The Simple Life

We live a simple life here. Yes it's incredibly busy and hard, but it's simple non the less. We are somewhat cut off from the world and in our own little space. We don't have a TV and Sebron and I haven't seen a new movie in over a year. We tell the weather by stepping outside. There is little talk of politics or national news. It's not that we aren't informed, we just don't go crazy over it.

The things that are so distracting in life are far from this place. There are few shopping locations, and my one big outing each week is to the local Walmart over 30 miles away. I have no idea what went down at the Grammys last week, most names I probably would not have ever heard of anyway. Our way of living would drive most people bonkers.

I love it. The important things are big out here. Family, God and relationships. We do it all together.
We are pretty much together 24/7. Sometimes I wonder what Jancsi thinks of this life we live. He has no idea that most kids his age are either in a daycare or watching fun kiddie cartoons or Elmo episodes on TV. He must think that his little life of rounding up cows and stacking hay is completely normal. : )

God is big and real out here. I know He is everywhere, but for some reason since moving out to Texas, He has become bigger to me. Maybe it's because I depend on Him more. Maybe it's because all of a sudan all our family is thousands of miles away and I don't have anyone else to turn to. Maybe it's because I've allowed Him to become so. Maybe it's all of the above. Prayer has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I pray about everything- for sick cows, I pray for rain, I pray for strength as we work, for safety, that the Lord would bless this ranch and all the hard working men and families behind it. Nothing is too small or silly to lift before the Lord in prayer.

Miss Eyebrows. 

Just last Sunday found me in the middle of a field, cradling a new born calf on my lap. It was in bad shape and could only have weighed 40 pounds. He was so tiny and frail. I sat there, holding and stroking him, telling him it was going to be ok. The Mama in me hates to see these little ones suffer. There was something in me that knew he wasn't going to make it, but I just couldn't give up on him as long as he was struggling to breath. I prayed that if it was the Lord's will, that He would touch that little calf and heal whatever wasn't working right, that he wouldn't suffer longer then necessary. That Sebron and I would be able to do everything we could to save it. The little guy didn't make it in the end. But I know the Lord cares about His creatures.

I'm constantly praying out loud as we go about our work. Most times it's just a sentence. Thanking the Lord for such a glorious day that we can all be together. Other times it's for safety as we are getting ready to round up the cows. That it would go smoothly.

Some days stuff happens and there doesn't seem any possible way to get out of a situation unless God intervenes. I remember praying over our tractor when it was stuck in mud up past it's axle. We'd had two duel pickups try pulling it out- not even a budge. Jancsi held my hand as we watched from on top of the hill. Praying that the Lord would push, pull, lift or whatever had to happen to get that tractor out of there. While we were praying, that tractor started moving! God is great and nothing is too silly to bring before Him.

The beautiful view from our back door.

Just the other week, Jancsi and I were in the truck as Sebron used the tractor to load round bales on the trailer. We were stacking them two rows high. I just happened to look back for a second and there was Sebron, sitting on the tractor with a huge round bale lifted high to put on the second row. The entire tractor was on two wheels, leaning far to the right. The other tires were 2 feet off the ground and Sebron was leaning against it to try to keep it from going all the way over. I found out later that the only thing keeping it from going over was the bale on the tractor was pushing against a bale on the trailer.... keeping it from tipping further.

I took all this in in a split second and started praying. Jancsi caught the different tone in my voice and grew quiet. I think he realized this was not a "thank you God for a beautiful day" prayer. I prayed for safety for Sebron, that the tractor would right itself and that it would happen now! I'm not stupid. I realize what we do is dangerous. We're working with big heavy equipment every day. Stuff happens. But in those moments, God is there. He is big and He is waiting to show Himself strong. I know He was the one who helped Sebron be able to lower the bale and by doing so, lower the tractor until all the tires were on the ground. I know the Lord cares.

I am ever so grateful to know that when there is nothing anyone can do, when we've reached our limit, when things seem impossible, I've got someone to turn to. I know someone who can. I am grateful to see that I am not the only one that prayer has become more real to. Sebron will pray about things he never used to, simple every day stuff. That Jancsi prayers for his meals and thanks the Lord for beautiful days. Prayer is real. God is real. I'm so thankful for how Christ is working in my family.

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. -Mark 11:23