Cowboy Up, Buttercup!

Read something during one of our long drives (we are now in Northern, ID from Southern, UT) that talked about living in the now rather than getting caught up in the past or the future. It almost made the point that we get enslaved to the dreams, goals, ideals, etc. of the future. I, for one, am guilty as charged. In itself, it doesn’t seem that bad. It’s good to have dreams, goals, and things to look forward to. Unfortunately, what is often missed in the process is whatever it is in front of us today. Kristine likes to call it my “Go Mode.” I like to accomplish my tasks and goals and can often overlook what’s right in front of me in the moment. Soooo we had an opportunity presented to us in Western, MT. One lone cowboy. A gallon sized hat. A couple spiffy boots. A gray beard. And a thumb. But we have a schedule! It’s not safe! What if… What if… What if…!
What if this man was the very thing presented to us for that day? Sure, we had our own plans for the day and had to call an audible to make some changes. However, we got to help someone other than ourselves. A hardworking man who served our country for over 20 years, including 2 tours in Vietnam. A man who has had a rough go at things lately and no longer had a way to get home to Barstow, CA. A broken man who had been stripped of all he had (including money, truck, and wife), kicked to the streets, and been denied help by “the church.” A man, who by the time we were dropping him off at a train station in Idaho bound for Bakersfield, was confessing to thoughts of suicide for the first time in his life right before we pulled over to face what was in front of us in the moment for that day. Sure glad I’m not the one in charge of this whole thing we call life. There is a peace to knowing that if I just walk with eyes open today, someone bigger than myself will show me what he has for me and how, really, it’s not about me. It’s about considering others better than myself and seeing people the way God sees them… with love, compassion, and grace. Man, that’s a tall order. Near impossible. But with Christ all things are possible.
What’s in front of you today?

 

Zion National Park, UT > Bryce Canyon National Park UT > Payson, UT >  Butte, MT > Missoula, MT > Sandpoint, ID

Headed from Zion to Bryce Canyon

BBRRRYCE CANYON! Pictures do not do this place justice... If you haven't been, make the trek!

These start with a dime size hole in a rock. Bryce Canyon experiences 200+ freeze/thaw cycles each year which continually changes the landscape. Learn somethin' new everyday.

Had some amazing drives from Southern Utah to Northern Idaho complete with pastures, rivers, fall colors, mountains, snow, and small towns.

Get busy livin' or get busy dyin' - Shawshank

Have you ever been so amazed by someone’s generosity that it makes you pause and question if you would do the same for someone else? And then you come to the raw conclusion that maybe you need to do an evaluation? I mean, honestly, how many of us would let someone borrow, with no strings attached, our motorhome to take wherever and however long the borrower wants? Since we are on the receiving end of this scenario we feel INCREDIBLY blessed and are challenged to make sure our hands are always wide open, freely giving, with no strings attached. Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The blessings that are in store for our lenders must be incredible. Here are a few pictures (all can be clicked on to enlarge) of our first days on the road… Thousand Oaks, CA to Barstow, CA to Las Vegas, NV to Zion National Park, UT. This house and community were a huge blessing over the last 5 years. First stop... Thousand Oaks to pick up the RV from two of the most amazing people we know! Meet "Boachmen," he's a Ford Coachmen! Campsite we found at the base of Zion National Park. Spent 2 nights here with Zion in the background... miles and miles of hiking. Couldn't get enough! Zion National Park - Photo not doctored! Zion - Photo definitely doctored to look this good!