My First Cattle Sale

I was VERY excited when my father-in-law took me to my first cattle sale today!! The auctioneer talked so fast and the animals were paraded by so quickly that I couldn't really tell what was going on. I couldn't even tell who was bidding; I was just hoping that he didn't think that it was me!

I saw the most goats that I have ever seen in my life, a lot of cattle (including several rather fierce-looking bulls), a llama, and a few horses. It is a good thing that I did not bring my checkbook or we might have ended up with a scrawny brown and white goat with long ears, and a 20 year-old sick horse who was brought in by Animal Control (she sold for only $12.50). It was quite an experience!

Three of my favorite things...

My red-headed wife, my red truck, and my red-tongued dog.

Two Weeks From Today!!!

I can't believe that we will be in Guatemala two weeks from today!... Wow!!

God is continuing to teach us so much about His faithfulness and provision. Since our last report, our support has passed 70%! We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from so many people.

On Sunday the 16th, we were able to share about NLCH at St. Paul UMC. This past Sunday, Daniel preached and I told the stories of two of the children at NLCH at St. Mark's UMC. We were blessed by the warm and welcoming congregations!

This Friday, my parents are flying to Midland to spend a few days with us at the ranch and then we will all attend campmeeting in the Davis mountains next week. Daniel's family has attended this campmeeting for nearly 100 years! This will be my sixth year at campmeeting. I am so excited that my parents will be able to experience that special place. I am also looking forward to both sets of parents spending some time together. I know that we will have a great time and those days will provide some wonderful memories before Daniel and I leave for Guatemala.

More Ranch Pics

My Dad's sense of humor...

Dad, Kara, and a few of their hungriest friends

Getting Closer

We've passed another landmark with our support- we're now 60.4% of the way toward our goal!

For the Last Time

Today we turned in our U-Haul trailer for the 4th and final time...thankfully.

Our First Full Day at the Ranch

Daniel was very excited to return to "God's country!" He spent the day with his dad checking on the cattle and watering the pecan orchard. I spent the day unpacking (once again!) and trying to get things organized. It sure is hot here. It was 103 degrees today! We have already enjoyed some wonderful Tex-Mex meals -- thanks, Mom Harris!

Saying Goodbye to Nieces & Nephew

It was difficult to say goodbye to our nieces, Kaitlyn (4) & Kaedyn (9 months), and our nephew Kyle (2) after spending the last three weeks with them. They certainly liven things up! We had a lot of fun with them and will miss them very much!

On the Road Again

On the drive from St. Louis to Midland- this is the highlight of I-44 in Oklahoma- getting to drive through the world's largest McDonald's.

St. Louis

We've really been enjoying our time with Kara's family here in St. Louis. We got to go to a Cardinals' game at their new stadium on my birthday, and we've also been able to do a lot of things with Kara's parents and with her sister, Krista, and her husband and kids.

It was really a treat for us to be able to share at Kara's home church, Mid-Rivers Baptist Chapel, a couple of weeks ago. I got to preach the sermon and Kara got to share about the children's home and what we'll be doing there. It was neat to be able to do that with the people who played such a big role in shaping her faith while she was in middle school and high school. We're also looking forward to doing the same thing at the churches I grew up in in TX.

Right now we're preparing for a massive garage sale at the Holemans' house, which they're doing as a fundraiser for us. It always amazes me how much stuff we all have, and even more that there are people out there who want to buy it.

We're heading to TX next week- we'll be at the ranch and eating the finest Tex-Mex in the galaxy by Wednesday.