This summer...has probably been the hardest summer of my life. Everything in agriculture is unpredictable. I know this having grown up on a ranch but when it's your own operation, your own success or failure, the gravity of unpredictability weighs on your chest like an elephant. The heat seemed hotter and hotter every day and no rain to speak of for several months wore and wore and wore. We had cattle die, calves die, the wildlife looked like death. The wind blew dust to the point you couldn't see the fence twenty feet from the livingroom window. A friend asked me at the feed store if I was OK, I looked stressed...until that point, I hadn't realized how much it showed. Yes. I didn't even deny. Stressed, depressed, burdened, worried. Did any of you realize that the farmer suicide rate is nearly as high as veterans? After these past few months, I completely understand why. It becomes too much at times. When you depend on so many outside variables and you really can't do anything to change the course. No one freak out, I'm not going to drive my "minivan" off into the lake! It's simply a call to be aware. So many struggle on a daily basis because this crazy life is harder than hell some days. And you don't have to be in ag to struggle (obviously), we're all just trying to do the best we can, but the next time you sit down to that steak and potato dinner, maybe say a prayer for those who helped put that food on your plate. I know they would be grateful. By the way, the rain has finally come. It is beautiful and glorious and very much loved and appreciated. Please keep praying for those areas that still need the moisture. "In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus," is still my plea and Jesus is the reason I am made strong in all of this.