The Measure of a Man

The kindest, funniest, friendliest, gentlest, godliest, most Christ-like man I've ever known died last Sunday. He was my pastor. Bill Roycroft.
I'd been overwhelmed at the loss until we got to say goodbye at his funeral this past Saturday. All 1000 or so. It was an incredible celebration of life. Our church sees about 50-100 people a Sunday, but his life was so lived that his congregation numbers in the thousands and is spread over several countries.

I wish there were adequate words to describe this man. He was quiet and gentle and safe. He was hilarious and mischevious and goofy. He was passionate. He was radical. He overflowed love and compassion and forgiveness.

Sometimes the Christian life seems elusive and surreal. Until you meet a man like Bill. He was Christ to so many. To me. He walked in His footsteps. And by example showed others how to do the same. You know that saying that says, 'preach the gospel and if necessary, use words'. Well that was Bill. The teens adored him. And he them. He just, in his casual way, made everyone feel valued. You'd leave time spent with him, determined to try harder, to live better, to follow more closely to the Lord.

Sadly, perhaps, or not, the true measure of a man is seen after he is gone. The true measure of a Pastor, I think, is that when he is gone, does his flock lose their way and scatter? Or do they cling to his teachings, his ways and examples and continue in the ministry. Stronger for have knowing the man. I know I'm stronger. His congregation is stronger. Like the disciples after Christ returned to the Father - they took what he'd taught and really changed the world by living and being like Him.

I think the ultimate measure of a man will be when they stand before the Lord. What will they have done with the gifts that He gave them on this earth? Would they have lived in Christ's shadow?

Bill's cowboy boots are big to fill, but for anyone that knew him, he gave them the tools they need to keep on going. Just like Christ gave us the tools to live the lives of love He requires.

Jesse

So I was looking through my pictures for some pictures of my five year old niece, Jesse, and pretty much all of them are some sort of action shot - running, cartwheels, you name it. So, here's a few of Jesse

Sleep Baby Sleep

This was the precious face I gazed on after day two of playing with my nieces and nephew last week. Meet Sara Jade. She is 14 months old already. I'm not sure if you remember a not too distant post of the day she was born! Being so close to home I get to play with the kids much more than ever. Sara and I have become good friends.

Eating together

Er - eating and cleaning up!!

Playing outside just before dark.

Playing in the leaves. No wonder she had a good nap, eh? I had one too!

The Joy

I got to spend a few days with my neices and nephew last week - they had some days off school. We had a lot of fun. One afternoon we played in the leaves at the golf course. The weather was warm, the wind wasn't howling and the leaves were just begging to be played in. So we did. I got nearly 200 pictures, hehe. Here's two of Jayme.

Feline "Helpers"

Meet Shasta (grey) and Bree (black/brown), my new barn cats. I say barn loosely - although if you saw the state of my house at the moment, it'd be quite accurate! I got these girls from friends of mine a couple months ago. My new place didn't have any resident cats, so I figured I needed a couple mousers. They're still kittens, albeit BIG kittens, but they've each caught a couple of mice. In the house, no less. But, that means they get to spend time in the house, which they love. Especially Bree. She's a bit of a wussy pussy. I've been making a roving-loop blanket for Sarah, my five year old Golden Retriever, because she insists on sleeping on the cold hard ground outside as much as possible. Well, the kittens have discovered it's softness and boy is it fun to chase my fingers as I work on it! And chew on the little hook I use. We had a time last night, let me tell ya. They finally got locked in the porch.

I don't consider myself a "cat person", but I sure have enjoyed these two. They have totally different personalities. Shasta is part dog, I think. She loves to go for walks outside with me and the dogs and she is so brave. She races around and chases anything that moves. She is determined to catch a chicken, which is so funny to watch. She marches around the sheep or llama while I do chores - no fear. And she won't run from the dogs either - she just turns around and rubs against them and won't give in to their chasing desires. Bree, like I mentioned is more timid and she prefers to stay inside, preferably ON the lap of luxury. She is definitely a cuddle muffin. Which suits me fine, as she is SO soft. She has the funniest meow - it's more of a squeak - a really airy, faint squeak, like she had some damage to her vocal chords at one point. Currently they must be going through a growth spurt as all they do is eat, beg for more food and eat some more! Their combined weight is 3lbs and they eat more than my dogs - whose combined weight is about 130lbs. How does that work? Actually, I don't need to know.

The Boys are Back in Town....

I put the rams out with the girls today. It's been a long time deciding. Normally they go out Christmas Eve and I have May babies, but due to economics and the fact that I have reduced my flock and have good facilities, I'm going to lamb in March and again in September this year. I really want to continue to improve my flock - from a spinner's perspective. The big boy with his bum facing is Woolly - one of the nicest wool producing boys I think I've ever seen. He's a Merino/Ramboullet cross. Seriously gorgeous wool. Incredible crimp, loads of lanolin, perfect hand for spinning and great micron test. And really white - lol, believe it or not. He has almost a black dirty grease cover from his lanolin. If I were to part the wool (next Friday's project) and take a picture, it would be nice and bright white. And he gives nice big, but long lambs. I couldn't ask for better. The black face is a New Hamp. ram - Obama is his name. I got him the day of the US's election. So far he hasn't produced much for lambs, but he keeps Woolly company. They are good friends until breeding season - as you can see here. I only have one ewe in heat right now and these boys are fighting over her. If only I could somehow record the "CRACK" of their skulls when they collide. I hope someone else comes into heat soon!

Comic relief

I needed a bit of comic relief today. I can almost always get it from animals!