I have mentioned in previous posts that we are in a major drought. Guess what!!! We haven't gotten any wetter since that post. We've even come to develop a new rain measuring system. Instead of using a gauge to measure the volume of the water, we use a ruler to measure the distance between the sprinkles. It keeps us sane when we can say we got 4 inches of rain.
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| (This is seriously a picture of the grass in my yard) |
As the daughter of a rancher/farmer the drought is especially discouraging. Our lives literally depend on rain 100%. No rain means no growth for crops. No growth for crops means no food for cattle. No food for cattle means selling the cattle. No cattle and no crops means no farmer/rancher.
Not only is it dry here, but it's hot. and i mean HOT! Really... it doesn't feel that bad anymore because we have simply gotten used to it. Typical daily temperature: anywhere from 108 to 114.
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| (mom is convinced that our thermometer doesn't work) |
Suddenly the phrase "The sun will come up tomorrow" isn't so encouraging.
Irrigation farmers can't even keep up with their watering. By the time their sprinklers make a full circle their plants have already withered. Even worse: Water wells are drying up.
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| (after one day without water, these plants were completely fried) |
Several ranchers from the area have already sold ALL of their cows because they don't have any green grass to eat and hay prices are insane. To feed the medium sized herds of cows through the winter could potentially cost $50,000.
People have started watering their lawns not because they care about the appearance, but because they know that if a grass fire started, there is no way the fire departments could keep up.
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| (I guess there's a reason that Kansas's state colors are blue and yellow) |
I know what you're thinking, I should have labeled this post Just call me Debby Downer...
Don't worry folks, this is not the end of the story because THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME!
If I was not a follower of Christ, I don't know how we could battle through this trial, but there is always hope in Jesus! HE is where my encouragement comes from...
I have an eternal future in heaven.
Revelation 7: 16-17
Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Earth is only a temporary home.
Matthew 6:19-21
Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
God is in control.
Matthew 16:33
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will give you everything you need.
We do need to pray!
2 Chronicles 7:13-15 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
PLEASE join us in prayer!
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
WOOOHOOO!!!
