A day...

It is funny...not in a haha...but in a sometimes God is amazing...as you wonder...how someone had written something who knows when and that you would happen to be reading at this very moment would seem to be something talking to you...I think of my brother telling me about our God atomic clocks being synchronized or something...but I read the calendar that was given to me by a special FRIEND...thanks Kasey Jo.   Anyway in God's Way Day by Day by Charles Stanley.   Today was court...an emotional day...but the calendar said:

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

"The dearest treasure of your life--second only to your relationship with Jesus Christ--is a close friend.  A friend loves you unconditionally, catches you when you fall, believes in the best for you and encourages the best in you, understands your deepest concerns, applauds your successes and shares your pain, offers you constructive criticism in times of error, and feels sorrow for you in times of pain or rejection.  A genuine friend is a gift of God's mercy to you."

Friends come in all shapes and sizes some related by blood...others not...but I pray that I might be such a friend to others who have been that to me.

I woke up this morning and couldn't get the 23rd Psalm out of my head and I took it with me today and read it...I was reminded of a recent walk down by the river...going a different path and how the 23rd Psalm had came to me then...Thy rod and Thy staff...  I have a visual also from when we had our sheep hit...He maketh me lie down in green pastures...but I have a little card I read today to remind me...as there were moments when all I could do was pray...

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

The shepherd...and the one in training...the goats are getting pretty big
for the Firecracker to hold...but loved it anyway so include...

 One of those draining days....good night all...I still have some past blogs to finish...had an awesome Firecracker weekend...lyp

Making Memories of us...

So it has been on my mind that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday...and so it is another anniversary that we will go through.   I think of those of the Catholic faith.  Of Jay and his family...I remember my friend Mary explaining Ash Wednesday to me and giving me a writing on it last year...and I remember all of those with ashes on their heads when I arrived in Limon to find out more of the loss of  my favorite son-in-law Jay Sheridan.   I search to look at Ash Wednesday...and I come across the following that was located on http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/ashwed.php

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes

Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told
"Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."
Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

And the word SACRIFICE seems to blare out to me!   And I confess I have had tears today.  I think we are all apprehensive a little I suppose of the upcoming one year anniversary.   How there seems to be many anniversaries but today I was thinking about all of this and had came across a picture that I love of Isabel...one that just captures me and reminds me to look up...even though it is a camera phone and not the clearest quality...it is one I love...of one I love...as though she has a secret...

And so some might say coincidental...I heard it referred to as a God incidence...because while I was looking at the picture...the Keith Urban song Making Memories of us came on my Pandora.   This song always reminded me of Heather and Jay and I made a PowerPoint for their wedding to this song...I pulled it out tonight and watched it and though tears it also had many pictures that made me smile.   I realize I need to get it put together for Heather and Maryann who both wanted copies...I suppose I might someday try to put one on here...but tonight I just include the song and one of my favorite pictures as it can't help but make you smile...and I remember something I heard about writing that it shouldn't just cause sadness but inspire.    And so I hope that you might be inspired to look up...to show someone you love that you love them...that you just enjoy some of the moments we are given as they are gifts!    Open them as a child who cherishes every moment...Because with the season of Lent we are also promised Easter...that someday we will be with those we love who have went to be with our Lord Jesus.

And so I include Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban..."I want to stand out in a crowd for you...as a man among men"...That you did Jay Bird...that you did...

God Bless and take care!
lyp

Praise the Lord...It was just a ford!

So have been thinking a lot lately about complacency:

Definition of COMPLACENCY

1: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies

2: an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction

We seem to get in a lull of things and just seem to sometimes be on autopilot.   This morning I talked to my son Lance who was on his way from Fort Collins to check up on his sheep.  He had other things going this weekend so was planning on coming for the day.   I didn't talk long and let him go...and then went to my kitchen table when I heard Tim on his phone...and all I heard was, "Are you alright?"

To which triggers a mama bear out of her chair and I headed in to see what was being said.   After hanging up Tim said Lance had been in a wreck.   That he had hit some black ice and had totaled his truck...but the words I wanted to hear...he says he is okay.

Well of course I just want to hop in the truck and see for myself!!   However, Lance assured his dad that he was okay and that he was coming down...so it was left at that and the shepherd went to check on the cows.   I continued getting ready just in case we were going to Heather's.

I of course checked in by texting, making sure that he was sure he was okay and when he didn't answer right away I checked in with his sister who was his first call as he knew she had connections she could call (Thanks Jake for being one of those guys!)...In asking Lance if okay...those who know him know that it is no surprise when asking him are you alright...all I got was a "yes". (I laugh because before I post this I see what Lance said about this...("I hit some ice on I-70 and rolled a few times"...okay maybe I say too much!)  However, his sister called me and gave me more update.   And later I told the shepherd I am thankful for how close they are.  It is a blessing to have such a bond with your siblings...

So anyway I get back to the story...Lance said he knew what was going to happen and so he was ready for it...well I think as ready as one can be in being completely out of control heading for a rollover...I am thankful that he is a seat belt wearer!

Right after his wreck...Lance climbed out of his truck that was laying on its side...through the front windshield...I put in a picture I stole from Lance to show...



Lance's truck...after



Not sure how cold it was but it was below freezing...and so not just being thankful that Lance was able to get himself out of the vehicle, have the wherewithal to find his phone and be able to make the calls...But also for the fact that a fire and rescue came along upon seeing Lance's dust...well maybe not dust as there was mostly snow everywhere...not sure if they were heading for the wreck Lance had just passed and had been somewhat of a distraction...but wherever they were headed...they were at the scene immediately and put Lance in their vehicle to keep warm and wait for the state patrol. 

Well as I am sure most have guessed...as soon as Tim got back...we headed north...sometimes you just have to see with your own eyes...look into those eyes...and get a hug!   In the meantime...Lance got a ride to Limon with the State Patrol...later he and Heather went back to get his stuff out...while the Firecracker hung out with Aunt Aum and went to church with her...so we all hit Limon in time for lunch at the Southside and time for "fellowship" (as my father-in-law Frank calls it...he doesn't like to go out and eat but he does go for the "fellowship")!

We then went back to Heather's and hung out awhile while Lance worked on the cold reporting report and then while Izzy and I stayed in where it was warm..the others made sure the old Mustang could get out of the snow drift it was parked in...but while hanging out...the tow company called and so Lance and Oppy went to meet up with them...while I stayed back with the Firecracker who of course wanted to go...but her mom said No!   So I add some pics before the camera quit...

This was off the Interstate a ways...

Sounded like the tow company knew what they were doing...gotta give credit to
those who have to work out in this...helping others.

And so while they were gone...I ended up getting to "rocky-bye" and then hold a sleeping Firecracker...one of my "favoritest" things in the whole world...While loading up his truck Lance found more valuables that had been strewn about and then the guys returned...I must confess it was a little hard to send La La off (It was hard sending myself off because one little Firecracker said she didn't want Ahma to go home...if that don't hit your heart but I did get to watch her do some of her Kinnect moves!!)...but back to those I love--I pray for PROVIDENCE! 

Definition of PROVIDENCE

1a often capitalized : divine guidance or care b capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

I  am not sure of the whole whys...of why things turn out as they do...but I give THANKS that my son is still with us and okay...and I do not take it for granted!!  And I think of my walk the other day when it seemed to be an exercise of just giving thanks...not putting in my little "fix it" thoughts but just GIVE THANKS!   And so today I continue with that theme...and realize how very much I have to be thankful for!   And I give thanks after talking to Aunt Aum that she is with us and okay!    I pray for another one of my special kids...Amy...and thankful for the special friends that her and Jake are!

So in thinking of all I love and giving thanks for having so many special people that I love so very much!!

And I have had a new consciousness brought to my not taking for granted...and I say PRAISE THE LORD...it was just a ford! 

And so this is the picture in which I give thanks for!
 Love my LALA!   Oh I mean Lance...

Love this KID!!

Oh the adventures of watching the Firecracker...she loves the goats...but NO she isn't content to just pet them or to look at them...THIS GIRL has to hold them...so today when Oppy and I took her out to see the goats...Oppy was sidetracked with doing other things...you know little things like delivering lambs and the like...didn't he know IZZY needed to see her goats!   She has a video on her mom's phone that she watches of her catching them last time she was here...and so she had even showed Oppy pictures of what she needed to do...so though I start out with a little further in the story...I start from the beginning...

First we started getting ready to go outside...even though Izzy keeps saying, "Where's your snow?   We have a BUNCH...WHOLE BUNCH!"   Said with eyes wide open and amazement that only one does when they seem to see life from a whole different viewpoint...

Anyway she first put on her hat and overalls...after all she was going to see goats!  There are some that are not sure of the hats that Ahma picks but I love this one...Maybe because I would give her daddy such hats as well...and he would humor me as well...she is such a ham...

So when I took her outside she started looking for Oppy...and there he was...and off she ran for him...at which point they made the game plan...she could go with Ahma and look at the goats until Oppy got there and they would go in the pen with them...and so off she headed for the goats...

and so she stopped by the other goats...sat on the hay awhile...went and sat on the fence and yes stood on the barrel...PATIENTLY waiting for OPPY...

And finally Oppy got there...and this is where I just stand in amazement...Izzy has been around goats most of her life...of course when you are quite not three...but she loves them...something she shared with her daddy...and so when Oppy finally got there and got her in the pen...she was ready to catch her some goats.  But then she had to pick each one up...and Oppy said she knew which ones that she had picked up and would go for other ones...I have to admit that I did not notice or could not tell if she had chased the same goat...but I must confess I am not the shepherd that the old shepherd is...and so I just snapped pictures...and laughed...She would go full bore after them and then pick them up and some she would hand to Oppy...

The pictures of this just makes me smile...thinking how one little girl has so much enthusiasm for things...she would just go full out...fall down get back up and keep going...as she went to leave today...she cried because she wanted to tell the goats goodbye...Again I think how it is so important for her to say goodbye...with good reason...

So I heard someone say that writing shouldn't make others sad but inspired...and I think of this little girl and how she carries on the legacy of her daddy in just being a KID!!

Izzy and Oppy...in her custom made sweatshirt from Aunt Shelley's Designs & Stitches...

I am getting behind in my memories and blogs but decided to get this one out...and then see from there...but definitely one of those days you take and hold in your heart...

lyp

Operation J-Bird

So I had heard from my daughter that today February 2, 2012, the CBI was conducting Operation "J-Bird".   In honor of Jay Sheridan who was killed in the line of duty March 9, 2011, there were going to be teams of agents canvassing the Denver metro area in search of wanted sex offenders who have failed to register.  

This has to be one of the most touching tributes to honor Jay the police officer.   I had seen where it was said by one, "the best way we can honor Jay is by continuing to do the work that he loved and gave his life for."   Jay would have been proud of such a tribute I am sure.

I think we often take for granted those that put their lives on the line day in and day out.   Many times we take the negative view and don't really know all that goes on...there is much more to being a police officer that I never really was aware of until one became family...

Jay is in our thoughts often...and the other night as Isabel was playing on the couch...her car (the couch) she

 

A favorite pic of
Jay and his "Peanut"
 (she is about a year old here sitting on her "car")



was driving to see "Oppy" loaded up with baby dolls.   In fact it was so full I had to give my seat up and drive myself on the rocking chair.   After we talked on our phones we were ready to hit the road when it happened...Izzy says that policeman just hit my car and she tells me and slaps the side of the couch as if to show what had happened.   Then she started talking of her daddy the policeman and that he would fix her car.   Isabel is a storyteller already...she gives quite animation and can just reel you in...a gift she inherited quite honestly.   Anyway she begins talking of her dad the policeman and that he had to go to meetings but he will be back to see her.   There are many things I don't understand or attempt to know...but I do feel the good Lord has allowed this little girl to feel the love of her daddy and give her comfort that she will see him again! 



So I think many of us feel Jay in different ways...we are given special memories or stories, "favorate" people share a word...or law officers go out to make our streets a little safer in honor of one that gave his life in doing the same...

I put a few links that we came across today regarding Operation "J-Bird".   We say thank you to these individuals and appreciate their dedication.  We miss you Jay and look forward to when we get to see you again!   God bless all of those who work at making our world a little better a little safer.  Thank you.



We miss you "J-Bird"...

http://www.9news.com/rss/article/246644/222/Operation-J-Bird-CBI-tries-to-track-down-unregistered-sex-offenders-

http://www.denverpost.com/popular/ci_19878331?source=pop_neighbors_denver

Also seen the project in progress for Jay from Grizzly Creek Framing...pretty cool.  http://blog.grizzlycreekframing.com/

 God Bless you and keep you...

lyp