Wonderful Wyoming

I was born in Wyoming and raised just over the state line in Northern Colorado. I got used to living in the mountains, seeing wildlife in my front yard and falling asleep to the peaceful sounds of the river. This past weekend, I was blessed enough to relive those childhood experiences. I was honored to be the speaker for a retreat sponsored by the Worland Church of Christ. Resting on the Western slope of the Big Horn Mountains, Worland is everything beautiful I remember from my childhood. The retreat was held at nearby Circle J camp in tiny Ten Sleep. (The circle J is a reminder that Jesus is to be the center of all that happens there.) With the red rock cliffs on one side and the rambunctious Platte river on the other, the camp is surrounded by the majesty of creation. While we were there, the snow came--someone said there was a total of 8 inches. All I know is that it was white and pure and very beautiful, the perfect setting for the deer that boldly ambled into camp. It was so peaceful and awe-inspiring and the scenery alone would have been enough to make it a great weekend!

But my God gives me more than enough! I am always, always impressed that Father God takes just the right mixture of relationship and setting to inspire and encourage. The women came from Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. They represented every age group, lifestage and marital status. Some were friends of my parents when they attended Bear Valley School of Preaching, some had lived in North Platte and worshipped with us there, some had heard me speak at the Casper retreat a few years earlier and some I had never met before. They were so very beautiful, these sisters of mine. They each encouraged and inspired me---from the prayers to the songs, to the fellowship and fun, I left the retreat wanting to do better at being a woman of God---wanting to be more bold in proclaiming His love, desiring more compassion and praying for a gentler spirit and gracious attitude. I left there grateful that God made me part of a community of believers and that He had allowed me to be the recipient of such an outpouring of Christian love and community.

The retreat was over just after lunch on Saturday and we returned to Worland. Ned and I were given the blessing of staying with our good friends, the Mayas. We laughed and ate and prayed and sang! It was so wonderful---I knew that this was just a taste of what Heaven would surely be like---all of the very best things God has, just for our pleasure! Sunday morning we were able to worship with the Worland congregation. What a gift this body is---to each other and to those who visit. The love and concern, the feeling of family is tangible and truly wonderful!

Goodbyes and tears and we began the ten hour journey home. The time passed quickly because we travelled with a godly Christian couple who love and mentor us and who always seek out the spiritual best of those they love. We arrived home just before midnight--excited, tired and inspired. What a great weekend!

When I was a child, the signs at the border of Wyoming said, "Wonderful Wyoming" and that is exactly how I found it to still be. God is so good to me and the blessing of this past weekend just reiterates what I know to be true---I am His favorite child! I am His favorite child! :)

Blessings

Neva