Blue Skies

                                       Medicine Bow Peak the incredible view we have everyday

“Blue Skies”

Susan and I were driving into Laramie listening to 70’s, 80’s music, and in our sight was the mountain range  with blue skies. It was what we call a bluebird day with the skies being radiant and I was awestruck that God orchestrated this beauty as a reminder that in Him all things are created for Him. 

The mountains were in plain view as Susan and I drove home. I couldn’t help but Praise God thinking about what He has done and what He is doing in mine, Tim’s, momma’s,and Susan’s live’s. 

We had just spent 12 days in Iowa, helping momma get settled in her new forever home with mine and Tim’s daughter, Darah and Tyler’s family. It is a precious set up with momma having a beautiful suite in their home. It has been named, “Alice’s Palace”. She is being well cared for by Darah,Tyler, and their 6 children. This gives Susan and I great comfort that momma is being well taken care of physically, spiritually and a Church body that is ready to meet her needs. 

We had such a special time with momma and family. Her room is the place to hang out with sofas, her round coffee table where the children will read to her and color. She has her own personal baristas with having coffee, espresso, cappuccino made for her. Momma has always had a green thumb and she has a grand daughter who shares this passion. She and Darah have already begun planting flowers and herbs. Momma has someone to dig in the dirt with and this makes my heart happy. She also is in her element with meeting with teen and pre teen girls. These are her peoples that she relates so well too along with women. They will be blessed by her and she will be blessed by them. 

When I look at the blue skies, I think about that even in the difficult times God is always present and in Him is where I see His goodness, His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, His power, His sovereignty that is all for His Glory.

We are getting ready for our upcoming season here at our Guest Ranch. The Wyoming skies are something to behold.  We are blessed to see this incredible view everyday and look forward to sharing the beauty with our Guest. Chris Tomlin wrote a song, “Indescribable”. The words describe God’s sovereignty, how amazing God is and His uncontainable power. 

Visually blue skies will come and go because there will be clouds, even storms. But even in the midst of these darker days, I can choose to see the blue skies. It is up to me to count my blessings and focus on God’s goodness. It is always when I take my eyes off of Christ that I find myself grumbling, having an attitude of self contentment instead I should be dwelling in Him. He deserves all my attention. And in Him is where I find true contentment, true joy and see the magnificent blue skies.

My desire is to keep my eyes on the things above and not on the things of this world. Momma’s cancer is real and what God is showing me is I don’t need to dwell on the what if’s, or what is to come. I can easily be entangled in being brought down with her disease, but all this does is leads me to taking my eye’s off of the Cross of Christ which leads me to sin. Instead I pray for momma that God will give her more grace, to be patient in her suffering, to continue running the race well, which right now she feels pretty good. Praise God! 

God is amazing and to think of Who He is... He is unmatchable. I’m looking at the blue skies and being awestruck everyday.

Debbie’s Perspective 

We are so thankful for your continued prayers, thoughtful text that encourage us daily. 

"Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? “ (Exodus 15:11, NASB)

“1 Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. 

3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. 

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The voice of the LORD is majestic.”(Psalms 29:1, NASB)

Blue Sky

Nothing but crystal clear Wyoming Blue Sky as Debbie and I were driving up our pass in the Medicine Bow National Forest on the way back to the ranch – back home. What a journey it has been my friends! We got Momma settled into her new home in Iowa and now it is time to ready the ranch for our season here. Being in Iowa and knowing this was Momma’s home now was kind of surreal for me. For me Texas and Momma went together like peanut butter & jelly, jeans & killer cowboy boots, Sonny & Cher….. You get the idea. Seeing her in her beautiful spacious suite in Darrah and Tyler’s home helped us breathe a bit easier – knowing she was comfortable, peaceful, grateful and joyful is such a comfort to us. But listen… you can take the girl out of Texas – but you can’t take Texas out of the girl!

 

This path that we are on currently – still waiting for test results until May 10th  when Momma returns to the Dr – it is challenging, but I am so encouraged with her care at The University of Iowa- I was thoroughly impressed and I know without a shadow of a doubt that her Physicians there will leave no stone unturned. We know that on the 10th we will know exactly what we are dealing with. I am also encouraged about Momma and Debbie’scomplete trust in God’s timing and his faithfulness. It has truly been a testimony to me throughout all of this – they have remained steadfast in their walk. So how am I doing? I am actually doing really well – I am experiencing peace even through the storm because I have given all of this to God. Do I still try and take it back? Yup… I sure do but daily I surrender all and know that none of this is a surprise to him and he will not fail us. It is amazing as I think back to how all of the pieces just fell together for us – how every decision that had to be made we got almost instant confirmation that it was the right one – the timing of the move, the Holden Cancer Center at the University having a sarcoma specialist when there are only 50 in the US.Just 45 minutes away from Momma’s home… every single piece of the puzzle perfectly fit. It is just beautiful to think aboutand it strengthens my faith more and more.

 

I am excited for the summer even though it was really hard to leave Momma. The ranch is such a special place and I love sharing it with the guests and getting to know so many people from all over the world. We are going to be working hard from this point on getting prepared for the guest to arrive so it is go time here! I look out my window as the beauty of these blue skies truly takes my breath away – I know that this path that we are on may be hard at times but we are getting through it one step at a time as we trust God with every single step. We will do this!

Susan’s Perspective 

 

I smile as I think of the Willie Nelson song “Blue Skies” –

 

“Blue Skies Smilin’ at me

Nothin' but blue skies do I see
Blue days all of them gone
Nothin' but blue skies from now on”