Who knew the dairy industry was SOOOOO involved? It seems pretty straight-forward, but noooo. One would think: you milk the cows, the milk gets packaged into jugs, and then it's sold in the store. Apparently there are a million different steps in that process.
And off of those steps are expensive. Shipping, both the milk and the feed, fuel, feed costs, buying and registering new cows, maintaining dairy and farm equipment, taxes, regulatory regulations and inspections, and on and on..... Betcha never thought about all of that when you were drinking your glass of milk or eating ice cream on Memorial Day.
So, how is Twin Oaks doing these days? Short answer: better. Long answer: We were able to hire a new milk hand in March which has helped ease the work load and life morale considerably. Financially, the dairy industry as a whole is in much better shape, especially in certain regions and markets. Milk produced and sold for cheese production receives the most money per 100 pounds (that's how milk is priced). Regions of the country that have lower milk production pay more for milk, think supply and demand. And areas where land, water, and feed production obviously have a larger profit margin.
We are looking at our options for improving our situation. A dairy in the far North Panhandle of Texas has recently come up for sale. It is a bigger dairy, 500 Jersey cows, and comes with lots of acreage to produce our own feed and hay. It also comes with a hefty price tag but may be within reach. Scott and I went to visit this dairy this past week. It's got his and Kenton's wheels turning. How can we rebuild here using their design and some new technology? What makes that dairy's profit margin larger than ours? Or do we just pick up and move West? All sorts of questions and opportunities.
And we all know how much I LOVE unanswered open-ended questions about my future.... :)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
"1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
~Romans 5:1-5
The Word of God is how He speaks to us- had this nice little chat with Him this afternoon. It's like He knew exactly what to say to ease lots of things on my mind. :)
~Romans 5:1-5
The Word of God is how He speaks to us- had this nice little chat with Him this afternoon. It's like He knew exactly what to say to ease lots of things on my mind. :)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Getting Out of the Way
Scott and I made a big decision to get out of God's way recently. We had our own agenda and time schedule and were sticking to it (we're both first children, can you tell?). Then we just said, "Okay, God, have at it," and placed total control in his hands. It's not that he didn't have that control anyway, but we were trying to manipulate His plan for our life and put Him on our itinerary. But I think that having the faith to say, "It's all Yours," means that we finally relented and bowed to His schedule and his perfect timing. And that feels right.
I'm reminded of when he and I were dating. I thought, if this is meant to be, there is no way to screw it up. God will over-ride our stupidity, stubbornness, and mistakes and see our relationship though to completion. We placed ourselves and "us" completely in His hands. We have a lot of unanswered questions about our future and direction, but placing it all in His court helps all of that anxiety go away.
I'm reminded of when he and I were dating. I thought, if this is meant to be, there is no way to screw it up. God will over-ride our stupidity, stubbornness, and mistakes and see our relationship though to completion. We placed ourselves and "us" completely in His hands. We have a lot of unanswered questions about our future and direction, but placing it all in His court helps all of that anxiety go away.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Call Me Unpatriotic
Nearly two weeks ago, my regularly scheduled programming was interrupted by the president announcing that Osama bin Laden had been killed by a SEAL team in his compound in Pakistan.
An audible cry rang out across the country, along with many tears, some at-a-boys, and an all-out celebration of patriotism. I must admit, my initial reaction following the announcement was to give Scott a high five (un-returned, I might add). Then doubt that he was really dead, followed by the feeling that it didn't really matter as far as terrorism goes, someone else will just step up. Then the images of the revelers flashed on the screen. Thousands, if not millions, of Americans (and other nations) crazily celebrating our "victory." And I felt guilty. And embarrassed. And unpatriotic.
It occurred to me that everyone was celebrating some guy's death. We were congratulating men that shot someone. We were out for vengeance, and 10 years after the largest attack on American soil, we got him back. The death of one man in exchange for the death of thousands. People demanded photographs as proof- of a man shot in the eye. Parents, grandparents, husbands, wives, friends, all breathed a sigh of relief as the man that killed their loved ones got the punishment he deserved. And I can not sit across from any one of them and tell them they are wrong.
"Vengeance is mine," ~Deuteronomy 32:35
My God is weeping. A man that he created lived a terrible, sinful life and never knew the loving God that I knew. And now he will never have the chance. My God wept on 9-11, too, for those souls that will never get to come home. My God weeps for the soldiers that are fighting a pointless battle, who take lives on command, and those who come home to broken families, changed forever. My God wept when thousands, if not millions, celebrated the death of bin Laden. My God looks at me daily and shakes his head and sheds a tear when I sin and separate myself from His love.
As a friend put it: Did Osama deserve to die? Yes. Do I also deserve to die? You bet.
"For it is appointed once for man to die, and after that comes the judgement." ~Hebrews 9:27
You see, it is not our job to judge. Our job is to strive to live as Christ did, and to seek forgiveness when we fail on a daily basis. We will face the same judgement that bin Laden did, and we'd better be ready to answer for ourselves.
Another thought keeps haunting me. As I watch the images of people dancing around in the streets, singing and chanting words of patriotism, and decorating places with balloons, ribbons, and well-wishes, I wonder, "Is this what Jerusalem was like after Christ's death on the cross?" Were the Pharisees and Saducees sitting around giving each other high-fives going, "We got Him!" Was the angry crowd that stood around mocking Him and demanding to see his body off celebrating with wine?
An audible cry rang out across the country, along with many tears, some at-a-boys, and an all-out celebration of patriotism. I must admit, my initial reaction following the announcement was to give Scott a high five (un-returned, I might add). Then doubt that he was really dead, followed by the feeling that it didn't really matter as far as terrorism goes, someone else will just step up. Then the images of the revelers flashed on the screen. Thousands, if not millions, of Americans (and other nations) crazily celebrating our "victory." And I felt guilty. And embarrassed. And unpatriotic.
It occurred to me that everyone was celebrating some guy's death. We were congratulating men that shot someone. We were out for vengeance, and 10 years after the largest attack on American soil, we got him back. The death of one man in exchange for the death of thousands. People demanded photographs as proof- of a man shot in the eye. Parents, grandparents, husbands, wives, friends, all breathed a sigh of relief as the man that killed their loved ones got the punishment he deserved. And I can not sit across from any one of them and tell them they are wrong.
"Vengeance is mine," ~Deuteronomy 32:35
My God is weeping. A man that he created lived a terrible, sinful life and never knew the loving God that I knew. And now he will never have the chance. My God wept on 9-11, too, for those souls that will never get to come home. My God weeps for the soldiers that are fighting a pointless battle, who take lives on command, and those who come home to broken families, changed forever. My God wept when thousands, if not millions, celebrated the death of bin Laden. My God looks at me daily and shakes his head and sheds a tear when I sin and separate myself from His love.
As a friend put it: Did Osama deserve to die? Yes. Do I also deserve to die? You bet.
"For it is appointed once for man to die, and after that comes the judgement." ~Hebrews 9:27
You see, it is not our job to judge. Our job is to strive to live as Christ did, and to seek forgiveness when we fail on a daily basis. We will face the same judgement that bin Laden did, and we'd better be ready to answer for ourselves.
Another thought keeps haunting me. As I watch the images of people dancing around in the streets, singing and chanting words of patriotism, and decorating places with balloons, ribbons, and well-wishes, I wonder, "Is this what Jerusalem was like after Christ's death on the cross?" Were the Pharisees and Saducees sitting around giving each other high-fives going, "We got Him!" Was the angry crowd that stood around mocking Him and demanding to see his body off celebrating with wine?
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Top 10 dog breeds I'd never own:
10. Cocker Spaniel
9. Scottish Terrier
8. Any "designer" breed
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
6. German Shepherd
5. Husky/American Eskimo
4. Chihuahua
3. Chinese Crested
2. Boxer
1. Bulldog, any variety
It just occurred to me that it would be much more fun if I put pictures instead of names. I'll work on that.
P.S. Sorry if I offended anyone. Or their dog.
9. Scottish Terrier
8. Any "designer" breed
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
6. German Shepherd
5. Husky/American Eskimo
4. Chihuahua
3. Chinese Crested
2. Boxer
1. Bulldog, any variety
It just occurred to me that it would be much more fun if I put pictures instead of names. I'll work on that.
P.S. Sorry if I offended anyone. Or their dog.
The Unknown
Anyone that knows me (or knew me while I was in school) knows that I am a planner extraordinaire. Ever since jr. high, I've known what at least the next 4 years of my life would involve. In high school, I knew I was going to college. In college, I knew I was going to vet school. In vet school, I knew I was going into rural mixed practice somewhere in Texas. I had a PLAN, and I followed through with it, almost stubbornly.
Right now, I don't have a plan, and it is so un-nerving I can't really describe it. We've been married almost two years and are starting to make some real life decisions. Do we move or do we stay here? Do we start a family or wait a while longer? Do we stay here simply because I was fortunate enough to land my dream job right out of school (family friendly, I might add)? Do we buy a house or just wait it out in case we move the dairy? Does Scott get a job somewhere else or in town or stay with the dairy?
I feel kinda lost. This is the first time in my life that I don't know where I'll be next year. I think my awareness of this situation is amplified because none of this is bothering Scott, or at least if it is, he's really great at not letting it get to him (okay, consume him, like it is me). This is the line in the sand where he and I are polar opposites. He can be calm, cool, and collected in almost any situation. I tend to let things gnaw at me under the surface, I chew them up over and over like a cow's cud and then try to figure everything out and put it in a neat little step-by-step package.
Scott: "Everything will be fine and work itself out."
Sara: "First we need to ask this question. Then we need to do this. Then if all of that works out......."
When you get right down to it, I'm not sure if it's just that he's so much more laid back than me or just has way more faith. Or maybe a combination of both. "Be anxious in nothing..." I know God has THE PLAN for our life, and maybe this is a true test of my faith in that plan, but a hint would be really great. A direction to head, a goal, instead of just going through each day not having a freaking clue what's coming up next.
*BIG SIGH*
I'll leave you with a dose of my own medicine: This is the quote at the bottom of my personal emails.
"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation."
~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Right now, I don't have a plan, and it is so un-nerving I can't really describe it. We've been married almost two years and are starting to make some real life decisions. Do we move or do we stay here? Do we start a family or wait a while longer? Do we stay here simply because I was fortunate enough to land my dream job right out of school (family friendly, I might add)? Do we buy a house or just wait it out in case we move the dairy? Does Scott get a job somewhere else or in town or stay with the dairy?
I feel kinda lost. This is the first time in my life that I don't know where I'll be next year. I think my awareness of this situation is amplified because none of this is bothering Scott, or at least if it is, he's really great at not letting it get to him (okay, consume him, like it is me). This is the line in the sand where he and I are polar opposites. He can be calm, cool, and collected in almost any situation. I tend to let things gnaw at me under the surface, I chew them up over and over like a cow's cud and then try to figure everything out and put it in a neat little step-by-step package.
Scott: "Everything will be fine and work itself out."
Sara: "First we need to ask this question. Then we need to do this. Then if all of that works out......."
When you get right down to it, I'm not sure if it's just that he's so much more laid back than me or just has way more faith. Or maybe a combination of both. "Be anxious in nothing..." I know God has THE PLAN for our life, and maybe this is a true test of my faith in that plan, but a hint would be really great. A direction to head, a goal, instead of just going through each day not having a freaking clue what's coming up next.
*BIG SIGH*
I'll leave you with a dose of my own medicine: This is the quote at the bottom of my personal emails.
"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation."
~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
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