Rats!

Things continue to tumble end over end. I am thankful I am not an astronaut or a race car driver. We continue to search for our groove. We had better find it quick, I am already tired.

I awoke and found bales. Hundreds of them. On trailers, on the ground, all around. What in the world went on during the night. Apparently the rookie truckers were lulled by the previous few days when Bertha was humming. Last night she belted it out! The only thing worse than what she did would be to begin to yodel! The hills are alive with the lines of cotton bales, with fabric that they want to be woven into!

It took all day long, until after dark for the reinforcements to catch us up where we could get all the bales off the ground and onto trailers. The GM couldn't resist a couple of gigs about now the shoe was on the other foot.

My rogue seed truck driver called me this morning to tell me what he was doing. That was his first mistake. I will tell him what he is doing. I did the most complete and final rip of this guys backside short of terminating him. One more miscue and he is on the shoulder of the road looking for a ride.

Father I need relief. Bless those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts. Bless us oh LORD and expand us!

Apparently I am only going to blog on every other day. We have been busy, lots going on. Usually the transition to around the clock is one of those "growing pains". So far Bertha is just tuning up. She hasn't burst into song. It will happen.

Surprisingly I have slept the sleep of the dead the past two nights. I guess I am mentally and physically exhausted. Both mornings I have rolled over to look at the clock and it was twenty 'til seven. I am thankful because usually it is stress filled looking out the window all night long. Outside of a couple of glitches everyone came through.

We achieved full work force yesterday. My South Texas truckers arrived and the one trucker who had been a guest of the Lynn County jail was released. I visited with Adan and Gilbert for about an hour just catching up. They are hard runners and it is always a comfort to have them in the mix.

The other gentleman appears to be another subject. He has had a troubled past. His parents brought him to the office and asked for an application. Even though this man appears to be in his late twenties, Mom and Dad continue to try to give him direction. It must be frustrating to have an off-spring who has served in the military yet cannot work without close supervision. The office in Sweetwater gave him a job and now they have made it my job to make work him. Thanks. Just a while ago he told me he needed to go ahead of three other trucks to load (we are doing some seed block seed for a seed breeder) because he has a dental appointment! First I heard of that! It is apparent the rules do not apply to him. I told him we do not load out of order, I would give him opportunity to prove himself as long as it was not a hardship on the other guys but that it was evident I am his last hope in this experiment. I think the office at Sweetwater scared the hooey out of him.

Krl and I got our weekly mail drop from home yesterday. What little that was mine was depressing. I really don't need that. It has been such a battle this year to get things going out here that I sure don't need to import trouble. I am having a real problem wanting to lash out. One particular gentleman has corresponded with me before but now appears to be covering his backside. He has never done anything he has professed to do in his letters and I am having a problem not calling the kettle black. It may be delicate maneuvering around him due to his swollen ego. So be it. Dance with the one that brung ya'.

Think of us.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, please lift this depression, this sense of hopelessness from me. I pray for Krl's healing and renewal as well as mine. I pray for Adam and his men and ask for their safety. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Brenda, Verlin, K.C. and Tyler. I lift them up for YOUR miracles of healing and care. I pray for those sad and heavy hearted with grief. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who stumble trying to follow YOU. Keep us centered and focused. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I ask YOUR blessings upon Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. May they hunger and thirst for righteousness and may they be filled. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. May we purify ourselves by receiving and obeying the truth. May we love one another. We are thankful that we have been born again , not of perishable seed but of unperishable seed, through the YOUR living and enduring word. LORD lead us on!

24/7. Beginning today!

We have about three thousand bales in modules on the yard, we expect another hundred or so tonight. As much as we have hoped for this time, it is upon us.

We are hedging our bets for tonight. We are short on seed trucks so we have made alternate arrangements. The calvary will ride over the hill sometime tomorrow afternoon when the Corpus boys come in. Familiar co-workers, proven track record. Good men. I long for that security.

Many of they guys I work with this year are "unproven" commodities. Many have been here in the past but you don't ever know if they are as driven as in past years. The proof is in the pudding!

"Don't bargain with GOD." That is the sign at FBC in Garden City. I always look forward to the messages during the year. I have to admit that this sign hits close to home. I often find myself making a deal with GOD. I need to keep in mind that he is the same today, yesterday, tomorrow. It is I who crawfishes. Forgive me.

I sometimes am flabbergasted when ministers, clergy, admit doubts and concerns. This makes them human, something we sometimes forget. Just because their vocation is church related we sometimes give them a persona that is unfair and unattainable. I am thankful that they can be open and honest enough to share from down deep.

FATHER, it is going to be tough the next few hours and days. I ask that YOU accompany me every step. Help me to be fair and sensible in my expectations and goals for me and my people. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq, I ask for their safety. I pray for all those near and dear who are in need of YOUR watch and care. I pray that you will bless them. I pray for our student group in the wall of prayer. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah, that they would receive Christ, believing on him and becoming children of YOURS. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan, deliver us FATHER, be our stronghold, YOU are our refuge.

Bless-ed be YOUR name.

Sorry 'bout that.

It has been so crazy. I need to hold one orientation class instead of doing it one on one multiple times. I have had a steady stream of people coming on site, looking, trying to determine if this would be an endeavor they might fit into. So far there have been more pleasant surprises than bad ones. Only one potential co-worker, that I wanted, decided he couldn't do the job for the long season ahead. Send in the next contestant!

We continue to receive more and more cotton. There are about one hundred thirty modules on the yard this morning. We ginned very well Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Friday we spent half the day waiting for "manufacturer's representatives" to come in and record air measurements. This seemed really stupid. We had ginned almost a thousand bales with the new pull fans and all the sudden "we need measurements". We had myself and nine other guys sitting and waiting outside while inside the plant there were another twenty one or two guys sitting around. Why couldn't we gin until the rep's got there? Of course the GM wanted to run late to make up for lost time! He is very prolific in spending someone else's money but is very conservative with his own. It is all I can do to not unload on him. I may have the office bill him for fifty hours of wait time.

The GM told me we would be going twenty-four hours a day Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday. Nothing like nailing things down exact is there? I'm not sure if the frustration is because of the difficulties getting the season started or if as I get older I am less tolerant of the baloney. I am pointed to Tuesday for going 24/7.

I was told that we would gin Saturday night until eight. Nine o'clock came and the gin was still humming. Man, I like sticking to a plan. I had already stopped bale trucks and done limited scheduling for seed transport. I need to hand out golden steering wheel awards for Saturday. Shane, and Paul had really good days. I like what I see in them. If they can pace themselves for the long run they will be good.

I talked with my South Texas men. They will be here Tuesday. I think more than anything that will be a relief. My biggest worry right now is the chance of rain for the next few days. I don't want them to come up here and have nothing to do. Currently we have less than three shifts worth of cotton on the yard to process. (When we go twenty-four, that is a day and a half).

Our Sunday run is supposed to be abbreviated. I hope so. Krl and I need to get a solid supply of staples on hand. It seems as though we are continuing to stock up. We might try to wait until Monday and Krl could do office business while she does supply requisitions.

I need a little thread lock to help keep my head screwed on. It is going to be an awfully long season to be bent out of joint this early.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, I am frustrated. Bless me with YOUR peace while things rage about me. I pray for Krl's healing and renewal and for me as well. I pray for safety and care for Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Brenda. I pray for Aaron's job search. I pray for Kali. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, K.C., and Tyler. I ask YOUR gifts of healing ands care for them. I pray for those sad and heavy hearted with grief, comfort them. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. May they respect YOUR power. May they be benevolent to others. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. May we take YOUR law in our hearts and be just, wise and righteous. Give me Your strength.

As the poop meter would testify, today would rank right up there.

I am having a difficult time conveying the message, "Go there and back really, really fast!" Sounds simple enough doesn't it?

Some of these yahoos just don't get it. Trucks ordered at eight-thirty this morning arrived at ten thirty. Trucks that should be back at three in the afternoon haven't shown up.

These guys just don't see the big picture. Tomorrow they will have a big choice. See the big picture or experience the big boot in the backside. No more mister nice guy.

I realize that these are not prime number one specimens. Many of them are second and third chance individuals. They can't work for majors and are trying to rebuild credibility through regional carriers.

I tend to be anxious. In everything. I continually have to temper myself to be patient, and turn the other cheek. But man, am I getting thin.

I was informed at seven this morning that we will be going twenty-four/seven the first of the week. WOW! Finally. After I have been here twenty days and we have ginned four hundred nine bales of cotton, we hit our stride yesterday. In the one day we exceeded the previous twenty day production, and we duplicated it today. Multiplicity!

Thanks, I needed that!

Be the real deal.

FATHER, bless me with patience and tolerance. I pray for Krl's healing and renewal as well as for me. I pray for Adam and his men. For Brenda. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing and care. I ask comfort for those sad with grief. I pray for those us us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that they might choose to be submissive and true, that they might pursue the after life. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. May we be found righteous. Bless our efforts. YOU are my salvation!

Promising.

Cotton on the yard, and it is only five in the afternoon. I know of several friends out here who have a couple of modules from yesterday but they don't want to turn them in yet. They want a bigger run.

I ran Krl to town today. We hadn't maintained our laundry like we need to. Our company trailer is equipped with a washer/dryer. A single unit that does both functions. Very good for space, very bad for time efficiency. Three loads most days (a load being a max of four pair of jeans) four loads being the max in a day. Also expect the jeans to come out the size of a fanny pack. Wrinkled to high heaven.

After Krl and I got the laundry sloshing, I made the mad dash to the store to pick up a few items for the trailer. You don't want to waste a trip to town. It was a very stress filled jaunt through Wal Mart. I knew if I didn't hurry Krl might be waiting on me instead of vice versa. As luck would have it, and I have none, my trek went well until it came time to choose a check out lane.

Krl will tell you. I can't pick a line that will move. It doesn't matter if it is at the bank or the grocery store, something will happen. "Price check on register nine!" "Manager to register nine!" Or someone calling their spouse on the cell phone to see if they had changed their bank card pin number! Coupons, everyone in front of me will have them. My cashier will have graduated junior high school with the lady in front and they will look at pictures of the kids and grand kids.

Krl and I have gotten where we mark all the lines. O.K., we are even with the guy with the straw hat in line three. O.K., we are ahead of the lady in the Hawaiian Moo Moo in line thirteen. Best part is, we have come to expect to be the last person out. We have come to laugh and joke about it. Might as well, nothing else will change it!

As I have told my brother-in-law, Hag, if you do the opposite of me you will do fine! Rules to live by.

When we arrived back at the compound we had seven modules on the yard. Almost a record for the year. The farmers are telling me that when it starts we will be covered up quickly. Right now we are hoping to miss a rain shower tomorrow. Late reports say the showers should be restricted to north of Interstate 20. Anthony, the night scale clerk is on the job. I would love to have fifty or sixty modules on the books by morning.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, thank YOU for the hope and promise we have in Jesus. Fill us with the comfort and confidence that comes with victory in Jesus. I continue to ask for healing and renewal for Krl and me. I pray for safety and care for Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Brenda and Aaron. I pray for Kali. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, K.C., and Tyler. I ask YOUR gifts of healing and care for them. I ask comfort for those that are hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who stumble trying to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. That they would fear YOU and YOUR wrath. That they would pursue a heart of wisdom. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. I ask that YOU would bless our efforts. I pray that we might be found righteous and be upheld by YOU, that our reward will endure forever. I have a great delight ...................

Good weather is forecast for the next five days! Yes!

We need some good weather to get this juggernaut rolling. Everyone is tired of having to look to find something to do.

It was an interesting weekend here at the compound. Everyone was off, so there was a constant stream of vehicles coming and going. Most of the guys travel in groups (some of them don't have vehicles here). Basically it was a weekend long party for many of them. Cooking out and lots of Bud Light. It was apparent some of the guys hosted Saturday and others hosted Sunday. Lots of loud "musica", accordions, singing and general revelry. I saw two of my guys loading large trays piled with food into their vehicle to drive the hundred yards to the cookout. Meat bites with pepper and onion toothpicked on.

Usually near the end of the season one of the men will go around collecting money (usually five dollars). They then go to a nearby farmer and buy a hog or goat, slaughter it, put it on the fire and the party is on. It is crazy seeing some of the guys away from work. The more reserved ones come out of their shells while the more out going personalities retreat into theirs.

I don't guess any of these guys are math geniuses because the cash collected and the cost outlay makes one of these functions a real money maker for the organizers. There are a few guys who are real hustlers. We have one guy, very close to being a midget, Chapo. Chapo will organize an effort for a "pay for view" fight (another money maker), then he will drag a television out in the yard so everyone can watch. All the time he is making "book" on who will win, what round it will end, knockout, decision, TKO or what. We call Chapo the Don King of the compound. Sometimes he will laugh and take off his cap and muss his hair until he looks like the promoter himself!

I am hopeful that a few of my guys will take an extended weekend. One asked and I gave permission for all of them to take liberty. I knew two would be remaining on site who would suffice for a short run. Some of the guys went to Del Rio, others went off with a former employee who now works for a local farmer. I hope my guys that went with the former employee stay on their toes because the former employee is a lot like a wolf in sheep's clothing and he is well aware that Friday was their pay day.

Krl and I need to do some driver settlements. We can do two drivers we have complete paperwork for while two other's paperwork is incomplete. One of the second group has already quit. This was probably a stroke of luck for me because this guy was not going to work out. He could never hear instructions for talking, and he would rather tell a lie than tell the truth when it would benefit him. This guy was so bad he made Cheese Whiz look like the valedictorian of his truck driving academy class. I know the driver that quit borrowed some money from Roscoe and they have not sent me copies of his advances or his pre-employment drug screen invoice. Oh well.

Two modules on the books. It has just been too wet to get them out of the fields. With the heavy dew in the morning we use half our day just to get back where we were prior to the dew. Effectively we are only getting a few hours of quality drying time each day. Good thing is that this years crop is not fruited at ground level making it possible for the farmers to harvest a day or two earlier. I have been warned that when the weather gives us a harvest window we will be inundated with cotton very quickly. I am so ready.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, I need a double dose of patience and tolerance. Help me in choosing my priorities. Let me be fair and just putting others before me. I pray for Krl's healing and renewal and for me as well. I pray for Adam and his men. I pray for Brenda's treatment, that it would be effective. I pray for Kali. I ask YOUR healing and care for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, K.C., and Tyler. Be with those in charge of their treatments. I pray for those sad and heavy hearted with grief. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. I pray that they will know YOU, the true GOD, and accept JESUS and pursue life eternal. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan I ask YOUR blessings on them. Help us to be patient and wait on YOU and YOUR time frame. Look to the heavens!

Ho hum.

Long, long day out here. We are off until Monday but Krl and I elected to save the gas money and stay put. Last weekends excursion ended up with about a hundred forty-one dollars of gas being consumed. We are in conserve mode.

I woke early. Satellite wasn't working, very odd. We have never had the "bad experiences" that the cable company advertises. I tried to go back to sleep on the couch but just tossed and turned until Krl woke. I gave her one walkie talkie and I took the other one outside to check the dish. Before I even got to the dish she told me it was working. Being the person that I am I had to know what was going on. Turns out there was a bad crimp on the coax and the rain had found its way in over the past few days and basically rusted the wire in to. I began looking for a spare coax end but never found one so I was relegated to trying to save and reuse the crimped end on the cable. Finally Krl gave me the all clear sign and come back in. It is patched but we have telly.

I have been trying to nap. Nascar comes on tonight instead of tomorrow. Looks like there should be some really good football matchups as well. Go Irish! Go Horns! Go Hurricanes!

Krl has been a cleaning dervish! Sweeping, swifting, mopping, vacuuming. And now she is wanting to rearrange furniture. Oh well, it was my idea originally. I think that we need to swap the couch and the dining table. There is a small chandelier over the couch which I think probably was intended to be over the table. I may be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, rest us quickly rest us well. I pray for weather for harvest. I pray that YOU would continue to heal and renew Krl and me. I pray for Adam and his men. I pray for Brenda. I pray for Kali. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, K.C., and Tyler. I ask YOUR gifts of healing for them. I pray for those sad and heavy hearted with loss. Comfort them. I pray for those of us who stumble as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that YOU will keep them. I pray for their future mates. I pray for Jenavene and Susan, that we will trust in YOU and do good, not being envious of evil men who do wrong. Give me YOUR strength!

Well, well. Let the healing begin.

After Krl and I had done the thrash over the legal papers, I made a call to the assistant to our attorney. I asked her to look at page 27 of the form they had sent us and to see what it said in the margin and on the back of the page. She told me "Nothing and nothing!" I told her that she was not working with current up to date information. She assured me she would continue to look for the 109 pages I had sent. In a few minutes she called back very contrite and apologetic. She had found the missing paperwork. Turns out it was in the inbound mail basket of my attorney ............ Unopened. Shipped Fedex on September sixth. I wonder if Fedex will reimburse me the shipping costs since they "didn't get it." Was I tweaked! Last report, the assistant had the attorney still standing in the corner.

What a crappy day here at the good old GCCG. We continued to look for projects to do. I found a hydraulic hose on one of the forklifts which had been damaged. We removed the bale clamp and removed the hose. About this time I discovered a problem with two of the carriage rollers. The bearings were out. We removed the carriage and luckily got the part make and number and I began to call around. No one had it, not the local shop or the Dealer. Monday morning the parts will be in Midland. I can live with that.

Krl and I did the mad dash to Midland this afternoon. We had it planned but as usual all plans out here need to be put in a blender and pureed! Just before we were to leave, the gin fired up to do three modules. It certainly doesn't justify cranking Bertha up, but just another idiosyncrasy of the GM. I had all the bases covered and Krl and I went to town as planned.

We picked up the repaired forklift seat. Bought a few supplies, picked up some supper and headed home. We had decided we wanted barbecue so we went to Rosa's and it was packed so we went to Fazzoli's for mexican food instead. It just doesn't do us a lot of good to sit in a line at a drive thru if we can see another drive thru. We got home with spaghetti, salads, and meat sauce. Due to the gin running and the time frame we decided not to do the Abilene High Football game even though it was in Midland. Maybe when they play Permian, provided it is at Ratliff Stadium.

I finally found a job I want. I want to do the show "Three Wishes." I had not seen this series until tonight. Loved it.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, I am giving it all to you. I am confident that YOU will provide a means to achieve the end. I pray for Krl's and my healing and renewal. I pray for the safety and care of Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Brenda. I pray for Kali. I pray for all those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those of us who stumble in our walk. I pray for those sad with grief, comfort them. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to e expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. Help them to choose good friends, positive influences, discrete, moral. Help them to become wise, protect them from the evil one. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. Help us to be of cheerful hearts. LORD lift me up!

Rain. It is difficult not to get a little depressed about it. Everytime we get a window of opportunity it seems like it weathers again. We had at least one farmer yesterday who began harvesting, albeit on a small scale. Every little bit helps.

Growing up on West Texas I learned an appreciation for rain whenever you can get it. I try to remind myself that for a tremendous harvest we have to have substantial moisture through the previous harvest season. Part of the reason we had a record production in 2004 was because of a wet Fall 2003. The reason we are potentially looking to break last year's record is because of a wet Fall 2004. After the third driest September since record keeping began the first couple of inches of rain were very welcome. Everything since then has given all the producers the "willies". Too much possibility that they could lose what they have in the fields. We just have to know that we continue to see a single frame of the big picture.

We are looking for stuff to do. Our big project yesterday was building a mount for a mail box for here at the trailer. Drivers are always putting paperwork in my pickup at all hours of the day and night. Sometimes I have other valuables in there and lock my truck, then guys are crying that they wouldn't have missed the deadline if my truck had been opened. So, last year Dana brought me a mail box he had found. We took a cracked bud wheel that came off a truck or trailer and welded a pedestal and plate and mounted the mail box. We then proceeded to paint it all (except the red flag) sunburst yellow! When it is setup at our trailer it should really bring our orange construction area fence to life! I guess I could find some shocks of red top cane and stack them in one corner and place a couple of pumpkins around for a Halloween/Thanksgiving motif. We will probably accent the mail box with a little reflective tape today.

Krl and I received a Fedex package yesterday from RSt.C. Recently we had Fedexed him 109 pages of work. When he returned the "finished" project it had shrunk to sixty four. Krl and I had to go through the entire paper monstrosity item by item. We found complete pages that had been omitted, we found pages with all but one item omitted and we found pages with only one item transferred over. We were not happy campers. Especially when you have prepaid the legal expenses. Needless to say it was not a pleasant evening around our house. I was short, Krl was irritable and teary. After about six hours of proofing, I now just have to pull other corrections (our address changes every other time it is listed) and fax back. Sorry dear.

Yuk! Tomorrow is hourly payroll. Marvin gave us a budget and man is it going to be tight. The majority of the guys are sympathetic, but one or two just want checks. It has been a long summer for them as well. I may have to keep in mind which employees were most receptive when the job winds down.

Be the real deal!

Oh FATHER, I need a pick me up. I need to unload it all on YOU and just be done with it. Help me to seize the opportunity to surrender my day, my burdens to YOU. I continue to ask YOUR healing and renewal for Krl and me. I pray for Adam and his men and ask that YOU keep them from harm. I pray for Brenda and Aaron. I pray for Makai. I continue to lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, K.C., and Tyler. I ask YOUR miracle of healing for each of them. I pray for those hurting with loss. I ask comfort for them. I pray for those of us struggling to follow YOUR way. Keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that they will accept discipline and direction. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan. We are thankful that YOU are a good and loving GOD, compassionate, forgiving, merciful and full of grace. Thank YOU. Oh happy day!

Well, well.

I'm bored. I spent the major portion of the past two days racking my brain to find stuff to do for all the guys. The list is almost exhausted

We have done it all. Yesterday morning was spent servicing forklifts. This was probably the most extensive service they will receive all season. We went from one end to the other, looking, checking, removing, and replacing.

The replacement piping arrived at the plant. The crews jumped on it and quickly had it up and in place. The joints had to be siliconed and sealed in order to preserve the air system's integrity. We were waiting on one vendor to arrive from Lubbock with some parts to initiate some changes. Also the tech people for the vendor wanted to watch the plant while it was running so they could assess their equipment's performance. We finally started the plant after lunch and from then on it was like watching paint dry. A very slow process as the techies tweaked and tuned and changed and modified. I don't know if they really did anything other than make a show of doing something.

I finally decided to make a mad dash to Midland to take the forklift seat that needed some attention. I told Delfino I was going to take him with me so the people could measure his backside. He laughed. Delfino is a small fellow. I don't really know what the cause was but nearly all the support springs were broken in the seat. The man at the shop came up with an alternate plan and he is supposed to call when it is done. Guaranteed by Friday. As long as the other forklift performs I can live with that.

I arrived at the compound in time to hear Bertha finish her encore. You could hear the lingering hum of her fans coasting to a stop. Once again we are caught up. No cotton on the yard. Some areas might have been able to get in on the sandier soils yesterday. I am hopeful for today because we go back into a rain probability tomorrow for the next three days. We sure need to run some. I try not to calculate how many dollars are winging away with each tick of the clock.

Krl and I were just settling in last evening when there was a knock on the door. Brent from the farm store was telling us he had completed the porch project for the trailer. It isn't much but it sure will make our lives easier. It has a ramp for the dogs on one side so now the old hounds with the hip problems don't have to navigate the steps. Krl was so tickled. Brent even had it painted. Best part was he put all the supplies on a ticket at the farm store and it won't be due until the tenth of November.

Well. let's get it done. Be the real deal!

FATHER, I need some divine intervention. We need some weather good for harvest. I pray for Krl's and my healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Brenda and Aaron. I pray for Kali. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin and K.C.. I ask YOUR healing for each of them. I pray for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. FATHER I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that YOU help them to make good decisions. Shield them from the evil ones that set traps and snares for them. I pray for our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan, that we will continue to thirst for YOU. King of Kings, Prince of Peace.

I'm not doing much better getting to the keyboard, eh?

We are still having such a hard time finding our groove. Everyday seems to have its on clock and peculiar oddity that distorts it.

My Monday began very early. I was in Big Spring before seven o'clock to pick up Delfino. He had given me instructions on where he was because he had arrived early enough to get a motel room Sunday night. I thought he was clocked off one direction (saying south when I thought he meant west). After an hour of looking for him I went into a convenience store and was talking with the clerk. He came up with a new theory that Delfino was totally lost direction wise and that he had meant north when he said south. Ten minutes later Delfino and I were headed to the store.

Think outside the box.

Baldemar arrived Sunday morning. Frankie, the plant Super, put him into one of the barracks. Baldemar was a good worker last year. His brother was the opposite experience. I had made the decision that whatever the cost, I would not hire the brother this year, even if it meant losing Baldemar. As luck would have it, the brother chose not to come.

So we are in place on site. We still have to drop in truck drivers when necessary, but right now we are sitting and staring at each other. Actually we aren't, we are doing piddly jobs that need to be done. We have done some painting, some rewiring on a forklift. Two more trailers were dropped on site. Another forklift and the fuel tank and dollie plates arrived. We removed and stored dunnage that had been riding on trailers. We even removed a forklift seat that needs to go to the upholstery shop. We aren't generating any revenues but we are staying busy.

The plant is still waiting on the pipe work. It turned out the shop could not repair the one we collapsed so they are fabricating a new one. Hopefully it came out last evening. I saw the GM leaving with the utility trailer late yesterday. I figure two hours to put it in because it has to be siliconed and sealed, and then we should be up and running again. I will know more after I tour the plant this morning.

We have five modules on site right now. These were harvested prior to the Thursday rain which preceded the Sunday rains. At the plant we received an inch and three tenths Sunday, this was in addition to the inch on Thursday. Around the area some locations received as little as a half inch of rain while further to the west, near Midkiff, had some reports of hail. I think right now these farmers would prefer no rain rather than risk damaging what they do have.

I have one friend out here who grew some produce. He had some late season watermelons that we being harvested when it rained Thursday. He still has about a half million pounds of melons in the fields and it is has been too wet to drive the trucks through the fields to pick them. He is figuring that they will become over ripe and waste right where they lay. What a shame, and people are starving in this world.

Have a good day. Be the real deal!

FATHER, take control. Forgive me when I try to direct my life instead of giving it up to you. Oh for a greater faith. I continue to pray for Krl's and my healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq. I pray for Brenda and Aaron. I pray for Kali. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin and K.C.. I as YOUR gifts of healing and care for them. I pray for those sad and hurting from loss. I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. Keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastasia, James and Terah. I ask that YOU light their way and draw them to YOU and that they would choose to follow and serve YOU. I pray for our partners Jenavene and Susan. Bless and keep them. Let us be joyful and take comfort that YOU are our GOD and we have nothing to fear. Praise be to YOU in the highest.

O.K., we aren't the brightest bulbs in the store, but we sure try hard.

Krl and I made a mad dash in to the house yesterday. We left shortly after lunch and made the drive. Lots to do, close the pool, hot tub, do the lawn, laundry, GET PILLOWS!

What we did was condense three days work into one day. Not a good move. Add to this the fact that I included a mad trek to Breckenridge to drop off insurance forms and payments for the General Liability policy and accident policy (to espedite things) and it has been packed! I just got back from the fuel pumps and filling the company Expedition and I had been 483 miles in the last thirty hours. Not a record for me but not bad when I am not in driving shape.

Maple Syrple whined all the way to Abilene yesterday. She is the only hound traveling in a cage. Today Krl decided to hold her and she did much much better. Everytime she is getting better about traveling. The other hounds just get comfy and crash figuring we'll wake them up when we get there!

We ran through rain, some of it heavy from Colorado City to almost St. Lawrence. It was kind of spotty. Some spots got a good soaker others didn't get much. I didn't see any signs of other complicating factors. One trash can was turned over but it was empty. No indication in the dark of hail, we are thankful and hopeful.

I have to get up early and drive to Big Spring to pick up Delfino. I am anxious to get him on site. He gets in sometime during the night, I plan on being there about seven or so.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe trip. I ask YOUR blessings on this day and week. I pray for Krl's and my continued healing and renewal. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing and care. I pray for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of use who stumble attempting to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah, that they will learn that YOU are a good and just GOD. I pray for our prayer partners and ask YOUR blessings on them. YOU know the plans YOU have for me, who am I to argue!

Sorry. It seems I am really having a hard time getting to the computer to blog. We have been a series of miscues so far. It hasn't helped that we are not fully staffed. Monday, hopefully Monday.

I had been somewhat concerned about my mainstay employee, Delfino. He had told me he would be here last Wednesday. No show. No phone call, nothing. He had a difficult summer and had called inquiring about when the fall work would begin. I think he too has been stretched $$$$-wise. Finally he asked to borrow some money. Unfortunately, the start up money was limited and his full request was not do-able, yet we were able to give him some help. Pepa has been a nay-sayer saying I would get burned, and I was beginning to wonder.

Late last night , my cell phone rang. It was Delfino. On the sixteen hour drive up from Mexico his car broke. Big time. This is the car that you would always see in the very last parking space in the far out reaches of Wal-Mart's parking lot. He has not had reverse for several years. (If someone parks in front of him he would have to wait until they moved or else push his car clear.) Long story short he was in South Texas and will arrive on the bus during the night Sunday. He wanted to know if I would pick him up Monday morning in Big Spring. Yes! I am willing to invest the two hour drive to get him on site. Next thing I am sure will be an interesting jaunt to buy his groceries. It always amazes me what shoppers my guys are.

The plant hit its stride yesterday, at least for a brief while. I know everyone will be thrilled when the duct work and machinery gets slicked up. We had a deluxe episode yesterday, but I will have to preface it.

In the plant we use air to move material through the machinery processing it. There is positive air, and there is negative air. Positive air pushes the material, negative pulls the material (positive-blows, negative-suction). For optimum travel you balance your air, this way the material doesn't move lazily, it's on a rope or like a line drive.

We had a choke up in the airways which ended up with the positive air not feeding the negative air and we collapsed one of the largest air ducts in the plant at a transitional plenum. "Sucked that booger right together". I had never seen that done before, now I'm a believer. Remarkable thing was this plenum was braced to prevent this collapse from happening. It is unbelievable the amount of air moving about this plant. The crew began to dismantle the damaged piping and of course as luck would have it its is twenty-five feet above the floor. These guys are remarkable as they would put "two by twelves" across a fifteen foot span high above the floor and then walk on them as if they are on the cement floor. Two hours and several chain hoists later the piping was on the ground and being loaded in Frankie's pickup headed to the shop. Even though it was late Friday Frankie hit the road. Looks like Monday before we will have the people to get it back up in the plant.

My dilemma with truckers continued yesterday. I called in at seven-thirty in the morning asking for "Black Sheep" to bring an empty trailer to the plant and pick up a loaded one. At three o'clock it finally showed up, the driver got lost. I know we are in the boonies but listen up guys. Worst thing about it, I already had another load. I talked with RPCC's manager and we made plans to be there at five yesterday afternoon and again at eight this morning. I sure am putting a lot of faith in a group of drivers that so far has not been deserving of it.

As it works out, Krl and I had made plans to make a quick trek to Abilene to pick-up winter clothes, PILLOWS, and various other supplies, winterize the pool and maybe mow the lawn. Did it happen, NO! We are still on site and I have almost another load of bales to load this morning. (I let all the help off until Monday since the plant is broken down). I think Krl and I are going to have a meeting today to see what we are going to do.

I promise to do better. I will get to the keyboard with more regularity.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, help me to make good decisions. Help me to be patient and tolerant. I pray for Krl's and my healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq and ask that YOU would protect and take care of them. I pray for Brenda and Aaron. I pray for Kali. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, and K.C.. I lift them up for YOUR gifts of healing and care. I pray for those hurting from loss, especially the Schneider family, I ask YOUR comfort and care for them. I ask that YOU send YOUR angels to surround and comfort them. I pray for those of us who are struggling to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. FATHER I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. I ask that YOU would influence their choices, surround them with good friend with good values. I pray for Jenavene and Susan and continue to ask that YOU will bless our efforts. All to Jesus I surrender.......

I'm trying to get this in under the wire.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was the day from you know where. My much dreaded project of cleaning the seed storage hoppers was everything I dreaded and more. It was horrific. We dug and dug. Me the first couple of hours and then Frankie sent some of his henchmen to help. I was appreciative. Finally all the trucks were gone. One and a piece more and all the year old seed will be shipped.

About four o'clock they decided to crank up the gin and see what all the new equipment would do. They did and it didn't. Some of the new up to date computer enhancements refused to cooperate. Finally between ten thirty and eleven last night they threw in the towel. Butch, the Continental man drove back to Lubbock to talk with engineers and computer programmers. Turns out the Alabama engineers had forgotten to include one page of the pre-set parameters in the operators manual. Finally about four this afternoon, the first bale exited the plant. Technology is wonderful when it works.

My first employee began today. Two more go on payroll tomorrow. Two more Monday. I think we will hold it at that. I know some of the jobs will not be what they would choose to do. Lots of sweeping and cleaning, but if they are on the clock they will be doing something to benefit the operation.

Rain all day. And that's the weather. (except for cold!)

Be the real day!

FATHER, I pray for a blessed day. I pray for relief. I pray for Krl's and my healing and renewal. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR healing and care. I pray for the bereaved. I pray for those of us struggling. I pray for our spiritual family and leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. I pray that they will be humble, that they will be receptive of the authority that rules over them, and that they will be obedient. I pray for our prayer partners, they we may share YOUR joy and love, mercy and grace with others. Reign in us!

As you might have noticed, I missed blogging yesterday. Technology issues. Actually we had been on line but the e-mail was not working so they tried to fix that and messed up the log-in and on and on and on. Hopefully it is all up and running, so drop us a line.

We still have not started. We have cotton. Final preparations appear to be completed, it is time to see if Bertha is gonna stand up and sing. It is amazing how one of the vendors are hedging their bet. They sold about a half million dollars worth of equipment improvements to the facility, their engineers designed all of it and now they are saying they think it will work. Hello, this has been a year in the making, it's a little late to be thinking it will work. What we had would work, what we hoped to do was improve production and eliminate down time. Engineers should either tend to business or stay on trains. And that's all I am going to say about that.

My Monday truck finally made it here on Tuesday. I sure hope Fred isn't counting on this guy to be one of my people because he is a rocket scientist. He didn't make it Monday because the signal light flasher fell out of the fuse block. Big problem. Then I rode down to the produce shed to unload the forklift and we were on an oil file road and he was grabbing fifth gear. I finally asked him if he was in a hurry and he said "No.". I told him to slow it down. I pointed out where we needed to back up to, and he cruised right on past. Finally I got him to back up and he put the trailer to the dock. Crooked, but to the dock. We quickly unhooked the chains and I hastened my program to get the forklift off the trailer before he decided to leave. Once unloaded, he left to drop the trailer on the yard and I began to make my way the three miles to the plant. I made it two hundred feet and ran out of diesel. Thankfully Krl bailed me out. She picked me up and I hauled five gallons of fuel to the machine and stopped by the fuel stop on my way to the plant. I put fifteen gallons in a twelve gallon tank. When I arrived at the plant some thirty minutes later, the truck driver was still trying to park the trailer. He had not heard a single word I had told him. I finally stood where I wanted the trailer and on the third try he made it and unhooked. He as headed to Roscoe, yet he went west. I ran him down and asked him where he thought he was going. "Roscoe", he replied. "Don't you think you might be going the wrong direction?", I asked. "It is the only way I know, back to Midland and then down I-20", he stated. I quickly told him to turn it around and I gave him brief concise instructions and assured him it would save him fifty or sixty miles. It was a relief when he was out of sight.

As soon as I arrived on site, the forklift was loaned out. The burr contractor was swapping out a spreader bed from an old truck to a new one. He was really disappointed when only one of the forklifts showed up. He needed two.

I have been dickering with little repairs, nothing major. It is more something to keep me busy. I have spent a tremendous amount of time in the farm store, lots of chemical going out the door and you can hear spray planes all day long. When this thing breaks open it is going to be full bore!

Currently I am waiting on seed trucks. The GM had held some seed to sell after the season last year and he didn't sell any. I am sure hoping it isn't set up like cement. The idiot truck driver is coming back along with an old hand. I am thankful they waited until it heated up. (right!).

High here Friday is supposed to be fifty-nine. Low forty-six. I may have to look for long britches.

Be the real deal.

FATHER, I ask for patience and tolerance. I ask for healing and care for Krl and me. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR many gifts of healing and care. I pray for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that YOU would protect them from Satan and that YOU would instill in them a disdain of sin. Bless them and lead them and protect them. I pray for our prayer partners, Jenavene and Susan, bless and keep them. For YOUR love FATHER.

Thanx, I needed that! Good good day.

Except for a brief trip to the festival yesterday and a late dash to Butch's store to get some ice, Krl and I stayed in the trailer. She was cleaning and straightening, I was helping by watching and staying out of her way. Giant strides.

The hounds are resigned to the fact that we are here for the season. The old hounds are protecting their predetermined spaces while Maple Syrple is trying to find her niche.

I am some better today. My back, knees, hips and shoulders are still creaky but I think I will bite the bullet and take a couple of tablespoons of WD-40. Actually a little percogesic, tylenol and some med that is supposed to give joint relief and I should be functional.

Biggest mistake Krl and I have made this year, and we both made it, we forgot "our" pillows! That makes for fitful sleep. I love a "well broken in" goose down pillow. Forget the full foam pillow. Believe me, we will remedy this. What were we thinking!

For any of you who might have tried our West Texas e-mail address, for some reason it is not functional yet. I don't know, but I suspect that while they activiated the seasonal account they didn't activate the e-mail account. It will be after ten this morning before tech support will be there (MST).

Today I am hoping that Roscoe sends the Black Sheep Trucking truck to pick up the forklift from the shop in Midland and bring it to the worksite. If it all works, we could end up with the first forklift, the first bale trailer and the mote trailer on site. We are hopeful for a Wednesday "actual start". By then maybe all the formalities will be completed and it will be business as usual.

Forecast has changed for out here. Originally they had rain in the forecast for tomorrow but now they have moved it to Thursday.

I had taken precautions before bringing the big trailer out here and took it to the shop for a day of diagnosis. It got a clean bill of health. One we were here it seemed like the A/C worked hit and miss. It would freeze up, thaw, and then work very well for a while. Don't ask me what happened while I made the made dash to Butch's store but now the A/C will run you to the closet looking for winter clothes! It is moving a tremendous volume of air that is winter morning crisp! Wonderful!

Krl and I had thought we might make a trek to town yesterday. I picked up just a few items from the store. We won't starve but we do need some staple items. We decided not to make the trek Sunday, just in case I had to go to Midland to assist in getting the forklift. As high as gas is, kill two birds with one stone.

I told Krl to begin making a list of things we need to get done at the house. If we get a rain delay, or if we have a slack day this coming Sunday, we might make a made dash in. First priority of course is to winterize the pool. Our second yard man has already dropped the ball so it might mean yard work or at least talking to candidate number three. I've got a feeling that whoever it is, Bobbie is going to be a tough field general to work for.

Wherever, whatever, whenever, "be the real deal!"

FATHER, I pray for a blessed week. For patience and tolerance. For reason and understanding. I pray for Krl, for her healing and renewal and healing, and mine as well. I pray for Adam and his men. I pray for their protection and care. I pray for Aaron in his job search, lead it where YOU intend. I pray for Brenda and her treatment. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. I pray that they will be drawn to YOU and come to love YOU and desire to serve in YOUR kingdom. I pray for our prayer partners, Jenavene and Susan. Bless them and our efforts. I pray for Kali. I pray for Addie, for Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, and K.C.. I ask YOU gifts of healing and care for them. I pray for those who are hurting from loss. Comfort them. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU, give us resolve. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Rejoice!

Quick quick notes.

I did the mandatory Fall Festival tour this morning. Bought sausage, bought take out meals, bought chances on a rifle and on a quilt. Saw a few people. Spent too much money. PR, that's what it is all about.

For the most part Krl and I had the most laid back day we have had in weeks. She finally piddled some putting the trailer in order, but we aren't on any time frame. She has stowed files, supplies, and mopped and vacuumed. Major headway!

I am already ready for bed.

FATHER, thank YOU for a blessed day. I pray for Krl and my healing and renewal. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR many gifts of healing and care. I pray for those of us struggling to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders and the efforts to expand YOUR Kingdom. I pray especially for Adam and his men, protect and keep them from harm. I pray especially for Richard, Anastacia, James, and Terah. That they would come to know YOU and YOUR power, love, mercy and grace. I pray for our partners in prayer. YOU give us strength.

Ouch! I am sore all over.

I got here so late Friday that I was extremely limited on the setup work I could do. Most of my Friday work was inside the travel trailer. I will admit I didn't make much headway other than being sure that a lot of the technology services were available. Bless Krl's heart, it will be her chore to get us organized. Hopefully I have us organized by area, her job will be to take it on to the end.

I had a late Friday night. Saturday morning I didn't want to get up. When I looked at the clock I leapt from bed. I had lots to do before Krl and the hound boys and girls showed up. I got busy driving "T" posts and constructing my bright orange "construction area" fence. They have had so much rain and hot weather out there that the ground is baked hard like a brick! It jolted me through and through. Rogelio and Jose heard me pounding away and they came over and helped some. Thanks guys! I had already put up the under pinning panels to secure the area under the trailer. I have expanded our yard this year. Nothing flagrant, just a foot here and a foot there. We don't have it now but if Krl or I make a mad dash back to Abilene maybe we can get the digital camera and I can post some pix of "our winter wonder land". (Or as some would say "I wonder what in the world compelled them to go there"). Either way, it is a "wonder" land.

The old hounds were realy blase when they arrived. Maple Syrple spazzed! "Country?" "But I'm a city hound!" She finally settled down.

By the time Krl had arrived I was on my last project. Zeroing in the satellite dish. Actually this is much easier to do with two people so it worked well that she arrived. She stayed in the trailer and monitored signal strength and I stayed outside adjusting the dish. Two of the three trailers are complete, all I lack on the last one is hooking up the water hose and the sewer line. Give me ten minutes. Luckily I have put off the guys who will be living there until sometime next week.

I am very pleased with myself. I got it done. I am very sore, but pleased. My hands ache (yes, hack saws will cut flesh), my back, knees and various and sundry joints too numerous to list are all making me aware of my day's activites. My next to last activity was hooking up the propane line to the large nurse tank that all the trailers share. I had to crawl under and around my trailer as I routed the hose and attached it under my trailer. If it hadn't been for all the goathead stickers and grass burrs I might still be laying under there!

So far there are six trailers in the jobsite trailer park, the dormitories are about a third full. More employees will begin reporting Monday.

Krl and I went down to the hall about three in the afternoon. Lots of activity. Ribs and sausage on multiple industrial sized pits. Kegs in the shade. We had barely been there an hour when the visiting "Padre" began ringing the bell to summon all those not serving in some other capacity to Mass. Those who were busy will have opportunity to attend an early Sunday Mass.

We saw nearly everyone. Talk about good moods! Lots of smiles. Of course it didn't hurt that they had already been partying for three hours. Everyone was glad to see me but even more glad to see Krl. Tex and Charlie took good care of us. I wish I had a couple more ribs right now!

It was good.

About five thirty Krl and I went back to the trailer. We have joked all along that we needed to get to the jobsite so we could rest up.

We did book the first cotton of the year Friday. One module. More to come. Our forecast does include a chance of rain Tuesday. We will probably gin it Wednesday or Thursday. There is still much to do in the plant. Electricians have been in and out and Frankie and the crew began installation of a belt conveyor today. Rooster was telling me that the gin's new module truck won't be here until next week. Right now they have seven trucks sitting. (It should be quite a race to that one module).

Be the real deal!

FATHER, thank YOU for the productive day. Thank YOU for the good friends and fellowship. I thank YOU for blessing my friends with such a bountiful harvest. May we always remember from whom all blessings flow. Praise be to YOU! I thank YOU for Krl's safe travel. I ask for her and my healing and renewal. I pray for Adam and his men in Iraq, I ask that you protect them and keep them from harm. FATHER, there are many friends and family and extended family that are in need of YOUR gifts of healing and care. I lift them up to YOU and ask that YOU bless them and meet their needs. I pray for those hurting from loss and ask their comfort. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Father, I ask YOUR blessings on Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. I continue to ask that YOU help them make good choices. I pray for their future, for their relationships, for their future spouses, for their careers. I ask that YOU keep them centered and focused. I pray for Jenavene and Susan and ask that YOU would continue to bless our efforts. YOURS is the glory!