I’m a fence builder. It’s a simple enough statement, but one that, for years, I tried to avoid.
One day I asked myself “why,” after all I loved my job (most days) and I was good at it. I can swing a hammer, drive just about anything (and if I can’t I can usually figure it out), I know my way around a chainsaw, I can throw 100lb rolls of wire, carry 12’ posts, walk up to a mess of a fence and fix it… I knew what I was doing and I took pride in that.
However; I could answer the question as soon as it came out. I was tired of the sympathetic expressions, the questions, the awkward silence and blank faces that would often follow that statement. It was a great conversation killer; I mean, very few people knew what to do with that bit of information about me, so it was often followed by an awkward silence while they processed the information. “Oh that’s interesting.” “Have you ever thought about getting another job?” “That’s hard work.” (no duh) There were those few people who understood fencing, and what it entailed, who were truly impressed.
My sister and I, yup she builds fence to, would come up with creative, off the wall ways to say what we did for a living. We figured people already gave us blank stares- why not get blank stares while they were trying to figure out what we actually did, you know a blank stare on top of a blank stare. (I am a specialist in the installation of bovine management systems. I operate as field manager where I specialize in perimeter control and am a key component to keeping highways safe. I am outstanding in my field, or whoever’s field I am working in.) Like I said I preferred to avoid the question altogether. I would often down play it because I didn’t want to come across as “tough”.
One day I decided to just simply “own” it. Own the fact that I am a physically strong person who can hold her own and even beat guys in arm wrestling. That I can look at a situation and analyze it the same way I would a fence job- no kidding, I spend time figuring out how to get this done with the least passes possible, and I string insulators accordingly. I’ve learned how to work smarter, not harder. I know what WD-40 is, and how to use it. I actually enjoy listening to conversations about equipment and cars, mostly because I worked with guys who would take the time to explain things to me.
When I came on the World Race I was curious to see how a fence builder would fit in, I mean you don’t exactly preach sermons, teach English, or play with kids while you’re alone in a field. One thing I found is people are even more confused, outside of the US, as to what a fence builder is- and I thought I got weird looks at home. I also found that fence isn’t really a thing, so when people asked me what I did back home I would tell them I do construction.
Something I notice, real quick, is fences. (Like when we drove into Uganda it took about five seconds to notice they actually had fences for their cattle) If I drive by your place, I will judge your fence. The worst is when we would get called in to fix someone else’s shoty job, which happened a lot. And if your H brace had the cross post at the very top of the brace… it made my skin crawl, and I would be judging you.
I’ve started month 11, which essentially means I’m almost done and I’ll be home soon. So, have I found a way to “fit in” as a fence builder? Well for starters I never really fit in anywhere sooo… I haven’t really used my skills as a fence builder on the race. Other than fixing the perimeter fence in Chile, bending the wire branches around a Christmas tree in Bolivia (thanks to my tensile thumbs), no I haven’t.
So have I wasted my life by building fence? Have I spent all these years on a career that will be of no use in serving God? The answer to that is NO. Fencing has taught me things that are useful in many areas of life, it has made me who I am today.
- It taught me patience; that sometimes you just need to slow down, think it through and not get frustrated.
- It taught me problem solving; how to look at a situation (getting a twelve foot brace across a creek) to think it through and find a way to get it done (the solution may involve asking for help)
- It taught me that things are not always as they seem; two wires look crossed, before cutting them and fixing it make sure they are crossed. Sometimes they just look crossed and all it takes to fix it is a little shake.
- It taught me that you can’t run on empty and that you need to take the time to make sure you have fuel; if I’m out working and my four wheeler runs out of gas… simply put I’m walking back to the barn, getting gas, walking back out and hoping it starts (taking a lot of time). All I would have had to do is take the time to make sure it had gas.
- It taught me that if it’s going hard, check the oil and maybe use some WD-40 (I almost brought a can of that stuff on the race); when people are dry and running on empty they react differently than if they are refreshed and cared for.
So, no, I haven’t gone around the world keeping cattle off the roads, like I said most people don’t even understand the concept of a fence builder. However, God doesn’t make mistakes, and I know that if he wouldn’t be able to use me with the skills, I have acquired, because I’m a fence builder, He would have placed me somewhere else. God uses fence builders, all we have to do is let Him.
