Breaking Things Down

I suppose when most people move they do not take their house with them. That probably applies to everyone but me! I am a chronic "saver" of stuff. This move has got to be my last. God only knows what I've been thinking, but I have the salvage rights to the home we sold. After having lived there for nine years(and previously stayed there a lot after I bought it for the folks)I grew very fond of many parts. So, I've been in destruct mode for weeks. The old living room(3\4 inch tongue and groove oak paneling)is moving with us to become the walls of the new studio. The master bedroom is moving with us to become a guest room, and all of the other parts and pieces I can pull out within the next few days will become part and parcel of "The Project." The best part of the whole process happened the other day when Gordon(lead guitar)and I were attempting to salvage the 5' X 9' mirror that adorned the east wall of the living room. It was way heavier than either of us expected. I kicked a bucket out of the way, Gordon zigged, I zagged, and I only wish we had the foresight to have a recorder running! The crash was enormous. It was one of those once in a life time sounds that will never be forgotten. We looked at each other and for the first time since we've been together neither of us was laughing---at least not for a moment. What a relief not to have to find a place for that mirror in the new home. I will for sure cut a piece of it out and save it for future use, but the 45 square feet that really had nowhere to go are now gone. Whoosh!!! What a project! Mirrors are amazing in what they reflect. God also is amazing in the manner in which He reflects His love through us if we are obedient and let it shine. We have to get the project completed. It is already getting very close to freezing at night out here on the Great American Desert, and like the squirrels we have to get our house in order before it is 20 degrees below zero. I've been riding the HD Ultra back and forth to the old place as I tear out the guts of the house. That is a blessing! The early morning air and the crisp temps bring me fully alive. That plus the thunder of the pipes on the road make the day begin sweetly. I am worn and I am tired, but at this point I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps one day God will heal me of my "saving" affliction. As for now I am quite content to save what I can of the past as I prepare for the future, and that includes folks that are lost, also. Many prayers go out tonight for daughters struggling, and friends suffering. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

It's Been A Long Time

My last entry was July 3rd and I was in the process of an amazing amount of construction. That isn't over, yet! I took a break from the "Home Work" to attach a hitch to our Pontiac Transport Mini Van. I remembered a blog I did a while back while wrenching on the HD Ultra while I was down under the van. The work came out well and the hitch really, really works. LOL.....I do miss being out here on the net several times a week, but that will change. We are almost finished at the old house, except for moving the ducks and the barn. I still have salvage work to do(the plan now is to tear the whole house down in about ten days. I'm sort of glad of that. I bought the home for my folks, and then moved into it because renting just doesn't work well. That was nine years ago this fall. Now we have a virtual palace that has only to be completed. I am now the chief electrician, plumber, carpenter, and all round work person. That is why I saved a few hundred dollars by installing the hitch myself. What the hey, I have the tools and the hands for it. The best part of the whole process has been the umptine reminders of how much God has truly blessed my life.
We did take a few days off for the rally in Sturgis. That led to a booking for our musical talents at the dedication of the Avenue of Flags at the geographical center of America in BelFourche, SD. So we were out west for a short time, and then returned for several days culminating in a rousing performance on Sunday for a church that was sans pastor. That was also a reminder of just how much I enjoy sharing God's word and how good He has been in both of our lives. Moments in time-we all have them. Mine was watching Cheryl perform the National Anthem while I played the trumpet to one of our pre-recorded(I do that, too)backgrounds. Fun! that is what life is all about when it is lived according to God's plan and in accordance with His will. I know we aren't always exactly certain what that will is, but if left to my own devices I know without a doubt I would be lost. I pray that your summer has been a "good one" and that you are living with God's Grace ever in your midst. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Independence Day Approaches

My time has been being burned on the "project" as it has moved toward final phases. We signed the papers on the place Tuesday. It is now ours 100%(and the bank, of course). A fall taken in the basement hall has slowed my ability to keep working 10 hour days. The prayers of friends and family have sustained me in the midst of the healing process. I pray that part is about over. Deadlines were met. Inspections have come off better than expected. Even the electrical got a green stamp of approval. Still there is much to do and a year from now we should have it all completed. This is our moving month. I replaced my old(7 months)drivers license with a new one with our correct new address yesterday. I might not have to have done that right away, but it seems my wife, Cheryl, borrowed my license to validate purchases on my account at Lowe's and forgot where she put it! LOL!!! Anyway that was a well spent few hours yesterday during which I had the opportunity to peruse home magazines and found some wonderful ideas. I pray that your celebration of the 4th of July is a good one and that you and yours are all safe and happy on this holiday weekend. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Tried, Tired, Tied!!!

>The thing is never the "thing" or so a pastor friend of mine has informed me. We are almost done with jumping through the financial hoops. It seems that there are a of licensed folks in the world that take exception to a country preacher doing his own wood work. I have been checked once a week to make sure that I meet "code" expectations. Duh.....I grew up playing with unfinished blocks of wood. If one piles them up and they fall down then you try again. Had I had the advisers I have now I probably would have been in group therapy since age three.

So, my exertions have now met the acceptance of the county, state and local officials. Whoosh!!! What a relief. Now I shall remit pics of what has been continuing to happen before I subscribed to an anxiety attack of enormous proportions. Yeah, "I KNOW IT AIN'T A POLE BARN AND IT IS WITHIN THE COUNTY'S JOURISDICTION!!!' Give me a break. I have busted my nether regions making this acceptable, and everyone has a problem. There will come a point in time when I may deign to assume persecution on a faith basis. Nonetheless I continue to persevere.
Many thanks for all the prayers offered on our behalf. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Time: Never Enough

Things we would like to do seem always to take more time than we would prefer. This past week I was too worn and weary to update my blog. The results of too many hours on a ladder and too much time invested making that which is old new again! Once again I am experiencing the fatigue that comes from hours setting walls in the addition to our 100 year old "victorian" home. God has been good to us, and the energy and stamina are holding true to form. Each day that I put behind me shows on the exterior person and the one that resides within. Muscles that have long been forgotten have ceased their daily screaming and acquired a new taste for life at the top of 14 foot ladders. Amazingly enough, the rest of me continues to adapt to the tasks and perform them without undue stress. My greatest pleasure now comes from the light that I know is at the end of this particular tunnel. Life is like that, as well, we look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Should you have any doubts, please know that my Savior, Christ the King, God's only Son, is the light at the end of the tunnel of life for each of us. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Long Days

I can't show you what is happening because I have not had time to take pictures. My right arm went down due to overexertion so the work goes on at a slower pace. Needless to say the expectations and visions I had concerning the old house continue to materialize. It is a wonder to me to walk in and see it coming together. Eldest grandson, Matthew, graduates this coming weekend so progress may be impeded by the deluge of relatives coming to celebrate with us. Many of them have offered to stat a few extra days to assist us in the work so I may have time for photos by Sunday. As always I give thanks to God for His ability to provide for us even when the body grows weak. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

This Is Spring?

We are so at work on the project home! Snickers does not want to stay home, but he is not really happy with the temperatures where we are working. My wife, Cheryl, picked up our electric space heater for the day due to the low temps where she is wall papering. Snickers was quite happy to sit in front of the heater and cuddle up in the blankets, his opinion is much the same as mine: It is "too" dang cool! We are moving forward with the project(although not as fast as my wife would like), really good work takes time and thought. I do both, but not as swiftly as she would prefer. Today is "Mother's Day" and there is a lot that goes with that thought. We all have one(OR HAD ONE)and they are very special for a variety of reasons. Mine was always supportive and loving, even though we had a combined penchant for bourbon after 2 am. Ma was the very best she could be! For all of the folks I have shared time with throughout the years please know that the love for "mom" never stops. We do what we do and then try to stay warm, like Snickers. Love is an everlasting emotion. Praise the Lord we have been given a Savior by the Grace of God that sees each of us in the light of forgiveness. A mother's love is unending. God's love is unceasing. If you are in need of either there is no quicker way to find that love than to open your heart and sit on your knees. They may hurt from the day's extensions, but the reward is worth the effort! In Christ's Love, Preacher.