Just wanted to share a few things here today, things I'm thankful for.
1. My kids Jonathan, Kirsten, Sarah and Lizzie! They are the reason I get out of bed every day!
2. My church family here in Lockney. I love them very much. They have seen me through some very difficult times.
3. The United States of America! Whether you're Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, we live in the single greatest democracy in the world.
4. Our service men and women that, past or present, are fighting for our freedoms. I especially want to be thankful for the parents and family members of those service men and women.
5. Friends, both new and old, that encourage me daily.
6. My mom. She continues to inspire me!
7. My sister Shellie.
8. My home, car, food, daily stuff we usually don't put a lot of thought in being thankful for.
9. Small town living. Don't know how much longer I can make a living here, but thankful for my time here.
10. Jesus Christ! I left him for last cause I wanted the space to tell you why. You see just at the right time, he came into my life and rescued me. I was lost, but now I'm found. Cleansed, redeemed, justified, sanctified! Romans 5:6 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Think about that for minute. Christ died for me? Preston Belt? With all of my problems, faults, iniquities and sins, he died for me? I spent most of my life thinking he died for the Godly folks. The folks who were perfect in every way. But right here in the bible it says He died for me!!! And you!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A pricked heart!
The girls and I made a fast trip to Quanah this weekend to check on mom. We had a really good time there with her. On our way home this morning we stopped and worshipped in Childress this morning. Trey Morgan is one of my favorite preachers and that whole congregation lifts me up. During one of the prayers this morning, my heart was pricked. The guy giving a prayer this morning asked forgiveness of our sins and then said something else, he asked that we forgive those who have sinned against us. That may not be a big deal for most of you, but it hit me right where it hurts. When was the last time I asked that I forgive those who sin against me? Then tonight here in Lockney, guess what Jay Don's sermon was? Luke 11:1-4 "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, " When you pray, say:
"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation".
Now I have read this several times. And I try hard to pattern my prayers after this. But, again, how many times have I asked to forgive everyone who sins against me? Not very often, if I ever have! Too many times I remember the things others do to me. And too may times I try to pay them back or get revenge.
Today I am going to start praying that I forgive everyone who sins against me.
"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation".
Now I have read this several times. And I try hard to pattern my prayers after this. But, again, how many times have I asked to forgive everyone who sins against me? Not very often, if I ever have! Too many times I remember the things others do to me. And too may times I try to pay them back or get revenge.
Today I am going to start praying that I forgive everyone who sins against me.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Letting go
Why is it we have such a hard time letting go of loved ones, even when we know they are going to a much better place? Paradise. I can't quite get my arms around that. Wondering what it must be like to see paradise? I catch myself wondering that often.
What is paradise? Paradeisos is the Greek word for paradise meaning "a place of blessedness, from the base meaning garden - paradise". As i was driving home today, I spent most of the afternoon thinking about what heaven must look like. I wondered what a dry land cotton farm would look like in heaven. What a pasture must look like and if there is any animals there grazing. What a city must look like, with it's streets of gold. What a building looks like and if there is buildings there. I know that Jesus has gone to prepare a home for us. Is that just a resting place or does it resemble anything here on earth. John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." And we sing the song "I've got a mansion just over the hilltop" that paints the picture of a huge home in heaven. Solomon talks about how this life on earth is "meaningless, chasing after the wind" our true treasure awaits us.
I'm going to miss Helen Foster. Her long talks and her gracious smile. But I know that she's in a better place now, with Van. And I hope she's met up with my dad and they are all friends looking down on us!
What is paradise? Paradeisos is the Greek word for paradise meaning "a place of blessedness, from the base meaning garden - paradise". As i was driving home today, I spent most of the afternoon thinking about what heaven must look like. I wondered what a dry land cotton farm would look like in heaven. What a pasture must look like and if there is any animals there grazing. What a city must look like, with it's streets of gold. What a building looks like and if there is buildings there. I know that Jesus has gone to prepare a home for us. Is that just a resting place or does it resemble anything here on earth. John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." And we sing the song "I've got a mansion just over the hilltop" that paints the picture of a huge home in heaven. Solomon talks about how this life on earth is "meaningless, chasing after the wind" our true treasure awaits us.
I'm going to miss Helen Foster. Her long talks and her gracious smile. But I know that she's in a better place now, with Van. And I hope she's met up with my dad and they are all friends looking down on us!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8,1971
October 8, 1971 was a day that changed my young life. It's the day my dad was tragically taken from us in a farming accident. A day I think of often. Wondering about all the "what if's" and "why's". There is never a day that goes by that I don't think about him. On my walks/jogs I go by the house that we lived in when he died. Remembering when I was a child playing in the yard, plowing and planting with my toy tractors. Getting mad and throwing fits cause my rows weren't exactly straight. If he was nearby when I was throwing one of my temper tantrums, he would come over to where I was at, take the rake or hoe that I was making rows with, and make them straight for me. I have memories of him teaching me how to set an irrigation tube from a ditch, and when we would get home he would have to hose me off outside before mom would let us in the house.
We miss you dad! Can't wait to see you again!!!
We miss you dad! Can't wait to see you again!!!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Just some thoughts
Well, this has been some crazy ride, the past 6 weeks. I don't know if I have ever been through as many emotional highs and lows as what I have been lately. I have learned more about what I am made of over the past few weeks than any other time in my life. Studying for the LSAT has pushed me beyond many limits that were in my life. I have a brand new perspective on life. I can do well on this test Saturday. I can get into law school. And I can succeed in law school.
I was told by my guidance counselor in high school that I was not college material. That I needed to focus on a trade or just farming for the rest of my life (those are her words not mine). Well, I have proved that wrong. And now, for a guy that's not college material, I am about to embark on a new challenge.
I don't know where all this will lead me some day, but, I do know that God is leading me. He's always there no matter how cloudy it may seem.
I want to say thank you! To all of you who have encouraged me in this endeavor and have taken the time to say a prayer for me. God's still answering prayers!
I have a couple of prayer request. That I will take the knowledge that He has given me and apply it to the test Saturday. The second is for a dear friend of mine. Caitlin Clark taught my LSAT prep class. She just learned of a tumor on her brain. Pray for her and her family.
I was told by my guidance counselor in high school that I was not college material. That I needed to focus on a trade or just farming for the rest of my life (those are her words not mine). Well, I have proved that wrong. And now, for a guy that's not college material, I am about to embark on a new challenge.
I don't know where all this will lead me some day, but, I do know that God is leading me. He's always there no matter how cloudy it may seem.
I want to say thank you! To all of you who have encouraged me in this endeavor and have taken the time to say a prayer for me. God's still answering prayers!
I have a couple of prayer request. That I will take the knowledge that He has given me and apply it to the test Saturday. The second is for a dear friend of mine. Caitlin Clark taught my LSAT prep class. She just learned of a tumor on her brain. Pray for her and her family.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembering 9-11
Just some random things I remember about that awful day 8 years ago.
I was in the process of trying to get a defoliation plot out on some cotton that morning when I got a call from Mark Nutt that a plane had hit one of the towers. The cotton still lacked a couple of weeks being ready to defoliate so I went to town and stopped in at the D&J Gin here in Lockney to figure out what was going on. As I walked in the door, the second plane hit the other tower, then the news of the Pentagon being hit. I can remember thinking, "is this really happening on our soil?'. The collapse of the first town just sent chills down my spine. My thoughts and prayers immediately went to the folks trapped inside when it collapsed and the folks attempting to rescue them. The second tower falls. The looks on the people on the street, covered in the soot, walking aimlessly. The look on President Bush's face when he got the news as he was with a group of school children in Florida. The humanity of the people at the sites, all pitching in together to help. The firemen raising the flag at ground zero in New York. The president's speech the next day from ground zero. The thoughts of friends and family that were traveling that day. The need to go and hold my kids close. The relief to know the friends and family that were traveling safe on the ground, not at home, but safe. The complete shutdown of financial institutions and transportation. The images of the people at the sites holding pictures of loved ones unaccounted for. The heroism of the folks on United Airlines Flight 93.
The days that followed are not as clear as the day it happened in my mind. I have the special editions of the Plainview Daily Herald and the Lubbock Avalance-Journal that were published that day and the day after. I can remember going to Plainview that afternoon and seeing Danny Andrews, the editor of the Plainview paper, standing in the middle of 5th and Quincy selling the paper.
The event completely changed the way I look at patriotism. I had a brand new perspective on America. On that day, and the days that followed, we were no longer Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but we were one nation, under God. The national anthem, every time i hear it now, has new meaning. I can listen to the words and imagine what the writer was seeing and feeling.
I will never forget!
I was in the process of trying to get a defoliation plot out on some cotton that morning when I got a call from Mark Nutt that a plane had hit one of the towers. The cotton still lacked a couple of weeks being ready to defoliate so I went to town and stopped in at the D&J Gin here in Lockney to figure out what was going on. As I walked in the door, the second plane hit the other tower, then the news of the Pentagon being hit. I can remember thinking, "is this really happening on our soil?'. The collapse of the first town just sent chills down my spine. My thoughts and prayers immediately went to the folks trapped inside when it collapsed and the folks attempting to rescue them. The second tower falls. The looks on the people on the street, covered in the soot, walking aimlessly. The look on President Bush's face when he got the news as he was with a group of school children in Florida. The humanity of the people at the sites, all pitching in together to help. The firemen raising the flag at ground zero in New York. The president's speech the next day from ground zero. The thoughts of friends and family that were traveling that day. The need to go and hold my kids close. The relief to know the friends and family that were traveling safe on the ground, not at home, but safe. The complete shutdown of financial institutions and transportation. The images of the people at the sites holding pictures of loved ones unaccounted for. The heroism of the folks on United Airlines Flight 93.
The days that followed are not as clear as the day it happened in my mind. I have the special editions of the Plainview Daily Herald and the Lubbock Avalance-Journal that were published that day and the day after. I can remember going to Plainview that afternoon and seeing Danny Andrews, the editor of the Plainview paper, standing in the middle of 5th and Quincy selling the paper.
The event completely changed the way I look at patriotism. I had a brand new perspective on America. On that day, and the days that followed, we were no longer Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, but we were one nation, under God. The national anthem, every time i hear it now, has new meaning. I can listen to the words and imagine what the writer was seeing and feeling.
I will never forget!
Friday, September 4, 2009
To be in my early 20's again! No thanks!
I got tickled in my class last night. We were discussing the do's and don'ts on your Law School application. Who to use as recommendation letter writers, how many, personal statements, etc.,...
When the subject of facebook came up and past criminal records. A few of the students (I almost called them kids, cause they are kids to me) were asking about speeding tickets, a few must have some alcoholic beverage citations of some kind. The question was exactly what do you report to the BAR association and what do you not report. I was laughing cause they were making these very broad statements about what they had done and how it had been exonerated, but still showing up on their record. Then, the Facebook thing came up. Will the law schools you apply to look at your facebook to make a decision about your admittance, and can they see your profile even if they're not friends? What I got especially tickled about, and maybe I need to delete mine, but there was one young lady that was completely deleting her whole facebook account, not just making it non-active, but a complete deletion.
Got me thinking back to my college days! We didn't have digital cameras, cell phones, or for the most part a computer. Our social network consisted of a few guys and gals hanging out at the UC playing dominoes or spades. And for pictures, there was this dude that went around to all the bars and took pictures, then you bought them from him. Easy enough, if you didn't like how you looked or what was in the pic with you, you chunked it in the trash. And, there was a company that was across from Tech on University that was in the business of taking pictures at events, then you could go down and buy a picture from them. I sure hope they dispose of those pictures ever so often! LOL!
Just to bring you up to date in the whole LSAT preparedness process, I took another diagnostic test Wednesday afternoon and improved my score by 4 points! Huge victory for me!!
When the subject of facebook came up and past criminal records. A few of the students (I almost called them kids, cause they are kids to me) were asking about speeding tickets, a few must have some alcoholic beverage citations of some kind. The question was exactly what do you report to the BAR association and what do you not report. I was laughing cause they were making these very broad statements about what they had done and how it had been exonerated, but still showing up on their record. Then, the Facebook thing came up. Will the law schools you apply to look at your facebook to make a decision about your admittance, and can they see your profile even if they're not friends? What I got especially tickled about, and maybe I need to delete mine, but there was one young lady that was completely deleting her whole facebook account, not just making it non-active, but a complete deletion.
Got me thinking back to my college days! We didn't have digital cameras, cell phones, or for the most part a computer. Our social network consisted of a few guys and gals hanging out at the UC playing dominoes or spades. And for pictures, there was this dude that went around to all the bars and took pictures, then you bought them from him. Easy enough, if you didn't like how you looked or what was in the pic with you, you chunked it in the trash. And, there was a company that was across from Tech on University that was in the business of taking pictures at events, then you could go down and buy a picture from them. I sure hope they dispose of those pictures ever so often! LOL!
Just to bring you up to date in the whole LSAT preparedness process, I took another diagnostic test Wednesday afternoon and improved my score by 4 points! Huge victory for me!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Happy Birthday Dad!
Today would have been my dad's 64th birthday. There's never a day that I don't think about him. The what ifs?
My dad was taken from this life in 1971 at the age of 26, only to live in Heaven. There's no pain there, no worries, no strife. He keeps getting more and more of his friends there with him. His mom went to be with him again in 2001. I can't wait for my day to be with him again. To hear his voice, to feel his gentle touch.
Dad, I miss you bunches! Glad you and Junior are together again. How's the racing up there?
I love you!
In memory of Ronald "Ronnie" Gene Belt
September 3, 1945
October 8, 1971
My dad was taken from this life in 1971 at the age of 26, only to live in Heaven. There's no pain there, no worries, no strife. He keeps getting more and more of his friends there with him. His mom went to be with him again in 2001. I can't wait for my day to be with him again. To hear his voice, to feel his gentle touch.
Dad, I miss you bunches! Glad you and Junior are together again. How's the racing up there?
I love you!
In memory of Ronald "Ronnie" Gene Belt
September 3, 1945
October 8, 1971
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Reflecting
From time to time, I have to stop and reflect. What's gone on in my life that was right, wrong, and what I learned about God in all this, and myself.
I spent most of the week obsessing over the LSAT. Friday I took a long walk to gather my thoughts and to "get my head in the game". After I got back, I was working on the Reading Comp section of the test, practicing the skills I am attempting to learn, when it hit me. "I am not going to have a perfect score on this test!" WOW! Here i was, during practice, worrying more about what I was getting wrong than why I was missing the questions, and why I was getting a few right. (by the way, i looked back, I was averaging around 70% right) I don't read well, after all I am a product of Quanah High School, (LOL! not that has anything to do with it, but an excuse for me) and I have never really worked to improve my reading skills.
I have spent most of my adult life trying to prove people wrong about me. Frances Marie Owens, who was the counselor at QHS, once told me that I was not college material. I took that at face value for a few years after high school, till I decided that just maybe I can do this. Well, I did it! Not only did I accomplish, or figure out that I was college material, I set higher goals during the process. I wanted to further my education, grad school. I was pushed and prodded by people like Randal Williams at VRJC. Then while at Tech, by folks like Dr. Vaughn and others. But, I fell again to the mainstream thoughts of going to college. Get your degree, get a decent job, and retire some day. Part of that had to do with being tired of not "living" comfortably. So i took the first job that I applied for out of Tech, something I seemed to be pretty good at and not getting out of the scope of how I was raised, agriculture.
But a few things happened along the way. One, I had given up on my dream to go to graduate school, had become "complacent" with the "status quo" (whatever that is) and had failed miserably at being a husband. I was a pretty good "dad", but an awful husband.
I spend a lot of time listening to different preacher's sermons. One that made me think about what life was about was form a guy I met at the Red River Family Encampment 2 years ago. Gary Smith, who was one of the speakers that weekend, is the preacher at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston, a predominately minority, inner city congregation. I became a fan of Gary's, downloading a few of his sermons to my ipod. He has one sermon that was directed to the youth of his congregation at graduation time about dreaming big. God doesn't expect anything less from us. I come to this realization from Matthew 25 in the parable of the talents. A man, fixing to leave town for a few days, entrusted his business to 3 people. You know the story, one he gave 5 talents and another 2 and the last 1. What did they do with the talents? The first two took there's and doubled them, the last took his an buried it, afraid of losing it. Who did God's will here? Of course! The first two. They took what they had been given, remained faithful, and was rewarded. The last guy, whom I can relate, was not faithful and therefore was not rewarded. He was complacent with the status quo of what he had been given.
Do you ever sit and wonder "what if"? I have way too much. It's time to get up and "dream big"!
I spent most of the week obsessing over the LSAT. Friday I took a long walk to gather my thoughts and to "get my head in the game". After I got back, I was working on the Reading Comp section of the test, practicing the skills I am attempting to learn, when it hit me. "I am not going to have a perfect score on this test!" WOW! Here i was, during practice, worrying more about what I was getting wrong than why I was missing the questions, and why I was getting a few right. (by the way, i looked back, I was averaging around 70% right) I don't read well, after all I am a product of Quanah High School, (LOL! not that has anything to do with it, but an excuse for me) and I have never really worked to improve my reading skills.
I have spent most of my adult life trying to prove people wrong about me. Frances Marie Owens, who was the counselor at QHS, once told me that I was not college material. I took that at face value for a few years after high school, till I decided that just maybe I can do this. Well, I did it! Not only did I accomplish, or figure out that I was college material, I set higher goals during the process. I wanted to further my education, grad school. I was pushed and prodded by people like Randal Williams at VRJC. Then while at Tech, by folks like Dr. Vaughn and others. But, I fell again to the mainstream thoughts of going to college. Get your degree, get a decent job, and retire some day. Part of that had to do with being tired of not "living" comfortably. So i took the first job that I applied for out of Tech, something I seemed to be pretty good at and not getting out of the scope of how I was raised, agriculture.
But a few things happened along the way. One, I had given up on my dream to go to graduate school, had become "complacent" with the "status quo" (whatever that is) and had failed miserably at being a husband. I was a pretty good "dad", but an awful husband.
I spend a lot of time listening to different preacher's sermons. One that made me think about what life was about was form a guy I met at the Red River Family Encampment 2 years ago. Gary Smith, who was one of the speakers that weekend, is the preacher at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston, a predominately minority, inner city congregation. I became a fan of Gary's, downloading a few of his sermons to my ipod. He has one sermon that was directed to the youth of his congregation at graduation time about dreaming big. God doesn't expect anything less from us. I come to this realization from Matthew 25 in the parable of the talents. A man, fixing to leave town for a few days, entrusted his business to 3 people. You know the story, one he gave 5 talents and another 2 and the last 1. What did they do with the talents? The first two took there's and doubled them, the last took his an buried it, afraid of losing it. Who did God's will here? Of course! The first two. They took what they had been given, remained faithful, and was rewarded. The last guy, whom I can relate, was not faithful and therefore was not rewarded. He was complacent with the status quo of what he had been given.
Do you ever sit and wonder "what if"? I have way too much. It's time to get up and "dream big"!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
My brain is old and set in its ways!
Whew!! My brain is on over load right now. In case you're just joining me here, I am in the process of studying for the LSAT. Trying to get my brain to "understand formal logic". And for a guy who has always been satisfied with the obvious, this is a tough exercise for me. Don't misunderstand me here, it's not that i think it's beyond me to comprehend this, I'm just having to re-train this 45 year old brain to think and look for things it didn't know was missing.
It's a lot like studying the bible. You can take things for face value, or dig a little deeper and find the real answers.
It's a lot like studying the bible. You can take things for face value, or dig a little deeper and find the real answers.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Here we go!
Well, the day is here. I started my preparation class for the LSAT today. I have to be really honest right now, I feel like I'm at the deep end of the pool with my toe stuck in the drain, wishing I could just tread water. I took my baseline test today. The practice test basically sets my baseline so that I can trace my progress. I was both mentally and emotionally drained when I finished the test. I don't think I have ever taken a test as gruelling as this test was today.
The LSAT is not about knowledge. It's about problem solving. And, I really felt that at my age and with my life experiences that I would be more prepared than I was. The positive thing here is I'm in the right place. I chose back a month or so ago to register for the prep class through Kaplan. Kaplan has THE (According to the Harris Poll) highest number of former students that actually got into law school with their test prep techniques. So, with that said, I feel really good about my chances of getting in.
I know that some of you are wondering why law school? Well, I have wanted to do this for quite some time but just never had the guts to "get it done'. And, If I don't at least make an attempt at this, well, I'll go to my grave wondering "what if?". Those of you that know me best know that I'm not a "what if" kind of guy.
The choice was really pretty simple. I'm at a cross roads in my life. My son, Jonathan, asked me a couple of months ago if I was going through some kind of mid life crisis. So what if I am? I was sick and tired of the pressures of selling, burned out is a term most folks choose to use. And I wasn't going to settle for just "finding another job". I thought about nursing school. I do have an interest there but not a "burning"interest like I do in becoming an attorney. I thought about going back to graduate school, in agriculture of course, but what would I do with that? I thought about going to preaching school and going to a mission field somewhere. But my little kids are still school age and I refuse to miss them growing up, so that was out. I spent most of the month of June praying about my decision. Praying like I have never prayed before. Asking God for some direction, and that His will be done.
Another reason for my choice, was to prove that, at 45, I can go back to school. I can have a successful life. I can persevere.
God still in control and He still answers prayers! I know he will guide me with his steady hand through this endeavour.
The LSAT is not about knowledge. It's about problem solving. And, I really felt that at my age and with my life experiences that I would be more prepared than I was. The positive thing here is I'm in the right place. I chose back a month or so ago to register for the prep class through Kaplan. Kaplan has THE (According to the Harris Poll) highest number of former students that actually got into law school with their test prep techniques. So, with that said, I feel really good about my chances of getting in.
I know that some of you are wondering why law school? Well, I have wanted to do this for quite some time but just never had the guts to "get it done'. And, If I don't at least make an attempt at this, well, I'll go to my grave wondering "what if?". Those of you that know me best know that I'm not a "what if" kind of guy.
The choice was really pretty simple. I'm at a cross roads in my life. My son, Jonathan, asked me a couple of months ago if I was going through some kind of mid life crisis. So what if I am? I was sick and tired of the pressures of selling, burned out is a term most folks choose to use. And I wasn't going to settle for just "finding another job". I thought about nursing school. I do have an interest there but not a "burning"interest like I do in becoming an attorney. I thought about going back to graduate school, in agriculture of course, but what would I do with that? I thought about going to preaching school and going to a mission field somewhere. But my little kids are still school age and I refuse to miss them growing up, so that was out. I spent most of the month of June praying about my decision. Praying like I have never prayed before. Asking God for some direction, and that His will be done.
Another reason for my choice, was to prove that, at 45, I can go back to school. I can have a successful life. I can persevere.
God still in control and He still answers prayers! I know he will guide me with his steady hand through this endeavour.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Mountains!
My daughter Sarah and I went up to Costilla, New Mexico this past Wednesday to camp with my friend Kurt and his three kids. There are a few things I learned about myself during the past 4 days.
1. I love hot showers, daily!
2. Being able to shave, daily!
3. Clean toilets.
4. Time with my daughter, priceless!
5. Clean air and few people.
6. Clear night sky with lots of stars!
7. I miss my phone!
8. The internet!
9. Sleeping outside.
10. I missed Lizzie!
Just a few things, I could go on and on here, and this list is not in any order.
I had lots of time to think clearly. It's good for me to get away to think, and clear my brain from the daily worries. I thought about my decision to go back to school and if law school is the right choice for me. I thought about Jesus a lot at night. I was reminded of Luke 6:12.
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."
I spent a lot of time in prayer while I was there. Not any more time than I usually do, but just felt closer to God. I guess 9,000 feet above see level will do that for you! Only 6,000 feet closer than I usually am! LOL! I spent a lot of time praying bout my decision. I spent a lot of time praying for my kids, especially the younger two. I prayed that they would understand their dad's decision to go back to school. Some of the sacrifices they will have to make having a dad back in school and being 60 miles away instead of a couple of blocks away. The main thing that I prayed for is that God's will be done in me being back in school, and that His will be done at the completion of law school. I prayed for Kurt and his three kidos. It's tough being a single parent.
We had a big time. We did some hiking. Yes, I hiked! Huffed and puffed is more like it. We fished, didn't catch any, but it was fun. Saw some beautiful country! The mountains in New Mexico are to die for! Ate really well! We took steaks for our evening meals, and had eggs, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Nothing like a meal cooked over a camp fire!
Sarah and I spent some really quality time together. That was really special time for me!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Rejoicing
We are studying the book of Luke in our class on Sunday morning. I have really enjoyed the facts that Luke gives us on the life of Jesus. An interesting thing hit me as I was reading and listening yesterday morning on chapter 15 of Luke.
The parable of the lost sheep. One of 99 sheep are missing, but the herdsman leaves the 99 to find one lamb. He leaves the 99 in open country and goes after the one. How often do we as Christians do this? How often do we leave our comfort zone to go find one lost soul? Then, do we truly rejoice in the finding of that one lost soul? Just some things to think about.
Again, the parable of the lost coin. Do we clean house trying to find that one lost soul. She lost 10% of her coins, but she "lights a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it". How often do we as Christians sweep and look carefully for a lost soul?
Then the parable of the lost son. This guy becomes of age and decides he wants his part of his inheritance, and the father gives it to him. He goes away and squanders it, has to find a job to live and desires the food he's to feed to the pigs. Then he makes the decision to go back home hoping that his father would hire him as a servant. What happens? His father welcomes him with open arms, feeds him and gives him a home. Now what about the other brother who stayed behind and continued to work for his father? He gets mad, and refused to go. Feeling like the father has wronged him some way. But the father reminds him that everything that's left is his. And that his brother was lost or "dead" but now is found or "alive". How many times doe we find ourselves angry or upset at someone who was with us, leaves then comes back to open arms?
I can relate my life to all three stories. I have lost my faith, not really interested in finding what i lost. I have not search carefully for a fellow christian who's lost there way. I can relate to the brother who took his inheritance, lost it, found himself and came back. Then, i can relate to the brother who's stayed behind to help tend to things, then when a lost brother shows back up, had a hardened heart towards him.
And look who Jesus is telling the stories to. Pharisees, the self righteous Jews, who's complaining that Jesus is hanging out with and "welcoming" sinners. Hopefully I have learned some things here to apply to my life!
The parable of the lost sheep. One of 99 sheep are missing, but the herdsman leaves the 99 to find one lamb. He leaves the 99 in open country and goes after the one. How often do we as Christians do this? How often do we leave our comfort zone to go find one lost soul? Then, do we truly rejoice in the finding of that one lost soul? Just some things to think about.
Again, the parable of the lost coin. Do we clean house trying to find that one lost soul. She lost 10% of her coins, but she "lights a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it". How often do we as Christians sweep and look carefully for a lost soul?
Then the parable of the lost son. This guy becomes of age and decides he wants his part of his inheritance, and the father gives it to him. He goes away and squanders it, has to find a job to live and desires the food he's to feed to the pigs. Then he makes the decision to go back home hoping that his father would hire him as a servant. What happens? His father welcomes him with open arms, feeds him and gives him a home. Now what about the other brother who stayed behind and continued to work for his father? He gets mad, and refused to go. Feeling like the father has wronged him some way. But the father reminds him that everything that's left is his. And that his brother was lost or "dead" but now is found or "alive". How many times doe we find ourselves angry or upset at someone who was with us, leaves then comes back to open arms?
I can relate my life to all three stories. I have lost my faith, not really interested in finding what i lost. I have not search carefully for a fellow christian who's lost there way. I can relate to the brother who took his inheritance, lost it, found himself and came back. Then, i can relate to the brother who's stayed behind to help tend to things, then when a lost brother shows back up, had a hardened heart towards him.
And look who Jesus is telling the stories to. Pharisees, the self righteous Jews, who's complaining that Jesus is hanging out with and "welcoming" sinners. Hopefully I have learned some things here to apply to my life!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Crown Jewel
I had supper in Lubbock with a really good friend of mine last night. She and I have been through similar situations within the past couple of years. Been in a couple of relationships that just didn't work. She shared some advice with me last night. And after thinking about what she said, I have decided to share that with you.
She said, "Don't settle for someone you can live with, wait for that person you can't live without".
WOW! That was one of the best "advice" statements I have heard in a while. Just coming out of a relationship that lasted a while for me, LOL! (almost a year!) that really hit home. Dating at 45 is no fun. And I have decided that I'm just really good by myself. LOL! I think that's a huge step for me. No Yahoo Personals, no Match.com, no nothing. Just not looking.
She said, "Don't settle for someone you can live with, wait for that person you can't live without".
WOW! That was one of the best "advice" statements I have heard in a while. Just coming out of a relationship that lasted a while for me, LOL! (almost a year!) that really hit home. Dating at 45 is no fun. And I have decided that I'm just really good by myself. LOL! I think that's a huge step for me. No Yahoo Personals, no Match.com, no nothing. Just not looking.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Think about this......
I was thinking about my post from yesterday. Some where around 874 BC, Elisha was plowing with oxen.
1 Kings 19:19 "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of Oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair."
This is 874, or so, years before the birth of Jesus. Think about that for a minute! My great Granddad plowed with mules some 2,000 years later. Not a lot of progress made in farming in those 2,000 years.
I think what is even funnier, in this story, Elisha junks out his plowing equipment so that he can cook the meat of the oxen and feed the people. Then he left and followed Elijah.
Elisha must have been a large farmer. The story says he was plowing with 12 sets of oxen. Hmm. I wonder how many tractors and how much land that would relate to today? 12 tractors and 10,000 acres?
Just a thought!
1 Kings 19:19 "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of Oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair."
This is 874, or so, years before the birth of Jesus. Think about that for a minute! My great Granddad plowed with mules some 2,000 years later. Not a lot of progress made in farming in those 2,000 years.
I think what is even funnier, in this story, Elisha junks out his plowing equipment so that he can cook the meat of the oxen and feed the people. Then he left and followed Elijah.
Elisha must have been a large farmer. The story says he was plowing with 12 sets of oxen. Hmm. I wonder how many tractors and how much land that would relate to today? 12 tractors and 10,000 acres?
Just a thought!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Farming Has Changed!
Most of ya'll know about my vast agricultural background. I was raised on farms in both Lockney and Quanah, Texas. My dad was killed in a farming accident in 1971. My step-dad farms in the Quanah area. And I have spent a life time in the business. Except for a stint in the real estate business back in the mid 80's, I have been directly involved in production agriculture all of my adult life. I have witnessed lots of changes in farming in my life time. The very first change that I can remember, as a child, was air conditioned cabs on tractors. I can remember the first tractor we owned that had an air conditioned cab. It was an Allis Chalmers 7060 (i think the model is right). John Deere had a long back order list for the 30 series tractors in early to mid 70's. So we bought the AC and I can remember the day Jack Handley from Vernon delivered it. My step dad, Joe Gayle, had a cousin, Donald Drake, that was and AC man. He's the one responsible for us owning anything Allis Chalmers. (LOL! I blaim him! LOL!) I can remember when Joe C. Baker, who was Joe Gayle's dad, went and bought a used John Deere 4430 about a 6 months to a year after we bought the Allis Chalmers tractor. Now we had 2 tractors with air conditioned cabs.
I learned to drive a tractor on a 4020 John Deere. No cab, no ac, and it ran on LP gas! It was very hot in the summer time. Now in the winter, we had "comfort covers" on the tractors. The comfort cover was made of heavy canvas and started up front just behind the air cleaner screens and went along both sides of the engine, all the way back to the seat. It moved the warm, or in the case of the LP model HOT, air back to the operator. Making it some what bearable to be out on a cold winter day.
I'm not even going to get started on changes in harvesting equipment!
I drove a brand new John Deere, like this one, for two days this week. My very good friend, Randy Henderson, called me Tuesday morning looking for a tractor driver to get some fallow ground plowed. I helped
him out. I plowed about 600 acres in 27 hours! That's about 22 acres an hour! (to put that in terms some of you can understand, there are 43,560 square feet in an acre) It has a gps unit on it that steers the tractor for you! Now, you may ask yourself, "why would you need that?". Well, let me tell you. I was a crooked plower growing up. I couldn't make straight rows for nothing. My attention span is not that long! LOL! You're always either overlapping or leaving a skip. This gps unit steers you to within 6"-8" of where you need to be. And straight! I really looked good out there! LOL!
I learned to drive a tractor on a 4020 John Deere. No cab, no ac, and it ran on LP gas! It was very hot in the summer time. Now in the winter, we had "comfort covers" on the tractors. The comfort cover was made of heavy canvas and started up front just behind the air cleaner screens and went along both sides of the engine, all the way back to the seat. It moved the warm, or in the case of the LP model HOT, air back to the operator. Making it some what bearable to be out on a cold winter day.
I'm not even going to get started on changes in harvesting equipment!
I drove a brand new John Deere, like this one, for two days this week. My very good friend, Randy Henderson, called me Tuesday morning looking for a tractor driver to get some fallow ground plowed. I helped
him out. I plowed about 600 acres in 27 hours! That's about 22 acres an hour! (to put that in terms some of you can understand, there are 43,560 square feet in an acre) It has a gps unit on it that steers the tractor for you! Now, you may ask yourself, "why would you need that?". Well, let me tell you. I was a crooked plower growing up. I couldn't make straight rows for nothing. My attention span is not that long! LOL! You're always either overlapping or leaving a skip. This gps unit steers you to within 6"-8" of where you need to be. And straight! I really looked good out there! LOL!
I couldn't help but think about my great grand-dad John Belt while I was driving this tractor. He followed my great grand-mother and her family to the south plains from Olustee, Oklahoma back in the early teens. He passed away in the late 70's. I can remember a story he used to tell about coming to Floyd county horseback, the grass stirrup high and made him sea sick waving in the wind. And those early pioneers breaking this land out with a horse or mule and a single bottom breaking plow. I don't know if you realize this, but that's been less than 100 years ago. In 100 years, we have gone from horse drawn plows to the tractor I have described. And to be able to manage money to be able to pay for this tractor! The list, base price is some where around $225,000. John Belt bought a combine in the early 20's for $1500. Not only has technology changed, the $$$$ have too.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Walking on water?
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. ~Chinese Proverb
Do you ever feel like you're sinking? I'm reminded of the story of Peter when Jesus was walking on the water. Jesus calls Peter to come out to him. The funny part of this to me is Peter's faith was sufficient to get out of the boat and stand on the water, but the wind blew in his face and he began to sink.
Isn't that like us sometimes? We start something and it's easy to do. Then the "wind blows" or the phone rings or someone tells us that we can't do that? Our faith is immediately demolished.
We're not wired up that way. Watch a toddler sometime that's trying to learn to walk. They fall down, they bump their head on things, but we always encourage them to keep going. And they want to succeed in that endeavour! At what age did we quit telling our kids "yes" or "go" and start telling them "no" or "stop"?
Just a thought!!!
Do you ever feel like you're sinking? I'm reminded of the story of Peter when Jesus was walking on the water. Jesus calls Peter to come out to him. The funny part of this to me is Peter's faith was sufficient to get out of the boat and stand on the water, but the wind blew in his face and he began to sink.
Isn't that like us sometimes? We start something and it's easy to do. Then the "wind blows" or the phone rings or someone tells us that we can't do that? Our faith is immediately demolished.
We're not wired up that way. Watch a toddler sometime that's trying to learn to walk. They fall down, they bump their head on things, but we always encourage them to keep going. And they want to succeed in that endeavour! At what age did we quit telling our kids "yes" or "go" and start telling them "no" or "stop"?
Just a thought!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I'm having one of those days, weeks for that matter!
As I was looking for "good food" for my brain today, I ran across this quote by the late Erma Bombeck:
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
Think about that for a minute. As I am in the process of redefining who Preston Belt is, I have to stop and ask myself "will I have unused talent on judgement day?". Do I bury my talent or have I doubled up on my talents (see Matthew 25:14-30).
What have you done with your talents today?
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
Think about that for a minute. As I am in the process of redefining who Preston Belt is, I have to stop and ask myself "will I have unused talent on judgement day?". Do I bury my talent or have I doubled up on my talents (see Matthew 25:14-30).
What have you done with your talents today?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
It's a Coke or Pepsi kind of day! But I want a Dr. Pepper!
Do you ever find yourself caught up in the events of the day? Taking your eye off of the prize at the end? Making really random decisions as the day progresses that really aren't relevant to your goal?
You see, to me, life is made up of decisions. Some good, some excellent, some not so good, some terrible. I tend to focus on the "bad" or "terrible" decisions I make and get bogged down with them. I admit, some days are better. But I'm my own worst enemy. I think satan really joys in us focusing on our bad decisions. When God wants you to focus on the good things in life.
Philippians 4:8 NIV "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, what ever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."
What has gone right in your day? Are you trying to decide between Coke or Pepsi when you really want a Dr. Pepper?
You see, to me, life is made up of decisions. Some good, some excellent, some not so good, some terrible. I tend to focus on the "bad" or "terrible" decisions I make and get bogged down with them. I admit, some days are better. But I'm my own worst enemy. I think satan really joys in us focusing on our bad decisions. When God wants you to focus on the good things in life.
Philippians 4:8 NIV "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, what ever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."
What has gone right in your day? Are you trying to decide between Coke or Pepsi when you really want a Dr. Pepper?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Puncture Vines
I mowed my lawn this morning, the first time I have had to do that in about a month. We haven't had much rain this month. As I was mowing, I noticed that the puncture vines (I called these sticker patches when I was a kid) were doing well. I was reminded of Matthew 13:7 the parable of the sower "Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants". Now I love my grass. I have 2 vacant lots beside the lot my house sits on. It's has a really good stand of buffalo grass that I'm very proud of. It doesn't need mowing that much, and when it is green and growing, it looks clean. But the puncture vines still thrive. I have to stay on my toes to keep them killed out. What I noticed today was that even with little rain, they are thriving. Growing and making seed (stickers!). And their roots are deep and large. Then I got to thinking about life and exactly what was Jesus' message in the parable. You see, as pretty as my yard is, and as hard as I work to keep the "weeds" out, they keep coming. That's like satan. Just when you get comfortable in life with your faith, satan throws something in your path to trip you up. Like these puncture vines. They're persistent. They make lots of seed. And they hurt when you get them in your feet (the stickers). They grow even when conditions aren't good for your grass to grow. My grass is basically dead form lack of water, but the good thing about buffalo grass, it doesn't take much int the way of moisture to "green" back up. That's just like us. We live life, take things for granted, like our faith, and satan jumps up at us luring us a way. The Gospel is like moisture to us. It helps us to grow in our faith. When we don't get "watered" by the Gospel, we just i
nvite satan in and he grows on us. He's persistent, he makes lots of seed, and he hurts us. Be sure to "water" your self today!I added some pictures here of the demolition of the high school. Looks like there's progress finally!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Repent!
Those of you that know me know that I struggle often with my "church of Christ" heritage. Growing up in the church, often times, words like "Gospel" and "Repent", were used to scare me into submission.
Repent for instance, I can remember preachers using this word, along with my grandad, in what i felt were scare tactics to get you to act right. "REPENT!!!!" Can you hear that?
Here's what i found on dictionary.com.
Repent: to feel sorry, self reproachful, or contrite for past conduct.
In specific, let's look at Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized" (there's another word that was not translated form the greek, another time). The greek word is metanoya, (not sure if I spelled that right, but you get the picture here) meaning in english "change".
So, think about that for a minute, "change and be immersed" (since that's what the word baptismo means). What do you think? I like that much better, rather than be self judging, simply change your ways. Cause most of us that have spent the last 60 years or so in the church have a problem with "judging" ourselves as well as others.
Just something to think about!
Repent for instance, I can remember preachers using this word, along with my grandad, in what i felt were scare tactics to get you to act right. "REPENT!!!!" Can you hear that?
Here's what i found on dictionary.com.
Repent: to feel sorry, self reproachful, or contrite for past conduct.
In specific, let's look at Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized" (there's another word that was not translated form the greek, another time). The greek word is metanoya, (not sure if I spelled that right, but you get the picture here) meaning in english "change".
So, think about that for a minute, "change and be immersed" (since that's what the word baptismo means). What do you think? I like that much better, rather than be self judging, simply change your ways. Cause most of us that have spent the last 60 years or so in the church have a problem with "judging" ourselves as well as others.
Just something to think about!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Facing Your Giants
Before I get to my post for the day, just a quick update on the rebuilding of Lockney High School. The masonry folks showed up yesterday to remove the stone work from the entry way to the building. They are going to attempt to wash it and use it on the new building. Looks like they may be about ready to start with demolition once stone is removed.
I have got an old book out that I read last summer. "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado is about the story of David. There are some things I want you to think about. Go back to 1 Samuel 17 and read the story about David and Goliath, just going to hit some highlights here.
David, son of Jesse, had 7 older brothers. A sheep herder from Bethlehem. Young and "ruddy" with handsome features. 1 Samuel 13:14 calls David "a man after His own heart". The only person int he whole bible that is referred to in that sense. I want you to stop and think about that for a minute. And if your not familiar with the story, get your bible out and read all of it. David is a lot like me. Seems his faith comes and goes. Has hilltops and valleys. Trying to find that level ground.
And you would think after killing a nine-and-a-half foot tall Philistine with a single smooth stone, knowing that God was with him and would deliver the Philistine to him, would never have the "valleys" in his faith that I do. But, guess what!!! He did! King Saul made several attempts to have him killed, even after making him a son-in-law. Once David figured that out he runs and hides. How many times have I ran and hid?
My point here is, asking myself, how many times have you ran and hid? How many times have you given up on your dreams and laid the excuse off on some weak personal trait? I have most of my life. Not having a dad, not having enough money, hiding behind divorce, hiding in a bottle, hiding behind your past? GUILTY!!! Although, I have never been one to hide in a bottle or illegal drugs, I did hide for a time behind prescription drugs. Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax, all prescribed for me to take care of depression and anxiety. Then I was told that I needed to take these things for the rest of my life! Don't misunderstand me here. All of these drugs have a place. But they are mind numbing. And maybe you have some traumatic events going on in your life that warrants them to get you "past some issues". I know that I took Paxil for 6 years daily. And coming off of it was awful. But now my mind is clear, having to retrain it to "dream" and dream big". Just don't let those "Giants" control your life!
One other thing, we lost a good one yesterday in Quanah. Ruthie Lance was one of those "moms" that we all loved. She always had our best interest at heart. Sweet, kind, and loving. She will be missed!!! Tell my dad "hi" for me Ruthie!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I hate divorce!
I have had my fair share of this! And now that my mom and step-dad are going through, makes me hate it that much more. I have spent the last several months with mom trying to get through some of her stuff. Yesterday I spent the day with a land appraiser going over all of the land involved. Sad time for me. See, my real dad past away when i was 7 years old. Joe Gayle had been my "dad" for most of my life. The last 35 years to be exact. And Quanah was home. A place fort me to "go to" to remember, to get away. A safe place for me to unwind and enjoy. Mom has spent all those years in one house. The house we moved into when they got married. My home! Every since all this broke lose with mom, it just hasn't been the same going back. The memories now are bitter-sweet. As I was riding around with the appraiser, memories kept flashing back. Growing up in that house. Helping out on the farm. All the places and land we farmed. The good times. Summer wheat harvest with Jim, Shellie, Carol and I. The moving of irrigation pipe. Watching a crop grow form seed to harvest. Some were good and some not so good, the harvest that is. Those of you not involved in production agriculture need to understand. The hard work, the reward of your year long labor. Just stop and think about that. Used to the financial side of it was not as critical as it is now. The margins are so thin these days. One stump of your toe and it's all gone.
I want to keep this as positive as I can. A time for reflection and sharing.
When I was 9 years old, Joe Gayle was dating my mom. He was divorced, had custody of his 2 boys and the thought of having 2 new brothers was exciting. He drove a Ford pickup just like my dad. He farmed just like my dad. But, just before he proposed to mom, he had a wreck during cotton harvest and totalled out his pickup. Back in those days, the inventory of new vehicles was not all that good. Plus the time he had to find one during harvest was slim. He looked for a ford and couldn't find one like he needed so it was Chevy time. I will never forget when he showed up in that maroon 1973 model pickup at our house. I thought "oh no! a chevy?". I can still remember when he called one night, asking me and Shellie if you could marry mom. I can remember my response like it was yesterday. "You gotta get rid of that chevy!" He told me he would as soon as he could, and less than a year later, he had a new ford.
He taught me how to drive a tractor. Taught me how to work (more like made me work! LOL!). I hated driving a combine. I was a better mechanic than a combine operator. So when we were freshman, he hired Carol Martin to drive the combine along with me sister Shellie. Jim and I took care of the hauling to the elevator (without a drivers license I might add!) and keeping the machines running. Carol came and lived with us for wheat harvest every year after that till we all got out of high school. Good times!!!
Oh yeah!!! I almost forgot!! God's still answering prayers!!! My friends test yesterday came back negative! Benign knots! Nothing more till next year!!! Ain't He great!!!
I want to keep this as positive as I can. A time for reflection and sharing.
When I was 9 years old, Joe Gayle was dating my mom. He was divorced, had custody of his 2 boys and the thought of having 2 new brothers was exciting. He drove a Ford pickup just like my dad. He farmed just like my dad. But, just before he proposed to mom, he had a wreck during cotton harvest and totalled out his pickup. Back in those days, the inventory of new vehicles was not all that good. Plus the time he had to find one during harvest was slim. He looked for a ford and couldn't find one like he needed so it was Chevy time. I will never forget when he showed up in that maroon 1973 model pickup at our house. I thought "oh no! a chevy?". I can still remember when he called one night, asking me and Shellie if you could marry mom. I can remember my response like it was yesterday. "You gotta get rid of that chevy!" He told me he would as soon as he could, and less than a year later, he had a new ford.
He taught me how to drive a tractor. Taught me how to work (more like made me work! LOL!). I hated driving a combine. I was a better mechanic than a combine operator. So when we were freshman, he hired Carol Martin to drive the combine along with me sister Shellie. Jim and I took care of the hauling to the elevator (without a drivers license I might add!) and keeping the machines running. Carol came and lived with us for wheat harvest every year after that till we all got out of high school. Good times!!!
Oh yeah!!! I almost forgot!! God's still answering prayers!!! My friends test yesterday came back negative! Benign knots! Nothing more till next year!!! Ain't He great!!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Just remembering fun times!
I have been looking through all the pictures posted on facebook from the Quanah High School class of 78-81 class reunion. That's the four classes just ahead of me. It was so good to see so many familiar faces and remembering fun times! Just want to share a few of those with you today. Kinda funny how some of those events had an impact on my life.
First of all, there was Clif Gibson. He was in the class of 79 and a senior when I was a freshman. I started my first 2 a-day practice the summer of 1978. Hot, over 100 or right at it most days and the humidity was stifling. As soon as we got into full pads and practicing at full speed, they were using us freshman as blocking dummies. And i had been knocked every which way but up. You have to remember I was 6' tall and weighed a whopping 145 lbs. Not a lot of resistance there as a blocking dummy! I had been knocked down by the likes of Jace Reid, Mark Melton and Johnny Dunlap. Then here comes Clif! Just a little side note, all these guys had full facial hair! I barely needed to shave once a week!!! All of them weighed over 150 pounds!!! And I had looked up to this bunch for many years prior. Ok, back to the here comes Clif. He hit me full blast. That's just the way Clif done things. That was the way he was raised. His dad lived life to the fullest and full speed every day. He knocked me on my hiney, my blocking pad flew about 20 yards away (exaggerating a bit there) When he came back by, he stuck his hand out, helped me back up, dusted my rear end off and asked if i was ok. I was like "do what? why does a senior care if a lowly freshman's ok?". I jumped up and said "yes, thank you!". He winked and turned and ran back to the huddle. You know what, I never forgot that! You never forget life events like that. And I have made every effort to pass on the kindness that Clif showed me that day!
Then there was Jerry John Riley. Jerry and i went to church together. His dad and uncle were my sunday school teachers. Jerry had one of the first 4-wheel drive pickups i can remember any of my friends having. It was a 1980 chevy short bed 4X4 with a chrome roll bar and cow catcher. (for those of you that don't know "cow catcher", it's the same as a grill guard.) It was black and silver, a gorgeous pickup. We went to Red River, NM on a church ski trip when i was a jr and Jerry was a freshman in college for spring break. I will never forget who all was on that trip with us!!! Jana Brandon, Kevin Young, Judy Riley, Mark Whitmire, and Jim Baker just to name a few. Well we snuck in a couple of bottles of adult beverages and took them with us!!! (I know, a church trip, I'm sure God has forgiven me for that.!) One night we decided it was time to consume these beverages, so we did! The altitude like magnified 2 or 3 times the effect of the drinks!!! And several of us got pretty wobbly and even a couple threw up. (no names here) So we loaded everyone up in the back of that pickup and got them back to the hotel and made sure everyone was in bed! And I don't think we got caught or even suspected us angels had done anything wrong!
I could go on and on here. OH! There was one picture there of three guys that was in the class ahead of me. Kieth Melton, Kevin Felty and Zachary Choat. Just made my heart warm to see those guys together.
Awesome memories! Thanks God for all of them!!!!
Still waiting to hear from my old friend today. Actually should be having the test done as I'm writing this!
May you feel God's presence near you in all you do!!!
Preston
First of all, there was Clif Gibson. He was in the class of 79 and a senior when I was a freshman. I started my first 2 a-day practice the summer of 1978. Hot, over 100 or right at it most days and the humidity was stifling. As soon as we got into full pads and practicing at full speed, they were using us freshman as blocking dummies. And i had been knocked every which way but up. You have to remember I was 6' tall and weighed a whopping 145 lbs. Not a lot of resistance there as a blocking dummy! I had been knocked down by the likes of Jace Reid, Mark Melton and Johnny Dunlap. Then here comes Clif! Just a little side note, all these guys had full facial hair! I barely needed to shave once a week!!! All of them weighed over 150 pounds!!! And I had looked up to this bunch for many years prior. Ok, back to the here comes Clif. He hit me full blast. That's just the way Clif done things. That was the way he was raised. His dad lived life to the fullest and full speed every day. He knocked me on my hiney, my blocking pad flew about 20 yards away (exaggerating a bit there) When he came back by, he stuck his hand out, helped me back up, dusted my rear end off and asked if i was ok. I was like "do what? why does a senior care if a lowly freshman's ok?". I jumped up and said "yes, thank you!". He winked and turned and ran back to the huddle. You know what, I never forgot that! You never forget life events like that. And I have made every effort to pass on the kindness that Clif showed me that day!
Then there was Jerry John Riley. Jerry and i went to church together. His dad and uncle were my sunday school teachers. Jerry had one of the first 4-wheel drive pickups i can remember any of my friends having. It was a 1980 chevy short bed 4X4 with a chrome roll bar and cow catcher. (for those of you that don't know "cow catcher", it's the same as a grill guard.) It was black and silver, a gorgeous pickup. We went to Red River, NM on a church ski trip when i was a jr and Jerry was a freshman in college for spring break. I will never forget who all was on that trip with us!!! Jana Brandon, Kevin Young, Judy Riley, Mark Whitmire, and Jim Baker just to name a few. Well we snuck in a couple of bottles of adult beverages and took them with us!!! (I know, a church trip, I'm sure God has forgiven me for that.!) One night we decided it was time to consume these beverages, so we did! The altitude like magnified 2 or 3 times the effect of the drinks!!! And several of us got pretty wobbly and even a couple threw up. (no names here) So we loaded everyone up in the back of that pickup and got them back to the hotel and made sure everyone was in bed! And I don't think we got caught or even suspected us angels had done anything wrong!
I could go on and on here. OH! There was one picture there of three guys that was in the class ahead of me. Kieth Melton, Kevin Felty and Zachary Choat. Just made my heart warm to see those guys together.
Awesome memories! Thanks God for all of them!!!!
Still waiting to hear from my old friend today. Actually should be having the test done as I'm writing this!
May you feel God's presence near you in all you do!!!
Preston
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
"Be still"
I recently met a brother when i was in Frisco a couple of weeks ago helping Jonathan and Kirsten move into their new home. I had been following his blog for a couple of months now and have enjoyed it. Kent "Grumpy" Smith and I have lots in common. (you can follow his blog from here) We're both west Texas boys with a love for Christ. We don't always make the right decisions, but we try really hard to do the right thing and learn from those "bad" decisions. I have been reading his book (and I highly recommend you getting a copy) "Everyday Christianity". It's a small, paper back book that's extremely easy reading. (those of you that know me the best know that's my kind of reading!)
The first lesson in life Grumpy talks about is "Be still, and know that I am Lord". This comes from Psalms 46:10. He, like I, have serious problems stopping to "smell the roses". Looking around and being appreciative of the things God has blessed us with. Here are a few of things I stop and look at and am thankful of:
1. My God! He can be yours too!!! Ain't he awesome!!!!
2. My kids! They are the apple of my eyes!!!
3. My Church! I have been blessed over the past few years with an awesome church family!!
4. My home! It's not much, but God has blessed me with it!
5. My car! Silly I know but it gets me from point a to point b. (and don't ask me how to figure that! never was good at algebra!)
6. My friends! I have an awesome group of folks that I cherish dearly. Old and new!
7. The rising sun! It comes up every day, bringing light to fresh beginning!
8. The setting sun! It signifies the ending, a time for reflection.
9. West Texas!!!! Home of the finest (mostly! LOL!) folks in the whole world.
10. USA! Home of the free!!!!
I invite you to stop. BE STILL! Know that God is here and that he loves us all!!!!
I can't wait for these words "Well done, good and faithful servant!!".
May God bless you all!!
Oh yeah! One more thing! I have a very old friend of mine going in for some follow up test tomorrow. Probably nothing but this friend is a long ways from family and friends!! Keep her in your prayers!
Preston
The first lesson in life Grumpy talks about is "Be still, and know that I am Lord". This comes from Psalms 46:10. He, like I, have serious problems stopping to "smell the roses". Looking around and being appreciative of the things God has blessed us with. Here are a few of things I stop and look at and am thankful of:
1. My God! He can be yours too!!! Ain't he awesome!!!!
2. My kids! They are the apple of my eyes!!!
3. My Church! I have been blessed over the past few years with an awesome church family!!
4. My home! It's not much, but God has blessed me with it!
5. My car! Silly I know but it gets me from point a to point b. (and don't ask me how to figure that! never was good at algebra!)
6. My friends! I have an awesome group of folks that I cherish dearly. Old and new!
7. The rising sun! It comes up every day, bringing light to fresh beginning!
8. The setting sun! It signifies the ending, a time for reflection.
9. West Texas!!!! Home of the finest (mostly! LOL!) folks in the whole world.
10. USA! Home of the free!!!!
I invite you to stop. BE STILL! Know that God is here and that he loves us all!!!!
I can't wait for these words "Well done, good and faithful servant!!".
May God bless you all!!
Oh yeah! One more thing! I have a very old friend of mine going in for some follow up test tomorrow. Probably nothing but this friend is a long ways from family and friends!! Keep her in your prayers!
Preston
Friday, June 26, 2009
Starting Over
I haven't been here in a couple of months! Trying to get back in the routine of writing again.
I find myself at 45 at some kind of a cross road. My son thinks I'm having some kind of a midlife crisis! LOL! And so what if i am? Anyway, finding myself unemployed at this age is something i hadn't really put a whole lot of thought into.
Let's visit some options here:
1. I could jump right back into the business I was in and have to deal with the same issues that burned me out to start with. I just can't see me being real productive there.
2. Look for something outside the production ag. This is all I know almost! Spent a life time doing this!
3. Go back to school. But what?
I have always wanted to go to graduate school. Especially law school. It doesn't really matter what I look at going into, it's going to take more education. And at least 2 years of education. So what's the answer here? I have it figured out i think and feel really good about my decision. Law school it is!!! I have a year here to get ready. Take the class on the LSAT in Lubbock in September and October. Take the test in November and start the application process. I have another chance to increase my score in February. Hopefully by then I will have a high enough score to get in! I really only have one choice in Law School, Texas Tech! I have to stay near for my baby girls. Does that make sense?
I find myself at 45 at some kind of a cross road. My son thinks I'm having some kind of a midlife crisis! LOL! And so what if i am? Anyway, finding myself unemployed at this age is something i hadn't really put a whole lot of thought into.
Let's visit some options here:
1. I could jump right back into the business I was in and have to deal with the same issues that burned me out to start with. I just can't see me being real productive there.
2. Look for something outside the production ag. This is all I know almost! Spent a life time doing this!
3. Go back to school. But what?
I have always wanted to go to graduate school. Especially law school. It doesn't really matter what I look at going into, it's going to take more education. And at least 2 years of education. So what's the answer here? I have it figured out i think and feel really good about my decision. Law school it is!!! I have a year here to get ready. Take the class on the LSAT in Lubbock in September and October. Take the test in November and start the application process. I have another chance to increase my score in February. Hopefully by then I will have a high enough score to get in! I really only have one choice in Law School, Texas Tech! I have to stay near for my baby girls. Does that make sense?
Monday, April 6, 2009
And We Know
I shared one of my favorite verses with an old friend of mine today. It is a verse that got me through my divorce and still gets me through the day now.
Romans 8:28
"And WE know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose".
I memorized that verse and use it in prayers many times. I don't always get it exactly right, but the meaning of it is what counts. "And WE know", We, being those of us called to live the life of a Christian. "ALL THINGS", means just what it says, everything, even the things we have trouble turning loose of. "Works for the good of those who love Him", in order to get the full benefit of God, you must be in love with Him! Striving to be like Jesus every minute of every day. He works everything for the good. Even situations that seem to be trials in our lives. "Who have been called according to His purpose", striving to be like Him daily. And, what a rewarding purpose. He always answers our prayers.
I want to share a couple of verses that also help me every day.
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverence, perseverence; perseverence, character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
This is evidence that we will have trials in our lives. We will be tempted. But that's what makes us real.
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Just some food for your soul! Hope you find comfort in this!
Romans 8:28
"And WE know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose".
I memorized that verse and use it in prayers many times. I don't always get it exactly right, but the meaning of it is what counts. "And WE know", We, being those of us called to live the life of a Christian. "ALL THINGS", means just what it says, everything, even the things we have trouble turning loose of. "Works for the good of those who love Him", in order to get the full benefit of God, you must be in love with Him! Striving to be like Jesus every minute of every day. He works everything for the good. Even situations that seem to be trials in our lives. "Who have been called according to His purpose", striving to be like Him daily. And, what a rewarding purpose. He always answers our prayers.
I want to share a couple of verses that also help me every day.
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverence, perseverence; perseverence, character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
This is evidence that we will have trials in our lives. We will be tempted. But that's what makes us real.
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Just some food for your soul! Hope you find comfort in this!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Take My Hand and Lead Me
My girls and I went to my sister Shellie's over the past weekend and went to Six Flag. On our way home we stopped in Cisco, Texas and attended worship there. One of the song's that morning hit me in a way that it has never before. I have sung (sang I don't know which is proper! LOL!) the song many times in my life, but in the wake of the divorce of my mom and step dad, it hit me different. I want to share the song with you.
Take My Hand and Lead Me
I want to live, dear Lord, for Thee, O keep me every day; A faithful witness let me be, Along life's rugged way.
When satan would my hopes alarm, O shelter Thou, my soul; Protect me with The mighty arm, Thy strength will keep me whole.
Let me each day, Thy Spirit feel; Increase my courage Lord, To walk by faith, endowed with zeal, Directed by Thy Word.
(Chorus)
Take my hand and lead me, Anywhere you need me; With Thy spirit feed me, Till I'm safe with Thee at home.
What a prayer! It was just exactly as I felt at that moment. It gave me a sense of easiness. A sense of courage. A sense of protection.
Mom got a call Friday afternoon from the Sheriff in Quanah that he had a subpoena to serve her for her to appear before the Grand Jury Monday morning. We all knew why. When she caught my step dad the last time cheating, he came at her. She pulled a gun on him to keep him from coming at her. He had pressured the Sheriff and the D.A. to try and indict her for the incident. They all tried to talk him out of it, but he still pressured them. So, my Mom, had to appear before the Grand Jury Monday morning to tell them her side of the story. She didn't get indicted. I prayed for God to be with her. For her to be in his presence while she was on the stand. She felt it!
God always answers our prayers!
Take My Hand and Lead Me
I want to live, dear Lord, for Thee, O keep me every day; A faithful witness let me be, Along life's rugged way.
When satan would my hopes alarm, O shelter Thou, my soul; Protect me with The mighty arm, Thy strength will keep me whole.
Let me each day, Thy Spirit feel; Increase my courage Lord, To walk by faith, endowed with zeal, Directed by Thy Word.
(Chorus)
Take my hand and lead me, Anywhere you need me; With Thy spirit feed me, Till I'm safe with Thee at home.
What a prayer! It was just exactly as I felt at that moment. It gave me a sense of easiness. A sense of courage. A sense of protection.
Mom got a call Friday afternoon from the Sheriff in Quanah that he had a subpoena to serve her for her to appear before the Grand Jury Monday morning. We all knew why. When she caught my step dad the last time cheating, he came at her. She pulled a gun on him to keep him from coming at her. He had pressured the Sheriff and the D.A. to try and indict her for the incident. They all tried to talk him out of it, but he still pressured them. So, my Mom, had to appear before the Grand Jury Monday morning to tell them her side of the story. She didn't get indicted. I prayed for God to be with her. For her to be in his presence while she was on the stand. She felt it!
God always answers our prayers!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My Mom
It's about time I get back in the habit of writing again. Seems like I can always find an excuse for skipping this. A couple of things to catch ya'll up on before I start writing about my mom. First of all, we lost a saint here in Lockney a couple of weeks ago, Dee Copeland past away. Dee turned 100 last October. I will miss him. One of my favorite memories of him was a few years ago he told me he was about to "deliver meals to the old folks!". I asked him how many of them were younger than him, he replied"all of them". You can read more about Dee in some of my early blogs. An update on Lockney High School, the portable buildings are in place and they will begin classes in them next Monday.
My Mom. My mom is one of the strongest women I know. Let me tell you a few things she's been through. My dad was killed at age 26, mom was 25. She was widowed and had 2 kids, 7 and 5. She did her best to provide for my sister and I. She worked as a secretary/bookkeeper at the Coop in Lockney for a couple of years. In 1973 she met who was to be my step-dad, Joe Gayle Baker. Joe Gayle called me in January of 1974 and asked if he could marry my mom. He had just bought a new chevy pickup. I told him "only if you promise to buy a Ford". So, less than a year later he bought a Ford. They were married February 9th, 1974. Joe Gayle had 2 boys, 10 and 7. My sister and I had 2 brothers! YEAH! We were happy. One big family. I started to school on February 13, 1974 in Quanah, Texas. The reason that sticks in my mind is the fact that the next fay was Valentines and I just put on my valentines to the rest of the class "From Preston". LOL! The challenges of mixing a family came quickly and often. In 1977, John the youngest of my step brothers went to live with his mom and Jim stayed with us. So now there was just us 3 kids. In 1984 my sister got sick with Crone's disease. While trying to get her diagnosed, she almost died a couple of times. In 1986 my grandmother passed away. In 1988 my granddad past away. In about 1990, Mom and Joe Gayle were forced into bankruptcy. In 2002, Joe Gayle had a wreck and was ejected from his pickup. He was transported to Wichita Falls and Mom was at sister's in Perryton when it happened. On February 21, 2009 (yes on my birthday) mom caught Joe Gayle cheating on her. And this wasn't the first time. It goes back some 15 years. She never mentioned it to no body.
I guess I tell all of this to ask all of you for a favor. Please pray for my mom. She's really struggling right now.
Thanks!
My Mom. My mom is one of the strongest women I know. Let me tell you a few things she's been through. My dad was killed at age 26, mom was 25. She was widowed and had 2 kids, 7 and 5. She did her best to provide for my sister and I. She worked as a secretary/bookkeeper at the Coop in Lockney for a couple of years. In 1973 she met who was to be my step-dad, Joe Gayle Baker. Joe Gayle called me in January of 1974 and asked if he could marry my mom. He had just bought a new chevy pickup. I told him "only if you promise to buy a Ford". So, less than a year later he bought a Ford. They were married February 9th, 1974. Joe Gayle had 2 boys, 10 and 7. My sister and I had 2 brothers! YEAH! We were happy. One big family. I started to school on February 13, 1974 in Quanah, Texas. The reason that sticks in my mind is the fact that the next fay was Valentines and I just put on my valentines to the rest of the class "From Preston". LOL! The challenges of mixing a family came quickly and often. In 1977, John the youngest of my step brothers went to live with his mom and Jim stayed with us. So now there was just us 3 kids. In 1984 my sister got sick with Crone's disease. While trying to get her diagnosed, she almost died a couple of times. In 1986 my grandmother passed away. In 1988 my granddad past away. In about 1990, Mom and Joe Gayle were forced into bankruptcy. In 2002, Joe Gayle had a wreck and was ejected from his pickup. He was transported to Wichita Falls and Mom was at sister's in Perryton when it happened. On February 21, 2009 (yes on my birthday) mom caught Joe Gayle cheating on her. And this wasn't the first time. It goes back some 15 years. She never mentioned it to no body.
I guess I tell all of this to ask all of you for a favor. Please pray for my mom. She's really struggling right now.
Thanks!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Up From The Ashes
It has been over a week now since the school burned. The surrounding communities have been awesome on helping put our lives back together. The Jr. high should be ready for school Monday. My daughter Sarah is way excited about that. The rooms at the church are cramped to say the least. Balckmon-Mooring have worked long days since the fire and 7 day work weeks to get the jr. high functional. I know the teachers are ready to be back int there building too!
Seems to be some wrangling going on among a few folks to try and consolidate the Lockney and Floydada schools. I have mixed emotions about that. The Lockney-Floydada rivalry is still in effect. It's not near as bad as it used to be, but still alive. Lots of folks have stated their opposition to the consolidation in this way: "My kids aren't going to be Whirlwinds!". Others have had words that I won't repeat here.
A couple of things bother me on the subject of consolidation. Who's administration is going to run things? Where will the kids go to school? Will Lockney carry as many board members as Floydada? What will happen to the support staffs? What will happen to the teachers?
One of the things that really bothers me a bit is the superintendent situation in Floydada. No one seems to like him, and the board was split on re-newing his contract this year. His contract was re-newed by a vote of 4-3. Also, our district is debt free. All of our buildings are (were) in awesome shape. We have taken a great deal of pride in taking care of our buildings and keeping them as up to date as we can. We have a good fleet of buses. We have above average sports facilities. And we have grown our fund balance through all the upgrades.
I wonder what would happen if Floydada came to Lockney and went to school?
I kinda feel like they are trying to kick us while we're down!
WE ARE LOCKNEY! WE WILL OVERCOME!
Seems to be some wrangling going on among a few folks to try and consolidate the Lockney and Floydada schools. I have mixed emotions about that. The Lockney-Floydada rivalry is still in effect. It's not near as bad as it used to be, but still alive. Lots of folks have stated their opposition to the consolidation in this way: "My kids aren't going to be Whirlwinds!". Others have had words that I won't repeat here.
A couple of things bother me on the subject of consolidation. Who's administration is going to run things? Where will the kids go to school? Will Lockney carry as many board members as Floydada? What will happen to the support staffs? What will happen to the teachers?
One of the things that really bothers me a bit is the superintendent situation in Floydada. No one seems to like him, and the board was split on re-newing his contract this year. His contract was re-newed by a vote of 4-3. Also, our district is debt free. All of our buildings are (were) in awesome shape. We have taken a great deal of pride in taking care of our buildings and keeping them as up to date as we can. We have a good fleet of buses. We have above average sports facilities. And we have grown our fund balance through all the upgrades.
I wonder what would happen if Floydada came to Lockney and went to school?
I kinda feel like they are trying to kick us while we're down!
WE ARE LOCKNEY! WE WILL OVERCOME!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Just some thoughts
Well, I guess I'm still trying to digest all the happenings of the week. The loss of our high school is weighing heavy on my mind. My prayers are with our kiddos and teachers. Just praying that they are able to put some sort of normalcy back in their days.
I can remember when the Methodist church burned in Quanah when I was a kid. I think it was 1975. I remember going to school that morning and driving by the church. Nothing left but a shell of a building, still smoldering. The building was one of the oldest buildings in Quanah at the time. When you're a kid, everything is big. That building seemed to stand like a skyscraper. I can remember going around that building a couple of days after it burned and picking up lead and glass from the stained glass windows it had. They held church services at the community building there in town for what seemed like an eternity. I think it took around 2 years to get the building built back. The library sits where the Methodist church used to be in Quanah.
Just a few months before I got on the fire department in Lockney, the Baptist church in Floydada burned. They had fire departments from Matador, Lockney, and Ralls there.
What is really cool about all this is how a community comes together after tragedy strikes. I have watched it happen several times. Tornadoes in Lubbock, Vernon and Wichita Falls. The church fires in Quanah and Floydada. The community just comes together, puts all differences aside and rebuilds. I have full confidence in Lockney that this will happen. I love my town!
I can remember when the Methodist church burned in Quanah when I was a kid. I think it was 1975. I remember going to school that morning and driving by the church. Nothing left but a shell of a building, still smoldering. The building was one of the oldest buildings in Quanah at the time. When you're a kid, everything is big. That building seemed to stand like a skyscraper. I can remember going around that building a couple of days after it burned and picking up lead and glass from the stained glass windows it had. They held church services at the community building there in town for what seemed like an eternity. I think it took around 2 years to get the building built back. The library sits where the Methodist church used to be in Quanah.
Just a few months before I got on the fire department in Lockney, the Baptist church in Floydada burned. They had fire departments from Matador, Lockney, and Ralls there.
What is really cool about all this is how a community comes together after tragedy strikes. I have watched it happen several times. Tornadoes in Lubbock, Vernon and Wichita Falls. The church fires in Quanah and Floydada. The community just comes together, puts all differences aside and rebuilds. I have full confidence in Lockney that this will happen. I love my town!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
FIRE
I know most of you have heard about our loss here in Lockney Sunday night. Our High School burned to the ground. Most of ya'll also know that I am a volunteer fireman here in Lockney. We first got the call of a fire at the high school just after 11:00 pm Sunday night. We always get calls to fires at the hospital or nursing home here, most of the time, to find out it's a false alarm. This was not the case on Sunday night. When I walked out of the house, you could smell and see the smoke bellowing from that direction. Our high school and jr. high is connected so it was twice as scary. When we arrived on scene, we couldn't believe what was before our eyes. The second floor was pretty much engulfed in flames. Also when we arrived, there were several folks beginning to get all the keepsake stuff from the first floor. All the pictures, trophies, etc., were saved. We began our interior approach quickly, sending a team to the second floor to find things pretty much uncontrollable. We immediately began to save what we could. The Floydada Fire Department came over to assist. My friends from Floydada that were on the first truck leaving Floydada could see the flames from the city limits of Floydada. When they arrived, they did an awesome job keeping the fire from continuing down the hall into the jr. high. Only some minor smoke damage and water damage occurred in the jr. high. The High School Library was also spared of any fire damage but did receive some smoke and water damage. The science lab was also saved for the most part sustaining some fire damage and lots of smoke and water damage. The rest of the building was a total loss.
Unfortunately, we have learned that the fire was a product of arson. I will let you read or hear about that in the news.
The building was erected 1929. This years graduates would have been the 80th class to graduate from the building. Lots of history went up in the building.
I attended elementary school here before moving to Quanah. So there wasn't a lot of sentimental memories for me. At one point on Monday morning, we (the firefighters) were sitting in the new gymnasium that sits to the south of the high school across the street. While our chief was being interviewed by the Plainview newspaper, the reporter asked the question "how many of ya'll graduated from high school here?". As I looked around the room, out of around 18 fireman sitting there, there were only 3 of us that didn't attend school in the building.
I don't really know what's in store for our community for the days and weeks to come. I know that God is good! And I know something good will come of this!
Pray for us!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Reflecting On the Week
It has been a good week for me. The new year is going to be a good one. My week has been full of pleasant surprises. One of the funnest things this week for me was my Tuesday night with the girls. My friend Kurt brought his two younger kids by my house Tuesday night while he went to a Boy Scouts meeting. We had a Guitar Hero concert. All the kids got an instrument and sang. It was a hoot!!!
Something I don't do near enough of on here is ask for prayers. I have a couple of requests. Dee Copeland, A gentleman I wrote about in my early entries on here and he just turned 100 in October, fell over the holidays and broke his hip. He is in Covenant Hospital in Lubbock. I hear he's not doing real well. Hopefully I will get by to see him this weekend. One of my best friends, Jay Don Poindexter, has a brother-in-law that has a tumor that is attached to his kidneys and goes all the way back to his spine. His name is Johnny. Keep these two men in your prayers. Pray that God's will be done!
Something I don't do near enough of on here is ask for prayers. I have a couple of requests. Dee Copeland, A gentleman I wrote about in my early entries on here and he just turned 100 in October, fell over the holidays and broke his hip. He is in Covenant Hospital in Lubbock. I hear he's not doing real well. Hopefully I will get by to see him this weekend. One of my best friends, Jay Don Poindexter, has a brother-in-law that has a tumor that is attached to his kidneys and goes all the way back to his spine. His name is Johnny. Keep these two men in your prayers. Pray that God's will be done!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Old Friends Part 2
Well, Tuesday was some kinda day. After my old friend Lee Ann left a comment here, I went to the basketball games here in Lockney to find out we were playing Muleshoe. I looked across the way and there sat David Wood. Just to bring you all up to speed here, the Wood twins were 2 classes ahead of me in high school at Quanah. Don was the quarterback, and David was a receiver. They had 2 sisters, Kathy who I think was 3 classes ahead of me and Laurie was a year ahead of me. Their Dad was the head football coach and athletic director. They were good friends.
Don is the superintendent at Muleshoe and David is the head football coach and athletic director. Muleshoe won the class 2AA state championship. And David's son was the star quarterback.
It was really good to get to see them!
Don is the superintendent at Muleshoe and David is the head football coach and athletic director. Muleshoe won the class 2AA state championship. And David's son was the star quarterback.
It was really good to get to see them!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Old Friends
This blog not only has been a place for me to share and vent, but it has put me in contact with some old friends. I think we get too busy with our jobs, careers and families that we lose track of really good friends. I want to take a minute and remember a couple of friends that have made contact with me through this blog.
Shanny Stanley Cox was a friend from Tech. She dated one of my roommates and she and I went to a Christmas party together one time. If I remember right, she worked for Pat Walker in Lubbock while she was attending Tech. It was the Christmas party for Pat Walker that I attended with her while my roommate was home. It was at the old Tejas Winery south of Lubbock. It was loads of fun.
Lee Ann Goodnight Ray was really more of a friend to my sister Shellie. Her dad moved to Quanah in the early 80's to coach at Quanah. Lee Ann was an all star basketball player that played with my sister. They were loads of fun for me to watch.
There have been others that have commented anonymously, I appreciate all comments.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Shanny Stanley Cox was a friend from Tech. She dated one of my roommates and she and I went to a Christmas party together one time. If I remember right, she worked for Pat Walker in Lubbock while she was attending Tech. It was the Christmas party for Pat Walker that I attended with her while my roommate was home. It was at the old Tejas Winery south of Lubbock. It was loads of fun.
Lee Ann Goodnight Ray was really more of a friend to my sister Shellie. Her dad moved to Quanah in the early 80's to coach at Quanah. Lee Ann was an all star basketball player that played with my sister. They were loads of fun for me to watch.
There have been others that have commented anonymously, I appreciate all comments.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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