Praying For Rain

I need your help my friends.

I need you to pray for rain.

I know that you have heard on the news about the drought that our country is experiencing.  I can tell you that Down On The Farm has been hit HARD by the drought.

We raise cattle, and cattle eat grass.  When it doesn't rain, there is no grass for our cows to eat.

When there is no grass for our cows to eat, we have to feed hay.

We don't have enough hay to feed our cattle from now until springtime.  Typically, we don't start feeding hay until MUCH later in the year.

Typically the grass grows in the fall and we cut hay again to make certain we have enough hay for the winter.  But NOTHING is growing here because it is so dry.

We refuse to let our animals go hungry.  We have sold cattle twice this summer, and if we don't receive some significant rains real soon, we will have to sell more cattle.  We can only keep as many cattle as we can feed.

I need you to ask the Lord to send rain to all the drought stricken areas, including Down On The Farm. 

We were supposed to get rain this past weekend.  We got five one-hundredths of an inch.

We were supposed to get rain every week for the past three weeks.  We get a few sprinkles and that is it.  We have had less than 2" of rain since the end of May.  Things are getting serious.  We are desperate for rain.

I ask for your prayers for rain for everyone affected by the drought.  And I pray for those in the path of hurricane Isaac, who are getting rain they don't need.  I ask God to protect everyone in the path of that storm. 

May God bless each of you.  And may God send the rain.

An Eternal Perspective

Why is this so difficult???

I mean really, this is TOUGH for me sometimes. 

But when I do it.  When I fix my eyes on Jesus.  Wow.

When I really can step back and attempt to view my life and every situation through God's eyes, things don't seem to matter as much.  Things that seem so important now, grow very, very small.

Because I know that years from now they will just be a distant memory.  And in heaven, they won't matter at all.

So today, why don't we all work on this.  Obey the Scriptures.  Fix our eyes on what is NOT seen.  Everything we see will one day pass away.  But what we can't see with our eyes, that is what is real.  That is what will last forever.

Jesus Is the Rock

I don't know about you, but aren't you glad it ISN'T ALL UP TO YOU???  I sure am.  I would make a MESS of things.

So many times I get my eyes on earthly situations, and earthly circumstances, and I think to myself "Wow, I don't know how on earth this is going to work out." 

Or, if I'm honest with you all, I will admit that many times I think to myself "Wow, I don't know how on earth I'm going to fix this."

I CAN'T FIX ANYTHING!!!  But thank God He is the Rock.  His ways are higher than mine.  His plan is more awesome than anything I can even dream of.

So if you have a mountain in your life . . . or even an ant hill . . . get your eyes OFF of the situation, and your eyes back on the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! 

He spoke this earth into existence.  I KNOW He can handle anything that comes up in my life AND give me peace about it until it is resolved.

Thank you Lord that today, it isn't up to me.  Thank You that I can come to You with anything, and that You hear me and that You answer my prayer.  Please help me to worry less and trust You more.  Help me to keep my mind off of all the things that are going on around me, and keep my eyes completely fixed on You.  Thank You so much for all the blessings you pour into my life that I don't deserve.  Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die so that I can live.  I love You Lord.  Amen

Gram Nell

This is a picture of my paternal grandparents, Tom and Nellie.  This picture would have been taken in 1935, the year they got married.

My grandpa Tom died in 1958.  He was 47, my Gram Nell was 44.  My dad, their youngest child, was only 15 years old. 

After Grandpa Tom passed away, Gram Nell went to work in the deli at Gerbes in Jefferson City and worked there until she retired.  She never remarried. 

Every year for my birthday she brought me a german chocolate cake from Gerbes.  I looked forward to those cakes like nobody's business.  My mom is allergic to chocolate, so that cake was my ONE chocolate cake of the year.

When I was a little girl I had very long hair.  Gram Nell didn't like long hair and, without my mom's permission, she took me and got my hair cut.  Bobbed just below the ears.  I hated it, but it grew back.

She also loved to pull teeth.  YUCK.  Once when I was at her house she chased me around the yard and when she caught me she pulled my tooth.  I told her I hated her.  I apologized many times over the years for saying that, and we even joked about it when I became an adult.  She knew I didn't mean it.  But it bothers me to this day.

Most people would describe my grandma as kind of a stern lady.  She was never a huggy, touchy grandma.  She has been widowed longer than she was married.  She has been widowed for more than half of her life.  She is 98 years old.  Will be 99 on December 11th.

She is the second oldest of eleven children and only has one surviving sibling, a sister who lives in Las Vegas.  It must be so sad to bury all your siblings, especially when, as one of the oldest, I'm sure she thought she would go first.  Is living a long time a blessing or a curse?

Today my dad and his sisters are putting my Gram Nell into the nursing home.  And she doesn't even know it.

She has been living with one of my dad's sisters the past couple of years, and physically is in good health.  But mentally she has been failing. And the past six months, she has really become confused.  Sometimes when I go see her she knows me.  Other times she doesn't. 

In the last couple of weeks she has gotten much worse.  She is aggressive toward my aunt.  She is so confused.  As I said, she has no idea that tonight she will sleep in a strange place, among strangers.

We have no choice but to put her in a nursing home where she can be taken care of.  But it still hurts.  I love my Gram Nell. 

Please be praying. 

This picture was taken at my house in June at our family reunion.  Gram Nell was all smiles that day, and happy.  But later that day she was confused, and wondered where she was.  She does that a lot lately.

Sometimes people don't last long once they go to a nursing home.  I know that.  I keep thinking she will get better.  That I can get MY Gram Nell back.  And every day she gets worse.

I will go see Gram Nell in the nursing home.  And I wonder if she will know me.

Please be praying.

My Gram Nell loves Jesus, and that is our comfort.  That no matter when He takes her, that I will see her again.  And she will be MY Gram Nell, the way she used to be.

Livestock Show and Auction

Summertime means fair time around here.  Miller County Fair to be exact.  Our kids both showed their steers at the fair, and then sold them at the auction.

Isn't she beautiful??  And the steer is pretty cute too!!!

I am so proud of my daughter!!!

And our son is so handsome!!  So proud of him too!!!

I am so proud of them both.  Their steers did really well.  Alex took second in her steer's weight class to the steer that won Grand Champion!! Cole took third in his steer's weight class!!  There was some really great competition!!!

And the auction.  Well, this mama is PROUD to report that their steers brought the TOP PRICE at the auction!!!   We are blessed that our kids steers did so well.  With the economy the way it is, you never know.  But all of the bidders stepped up to support the kids. 

This is just one of the many reasons that I love living in a small town.  Opportunities like this are priceless (I think).  The kids have the responsibility of raising an animal.  The experience of showing that animal in front of lots of people.  And the opportunity to sell that steer for a good price to reward them for all their hard work. 

Thanks to EVERYONE who came out and supported all of the kids that participated in this year's fair.  It was a huge success!!! 

Please keep praying for rain!!  Blessings to all!!

How Old Is Your Stuff??

As you know, last week was my birthday.  I am now 48 years old.  Now I know some younger folks might think that's old.  I can assure you my 98 year old grandmother thinks I'm just a spring chicken.  Age is really a pretty relative thing, and I truly believe you are as young as you feel, and I feel pretty darned young.

As I was considering MY age, I started thinking about the age of things around me.   And while the things around me aren't OLD (well most of them anyway), I really am not surrounded by new things.  Here are a few examples:

1.  My House - Here is my house. 

I would have described my house as "older" although since its not as old as me, I have to rephrase that.  My house is "not new."  Our house was built in 1968, so its 44 years young.  It needs a new roof.  Our roof leaks in a hard rain (although since it hasn't rained in forever that hasn't been a problem lately).  And our basement leaks too (see above comment about it not raining here forever).

2.  My Car - My car is so dirty, that I couldn't show you a picture of it.  Now remember, I live in the country, on a farm, on a gravel road, that cows walk across.  And when cows walk, well, let's just say that dark stuff on my car isn't mud because, as I mentioned earlier, it hasn't rained here in forever.  Sunday morning on my way home from church the odometer rolled over to 150,000 miles.  My car isn't old, I bought it in 2007.  I put a lot of miles on my car.  It needs new tires.  I am hoping to get 200,000 miles before I trade it in.

3.  My Microwave - Again, sorry, no picture of my old Sears microwave.  I bought it in 1986.  It is 26 years old.  SERIOUSLY!!  But it still works.  I mean, all I do is reheat leftovers, pop popcorn, and boil water to make a pitcher of tea.  So why would I buy a new one? 

4.  My Vacuum Cleaner - I have an Oreck Vacuum Cleaner that I bought in 1996.  That makes it, yep, you're right, 16 years old.  I really like my Oreck.  I took it to an Oreck store last summer and had it cleaned and the little "hook" that you hang the cord on replaced.  It (the hook) broke awhile back, so my cord was always just laying on the floor.  I will use it until it won't work anymore. 

5.  My Bedroom Furniture - My mother-in-law purchased our bedroom furniture when she got married.  It is made of ash, a light stained wood.  She used it for years.  When my husband lived at home he used it, and when we got married we moved it to our house.  We don't use the headboard and footboard anymore because it's a "double" bed and we wanted a king sized bed. So I bought a very inexpensive metal heardboard probably 6 or 7 years ago and that's what we use along with the dresser, chest and nightstands.  I would LOVE to get new bedroom furniture one day.  But for now, my 58 year old bedroom furniture is working just fine.  It was made back in the days before veneer and particle board.  It is solid wood and I think it will last forever.

6.  My Kitchen Table - I have a solid oak kitchen table and chairs that we bought around 1987.  Honestly, I don't remember exactly, but we've had it about 25 years.  I had to have the top refinished last year.  It is solid wood and, like my bedroom furniture, I think it will last forever!  One day I hope one of my kids has that table and it brings back good memories for them.

7.  My Washer and Dryer - Of all the things I have, my washer and dryer I would call fairly new.  I bought them in December of 2006, so they are not quite 6 years old.  I average about 10 years per washer and dryer.  We've been married nearly 27 years, and this is my third set.  I think I must be pretty hard on washers and dryers.  My husband is a farmer and the clothes I am washing for him aren't just sweaty.  They are FILTHY.  Sure hope this set lasts a long time.  My mother-in-law had a Maytag washer and dryer that she used for 30 years.  I don't think they make washers and dryers to last that long anymore.  Not even Maytags.

Are you someone who buys new, or keeps the old until it quits on you (like me)?  Honestly, I'm just kind of CHEAP and I want to make certain I get my money's worth.  I like to buy good quality items that will last.  So . . . how old is the stuff at your house?? 

48 YEARS

Today is my birthday.  Today I am 48.

I remember when 48 was old.  Now, I think its YOUNG!

I am overwhelmed by the e-mails, texts, phone calls, and facebook posts from so many wishing me a Happy Birthday.  It is a reminder to me of just how full my life is, and how blessed I am.  My cup runneth over.

My kids both treated me with great birthday presents, and my husband is taking me out to dinner.  Just the two of us.  That doesn't happen very often.  And I am so looking forward to spending the evening with him!

I am reminded today of how good God has been to me.  And how undeserving I am of His tremendous blessings.  I am so thankful that I belong to Him and that He has forgiven me of my sins and is right now preparing a place for me in heaven.

For now, I hope He gives me many, many, MANY more birthdays to spend with my friends and family.