Since our last update, we have been spending the week doing various projects around the ranch in preparation for OBT (Orthodox Basic Training). Next Tuesday, around 95 volunteers will arrive for a full weeks worth of home building ( 4 homes will be built)! So far this week we've helped out with tool prep, and first aid kit prep, and Dean's been doin' a bit of Solar hot water research.

Yesterday we even got to go for a run around the ranch property. However, it was the most difficult run ever, simply because of three culprits: Kicha, Spunky, and Frijoline - the ranch dogs, who thought that it would be fun to attack our feet and tackle us as we tried to run! So after about 5 minutes of running, and then stopping because I would be tackled to the ground if I didn't, I resorted to something I learned from my mom when I was a kid. I paused our run, found an empty spray bottle, added water, and resumed my run, spraying the dogs as they approached. They quickly caught on that we meant business: we needed exercise! So after about 5 sprays in the face each, we had running companions instead of full contact tackle-running.

Just one of the many things we are learning as part of life on the ranch!

Oh, the pictures are of Sasha, one of the 3 kittens that the kids are taking care of! The other two are boys, Tom and Jerry. (Sasha's my fave though) And the other two pictures are where we are living for the summer!