This will be a quick blog (or in this case it may be a blop).

Early morning. I am walking out of the house. I have an early appointment in the metroplex and then back to the office. I had mentioned the variety and how I jumped at it. Yesterday proved to be one more instance of that and today will be an additional flavor! I spent most of the day inspecting some real estate, talking with Ollie on the phone and trying to crunch some numbers on a property for my friend I am working with. That was an all day sucker! At the conclusion of the day my friend and I were discussing several things, when we discovered he had over committed! He was scheduled to be in two different places two hundred miles apart at the same time so I was elected to go stand in.

While I am thankful for the opportunities GOD presents me with, this is not my favorite job. I don't really get the feeling this is where he intends for me to stay, but it is a stop he wanted me to make. Actually my favorite job began as a volunteer to "help out", ended up paying minimum wage but it was a hoot! I delivered flowers for a flower shop on Valentines Day and the day before Mother's Day. To see the faces come alive, the tears of joy, the eager anticipation when I stepped into an office. It was truly an experience.

Gotta go! FATHER, please bless this day. I pray for safety, I pray for productivity. Bless me with YOUR presence in every aspect. Help me to be a blessing in the lives of others today. I pray for those in need of YOUR healing. I pray for those hurting with loss. I pray for those of us who wander in our spiritual journey. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. The glory is YOURS!

Blogger problems this morning. An error message about technical problems appeared and my request could not be processed. Blog-icians had been notified!

I think this blogging deal is habit forming! I am in the mood and have no medium. What to do, what to do? I guess I will do my daily blog and save it in word for publishing, hopefully later in the morning!

I found myself really dreading my day yesterday. I am running right on the heels of others workers in the office. While my week is usually pretty steady, the other workers have “must days” when much of their weekly work comes in and “must” be processed for billing and for payroll. I know what it is like to work in a pressure cooker so I try to keep a little cushion between myself and their out box. Still, it is as though I am a vulture surveying the terrain for newly processed data!

Surprise, surprise, surprise! When I arrived at work, no one was at the office. I immediately began downloading reports from the internet and answering the phone. Less than an hour into the day, the owner walked in and wanted to talk. He asked me if I would take the lead and supervise some repairs in the fleet shop. I actually jumped at the opportunity for a little variety. Things went well and by lunch one trailer was ready to go with the exception of a handful of fasteners that had to be requisitioned from town. We then moved on to the second project that had been damaged when a driver was trying to hook up to it. There was major cosmetic damage with minimal structural damage. This repair was going well but very time consuming. I prefer to move very slowly on cosmetic issues but we received a call saying both trailers we were working on had been dispatched on loads during the night! Needless to say, eight hours on the job came and went with more work still in front of us. Finally after thirteen hours I wearily walked into the house! No calls during the night so we must have covered all the bases!

I made contact early Tuesday morning with Jeanetta. She said things were going well with Ashlyn Kate. She did report that Ashlyn Kate had a problem with the brain shunt, which had stopped functioning and had to have surgery to remove and replace the shunt. I am not fully aware of the procedure but I do understand it involves surgery to her head and also to her stomach. The procedures went well and hopefully she will be discharged from the hospital today. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

FATHER thank YOU for a productive day yesterday. I ask YOUR blessings on today and my work. FATHER thank YOU for the variety in my days. FATHER, I continue to lift up Ashlyn Kate, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tj, Anna, Jess and those still recovering from their injuries from the accident. I ask for YOUR miracle of healing! I pray for comfort for those suffering from loss. I pray for those of us experiencing growth spurts spiritually. Cultivate us, use us. Keep us centered, keep us focused. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. Send YOUR angels. Surround us, engulf us, fill us with YOU! A wonderful savior is Jesus my LORD!

I could use a do over on my night. I don't understand why but I am awake and I don't want to be. My infernal internal alarm clock needs to be detached from my eye lids! Oh well, sixteen or eighteen hours and I will give it another go!

Monday, Monday, don't like that day!

A day filled with work. A busy day. Phone ringing, paperwork flowing through. Office chatter. Clock barely moving. A day that seemed to linger forever!

I suppose Monday is a sacrificial day. By taking it on the chin every week it sure makes our Tuesdays and subsequent days of the week look much better!

I had left my cell phone off the charger Sunday night so on the way to work I plugged it in and laid it on the seat of the pickup where it remained all day Monday. When I finished my work day and I retrieved my phone, I had multiple "missed" calls. This was one of those exercises in futility as I moved from number to number and was unable to reach anyone! My mind began to race, wondering what was wrong, where! The only person I was able to contact was Krl and she told me that she was O.K. but that Pepa was trying to call me. Finally I was able to make contact with Memama and she relayed information to me that Ashlyn Kate, one of the recent additions to the extended family had experienced a problem with the shunt in her brain. (You might remember Ashlyn Kate was born with spina bifida). I made repeated calls to Shelbyville to my sister's home and I called a cell phone number she had given Pepa but so far no contact has been made. The last report we had was that Ashlyn Kate was being rushed by ambulance to an Indianapolis Hospital. I don't know which one. I will try again this morning. I am hopeful that things are going better and that they have possibly set up a rotation to care for her, making it difficult to make contact. Please put Ashlyn Kate, her parents Rusty and Kim, and Jeanetta and her family in your prayer requests!

I don't even know what my day holds today. Sometime I think our priorities are so messed up. If I were in charge what would I do? I feel needy right now. I kind of have a hollow spot inside. I think it would be "filling" to attend "Stream in the Desert" this weekend in Midland. It just doesn't seem to be an option.

In Mike Cope's blog yesterday he wrote of his family's traditional Easter visit to Megan's grave. The Bourland family accompanied them and the group visited Brody's grave as well. We are all woven intrinsically into the fabric of community. Joined in sadness. Joined in grief. Joined in happiness. Joined in hope. Joined in healing. It is a long journey.

FATHER, we have so much to thank YOU for. YOU are good. You are all seeing, all knowing. FATHER we cannot grasp everything. We don't understand, we become frustrated. Forgive us. Instill in us the reassurance and confidence that YOU are a mighty GOD, capable, compassionate, loving, caring and that YOUR plan for us will unfold in YOUR time. FATHER, I lift up Ashlyn Kate, this morning for YOUR care. I am a long distance from there and I wonder what is going on. I pray for her care givers, I pray for her parents, I pray for Jeanetta and her family. I pray for others who are in need of YOUR gift of healing. I pray for those who are hurting from loss. Fill their void with YOUR love, YOUR mercy and YOUR grace. FATHER I pray for those of us who feel hollow today in our spiritual journey. Fill us with YOU and YOUR spirit. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I know my redeemer lives!

Monday. Where did the weekend go?

I find it difficult today to get motivated. I feel feverish, and my sinuses are wild. Being the trooper I am, I will get around, I will go to work, and I will perform my assigned duties!

I can't believe we woke up Easter morning with snow on the ground and one day later they are predicting a high near eighty. Texas weather.

I am still riding the rush from church yesterday. Wish you could have been there. Hope your week is good!

FATHER, thank YOU for the tremendous day yesterday. I ask YOUR blessings on my day and the coming week. Help me to turn it all over to YOU and to know that YOUR plan is unfolding just as YOU intend. I pray for those needing YOUR intervention and healing. I pray for those needing YOUR comfort. I pray for those of us who are at spiritual crossroads in our journey. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I believe in JESUS!

Wow! Church was really really really powerful! The song service was super! Of course we went with the expectation of hearing Val sing Arise My Love. What we didn't know or expect was to hear Kelly (Curtis) Miller (I asked who she was) sing Redeemer. Tremendous! Absolutely excellent. You would think you were listening to ZOE.

Class was very good. We had twenty-three in our class. I guess everyone knew I was making breakfast casserole and Krl was bringing a fruit tray! (Just kidding). This was Kurt's last Sunday to lead the class as Terry will take over next week. Kurt was putting the final touches on 1st John. The class had scheduled a pot luck dinner at Ed and Jody's house for today but Krl and I had other plans.

Trc and her family met us for the early service. Ellen and Kat stayed to attend class and then ride home with us. We went home, put on some comfy clothes and went to Trc and Brently's for the egg hunt and a cook out! Brently has been working on an outdoor kitchen and he has a new gas grill. Pretty impressive! Big, stainless steel, uses heat to cook. We did steaks, a little Earl Campbell sausage and several skewers of shrimp! Trc did the inside part and it all came together and was deeelicious!

Part of my Saturday was doing some work on the lawn mower. Krl had been mowing earlier in the week and it just quit! I had not done the pre-season service yet so I made a trip to pick up the necessary supplies. Prior to leaving I plugged in the battery charger in to put a slow total charge on the small gel battery. This is three years on the battery so I am expecting it to give up the ghost anytime. I went to Lowe's and they didn't have everything I needed, so I put what they did have back on the shelf and hopped in my truck and went to Sears (the mower after all is a Craftsman). Sure enough everything I needed was on the shelves so I loaded up and was quickly on my way. One more quick stop at Home Depot (I hate that store) and I was headed to the house! I did the maintenance and fired the mower up and it ran like a champ! I swept the garage, put away my tools and headed to the next activity. Krl and I completed our day with a few errands, the grocery store and then we returned home to prepare things for Sunday school. A former employee and her son came by late in the evening for a brief visit. They had been to visit a sick relative in the hospital.

FATHER, thank YOU for days like today when we are totally in awe of YOU. Help us to work toward every day being one of these days. FATHER, I pray for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Ashlyn Kate, for Tj, for Anna, and for Jess. I ask YOUR healing for them all. I ask for YOUR comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues and ask that YOU lead us where YOU intend. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Up from the grave HE arose! Triumphant. Victorious.

I am thankful for the end of the week. I need to regroup, recharge, re-evaluate.

I actually went in to the office Friday just to do some payday data entry. It is much easier when I can just get in the payroll loop as it comes off the printer on the way to checks being written. I figured a couple of hours and I would be "home free" for the weekend. It has been such a strange week and my work for this company is structured strangely. Basically I guarantee them eight hours a day. The number of days per week is optional as long as I can keep up the spreadsheets. On days when it is necessary for me to be out of the office on behalf of their business, we continue to do a hour trace and sooner or later either they owe me hours or I owe them hours. It's like a modified comp time. To date, I have never owed them any time back. Long story short, I didn't get out of the office in a couple of hours and now I go into the new week with a time credit.

We are expanding our analysis next week. The owner wants a better view of how his lease ops are doing. Also April 2 their new brokerage division comes on line. The office manager received the licensing authority Thursday. Sales calls may be in the near future. If only a small percentage of what is in the works comes to fruitation we are going to be very busy. Add to this the plan to move into their new office beginning April 1. I am already concerned that they may not have thought "large"enough.

The office is located in a rural setting. Coastal hay fields mixed with native shinery comprise the countryside. As regular readers are aware, we have been officing in the home of my employer. Our office mascot is the owner's three year old son, I refer to him as Bill (as he refers to me as Bill, everyone is Bill in our world). Just prior to my employment there, their two female dogs gave birth to pups. This occurred just days apart, and the total gain in hounds was eleven! These dogs are Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Heinz 57, A-1, and probably have a shot of terryaki on the side. Ten of the pups are black, the remaining one is blond. They have recently become very mobile and when you go in or out of the house, the ground "moves" with puppies. One of the mother dogs, Lady, has decided to wean her pups. Turns out she is a wise hound. She can lay down far away and her pups will migrate to her. She will jump up and relocate and difficult as it has been, she has just about dried up. Zip, the other mother dog, has continued to nurse her pups. This is where things begin to get complicated. I was walking into the house early in the week and Zip was lying on the porch nursing a hodgepodge of pups, not all hers! It appears that the family lines have become so blurred no one knows who belongs to who. (Are you my mother?). Late Thursday there was a commotion on the porch and when the door was opened it was discovered that the eleven pups had taken Zip down to the ground for dinner. Eleven hungry mouths looking for a plug in! It's all about strategy! Yesterday the first pup was sent to a new home and over the next few days several people are making plans to visit and look over the puppies. It is probably none to soon for Zip, while she has done an admirable job nursing her litter, the combined litters might just be enough to make her evaporate! I guess that would be evaporated milk in the truest sense.

FATHER, thank YOU for the little distractions you entertain us with. Thank YOU for seeing me through this difficult week. I pray that YOU will rest me well and rest me quickly. FATHER I have much to do and need YOUR help. Keep me on task and help me to focus. FATHER I pray for patience and understanding. May I be tempered, slow to anger, and think things through before I speak. YOU take control. I pray for YOUR gift of healing for those in need of it. I pray for YOUR gift of comfort for those who are hurting from loss. I pray for YOUR gift of life eternal for those searching for YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. Death could not keep its prey.

I was recently talking with a gentleman who is retiring from his job and he was bragging he had not worked a day since he started. He told me he had been very fortunate, "Find something you love and you will never work a day in your life!" How true.

I find that while I enjoy the work, I do not enjoy the current situation I am working in. Indecision. Wavering decisions. Constantly changing decisions. It really frustrates me. You can pour over the process so long it becomes a moot point! My current employer has been asking me for three weeks about one particular decision. What should he do. I told him the same thing three weeks ago that I told him yesterday and yet he has not made the decision. Everyday it bites us on the backside because we are in such a pinch for reliable equipment. If he were to take my advice today, it would involve at least a week to complete the work, so now we are at a month. I once worked with a CPA at the old family business who couldn't make a decision. She would rather walk around and visit about it and then days later, "guess". When she left, I did offer her my constructive work criticism for future reference.

Yesterday I found myself to be the victim of the previous day's indecision. Finally, just after lunch it was "decided" that I needed to go to Lubbock. After wasting the whole morning, we had a plan. Sad thing is, if it had been made early in the day I could have been there and back during the regular work day. As it was, it turned out to be after seven last evening when I walked through the door. An occasional long day is acceptable. The nature of the beast. But this week it has been three of the last four days. Something has to give.

I guess I am a wildcat! Having been a business owner/manager I have been involved in the decision making process. Right or wrong, I pulled the trigger. The decisions were made with the best info available at the time. I am wondering if I am an odd duck. Do most people shy away from decisions? Is it a battle for most? I realize than many people are quite content to work in the trenches and never have to make the decisions. These people are content to do the eight to five, collect the paycheck and hurry home so they can do it all over again. Many are not risk takers. Understandable. They have made a conservative choice to limit risk and reward. They will never enjoy the reward that can come with a well calculated risk decision but on the other hand, they will never know the disappointment and hollow feeling of a decision that goes bad. I have my preferences! For work, for work situations and for employees.

Let it ride!

FATHER, I thank YOU for the many life lessons YOU continue to teach me through life experiences. FATHER I pray for health and healing for Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Tj, Jennifer, Jess, Anna, Ashlyn Kate, and those still recovering from their injuries. I ask comfort for those suffering from loss. I pray for a spiritual awakening for those of us who stumble as we search for YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for YOUR kingdom in this HOLY week.

This has been the week from you know where.

After a very brief nap, I went to the office Wednesday where I spent a couple of busy hours. Then I was to take some equipment up to a jobsite where some clean up is in progress. Plan was I would let them load a truck and park it and early Thursday morning I would leave and take it to Lubbock. Late in the afternoon it was thrown up in the air and a decision could not be made so I finally unhooked, returned the truck to the yard, hopped in my pickup and went home. Hello! When you can make a decision and see it through give me a call. I am not at my best when I am weary and wilting!

Today begins much along the same lines. Pray for patience for me. I have the feeling it is going to be a very trying day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the restful sleep. I pray for YOUR renewal. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Fill me with YOU. I pray for those in need of YOUR gift of healing. Bless and comfort them. Be with those hurting from loss. Bless those who are stumbling on their spiritual journey. Bless our spiritual family and our leaders. Thank YOU for the price YOU paid!

Tuwednesday! Lllllllooooonnnnnggg day! I just walked through the door. I am getting me a diet coke and microwaving a 'burger I picked up at lunch (luckily I had a hunch and ordered it dry and no veggies).

I started my day helping with maintenance. Then I went in to the office until they told me to go get a nap. Final chapter of my day, I left Abilene at 10pm., and have been to the metroplex and back. That rather large object following me around is my butt. It is dragging!

Food, Bath and Beyond! I am going to get a nap!

It is pretty interesting, while I usually detest the drive time, I have began to try to use it in a different way. So far it has been pretty super! More on this later!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe day. I realize YOU carried me most of the way. Thank YOU for the good connection today. It has been a while since I have felt that direct link! FATHER I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, and those continuing to recover from their injuries, for YOUR gift of healing. Bless them and comfort them as they are made whole. I pray for those suffering from loss. Fill their void as only YOU can. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues. Bless us and guide us as we work through them. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. (JESUS) Thank YOU for YOUR nail pierced hands.

Behold, I am alive.

Took a couple of days off from the blog thingy. Actually I had not intended to, it just turned out that way. Sunday morning became rushed and I was going to blog in the afternoon. Once we returned home from church our day became very tense as we were gathering production requests and other info for Krl's deposition. She was upset about having to go through it and I was upset that she had to. Anyway, not a good Sunday afternoon.

Monday morning things were not much better. I left for my work and she left later in the morning for her deposition. Beginning around noon I started calling her to see how she was and how it went and she never picked up. Her biggest fear had been that since she couldn't produce some of the requests, the judge would be upset with her. I had told her we would do what we could do but we couldn't pull rabbits from our hats. Turns out while it was long, repetitious, sneaky, and at times blatantly beyond scope, it is now behind her. The urchin didn't bite her and seemed to be on a deluxe fishing expedition while billing time to his client. The home situation had eased somewhat by the time we got to bed.

My Monday was spent in the office until late in the day, then I made the trek to the company shop. This appears to be one of those weeks in the making. The faxes for can loads this week indicated a slow down in shipments. We were going to be back in the fifteen to sixteen million can range. This allowed us to commit to some longer product runs for our customer. Just when you think things are coming together they get scrambled. We received a heads up call from one of our carriers alerting us to problems with the can manufacturer and the possibility of them canceling loads for Tuesday. This info turned out to be false. When the call did come it actually added almost a million cans to today's move. Things got in a tizzy very quickly as some of our trucks on the longer runs cannot return in time to participate. It would appear that we may have a chinese fire drill with personnel and equipment as we work things out. It would also appear that about half of us in the office are going to change hats and make the metroplex run again today and possibly tonight, it may even be a split day.

I seem to be battling a spring cold. Cough, sinus headache, snot, fever. I feel miserable. Krl has most of the same symptoms.

FATHER, I pray for relief from this cold. I pray for relief from the pressures from the outside. Be with us as we deal with all of it. FATHER we are battling many issues, we ask for YOUR strength, YOUR wisdom and YOUR guidance. I pray for those in need of YOUR healing. I pray for their care and comfort. I pray for those grieving from loss. Fill their void as only YOU can. I pray for those of us with spiritual hurdles. Be with us as we make our way through them. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Be with me LORD.

I am off today, as a bonus I also have the day off from work!

For the weekend to look so dismal late Thursday it rallied to regain its earlier promise. As it turned out, Crown is running short on some of the cans that Coke requisitioned for delivery today. What this means is that eight of the fourteen loads scheduled for today will be pulled from warehouse reserves in Fort Worth. So after we at the office called to alert everyone to the Saturday work schedule and got all the driver's fruit of the looms in a wad, we had to do our best Rosanna Rosanna Danna impersonation and say "Never mind!" Our part of the move will be done with only three drivers!

My Friday ended up consisting of a very early trip to the metroplex and I finished out the day in the office.

The week in revue. Congratulations and condolences are due respectively for Lauren (the oldest grandchild) and her parents. Late Friday evening we received a call informing us that Lauren was chosen as a cheerleader for the Abilene High Eagles for the coming school year. So now Lauren will have to go through a crash course of sports whys and why nots, when to yell and when to not, and Trc and Brently can just say goodbye to $$$$$$$$.

Ollie is having some health issues. She is coming to Abilene Wednesday for a diabetes doctor appointment. Of course her insurance is wanting to do a backstroke and say this is a pre- existing condition. Insurance companies are great as long as you don't need them. Everyday I become more and more convinced we need to put the insurance companies out of business and have a national health program like Denmark. I can't get the vision of Grisham's Rainmaker book from my mind where the wealthy insurance company's standard response was to deny, deny, deny! Back to Ollie. She is also complaining of lower back pain and tests are showing one kidney with decreased function (about fifty percent). Add to this the fact that Ollie thinks she is in LOVE and everything is great and then her beau has been diagnosed with either Parkinson or MS. Now her suitor is wanting to back off until he sees what his health issues are. It seems like everytime she gets a good roll going a wheel comes off.

Krl and I don't have much on schedule for the weekend. Krl is fighting bad depression. Everyday this week we have put off doing the grocery store so today it is a must! What does that tell you if the highlighted activity for the week is the grocery store. Actually we have to go to Wal-mart as well, we are supposed to bring candy to stuff into plastic eggs for the Easter Egg hunt. If I were going to be here at Halloween I would try to organize a hunt for easter eggs that had been over looked, we would call it a "deviled" egg hunt! We do have some work to do for Krl's deposition and production for Monday. When I ended up out of town on the truck I was never served my subpoena. Pray that all goes well. Krl and I are scheduled to be in Lubbock on Friday for an appointment with our attorney. It is time that we put all this behind us.

Krl and I were talking earlier in the week, I had just purchased a lotto or mega million ticket and she was scolding me. "I don't know why you buy those things", she said. I was quiet for a while and then I told her that is one of the things that keeps me going. "What do you mean", she replied. I told her as long as I keep the hope alive, I can function. When that hope is gone it will be a deep valley of depression. I once had a banker friend and his terminology was to "keep swinging at the high fast balls, one of these days you will hit it!"

I often think of something my Mom always says. She says she sure hopes heaven doesn't have money there! I agree. As I get older my monetary requirements diminish. It is a good thing though because the past few years the monetary income has diminished as well. I try not to be bitter because it has become a dog eat dog world, but "predator" international companies exist at the expense of smaller "service" companies. "Tell them anything" seems to be the big company motto. Lies and deception. Deliver me from this paragraph!

FATHER, thanks for seeing us through the week. It appears that the coming week may need a deluxe dose of YOU. FATHER forgive us when we confuse hope of this life and hope eternal. I know YOU will see to our every need. YOU have never disappointed. FATHER I pray for strength, guidance and wisdom as decisions are made in the coming week. I continue to ask YOUR healing for those in need. I pray for Krl's depression and her health issues as well as those of Ollie. I pray for Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Tj, Anna, Jess, and those recovering from injuries from the accident. I ask for YOUR healing and comfort for them. I pray for those hurting from loss. Fill their void with YOUR mercy and grace. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues. Bless us as we sort through them. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. My true hope is based on nothing less than JESUS CHRIST.

Metroplex again!

I'm already running behind and my day is barely up and running (away from me).

Thank GOD for weekends, however ours may be short. They put another fourteen loads of cans (three and a half million cans) on the schedule for Saturday delivery. That is a first. Thankfully I am not scheduled to help out so far. I will be part of the support group!

Got to go! May your day and weekend be blessed!

FATHER, YOU the GOD, YOU my GOD. It's in YOUR hands. I pray for safety, for healing for those in need. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. YOU are good!

Every cloud has a silver lining!

Wednesday had been a pretty full day, that usually happens after you are out of the office for a day. I found myself looking forward to getting home, relaxing and going to bed early. About four-thirty my personal cell phone rang (or I guess it would be correct to say it toned). It was Rian. He, Erica and Reid were on the road having ended their spring break escapade a day early. They were stopped at a station in Weatherford feeding their pickup truck some high priced, low octane petro. He wanted to know what our plans were for the evening and if we were not busy would we like to meet them for dinner and a quick visit. Contact was made with Krl and while she was feeling very poorly (headache and sinuses=fever and aches), she agreed to get ready. It was my job to decide on a restaurant that had "good food" and adequate parking for their pickup and RV. I threw them a curve and selected the Baggage House in Baird. Since Rian was headed west this would be no inconvenience and soon Krl and I were on the road to meet them.

The Baggage House is a well kept secret. Located in the small community of Baird and housed in the old railhead baggage house, it is pretty unique. It is staffed with friendly folk and the clientele is "next door neighbor" friendly. I would enjoy dining here just for their appetizers! When we walked in Rian had already ordered a platter piled high with onion rings, zucchini sticks, and fried mushrooms. Reidman did the "bluebell deal" and ate all the zucchini sticks he could and left the rest for us! The menu has a wide assortment but they do an excellent job on "West Texas" fares.

Krl and I were thrilled to see "the little man". We had not seen him since Christmas (in February) but he warmed to us very quickly! He is really well behaved, even after riding four-hundred-fifty miles. It thrilled our hearts to get to spend time with him! Oh, and it was good to see his Mom and Dad too. Time just flew by much to quickly. When I went to tell him 'bye he was buckled in and already watching "Elmo". He had to tell me all about it. I may be figuring out why I turned out the way I did, I was deprived as a child. (How did I ever make it this far without having a DVD player in a vehicle? But that is another blog!). Anyhow, I could tell Reid's Mom and Dad did not share Reid's enthusiasm over "Elmo" and I think it is a good possibility "Elmo" may end up in the "commode" once they are back home.

I finally returned to the house to find we had had a visitor during my absence. There is a constable that has been "attempting" to serve me with a subpoena for a deposition. I realize I am not the easiest person to contact but this guy is pretty pathetic. I refuse to do his job for him, he knows my basic scheduling, and he knows I work out of town. To leave a card telling me to call and he would meet me at the "county line" is a little much. I am out and about, if he does his job, he can make contact. It would appear that he is getting frustrated and it is kind of getting funny from my perspective. Last year a constable (I don't know if is the same one) was attempting to serve me papers. At that time I was on a truck, helping a friend out. That constable signed off on the papers and left them in the outer entry way saying he had "personally served me with the papers". For all he knows the neighborhood cats found and used his papers. (Oh, I also noticed that in this instance the charge was $100). What is our world coming to when people in positions of trust, sign off on paperwork that is incorrect and untrue. I feel sure if that happens again I will be in the DA's office working to have the culprit charged with official misconduct and removed. If you are going to accept the pay you had better be prepared to do the job!

My day today is "up in the air". When I left the office last evening there were five possibilities. Office. Fort Worth-Dallas. Farm store. Wichita, Kansas (for Friday morning). Or spend the day in the fleet shop. I hate sleeping with one ear tuned to my cell phone. (Three options are located within six miles, the other two would require advance notice). One thing about it, I have plenty of variables in my work.

There have been many questions about recent developments at Highland, especially with the emerging role of women in worship. Click here for Mike Cope's January sermon on emerging roles of women. You can also get there from his blog.

FATHER, thank YOU for unexpected blessings, unexpected boosts. Thank YOU for giving us highs to counter the lows. I am thankful for time spent with Reidman and his parents. I ask for safety for them as they complete their trip. FATHER I lift up Krl, Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Jess, Anna and those still recovering from their injuries for YOUR gift of healing. Bless them and comfort them. I pray for those hurting from loss. Fill their void with YOU. I pray for those looking for spiritual answers. Guide us and direct us in YOUR way. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. My soul sings of YOU.

Wednesday! Halfway to where I want to be! Question is, where will I be when I get there?

I have absolutely no idea what is in store for me today. Office, shop, on the road. I just don't know. Monday when I left the office we had two drivers gone on personal leave or vacation (one's family had the late spring break) and the core customers were needing more equipment. It appears that even if our roster were at capacity, there still wouldn't be enough equipment to meet the need. The can move this week is twenty million cans. That equates to fourteen loads per day for five days. Factor in the product loads and the amenity loads (boxes and trays) and there is no way to cover everything they want you to cover.

The owner of the company and I have been pouring over spreadsheets. He wants to know where the money is, what routes are money makers, what routes are not, what drivers are making money, what equipment is a money pit, does he have enough equipment, does he need more. Is he enjoying more business than he can handle because he is too cheap on the rates? All of these are valid questions. Currently we are bringing equipment in that has just completed my friend's fall gin job. (Can you believe they just got through March 10th). This equipment is older and in need of some serious TLC before it would be worthy of going over the road. Therein lies one dilemma. Whether tis more wise to upgrade to newer equipment and have payments or repair equipment that is paid for. My common denominator is warranty! Is it there and how much. This allows a fixed cost (payment) versus a variable cost (out of pocket expense). Are you feeling lucky?

I wish I had a crystal ball. I had a long conversation last evening with a man and he is telling me fuel prices will go to three dollars per gallon by the end of the year. If this is the case Greenspan may wish he had quit a year earlier. (What's the deal with him and Buffet's little spat anyhow?).

I may have to call in sick today. Now I have a headache.

FATHER, thank YOU for the good Tuesday, for the time spent with Krl, for the safe trip. FATHER there is so much to be processed. Help me to make good decisions for my employer, help me to be thorough and diligent in my work. Help me to keep in mind that this is a sideline and not the true purpose of this life exercise. FATHER I continue to ask that YOU lift the depression that looms over Krl and I. I ask once again for the reassurance that all is well. Instill in us the confidence that comes with being your children. I know we have not been promised an easy road but sometimes it is old and disheartening with all the potholes, all of the climbs, all of the hazards in our journey. Raise us up above it to YOUR higher plain. FATHER, I lift up those near and dear for YOUR gift of healing. I ask YOUR care and comfort for them. I pray for those hurting from loss. Fill their void with YOUR love. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues. Help us as we work through these. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Lead on FATHER.

I am going out of town today. Business related. It will be enjoyable to be out and about. I have asked Krl to ride along with me. I think we need some extra time together. She has already voiced concerns about leaving Brandy, the new hound, in the house so I guess if Brandy needs to go she can ride along as well. Lots of road time for a brief meeting. I may try to detour by Memama's, she is by herself, Pat is out of town and Pepa and Hag haven't made it back from Little Rock.

Krl was like a cleaning tornado yesterday. She had put in a hard day in the house and when I arrived from work she was mowing the yard. She said she was fighting depression. She and I have had to face some hard realities this past week. Other questions are looming on the horizon. We just need to bite the bullet and get past this. From financial issues stemming from the defunct family business to a Sunday School couple who seem to be having a problem with Krl and I since we returned from our seasonal work, we are presented with a wide array of problems. The couple were friends until they were unable to impose their views and will upon us, we wished them well but they seem to continue to harbor ill feelings. At some point they have had altercations with almost every other couple in the class. It really doesn't bother me, I am usually oblivious to the obvious, but Krl is bothered by them. They were in this class before us (they call themselves charter members) even though they only attend about half the time. Krl and I like the remainder of the group but we also wonder if we are hindering this couple if we might need to look for an alternative group. Krl has even voiced an opinion that if we leave she might not attend a class. I don't think that is an option. My thoughts are just to do what we are doing. We will get through this. We just don't need to rush things and allow GOD the time to work his plan.

Winter is supposed to re-visit West Texas today. Chance of snow!

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day. A day filled with YOUR presence. I pray for safe travel, I pray for solutions to the issues presenting themselves to Krl and I. I ask that YOU work YOUR plan for us. YOU are supreme. YOU are in control. FATHER, I pray for health for Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Tj, Anna, and for those recovering from their injuries. Bless them and care for them. I ask YOU to lift this depression from Krl and I and mend the hurt our hearts feel. I ask YOUR comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for spiritual awakening for those of us searching and stumbling. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. To YOU be the glory!

Wow, where did the weekend go?

Another sleepless in south Abilene night. I guess I should count my blessings and see if I can find a night job!

Krl and I had a good day. We went to church and Sunday school. Did that early service deal. I will be glad when the Ecclesiastes series is completed. It has been good, but yesterday's service left me somewhat short. It may be a me problem.

Class was good. Probably the best it has been in a while. Kurt is in charge of the current study and he was gone so his wife Michelle led the study. She did a very good job. It was a little different group but the interaction was excellent. We are planning an easter egg hunt for children and grand-children of the class. It would appear that a pot luck dinner is in the works in conjunction with this.

Well let's see what is going on this week. Hag and Pepa left Sunday to take Chris back to Little Rock to school. Quick visit for Chris but his counselor didn't want him to lose his momentum and rhythm. Steph visited at Roscoe over the weekend and she and Pat are leaving Monday and going to Vegas. Me, I am going to go to work. Someone has to be responsible.

Memama's brother and sisters, along with their spouses, visited in Roscoe over the weekend. They were celebrating Memama's seventy-fourth birthday (the seventh) and Wade's sixty-first birthday (the fourteenth, I believe my math is right on his age). Wade is the age Gan Gan (his dad) was when he died. Where has the time gone. When Gan Gan died Wade and Judy were in Ithaca, New York at Cornell University and Holly wasn't born. Lots of water under the bridge, lots more bridges now too!

FATHER I ask YOUR blessings on the coming week. Steady me, center me, pace me, bolster me. May I be precise, thinking before I speak, and may I be considerate of those I come in contact with. I continue to pray for those in need of YOUR healing. I ask for YOUR comfort and care for them. I pray for those grieving from loss, and I ask that YOU comfort them and fill their void. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues and I ask YOUR guidance. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. May we let YOUR light shine in us as we begin this week.

Why are Saturdays half as long as a week day?

I could not believe it when I looked at the clock and Saturday was gone. If only my days at work would fly by like that! Our Saturday was not very structured. We had a few things to do but nothing that was required or on a schedule. Thank goodness!

I seem to be on a fitful sleep binge. One o'clock this morning and I was already awake. Hopefully I will try to go back to bed before morning. This makes for a handful of these nights. I may have to do a sleep study.

I find myself looking forward to Sunday and church. I have no inkling of what is planned but I find myself eagerly anticipating whatever it is! I guess I am getting in the mood, I have been listening to Jeff Carson's, I can only imagine. It is one of those songs that once it gets in your head it is going to stay there all day! This song was performed at Rene's funeral this past week.

When I was at Gun Barrel City for Rene's funeral I was told that the last thing Rene' told her family was to give Chris her eyes. What a precious, precious thought. Fighting for her last breath she wasn't thinking of self but of others. (See previous blog for more on Chris).

A couple of new additions to the extended family recently. Colby and Courtney had Gracie Marie, of course Avery has to be tickled to have a playmate! Rusty and Kim had Ashlyn Kate in late February and now have her home with the rest of their little family. Click here for pictures and her web journal.

Ashlyn Kate was diagnosed with spina bifida during the pregnancy. There were decisions that Rusty and Kim had to make, whether to have surgery performed before she was born or to wait until she arrived. They decided to wait and when doctors felt Ashlyn Kate was fully developed they took her by c-section. She was very strong and her doctors assessed her situation and very quickly plans were made. The opening in her spine was very low and about the size of a half dollar, the exposed spinal cord and fluid sac was about the size of a golf ball. Surgery was performed and her leg movement appears to be good, the only problem seems to be in the ankle area but doctors were aware of this even before her surgery. Her prognosis is good, much better than some expected and they believe that she will walk and play like any child although ankle braces may be needed. Doctors did surgically implant a shunt to drain spinal fluid from her brain and she is experiencing some of the renal/kidney difficulties that are common. Best news is that she is at home with the family and doing well. Isn't it unreal what the marvel of modern medicine can do in conjunction with the prayers of many and an almighty GOD! Ashlyn Kate is a cutie! (And I really like that name).

I would give my past week a C-. It was a hard one, of course losing Rene' started the week on the down side. Then it seemed like towards the end of the week it was coated with molasses and just really slow. My employer finished one of his projects Thursday so he has began looking in earnest for a solution to our office dilemma. Build, buy or rent! My work continues to progress. When I left on Friday I was up to date for March so I have a pretty good handle on things. The owner told me that we would probably spread into other areas this week. We continue to fine tune our spreadsheets. It seems that now he wants me to insert a comment on repair and maintenance items, not a big deal, just a little more time. Lots of interesting comparisons as I put the YTD together. Most noticeable is the old rule of thumb that fuel and labor each comprise one quarter of the revenues. While this remains true with the labor, the fuel cost now is around a third of total revenue. And the oil cartels say amen! Price shopping and fuel economy is essential to the bottom line.

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on this day, YOUR day. I lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess and those still recovering from their injuries, for YOUR miracle of healing. I ask for YOUR care and comfort for them. I continue to pray for those hurting from loss. I ask that YOU fill their void with YOUR love, YOUR mercy, and YOUR grace. I pray for those of us with spiritual needs, take us higher. Keep us centered in YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Surrounded by YOUR glory what will my heart feel? Will I dance for YOU JESUS, or in awe of YOU be still? Will I stand in YOUR presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine!

"I know where you are coming from!"

"I know what you are going through."

Simple statements, used way too many times when people have no idea where the other person is at in their life's journey or what emotions might be roaring inside.

I have adapted a new philosophy. I can only imagine what you are going through. I can only imagine where you are at.

I have lived a blessed life. It has not been filled with money or fame. It hasn't been without trials and tribulations. Tough as it might seem at times, it could always have been worse. Look around and it is usually quite apparent there are others less fortunate. I grew up hearing the old saying that "adversity builds character." At times I felt I had more character than I would ever need. There have been other times when I would love to have been any character other than who I was, but this old adage is quite true. It has molded me, forged me, formed me into who and what I am today. Good bad or ugly, "tsk, tsk, tsk, I am who I am!" I am rich beyond wealth! It has always amazed me that those who have carried the heaviest burden are also those who share the deepest spiritual bond. Everything happens for a purpose.

What a gorgeous week! West Texas weather, love it or hate it, we gotta have it! Those finishing spring break were very fortunate, others beginning spring break may not enjoy as nice a week. Addie has spent her break in Clovis, Lauren, Ellen, and Kat spent their break in Abilene. Rian, Erica and Reid are just beginning theirs and were on the road last evening to Toledo Bend. They are taking their travel trailer and boat, friends are joining them as well.

Thursday evening we got a report on Chris (see prior blogs, he is my nephew attending small engine repair school for the visually impaired in Little Rock) and his schooling. It seems his school doesn't have a spring break as such, but since it is a self paced program Chris is flying in for a few days and then Hag and Pepa are driving him back and taking a trailer load of Briggs & Stratten engines for the school to use in its instruction.

It would appear that Chris is really flourishing in this endeavor. It makes his frollic filled year at Sam Houston State seem like it was a long time ago! Chris is ripping through the repair courses and should graduate in early summer. I believe in the very near future he "will" begin his business administration class! (Take that Hag!). It was also reported that Chris had his first date with a "real" girl. He called from school to report to his Mom. She was quite relieved that his date was with a "real" girl! The girl Chris asked out is also a client at the School for the Visually Impaired, and she is blind. What little vision Chris has is much more than what she has, even though Chris is legally blind. Chris took her out to eat and then to a movie.

"A movie" his mother asked. "Chris, why would you take a blind person to the movie?"

"There is nothing wrong with her hearing" Chris replied. "All she wants to be is normal."

I had never really thought of it that way. I will never fully comprehend the world that the blind and visually impaired live in. A world void of the distractions of bright colors, sparkle and glitter but filled with sounds, tones and inflections. The movie Chris' date "saw", was adapted to her world.

FATHER, all we all want to be is normal and to fit in. FATHER I don't mean to back seat drive. Things go so much better when I just give it up to YOU, to use me, place me, fit me, where YOU want me in this world. Forgive me, and take the keys, YOU are in control. FATHER I am thankful that YOU saw me through the past week. I continue to ask for YOUR presence in the weekend and coming week. I pray for those returning from spring break, I pray for those just beginning theirs. I ask for safety for all. I ask YOUR blessings upon Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, and those recuperating from their injuries. I ask YOUR intervention and healing for them. I ask YOUR comfort for those grieving, let them know YOUR presence. I pray for those of us with spiritual needs. I would ask that YOU meet these needs. Renew us, boost us, build us up. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Shout hallelujah!

Please pray for my day! Even during the night things started loading up on it!

Pat and Hag came by briefly last evening. There were some papers to look over and we had a short visit. They seem to be doing well. It would appear that they are on the same wave length at the present time. I just wish Hag would pay a little more attention to what his doctors say.

Back to the office today! Hopefully I will finish up all but a few minute details of February. It may be a couple of weeks before some minor numbers are in but by close of business today we should have a good idea of where February stands.

I need a weekend. More importantly I need a Sunday. I need to be encouraged and encourage. I need to be surrounded with godly people. I guess I didn't get enough reserve last week or else I used it up unwisely. It has been a difficult week.

I thought I had had it yesterday. The man I am working for is in a bind today, equipment and personnel. Initially he wanted me to go to Denver today for a Saturday appointment. Then he changed and wanted me to go to Dallas for an appointment later today. Finally he got it worked out and he just wants me back in the office. Whew! That was close. I have been pointed toward Friday so long my body would have revolted if I had added another day!

FATHER, I am spent. It seems like by the end of every week YOU are carrying all the load. I am there again. I thank YOU and ask that YOU see me through this day. It is loading up with burdens and I ask for YOUR patience, resolve and guidance to deal with everything I need to deal with. I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, and for those still recovering from their injuries, for YOUR care and gift of healing. I pray for those suffering from loss and ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us with spiritual issues and I ask that YOU help us to work them out. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Rejoice in the LORD always!

How long to Saturday?

I am a whupped puppy!

After you have been away from your work for a day you don't have to worry about having plenty to do when you return. That was my case Wednesday. As I continue to piece together the spreadsheets for past months I am very diligent about entering current month data as it becomes available. One of my biggest fears is that new data comes in and is filed away without going through my hands.

I had an interesting conversation yesterday at work. There are three of us working in the office, two women and myself. I am the oldest by quite a bit. The women usually ask how my day had been, how my weekend was, how my trip was, just little courtesy inquiries. The conversation yesterday began with an inquiry about Rene's funeral. Was it a nice service? That led to more and more detail as I answered each question. During the course of the conversation I made the comment that the church where the funeral service was conducted, was a very spirited congregation. Lots of "Amens", "Praise GOD", and "Thank You JESUS", were sprinkled through the service. A long quiet pause took over the conversation. Finally one of my co-workers quietly asked me "where" I go to church. "Highland", I replied. "Church of Christ, right", I was asked. "Yes", I replied. Another long silence filled the air. This co-worker finally spoke up and said, "You are just going to want to roll over and die when I tell YOU where I go to Church"! She looked up from her work to see if I shuddered and had a "fit". I didn't. I immediately countered to her that I have no problem with "where" she chooses to worship, that GOD is all things to all people and we aren't all alike and we are not from the same mold, and if her church was a good fit, good for her! In a rather quiet voice she said, "You know, more and more of the younger Church of Christ people seem to have that view, and it is so different from the old hard-line Church of Christ". Later in the day I told her of the push for unity, the missional move, the emerging roles of women in worship, the inter-denominational activities that are taking place, of the different churches in Abilene that came to minister at Highland after the accident, of the many exciting things taking place at Highland. I even rolled the dice and told her of the dynamic, swashbuckling pulpit minister. Now it was my turn to look and see if she shuddered and had a "fit"! We have a long way to go before we overcome this horrific, pre-conceived image. What were some of our ancestors, spiritual guru's thinking? It's not the cover, its the book!

Later in the day my co worker asked me if it would bother me if she played some music. I told her no and she left the room. I had told her about the Jeff Carson song that was performed at Rene's funeral, I can only imagine. When she returned she had a hand full of cd's, all of them "praise" themed. She had a different version of the song we had talked about and it appeared her favorite cd's were "Wow Worship". I was not familiar with "Wow Worship" (at least not consciously, I will have to ask Rian, I may have been exposed through osmosis) although some of what she played seemed very familiar. While I don't think she owns any, she did seem to be familiar with Zoe. (Million seller albums get there one sale at a time!).

Interesting day to say the least.

FATHER, thank YOU for all YOU do. I ask that YOU help me to finish the week. Help me to be steady as I move toward the goal. There is a lot going on, I pray for focus, to be deliberate in choosing my actions. I ask that you continue to fill us with YOUR spirit, that we not be judgemental and condescending but to be filled with YOUR love and purpose. I continue to lift up those in need of YOUR physical healing. I pray for YOUR gift of healing for them. I pray for those hurting from loss. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us in spiritual need. I ask that YOU please fill these needs. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I'm coming back to the heart of worship, and it's all about YOU, JESUS.

It was a long Tuesday.

Et and I left Abilene about ten after seven. We arrived in Seven Points just before eleven. We were waiting on a traffic light when we noticed a car pull up to the intersection from our left. It was Memama and Pepa with their faithful sidekick Kyle Patrick Henry! We pulled in behind them and went directly to the funeral home. The whole situation became very real, very quickly. Rene' had requested she be buried in her Police uniform, the coffin was draped with an American flag, her volunteer fire-fighter gear was folded at the foot of the casket,and numerous photos were spread around the room. Over three hundred people had attended the family visitation Monday night.

When we left the funeral home we went by Billie and Odis' home briefly before going on to the church where we enjoyed a tremendous meal prepared by the church members. The number of family attending the funeral began to grow at this time. (One thing about our family, put out food and they will come!). While past family reunions had been quite steady in attendance, the attendance for Rene's service was phenomenal. I would have been in the minority if I had not been there!

There were six of us cousins serving as pallbearers. Our job was simple, we escorted her coffin from the church to the back of a firetruck where we handed it off to four firefighters and two EMT's. It was then loaded onto the firetruck and an almost hour long trip to the graveside began. Rene' had requested the police department, the "several" area volunteer fire departments and the EMS, all serve as honorary pall bearers. These were departments Rene' was active in. One of the most touching things of the entire service was when the chaplains from the Dallas Fire Department Search and Rescue did the 5-5-5 code. It was a fitting ending. While it appeared her parents and her children, Laci and Nathan, appear to be handling things well, I still worry and am concerned for them, especially Laci and Nathan. They are very young to have lost their Mom.

It was late when we got home. Et and I had a very good visit up and back. In fact he wanted to stop somewhere for a meal where we could sit and visit. There is a lot going on in his and Tj's world. Tj is pretty lucky, she couldn't have done any better than Et. One we pulled in the driveway, Et immediately loaded up his things in his vehicle, quickly came in to tell Krl 'bye and he hit the road. He still had almost two hundred-fifty miles to go and he needed to be back at work today.

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe day, the safe travel. FATHER, thank YOU for the life of Rene' which was evidenced by the large number of mourners. It was very evident she along with her family are very respected in their community. FATHER I ask YOUR blessings and comfort for those who will feel a void left by her passing. FATHER, I continue to lift up those needing YOUR gift of healing. Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate and those continuing to recover from their injuries. I ask YOUR blessings on them. I pray for those of us with spiritual needs and I ask that YOU will fill these needs. I pray for those who are hurting from loss, I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. I can only imagine as I look upon YOUR face...................... .

Today is one of those days you hoped wouldn't come. Today we are traveling east to bury Rene'. Hope against hope, try as they might, pray as we might, GOD took Rene' home Saturday.

Initially there was going to be a large group of us traveling together from West Texas this morning. Slowly but surely that group dissolved and gradually left in multiple small groups throughout Monday. Tj and Et were going to have one of the longest drives and I talked with them late Monday afternoon. Tj had decided she just wasn't quite up to the trip after her recent knee replacement surgery so Et was going to serve as their family representative. It was suggested that Et split his trip up by staying at our house Monday night and then riding with me and he accepted, so there! If your group moves on without you, form your own! I am thankful that things worked out because I wasn't looking forward to going alone. It will be a long day, down and back.

My work Monday was good for a Monday. It now seems I am on target and while I am bringing past months together on the spread sheets I am also getting the current month info inserted as well. I may be busting butt right now but at some point the pay-off will be sweeet! (Unless I work myself out of a job!). Dividends began paying from my Friday conversation with one of the owners. We began putting pieces together for a prospective project later this year.

FATHER, I ask for safe travel today. I pray for YOUR strength to see the day through. I continue to lift up Rene's family for YOUR comfort. Surround them with YOU. I pray for those needing YOUR physical healing. I pray for those needing spiritual healing. I pray for those suffering from loss. FATHER, YOU know each one of our needs. I ask that YOU fill those needs. I pray for our spiritual family, and for our leaders. Shine Jesus Shine.

Short night, again!

Krl had a rough Saturday night, when the alarm went off early Sunday I could tell she was not feeling well. I slipped out of bed and made my way to the living room, turned on the television and began reading some on-line newspapers and blogs that I frequent. About seven I went back through the bedroom and told Krl what time it was and asked if she was going to go to church and Sunday school. She said no so I began to get ready to go.

Church during spring break is interesting. Lots of empty seats as the students are gone and many of the families have taken a holiday as well. Mike made mention that Highland during spring break makes one wonder if the rapture has occurred and those in attendance were left behind. Charles led the praise team and the song selections were very good. Holy. Today was a day of affirmation and send off for the Porters. They are scheduled to leave next Saturday as they begin their work in Salvador Brazil. I know this has to be a very exciting time for them as preparations have been in the works for almost a year. The Porter's mission is one of over five hundred being launched from Highland this year. That number really surprised me. I expected a bare bones Sunday school class and when I walked in I made four of us. Surprisingly, before it was all said and done we had seventeen! Kurt is leading the study for the next few weeks.

After church I came home, then went to petsmart, then the grocery store and finally returned to the house. I spent part of my afternoon looking through some mail, Krl spent the majority of her's in the kitchen. We did have a collaring this afternoon. Brandy got her collar so she feels like she is here to stay!

I was on and off the phone all afternoon. We were trying to find out what the funeral plans were for Rene'. Services are scheduled for Tuesday at two in the afternoon at the Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City. Services are under the direction of Tomlin and Sons Funeral Home in Seven Points. Nathan (Rene's son) called and talked with Pepa, Pepa called me on one of their cell phones so we had a big circle going. Nathan wanted to know if Hag and I would be pallbearers. Jack Allen is going to be another one but that is all I know of for sure. That made my decision about attending the funeral simpler. Krl was wanting to go but does not know if she can get some of her responsibilities covered in the time frame. My trip will be a down and back because of my new job. I figure I can have as much time as I need but I don't want to abuse the system, especially when I am only in my third week on the job.

FATHER thank YOU for the weekend. I pray for a blessed week. I ask for safety as we travel to Rene's funeral. FATHER I ask YOUR blessings on Rene's family, I pray for their comfort. FATHER I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate (Rusty and Kim's new daughter) and those recovering from their injuries. I ask YOUR blessings and gift of healing for them. I pray for those suffering from loss and ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us stumbling and searching and ask YOUR guidance for us. I pray for our spiritual family, for those traveling this week, for our leaders. I ask YOUR blessings on the Porter's as they begin their new work. YOURs is the glory!

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)
o Jesus, blest redeemer,
sent from the heart of GOD,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of GOD.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where we our savior meet;
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)

There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)

(Near to the Heart of GOD, by Cleland B. McAfee)

GOD took Rene' home last evening. I received a call shortly before eight and was told that she was gone, they were waiting for the doctor to come in and pronounce her. The cancer had spread so far, GOD made the decision to end her suffering and to take her home with him to heal her.

I stayed up pretty late, thinking, feeling sorry for Rene' and all of us she has left behind. I wasn't really good company. I finally went to bed and drifted off to a fitful sleep. Finally about three this morning I woke up and immediately Rene' came to mind. Her death, her family, everything. I lay there for quite some time, asking all sorts of why questions and to be very honest I was feeling very sorry for Rene', her family, her friends and yes, even for me. All of the sudden I had a new thought come to mind. Pearly gates! Streets of gold! Rare jewels glowing! Heavenly sunlight! No pain! No suffering! No strife! No disease! Angelic music! What a wonderful place heaven must be! The cancer may have taken this earthly life from Rene' but by doing so it did not win. She celebrates the total victory. Victory in Jesus!

FATHER thank YOU for Rene', for the many lives she came in contact with during her brief time on this earth. Thank YOU for allowing us to know and love her. FATHER we have questions about pain, about suffering, about death. There is so much we do not understand about YOUR creation. We are thankful that YOU are a merciful GOD. We thank YOU for ending Rene's suffering on this earth and we rejoice in her being made whole now with YOU. FATHER we ask YOUR comfort for her family, for her friends. Surround them with YOUR love. FATHER, keep us on task. Help us to remain on course to the ultimate victory. Victory in Jesus, our savior forever. FATHER there are many others who need YOUR physical healing, We lift them up to YOU. We pray for those needing spiritual awakening, renewal. Heal our hearts. FATHER we pray for comfort for all those hurting from loss. Surround us with YOUR angels. We pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. JESUS, YOU are my firm foundation!

Saturday. Wonderful, merciful day. Thanks, I needed one!

This past week was a full one. It was hard, but productive. My biggest fear is that once again I will stay true to form and work myself out of a job. That would be tough because my next one isn't lined up until September.

For the first time I sat down with one of the owners and discussed where the business appears to be, what changes need to be implemented to streamline the operation and maximize income while minimizing expenses, and what direction they need to be pointed. While we are still in early stages of digging through the business, it was a very flattering meeting for me. The owner vocalized his hope that somewhere down the road I would be content to stay with his business year round, long term. Wow, isn't it nice to have options. We also talked about a new opportunity that has surfaced since I began my work for him. It would be seasonal work but would fit quite well with our other work.

My goal this weekend is to do some resting up, get some honey "do(s)" done, pick up Kat so we can do the sleep over, church deal, and late Saturday we are supposed to go to Addie's birthday swim party! I have just a handful of projects to do, I have some 941 figures to pass on to a business and outside of that, all I need to do is call and put the STL Direct TV on vacation.

The report I received yesterday on Rene' is not good. They moved her into hospice. It seems that all the cells they had drawn earlier in the week were malignant. Health care workers believe it could be as quick as five minutes or as long as four or five days before the cancer takes her. She only has about fifty percent of one lung that is functional, her respiration has become very rapid and very shallow. If I have my days right, they moved her into hospice on Thursday, which happened to be Rene's forty-fourth birthday. Once the move to hospice was completed a cake surfaced and they had a birthday party and sang to her. My report is that she was lucid for a good portion of the day and her son and daughter along with their dad (Rene's former husband), Tim, spent the majority of the day at her bed side. I think a lot of emotional healing probably took place between Rene' and Tim as their relationship had become very bitter at times after they split up. It amazes me how trivial some things seem in comparison to life.

Billie Ruth and Otis (Rene's mom and dad) are having a very difficult time. Aunt Melba went to be with them at Billie's request and late Thursday Maretha (another sister of Billie's) went there.

I have lost classmates but I have never lost a relative close to my age. It bothers me more than I would like to admit. I don't do funerals very well, I think I have attended two in the past five years. I think that is probably why Krl and I have a pact if something happens to either one of us, the other knows what to do. I prefer to think of good memories. While I am very aware of what is transpiring three and a half hours to the east of Abilene, when I visualize Rene' I see the tall, slender, dark haired woman at our family reunion last year. She was aware of the cancer's return, but we laughed and had fun all through the auction and other reunion events. At the close of the family church service the business meeting ensued and at the conclusion of the meeting Billie and Otis had Rene' stand with them in front of the family group and they announced the return of Rene's cancer and her plans to begin treatment. Her Dad led the family in prayer on her behalf. My last words to Rene' were accompanied by a hug as I told her, "You will be in my prayers". I don't believe in unanswered prayers. I think sometimes we don't understand why GOD answers them as he does. I wouldn't want GOD's job. It has to be hard.

We read of a place that's called heaven,
It's made for the pure and the free;
These truths in God's word he has given,
How beautiful heaven must be.

How beautiful heaven must be (must be)
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

The angels so sweetly are singing,
Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

How beautiful heaven must be (must be)
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Pure waters of life there are flowing
And all who will drink may be free;
Rare jewels of splendor are glowing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

How beautiful heaven must be (must be)
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

In heaven no drooping nor pining,
No wishing for elsewhere to be;
God's light is forever there shining,
How beautiful heaven must be.

How beautiful heaven must be (must be)
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

(HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE, hymn by Rev. A. S. Bridgewater).

FATHER we love YOU. We worship YOU, we adore YOU. There is none other than YOU. We are weak and needful. Without YOU our efforts are futile. We pray that YOUR purpose will become our purpose and YOUR ways will become our ways. Allow us to pour ourselves out at YOUR feet to be filled with YOUR spirit. FATHER many prayers continue to be lifted for Rene'. We join in this number. FATHER we pray for her health, but we also pray that YOUR will be done. We ask that YOU caress her softly in the folds of YOUR love, YOUR mercy, and YOUR grace. We pray for her comfort as well as the comfort of her children, parents, and extended family. FATHER, there are many others that are in need of YOUR healing too, we pray for them, we pray for the health care givers, we pray for all the families. We pray for those in spiritual need. We pray that YOU will heal our hearts. We pray for those hurting from loss. We ask YOUR comfort for them. We pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. We believe in angels.

I am blogged out this morning!

I can't really remember when I have been this spent. Physically, mentally, emotionally. If it weren't for the spiritual part of the equation it would be tough to finish the week. The man up stairs has his hands full getting me through Friday because I don't think I will be much help!

Weird weird night. Krl fixed supper, she had grilled butterfly porkchops. They were very good. She had put in a full day here at the house and she and the hounds retired very early. I followed soon after. After we went to sleep, Krl's new hound had some kind of episode. She would walk around and around on the bed crying this pathetic little cry. Finally about one, Krl got up trying to find out what the hound's problem was. I actually think she wanted everyone to get up so sleeping positions could be reshuffled! Needless to say, when I wake up I am awake. Short nights make for long days! I would mention that Krl and her hounds are snoozing as I type, the new hound has this devilish little grin on her face.

I did catch myself dreaming about spreadsheets and excel formulas. I should be paid double because I am working in my sleep too! Mentioning pay reminds me, today is pay day! First one in a while. It will be very well received as it passes quickly through my hands! Believe it or not, I had to go have a conference to determine what pay was coming from where. My multiple employers are trying to determine how much time was devoted to what entity.

I received no update on Rene'. The last I heard was that the doctor was trying to keep her comfortable. Not good. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

FATHER, this is YOUR day, I am not going to be much help. I ask for a blessed day, please see me through it. Deliver me to the weekend. FATHER I continue to lift up Rene'. I continue to hope for a miracle, but I realize she has been through so much. I ask YOUR will be done. YOU are all seeing, all knowing. I pray for her health, I pray for her comfort, I pray for her children and for her parents and brother, I pray for her extended family. Surround them, and pour out YOUR mercy and grace on them. I continue to pray for others who also need YOUR healing. I pray for those who are spiritually bankrupt. Forgive us when we fall short and disappoint. Strengthen us in our weakness. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. I believe in angels.

My heart is hurting and heavy this morning.

Since I am no longer working in the family business I am somewhat isolated from a lot of the goings on in the family news. Yesterday afternoon I received a call from my sister Pat. She was passing on info on our cousin Rene'. Rene' is in her forties and has been battling cancer (for the third time). It had originally began as breast cancer and Rene' and her doctor took the most aggressive course of treatment from the onset of the disease. Last summer at the family reunion her mom and dad made it known that the cancer was back. It seemed that some lymph nodes had not been removed and the cancer had spread to them. On Wednesday Rene's doctor told her parents that she had two days, possibly three days before the cancer takes her. I ask special prayers be lifted on Rene's behalf, and also for her family. She is in need of a miracle.

There is so much I don't understand about life. What is the selection criteria of death, of disease, of accidents, of handicaps? Sometimes death sits one seat over. One person can be taken while another is injured or in certain instances "walks away". Sometimes disease "pops up", accidents "happen". I don't understand.

Pat had also brought me up to speed on some health issues for Memama. Normally Memama has a very elevated pulse rate (100+). Lately her pulse rate has been depressed (30's) and she is complaining of fatigue. On Tuesday Pat took her to the cardiologist and they had her fitted with an "incident recorder" and took her off some medication. After an afternoon filled with alarms going off, she had a good day Wednesday.

Memama and Pepa (my parents) are really hilarious. For several years Memama has had difficulty hearing. In most cases this hasn't been a problem because they (she and Pepa) speak their own little language. Last week Memama got hearing aids! Now she can hear quite well and therein lies the problem. Over the last few years Pepa has grown accustomed to muttering under his breath and she never knew, now she "hears it all" and I think all they have done since she picked up her hearing aids is fuss. We may have to buy Pepa a muzzle or a muffler.

My Mom has always paid the bills and she does a pretty good job. This past week they got a notice of delinquent payments on their car. Memama got out the paperwork to show where she had paid it and under close scrutiny by Pat it was discovered she had been paying the car payment to the wrong people. Pepa was livid. When we were growing up any time that Memama and Pepa were having a spat she would tell us "He's just having a spell". Well, after the car payment episode he has had another "spell". He doesn't want the responsibility of paying the bills, he just wants the right to have "a spell". How do you spell "spell"? I spell it "M-e-a-n o-l' b-u-s-t-u-r-d" ( see previous post on this subject).

My work is going pretty well. I suppose I am getting my feet on the ground. I spend some of my time trying to explain things like accrual basis versus cash basis. I have moved on to February. I am in hopes of completing the income side of February and getting a good start on the expense side. I am still in hopes I get my computer eyes back before I go blind. After a long day in front of the monitor I wake up with burning eyes the following morning. All in due time.

FATHER I am sad and filled with questions this morning. I know it will all be revealed to us, but that doesn't help the hurt right now. FATHER I lift up Rene' to YOU this morning. She has had such a hard go of it the past few years. FATHER her body has been assaulted by disease and she has fought valiantly. She needs a miracle. She needs YOUR miracle of healing. I ask that YOU bless her with YOUR gift of healing and I ask that YOU comfort her. I pray for her family and ask YOUR comfort for them. I continue to pray for Hag, B., Lillie, Tj, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby, for Krl, for those healing from their injuries, I ask YOUR physical healing for them all. FATHER I ask for spiritual awakening for all of us searching and stumbling. I ask YOU to purify our hearts and minds. I ask that YOU draw us nearer. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Nearer my GOD to thee, help me to be.

He said I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime
and I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays
Talking 'bout the options
and talking 'bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end
how(s) it hit you when you get that kind of news
man what'd you do

and he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

He said he was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin'
wasn't such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again

and then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
what'd you do with it what did you do with it
what did I do with it
what would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I watched an eagle as it was flying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying.

(from Tim McGraw's "Live Like You were Dying")

Seize the day! All of us die a little bit each day, some of us just do it better than others!

Forgive me FATHER when I get off track, off task. Keep me centered in YOU and YOUR ways. I ask YOUR blessings on this day. Use me. I ask YOUR blessing on Krl, I pray for her health, physically, spiritually, emotionally. I lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Tj, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby, and those still recovering from their injuries for YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for those needing YOU in their lives as they search and stumble. I ask that YOU surround us with YOU, YOUR spirit, YOUR mercy and YOUR grace. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. I ask that YOU help me to live this day "like I was dying" and yet not I, but CHRIST living in me!

Wow, mother of all Mondays! For every action there is a reaction. For my Monday it was for every entry there is a re-entry! My butt was draggin' by the time I got home.

This type project is difficult in itself. When you spend one day here and one day there it is more difficult, add to this the fact that someone opened the file between Thursday and Monday and when they exited they accidently linked the Modified P & L spreadsheets to another file and Monday was on the edge of disaster all day. Today I am not going to the Lubbock area so I will be back in the office. Hopefully I will find that nothing has changed since late Monday. If it is still teetering on the edge I may just push it off!

Krl and I both seem to be suffering from the blahs. I am depressed, she seems to be extreme. She continues to feel poorly. The other day when she went to the doctor he didn't refill all her prescriptions (he was in too big a hurry) he told her to call when she needed them and he would give her the refills. She did and he didn't. He is new and probably won't make the cut. It will be a couple of more weeks before Krl's doctor returns from vacation.

March. Can you believe it! This year is passing quickly.

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings we enjoy. I ask that YOU lift Krl's and my spirits, energize and boost us. Help us to lay it all down at YOUR feet and fill us with YOU. I pray for all those needing YOUR healing. Physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. May the circle be unbroken.