Well.....

The colors are starting to change around our part of the woods now. I just really enjoy this time of year as the weather cools and life slows down. We would all do well to slow down and take time to reflect on how we have spent our time this year.

We have had some water issues lately. It seems our well, which is set to a depth of 130 feet and has about a 20 foot water level, had a leaking pipe system. With all of the sediment and loss of pressure I thought it was running dry. While it is a little low, we should be back up and running today, although a little poorer in the process ($2,100). Since we don’t have a back up power system I decided to go ahead and hook up to county water. That was the expensive part. It seems the utility department is afraid of our well water so a $600 backflow- preventer has to be installed. But with all of that we have yet to be without water. The Lord has been very merciful to us during this dry year

The goats have really taken to their new surrounding. I expect we will have some goat kids by February. Maybe then we can try our hand at milking and cheese making.



Our co-cow owners (and pasture/cooler providers) and our family are getting ready to butcher an Angus steer. Hopefully by the 7th of October. This will be a first for all of us. If our past experience with chickens is any indicator, I am sure it will be a time of great learning and encouragement. May our lives be open enough to take time and spend with others. Helping each other and learning to serve one another in love.

As we try to learn more of the ways of a self sufficient country life, we don’t want to forget to be salt and light to a lost and dying world.

MAYHUGH FAMILY REUNION

Laura's family had their family reunion up in St. Louis this past weekend. There were people there that we had not seen for 23 years. Others we had seen a few years back when we traveled through on our way from California. Just like they have all grown a little older, but still the same people. It is always a good reminder how short our lives are here in this world. Nancy was just as fiesty as ever. Hope was busy with setting everything in order. Ken the older brother of Dennis there is only a slight family remeblance. Faith has passed on, but was on our minds. All of the spouses and friends gathering one more time never really knowing if everyone will make it back next year.We only have each other for a short time in this present age. We can't gain back this time. We can't change the past. I would ask each of us, are we loving our neighbor as ourselves. This includes family that we can sometimes take for granted. No matter what you own, how rich or how poor death has a way of putting everyone on equal footing. I would like to see my family start having get togethers again. Sometimes these things tend to cease as the older ones pass on from the present world. It is good to have these times with earthly family, but I find more and more a desire to spend time with my brothers and sisters in the faith. I so missed our time of Sunday fellowship and teaching with the brethern. My deepest prayer is that all of our family would know and follow Christ with all of thier hearts. And love him above all else.


Galations 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Joshua's Birthday

Our middle son has turned thirteen this past weekend. He had expressed a desire to go hunting with his father. This seemed to be a simple request, but a dear one also. For him to desire to spend time with his father, learning what little his dad knows about hunting. We had a good time out in the woods. It always amazes me when I spend time out in God's wonderful creation. Getting away from the things that say "CIVILIZATION" and instead being overwhelmed at the intricate detail God has placed in every creature. From the lowly bug to the simple squirrel and even to man. Without the Lord we have know hope and no life.

It is a priviledge to celebrate another year in the each life of our family. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, yet we will praise God for yesterday, today and tomorrow - no matter what befalls us. Joshua spent the rest of the day experimenting with his new guitar accessories. His skill is increasing daily as is his desire to us music to praise and glorify his maker. May this be his heart's desire that all of his life would bring praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ - who has set him free from the sin of this dark present world. My prayer would be the same for all who have found grace and mercy in the Lord. And for those that do not know Him - that He would open their eyes and ears that they might find mercy and compassion at the cross of Christ.














Psalm 49:12But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah 14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

Animal Update




The rabbits are doing well. We had to separate the two male Florida whites. The female had one offspring but it died, I believe to the excessive heat this summer. The two dwarf rabbits we were given are very cuddly, much more so than the others.




The Cornish and Cornish cross broilers are coming along fine. We have not lost anymore as of yet. I am still not very impressed with the red broilers. I will probably not order from Ideal hatchery again. I was not pleased with the breed stock we received from them. My plan is to allow our youngest son to try and raise some breeding stock from the Dark Cornish (definitely the hardiest of this batch). We plan on keeping two hens from this group for breeding with our Buff Orpington Rooster. We are trying our hand at our own cross meat bird.




We have had our goats for one week now. They were very skiddish at first, but they have warmed up to us. Especially if you happen to have feed in your hands. We are letting Nanny dry up for now. More due from the lack of a milking stand and milking area. We hope to get both built in the near future just to get her used to the idea of being milked. For now we are relying on some contraband raw Jersey cow milk.




Lastly our regular chickens now have a much larger chicken yard, while having less protection. We have removed the old fence and installed some field fencing. I feel that soon we will be installing chicken wire over the field fence both to keep birds in and other animals out. We also removed the overhead netting, so I am hoping hawks don't become a problem. Some friends have lost a number of birds recently to various predation problems (as of yet to be determined).

Our guest rooster has been wondering about trying to figure out how to get at the other rooster and with the hens. After clipping his wings and the goats running him around, he still seems to say IIII AAAMMM THEEEEE MANNNNN!.

So much like us in our own pride. Thinking we are all that and more - while in truth we are nothing. The Lord thankfully is patient and correcting toward his children as he seeks to purge the pride out of our lives, especially my own.

Psalm 49:5-7 Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him--