At the time we bought the property, we were living with and caring for John's grandfather in Rogersville, Mo. about an hour's distance from the property. We went up as often as possible and began clearing the land, felling one tree at a time. All cedars (which were the prevailing majority) were kept to build with and the remaining varieties were cut up for future firewood. Huge bonfires of brush motivated many prayers for the neighbor and our safety. After spending nine years in India as "guests" without physical labor, the many hours of hard labor that went into clearing was certainly stretching but it was with a grateful heart that we applied ourselves.