Two nights ago, I was walking back home at about 10:00pm with my friend Haley and we noticed that the moon was full. In other words, it was as bright as day outside, and absolutely beautiful. Somehow, about 10 minutes later we had "borrowed" the head wrangler's truck...shoved in our sleeping bags and pillows in the back and were going to Table Rock to sleep outside.
Now, Peter's truck was quite a truck, but the ride out was still a little "off-roady" let me tell you! We took the jeep road up into the national park land and since the fire, all the trees up there are burned. So, imagine the moon shining down on forrest of sticks. It was eery and absolutely beautiful. The stars were amazing too...so bright it felt like I could reach up and grab one.
So, there we were driving, and driving, and driving...and not finding Table Rock. We had a wrangler map...but it definitely was not to scale, or even accurate for that matter. We kept looking for this bend in the road which I don't really think exists! After rummaging around in the back seat, we found Peter's deer spotter and decided to spot for the trail. Well, I spotted for the trail, which really was not a smart idea because I've never used a spotter before and definitely shined it in the side mirrors a few times and blinded myself. Eventually we decided to sleep on Turtle Rock instead because it was the only rock we could find.
The night was absolutely gorgeous! I think I slept better than I have in months and months and woke up so refreshed and ready for the day...and yes I did sleep on a rock! That'll probably go down in the annals as one of my favorite memories.
(And Susan, if you ever read this, I thought of you and our Creation adventure!)
6.19.2008
6.16.2008
Back by Popular Demand
Things I've learned so far at JVL:
1. The difference between chaps and chinks is very important and you will be made fun of if you get them confused. For future reference--Chaps cover your entire leg...essentialy you're wearing leather pants OVER your jeans. Chinks, on the other hand only cover the front of your leg and include lots of fringe.
2. Having blingy belt buckles is not weird. Infact, you are frowned upon for not having bling on your buckle.
3. Cattle guards. They are not the wooden gate you drive through with "Lost Valley Ranch" on it. Actually they are these metal poles laid horizontally on the ground that when cows walk over...they get their hooves stuck.
4. Weather here is relative. You never believe the forecast, because inevitably, we set up a picnic outside in the sunshine and 5 minutes later we're getting poured on. Lovely.
5. Cowboy stereotypes exist...and they all seem to have an Alabama accent complete with black dusters, matching black hats and boots.
6. Square Dancing can be cool...but I probably will never admit that again.
7. It is possible to carry 4 plates at one time while remembering what all 8 people got to eat in gender/age order: oldest woman to youngest woman, oldest man to youngest man.
8. Cowboys do not have good taste in coffee. Period. Thus, I've been drinking a lot of tea
9. You will not lose weight eating what cowboys eat. I have never seen so many carbs in all my life.
10. Not all cowboys can ride a bronco. This was made evident when the head wrangler, Peter, who thinks he's kind of a big deal, got bucked the second his butt hit the bulls back. Then, Kyle's bull decided not to be ridden at all...jumped the fence and ran off into the meadow. I think one of us girls needs to teach them a few pointers...don't worry, it will not be me.
That's all for now, I have to shower and change for dinner!
1. The difference between chaps and chinks is very important and you will be made fun of if you get them confused. For future reference--Chaps cover your entire leg...essentialy you're wearing leather pants OVER your jeans. Chinks, on the other hand only cover the front of your leg and include lots of fringe.
2. Having blingy belt buckles is not weird. Infact, you are frowned upon for not having bling on your buckle.
3. Cattle guards. They are not the wooden gate you drive through with "Lost Valley Ranch" on it. Actually they are these metal poles laid horizontally on the ground that when cows walk over...they get their hooves stuck.
4. Weather here is relative. You never believe the forecast, because inevitably, we set up a picnic outside in the sunshine and 5 minutes later we're getting poured on. Lovely.
5. Cowboy stereotypes exist...and they all seem to have an Alabama accent complete with black dusters, matching black hats and boots.
6. Square Dancing can be cool...but I probably will never admit that again.
7. It is possible to carry 4 plates at one time while remembering what all 8 people got to eat in gender/age order: oldest woman to youngest woman, oldest man to youngest man.
8. Cowboys do not have good taste in coffee. Period. Thus, I've been drinking a lot of tea
9. You will not lose weight eating what cowboys eat. I have never seen so many carbs in all my life.
10. Not all cowboys can ride a bronco. This was made evident when the head wrangler, Peter, who thinks he's kind of a big deal, got bucked the second his butt hit the bulls back. Then, Kyle's bull decided not to be ridden at all...jumped the fence and ran off into the meadow. I think one of us girls needs to teach them a few pointers...don't worry, it will not be me.
That's all for now, I have to shower and change for dinner!
6.06.2008
And here's some more pictures too...
Here's some pictures of a Jail Dinner... just some craziness before we started working for real. The girls are my Waitrii Crew who I love dearly (Marylou is the one with the long blonde hair, Jordan has the pink bandana, Lyndsy is the other blonde, Julie has short dark hair, and Liz has the long dark hair). The guys are the kitchen boys, Jack is the burger flipper and Byram is the ridiculously tall one. We have a good time, as you can see...
Weather-wise, It's Such A Gorgeous Day...
Today was the perfect day. As I was walking to work this afternoon, I thought to myself, I feel like I live in Narnia! The sky was a shade of blue I have never seen before, somewhere between teal and navy. Everything was clearer and crisper, even the mountains looked harder. God did a good thing when he created this place.
Today I learned that the lowest point in Colorado is higher than the highest point in Pennsylvania...wow. It's certainly a different life out here...something I'm reminded of everytime I walk up the steps to my room and STILL huff and puff at the top, after three weeks. It could have something to do with Jenny the Baking Goddess's flourless chocolate cake...hmm.
Tomorrow is my second day off, I'm excited to do some hiking and hang out with the guests. It's their last day, so in the morning we go to the jail for some Wrangler Eggs and cinnamon rolls...yum. Then the guest rodeo is in the afternoon which I never get to see because I'm usually working, so I'm excited for that. Oh, and sleep. I'm REALLY excited to sleep. All this at work by 6:45 and in bed by 11 makes me slightly crazy.
I have had some amazing conversations with the girls I work with and more and more every day I'm realizing that God may have brought me here for other people more than for myself. That's a stunning revelation for one of the most self focused people on the earth. I've been asked to lead a Bible Study in Philippians...YES...and I'm really excited about it. I'm also helping to organize my crew devos every day. I spent a couple hours with Haley, my crew leader (who is SUCH a blessing) brainstorming about what to focus on for this season. We decided that these girls just need to meet Jesus as He really is (sound familiar Eric? :o) so we're going to cover some topics every week from Jesus' life. I'm SO EXCITED! I keep discovering more and more how much I love discipleship and praying with these girls is giving me so much life. I love it!
Last night was a great night. I sat on a porch swing and talked with one of my crew girls about some struggles she is having. It was so cool because I really felt for the first time like God's mouthpiece. I'm learning so much about how to love these girls well without measuring them to my standards. It's hard but it's good.
I thank God every day for calling me to this wilderness and for giving me these people for this short time. But, I'm also learning the value of me time. Somewhere along the way, I've become MUCH more of an introvert...yeah, I can hear you laughing. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth! But pouring myself out in service for 10 hours a day makes me just want to live in a cave for a while! Pray that God would show me a good balance, because today especially I really felt drained...and my work hasn't even BEGUN to get crazy.
Oh! This is another thing you'll love. Karen Foster, she and her husband own the Ranch, came up to me after I had served their table at lunch and said in her sweet southern drawl, "Heidi I so appreciate your attention to detail" HAHAHAHA!!! I really almost laughed in her face...definitely NEVER thought I'd be complemented about remembering details. This job has apparently brought out my OCD side which I didn't think I had. I guess after spending 20 minutes checking to make sure all the jam line in all the jam jars is comepletely straight across with no sticky smears, anyone can become a little OCD...even me.
And the end note...I'm going to be performing in our Wednesday night program. 4 girls and I are singing Shania's "That Don't Impress Me Much" but with the words changed around so we're essentially picking on the Wranglers...who could use to be dropped a peg or two...or five or six...so it'll be fun. Betsy Saddick used to work here and she and her husband plan the programs every year for the Ranch, so she re-wrote the song. It's really funny. I'll try to get someone to video it so I can post it on youtube or something.
Aaaand....I'm done. Miss you all and love you too!
Today I learned that the lowest point in Colorado is higher than the highest point in Pennsylvania...wow. It's certainly a different life out here...something I'm reminded of everytime I walk up the steps to my room and STILL huff and puff at the top, after three weeks. It could have something to do with Jenny the Baking Goddess's flourless chocolate cake...hmm.
Tomorrow is my second day off, I'm excited to do some hiking and hang out with the guests. It's their last day, so in the morning we go to the jail for some Wrangler Eggs and cinnamon rolls...yum. Then the guest rodeo is in the afternoon which I never get to see because I'm usually working, so I'm excited for that. Oh, and sleep. I'm REALLY excited to sleep. All this at work by 6:45 and in bed by 11 makes me slightly crazy.
I have had some amazing conversations with the girls I work with and more and more every day I'm realizing that God may have brought me here for other people more than for myself. That's a stunning revelation for one of the most self focused people on the earth. I've been asked to lead a Bible Study in Philippians...YES...and I'm really excited about it. I'm also helping to organize my crew devos every day. I spent a couple hours with Haley, my crew leader (who is SUCH a blessing) brainstorming about what to focus on for this season. We decided that these girls just need to meet Jesus as He really is (sound familiar Eric? :o) so we're going to cover some topics every week from Jesus' life. I'm SO EXCITED! I keep discovering more and more how much I love discipleship and praying with these girls is giving me so much life. I love it!
Last night was a great night. I sat on a porch swing and talked with one of my crew girls about some struggles she is having. It was so cool because I really felt for the first time like God's mouthpiece. I'm learning so much about how to love these girls well without measuring them to my standards. It's hard but it's good.
I thank God every day for calling me to this wilderness and for giving me these people for this short time. But, I'm also learning the value of me time. Somewhere along the way, I've become MUCH more of an introvert...yeah, I can hear you laughing. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth! But pouring myself out in service for 10 hours a day makes me just want to live in a cave for a while! Pray that God would show me a good balance, because today especially I really felt drained...and my work hasn't even BEGUN to get crazy.
Oh! This is another thing you'll love. Karen Foster, she and her husband own the Ranch, came up to me after I had served their table at lunch and said in her sweet southern drawl, "Heidi I so appreciate your attention to detail" HAHAHAHA!!! I really almost laughed in her face...definitely NEVER thought I'd be complemented about remembering details. This job has apparently brought out my OCD side which I didn't think I had. I guess after spending 20 minutes checking to make sure all the jam line in all the jam jars is comepletely straight across with no sticky smears, anyone can become a little OCD...even me.
And the end note...I'm going to be performing in our Wednesday night program. 4 girls and I are singing Shania's "That Don't Impress Me Much" but with the words changed around so we're essentially picking on the Wranglers...who could use to be dropped a peg or two...or five or six...so it'll be fun. Betsy Saddick used to work here and she and her husband plan the programs every year for the Ranch, so she re-wrote the song. It's really funny. I'll try to get someone to video it so I can post it on youtube or something.
Aaaand....I'm done. Miss you all and love you too!
6.02.2008
I Have the Most Wonderful Friends!
I really do have the most wonderful friends. I'm sitting in the staff room crying right now because I can't believe how blessed I am. For those of you who don't know, I decided not to go to Susan's wedding this past weekend. To make a long story short, I never felt at peace about leaving the ranch for the weekend. I really felt that God had a special reason for me to be here and that I needed to obey Him. So, I wrote two of the hardest emails I've ever written, and that's why you didn't see me last weekend. After avoiding my inbox for several days...I decided I needed to read my emails. Sus and Meg...your emails were so precious and so wonderful!!! You bless me more than you will ever know...I love you!
The great news is that God did have a special reason for me to stay. One of the girls on my team shared her testemony (we all do, but I would have missed hers) and although I can't share the details, I know that I needed to be there. It was the first glimpse of true community I've experienced here. Also, I had a long talk with a guest and I think God was able to use me to encourage her. Her husband left her for a "younger blonder wife" in her words, three years ago and it was good just to tell her that she would be in my prayers. Brooke and Tony also asked me to lead one of the girls Bible Studies which I am SO excited about! I'm also going to help Haley, my crew leader, come up with a devo plan for the waitrii crew which I'm also so excited about. All of this happened this weekend and wouldn't have happened had I done what I really wanted to do and flown out to be with you all. It's just one of those times where I wished we were in heaven. You know, so everyone could just be with me all the time on the same block of mansions. Some day, we're going to have the COOLEST block parties!
God has been teaching me so much about how he is glorified through broken people. His power is perfected in my weaknesses and when I choose to make myself vulnerable in front of these girls. Another girl shared her testemony today, a story so broken and so full of hurts and scars that I can't even think about it without crying. But she chose (...a little against her will...) to allow us into her story. She said that before us, only about five people knew about the things she shared. What an honor to be part of such an open community. Thanks guys for teaching me the value of vulnerability so that I can carry that with me into this new community. I'm really getting excited about working here!
Ha. Work. Today was not a red letter day for Heidi. We have this "high maintenance" family here for a reunion. In the space of a breakfast, I filled up the matriarch's mug which previously had tea in it...with coffee...TWICE. Oh Heidi. Then to make matters worse, I had the same family for lunch. Talk about awkward. Thankfully lunch went much better.
So in recap. I'm having a blast here and working my butt off. But, days off are so fun. This week, I went in to town, aka Colorado Springs. The road back to civilization winds through Deckers (which only has a tackle shop and a mini mart) and Woodland Park, home of the famous Hungary Bear restaurant and WalMart ( I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a WalMart before in my life). In the Springs, we went to a movie and out to eat at Carrabas...so fun! I spent time with some really fun girls and got to drive the whole way there with Pike's Peak right in front of me. Amazing.
Everyone should come out and visit!
The great news is that God did have a special reason for me to stay. One of the girls on my team shared her testemony (we all do, but I would have missed hers) and although I can't share the details, I know that I needed to be there. It was the first glimpse of true community I've experienced here. Also, I had a long talk with a guest and I think God was able to use me to encourage her. Her husband left her for a "younger blonder wife" in her words, three years ago and it was good just to tell her that she would be in my prayers. Brooke and Tony also asked me to lead one of the girls Bible Studies which I am SO excited about! I'm also going to help Haley, my crew leader, come up with a devo plan for the waitrii crew which I'm also so excited about. All of this happened this weekend and wouldn't have happened had I done what I really wanted to do and flown out to be with you all. It's just one of those times where I wished we were in heaven. You know, so everyone could just be with me all the time on the same block of mansions. Some day, we're going to have the COOLEST block parties!
God has been teaching me so much about how he is glorified through broken people. His power is perfected in my weaknesses and when I choose to make myself vulnerable in front of these girls. Another girl shared her testemony today, a story so broken and so full of hurts and scars that I can't even think about it without crying. But she chose (...a little against her will...) to allow us into her story. She said that before us, only about five people knew about the things she shared. What an honor to be part of such an open community. Thanks guys for teaching me the value of vulnerability so that I can carry that with me into this new community. I'm really getting excited about working here!
Ha. Work. Today was not a red letter day for Heidi. We have this "high maintenance" family here for a reunion. In the space of a breakfast, I filled up the matriarch's mug which previously had tea in it...with coffee...TWICE. Oh Heidi. Then to make matters worse, I had the same family for lunch. Talk about awkward. Thankfully lunch went much better.
So in recap. I'm having a blast here and working my butt off. But, days off are so fun. This week, I went in to town, aka Colorado Springs. The road back to civilization winds through Deckers (which only has a tackle shop and a mini mart) and Woodland Park, home of the famous Hungary Bear restaurant and WalMart ( I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a WalMart before in my life). In the Springs, we went to a movie and out to eat at Carrabas...so fun! I spent time with some really fun girls and got to drive the whole way there with Pike's Peak right in front of me. Amazing.
Everyone should come out and visit!
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