Fort Woth Stock Show

Our kids showed their Limousin heifers at the recent Fort Worth Stock Show. We took three heifers that we had raised. One placed 3rd in a very competitive class. Another placd 2nd in her class, and could have justfiably placed 1st. The third was in the youngest class and she won her class. She went on to be named Division Champion and was later named Reserve Grand Champion Limousin Heifer!

We were very thankful, and to be honest, a little surprised. We knew that we had some good heifers and we thought we might even have a chance to win a class or two. However, as we were standing in the waiting area, about to show for Grand Champion, I told Jessica that we had a good heifer but that there were some other good heifers who were further along the road. (It is rare for a heifer from the youngest class to be named Grand or Reserve Grand Champion.)

We beat some heifers that cost $10,000-20,000! We are thankful that we were able to enjoy a little success doing something that we love.

If you happen to raise cattle, we have other show heifers for sale as well as breeding females and some really high quality bulls.

Living on the Edge

I like living on the edge! Back in the day, that brought about some pretty irresponsible behavior. Praise God, who mercifully allowed me to live through it all.

Today, "living on the edge" means something completely different. I like making decisions that stretch my faith, that leave me wondering if I will make it or not. Decisions that feel like they are based on the will of God, but that make no sense from a wordly perspective. Decisions that seem like they are destined to bring about hardship unless God intervenes according to His will.

I recently made such a decision. I don't know yet what the outcome will be. It has only been a few days since the decision was made. What I do know is that if it is the will of God, nothing will stand in the way of a positive outcome.

I also believe that the real benefit to me is not determined by the outcome, but by the fact that I made the decision with God's will first and foremost in my mind! It feels good to trust in God and to lay it out there for Him!

Lord I love you! May your will be done and may you continue to open my eyes so that I might understand your will for my life!

I encourage you to live on the edge! I encourage you to lay it out there for God and trust that His will will bring about what is best for the Kingdom and for your life!

Persevere in faith!
----Greg

Where's God?

11:00 P.M. - Phone rings - Dog's eye has been knocked out of socket, needs help
11:15 - Arrive at clinic and take in patient
12:20 A.M. - Leave clinic
12:25 - Get home
2:00 - Finally get to sleep
5:30 - Alarm goes off - wake Melanie
5:40 - Turn on coffee pot
5:43 - Eat breakfast
6:05 - Leave to feed cows
7:30 - Get home in time to flash the "I love you" sign to family as they leave for school
7:40 - Shave, shower and dress for work
8:20 - Arrive at clinic
8:35 - Begin surgeries
11:00 - See appointments
12:00 P.M. - Write up surgeries in patient's files
12:40 - Talk to roofer about replacing roof at home and clinic
1:00 - Lunch
1:30 - Leave to feed show calves their "evening" meal
2:30 - 13 minute nap
2:43 - Alarm goes off
2:44 - Rise and dress for Jessica's volleyball game
3:20 - Melanie, Faith, Hope and Granny get home from school
3:25 - Much hurrying, encouraging and prodding
3:30 - Leave for Volleyball game 100 miles away
6:45 - Game over
7:00 - Gattiland for pizza with the team
8:00 - Leave for home
10:00 - Drop Melanie Faith, Hope and Granny at home
10:20 - Pick up Jessica at the Jr. High
10:35 - Last minute homework for Jessica and Faith, crying and "encouraging"
11:00 - Bed
12:20 A.M. - Sleep


Where's God in all of this? What am I doing for our relationship? Am I just expecting Him to keep up with me? Sure, there has been a few moments of serious prayer in the car and from time to time throughout the day, but am I really giving our relationship the attention that it deserves?

Please pray that I will rearrange my schedule to reflect my priorities. Pray that I will give my relationship with God the time that it deserves. Thanks in advance! God bless,
----Greg

Praise the Lord!

It finally rained! We have had somewhere between 4 and 5 inches of rain in the last 7-9 days. You can not believe the transformation in the appearance of the pastures! What had the appearance of death just two weeks ago now looks alive and full of hope. The brown grass that crunched underfoot is now giving way to sprouts of fresh green vegetation.

I honestly don't know how anyone involved in agriculture could help but believe in God! It is so obvious that we have no control over rain and the new life that it brings. It would seem that farmers and ranchers would be the prayin'est people around. Without God we are hopeless!

We also have reason to praise God for Melanie's good report from the doctor. About three weeks ago she had a biopsy and we had never heard anything from the doctor. This did not surprise us, because his office has been very difficult to communicate with throughout our association with them. However, last week she had a follow up visit and he said the he did not see any signs of cancer cells in the tissue that was taken and that he felt like he had gotten the area in question.

As I have praised God in these good circumstances, the thought occurred to me that we also need to praise Him during the drought and at times when all is not well in our lives. He is worthy of our praise at all times! May you continue to praise Him, regardless of what circumstances you find yourself in today. God bless,
----Greg

Drought

Well, it has been quite some time since I last posted. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure how to do it. This is still in the expermental stage.

Our family is doing well. I'm sure you are aware, but Texas is in the middle of a terrible drought. Being a rancher I am very aware of the lack of grain. The pastures look worse than I have ever seen them. I have been forced to sell some of my cattle at much reduced prices because of the lack of grass. i have heard stories of ranchers who have sold out completely because they are completely out of water. The hay situation is also desperate. As I write I am waiting for a truck to bring me some large round bales from about 160 miles away. The price is high, but it may mean that I can hold onto my cattke for another year.

While we realize that there are many people in the world you a suffering worse than we are, we ask you to pray that creator God will bless us with the rain that we so desperatly need.

Thanks to all who commented previously. I hope to be able to post a little more frequently (In all of my spare time. ;) ).

God bless!

Hey,

This is my first attempt at blogging. I am not sure this even works. If you are out there and happen to stumble on this, let me hear from you. Until the, God bless!