Six Little Piggies

You've all heard the story of the three little pigs. I would like to up
the number to six little pigs. Since raising our first batch of porkers
we have decided we like then end BBQ results. So we set out to purchase our next set off piglets.

We found of a man in Beech Grove that raised pigs from a friend, so off we go to get them. The man's name was Duke. Funny he kind of looked like the uncle on Dukes of Hazard. We met him at a gas station and followed him down some back roads to the pig pens. He had already separated 6 piglets out for us, so in short order we were off with our pigs in our goat trailer (more on that later).

By the time we got home it was quite late so we left the pigs in the trailer for the night. After all it held them all the way home. It should be safe over night. Well come the next morning I go out to look at the little varmints. Only problem is they are all gone! So I wake up the house and sent out the search parties (I have to leave for work ~ fortunately enough). Well they searched all morning to no avail. But somehow these pigs made it several miles down the road to a friends
Trout farm.

Talk about divine intervention. Only the Lord could have done this for us! Our friends caught three of the little boogers, lassoed one of them. The other three must have gone the other direction. Laura and the boys hurried off to get them, only to discover that when put in the
trailer they worked themselves almost out. I guess goat panels are best to hold in goats not pigs. Well a little chicken wire and rope later
the trailer was secure. Being that I didn't want to chase anymore pigs I stopped and picked up some humane (not sure what makes them humane but I guess it keeps PETA happy) nose rings on the way home. The pigs have a way of digging out of things. Well wouldn't you know those pigs didn't want to cooperate with the procedure. Sam held them and man did they squeal - all before I had touched them. When I actually put the rings in they got rather quite.

One particular piglet was very unhappy and tried his best to shake that thing loose. We got them all relocated to a dog pen until they get a little bigger. The hog pen has one section of fence installed upside down (big holes at the bottom - bad for little pigs). I had given up any hope of finding the other piglets. Then we got a call the 4th of July. They had been found at a neighbors house down the road - so off the boys and I went to get them. Well that is easier said
than done. They had made their way into the neighbors Buffalo pen, and the Buffalo were none to happy about it. So with one eye on the Buffalo and one on the pigs we preceded to chase them for the better part of an hour. I sure a very funny sight. One old fat man with three boys being
out done by three little pigs.

The Buffalo and myself were not amused. I figured we need to try
another tactic. I sent Sam home for the 22. If they weren't about to
be caught then I wasn't about to just throw away the purchase price.
Well five shots later the pigs were caught - albeit dead. We hurried
home and skinned them out and put them on ice. I cooked up two last
night and froze the third one for another day.

All in all I can't complain about the end results. God provided in the
midst of our comedy - we could have had none but were blessed with
plenty. I couldn't help but draw some similarities. Pigs are wise in
their own eyes. They want their own way and are constantly skeeming for
an escape. We are much like the pigs without Christ. We think we are
pretty smart. Sheep on the other hand are very dependent upon the
shepherd. They might wounder off but they really don't do so on
purpose. They are quite dumb. As we truly are to God's ways. We tend
to be wise in our own eyes, but it is foolishness when compared to God.
Follow Christ and don't trust in yourself. Well that's the end of this
story. Six little piggies went off on their own way - which way will
you go.

Glory Glory Hallelujah
In the
Capital City
Family Trip to Washington D.C.

I would like to share this trip with you in the way of blessings. For there were so many blessings showered upon us, we desire to Praise God for His blessings, to bring all Glory to Him that He should bless us so generously.

Blessing #1:
We were able to go to D.C. with my husband on a business trip. So all gas, food & hotel were free to us. What a blessing!

Blessing #2:
We found someone to watch our farm: Feed, water the many animals including our spoiled dog. And take care of the place. And upon our return all was well!! Not a single animal missing or died! Thank You God!

Blessing #3:
We had a BEAUTIFUL drive up through TN and VA. We have never seen such beautiful countryside before. That was a feast for our souls! WoW! Lord what magnificent creation You have made!

Blessing #4:
We were getting close to some friends home town and we knew our friends happened to be up there visiting their family so we decided to “pop” in on them! That was such a treat. We had to really rack our brains but God help us remember the oddest things in order to find the town, exit and place. It was neat to see the faces of our friends! It was a nice trip break. They too live where you can see the beautiful mountains in the background—very lovely! Praise You Father for sweet friends that You have given us!

Blessing #5:
We got rain several times while we were in D.C. which made the temps cooler for us since we do not handle the heat very well.

Blessing #6:
We got to see very dear friends of ours. We had a wonderful time encouraging one another. Sharpening iron with one another. Sharing in the Word and praying was special. We also got to meet many of the people that our friends are ministering to. That was special.

Blessing #7:
Though the city was VERY crowded and traffic Horrendous, we never had an accident! Thank You Lord. And when on the many times we got lost, He quickly got us turned around!

Blessing #8:
We went to the base pool one day and we were not there long before it began to storm so we had to leave. My boys were grateful to leave (though they love to swim) for there was what is usual about the pool, a lot of flesh showing! So we prayed in earnest about that and for the purity of their hearts and if we should go again. Then the next day it was rainy/cloudy so we did not get to go. Then on Friday, we went and there was only a hand full of people and most all of them little kids! Both days were an answer to prayer. Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness to reward those who seek to please You!

Blessing #9:
The place where my husband had his meetings was in walking distance of our friends house!! That was so unbelievable! The parking for this building was right across the street from their house! Not to mention his meetings were not long and he was able to enjoy visiting with our dear friends too.

Blessing #10:
There was a park just a few houses down by the river the boys loved it. Also there was a volleyball area we all walked to and the kids played there & had a good time. While the parents walked along the walking path along the Potomac River, with the kids in sight of course. That was a real treat to see the boats in the water, it was mild with a breeze (sorta reminded us of CA where we meet these friends of ours). You could see the some of the D.C. buildings in the back ground. It was very nice!

Blessing #11:
My dear Sister Dawn went way out of the way to have all three meals a day very special. She did a lot of memory meals. And just really spent a great deal on our behalf in making meal time special. She went through a lot of time and expense for us and we were very blessed by her servant’s heart in this area. God You are so good to us, we can not begin to express!

Blessing #12:
Watching our kids play together was so like old times! That was a blessing to us! Everyone got along and was so delighted to be together! Yes they were all a bit older but still the same! I also spent time reading to them which was an old time treat for us all.

Blessing #13:
We went to see some of the buildings late on Friday night. It was cool and less traffic, though there was still a lot. It was neat to read President Lincoln’s second inaugural address. There was so much of God’s Sovereignty in it of you looked you could see it.

Blessing #14:
We went to see two Smithsonian museums on Saturday morning. The space one was really cool. The boys and dads really enjoyed it. So did the gals. It was neat to see all the planes hanging from the ceiling and the art in many of the designs. Also, we rode the metro and that was fun and new experience for all of us.

Blessing #15:
I (Laura) developed a HUGE cyst in a VERY unpleasant place. Where the sun don’t shine. I became so miserable along Thursday and Friday that it took so much effort to just get up from a chair until my arms were sore as well. I did not want to go to the doctor. Then by the time we were in the Hotel on our way home Saturday night. Sherman pleaded with me to let him lance the cyst to help with the pain. I do not take pain relievers at night so I was in A LOT of pain. I agreed but he could not ever touch my skin in that area. Most all the area around it was also painful and swollen. He tried & I cried. I was at the end of my pain tolerance and wept out loud. It was hard to let my children see me like that. I was so thankful for him, that he helped doctor me since I could not see what I was doing. So after we went to bed, he grabbed my hand and began to softly pray for me. And God answer his prayers!! The cyst burst during the night. Though it was quite a mess. It did relieve the severe pain. So by the time we were home, I no longer had to take pain meds. I can not tell you how it feels to have such prayers answered! It may have been insignificant to many. But it was not to me. I am in awe that God would care that much!

Our whole trip was like that. When a problem came up we prayed and
God made a way! It was neat to be in the Spirit while “vacationing”!