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!