"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks I needed that!

My blog opening scripture was in my birthday card from my folks last week. Talk about fitting.

I reported to begin my work this week. Plans quickly changed and I found myself making a quick trek to Sweetwater. I had some personal papers I needed to drop off as well, so I made a detour by the old office. That probably was a mistake. Parts of the office continue to be operational while other parts continue to be cordoned off and boxed and stored. Add to this a call from my brother-in-law needing to talk and I needed the reassurance from Jeremiah even more. The snowball keeps rolling, consuming everything in its way. Now the long time family business that failed, after becoming the victim of that large unscrupulous international company, is poised to do the same to my personal farming operation. The dominos fall. It is sad, but it is not like there is anything I can do to stop it. If anything, it becomes more and more evident that this exercise is faith building. Without faith it would be difficult to continue.

I finally made it into the office at my new temporary job just after lunch. I guess one of the most appealing things about it is that I may not be "in" the office all the time. Monday morning was evidence of this. I spent the afternoon observing and as workers cycled out I got to look around at some of the computer programs being used. While not customized for the industry I do believe it is possible to do everything we need with it. This may be a case of minimizing the dollar and maximizing the effect. In some respects my afternoon was scary. It is unbelievable how much is done long hand (notebook and paper) and then replicated into the system. Checks continue to be hand written and then computer generated for GL purposes. I am beginning to form some basic recommendations in my mind, but that is a project on down the road. Today we work on the P & L spreadsheets. My biggest challenge is to do this without hindering the day to day operation. My hours have been modified. Nine to five. That's pretty tough for someone who is an early riser. Oh well!

Precious memories! I wish I could make a living on the farm. It was never a large enough operation for this although for many years I tried. It was an exercise in futility. Everything just seemed to be stacked against it. The weather, the ag economy, interest rates, boll weevil. All contributing factors to the demise of the family farm. About the only way to make it is to have a "bumper crop". If prices are low, grow more of it. Quantity. Add to depressed prices the fact that the farmer sells everything wholesale while buying everything retail and it is a recipe for disaster. Regardless of all these prohibiting factors, it is an appealing life. Nature. Freshly opened earth. Rain. Shine. A greater appreciation of GOD's genius. Thanks Gan Gan.

FATHER I am glad YOU know the plans YOU have for me because I am fresh out of ideas. YOU are in control. Work YOUR plan. I need a pick me up today. I find myself somewhat melancholy, but I am giving it up to YOU. I continue to pray for those needing YOUR healing. I ask that YOU heal our bodies, our spirits, our hearts and our minds. I ask YOUR gentle caress as YOU carry us through tough times. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. FATHER I wish more could have experienced the Sunday worship at Highland. The songs, the lesson, the emotion, the spirit, are still large in my thoughts. Every blessing YOU pour out I'll turn back to praise. Blessed be YOUR name.