have finished the chores no one will be able to tell you have done them. I had to repair a door latch on the east side of the coop so Mama will notice that the next time we have to shut that door – usually against blowing rain. I took the old fence out of the garden’s north side. The fence I put up for the goats is now the perimeter fence on that side of the garden. I got a little more done on the posts for the raised bed I am building for Mama but even after the rain we had over the weekend, the ground was still very hardpacked. The power auger would not work for me in the rock and clay so I had to use the old-fashioned posthole digger and a rock bar to get the holes punched in. I need to get the holes fairly deep because of the weight they will be supporting so it may take me a couple more tries at digging a while then filling the holes with water to soften the clay so I can dig some more. Fortunately, there is no urgency. I planted a row of potatoes Saturday evening so they would be in the ground before the weekend rains. But it was only half of the potatoes we bought to plant in the garden so another row will have to be made later this week – or next week.

I also managed (with God’s help) to get 75 separated from the rest of the herd so we can fatten her a bit before she goes to the sale barn. It adds to our daily feeding chores but we had to do something to get her and her calf separated in order for her to fill out. We thought we had weaned her calf by separating them for three months but as soon as the calf and cow were reunited, the calf began nursing again. Since 75 is bred about six months now, it was getting to be too much for her and she was looking pretty pitiful. You can tell she is not a favorite of Mama’s since she still has no name. We just refer to her by the number on her ear tag. Selling her will give us the money to buy feed through the next six or seven months. It will be a good trade. That will leave is with three bred cows and two calves – until we sell 75’s calk later this year. Mama does not like her either.

I took an hour in the morning while things dried out a bit to listen to the last hour of our FBI video for this week. Since church activities preempted our class yesterday evening we took the DVD home after class last week and managed to get through the first two hours one evening but we lacked the last hour. Mama and Victoria will use my notes to update their books. The study guides are fill-in-the-blank and since our tests are taken directly from the study guides they need to be complete by the time we get ready to study for the final. I always enjoy the lectures so it was not an inconvenience.

With revival services each night through Wednesday we will not have time in the evenings to do anything outside other than the required work to feed and care for the animals until Thursday evening and then we will have to pack for our overnight in Brenham for Dad’s Memorial. Brittany, Chase and Makaila will meet us there on Friday night. Brittany went to Amarillo with Chase and Makaila for the week so she could do some shopping. It will definitely be easier to get to the shops there and Chase and Makaila are less boring company that Mama and me.

Our life does not suit everyone, but it suits us.

Farm life, making it count

Yesterday evening was the first time Mama and I had had to work outside in quite a few days and we used every minute of daylight and a few minutes after dark. Mama had bought feed on Monday afternoon and last night I was able to get some of it put into containers for storage and use. I do not like to leave it is the garage for too long because it will eventually draw mice and rats. We have a number of barrels set up – mostly at the coop – to store the bags of feed so it is easier to get to during the morning feeding times; when Mama needs to be efficient due to time constraints. For the cattle feed we have an old freezer laid on its back in the barn and it is able to hold ten to twelve sacks of feed. That helps. We also took time last night to clean the coops. I am not sure how long it has been but they were in desperate need of cleaning. While we worked on that we let the chickens out of the coop yard into the open space around the coop. They acted like they were on a mission to raid a candy store. I guess they really enjoy getting out to new areas to scratch and peck. It was only an hour or so before dark, but they made the most of the freedom. Before dark they were all back in their places on the roost. I believe this was the first time we have ever let them out en masse. It was a successful experiment overall. They will be less hesitant next time we open the gates.

Before it got too dark, I took the time to check all the fruit tree we have on the farm. They are all getting ready for spring. Most have very little buds ready and several have leaves opening on the tips of the branches. Even the little plum trees I got from Daniel Wycoff are getting ready to leaf out. The move does not seem to have bothered them too much. I do know that the ground we have them in will be much better that the black clay we dug them out of. Peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, apricots, figs, and blueberries are all ready to bud out. The blackberries and black raspberries are coming along well also. Even the grapefruit tree I have in a large pot is blooming out. I hope to actually have a grapefruit or two on that tree this year. The asparagus are sending out shoots already. Life is coming back to the farm. Now Mama and I need to get busy on the garden; at least getting the potatoes out. Fortunately, I will have Monday off so I can begin a couple projects, or continue a couple projects, whichever way you look at it. Honestly, I need to finish a project before I take on another one.

I told Mama the other day that I have this nagging feeling that I am missing something but the feeling usually stems from the pressure I feel at having so many things undone. Either there is a lack of money or there is a lack of time – at the moment both lacks are in play. This persistent cough, the trouble I am having just breathing, add to the frustration. It seems our schedule just keeps filling up. This weekend we have bus calling Saturday morning and a Saturday evening banquet to go to at the church. Then we have revival services through Wednesday evening. Additionally, we have had to travel lately – a lot. First to Temple for that weekend visit, then to Wichita to get Brittany. Next weekend we have to travel to Chappell Hill for Dad’s memorial service, followed by a trip back to Wichita Sunday afternoon to drop Brittany off for her flight home. I would not change any of it because those contacts take care of the important things in life, but they do eat up a lot of time.

CT Studd said many years ago, in a poem, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” The same is true about relationships. Having a finished well house, goat barn, shop building, etc. will not be what I am remembered by. It is not what I want to be remembered by. So, projects will wait until there is free time to complete them and Mama and I will concentrate on building and keeping lasting relationships with those who need our attention.

We have only one life to give and I want to use it where it will count the most.

Brittany and Mama, happy animals

Brittany and Mama made it back safely – and in time for church last night. They walked in just as the service was about to start, but they made it. I am sure more details will emerge but they had a productive time looking at properties in and around Wichita. The realtor that answered Brittany’s call turned out to be a delightful, Christian woman who made an immediate connection with both Mama and Brittany. She will be a very valuable resource in the months to come as Brittany and Andrew finalize the date of the move and get more focused on a house purchase. If the plans work out as Brittany has told us they will be in the Wichita area for about five years. It is a relatively easy drive for me and Mama, straight up I-35 about five hours driving time. About the same time and miles as a trip to Amarillo. I am certain we will learn the way by heart over the coming years. Maggie and Aaron, by contrast, will be about twenty hours east of us. Almost due east, about 1300 miles. Not necessarily a difficult trip by car but not a leisurely one either. That too, is a trip I am sure Mama and I will make on occasion. They will be easier to reach than in Juneau and flights should be a lot cheaper and easier to coordinate than getting to Juneau. I see a lot of travel in our future.

Brittany is going to work with Mama this morning. She has schoolwork to get done and wants to practice piano as well. (It will be interesting to see if she has a difficult time adjusting to US time since she is normally six hours ahead of us.) We will meet up for lunch – as Mama and I normally do and enjoy the pace of this weekend as things start to get very busy. It will be a busy time for all of us next week. We have revival meetings starting Sunday that will run through Wednesday night. We will have Thursday evening off and head to Chappell Hill on Friday to be there for Dad’s memorial service on Saturday. After the service Saturday morning, we will head back home, go to church on Sunday morning and head back to Wichita that afternoon to get Brittany to the airfield so she can hopefully, get on a flight home Monday morning. Mama wants me to take the time off to make the drive with her. I have not asked about the time off, but I have a week to pray about it and get it arranged if needed. I am not enamored with the idea of her making the drive by herself again, but I am not thrilled about taking the extra time off either; especially with limited vacation for the year which could hinder us having the time off for the birth of the twins. I am sure we would like to be there for that event.

The animals will be happy to have Mama back. When she is gone even for a night they are well aware of it. Neither Victoria nor I feed or tend to them the way Mama does. Don’t get me wrong. They survive in our care but they do not necessarily get all the extra attention, or the special feed items Mama loves give them. She will crumble bread for the chickens, feed leftovers to the pigs and make sure all the goats have fresh hay every day. The cows get alfalfa and cubes every other day. All the animals will call to Mama every morning when they are alerted to her presence. Sometimes it is how she opens a gate into the coop yard, but usually it is because she starts talking to the menagerie as soon as she enters the back yard from the sun room. When they hear her voice, all of them start making noise, clucking, bleating, grunting and bawling. The cows being the loudest of the criers, with the pigs coming in a strong second.

Whoever said the farm life is a quiet life did not have Mama to stir thing up.