funeral

Thank you very much, everyone, for praying for us. We had an absolutely beautiful day for Mother's funeral. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 60's and there was no wind! Can you believe that for Jan.?(About 5:45 45mph winds hit) When Mother said she wanted a graveside service, I thought "We'll see what time of year it is and what the weather is like." All of the grandchildren and eight of the nine great grandchildren were able to be there. Jeanne and I are very glad that we went the week-end before to see her even though she could not talk to us and could not see us. We are sure she could hear us and knew we were there. She is now in a much better place. We will miss her. It seems strange to think that we are now the oldest generation in our family. A new phase of life has started. Ann

Helen's services

I'm sure most of you know that Ann's mother passed away yesterday morning. Graveside services will be Friday at 2pm at the rural Hackney cemetery just west of Highway 77 south of Winfield just after passing Strother Field. A lunch and time of visit will be at the First Methodist church in Winfield at 12pm. Ann says that's where we got married. (am i supposed to remember?) Memorials are to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or to a missionary family we are acquainted with (for more info get ahold of us) I suppose we will be going Thursday morning. We do thank you for the prayers of comfort for Ann and the whole family. Even though we knew it was coming it is still a time of loss and separation. Bob

Ann's mother

Ann and I do thank all of you for the prayers and thoughts of Ann's family. We just returned from Winfield this evening and thought this would be a good way to update you. Helen opened her eyes Friday afternoon when we got there and we thought she knew we were talking to her. We visited her off and on throughout the weekend and saw little change. She is comatose or nearly so most of the time. Jennifer held hands with her Saturday and she gripped Jennifer's hand. Today she was sleeping and did not respond. She is under Hospice care and has had no nourishment or fluids since probably Wednesday or Thursday. She does not seem to be in discomfort except when the aides turn her and clean her. She does have some nasty bedsores and is losing circulation to her legs.
Ann and Jeanne and Bill have made arrangements for a graveside service (her wishes) and the plan is for that to be held in the early afternoon.
Please join us in praying that her life on this earth ends soon and in comfort. I am thankful that I have known her as long as I have (actually longer than my own mother) and that she shared Ann with me. It is difficult to pray that someone's earthly life ends but in a situation like this it would be the best for her. Ann and her sister both said their goodbyes this afternoon before we left. We will miss her. Bob

Bill called us Friday afternoon while we were on our way to Winfield to say that Mother was definitely worse. We hurried to pick up Jeanne and head on to Winfield. I was afraid we might not make it in time. I called Bill again when we got close and he said that she was kind of stabilized and they were not taking her to the hospital. It was very disappointing not to be able to talk to her. She was in the hospital for a blood clot in Nov. and then moved to the rest home. When she got to the rest home she did not have a telephone; so I have not been able to talk to her for several weeks. Watching the aides turn her it seems to bother her quite a bit. The best thing would be for her to go quickly, but I am praying for God's timing. Thank you for praying for all of us. Love, Ann

Christmas ramblings

Over the hills, across the plains,through the woods to the city we go to Jennifer's house today. We're looking forward to the time spent with family and sharing love and gifts and just time with one another. How we are blessed!
We have about 2" of snow so travel may be slower than normal. Lots of snow right Carrie and Kim? Ann is planning to spend the day with Jennifer cooking and preparing the Christmas Feast. With all the sweets and candies that we already have eating isn't too exciting. Man-we really raked in the sweets.. Russell's wife (our employee) fixed a huge basket of candied foods. Ann's cousin sent a Tower of candy as well as several cheese and snack items. I lost a few pounds while Ann was teaching but I suppose that's ancient history with all this food.
We do pray for safety in travel for all in transit today and look forward to the time together with grandchildren, children, parents, sister and her family. We offer a special prayer for Mike and Dana in this time of movement to a new home and envirnoment. From reading Mike's notes people in Alabama must drive a little more reasonably than those in New Mexico. When you're driving 85 mph in the slow lane, things are moving pretty fast-right-Mike.
Anyway-enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus and the fellowship of believers and the love of family and friends.. Bob and Ann

This didn't turn out right I know but Lane was out this weekend and he and I decided to build a crane to rival the ones being used at the wind farm. We thought it turned out pretty well so decided to share with you all. We had fun -he helped me get through gates scraping pens and he thought it was great to be able to herd cattle by himself. He and Grandma Ann filled the cookie jar (yeah) and I finally convinced him he needed to ask his sister to feed his chickens. He really asked her nicely and she had already taken care of it. Chickens in town-he's convinced the sheriff is going to knock on his door! We had about 4" of snow Thursday (light and no accumulation, of course) by Friday afternoon it was mostly gone and Sat and Sunday have been great.

We got a load of cattle from far south Louisana from a customer Tuesday. The truck broke down in Texas and it was 5 hours before another truck got there. They were on a truck for at least 36 hours when they got here. They walked like drunken sailors but filled up and look decent now. The next 3 weeks will tell the tale.

Our church addition is pretty much enclosed-lacking the tie in to the existing roof and the plan this week is to start pulling wires and putting insulation in the walls. The fast part has been done and now it will seem to take forever.

We're looking forward to Christmas in Hutch and are praying for good weather and safe travel.

See a lot of you there-Merry Christmas Bob

Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? Did you get asked that question yearly as a child in Sunday School or Grade school? As adults we often take many things for granted as we learn from experience that probably all things will turn out well. God's Grace, Mercy and Love are things that come to my mind that we take for granted until reminded of them. We know that eternity with Him is available only through His Son. Personal things I am thankful for are our family of course( there you go-you are taken for granted). God in His wisdom brought Ann and I together and we will celebrate our 40th in August. What Goodness! Our parents led us in the correct paths as children and I thank them for that. Our daughters and families are a great blessing and source of enjoyment. How we are thankful to have them nearby. Dad is getting to celebrate his 85th year this year and I am thankful for his wisdom and leadership over the years. God gave me an occupation where I can be outside and witness His Glory in the beatuiful sunrises and sunsets and the greatness of His creation. I need to run and get to our church for the Thanksgiving dinner there. One year ago God laid it on my heart that we as a congregation should do this for those who might otherwise eat this special dinner alone and I am especially thankful for Ann and the others making this happen. Thank You God for all you have done for us!!!Bob

Hey-Harvest is finished!! Not a great harvest but we do give thanks for what God has given. I got the combine home about 4 PM and am glad to be done. If there are any volunteers to clean the combine and headers, we would be glad to have visitors. That's a job I always dread.
Next item is to get the cow herd ready for winter. I actually have'nt been to the ranch for 12 days and plan to go tomorrow. We need to preg check, vaccinate and de worm the cows and we will bring some here for about 60 days to graze corn stalks and other crop residues.
Ann is busy making bears and subbing until Christmas break other than grandma time with the Hutch bunch next week. Forecast is for lite snow this week-I guess it's time but snow is not my favorite thing.
The wind farm towers 6 south is beginning to go up and it's interesting to watch the huge crane lift the pieces up. We can actually see the crane from here and the towers as they rise. There will be 33 chargers and the towers will be something like 300' tall and the blade will clear the ground by 115'. The south horizion is changing. Bob