Growing up I was extremely close to my maternal Granddad. We were like two peas in a pod. I would live with my Grandparents until my Mom would make me come home and then after one night at home it was back to my Grandparents! I was his favorite, everyone knew and no one dared challenge this fact. I don't know the attraction for sure. One thing I always wondered about was the fact that I was born the very day my Granddad lost his Dad. At home I was middle son, second of five children, at my Grandparents it was like being an only child. I know that through my Granddad's lead I developed a love of the land, the miracle of nature, and the importance of being a good steward of this earth.

My Granddad could make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. I can remember in the summer prior to his death he was going to move his son and daughter-in-law from Texas A&M to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Before they departed on a trip that would take two weeks of sight seeing and meandering about, my Granddad took me into the local bank and told the president that while he was gone I was in charge! If a check came in with my signature, it was to be paid. I had to sign a signature card and I got a lecture about responsibilities. I was worried but very anxious to prove myself. The departure date arrived and I wished Memaw and Gan Gan a pleasant trip. It didn't take long for reality to set in. I was sixteen years old and in charge of five farm hands and fourteen-hundred acres of growing crops along with a herd of registered Hereford cattle. I did it all, the decisions of work priorities all the way to payroll. It was with a great deal of pride that I turned the reins back over to my Granddad upon his return! As it turned out this was his last summer. He was sixty-one when I lost him.

After my Granddad's death. It almost was like my Grandmother was intent to right what she felt was a long time wrong. It was like culture shock for me! Going from most favorite role to join the ranks of all the other grandchildren. It took a great deal of adjustment on my part to navigate through this. Today marks twenty-eight years to the day since Memaw died. She continued on for seven years after Gan Gan's death. I only lived a couple of blocks from her. On this fateful day all the women from church were at the church parsonage, which happened to be across the street from my Grandmother's house, for a baby shower or wedding shower. She and one of her widow friends went to her home to get their afternoon naps. We were entertaining an old college roommate and his spouse when the call came to "Come quickly". I arrived and immediately began CPR but to no avail. She was gone. I endured a couple of nights waking and wondering if I had done all I could do, and then my Grandmother came to me in a dream, she told me "It would not have been right to bring me back". She touched my cheek and gently kissed it, turned and walked to my Granddad and they vanished from sight. I have never dreamed of her again!

FATHER, I am thankful for the memories. I pray that I may be as special to our Grandchildren as my Grandparents were to me. Bless our efforts, bless them. Help us to be beacons in their lives. I continue to ask for YOUR healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Let YOUR blessings flow!

If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all!

I have a confession to make. I am a lottery winner! Problem is it was not a jackpot, it was the draft lottery! It was 1972, I was at ACC (this was before it became sophisticated and changed to ACU), the drawing took place on a Wednesday, I went home for the weekend and had a draft notice to report for physical and induction. I had requested and kept a 1A classification. (O.K., I rolled the dice, if you took a 1A and didn't request another classification and you made it until you were twenty-six, you were through with the draft. If you requested a 1S or 2S you then became subject to the draft until you were thirty-five). It appeared I had lost my calculated gamble. One development I haven't mentioned is that on the Christmas Day prior to the drawing, my right hand became entangled in some farm equipment. At the time of my draft notification I could count about one-hundred-sixty sutures still in my hand. My care was turned over to an ex-military physician that specialized in hand injuries. He asked what was going on and I told him it looked like I had been drafted. Without my knowledge or request, this doctor forwarded my records and his prognosis to the draft board physicians and my reporting date was delayed. Ultimately I was classified 4F because I ended up with silastic implants (fingers) and damaged tendons. They are for looks and/or conversation only, and I guess they changed the direction of what might have been.

I listened to John Kerry's speech last evening. It is amazing how everyone can be whipped into a frenzy at these conventions. I have no doubt that Senator Kerry is sincere. I have a lot of admiration for the man and his accomplishments. I was shutting down my computer just after he completed his speech and I noticed on my browser there was already a lead in line "Kerry leaves big hole about objecting to Vietnam". The introduction video had shown a young John Kerry testifying before a congressional panel, objecting to the Vietnam war. He didn't try to hide it. The internet article went on to say that Kerry had left himself open for attack by President Bush. I personally don't have a problem with Kerry objecting to the war, he had already served and in my books he had defended one of the many rights we enjoy because of all that have fought for this country. Upon his return from Vietnam, he practiced one of those rights by deciding to object to the war. If you pay for a ticket, you should be able to write a review. I am very impressed by Kerry's band of brothers from Vietnam and the tremendous bond they share. These men are intertwined in a way many of us can only imagine.

I began to wonder, what if. What if I hadn't injured my hand. Would I have gone to Vietnam? Would I have returned? If I did would I carry scars? Would I be angry and cynical like many of my friends who served. What in my life would be changed because of one day. I wouldn't take for my life. One thing I get more and more comfortable with is that my life is the one GOD mapped for me.

We American's have such a privileged existence. We have been fortunate to not have wars fought on our turf. 911 was a stark wake up for all of us. At times I think we are so insulated from the rest of the world we cannot understand or comprehend the way things are there. I sometimes fear that we come off as a bully trying to force our will on the many that are less fortunate than us. Many people cannot fathom the freedoms we take for granted. GOD bless America, and may GOD bless our efforts to reach out to the oppressed.

FATHER, thank YOU for this country and the privileges we enjoy. FATHER please guide our leaders as they navigate the many problems in this world. Bless us as we choose our country's leaders this election year. We pray for peace, we pray for an end to suffering, we pray that all will come to know YOU and YOUR will. I thank YOU for being in control of my life. I continue to ask for YOUR healing for Aimee, Rene, Carol, and Michelle. GOD bless us everyone!

Promises, Promises!  The Democrats have just about finished their week, of course the Republican's will answer with theirs.  How many dollars putting on these two conventions?  How much will be spent on all the advertising by all the candidates in all the different races?  I believe in election reform, term limits and spending caps.  It is almost more than I can imagine that people are willing to dig deep for a political race when there is so much domestic need, the homeless and the hungry in our land of plenty.  Factor in the need world wide and I can't help but wonder about our priorities. 

I spent the larger portion of my day with Kathryn.  I told her I had gone by Wednesday to see if she wanted to go to lunch but no vehicles were there.  Today she was intent on eating somewhere.  She called and we made our plans.  When I got there I told her I had a packed afternoon of stuff to do beginning with us going and getting our heads shaved followed by a visit to a tattoo parlor and maybe looking for some body piercing jewelry and somewhere in between maybe we could grab a bite to eat!  The look of awe on this five-year-old's face was priceless!  We ended up going to the barber shop and I got a haircut and then we spent a couple of hours at McDonalds.  Most of her time was spent on and in the play station.  I was surprised how many kids, parents and grandparents were there.  As always it almost took an act of congress to get her to leave.  We made a quick trip by Krl's work and then I dropped off my equipment evaluation at my friends business and then we were headed back to Kat's house.  She didn't want to, she wanted to come to Meme and Dandy's house to help bathe dogs.  She ended up staying with her mother but I didn't get the dogs bathed.  A very good afternoon to say the least! 

FATHER thank you for this day, it was blessed!  Help us to realize that the only promises that are unchanging are YOURS and that YOU are faithful to fulfill YOUR promises.  I continue to ask YOUR blessings on Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  Where YOU lead I will follow! 

I can't believe this weather! It's almost like Cozumel, everyday you get a squall shower. This has been wonderful.

I talked yesterday with Christy in the office at St. Lawrence. She said they had enjoyed these same rains. It seemed as though they had not been in the "rain lanes" since 1992 but she said they had received about three inches of rain this month through Saturday and it has been raining on and off since then. It has everyone in good spirits but wondering what can possibly go wrong to ruin this potential record crop. The joke out there now is that the boll worms will eat the crop up. You can't ever please a farmer! It's either too hot, too cold, too dry or too wet, but when they can't complain about the weather it goes to the insects. It is always more pleasant when I am there fulfilling my contract if they have a pretty good harvest. Right now they seem to think they will exceed last years production and possibly set an all time record. That is good news. To make my day even better, I got a call today from "my right hand" man for the past five years. He had told me that he was going to find something else to do at the conclusion of our work last year. Today he had had a change of heart and wanted me to hold his position for him. He lives in Mexico and he had just arrived in Texas this past weekend. He usually works his way up from South Texas taking six or eight weeks in the Robstown/Corpus area. It really thrilled me that he is coming back! He is still wanting a new forklift! Oh well.

I went and inspected some equipment this morning. An aquaintance is looking to make some acquisitions and asked if I could look over and evaluate the best buys. Of course when I got there it started raining, this meant there weren't any salesmen chasing me down which was a BIG plus! I narrowed it down from fifteen units to five. I will get my recommendations organized and deliver them sometime tomorrow.

FATHER thank YOU, for the blessings of this day, for YOUR gentle rains, for the tremendous crops. FATHER thank YOU for bringing things together. Go GOD! FATHER I ask YOUR continued healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Bless them and comfort them. I can't wait until YOU reveal more of YOUR plan for me. Thank YOU LORD!

Tuesday!  July 27, 2004!  This year has gone over the hump and is picking up speed! 

I can't believe it, summer is almost over, school buses and car pools will soon be a regular sight.  I guess age affects how large a year is.  When I was young a year was huge!  Now with each passing birthday each year seems to get smaller.  I have always joked that my days only have sixteen hours in them (they are usually all working hours) and that my weeks have ten days instead of seven.  Somewhere the math gets off because each time I blink it seems to be another year.

In seventeen days Reidman will turn a year old.  It doesn't seem possible.  The Lubbock entourage's summer was even shorter than most.  Rian has been tied to summer school and Principal certification.  Who would have ever thought this kid who detested school would end up being an effective teacher and aspire to be an administrator.  One thing for sure, he should be able to relate to students who don't like school.  I am encouraging Rian to take a little time off when he completes his Masters and then to start on his Doctorate.  He thinks he has had enough!  Ollie just keeps hustling with her real estate!  If dedication and "want to" is what it takes she will go far.  We will reach a milestone next month.  Both Kat and Addie will begin kindergarten.  All of the granddaughters will be in school.  Lauren will be a sophomore at AHS and Ellen will be a sixth grader at Lincoln.  By the way, Lauren recently got her learner's permit to drive, so Abilene beware!

My "connection" is somewhat better today.  I still struggle with it.  I am glad that GOD is faithful to us or else I might have given up a long time ago.  I am currently reading the book Wild at Heart.  Rian is developing the habit of giving me these books, I read them and tell him what it is and if it is a must read!  I am beginning to think I don't have the mindset needed to read this book at this time.  I have already realized that this book is going to be one of those that is a multiple read and each time I read it something else will jump out at me.  It just seems that so much comes to the front from this book.  My childhood, my manhood, my fathering.  I suppose that one needs to read this book from a suggestive stand point, "this was my experience", or "I felt like GOD was leading me here".  I guess to a certain degree I have contracted that American disease, expecting self-realization books, self-help books to fix me after I finish reading them!  If it were only that simple!  "This book, when taken orally with a warm glass of milk will fix everything that is wrong in your life"! (Beware, difficulty in swallowing may occur!).

FATHER, thank YOU for all YOU do.  I thank YOU for YOUR love and patience with me.  Help me as I continue to read this book selection.  FATHER help me to know that this book is not the fix but allowing YOU to heal me and work in me is.  Fill me with YOUR spirit, bless me with YOUR mercy and grace.  I continue to lift up Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle for YOUR gift of healing.  Bless them FATHER.  Lead on FATHER!   

At times you just get that feeling that something is not quite right.  Physically, mentally, spiritually.  This is kind of the funk I am going through right now.  It is very possible it is a combination of all of the above.  Usually if I can get the spiritual righted GOD allows the other to fall in place.  For whatever reason I just seem to be having a rough patch right now.  Pray for me. 

What wonderful rains over the weekend!  The cold front and record low temperatures.  Is this Texas or what!  I haven't talked with all my contacts scattered through West Texas but those I have talked with told similar tales.  Gentle rain and cool temperatures.  Thank YOU GOD.

I feel kind of third person, on the outside looking in (at myself).  Its kind of weird.  Detached.  I find myself in bad need of renewing, recharging, reconnecting, rededicating, rebooting.  Spiritually I sometimes compare the connection to a computer network.  The pathway has to be mapped, a link has to be present, a power source is required.  The way I feel right now is like when you get the error message, "server  not found".  I know the problem with the connection is on my end.

FATHER please pull me back from the edge.  Surround me with YOUR presence, fill me with YOUR spirit.  Bless this day and week.  I continue to ask YOUR healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  I am thankful that YOU are faithful. 

Blahg!  Today's posting is a blog in the truest sense of the word!  I am having a blah day.  I don't know why!  I need to find my boot straps!

I went to Church and Sunday school this morning.  Krl slept in.  Maybe she can get another week back at work and her mental and physical conditioning will start coming around.  I do realize that she is exhausted. 

Church was impressive.  Jim served as more of a Master of Ceremonies than he did as the speaker.  The entire service was a look at the youth missions trips to Mexico, New York, Houston, Denver, and Fort Worth.  Each trip had a short report by one of its participants.  At the conclusion of the service they brought all the youth who participated in the summer mission trips and their sponsors to the front, then they asked everyone who had served full time as missionaries to stand and then all those who had participated in mission trips or had shared their faith with someone.  You had to really look to find anyone remaining seated.  The number was impressive.  The youth did most of the service.  Dress code was T-shirts and jeans.  We continue to expand our boundaries.

In class we had a good turn out.  We really didn't have a lesson today.  Ed and Jody had just returned from Prague and they talked about their trip.  Terry is wanting to make a definite plan for the remaining class meetings this year.  He wants subject suggestions next week.  This is  frustrating because I won't participate because it is just weeks until my departure for four months.  I don't think it would be right for me to suggest a course of study and then not be there.

FATHER, I need to feel your presence.  Fill me with YOUR spirit, surround me with YOUR angels.  Energize me, boost me.  FATHER I continue to lift up Aimee Harris, Rene' Baxter, Carol Pickett, and Michelle Allen for YOUR healing.  Bless them.  I ask YOUR  blessings for all the participants in the youth missions and for those whose lives they touched.  I ask for YOUR blessing on the coming week. 

SATURDAY!

Thank YOU GOD, for getting us to this point.  YOU must get tired of having to carry us. 

This seemed like the week that would never end.  Not a bad week, not the best week, but a long week.  I slipped from the bedroom and Krl was making the most of her day off!  I think I will be able to make my Saturday morning meeting and be home before she is stirring.  I had a good Friday and got lots of my Saturday things done but not all of them.  It is our intention to use today to regroup and reload!  Rest us well and rest us quickly LORD.

FATHER we thank YOU for the week, we thank YOU for the weekend.  We continue to ask YOUR blessings on our efforts.  Keep us centered.  We pray for YOUR gentle rains for Abilene, for Roscoe, for St. Lawrence, for Coyonosa, and for Farwell.  We thank YOU for the relief from the hot summer.  We continue to ask YOUR healing and care for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  Bless them and their families.  Bless us with YOUR presence.  We thank YOU and praise YOU. 

Usually as a courtesy to my blog readers I try to limit my blogging fix to once per day.  Today however I will violate my own rule.

I saw an interesting segment this morning on the CBS Morning Show.  They had a family on whose young daughter has leukemia.  A bone marrow donor from Germany matched and a transplant was performed.  It didn't work.  The parents made a decision to have another child in hopes that the new baby would be a donor match.  Long story short, a baby boy, he was a match, they have performed a transplant, things look promising even though it may be months or years until they know if it is a total success.  Currently all are doing fine.

I am in awe of the progress made in the medical fields.  I think back to last August when Reid was born and I asked Rian if they were going to have the cord blood saved.  My understanding is that this service is available and moderately expensive but when it comes to our children and grandchildren the possible benefit could be priceless.  I wish more OB's would talk to expectant parents of this possibility. 

Of course this subject hits very close to home for those of us who know and love the Harris family and Aimee.

Things are falling into place.  Isn't that a great feeling!  I can only imagine GOD's view and his thrill as he sits at the console of the universe and watches his plan for us come together! 

My work decision has been made, all parties have been notified.  I was expecting to start sometime next week but late yesterday I got a call wanting me to start today by going to Fort Worth, then another quick call asking me to attend a safety meeting Saturday morning.  Recently some new rules and regulations were thrown out by the courts so everyone is scrambling to find out if we are still under the new rules or if we have gone back to the previous guidelines.

It was a trying moment when I notified the other potential employer of my decision to go with the other job.  It was evident to me and to the interim manager that it is a very real possibility that this company might close.  This possibility played in my decision process.  I will hope for all concerned that they will find direction and leadership and that job stability will follow.

I am going to do something different today.  I am going to put my Saturday morning on my Friday and vice versa!  I don't have to leave for Fort Worth until eleven and with tomorrow morning booked I am going to try to do some weekend errands and chores today. 

FATHER, I thank YOU for YOUR love and blessings!  May this day be blessed.  I ask for safe travel, and that you will surround me with YOU.  Fill me with YOUR spirit.  I continue to lift up Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle for your care.  Go ahead FATHER,  make my day! 

Misnomer!

I have decided throw-pillows are sexist.    First of all, I don't think many men would determine throw pillows as essential items in decor.  I think most  men's essential list would probably read television, recliner, and maybe a folding dinner tray.  Throw-pillows, nah!

Since Krl  re-entered the work force I have been trying to "help out" more around the house.  It is so strange because it seems that we are never on the same page.  When Krl was home I was working long hours out of town and I would start my day at five-o-three every morning and some nights return near eleven.  Needless to say, during these times the house and cooking duties were hers.  Since she has gone back to work I have been off so we have changed hats again.  Now I like to cook.  I am not bad alone, but with Krl in the kitchen with me we can turn out some deluxe dishes.  I don't like the post cooking clean up, but I can do it.  I find that I am not as selective in separating laundry.  I have two major groups and one of them has sub groups.  I have his and hers and her group is the one with the subgroups.  I don't think my laundry knows if it is light or dark and if it can't take the sturdy cycle it can't live in my side of the dresser.  The touch up cycle on the clothes dryer is a male invention but that is another blog!  General house cleaning........  I am a sweeping, mopping and vacuuming fool!  Give me a job with tools or machinery and I am happy.  I can't get into dusting or doing mirrors and windows.  I never have understood the oodie deal, why put them out if you just have to move them to clean.  I might get into this if there was a really neat tool belt or of it was a timed event!  Without a doubt though, my least favorite chore is making the bed!  I could make so many arguments as I run from side to side wearing out the carpet, equalizing the bedding and smoothing out wrinkles.  Krl does this chore with no effort what so ever!  She is quick and precise.  I think she can make the bed in the time I take just to get the sheets adjusted!  But the icing on the cake making this my least favorite chore are the "throw-pillows".  I have observed how this is supposed to be done but when I pick them up and "throw" them it doesn't achieve the desired effect and the "throw-pillow" becomes a "placement-pillow".  It is frustrating, this should be like a sport!  Then Krl breezes through and picks them up and zip, zap, behind her back, over her shoulder, under-hand, over-hand, left hand, right hand, flip, flop, a little reverse english and ........walla!  Perfect. 

FATHER, I am thankful for the special talents YOU have blessed us with and I am thankful that Krl and I blend together so well!  Bless her and I ask YOUR blessings on this day and week.  I continue to ask for your healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  Bless them, their families, and their doctors and nurses.  May this day bring glory to YOU.       

I can't decide.  It was either a pleasant surprise or much to my dismay that I awoke this morning!

 I feel better today!  I think my sinus drainage has achieved a texture thick enough that my brain doesn't slosh.  Outside of a little  fever I feel much better!  I wasn't to concerned, I never saw Krl go fire up the barbee.  We have a pact that if something happens to me, before she calls anyone, throw me on the barbee! 

Yesterday was good.  I had a good exchange with two work possibilities and now I have a difficult decision on who to go with.  I hate to tell one of them no.  I guess it is because I have been in their position before.  I am torn.  One gives me total control, the other gives me objectives and time frame and my option how to achieve them.  One fits well with my upcoming contract, the other wants me to continue long distance supervision.  I have informed both of the upcoming contract.  All the cards are on the table.  And the winner is.......... I don't know!

FATHER direct me, guide me, lead me.  I am thankful for the opportunities YOU have given me.  Help me as I make my decision.  Help me to use tact when I have to say no to one.  Please bless this day and this process.  I continue to ask YOU to bless Aimee, Rene', Carol and Michelle.  Heal them and comfort them.  Use me in YOUR way.

Crudola!  I have succumbed to the dreadful summer cold.  I feel yucky!  My pea brain is sloshing inside my skull, it is as though my eyes have sunk into my head giving everything a distorted appearance, and everyone's voice is on full "reverb".  Please be quiet, be still, and don't try to make me feel better!  This could be the "big one"!
 
Decisions decisions.  If this cold is terminal there is no reason to do the stuff I should be doing.
 
My day is not busy.  I have two appointments, one this morning and one mid afternoon.  I am thankful that I do not have a full schedule.  The worst part is that I will have to drive about three hours to complete both appointments.  Thank goodness for seatbelts.  That should keep me upright in the vehicle!    Just kidding.  I am fixing to find my med bag and break out the sudafed and tylenol.  Why is it when men are sick we are sicker than when women are sick!  Ha!  See, I am already feeling better!
 
FATHER, please bless this day!  I need you in it.  Lead me, strengthen me.  FATHER bless me with YOUR wisdom and guidance as I make difficult decisions today, may they be the ones YOU would have me make.  FATHER I continue to ask for YOUR blessings on Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  Bless them with YOUR healing.  YOU are supreme and all things come from YOU.

Strange night!  I got up about one this morning and stayed up until Krl's alarm went off then I went to bed until she was ready for work.  I am not planning on going anywhere today.  In fact I have been answering some interrogatories, looking over some production requests and trying to weed through some requests for admissions.  You know if all lawyers were trustworthy we wouldn't need them!
 
I think I need to rest from the weekend!  FATHER I am heavy hearted today.  Please boost me, energize me.  Come into me and take control.  I continue to lift up Aimee, Rene, Carol, and Michelle for your healing.  Bless them, comfort them and their families.  I pray that the  bone marrow drive this past weekend will be productive for Aimee.  Let your blessings flow!
 

I have just returned home from the reunion at Lake Brownwood.  I am sad that I didn't have more time to spend down there this year.  What little time I  allowed, I enjoyed immensely.  I spent some time with Uncle Wade (from Roundrock), I enjoyed a good visit with Uncle Jesse (from Brownwood) and I had a good visit with my cousin Ron (from Corpus Christi).  Sometimes it is a small world.  My cousin Ron Cardwell wants me to take greetings to Charles Mattis.  Ron is an Elder at Windsor Park in Corpus and I understood him to say Charles was a Deacon down there, I told Ron that Charles had received a promotion.  Holly and Alan Brown (from Midland) sent greetings with me for Mike Cope, Holly is a cousin (she was a McLeod) and she talked of the Stream in the Desert next spring at Golf Course Road CoC with MC being keynote.  I spent a brief part of my time trying to get Holly up to speed on blogging!  I finally told her to go to the zoegroup. faithsite and she could link from there!  Of course she and Alan went to ACU with BST.  (I think he sang at their wedding).
 
I got to see the triplets.  They are so tiny!  I cannot imagine three!  Of course I had to ask the dumbest question, "do you worry that you will mix them up?"  I can see how discipline is a required ingredient with multiple births!  Their Dad, Lee McLeod (used to be youth minister at University CoC in Austin) brought our message.  I love and appreciate Lee's candor and Love of God and man.  He is a very special young man and has to be a tremendous Dad!  Rian is going to be in Houston next weekend for coaching school and he and Lee made a date to have dinner next Friday!
 
Addison thoroughly enjoyed her cousins!  Best of all she behaved!  She didn't hit or kick or spit or otherwise assault!  You can't believe how many little kids there are and the majority are phillies!
 
For the record, the homemade ice cream menu looked like this, Banana, Vanilla, Oreo, Butterfinger, Orange Sherbert, I think there was also Strawberry but no orange pineapple!
 
FATHER, thank YOU for family, both my physical family and my spiritual family!  May YOU bless us,  everyone!  I continue to ask for safe passage for all as they return home.  FATHER bless the ties that bind!  I continue to ask YOUR blessings and YOUR healing on Aimee, Rene', Carol and Michelle.  Comfort them, surround them with YOUR angels.  FATHER, please bless the coming week. 

I find myself intrigued by this weekends family reunion!  This is my Mother's immediate family.  This marks about thirty-eight years and all but a few have been at Mountain View Lodge on Lake Brownwood.  All of the families will be represented.    I can remember when only four or five rooms were required to accommodate the entire group.  Now the entire lodge is filled with family, three groups stay in their lake cabins and travel trailers are brought in to provide additional lodging.  I will return to Brownwood tomorrow morning for the family church service.
 
Every year after church each family informs the others of what has transpired in the last year. It kind of goes round robin, each family has a spokesperson.  New marriages, new arrivals, new jobs and the list goes on and on.  This year is probably one of the largest in additions due to marriages and births. 
 
The intriguing part of this reunion is to see Lee and Jenny's new family!  They had triplets in April, all girls and the new babies had an older sister waiting at home for them!  What makes this even more interesting is that Lee's older sister Holly and her husband Alan had twins just a few years ago, then along come the triplets and rumor has it that Scott and Cathy are expecting.  What do you figure the odds are?  Going for the cycle?  Multiplicity! 
 
Rian, Erica and Reid made a stop at our home last evening.  Reid had all he could take of his car seat.  He rode from Ruidosa to Lubbock Wednesday.  Friday's drive from Lubbock to Brownwood was more than he wanted.  So Rian called as they were approaching Abilene and ordered Reid a "Dandy made" grilled cheese sandwich and Reid got to eat and play!  We just don't get to see enough of them!
 
FATHER, may this weekend be blessed.  I pray for safe travel for all.  I ask YOUR gift of healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle.  For YOUR love and YOUR care I thank YOU and praise YOU.

Wow!  My week should have had a warning label on it!  It would read;
 
 "The coming days are going to be frustrating, trying and difficult to muddle through, your patience will be thoroughly tested." 
 
All I have done is go all week long and it seems like I have been in slow motion.  No matter how hard I try to hurry my feet seem to be mired in molasses or asphalt.  Oh well, we made it to today and I am off!  Of course that just means I am going where I choose to go not where I am required to go.  I am fixing to get a few items out of storage, take Krl's SUV to her, get my truck, load it, hook up to the travel trailer and go to Lake Brownwood, unhook and set up the trailer for Kali and Ollie to stay in at a family reunion, then I will return to Abilene until Sunday.  On Sunday I will reverse the process.  This reunion used to be one of my favorite yearly events but it seems like it has become so much work just to get things rounded up to go.  I will go down early Sunday morning  and spend the larger portion of the day.  Everyone checks out shortly after noon but they reconvene at Coaches lake place for a homemade ice cream marathon!
 
I have just realized that even on my day off I am going, going......gone!
 
FATHER, this has been a week on Mondays, thanks for getting me through it.  It makes me appreciate those weeks that you fill with Fridays!  I pray for safe travel to and from Brownwood, I pray for safe travel for all those coming to the reunion.  I continue to lift up Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle for YOUR healing and care.  Bless them.  I continue to ask YOU to bless the friends and farmers in St. Lawrence, Roscoe, Farwell, and Coyonosa, bless them with YOUR gentle rains and bountiful harvests.  Send us YOUR angels, surround us, fill us with your spirit.

I spent most of yesterday on the road. Today I may end up in Lubbock before I get headed back to the house. Kyle Patrick called me last night wanting to know if he could spend the day with me. I will have to see what is on tap. I have been trying to get him psyched to go take his written drivers license test. He has put it off about six months. He wants to do it but just the thought of testing spazzes him out, Pat (his Mom) said she may take him to Sweetwater under the pretense of going to K Mart but via the DPS office. Pat thinks if he doesn't have time to dwell on the downside he may perform better.

We got an update on Aimee Harris yesterday. As most know they thought she had leukemia but it ended up being aplastic anemia. The doctors said they would have preferred the leukemia if they had a choice. Aimee's bone marrow had stopped making blood cells but luckily her parents were alert to some things like bruising, nose bleeds and slow healing and she was diagnosed in the early stages of aplastic anemia. They have given her one round of treatment in hopes it will make her body begin to produce blood cells again. I wish I knew more about this. They are saying next week they will take another bone marrow sample and then they will know if the treatment is working. Doctors are optimistic. The part I don't understand is that while doctors are optimistic, Aimee is having to have blood platelets on a fairly regular basis. The doctors had taken a bone marrow sample from Aimee's brother Zach and sent it to Cook's Children's Hospital in Fort Worth to see if he might be a donor for Aimee. Yesterday the results came back and Zach is not a match. So now they are doing a bone marrow drive Friday and Aimee will be put on the national bone marrow register. They say that a donor match will have to be of African American/Hispanic genetic make up which limits the potential donor pool. I had always thought if you matched you matched regardless of ethnic makeup but apparently I was wrong. I haven't seen Aimee since all this started but her Dad says the steroids she has been given have made her gain about thirty pounds! I suppose one of the small blessings is that being four years old Aimee doesn't realize how serious her situation is and her weight gain doesn't bother her. Aimee's Dad called Rian and asked him to get the word out at Greenlawn Church about the drive. I know it is Friday and I think it goes from eight to two at The University Hospital in Lubbock. Now I guess if the above info is incorrect and no one show up at the right time or place it will be my fault!

They have ruled out a possible aneurysm for Michelle Allen. Last report I heard was she was going to Houston to a neurologist that specializes in mini or micro seizures.

FATHER I thank YOU for another day and for the blessings it holds. FATHER, take this day and mold it and use me in YOUR way. FATHER I continue to lift up Aimee, Michelle, Rene' and Carol to YOU for YOUR care and healing. Bless them and the doctors that are working with them. Bless their families. FATHER YOU are in charge and YOU are a mighty and powerful GOD and through YOU all things are possible.

I am already tired of the political campaigning! I get quite frustrated when I think how much money is being spent on planes and fuel and mail outs and radio and television advertising and the list goes on and on..... and we still have homeless and hungry in our land of plenty. I am thankful there are those who want to serve but I am disappointed by those who seek office to feed their ego. Its a long time until November. Deliver me to December!

Yesterday was a very good Monday! It was a very productive day in operation shut down. I am so close to completion that I am taking a few days to do some day work. If GOD is going to present me with an opportunity I am going to take it, HE has and I did! Krl's first day back at work went well. I timed it where I got home before her and I had stopped off to pick up her favorite bath moisturizer (she had been out) and left it on the edge of her bath tub to surprise her when she ran her bath! I figured she could stand a relaxing bath after working all day! In our haste to get out and about to work yesterday we both forgot to set anything out to thaw for dinner so I ended up making some soup and grill cheese sandwiches.

FATHER thank YOU for the good start to this week. I continue to ask for YOUR blessings and presence in our day and week. Keep us safe, keep us centered. Help us to do our best. I continue to ask YOUR blessings on Aimee, Rene, Carol, and Michelle, I ask YOU to work YOUR miracle of healing on them. Surround us with YOU!

My first look at the clock was shortly after midnight, what am I doing awake already? Lots going on in my mind. Finishing the packing at the office, Krl's first day back in the work place since March 2001, work possibilities for me. Lots going on!

I suppose my main concern is Krl. She is going back into a field she enjoyed great success in. I know she is nervous but I believe she will do fine. I believe it will be like riding a bicycle! She is smart, knows her field, isn't scared of working, she is personable, and she knows her customer base! She will do fine!

I met with a couple of work possibilities on Friday. I need to fill the next forty-five days with something that will pay the bills. My next contract will begin around the first of September. One of the possibilities keeps asking me when I can start. We haven't discussed any particulars, pay, job description, or possible benefits. I did go in and look over their operation and it is in trouble. I think the last manager was so lost that they felt like they had to so something even if it was wrong, and it was! They are supposed to be checking into a contract the former manager signed which affiliated them with a regional company. This contract gives the regional company forty percent of profits and all they (the regional company) do is send out the invoices and collect the money. I am afraid that the simplest thing could be to just start again from ground zero. I don't see anyway to right this monster in forty-five days! Another new possibility is a former sub contractor who needs some help. We have worked together before and seem to understand what it takes to do the job correctly. Probably the best part is that they understand about my upcoming contract and will take whatever I can give them. Either one of the above would allow me to stay at home. I sure don't need to be going off now because when my contract begins I will be on the job site until January!

I have to get one of the travel trailers out for Kali and Ollie. There is a family reunion this weekend at Lake Brownwood and the family has out grown the facilities, requiring alternate accommodations. I will take the trailer to Kali's and let her get it cleaned up and beds made and then Friday I will take it down and set it up, I will then return to Abilene and Sunday I will go back to Brownwood, spend the day and bring the trailer home. What a pain!

We didn't do the pewee granddaughter deal this week. After Krl's Friday with Addie it just didn't seem like a good idea. To much of a good thing is not good! To much of a bad thing is worse! Addie is going to have to behave if she comes back to Meme and Dandy's! I did get up and around for Church and Sunday school. I would walk through the bedroom and call out the time and finally I was ready and headed for the door and Krl was not ready so I did the solo deal. I always enjoy Val leading. We had a group in attendance from Brazil and one of them brought the message. They had a short video presentation and introduced a team that is going to Salvador Brazil, one of the visiting Shepherds from Brazil led a prayer blessing this new team as they prepare to embark. Class was probably the best it has been.

I spent a little time looking at some blogs of interest. I ran across one, hisvoice.blogspot.com that was interesting. It had a hyper link to a web site sinbgone.com an on line source for forgiveness complete with the convenience of paypal! Wow! What next?

FATHER, please bless the coming day and week. Bless Krl as she goes to work. Give her patience and tolerance as she reestablishes herself in this industry. Bless her with success. I ask for YOUR wisdom and guidance in deciding what I need to do. Direct me. FATHER I continue to ask for you healing of Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Bless them all. Expand us FATHER.

I lost a childhood friend one week ago. I suppose his independence day was not about this country but independence from this life and this earth. He was not the first classmate I have lost. In the early years there were quite a few. A car wreck, a risk that we all take when we get behind the wheel and suicide when the world looms larger than one's abilities to cope alone were the dominate causes. Ten years ago we lost our valedictorian, our first classmate to succumb to cancer. As I sit at this hour and reflect, I realize my graduating class numbered twenty-six. Deaths have reduced that number by about twenty-five per cent.

My friend that died last Sunday was Greg Welch, he died after a brief battle with cancer. Greg was probably one of the better known member of our class. He was a former World Champion Cutting Horse Trainer and Rider. He followed in his father's footsteps there. I catch myself smiling and thinking about time spent on the "18" Ranch when Greg's family lived there, my first memory of him involved an all out playground brawl in first grade (we were on the same side), the required trip to the Principal's office (Mr. Boston), twelve years of classes, band, and athletics. Red hair (when he had hair) and freckles, a bow legged gait, a football jersey with number 52, all of these will forever remind me of Greg. He is survived by a son, Lance, his ex-wife Pax (they determined they were better friends than lovers), his parents Buster and Ginger, his step mom Sheila, a brother Ken, two sisters Ruth Ann and Georgia, and he was preceded in death by a daughter, Whitney. He is remembered by a host of friends.

One odd note, my friend David that died recently from cancer grew up just a few miles from Greg. David's family was about the closest neighbor to the Welch's when they lived on the "18". With David and Greg both there, heaven just got a little more mischievous. I pause to honor your memory along with that of Peggy, Ricky, Roger and Alice. I know it is entirely possible there are more who did not have permanent roots within the community.

FATHER, help us to realize that this earth is just a temporary stop for us. Help us to realize our ultimate goal is to be home with YOU in heaven. FATHER, bless Greg's family as they cope with the void he has left, comfort them. FATHER, the last word I had was encouraging for Aimee, continue to bless her and heal her. FATHER, I am thankful that Rene's chemo is going well. I continue to ask you to work your miracle of healing on her. FATHER, bless Carol Pickett as the doctors develop a treatment plan for her cancer, be with her and her family. FATHER bless Michelle as they continue to track her problem, I ask that if it is a brain aneurysm that is operable. Bless her family. Heal them all. FATHER, I praise YOU and lift up YOUR name and I confess that you are a mighty GOD and through YOU all things are and will be. Work YOUR plan LORD.

Krl had a trying day yesterday. Kali needed someone to keep Addie so Krl agreed to and then she invited Kat over. One stipulation with Addie is that she must take her medication, otherwise she bounces off the walls! Needless to say Addie's Mom didn't see fit to give it to her, also needless to say, this was the last time day care will be volunteered from this house. Addie was in one of her hateful moods, complete with "I want my Mommy" or "I want my Daddy" anytime she didn't get her way. It probably is a good thing Dandy wasn't here because I bet after she threw her first opened can of coke (in her bedroom) that Dandy would have warmed up her backside. We love her to death but she is such a brat, and her parents just shrug and say that's they way she is. Wrong! They are currently trying to get pregnant again but I feel they need to get their current family and finances under control before they try to go to the next stage.

For the last three weeks I have been doing project close down. I have been packing up my portion of the office and putting it into storage. During this time my Mom has been inviting me for lunch. Dad is busy farming and she is alone at the house so I figure it is a welcome reprieve. With all the stuff going on with the business shut down and its far reaching effects Dad has not been very conversational. My Mom is seventy-three, she is one year removed from heart valve repair and enjoys pretty good health. She goes to cardio rehab three days a week, she has good days and she has weak days but when you are seventy-three you are entitled. I've got to tell the following story because it has led to lots of conversation at her lunch table. Recently preparations at her church (a small rural community CoC) were being made for Vacation Bible school. Mom has been a vital part of the refreshments for as far back as when I was attending VBS! They made the announcement that a list was on the bulletin board to sign up to help with refreshments and bring cookies. My Mom's weakest sense is her hearing (my sister Pat is getting her an appointment) but on this day it worked well enough for her to hear about the sign up. Her next weakest sense is her vision (she had cornea transplants about eighteen years ago). After services she went directly to the foyer to sign up! Her neighbor saw her signing and went over to also sign up. In a couple of minutes the neighbor was looking my Mom up to tell her she needed to go back and see what she had signed up for. Upon my Mom's return to the bulletin board she found that she had signed up to present the devotional on a future Wednesday night! She erased her name as well as she could but it wasn't good enough and everyone had a good laugh, her included! Could it be that Highland isn't the leader in West Central Texas?!!!!

My Mom and I have had lots of talks about Highland being on the leading edge of the CoC's "renaissance" movement. She is very intrigued and has a lot of questions, a lot of observations. I have told her that any time she wants to, to come over and attend with us. I have told her of the worship leaders, the praise team, the new praise songs, the communion services and the emerging role of women in worship. In order to get them to visit I might have to tempt them with Golden Corral after services.

One thing I have been noticing during church services with our pewee granddaughters is that whether it is announcements or a special presentation, both of these five year olds will sit on the edge of their seats or stand to see who it is (sorry Mike, you just can't captivate them like a female voice). I have discussed this with my Mom and I have also brought up the fact that I feel women can be much more effective in certain situations due to being the kinder gentler gender. I am going to continue to monitor responsive behavior on our row, there may be a dissertation here!

FATHER, bless my day as I give it back to YOU! Use me. FATHER I continue to ask for your healing of Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Bless them. There is none other than YOU!

FRIDAY, TGIF! Not a day too soon! I am ninety-nine per cent through with packing. Now it is just odds and ends. Chris and Kyle helped me again today so that was a trip! We have almost filled the storage building. I know there are going to be some sad people when they pack their offices. Oh well, the early packer gets the space!

I left about mid afternoon. I had had a call wanting me to come in to talk about a position. I don't think it is about whether they want me because they keep asking me when I can start. This position does not really appeal to me. It appears to be they have painted themselves into a corner and it isn't going to be pretty getting out! I feel I can do it but it is going to take the time and money commitment on their part! We agreed to think over the weekend and talk mid week.

When I was leaving town I ran into a friend who would be able to fill in the blanks left from the interview. We spent an hour and a half hashing it all out and before it was all said and done, this friend offered me a job! With Krl's job search they finally showed up in pairs! Go figure!

I have about eight weeks left before my next contract begins but I figure it would be nice to eat between now and then!

I found out through another mutual friend that someone who I have considered a "Good" friend has been talking trash behind my back. It seems that he and his family have taken much more pleasure in the fall of our family business than they did in its rise. I have always tried to be one of their staunchest supporters as they build their business but oh well! It is disappointing!

FATHER help me to rise above the petty things of this life. Bless me, expand me, use me. FATHER, bless Aimee, Rene', Carol Pickett, and Michelle with YOUR gift of healing. Let YOUR blessings flow!

Downhill side of hump day! I continue to pack offices. I am at half way in office numbers but I think I am at about ninety percent packing volume. My skin has been crawling again. Not a good sign. Everyone has been telling me that I am short fused, which is not a good sign either.

The other side did not show Tuesday for the asset sale. It appears they have postponed it for a while. I knew that much of what they were trying to do was not legal but then when has this group played by the rules! They file all sorts of paperwork without debtor signatures with just a note saying the signature is on file! I have decided a good attorney is worth the money, in this other group's book a dishonest lawyer appears to be priceless!

Krl is making preparations to re-enter the work market Monday morning. That is exciting news. I had a call earlier this week asking me to come in for an interview. (Its really not an interview, they just asked when I could start helping them.) I plan to get by their offices tomorrow. I have about eight weeks before my next contract starts so maybe we can work out something that is beneficial to both them and myself. It was one of those weird things where I happened to be between the office building and a storage building when they called me. If I am in either building my cell phone will not work, so I guess all the stars aligned correctly. I am hoping GOD's hand is in this!

Ollie is supposed to be driving in from Lubbock today. Initially she was coming to have lunch with me and then she was going on to the house to visit and swim with KRL, spend the night and then return to Lubbock tomorrow. She has attempted this three times previously so it was no surprise when she told me that she was coming in to have lunch but she was going right back to Lubbock. I know Krl will be disappointed. Ollie is kind of swept away with work right now. She has enjoyed some tremendous success in the Lubbock realty market and wants to keep her roll going! She is wearing a lot of feathers in her bonnet right now but the biggest one is a one million eight hundred ninety-four thousand dollar sale that has been closing in stages but is almost done! I do know she has already capped out for the year with the company she is affiliated with and she is their and was Lubbock's number one agent! Everyone is telling her not to let up just because she has hit a grand slam and it appears she isn't. We are proud of her and proud for her!

FATHER, bless this day with YOUR presence. Take control. May it be productive. Soothe me, calm me FATHER! I continue to lift up Aimee Harris, Rene' Baxter, Carol Pickett and Michelle Allen for YOUR healing. Bless them, comfort them, heal them FATHER. The glory is YOURS!

Holidays are wonderful! I still don't know if I feel rested. We did not do anything out of the ordinary over the long weekend.

The pewees slept over Saturday night. I didn't have much to do with them as I holed up in my bedroom to watch NASCAR'S July Daytona race Saturday night. I couldn't believe it went so late but then it started late from rain delays.

Sunday morning we went to church and Sunday school. The pewees did not want to go to class but we didn't give them an option. When we dropped them off the teacher was passing out popsicles so I knew they were hooked. When we picked them up they had had a change of heart, they laughed and giggled all the way home and repeatedly told their Meme how much fun class was!

Charles led the worship service and the praise team was excellent. Cope's lesson was "Communion: the Other Sermon". The scripture reading was done by a team of three and was probably more distracting in its presentation than had it just been read. It kind of gave you that caught in a swirlee syndrome. Communion was served at the front of the church. This is something I had always enjoyed and thought was so special until this day. They had greeters (or as I call them "fluffers") strategically placed and it seemed like everyone was so touchy, feely, huggy. We were at what I see as a major problem. Lack of spontaneity due to scripting of the service. We had the two pewees and were letting the lines go down to avoid an extended time trying to corral the two girls. One of the ushers came over and served Krl but I abstained. I finally went out in the atrium for a couple of minutes and returned at the conclusions of the communion service. We went to class and when it was over I went back in to the auditorium where everything was still set up. I had a very private communion. We are the body of Christ, but one mold does not fit all. I think this is an area that receives little consideration. I do not doubt for a moment Mike's sincerity, but one size does not fit all. Needless to say, church was not what it could have been. We will work on that.

I wasn't aware of it but one section away there was a problem during the communion service. This information came off of Mike's blog. A visitor was approaching the front of the line where Mike and his wife Diane were serving communion. According to Mike's blog the man yelled at Mike and told him that he was offended and felt like he was in a Catholic Church. Mike quit serving briefly and asked the man to sit down and at the conclusion of the service Mike would be more than happy to discuss this with the man, (in a very kind but firm manner, according to Mike). After the service Mike said he could not locate the man. I can't believe it was to major a confrontation if we were not aware of it one section away. I have been appalled by some of Mike's buddies' comments on his blog, one wanted to know why he didn't just hit the man over the head with the tray. I would like to hope I would handle this a little differently. I probably would have taken the bread and the cup to the man, asked him to return to his seat so I could serve him and after serving him I would have told him I was sorry if he felt offended and that I would like to discuss this with him after services. I don't feel that this matter is cut and dried if one single person feels offended by it. At the present I am battling with myself not to jump into the fray at Mike's blog. I sometimes get the feeling that Mike sets them (meaning you) up for his groupies to put down. I have jumped in before to be ambushed or ridiculed. I don't want anyone to think I am anti-Cope, because I am not. Actually I am very pro-Cope. Most of the time I have no problem, I suppose I am somewhat disappointed in that the service became so scripted, also in the manner in which the offended visitor was handled, and finally the cajoling and joking in Mike's blog comments that have no regard for this visitor. Who is ahead of who in their Christian journey.

FATHER thank YOU for the weekend. Thank YOU for watching over and keeping all of us. FATHER I thank YOU for all the blessings YOU continue to rain down on us! FATHER, humble me, fill me with YOUR spirit, YOUR love, YOUR grace. I ask for YOUR mercy. I ask for YOUR wisdom, YOUR guidance, and YOUR strength. FATHER, I continue to lift up Aimee Harris, Rene' Baxter, and Carol Pickett for YOUR healing. Bless them, comfort them, heal them. Bless my day and week, may they glorify YOU.

Hey, Hey! Krl got a job! Talk about extremes, going from looking for a job and becoming so frustrated to having two to choose from! Way to go Dear, I am proud for you! It does have benefits by the way! God had his hand in this! I think this development will put some bounce in Krl's step!

Today marks seventeen years for Krl and I! Happy Anniversary! Seventeen years, four kids, four grand daughters, one grand son, two cats and nine hounds later and we are still going strong!

I am going to Lubbock today. Memama and Pepa have an appointment and Pat was going with them. I didn't think it was totally fair for Pat so I will go as well. I probably need to visit some with Robert anyway. At some point I am going to have to act rather than react! Today might be the day to begin this! I keep telling Memama that I haven't given up yet, there is one Mega Millions drawing and one Lotto Texas drawing before the axe drops! If I were only so lucky!

FATHER, Thank YOU for this day. Thank you for the bounty of blessings it holds! I pray for safe travel! FATHER thank YOU for KRL and I pray you will bless us with many more years together! FATHER thank you for blessing Krl with a job. FATHER, I lift up Aimee Harris, Rene' Baxter, and Carol Pickett for you miracle of healing. Heal them, comfort them and their family. Bless them. Surround them with YOU. For YOUR love FATHER, thank YOU!

July 1! Fast approaching Independence Day, but today is "a dependent day". I continue to battle the deep depression. I know I need to finish up this packing and remove myself from the premises and I will be much much better. Tuesday creditors begin selling off assets, the first of which is this office building. They have been receiving thirty-five hundred dollars a month but decided to accelerate the note and sell it on the courthouse steps. This whole ordeal has been so educational for me. There is no justice in this life. I have confidence GOD will deal with that in the end. When the wheels started coming off this monster in 2001 we started notifying leasing companies and creditors that with the economic downturn in our industry we needed to lighten our debt load by returning some equipment. Most were very accommodating and cordial. This equipment was returned to their designated destination at our expense and the equipment was "intact", not stripped down. After a few weeks my brother-in-law who was barely involved on the fringe of this business was doing some of his farm business and they pulled a credit report. It showed a seven-hundred-seventy-five thousand dollar "credit card" charge off from one of these leasing companies! When he told us of that we checked all of the pertinent players credit reports and walla, it was on all of them! The interesting part was that they charged each pertinent with the entire amount of the lease or in other words they took a tax benefit of a three- million eight-hundred-seventy-five thousand dollars loss. When asked about why it was done as a credit card charge off they said it was their option. Two years after the fact they have sued us individually for the same deal. Basically a creditor can mess you over time and time again as long as they want to while they repeatedly take the tax benefits, they can report anything they choose on your report and it is up to you to prove it is wrong. They have me as having lived in Arkansas and Houston and I just can't catch a break. Whoever they had living there that they thought was me had worse credit than I did! The way my credit is at present I only wish someone would steal my identity! It appears eventually protection will be required.

One bit of good news! Krl has a job interview in the morning! It has benefits! We will hope for the best and remain confident that GOD is working his plan! She is very nervous. I will say "happy anniversary" to her a day in advance! Good luck at your interview! I love you dear!

While doing my early morning reading (it is fiction, not inspirational or anything like that) I was reading about a lady who was talking to her priest about a major problem that was directly in front of her. The priest said that challenges are compliments from GOD and indicate his love for us. Each challenge is an opportunity for HIS grace. I am still mulling this over in my muddled brain! More when it has completed the mulling cycle!

FATHER I thank YOU for today and its blessings! Thank YOU for Krl and for blessing my life with her! I pray that I have been as big a blessing to her! Bless our relationship, may we continue to grow in love together! Expand us! Use us! Be with her in her job search! FATHER I continue to lift up Aimee Harris and Rene' Baxter to YOU for YOUR miracle of healing. FATHER please continue to bless them. FATHER please fill me with YOUR spirit, bless me with YOUR mercy and YOUR grace. Carry me FATHER!