RODEO!

I just went to my first rodeo last night! It was so fun! The wranglers put it on for the new guests every week...this week was the first which made it even more entertaining! The events included a shovel race in which the cowboy on the horse had to rope the cowboy on the shovel and drag him back to the gate. Then they had a wrangler pick up tournament where they would race down to one end of the ring and the other guy jumped on the back of the horse and they raced off again. My crew leader, the lovely and talented Haley Chesser, roped a steer...and then they couldn't get the rope off the steer, so consequently there was no more roping after that...

The best event was Bareback Tag...yup they all jumped on their horses and chased each other around bareback trying to knock the other guys off their horses. It was hilarious.

Here's some pictures of the ranch and the rodeo...FINALLY! Sorry it's taken me so long.

I'm posting all of the pics on Facebook because this is too difficult to figure out...:o) There's also some good video I'll post.

Peace out cub scouts!

Square Dancing and AMAZING bread

So, what's new...hmmm...

Well, last night I went to my second square dance ever. Fun may be going a bit far, but it was definitely enjoyable. I wish we did the Virginia Reel, but aparently there was too much butt slapping from the staff guys...or dudes as some choose to refer to themselves...so, they don't do that one anymore. I think it's pretty amazing that people can find ways to make THE VIRGINIA REEL inappropriate...but there you have it.

Another discovery...the bread here is AMAZING! Seriously, I can't even tell you how good it is. Fresh baked every day...yuuuuumy!

We've started having our first guests here this weekend, and serving has been going great. I don't think I've made too many mistakes, and I've been serving the same family basically all week, so it's been fun to get to know them.

Friendships have been getting better, but I still miss you guys SO MUCH it's ridiculous. Today in chapel, Tony (the Ranch Foreman...who by the way is AMAZING...he and his wife and two kids live on the Ranch and they are the most wonderful people ever) preached on Philippians 1:3-11--H.O.T. girls, those were the verses I read at our last meeting. Needless to say, I thought of all of your lovely faces and proceeded to start crying in the middle of his sermon. He already thinks I'm a little off my rocker though, so it shouldn't give him any really weird ideas...:o)

Well, that's all I need to go be social for at least a little bit!

Love and hugs to everyone!

I'm Out there Jerry, and I''m Lovin Every Minute of It!

Ok, so perhaps a slightly inappropriate title...but there you have it.

I'm running on very little sleep right now, so beware of verbal vomit...

How am I? I am stretched, I am exhausted, and I am deeply satisfied. I love life out here. I loved New York, but there is something so amazing about being in the middle of nowhere in a tiny community without cell phones (not that I ever use mine anyway...) doing mind bending (sometimes breaking) work. I Love It!

I'm on what they call the "waitrii" (Way-Try) team...no one seems to know why they call us that, but essentially I'm a waitress. But this is like NO waitressing you've ever heard of! It's so hard guys, I can't even tell you. There's a million different minute details to remember about how to serve everyone to a 4 diamond standard while at the same time treating them like they are in my home...GAHH! Sometimes I think I'm going to go a little crazy! Then, I also have to remember what everyone orders because I can't write anything down except at breakfast when it's short order--AHHHH!! It's crazy. But like I said, I'm loving it.

Every morning I wake up, walk out my front door, and there's the mountains! In the morning when the light touches them, they turn pink and purple and orange, so beautiful! But the most beautiful thing about this place is the heart behind it...or hearts I guess? It's all about serving people and loving them into the body of Christ. We are never to talk about our faith unless the guests ask--we're just supposed to live a life that demands an explanation. I can't help but think these people have it right!

I don't know if I've ever told any of you about the Haymen Fire that happened up here, but you have to hear this story because it is a testament to the hand of God, literally, on this place. In 2002, a woman made a fire in the Pike National Forrest (which is where the Ranch is located) and sparks flew and started the largest (in acres burned) forrest fire ever recorded in Colorado. Because of the fire, all of the forrest surrounding the Ranch was burned. 10,000 (?) acres of Ponderosa Pine and Aspen GONE like that. But the amazing thing? The fire stopped directly on the property lines of Lost Valley Ranch! None of the Ranch got burned--nada, zilch. And, when you go up to Table Rock and look out over the valley, the undamaged land looks like a hand print. The hand of God is truly on this place. I can't believe that I get to live here!

Today I went on my first ride with the rest of the staff...SO fun! My butt is killing me from a rather bouncy trot, but it was so good to go out and have some fun with the other people who work here.

Oh man, I have to go shower and change before dinner, so I'll catch you all later!
Here's some prayer requests:
1. That I can serve correctly and serve well...becuase I keep forgetting little things and I'm getting frusterated!
2. That God will give me a good group of girls to be with. It's so hard coming to a new place and fitting in.
3. Pray for the Guests! the first batch comes in this week. Pray that they will see Jesus all over this place and all over us working here.

Love you all!

Preparations...Pull my hair out!

Does anyone out there know who decided that one suitcase per person was a good luggage limit? I'd sure like to meet him (because let's be honest, it had to have been a guy!)

Due to this packing nightmare, I have now lost a good deal of sleep as well as several hairs which I am particularly attached to. All of you West Coasters who did this all the time over the last four years--I tip my hat (which, I don't have yet) to you.

All things considered,though, this has been a good week at home. I haven't had to cook once--hallelujah!--and I am accomplishing things which is sort of a miracle. For instance, after today I will be officially Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified--so if you ever get bit by a spider, call me.

I leave tomorrow morning for the great unknown and while I'm out of my mind excited, I also feel more than a little bit nervous. Here's to the great unknown! I love an adventure!