The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas! Out here in our part of Texas, too! Yesterday was really a summer kind of day. Lots of sunshine and excellent drying conditions. From looking outside it appears it will be crisp and clear this morning. Many of the farmers were headed to the fields late yesterday either to spray defoliant or possibly to try to harvest cotton or milo. We have six modules on the feeder and trucks, not really enough cotton to spike the electricity demand and bring this big gin up to run. They actually say that if the gin isn't going to run at least a half day it is not economical to start it.

Everyone is getting so bored out here. All the gin employees along with my people (myself included) and the other contractor's crew are bored stiff. We have done everything that can possibly be of consequence. We have been preventive to the point of being extreme. Anything that happens now shouldn't be human error, but mechanical failure instead.

I was reflecting yesterday on some of the changes here in the past ten years. Probably the most noticeable is the reduction in office personnel. A few years ago the gin went on-line with software called Eagle-sys. This allows for an unmanned scale for incoming trucks and involves simply scanning a card and bar-code for the truck and driver. The software also records the bale and seed weights as the cotton is processed and is then simply up loaded on the PCCA system. Turnout and other reports are at the touch of a finger. What this means is that the office staff has been reduced from seven people to three, not counting Marie (the office manager). Kristy and Becky work the day shift and when he is needed Charles will come in for the afternoon/evening shift. I try to help when I can, answering the phone while they try to eat lunch, running messages or just trying to keep them informed of what I know is going on. Sometimes it is delicate to determine where benefit ends and intrusion begins. That line moves a little depending on what kind of day each one of us is having. Thanks to the professionalism and personal respect of all concerned we have been able to make it work. This isn't to say that on occasion feathers don't get ruffled but we don't allow it past there. Believe me, the remaining personnel are a value buy! Their boats are loaded once the season is up and going!

FATHER, I am thankful for the good, competent people I work with. Please allow me to help when I can, to carry my own weight and to know when to back away. Help me to not be petty or small but to work to the strengths of the team. I pray to be transformed. Allow me to pour myself out, to be filled by YOU and YOUR spirit. I pray for YOUR strength, YOUR wisdom and YOUR guidance. Expand me. I pray for the healing of Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Bless and comfort them. I ask that YOU continue to care for Aimee. I pray for the needs of the hurricane victims, may help be bold and quick. I pray for the needs of our spiritual family. Bless the leaders of Highland as well as the leaders the world over. I pray for R2D2. All things work together for good for those that love YOU.