Richard Exley Ministries


THERE'S A GREAT BIG WORLD OUT THERE
Posted on January 01, 2008


Outside my office window the sun is sparkling off the crystal clear waters of Beaver Lake on this the last day of 2007. Earlier this morning the lake was shrouded in fog but the sun has washed it away and I can see clearly now. As I scan the lake I can’t help reflecting, not only on the past year, but on the past 17 years. When Brenda and I bought this property in 1991 we dreamed of living a secluded life. I planned to write each morning and when I had completed my day’s work I would cut firewood or go fishing. Brenda would prepare healthy home-cooked meals, catch up on her reading and indulge her penchant for crafts.

With the help of Brenda’s parents we built a small cabin in the spring of 1993. At the time the nearest paved road was 9 miles away and the closest town three times that far. The Carroll Electric Cooperative brought power to the property but we had to provide our own water and sewer system.  Subsequently we drilled a well and put in a septic system. The first two years were nearly idyllic. Without telephone service or television it was almost like going back in time. On long winter evenings we sit by the wood burning stove and read, played table games or just talked. Sometimes we chose to chat with only a kerosene lamp for light in memory of my Grandma Miller.

By the second year we had telephone service if you can call a four-party line telephone service. By the third year we had a private telephone line and satellite television and shortly thereafter the internet. Now we are much better informed but not nearly as content. Although we may live in the woods the internet and satellite television have brought the world right to our door.

Category: January 2008

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