Someone call an exterminator, this bug has gotta go!

I woke up Monday feeling that the worst of the battle was behind, the pesky virus bug had finally left for more favorable clientele. I was first in the office and began a steady work process, catching up on data entry for things occurring over the weekend. Finally about twelve-thirty I decided to break for lunch and took time to enjoy a sandwich and the standard issue Diet Coke. I knew that time working "in" the office was limited as we were fixing to work "on" the new office. Sure enough we transitioned and went to the new office and began rewiring telephones, fax machine outlets and computer hookups. Just as we were hitting our stride, I felt a quick hot flash and became sweaty. In a very quick and orderly operation the "bug" marched back into my body. It was a battle of "wills" just to finish the day. We have continued to do battle throughout the night!

Since I am out of the old loop, I usually am spoon fed what info others decide is pertinent. On occasion I get phone calls from former co-workers and we try to keep up. One of these was a co-worker and subcontractor I have used for the last couple of years. About once every ten to fourteen days I will receive a call from this man and he usually spins out a ton of baloney per second that would make Oscar Myer jealous. He had some "run ins" with authorities when he was growing up. When he first came on the scene he was a worker for a subcontractor and had recently been released and made it through the entire parole program. A couple of years after that he went out on his own and became his own man and a very good subcontractor. Throughout this entire time he has maintained a very volatile, on again, off again relationship with his wife. In December she and the kids moved back to the South East portion of the country, causing a severe tailspin for my friend. I had some of his equipment and some of his employees on a job and yet he was "unavailable". His employees were coming to me complaining of missed pay days, phone calls going unanswered and it was apparent things were beginning to unravel. Although we finally made contact and I was assured things were made "right" on all fronts with all people, many things just didn't ring true. In February I called him, just to talk and he was telling me he was going a new direction. He was working with a friend from Oklahoma and becoming a cattle buyer! He was excited, he told me he had finally gotten his head screwed on straight and things were coming together. He had done some contract work that had finally allowed him to catch up on his obligations and he was hopeful that very soon his family would be returning to West Texas. A few weeks later he called me to chat and he was telling me of some demands being made for a new house by his wife, he discussed with me the possible need to sell off some equipment to make this happen and he wanted to be sure I kept him in mind for any future work. I didn't think too much about our conversation, I have become adept at using the "baloney filter" and no alarms went off. Last week I received a call from him and he was in Lubbock looking to buy or lease a cattle trailer to pull behind his Kenworth truck. He made a very long story of how much he was paying to have cattle he was buying, moved. He was giving me some "tips" to pass on to others regarding what he felt were some exceptional equipment buys on the high plains. Our conversation ended very abruptly with him needing to take another call and the promise that he would call back to finish our chat. That was the last time I have heard from him. A phone call from Pepa last evening was filled with "blockbuster" news. It seems my friend has prepared a large pot of water, jumped in and lit the fire! The boy is in a heap of trouble. It seems that in his possession are some cattle that have been "rustled" from points around the area and seem to have been destined to move to Oklahoma! Add to this the allegation that a large sum of money is unaccounted for by his Uncle (who is in the VA hospital in Big Spring) and the scenario does not look good. Word last night was that the Texas Rangers were on his trail and he was last seen near the Metroplex, headed East to points unknown. It would appear he has the stuff West Texas Legends are made of, just a couple hundred years too late! I am concerned for him, for his welfare.

I have been blessed. Growing up I think I have always had a good perception of cause and effect. Of action and adverse reaction. Of rules and penalties. Of paying the piper. Of taking your medicine. Of making your bed and lying in it. Immediately I can hear the adage, "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!" I realize desperate men have desperate ways. There is nothing as dangerous as a wounded animal. My hopes right now are that this friend will come to his senses. If there are things he needs to face, let him face them. If there are things that need to be righted, let him right them. If there is a price to pay, pay it. I just hope that he will not do anything stupid, but I am fearful for him. A little help here LORD!

FATHER, thank YOU for anchoring me. I ask for relief from this bug. I continue to pray for Krl's health and welfare. I pray for my friend, that YOU will bring him full circle and make him accountable, good bad or ugly. I continue to lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Jennifer, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing to recover from their injuries, and for Tori. I ask YOUR care and comfort for them and ask YOUR gift of healing. I pray for those suffering from loss. Fill their voids with YOUR peace and love, YOUR mercy and grace. I pray for those of us who struggle in our spiritual journey, give us new resolve. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. Grant that all will seek and find.