I am so incredibly blessed. The things that have been happening to me are too overwhelming to even begin to understand. I actually called my Pastor and pretty much cried on his shoulder over the phone. I told him that I didn’t understand what was going on. I know I’m starting in the middle in working outward, so let’s review going backwards in time. Some of this you will remember:

–First, the first chunk of fence fell down and that had to be fixed to keep the puppy dogs in.
-Then, the water heater went out, right?
-Then, the branch from my tree fell in the neighbor’s yard. (Big Branch!)
-Then they came and did an A/C check and discovered a leak in my A/C unit.
-Next came the busted deck belt on the lawn mower.
-Then the cake topper – while the A/C guys were here, this little white pickup truck pulls up and a man from the city comes over to me and hands me a letter. The letter says, “It has come to our attention that your fence is in disrepair (the rest of the apocalypse fence) and you have 10 days to remove it or fix it or face a fine of $25 a day. If you ignore this after 10 days it’s $50 a day. After another 10 days $75 a day and then $100 a day. You can call to discuss this matter or discuss an extension.”

Well, to say that I am upset at this point is probably the understatement of the WORLD! So, I read the name of the person who signed the letter (man that name looks familiar) and immediately, heart racing, hands shaking, call this lady. But, I am a Christian gentleman, always. And I look at the pictures that came along with said letter and realize that they are all of the BACK of my property and I know EXACTLY what is going on. My back neighbors have filed a complaint. Okay, the lightbulb has come on. And knowing that I am dealing with “THE GOVERNMENT” I know what I am going to try to do. Remember boys and girls, I work for the Federal Government. This is the City Government. Different but the same.

My algorithm works like this. Always ask for twice what you really want. If I want my budget to be $2000 at work, I always ask for $4000. Almost invariably they give me half of what I ask for. Therefore, I get what I need. And if for some reason, the Fairy Godmother department is at work that day and I get what I ask for, alls the better.

So, I get the lady on the phone and I sweetly explain the situation to her about the water heater, the air conditioner and the lawn mower and I ask her pretty please, if I could have a 60 day extension, knowing that I could probably have what she needs done, or what I think she needs done in 30 days.

“Oh! I don’t know. I’ll have to ask my boss. I’ve never heard of a 60 day extension.” She comes back on the line in like a minute and a half. “He says that’s fine, but we’ll need to see some sort of progress in 30 days. We’ll be out on the 2nd of July to inspect.” That’s great! We’ll be done by then.

So then I get on the phone with my Pastor and cry on his shoulder and he reminds me of James 1:2-3 after I told him that I didn’t know if I was doing something really good and Satan was trying to step on me or if I was doing something really bad and God was trying to teach me a lesson. I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the James quote, even though he actually quoted it to me. But if you remember, as I’ve mentioned to you before, God always teaches me a lesson 3 times. Here’s James “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.” In other words, wait on God and He will bring you to joyful understanding, lacking in nothing that you need. And then the next line in James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God wasn’t done answering me, yet. That’s one.

So, last night at the jail, what are we studying? James chapter 5. I tell my ministry partner before we go in everything that’s going on, making the same comment about not knowing if I’m doing something good or something bad, etcetera. It’s my turn to read and we get to verses 10 and 11 – “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” There’s that steadfastness again. And the text of the lesson is ALL ABOUT IT. Even referring us to Romans chapter 5:3-4 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” More steadfastness.

And Ron, my partner, is digging me in the ribs the whole time I’m reading going, “See! See! What’s God telling you? See!” So that’s Two, right?

So, those of you who have followed along with me this whole time and have paid attention are probably think to yourselves, “but at the very beginning you said how incredibly blessed you are…um…ain’t seein’ it so far there boss.” Well, here it goes, and it amounts to number 3, also.

I spoke with my Pastor. I spoke with my son. And I spoke with my deputy at work. I spoke with other people as well, but let’s start with those three.

My son belongs to the Freedom Riders motorcycle group and they help out Veterans. And he thinks he can get some guys from the club up here to supply the man power to pull out the old fence and put up the new.

My deputy at work also happens to own a dumpster company and he’s going to supply us with a dumpster. I don’t know if it’s going to be at cost or regular price, but just being able to get a dumpster out here at this time of year in the middle of all this construction is a blessing in and of itself.

My Pastor … first of all he spoke with the church board and he said it’s because I do so much for the church, but I think he’s pulling my leg because I don’t think I do that much for the church, but without going into all the detail, the church through different paths is going to donate 150 of fence through some package that they found. I’m not sure yet whether that will be enough, but that is one heck of a start. Plus he’s talking to the Men’s group to also get volunteers out here to help (won’t that be a chance for ministering between the motorcycle group and the men’s church group). PLUS he called me last night and asked me, “hey would you mind if while you are at work tomorrow (which was today) if we come out (we was him and one other guy) and clear out all the brush around the fence to make it easier for the guys to come out work on the fence?” Would I mind?! Mind you…Pastor is 65 and the guy he brought with him is in his 50s. I’m not sure what I expected when I got home, but I was completely overwhelmed. They even cut my back lawn that I didn’t get to because the lawn mower broke before I could!!! It looks like a park back there now!!! They must’ve been out there for ten hours, just the two of them! I called him to thank them and you know what he tells me?! Yeah, only took us about 2 … 2 1/2 hours. It would’ve taken me 2 1/2 weeks! Good ole farmer boys!

And that my dear friends is number 3 and how incredibly blessed I am.

And now, on to the VERY delayed show. Working all weekend and I’m very far behind. So, let’s go!

EVERYONE knows it was BOUND to happen!!!

I feel like dancing!!! (Mind you, it would be a horrible mistake, but I still feel like it!)

By the way, Chuck G., it was GREAT talking to you on the phone today! Brother, you made my day! Thanks for the call! You lifted my heart my friend.

I love this every time I see it!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?!

I want to do this and I want them to add, “You looked great, by the way!”

Another one of my favorite jokes.

Yeah … that’s the one I struggle with … daily.

Me: *Looking at a barn full of feed*

Who’s all that for?

Farmer: The cattle eat it.

Me: Wow, that’s one hungry cat.

I remember!

“I know you can’t get married on the money I

pay you,” said the boss to his new employee,

“but someday you’ll thank me for it!”

And that’s it for this one … at long last. And I must IMMEDIATELY jump into the next. It’s been such a LONG HARD WEEK for me. Please keep me in your prayers my friends. And until next time time …