I am constantly amazed how my scheduling and preferences are tipped on end out here. At the summer house (you'll understand my terminology after next paragraph), I like to awaken extremely early and soak in a hot bath tub with a good book. If it is an extremely good book I can read it in one sitting, otherwise I may read two or three books per week. Out here I usually read in the evenings sometimes only a paragraph or possibly a chapter. I am only on my second book out here in three and a half months. Of course in the travel trailer the bath tub is not an option. Hmmmmm, maybe that's the key.

Krl and I were talking the other day and she began, "When we get to go home......". I cut her short, "This is home", I stated matter of factly. "I mean when we get to go to the big house in Abilene", she replied. "Oh, you mean the summer house", I said. There was a very definite break in the conversation when she said "Do you realize we will only be there four months before we have to return here." Another silence and I said "And that is if we don't go to South Texas".

Yesterday was one of the most difficult days I have had out here. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally. I found I possess a really short fuse and there are a number of people who seem intent on trimming it even shorter. There are a number of drivers, dispatchers and repair people who are cruisin' for a bruisin'. They all possess tunnel vision. I struggled most of Thursday with some difficult decisions and late in the day I began to incorporate them in my long range plan. There will be people who are mad, people with hurt feelings, and people who experience a crunch in their pocketbooks but I have given them repeated chances only to be taken advantage of.

My Thursday began with a phone call and a fax from the insurance company regarding the November 14 accident. Everyday it seems there is another request for more paperwork and items that have been faxed numerous times. Yesterday it was a police report. I made the hour drive to town and made the request, spent a little time waiting before I received the report and then ran a couple more errands to maximize my trip. The day ended much the same way, a trip back to town. A bale truck burst a radiator hose about three miles from town and I made another hour long trek to town to take parts and help the driver make repairs and get on his way. Thankfully parts were readily available and the repairs went well.

After we had completed the repairs I returned a call to my friend Kevin. I had called him earlier in the day asking for some relief trucks. When we first spoke he told me it sounded like I had fizzed out. I told him he was pretty much right, that it was a tough day. He was able to send one truck to help create some slack.

I have one driver who is a hard runner but he is a rogue driver. He continually wants to dictate what he is going to do. Yesterday was one such day. He has crossed the line and now there is no going back. I have put plans in motion to replace him and his truck. Not only is he head strong, he is stupid and extremely hard on equipment. Every truck he has driven has had problems with him at the helm and he is expensive to have on board. He charges more "junk" by himself than all my other drivers combined. He continually talks about shopping for his own truck (which might be a good experience for him because he is guaranteed to go broke). I can be in bed in my trailer and listen to the rough and jerky manner a truck is being driven in the compound and I know that it is him.

One note. Last evening on my way from town to the compound I received a phone call informing me that the IGB had arrived. Later in the evening Ollie called to give me a report.

We cross halfway today. Is the glass half full or half empty? 82,000 bales and counting.

Be the real deal!

FATHER, lift me, pick me up. Give me the focus and resolve to see me through this endeavor. I ask the same for Krl and pray for her healing. I ask for safety and care for Adam and his men in Iraq. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, Jess, Lillie, Aimee, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Hope, K.C., Tyler and the IGB for YOUR miracle of healing and care. I ask comfort for those hurting from grief. 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. I pray for Richard, Anastacia, James and Terah. That they would be humble and look outward rather than inward. I ask YOUR blessings on our prayer partners Jenavene and Susan, that we might cultivate the fruit of the spirit. Fill us with YOU!