Blessings

Friday night was our first night out on the property.

Some time last week, Jenn had a talk with one of the pastors about the property.  He too has some land a few miles outside the Austin area so he finds the topic more interesting than most.  After some discussion about blessing homes and property, he gladly agreed to come out Saturday morning and bless the property. 

So, Friday night after work we gathered up some things, the kids, some pizza, a few DVDs courtesy of Red Box, and headed out to the property for Friday night family movies.  The four of us had a pretty good time just visiting and spending time together, something that Jenn and I cherish more these days as they're now both teens and the last few years have been rather difficult, but that's another story.

Saturday morning arrived early, partly cloudy, birds off in the distance, and the sounds of saws.  Our new neighbors were busy by 8am cutting stone slabs for...whatever it is they needed them.  Though this was unexpected, the noise wasn't really that bad given their proximity.  We knew that the noises out in the country would still be there but, that they were just different noises than in the suburbs.  For me, it was much better than hearing our current in-town apartment neighbor stomping around all night long or the sounds of booming car stereos driving by. 

Ah, booming car stereos.  My, how things have changed!

By 9am Jenn and I had been outside sitting on our "front porch" enjoying our morning coffee for a while.  By 10am Ryan and I were out walking around the RV area just visiting with each other and moving some of the broken limbs from last weeks cleaning into piles.  Not very productive but it was pleasant and yet, another memory I'll cherish.  By 10:30am Jenn's mom, step-dad, sister, nephew, and friend had showed up to visit.  They also brought out some of our patio furniture we've been keeping at their place.  Moments later Pastor Kevin and his little boy arrived.

We sat around our new "front porch" area while Kevin read a couple of Bible verses and a quick prayer blessing us, our land, and our future home.  During the prayer, we heard a small rumble of thunder off in the distance, to which we all later commented.  Minutes later, the drops began to fall, we all said our goodbyes, and the four of us ducked back in to the RV for shelter. 

It was nice hearing the rain outside and the timing was so befitting after just having blessings bestowed upon the land.

Very little work took place out on the land this weekend, but suffice it to say, it was a good weekend. 

Thank you, Lord.

Land Spreading Out So Far and Wide

This has been one heck of a weekend!  Our property has a forest of flame leaf sumacs covering a good 75% of property and we decided to clear as much of it as possible this weekend.  In 100+ degree weather.  So when we went to see about renting a tractor, they were out at the time but had a Bobcat with a mower attached to the front.  Okay, guess it'll do.

The bucket they decided to "throw in" for free did me no good, we used it strictly for mowing as there wasn't much time for anything else.

The whole thing loaded back on the trailer for early morning return tomorrow morning.  A BIG thanks to my Father-in-law for hauling the Bobcat out to the property and back for us!  Thanks Russell!!

Had some family and friends stop by and lend a hand with clearing, Thanks Todd, Andrew, Tony, Shannon, Kristi, and Judith!  Here I am at the controls.  It was a blast!

Couldn't seem to get Jenn in the thing, she had other plans.

Here's the drive down to the gate, before...

 

Here's the drive down to the gate, after.

Here's some views facing South/SW, before...

And, afterwards

~

Let There Be Light!

Though there is electricity on the property, we've set the wheels in motion for a downward area light to be mounted as well as wiring for RV, hopefully this week! 

This is from the center of the property where the utility pole stands looking SW as Jenn marches back toward the vehicle.