Nickel Farm

Went to my own chapel this morning and viewed the Stake Conference proceedings on video.  I have been reading a book called, “The Rebirth of America” by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation.  It contrasts America’s Yesterday when the republic was founded on Christian principles, and America Today wherein porn, homosexuality, abortion, major media, and public education are destroying our beloved country.  I am determined to do what I can to preserve our inspired Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees.

Took a nice nap late today prior to attending a fireside in a nearby town.  Almost hit a deer coming home.  Yes, they’re cute but they can do serious damage to the front end of a vehicle.

Repaired the taillights on one of my utility trailers today. Will be traveling to the city tomorrow to pick up the beautiful red and gold couch and loveseat that Lara found for me at the thrift store for $130.

Went to the Temple tonight with a lady friend. We enjoyed sweet and sour chicken over rice in the temple cafeteria before the session. Unfortunately, I had a baked potato and some very sweet chocolate cake with it and my blood sugar went off the charts during the night. I awoke at 2:00 am feeling very sick and got up and built a fire since I was trembling quite severely. I attempted to call my home teacher from two different locations in my room without success. It was only after I pleaded with the Lord for assistance that the third attempt was successful and I was able to speak to him. He came right over and gave me some cheese and a blessing.

Mostly did housekeeping and bookkeeping chores today.  Came across a good quote on the Internet that pertains to preparedness: “ What the wise man does in the beginning, the fool does in the end.”

Snowed today and lots of it!  Even though there was 5-6 inches of the fluffy white stuff on the road I gathered up a couple of friends and drove to a nearby town to attend a fireside program at church in the evening.

Awoke at 3:00 am this morning with heartburn.  I will often get heartburn when I turn over on my right side and that’s what happened here.  I normally combat heartburn with naturally alkaline plants and plant juice, but I was too lazy to get out of bed this time and popped a few Tums instead.  Nonetheless, I started feeling headachy and my bowels went into an uproar.  I am here to say that a 40-degree bathroom is not a fun place to visit when one is sick.  I turned a small electric heater on in there for what proved to be several nighttime visits.  All in all, it was a pretty miserable night.

My ears ring constantly and have for over twenty-five years.  When I am sick or in stress, they ring extremely loud and it can become hard to bear.  I prayed for some relief several times during the day and kept a lot of background noise going in my room.

Went to church with Amy and her family and enjoyed a delicious dinner with them before departing.  Attended a church meeting in a small town en route home.

The story begins with my longtime dream of creating Nickel Farm, a self-sufficient family retreat/refuge, which I would someday bequeath to my children. I wanted a place where we could have reunions and bond as a family – a place where the grandchildren could come and feed the chickens, milk a goat, pick a tree-ripened peach, play horseshoes, and camp in the pasture. Another goal of mine was to provide a “bug out” place where family members could come for a period if beset by economic, relationship, or health problems.

I consider everything that the Lord has blessed me with as a stewardship. Aside from intelligence, experience and good works, there is nothing that I can take with me when I depart this world. Nickel Farm is my earthly stewardship from the Lord, which I will increase and then leave for the use of my posterity. As a Greek philosopher once said, “Let death be daily before your eyes and you will never entertain any abject thought nor too eagerly covet anything.”

My oldest daughter, Becky and her husband, Russ, had been feeling the same needs for preparation and self-sufficiency as I had. Together, we had spent a considerable amount of time dreaming of and investigating Idaho as a place to establish family retreats.