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Okay. I am impressed😱!

Living in the Moment

When I was younger, I can recall living my life from one grand event to the next. It seemed I was always in a state of ‘I can’t wait until…’. And while I had joy in most every day of my young life, I tended to focus on the grander events that were spaced fewer and far between. Now it is so easy to find simple joy in the everyday moments of life! Take today, for example… another drive up the mountain to see some patients. On my last trip up there, I noticed a cute little yellow house with the name Ladybird on the front. I was curious as to what it was, so I googled it. It is a coffee shop, a café, and a bakery! So I made time to stop this morning on my way up the hill. As as typical for this area, I was greeted warmly with a smile and a HELLO! when I walked in. I saw a glass display case filled with homemade scones, both savory and sweet. Of course, I chose the sweet, with rhubarb and coconut! And a coffee. 🤗 After I paid, I noticed some bread on the counter in front of me. I asked the young man behind the counter, ‘Do you ever make sourdough?’

With a delighted grin he said, ‘Yes! In fact, there is some in that day old bucket there beside you.’

He explained how they stopped making it during the summer, when the local farmers markets were open for business. And now that he has started back up again, he said he’d make another batch for me next week, if I was going to be by. IF I WAS GOING TO BE BY? 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂! In the day old bin was jalapeño cheddar sourdough. When I came home to have a quick bite to eat, I made some cheesy broccoli soup with a thick slab of that sourdough jalapeño cheddar bread. Toasted, of course. Best lunch ever! Will I be back😂😂😂😂😂. He obviously hasn’t had time to get to know me yet.🤗😂😂

As is typical yet again in these parts…I passed a whole lot of pretty during my morning up on the mountain.

I was talking to daughter Michelle yesterday, and commenting how much I missed her, and the other kids. But at the same time, I told her this was such an amazing experience, and I was enjoying every single thing about it so much more than I anticipated. While I will be glad to get home, it will be hard to say goodbye to my coworkers, my patients, and the friendly and kind people of this area! I will leave a little bit of my heart in this place. 💕

As I headed back to the office to finish things up for the week, I passed a horse drawn sleigh filled with smiling people, all decked out in their holiday wear. Even the horses were decorated, with Christmas bells around their necks and tinsel woven through their manes. It made me think that I am living in a Hallmark movie. The only thing missing is a dashing prince. But then I remembered that I have one of those back in Montana.😂😂😂 What a grand life this is!😂💕🙏

Colorado Bucket List

I’ve come to notice that the people in Colorado are much like those in Montana, in that many are born and raised here and have never left. Several have shared with me special places that they particularly enjoy, and encouraged me to visit while I am still here. Most know my time is limited here on the western slope, as do I, so I’ve added three of these to my ‘bucket list’, so to speak. I am sure I will add more before the next couple of weeks are over.😊 But today, I discovered a walking path just across from the native American museum.

I hope the mountain photos never get old for you, because every time I see them, I am amazed all over again… like it’s the first time seeing them. Again, I know the photos don’t do them justice. But in spite of all the beauty that surrounds me, the true beauty I’ve discovered lies in the people that I come across from day-to-day. Patients, family members, coworkers, and just people out in the community. It is such a joy being here during the Christmas season. I took a last-minute night shift on-call yesterday for a sick coworker As I was driving to attend to a patient death, I passed a home with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, standing tall in the front window, brightly lit for all to see driving by in the wee hours of the night. It was a such an incredible blessing to me, and it brought a quick smile to my face. I wish I could tell that family what that expenditure of energy did for my spirit on that dark evening. I love these people on the western slope!💕

Gentle Giant

When I said, the sun always shines where I am on the western slope of Colorado, I wasn’t fibbing. Take a look at these blue skies…

I visited a lovely, large church today. I find it’s just easier to blend in when there are so many other faces. Being here for such a short time, I feel bad not getting involved in things, but it’s just easier not to. So I’ve decided to remain incognito. But one thoughtful lady, recognizing I was a visitor, bought me a latte after I arrived at church this morning. I can’t say enough how nice the people are here! EVERYWHERE! And because Jax was such a trooper waiting in the car during my hour-and-a-half church service, we went for a long hike along the river near the dog park afterwards. I am still amazed at how many people stop and want to pet him, or comment on how large he is. But to be truthful, I don’t really realize how large he is until I see him next to another large breed dog! He’s typically a third larger, if not more. And he is forever patient and gentle with people that just want to hug on him. Not overly so, so if things took a turn for the worse, I’ve no doubt he would turn as well.

And speaking of nice… my landlord and neighbor, (aka guardian in skin), just brought me enough food to last me through the week! Just because! There folks in Colorado are something else🤗🤗🤗.

Here are a few more photos from our walk today…

The benches scattered around the dog park😊.

A perfect place for a POLAR PLUNGE!

I was hoping to get a taco….😂

And last but not least, my shadow.

Guardians of the Gala…er, Erin 🤣

I have a dear friend who teases me incessantly about my tendency to attract random men in my travels. Fortunately, my dear husband is not threatened by this! Or at least, I hope he’s not 😂😂😂. My most recent was Richard, from Cambodia. And Thai, our tuk tuk driver. They appeared seemingly out of nowhere, but I know it was the Lord who sent them! When I kept referring to ‘us’ and ‘we’ when talking with my Cambodia FDI work team, the director, Teresa, finally asked me, ‘Who is this we you are referring to?’ 😂😂😂 How to explain? All I know, is that they made a somewhat intimidating situation so much more enjoyable and fun. Being with the two of them, I didn’t have to worry about getting lost, or getting scammed. I consider them dear friends, and I’m so grateful to have had the time with them in a very beautiful, raw, and unfamiliar environment!

Dear, concerned friend💕

And dear, forever friends Richard and Thai🤗

I say this now because I am finding myself in a similar situation here in Colorado. The man I am renting the cottage from lives right next-door. He checks in periodically with me to see if I need anything, and to let me know when he’s going on shift at the fire station just down the street. I can’t tell you the peace of mind it brings me to know that he’s close by in the event something should happen. I remember worrying about snow removal prior to coming here. Everything was so uncertain and I just didn’t know what to expect. But now I have my ‘guardian in skin’ just a mere few feet away. He’s got a stellar sense of humor too😂😂👏👏! So grateful for that!

When I think back, I can see how those ‘guardians’ have been ever present throughout my life. Even when I wasn’t aware. But now that I am, I can’t help but offer thanks each day to the Lord for his steadfast provision for me, even down to the the tiniest detail.🤗💕🙏

’Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!’ Luke 1:45 💕

I remember once many years ago. I was in between dogs, yet still walking in the wee hours of morning when it was pitch black outside. On one day, as I turned to make the trek up the long hill, the last hill before I got home, I could see headlights at the top. I continued walking, but then realized that the vehicle wasn’t moving. A still small voice was telling me to turn back and go the other way, but I didn’t. Partly because I was almost home and I was tired, and partly because I thought it was just my fear speaking. The closer I got to those headlights, still not moving, the louder the voice got. But I continued to ignore it. I soon got close enough to see that the vehicle was not near either of the only two homes on that upper part of the hill, which left me looking for an escape route should somebody get out of the vehicle. The closer I got, the louder the voice continued to get, telling me to turn back and go the other way. By that time I was rationalizing in my head that the person would see that and know that I was afraid. How foolish of me! As I walked past the large, looming truck, I refrained from looking directly at whomever was sitting in the driver’s seat, and only listened for the sound of the door opening. The door never did open, and as I continued up the hill, I realized how foolish an error I had made in not heeding that command to turn back. It made me wonder what type of angel the Lord put next to me to protect me. ‘Maybe it was a dragon,’ I thought with nervous chuckle. But still, I determined then and there to never make so foolish an error again.

The ONLY guardian I need. And always by my side💕🙏🤗

Whispers of Winter

If the earth could whisper, I think it would look like this in the winter months….

it reminds me of the muted greys when a winter sky is overcast. They are both so beautiful in and of themselves, even in the absence of the vibrant reds, greens, purples, and lavenders of spring and summer. I remember back to our diving trips in Central America…the deeper into the ocean we went, the duller the colors grew, only for absence of light. On our one, solo night dive, we carried lights with us down to about 90 feet. I remember my brother and I were so amazed when we aimed our lights on a particular section of the coral reef, and the colors came alive! There is a lesson in this, I know. We can choose to ‘shine our light’ and bring dimension to our days and to the days of those we interact with. or we can choose to dwell in the shadows. I know that which I will choose💕🙏🤗.

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Seriously! I was. Or at least I felt like I was🤣🤣! Yet another sunny day in beautiful Colorado, and today I went up into the mountains. The very mountains I’ve been sending you pictures of for the past few days. Today I was up close and personal, but I’m sorry to say my pictures don’t do them justice. The sun was just too bright to add much depth to what my eye could see. But still, I will share what I have.

I was on such rural roads, rarely a car would pass. But just the time I got out to try a squatty potty at the roadside, along came a truck.😂😂😂😂

I hadn’t realized before I came here what an agricultural based state Colorado is. I feel silly for thinking otherwise, but all I’ve ever really heard about are the reports I’ve seen about the movie stars who frequent Aspen, Telluride, and Durango. But I know now that there are some hard-working, honest and kind farmers and ranchers here! More of THEM than the latter, thank the Lord💕🙏.

Today I felt like I did when I was driving over from Utah… I could’ve stopped about every few feet and gotten yet another spectacular shot of vastly different scenery, but I just had to get to where I needed to be in a timely fashion and so I didn’t. Another day, perhaps.

I have so enjoyed meeting my wonderful patients. Each so unique and special in their own way. And so accepting of a new nurse. To say the people of Colorado have embraced me is such an understatement!

Not a patient, but a new friend🤗💕.

I’ll stop here. It was an exhilarating but long day. Enjoy the photos!🤗