A Little Six Month Update

Life in the country six months after moving:

I went to "town" yesterday to do some errands, and I had a car full of people in the Target parking lot ask me where I had been mudding because they were jealous of the mud on my vehicle. I was able to say that I had indeed not been mudding but just driving on the dirt and gravel roads to and from my house.

On Friday, I had a gal at work (who also lives in my area) ask me if my kids were at home. I replied that they were, and she told me I might want to text my husband and have him bring the kids inside for the day. The Department of Wildlife was on a bear hunt that morning to rid the area of some "bad bears". They were out to kill ten to fifteen bears who had become too at ease around people and their homes and trash. The warning had gone out for children to be inside in case a bear was injured but not killed and escaped the hunters. I let Harland know about the happenings, but was thankful that we live a little ways away from the high bear activity zone.

Our mouse issues have settled down in the past month or two. I am guessing that it is just warm weather (and lots of snakes-haha). We had an unexpected encounter this past week, however. We finally bought a wood burning stove for the house, and Harland moved it into the house and proceeded to remove the crate packaging that was around the approximately 300 pound beast. What was inside the crate?--- of course-- mice--- several mice and a nest to boot. These mice were not country mice. They had ridden in the crate from the city and were unable to think on their feet and escape. They moved very slowly, and we decided to use them to help teach our kittens about mice. We were able to catch two of them with a pair of pliers and throw them outside to the cats and one other was unfortunate enough to get under Harland's boot and meet its doom.

As the weather is getting cooler, we are so glad to report that it has been almost a month since we have seen a rattler on our property. We are seeing tons of deer and antelope, and we have had two bull elks on our road. I have seen two roadrunners and still hear multiple coyotes daily. The dogs bark almost all night at all of the critters they see or think they see in the yard and field. They bark so much at night that they have virtually no voice in the daytime as they rest up for another round. It is a good thing we live with absolutely NO neighbors.

Speaking of our wacky dogs, Honey is now just turning one (approximately since she is a shelter dog) and Ranger is about 9 months. They are still our giant babies, and they have daily alpha battles and are still growing like weeds. Honey may be slowing down in her growth, but the giant white dog's stilt legs are still growing. He is about 100 pounds now and should get to be about 150 when he is full grown. Since they are so big (Honey is about 70lbs.), they eat a lot of dog food. I realized the other day as I hoisted the 44 pound of dog food into the car without any difficulty that even four months ago I couldn't even move the bag let alone pick it up and toss it around. I guess my muscles are getting stronger through the hard things much like I think our character is getting stronger with every new trial.

It feels like we have been in this beautiful place so much longer than six months. I still can't get over the mountains. I still can't get over the wildlife. I still can't get over the quiet and the stillness. I hope I never do.

Psalm 65:5-6 "You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength..."

Changes

The leaves are starting to change, and there is snow visible now on Pike's Peak. The bears are getting ready to hibernate. We think that the rattlesnakes are heading back to their holes. Change is in the air.

In the midst of the change around us, I am also entering a change. I am announcing that I have come out of retirement. Much like Brett Favre, I have felt the need to be back in the pocket. We have found life on the prairie to be quite costly, and I have been looking for a part time job for a couple of months now.

I started this past week at a community clinic in town as an OB nurse. In today's work and economic climate, we are so thankful for a job period, but we are especially thankful for a job that is only part time and is polar opposite of what I have worked for most of the past eight years. I am used to working ALL weekends, nights, and holidays, and this job is NO weekends, nights, or holidays. It will prove to feel very strange I am sure.

So... my seven month retirement stint is over. I think it was beautifully timed for my sanity. I was able to adjust a bit to the start up of rural living and handle the stressors thrown our way without outside work.

Work is not a bad word. It is what we do on this earth. I am hopeful that my work will make a difference in the lives of others. I am hopeful that I can remind myself to be thankful that I am healthy and able to work hard. We are a family in the midst of some more change. We are enjoying the changing seasons together and seeking to see the beauty in each one that comes our way.

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Pride

There is a sense of pride that I think every mother and father feel about their children. I have felt it for over twelve years now, but yesterday my understanding of pride moved to a whole new level.

I am proud, at times, of accomplishments and proud of behavior, but yesterday I became proud of actual character. Harland and I felt like we had been plopped down in the midst of a Hallmark movie set and our child was the main character. Tears were flowing.

The setting was the first district cross country meet. Now, the Casons and the Cushings have historically never been known for running. Ben joined cross country at his middle school and has been improving his time on the two mile each practice. I can truly say that I hate to run (unless chased), and two miles is a very long way to me.

The team is made up of about 12 girls and 12 boys. The boys ran first yesterday (along with about 70 other boys from different schools). Ben was immediately in the back of the pack and there he stayed for the entire race. He was in last place. The other boys lapped him. We were on the sideline cheering him on. His coach was cheering him on. If that had been me, I would have quit in the first lap. He kept going.

The last portion of the race was around the track. All other 70ish boys had finished, and Ben was approaching the track. He ran the entire track alone with his team cheering him on like he was the leader. It was too much-- Harland and I were bawling. He finished. I have never been more proud. He wasn't embarrassed about being last. He did it. He finished the race. He has perseverance that I know for a fact I did not possess as a seventh grader, and I do not think I possess to that level even now.

What a great life lesson we got to see right in front of us. We have six more meets in the coming weeks--- I hope our emotions can take it. I will bring some tissues next time in my pocket.

Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."