8/24/12 Friday
I got an email this morning from a
reader of the blog. She expressed concern due to my not posting in a while. I
appreciate the reminder that this needs to be kept up with. Had started several
posts but never finished them as distractions moved me in other directions. So
here is a quick update.
Both
of the trucks are down, that now means I have three pickups sitting here not
running. We had replaced the radiator in one 90 days ago because it was leaking
water into the transmission fluid. One day I noticed the transmission was not
shifting right and that it no longer would go into high gear. When I pulled the
dipstick I found water again mixed in the transmission fluid along with flakes
of the transmission belts. Not good. Looks like the new radiator failed and
possibly that has cost me a transmission too. Went to the mechanic who put it
in and he said he could get the radiator replaced but the transmission was
another issue.
Meantime
the diesel truck again has a problem with the starter. I knew that the
flywheel, where the starter gear engages to spin the motor, had gotten a little
chewed up from the starter bolts breaking and bending twice. Crawling under the
truck I found that the starter bolts were once again bent. This is the fourth
set of bolts I had bought and put on. All of them came from the auto parts
store and specifically were packaged for starters. Looking at the packages I
see they are made in Taiwan. Obviously they are cheap steel and not up to the
grade required for a starter in a diesel motor. So I went to the dealership and
paid the high price for genuine GM parts. Unfortunately the damage to the
flywheel is now severe so the starter grinds when it hits the spots that are
chewed. I can start it, possibly, for an emergency but for now I think it’s is
best to leave the truck sit for if I drive somewhere I have no guarantee it
will start again.
I
am planting corn today. Been working on that for three days, preparing a new
area with in ground drip irrigation and sprinkling fertilizer on it. This corn
will come due in November so it is a race against the first freeze. Last year
the freeze got it. I have lots of corn seed that I harvested and scraped off
the cobs by hand. Almost a five gallon bucket full so there is plenty of seed
for next spring too.
The
wheat is still sitting waiting to be harvested. I had started doing that with a
small hand sickle but soon figured out that was pretty hard on my back. Cherie’s
nephew has a scythe up in Ohio he said I can have but he is pretty busy and it
hasn’t gotten put in the mail yet. Meantime we had a rare rain so the weeds
have sprung up with a vengeance all through where the wheat is. I also still
have some rye to harvest with the lawnmower but the lawnmower is on its last
legs and there are many other things to do that take priority over that.
God
has been expanding our horizons and introduced us to some new people. We gave
our testimony last Sunday evening at a home group led by some of the
foundational spiritual leaders in this area. I am not sure that is how they
view themselves but their roots reach to some great movements of spirituality
in this part of Texas. Had an enjoyable conversation with them after the home group
broke up for the night. It is nice to talk with those who know the Lord and are
not corrupted by so many of the forces that are at work these days. I suspect
that God has a reason for bringing us together and look forward to what will
come.
I
am starting training for another round of Kairos events in the prisons at Fort
Stockton and Lamesa. These always require a sacrifice in time but nothing good
comes without some cost. One of the seniors we help fell and broke her arm last
Sunday. We did not find out till Wednesday and Cherie went with me to visit her
last night. She is under pressure to move to her daughters area, which is
either in Houston or Louisiana. Mary is not anxious to move and would much
rather stay in the home her husband built. It is full of memories and the
accumulation of a lifetime lived there. She asked if we would be willing to do
an estate sale for her and we said we would be honored to help out in any way
we could. Cherie and I both let Mary know that we would like to provide all the
assistance we could to allow her to stay in this home.
Geneva
seems to be doing ok. For those who don’t know, she is another senior we serve
where we can. The puppy she gave us, because it was a little more than she
could handle, is doing well. Of course it has endeared itself to our hearts. I
fear for it regarding this highway we live next to that has claimed so many of
our pets, so we watch carefully whenever Maisey is out. Geneva has increasing health
problems coupled with financial straits caused by the annuity she had been sold
based on false promises of security that did not pan out. With both trucks out
of commission I am stuck at home and less able to get out and help these folks.
Plus I have been unable to visit the local jail, where I have been able to
minister to so many. It is frustrating
to be hampered serving others in so many ways.
That’s
it. I have work to do but wanted to at least get this post out. Cya next time
and I hope to be more regular with posts.
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