It was a good week for me. I was reminded of how God takes care of me and how wonderful it is to be in the place He wants me at.
I was leaving the gym at 7:15 one morning (thats right, I've been hitting the gym...getting up before 6:am, that's huge for me) and I was overwhelmed at the picture around me. The mountains are so beautiful with a nice amount of snow on them...and the sun hitting the rock was bright red. Then I started thinking about how great it is that I am here, how much I love what I get to do everyday, how great the people are that I get to work with. I like my life.

Some really great things about this week

• Won tickets to Chris Tomlin concert!
• Get to go to California in April for Catalyst West with NHM office staff!
• My little girl Jula and her family are coming to CO to ski and invited me to join them!
• Made some really good connections with people that want to help our moms re-enter.
• The weather has been in the 60's the last couple days! I'm smellin' spring time...

Oh and last week I got to another fun rodeo. The funniest part of that was the bull fighters, one of the guys was from Sugarcreek OH.

Back in the saddle again...

This past week was pretty tough.

I guess my job is becoming more defined, which is a good thing, but that is the cause of the heavy responsibility I feel for these moms as well. I have been trying to develop an outline of the objectives that we have for the mothers as they re-enter society. Although each case is like no other, I need to have some guideline and they need everything spelled out clearly. I add more stress to myself when I don't take the time to be sure they are hearing what I am saying...you could call it 'selective hearing' seems like we go around the same bush too many times. I struggle with defining the mission of New Horizons in wanting to see a life change in the mother, and when does the time come that I say she has proved her inability to care for her child? I am quickly being labeled as the bad guy, and that is kinda hard on my self-esteem. I guess I like to be liked more then I like to admit.

My household here (redneck cowgirls) finally had our Christmas on Tuesday night. If you see me carrying a bright red bag that boldly claims my single status, that would be compliments of rbeach. Another exciting event took place on Wednesday night, the death of Ralph...as tiny as he was (may he rest in peace) he created a mighty stir here on Bentley Dr. For several weeks now he has been busy finding many places to spread his cheer, and take things that were not intended for him to eat.

So today is a beautiful day here in Colorado. I have the day off...and that clear blue sky is beckoning me to come outside and enjoy some fresh mountain air.

Redneck Cowgirls

me and my housemates at "the daddy of 'em all" Aug. 08

Here goes me...blogger. I am not much of a writer, or reader for that matter. However, living so far away from my family once again makes me turn to the newest, easiest form of keeping-in-touch. Hope this means I hear from the rest of you more too.