IT IS DONE!

All 20,000 strawberry plants are IN the ground and it feels, mostly pain in the lower back, but great great feelings otherwise! We still have lots and lots of weeding to catch up on and lots of weeds to keep from growing. Our jobs will pretty much remain the same from now until the berries can be picked. Weeding will be my main job, prayerfully, I won't get too bored with doing that everyday all day. Also, I will be moving sprinklers/water, tilling - once I get used to it, and doing the dishes. James will do all that with me, but he will also be keeping an eye out for the honeybees and catching up on the paperwork -showing me important things to know along the way. It's has been lots of fun these last few days with James, because our main focus was GETTING THEM PLANTS IN, so we did that together all day. We talked about so many things, covering so much ground, HA even literally. Having laughs and yet some serious conversations that took time to think about saying it in a way that it wouldn't hurt the other, asking questions - some serious, wishes, if you could's, have you ever's, are you for or against. It's just been a really good and fun growing time for James and I as we work together. We've learn soo much from our working styles to our different responses to how long it's taking to just family situations..its just been fun! The best part about ALL that is we're working together and we're fast to recognize an attitude that's not one of Christ and neither one of us isn't afraid to say it to the other. Even things that "annoy" us about each other, we're working on stuff like that and helping each other be people that God wants us to be. Oh its just wonderful to be with someone so much willing to work with me and help me be who I want and who God wants me to be...also willing to take advice and encouragement to become more like Christ. Anyways, I pray all of you are having a great memorial weekend! The elephant on the way to NY!

James and the elephant

Strawberry Field Week 1


From Other Side (Just so you can see it a little better)


James and I in the middle of entire field. (yes it is sunny)
Background
Far Left: last year's berries
Middle: Raspberry plants..and un-mowed dandelions
Far Right: this year's berries

These are our lil honeybees! You can see at least three zooming into the little crack to drop off some sweeets!

Rain Rain GO AWAY!

Though rain is something our strawbs need, it would be GRAND if it would rain at night when we are sleeping.
It's freezing around here and there's not a whole lot we can do outside, so we're stuck inside again. Yesterday we planted a hundred or so, but then my fingers couldn't take it any longer, so we called it quits. It would good though, because we got some other necessary things done that required going to town. It took most of the afternoon and the sky somewhat cleared up, so we checked-up on our plants. The new field is pretty tough, causing a not so great planting job by the planter so we went through and covered them. James was a little concerned for the first few rows' survival rate so we gave them some loving water to eat up! Around sunset the wind picked up and I WAS COLD AGAIN! We headed for the indoors and just talked. : )
I remember a concern I once had about living with his grandma (Lois). I laugh now, because God sure has a sense of humor. I was once concerned that I wouldn't get home until 9:30-10 and she would be fast asleep. Half of that is true, I DO get home that late..but grams is still awake watching TV AND as talkative as ever. I was also concerned that as she was fast asleep I would need to shower and she would wake up to the water running. HA, yet another joke. I go to bed at least an hour before this wild one and I AM the one who will hear her in the bathroom, sometimes. God is good, that all I have to say about that!
We're cleaning again today, I should be helping the dish cleaner now, (James) but I snuck on here when he was getting ready! Just to clarify, the lifestyle around here isn't exactly "normal", but it's what it is and the dishes I speak of aren't from just us. If James doesn't clean around here...no one does. Not Dad, not Nathan (brother)...so to say the least, there's a build up. AND THOUGH some would be embarrassed,to be in the house or to even write about it, I love James and he's been trying to keep this house clean by himself for far too long. Ha, it kinda makes me laugh because his dad will come in after we've been cleaning and he will say, "Now, where can I find a fork?" hahaha, makes me laugh, if only you could hear him say it. To say the least, we've done a little organizing and we're making some progress, putting things where they belong and making sure others do as well. It's different, yes, but I know God doesn't call his people to live a life of comfort. Sometimes I do feel uncomfortable, but He's my source of comfort and I love it! I'm growing and experiencing something different, allowing God to show me things he wouldn't have been able to show otherwise. Simply put, I am thankful, regaurdless of the circumstances, I am thankful!
Okay, I've been busted...

I'll leave you with something to think about:

Would you go into a place that was completely opposite to what you're used to, a place that isn't your normal lifestyle, would you go into that place as God would? Loving, accepting, and caring... or would you look down upon them, judge them, and not even enter their place they call home?

Rainy Day...

What do strawberry farmers do when it rains? Well...in NY we clean house! haha, Mom you will be proud to hear that I've swept, swept, and swept so more so that I could scrub the floor. Hands and Knees! James and I also clean out some cupboards so that we could wash some dishes and put them into a clean place. We wash a whole bathtub of dishes! Whoosh...so many dirty dishes, but they are clean now! OH and I got to sleep in, till 10! : )
As I told you I had to present my Kids Program material and ideas on Sunday to the board. AND... it went well. THEY EVEN CLAPPED FOR I ME! : ) They are just happy that someone is willing to start something and God has told me, "IT'S YOU!" So we're in the process with that! Mom and Dad, I got your letters! : ) Thanks and also Did you cash that check? Just curious. Well, I guess I better get some sleep!
I love you all!