Another six day work week.

I went to the farm yesterday to work on the spray rig. I have been trying to put it back together. During the week there are so many distractions and so many people wanting something that it has been difficult. My Saturday was very productive, I think I lack twelve nozzle housings having all of them replaced on the spray boom.

Maybe an hour or an hour and a half and I will be to tightening hose clamps.

I will be VERY glad to finish this project.

The 8310 went to the shop Friday. I talked with Memama and told her I needed two or three of me to do everything I need to do. Luckily the John Deere House's shop at Rotan was slow and the tractor went straight in. They said they will have it out tomorrow. Water pump, fan clutch (thanx BA), an oil change service, and replacing one of the amber warning lights that didn't come back from Godley (thanx BA).

In a crazy occurrence yesterday I got a phone call from a guy in Palestine. He began by asking me if we had signed oil leases on one certain piece of land. I asked him for a legal description and he began. "Northwestern 120 acres of the west half of Section 43 straddling the Nolan, Taylor County line of T & P survey".

Yadda, yadda, yadda!

Long story short, this parcel belonged to my Great Grandmother and Grandfather McLeod. Norman Lee McLeod and Jo Ella Blackmon McLeod had owned this farm. Of course Papa (as he was called) died on the day I was born in 1953. Mama McLeod (as she was called) had moved to Merkel, but retained ownership of the old home place until her death and it was sold to Mac and Shug Springer (Mac being a grandson).

It seems that in the drought of the fifties two sells were made of oil and mineral rights, both being an eighth, or a total of a quarter.

When the farm was sold to Mac and Shug only half the oil and minerals went with it, so there is a 37.5% interest still held by Mama and Papa's heirs.

The eleven off spring are dead, and many of the next generation are gone as well. I told this man that he will be dealing with over a hundred heirs I feel sure.

I know one of the oldest sons, son is gone. Meaning his portion would be passed too his children of which I know one of them is gone as well.

My granddad is gone as is his oldest daughter, which means Gon Gon's portion would be split between the remaining four living and the children of Aunt Jo.

Mac Springer is gone, so his portion would pass to his three children, but Cathy is gone so her portion would pass to her children.

And those are just the easy ones I am familiar with.

When this man finishes this project he is gong to have a major headache.

I sang on the praise team both services today. Now that was an experience. We had eight people, two singing each part of the four part harmony and Brian leading. In the group we had a sing song hostess from last weeks sing song at ACU, and three participants. Three older guys rounded out the remaining tenor and both basses.

We had to be at the building by 7:15 for rehearsal. We had received worship planner notifications earlier in the week where we could download sheet music and for a few of the songs we could download a MP4 to listen to.

I was very surprised at how coordinated the services are. During rehearsal there was a digital countdown clock showing the time remaining before the service began, and immediately when it achieved zero another digital countdown clock began showing the remaining time in the worship service. There is also a real clock with sweeping hands as well. These clocks are located in the prompters which the praise team reads the song words from (one on each side of the stage with another located in the hearing impaired sign language signers location).

The total time for today's service was 72 minutes 13 seconds. Everything is allotted for. Welcome, prayers, songs, scripture reading, lesson, communion thoughts. All of it is figured in to the time. If the service is running behind song verses are skipped or even whole songs, to get back on track.

Not much room for spontaneity.

In visiting with an elder he told me that use to if someone ran over it was a major offense, but now they are more flexible and it is a target, not etched in stone.

By the way, we had another rehearsal between the two worships services, a little critique and a little hands on instruction and direction. The basses were asked to back it down a little. (Go figure. I figured the sound tech would have us in check).

Oh well. Overall it was a positive experience.

Yesterday marked one year since Pepa has been gone.

When I was at lunch at Memama's I saw a pickup drive around the house. Coach and Jani had driven in to spend some time with Memama.

During the time shortly after lunch Pat and Hag showed up so it was kind of neat that the three surviving kids and Memama were together on the anniversary of Pepa's death.

While most of my day was spent alone, I did a lot of reflecting, wondering what Pepa would think of everything that has transpired since he left us.

Of course I really believe that he along with Freddy and Terri have a lot to do with things, especially unexpected blessings. I just hope they keep it up. This makes my job a lot easier.

I never wanted or expected this job. It is really strange looking back at everything that has happened. I had always figured Fred would fill this position when Pepa was gone. To be honest, it is a job I never wanted and would gladly give up if Fred could return. But, I figure GOD put me in this position for a reason. I look back and think about losing the contract I had held for sixteen years, being traded to the farms before Pepa died, and being postured to step into this role without even knowing it. Someone much greater than me has a hand in this deal.

So, I think I am where I am supposed to be, and I certainly don't mind taking care of whatever Memama needs taken care of.

Well. Hope your weekend was good. Hope you have a day tomorrow!

FATHER, thank YOU for new opportunities and new experiences. Help me to let YOU have YOUR way with me to put me where YOU want me. Tell Pepa hello and that we love him and miss him. We lift YOUR name on high.