Clint had a good Father's Day and birthday. He received communications gear that he requested. Due to CoVid, he's had to work more hours which at first was OK, but now the family is ready for some normalcy and more time together. Clint was presented with a very challenging project, and it took some time, but he ACED it winning a lot of respect and accolades. He was told the coronavirus Hero Pay he was receiving will end since the state is opening more, but if it shuts down, he will continue to receive the Hero Pay. Then, a couple of days later, he was told the place he works is in a higher risk zone. We are waiting to see if they reinstate the Hero Pay.
Brandon got one of his Beetles running. He sold a second of the three VW Bugs he purchased. He also purchased the Kia which was in the blog. He has a man who offered to purchase his truck for $5k. The man is working to raise the money. He also got his Jeep put back together and running. All of this was possible since he was able to work from home during the coronavirus shutdown. There are other things he accomplished around his home, but I could not keep track of it all. He was back to working out of his office, but now he is back home due to the higher risk of CoVid. Brandon been blessed by the Lord in an unexpected way, but I can not share about it yet.
Amanda volunteered to help out while a co-worker was called away to help with coronavirus. She has been taking on extra 12 hour night shifts to cover his four month long absence. She's been purchasing new appliances, furniture, and also bought a new pet. The new pet was a very pretty corn snake. Only, the corn snake let itself out of the tank and is now free inside of Amanda's house. We're laughing about it. (For the first time, I am glad she does not live at home anymore. LOL!) She's not been around as much due to the increased hours, but she texts all of us daily. Our group texts keep her informed of happenings in the family, and she can read them once she is awake. She prays over us while she works. She also has an uncanny knack for coming home when food is cooking too! Her OT should end at the end of August when the co-worker comes back from helping out in areas hard hit by CoVid.
Joshua has been in charge of the kitchen at the very fast paced restaurant where he works. For his first day as kitchen manager, they gave him the day where they went back to the full menu and started running all of the equipment again. It was a crazy day! He enjoyed the responsibility and was told he did very well with it. This was part of his training to take a managerial role. It will probably be a good while before he can assume the role since CoVid has slowed so much down, but at least he is seeing progress on this front. Joshua has a very busy social life. He is always headed to this party or out with a girl or hanging around with a friend. He and Caleb are both in high demand! Joshua often brings home meals and treats for his three little sisters. Joshua is very thoughtful and generous!
Caleb still has both of his jobs at the restaurant. He has taken on a third role which is training other employees which increases his pay. Caleb is forever working on the many projects he has which earn him money on the side. He and Joshua regularly play paintball and airsoft with a group of young people. Caleb just repaired the air conditioner in his truck himself with some guidance from Clint. He recently paid for a young man (8 years older than Caleb) to target practice with airsoft with him. He asked the young man to pick up and reset the cans one time. The ungrateful and lazy young man complained about having to do it. Caleb provided the guns, ammo, cans, and had reset the cans all of the other many rounds. When the young man complained, Caleb called him on it and told him the guns were being put up. All of the sudden, the young man was eager to reset the cans, but Caleb put the guns away. "Learn to be grateful for what is given to you." This young man had shown his ungratefulness and laziness many times before. Once was in Amanda's home where she asked for help washing dishes to the meal she purchased, cooked, and served. The young man was very rude to Amanda. Caleb held his tongue because he was angry, but he said something to him later when they were alone. Hopefully Caleb's lessons will take root. Caleb is a brave and bold individual who is quick to stand up for what is right.
Bethany hitches a ride along with her brothers as often as she can, so she has a busy social life too. They love taking her along. She's slowed down on her college courses. While she really liked the idea of graduating from college at an age much younger than most which was her goal, she told us she wanted to go slower and enjoy just being a young girl hanging with her family for a while longer. She feels rushing through, for her, would be a mistake. This time will pass and not return. That takes a lot of maturity to realize and speak up about, so we are proud of her. I think CoVid shutting down so much has influenced her change of heart. She's still drawing (mushrooms currently) and has been a tremendous help in the garden. The girl loves grilled green tomatoes. Well, she loves any tomato! I've shared with her how much her grandmother, Midge, enjoyed "mater sandwiches." I grow grape tomatoes just for her and love watching her eat them.
Emily asked for and received Ford Mustang gifts and art supplies for her 13th birthday! Yep, our beloved Yiddee has turned into a teenager! Her character is really shining, and we see great things ahead for her. She has really stepped up to help out around our home, farm, in our ministry, and is a big help with projects for ourselves and friends. I love listening to her as she shares her innermost thoughts because what is blossoming is a beautiful heart for the Lord and others. She loves going anywhere her brothers will take her, and they are taking her to play Airsoft at Swamp Fun Park with their friends very soon. She will be the youngest player in the group, but everyone has assured us they will look out for her. We know the owner, and he is good about safety for the younger players.
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Bobby, my friend from elementary school, owns all six Let's Play Paintball locations. I think highly of him and mention it because I don't want to get in trouble again. :-) Love ya, Bobby! Gave you a little free advertising!
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Hannah is a delight to talk with because she is both serious and humorous in a cute package. She still loves her precious Yiddee and does everything she can with her. These girls very rarely argue with one another. The last time they had a serious disagreement was over three years ago, and it was over in less than an hour. They are extremely close! Their relationship is such a joy and blessing to witness. I hope they value, cherish, and protect their relationship always. Hannah is really good at seeking out the ripe vegetables and has been taking on more and more cooking projects. She scarfs down zucchini fritters!
As summer ends, I will be away from home more as I help friends with their homes and doing some hauling back and forth. Clint and I have been getting away to our spots in Kings Creek and along the East River along with some visits to other places. I highly recommend Tides Inn on Carter's Creek as a place to get away and relax. They have redesigned their rooms, and it is really nice. It's a bonus that we know some of the people who work there. That Asbell and I have been taking at least one long weekend away together every month.
The garden is really producing, so we four ladies at home are keeping exhaustingly busy. Our main garden is 2700 square feet, and it is intensively planted. Our front deck alone has over 150 plants. There are other areas planted all over our acreage. It's a big job, but I get much more out of it than gardening.
We are behind on a massive amount of yard work, but that might work out for the better. I am going to cut and dry "artisan hay" for my rabbits with my new electric hedge trimmers because what I have been getting in 2020 is horrible. The goats and rabbits will only eat about 1/3 of it.
After taking a long break from it, I've been raising puppies again. We currently have two litters with three more coming soon. If interested, send me an email (header). I have started hundreds of vegetable plants indoors for our fall garden and will put that "in" as soon as the summer crops come out. I have a huge painting project I am responsible for (a friends interior) and after that, plan to paint several rooms in my own home. Then I have outdoor structure to paint. Sooner or later, I plan to overhaul my kitchen too.
My ministry to women who have had baby losses has evolved over the last couple of years. I now also have a ministry to several young women who are new wives and/or mothers. Some of these young ladies lost babies and found me that way, and it just grew from word of mouth. My heart is very tender towards these precious young women's friendships, especially those who have a heart for the Lord.
When the heat is extreme like this, it makes extra work on those of us at home because we do routine checks on our pets and livestock and give them fresh cold water which takes about an extra hour each time we go out. Some of the animals get cold treats to help cool down their core longer. The rabbits really suffer during these days. We had a litter of bunnies born, but I do not expect the kits to live due to the extreme temperatures. We also have to water our deck garden twice a day in this heat and the main garden needs watering. Just the main garden takes about an hour to an hour and a half to water.
That's enough to keep everyone reading for a few minutes! :-)
Love to all of you from all of us.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
