just jump

Today marks day #10 of ranch life for me. Seems like I've been here a heck of a lot longer than that, though (in a good way). Wind River is a wonderful place to be. Not just because it's nestled in the Rockies (at something like 9200 ft elevation) and I get to wake up every morning to the beauty of the mountains but also because the people here are great, staff and guests included. I've had fun getting to know everyone so far, and bonding with the guests is a highlight - though it was really sad when I had to say good-bye to last week's guests. One of the girls just hugged me and cried, saying that she just didn't want to leave (this was one of the girls who nicknamed me "Los Dos Italianos" - not quite sure they understood the meaning of the word "dos"). I got to know a great bunch of fun-loving tweens and teens, too. We did the obstacle course multiple times, did a scavenger hunt and archery, and went to putt-putt, amongst other things like Bible studies, olymypic games, a kids' rodeo, and square dancing. And because I actually ended up working more with the teens last week, I went with them to coffee in town and also enjoyed the antics of the game Mau (if you've ever played you know it's simultaneously frustrating and hilarious). I'm with the younger and more energetic tweens this week, though; they're a hoot.

When not hanging out with the tweens/teens, I wore many other different hats. Everyone does a little bit of everything around here. So in the afternoons I weeded and watered flowers, made beds, folded towels (I know how to make a fancy towel set now), washed dishes, waited on tables, and - as of today - mucked pens. But it's not "all work and no play" around here either. The first weekend I was here we (meaning the staff) went to Boulder to hang out and have a nice dinner. And this past weekend I climbed up the Twin Sisters peak (it's conveniently in the backyard of the ranch). Hiking is so gratifying because 1) you feel accomplished afterwards and 2) the view is absolutely gorgeous from the top.

At any rate, ranch life / counselor life is fantastic. As with anything there are highs and lows (and up here that's not just figurative) but I love the kids and I can't get enough of the scenery. I'm constantly humbled by the majesty of God around here - be it from looking out at His natural wonders or looking into the eyes of His precious children.

One last thing (I promise it's related): On my flight to Denver I met an older woman who was going to a week-long women's expedition for hiking and biking. I asked her how long she'd been doing those things and she said only in the past few years had she gotten into it. How neat to still be living life to the fullest and starting new hobbies and adventures even in the latter years of life. Move forward to the arrival of the guests last week: I met a girl my age from Australia who'd come to the US and Canada to travel for 6 weeks - by herself and just because. I admired her bravery for doing so. And even though she came without family, she said that everyone at the ranch became like her family. Why do I mention these two ladies? Because they both had courage to step out and do un-ordinary things and achieve their dreams. They didn't let fear or "what if's" hold them back. They just went. Thinking of them actually reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting I saw once of a boy hanging on for dear life onto a pool's high board. He was too scared to jump, and I wanted to get into the painting and tell him "just jump!" But, ya see, often I'm like that little boy who was too scared to jump. So meeting people like those two I mentioned reminds me that sometimes I need to take my own advice and "just jump." To go and do those things that I want to do but am maybe a little apprehensive about - like going out to Colorado to work on a ranch (don't get me wrong I was excited to come, but every new experience has its uncertainties). I've learned, though, that in the end those things you're scared to do at first are usually the most life-changing.

Well, time for me to be getting off to bed. Bright and early start tomorrow.

I lift my eyes unto the hills

In several hours I'll be boarding a plane to Colorado. I've always wanted to go there so this is a dream come true. I have the great opportunity of working there for 6 weeks on a Christian family ranch: Wind River Ranch in Estes Park. I'm hired to be a tweens counselor, but I'll be lending a hand with a variety of other things, too. The days will be long but the scenery (mountatins of course) will be beautiful. And I've often thought to myself that I'd rather work with kids than do anything else so I'm pretty sure I'm in for a good time. (Ok, not "pretty sure" - this is like a dream job, and I'm super excited for it!) Hopefully I'll be able to update this blog on a weekly basis with what I'm up to.

All that being said, I don't pretend to think that I'm going to be successful on my own. I could launch into the importance of teamwork and relying on the strengths of other staff members, etc (and all that's true and important). But what I mean here is looking to the Source of any strength and ability that I (and we) have in the first place. I believe with all my heart that I wouldn't be where I'm at - including heading out to the ranch - if it weren't for the grace of God in my life. So when the going gets tough, as I know it will, this girl will get going in prayer. And if I ever I forget this, I'll need only to look up at the mountains:

I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.

a few FL high points

When I started this blog I intended to write about the places I go. So far I have two posts and neither are about any travels. And that's not because I haven't gone anywhere interesting either. I want to at least add something about my time in Florida (which is nearing its end) so here are a couple of things, all of which took place last weekend:

1. Let's start with the actual high point of Florida - right near the Alabama border and at a whopping 345 feet. Even shorter than I expected it to be. If it weren't for the sign telling me I was at a "high point" I would've had no idea; there was zero change in elevation from that all-important monument to the surrounding land. Last time I was at a state's high point was in New York on top of Mt. Marcy; that one's about 5600 feet if I remember correctly. Alas. If I didn't already know that Florida was the flattest state, I know it well now. On the bright side, seeing that low high point satisfied my desire to say I'd been there. Total, I'm 2 out of 50.

2. The FL caverns: a beautiful specimen of the wonders of nature. I'd never been into a cavern before, and I was in awe from the moment I stepped in. My first reaction was, "Wow! I can't believe this is actually real." My only experience with caverns until then had been with fake, Disney-esque ones. In addition to being real, this cavern was old. It takes 100 years for the stalactites and stalagmites to grow 1 cubic inch (or some ratio like that). Point is that it takes FOREVER and some of those tites and mites were several feet tall. Old and breathtaking. These things have been around much, much longer than I have and will still be there when I die. Pretty cool if you ask me.

3. Boll weevil monument: Ok, so this one's actually in Alabama. Enterprise, AL to be exact. Long ago they were cotton farmers but then the boll weevil came along and destroyed their crops. Then they got into the peanut industry, and it was a huge success (thanks to the innovations of George Washington Carver). So in 1919 they erected a monument of an angelic woman holding a giant boll weevil above her head. A little weird if you ask me. But I guess it's cool that their community knew how to look on the bright side of adversity and find the good in it.

There's certainly a lot more I could write about Florida, but three's the charm for right now. BECAUSE... I'm leaving in a few hours. More to come on that.