Progress. We are making progress. Step by step, inch by inch. We will actually be able to visually confirm this. Until yesterday the only indication of progress was a slowly retreating stack of module tags as these modules are transported from the fields to the gin yard. Suddenly the tags are gone! The module trucks are parked. At this time all the remaining cotton is sitting on the three gin yards. 18.66 shifts worth of cotton sits on the yards, ten days. This is contingent on the gin running well. We expect to complete the cotton on the yards and then to have a small amount of cotton come in as it is harvested from low lying areas which have remained too wet. The carrot is dangling in front of us as we make our way toward the end.

For months as one module was picked up from the yard to go into the gin, it was replaced on the yard almost instantly. At one point in time we were behind almost four thousand modules, almost forty-eight thousand bales. This has been an exercise in patience and discipline. It has been a good run, a record run, and I am thankful for the work opportunity.

I am beginning to think about plans for breaking camp. I am cautiously optimistic that we can get this done in a calm and collected three weeks time. There is leased equipment to be returned, equipment to send to the shop for repair, winterization of the travel trailers, gathering of tools, fuel card retrieval, incentive pay for the hourly employees, all the above to be completed before I pitch Marvin the keys! Then, only six months until we do it all over again.

The word on the Highland youths hospitalized at Cook's Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth is good. Mike Cope posted an update on his blog yesterday evening. We join in the joy with their extended families. I have not seen a current update on the driver who is hospitalized in Lubbock.

Funeral services are this afternoon for Brody Bourland. Our hearts go out to his family.

FATHER, I thank YOU for the blessing I enjoy. I continue to ask for safety and productivity as we progress toward completion of this work. I pray that YOU will temper me, help me to be patient. FATHER, I thank YOU for the good reports on the Highland youths. I pray for continued progress. I pray for the driver, still hospitalized in Lubbock. I pray for rapid and complete recovery for all those injured. I ask YOUR blessings and comfort for Brody's family. Fill their void with YOUR peace and love. FATHER, I pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Rusty and Kim's unborn baby, for Jennifer. I ask for YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for R2D2 and all of us lost and stumbling, heal our hearts and spirits. I pray for our spiritual family, for our church leaders, I ask YOUR blessings on them all. This is the day YOU have made!