Fine, You Can "Help"

I'm not always the best at accepting help.  Instead of being grateful, I tend to be more concerned that the person helping me isn't doing that particular job "right." ("right" and "exactly the way I would do it" are the same things, aren't they?)
But I realize now that I need to change my way of thinking. I'm certainly glad I've had people in my life who didn't take this same attitude with me.

For example when I was in high school, our neighbor, Mike Day, had me help him get his cattle ready for artificial insemination (AI) [Side note - Using AI allows cattlemen to economically use the best genetics possible to raise better beef using fewer natural resources].  To AI cattle you need to synchronize their cycles, and the first step of this process is to put in CIDRs. Instead of being a control freak (like me), Mike showed me how to do it, and then he gave me the chance to try.  For the next three years, when breeding season came around Mike let me put in CIDRs for him.  Mike was willing to let me "help" and his trust and confidence in my ability to learn helped build my own self confidence. I truly loved getting to help him each year and learn a new skill.
That skill meant even more to me this year. Taylor and I decided to AI our cows, and because of Mike, I was able to put in CIDRs for our own herd.

Getting ready to put in CIDRs

Besides messing with our cattle, Taylor and I have had plenty of other things to keep us busy.

We recently finished wheat harvest.  This year it was much more relaxed than normal because the wheat wasn't very good and we didn't have to cut late into the night.  I also had more free time as the grain cart driver because it took a long time for the combines to get full and need me to come get their grain.

Storm clouds rolling in

Taylor and I have also been working to put in a flower bed around our garage/shed. It's taken us a while but we've been really pleased with the results. I don't feel like I'm someone who visualizes things very well, so I was really happy with the way the flower bed I designed and planted turned out.

For 4th of July weekend Taylor and I went to my family's. My brother had a big cookout and volleyball game for family and friends.  We had a blast!

Last week I also got two new little kitties. I'm having a hard time figuring out the perfect names for them, but they're really fun to have around.

Western Kansas Fact: If you're driving during wheat harvest season, it's best not to be in a big hurry. You will encounter combines and other large equipment moving from field to field. You will have to slow down for them. But please be patient. They will move over so you can go around as soon as they can.

Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right. Proverbs 20:22
When someone hurts us or wrongs us, it can be easy to want to pay them back.  But it is not our place to do so. "Vengeance is mine. I will repay," Hebrews 10:30. God is the only one who is perfect and sinless, and He is the only one who can rightly settle a score. Who are we to judge the sins of others? Instead God calls us to forgive others because He forgave us through Christ's sacrifice. When we try to take revenge, we are telling God that we don't trust Him to do what is right.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!
Lyndee

I'm not an expert on AI, but if anyone has any questions about it, feel free to send them my way. I'll answer what I know or talk to someone with more experience.