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Farming on Sundays

No one likes working 7 days a week,

365 days a year.

However at least twice a day cows have to be milked,

so the Farmer works....even on Sundays.

Our boys have learned that while others may go to the park,

visit the mall,

or just lay around...on Sunday the cows still have to be milked

and Momma's gonna take you to church.

If the Farmer didn't work this girl would be very hungry since he ensures she (and all the others)

have plenty of hay, water and feed twice a day.

Not only would they be hungry but their bags (where the milk is stored) would be uncomfortably full. Are you (or have you been) a breast feeding mom? Baby all of a sudden sleep a few extra hours? Imagine 24? Yeah it hurts...milking the cows at least twice a day keeps them comfortable.

More Sundays than we care to admit the Farmer doesn't make church with the rest of us. So we stop by the farm afterwards for lunch and family time. Our farmboys love this!

They enjoy feeding baby calves, playing on rock piles, and just helping out in general.

Here's a Monday Memory of our oldest Farmboy and one of our Guernsey milk cows.

He has a busy week showing 5 of the next 7 days.

This will be the first time he's ever shown at our state fair...

and believe it or not he's showing a Guernsey as his showmanship heifer.

So until next time...

Caci

Summer Sundays coming to an end

Tomorrow marks the end of the "official" summer season for many. For us down here it seems like summer just showed up last week. We have had an unseasonably cool summer with lots of rain. Which is good for many but is a double edged sword for farmers.

Our church celebrates homecoming the 1st Sunday of September each year and this year was no different. Today brought friends and families home to our church to worship and fellowship together. I hate that our family had to miss the fellowship time as our oldest has caught a stomach bug. He spilled his cookies twice before service started (once in the church parking lot) so William took him to his parents and the baby & I went to service. I had to teach children's church today otherwise we probably all would have headed out and not gotten to see anyone.

As I look back over this summer season smiles come to my face, tears to my eyes and joy & sorrow to my heart.

We began summer by heading south to Florida to attend my nephew's high school graduation.

We were able to spend some much needed time with my sister and her family plus take the boys to the ocean.

Wyatt helped his daddy at the farm every weekday this summer

Went to some minor league baseball games

We had the baby's baptism

Baled & hauled hay and straw between the storms

had an amazing Vacation Bible School at church

Spent some time relaxing at the pool

while Wyatt learned to swim

PawPaw celebrated his 83rd birthday

Wyatt learned that sometimes farms change when we decided after 22 years of having sheep to sell the remainder for the flock

We were able to spend time with friends who we don't see nearly enough and are counting down the days until they are back state side.

I got a new office and moved to a new building

Wyatt started Kindergarten

And football season kicked off

William and I celebrated our 8th anniversary.

But through all that joy there was sorrow and pain as well.

My great uncle passed away at the age of 93. He was one of the biggest influences in my life. He taught me how to drive a truck, never fussing because I scraped the entire passenger side of his truck with a post when I misjudge the gate. Or when I didn't catch that cow & calf the first 10 times we tried.

We still have acres and acres of hay that needs to be cut. And some fields with the 1st cutting of hay still in it. SC has been declared a disaster area due to the amount of rain we have received this summer. Our livestock rely on this hay through the winter months to help provide them with enough to eat.

One of my closest friends sent her sweet baby girl home to Jesus before we ever had a chance to really meet her. I can't imagine the pain of coming home from the hospital empty handed. I still cry for her daily. I can't begin to fathom how she is getting through the day.

Our niece got so close (within 18 hours) to getting a much needed kidney transplant to discover the donor kidney was not going to be the best choice for her. So again they wait... The emotional roller coaster for her parents is huge. The excitement, disappointment, hope, and discouragement is more than many can handle.

But through all of it we learn more about ourselves and God's plan for our life. As I laid in bed the other night with tears streaming William gently reminded me that our life is God's will and no matter how much we plan if it isn't in his plan it will not be accomplished. He also reminded me of this verse:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, ESV)

and that God doesn't ask us to do anything by ourselves.

So how has your summer been? How has God worked in your life? Watch out for a post later this week about how God used Jennie Allen's book "Anything" to help me through the summer.

Until next time,

Caci

Homecoming Sunday

Today was homecoming at our tiny church in McConnells. The church began in 1842 and has helped to raise generations of my husband's family and now helping us to raise or little man. Of course if you know us at all you know we were LATE as usual. The Y-man was having issues of what to wear this morning and I was still feeling a little under the weather. We finally made it to Sunday school about 9:50 or 10 a.m. Even though we were late we did have a great lesson. Our class is reading the book "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges. It is really an eye opener and causes one to reflect on their actions.

It amazes me each year how many people gather in the tiny church to celebrate and worship with each other. We were packed each row filled with people who somehow, someway had a connection with this tiny brick church. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Al Ward from a sister church just down the road in Lowrys. He did an excellent job of reminding us that we have never felt the punishment that those in the Bible felt for worshiping God, we are comfortable in our faith and that needs to change. We need to understand that comfort leads to a life that doesn't depend on God but uses him as a casual acquaintance instead of the bread of life.

I know personally I have let my faith slip from time to time and need a gentle (okay maybe a hard) kick to get back to where I am walking with God in the way he desires instead of in the way that is easiest for me.

Of course after the wonderful sermon we all gather to eat lunch on the grounds, and I have to say it was the most beautiful afternoon to do so. There was a light breeze and comfortable temperatures to keep everyone happy and enjoying fellowship with friends from near and far. We all enjoyed the delicious food that was prepared so lovingly, especially Ms. Beck's Banana pudding and Mrs. Salder's homemade bread.

After a nice long time of fellowship we said our goodbyes and William headed to work on a cattle trailer that needed repairing and Wyatt and I headed south to Lowrys to help a 4-H'er shear her two lambs for an upcoming show.

I am always delighted to help a new exhibitor prepare for their first show but this little girl is special. Court, is a freshman in high school, and showing comes as easy for her as talking. She is a natural in the showring however she needed a little encouragement to really feel comfortable. I think she will do a wonderful job next weekend and can't wait to let you know the outcome.

I even got to spend a little time with Rachel today just shooting the breeze and discussing school, life, and of course boys (what else does a 15 year old girl talk about). I am happy to hear that it seems she is learning more about herself and what is important to her. She understands she doesn't need a boyfriend to be popular or happy. She is also learning some hard lessons as well about friendship, trust and honesty. It amazes me that she is still willing to open up and discuss her life with me, I know one day this might pass so I soak it all up while I can.

As another day draws to a close I am thankful for what God has provided for my family and I. Tomorrow we are headed to Newberry for a Jersey sale to help raise money for the Skill-a-thon team to go to nationals. I am hoping to get the little man down and out for the count shortly so I can organize my living room, grade a few hundred papers (no that is not an exaggeration) and possibly get a few items pieced together so I can sew tomorrow evening.

Until next time...have a wonderful evening and thank the Lord for the blessings in your life,

The Farm Wife

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Farming on Sundays

Summer Sundays coming to an end

Homecoming Sunday

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