COLD SNAP

A part of the polar vortex slipped southward this week, too far south. Cabin work slowed considerably as freezing temperature and a fierce north wind confined us inside making steel cut oatmeal, beef-tip stoup and chicken caldo. We did manage to hang window blinds and some temporary curtains to keep some of the cold outside. We will need to have our cabin underbelly spray insulated as the crawlspace cooled down considerably.

It has been a year since we purchased this cabin shell and began the journey of design, planning, and implementing the DIY interior finish out project. We moved into an unfinished cabin and every interior detail we complete seems like a major win! We will complete most of the planned work by mid-March. And then, we begin some travel.

We join my brother and his wife for a week of RV camping in late March. A trip to New Orleans is on the mid-April schedule and a return trip to the French Quarter Music Festival with dear friends. In May, we will travel for the month with a round trip to Virginia and time with the "kids." As cabin DIY work takes a back seat, we place certain exterior projects on the "later list."

Farm life is very good for our souls. Let me be clear, I am not a farmer. Laura and I live on a family farm and help when and where we can. Retirement is a very good thing for our souls. We chose to exit the faster, busier, and more expensive lifestyle of Austin and its ever-expanding metroplex. We landed in a very quiet setting fifteen miles from "town."  Our west window faces the oak trees lining the Papalote Creek which is mostly dry except for the rainy season (whenever that may happen again) and deer graze feet away from the cabin. A drive up to the cattle guard and our County Road mail box or to one of the other family residences is about as far as this soul needs to go. Unless it is a Sunday. And until it is time to travel.

In respect for ministerial colleagues as they continue to influence and persuade their congregations that loving God and loving neighbors (others) is still the mission of most Christians, I ponder a third phase of my ministry and to what and how that calling will lead. For now, we rest, pray, invest in family, and help our neighbors when and where we can.

Blessings to all of you friends. May the brilliant stillness of a morning sunrise or an evening sunset bring you peace. May the hurts you experience find healing balm at the hand of a very loving Lord. May a friend listen to what you may need to say. And may your wanderings be guided by an ever-growing sense of grace.

Along the Way with Laura and Paul (retired)

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