"I sure enjoy me a good rodeo!" This time it was the Bulls Only Rodeo. I got some good laughs at the Sheep Riding part of the competition where little kids grab hold of the neck of a sheep and try to hang on for dear life. It's pretty funny, so I've posted two videos for you. The first kid didn't stay on for too long, but you'll see the second kid did a lot better. They made me laugh so hard! Have fun...I did!

The moment must come when you must jump from your perch of distrust, leaving the next of supposed safety behind and trusting the wings of faith. You must be like a young bird beginning to test the air with its untried wings. At first you may feel as though you will fall to the earth. The fledgling may feel the same way, but it does not fall, for its wings provide support. Yet even if its wings do fail, one of its parents will sweep under it, rescuing it on strong wings. God will rescue you in the same way. Simply trust Him, for His "right hand sustains" (Psalm 18:35). -Excerpt from Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman, July 13.

Some of my family visited from Minnesota and North Carolina. It was great to see them!! The above picture was taken at a local country bar--I can't believe my Grandma came out--that was a hoot! She even sipped down a tasty margarita.

Last Thursday at a church service, the speaker focused on a portion of Isaiah 53, and a couple of verses definitely popped out at me. To give you a bit of back-story, I was having a difficult couple of days last week as I heavily reflected on the last couple of years of my life and all that has transpired. I started to feel really sad and heavy hearted again. I asked questions like, "Why did that have to happen?" "How could things have turned out this way?" etc. etc. Thankfully, days like these have become fewer and farther apart from one another which is such a testimony to God's healing!!! (Yay, God!)

So, back to Isaiah 53! A portion of verses 3 and 4 gave me such comfort and truly renewed my strength: "He (Jesus) was despised by others, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain...Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering..." Wow! I don't quite know how to put it into words, but reading those words and letting them seep deeper into my heart felt like a warm, snuggly blanket that made me feel safe, cared for, and comforted. Jesus experienced pain (the worst pain of all). I am not alone. I am not expected to carry the pains that I feel on the weight of my own shoulders, but I can give them to Him and He will carry them for me! "Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

So, I had my sad day, but I shared it with the Lord and some trusted friends...I cried, I talked about it, I heard a great message of truth, and experienced God's comfort. Yay!