Cowgirls Haulin' the Highways

Why grandmothers have gray hair... but joy-filled hearts!

Over Labor Day weekend, I visited my Colorado kids/grandkids. And on Labor Day, GD1 started off for her Freshman year at college in Wyoming in her pick-up pulling a 3-horse bumper hitch trailer full of horses. Within 10 miles of home on a busy 2-lane highway, something happened (blew a tire I think) and she had a close call. Praise God, neither girl nor horses were seriously hurt and beyond blown tires and bent rim, equipment was ok, but 3 generations of females decided right then and there, she should be pulling a gooseneck. Dad was on the road and missed out on the discussion but I'm assuming he agreed with us.

I just happened to know where there was a very nice, always shedded, lightly used 3-horse with tack and dressing area that was just the ticket..... right where I lived.  My land lord and land lady graciously sold it to us and all was good. I felt this was God's way of using me, when I helped negotiate this step toward safe hauling.

Skip to last week. GD1 and GD2 took the rig and three horses to work at the Sale Barn in Brush CO, about 100 miles hence. When they left and headed home Friday, they encountered some patches of black ice. Still GD1, who is an experienced driver at age 18, was slowly making her way without difficulty when a car tried to pass them and lost control. They said the first they knew there was a problem was when the headlights pointed directly into the side of the cab.

Praise God, once more He laid His hand on GDs hands and feet and helped her avoid hitting the brakes and turnin her wheels the wrong way, thus once again avoiding rolling a rig. When all was over, the car was overturned and their rig was jack-knifed in the ditch but no one was hurt and only a few scratches on 2 of the 3 horses one of which was cut in the Labor Day mishap. You'd think she wouldn't want to get in another trailer but she still hops right in.

I haven't heard for sure but chances are both pickup and trailer are totaled and we're back to finding safe and affordable equipment for these cowgirls. 

I am slightly sick about loosing that nice trailer but so thankful they had it for I'm sure if they had been pulling a bumper hitch, things would have turned out a lot worse. Thank you, Lord for looking after them and for using me in that process. Continue to make use of what I can offer! And continue to bless and care for my beloved ones!  May the route you wish us to take be one we find and travel willingly, happily, purposefully! 

Christian Sister

This recently came thru on an e-mail chain from a friend and it is so good, I couldn't believe I hadn't read it earlier. I suppose our use of it without permission is questionable but it is so wonderful, I hope Ms. Angelou is willing to share. It certainly covers my own meaning when I say I'm a Christian.

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''

I am whispering 'I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong,

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain,

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,

I was just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does..... But beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Thanksgiving Report

Whew! Back at work! Lots to do but the normalcy of a daily routine is a tradeoff for missing the family!

The fullness of Thanksgiving included a wonderful meal (actually several) and having the family all together. 

One of the highlights of the week was having all my five grandkids together. Due to circumstances, GD1 drove 8 hours or so from college by herself but boy, it was good to see her. And luckily, she went back west Saturday ahead of the white-out that occurred on the high plains.

Saturday night my other four grandkids all rode in the lighted horse parade in Barnes KS. They were decked out with portable strings of lights (DD1 uses them for wedding and party decorations so had them on hand) and Santa hats. Actually, youngest GD (8) had a hat of pink that said Angel on the band; her mother said that might be a misnomer but I thought it fit.  Oldest GS (8) had an elf's hat. I thought their mounts were really classy and behaved quite well. Youngest GS (5) rode his 16+ hand horse so caught a lot of eyes. Littlest kid way up there. Middle GD (15) rode her aunt's good grey mare. She'd worked on her tail, braiding in a long tinsel tassel that was very pretty when it caught the light. Youngest GD rode the boys' paint horse so she had some flash too.  

Wish I had a photo to post but 1) I didn't have a camera and b) the light conditions did not favor photography. In fact they announced for people to not flash their cameras or honk their horns so as to not spook any animals but they did it anyway! I didn't see any spooky animals though. At least not where I was. It always amazes me how well the horses all handle it.

The Barnes horse parade is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving and has become a sort of tradition for the Kansas part of my family but this was the first time the Colorado section was here to take part. The kids loved it even thought the wind was cold and cutting. I was perfectly happy to wait in the car until the parade started. For a little town, its an event that has caught on and seems to be there to stay.

After the dust settled, I finally came home to sleep in my own bed after 12 days in other beds. 

My good friend and land lady had double knee replacement surgery yesterday. She is extremely active (has biked across Kansas and Nebraska, parts of Missouri and Iowa several times) and really needs those knees. God has granted her the courage to take this on, now I ask God to grant her strength to get through the healing!  Amen!