January Evening Skies here in New Mexico
Does life ever get so crazy that you don’t know whether you are coming or going? Ever get that small voice in the back of your mind saying “Umm, and how exactly do you expect to get all this done?”
It’s been one of those weeks here.
Up early, trying to fit in a little exercise time before starting the day’s chores, catch up on the weather and news & check emails, then it’s time to get breakfast going and roust the boys for schoolwork (all before 7:30 am). Then it’s back to the computer to try to answer a few emails and phone calls while R.W. does a bible study with the boys.
From 8:30 to noon it’s a balancing act of 5th grade and kindergarten lessons while R.W. does ranch chores and practices his music, a short break for lunch and a few minutes outside to lend R.W. a hand with winter projects he is working on here at the ranch, then it’s time to get the boys back to their schooling, fix dinner, do a couple of loads of laundry, straighten up the living room and kitchen from the day’s studies (yes, the books seem to end up everywhere in the winter as we gather by the fire most of the day.)
Most evenings as soon as the dinner dishes are cleared and washed, the nightly ritual of putting kids to bed is upon us. We haven’t had TV reception in years but on the occasional night we all finish early we like to play games or curl up and watch a movie as a family. Almost every evening one of us will read a chapter or two of a book of the boy’s choice before it is “lights out” for them somewhere between 8:30 and 9 PM. That leaves roughly an hour or two for me to tackle whatever else awaits on my desk or in my kitchen before we fall into bed. And there really isn’t ever enough time to get it all done.
But tonight, amidst our last lessons R.W. came in and announced – “School is OUT! You all HAVE to come outside right now!”
Sunset behind the Sangres
Well, he was right, as usual. No matter what was going on it was one of those moments that time stands still and as we stood there as a family our New Mexico sky turned oranges, pinks, violet, vivid reds, and deep turquiose blues.
Thank you God, for the wonderful reminder of why we live here in this land.
Thank you for giving us moments when time stands still, moments we can share with our children and thank you so much for the beauty that is uniquely your creation.
Thank you God, for making us take time out.
I wish my photos could do justice to the changes in colors, they really don’t, but I wanted to take time out of our crazy week and share the moment with you.
And I want to thank you, for riding this trail with us, no matter how busy we are, we always love to hear from you.
Love you all,
Lisa, R.W. and the boys
Great photo! I take a lot of photos at sunset. With the clouds and a fading sun on a palet in the sky, God does wonderous things.
Hi Lisa ~ Betsy from the Prairie Rose here. I loved your post! We have beautiful sunsets here in Kansas, too. That one there is exceptionally beautiful. My mom gave me a book once named “Never Miss a Sunset”. Wonderful little book that reminds us not to miss that opportunity of enjoying one of God’s wonderful blessing-filled gifts to us. May God continue to bless and increase R.W.’s (and yours) ministry in song.
Very well spoken.Thanks for the reminder. We all need to take time outand reflect what God is doing.How can anyone not see the beauty and blessings He gives us each day?
Hello R.W., Lisa and family. We do serve a God with a beautiful paintbrush. From sunrises to sunsets His beauty is everywhere. Thanks for sharing a bit of your day and that great sunset. Whether it’s the shadow of the cross or the shadow of the Sangre’s God is always at work. May He richly bless you guys, give you the strength to persevere in your daily routines and continue to bless your music ministry!
Jay & Glenda Stewart, Seminole County, Oklahoma
Thanks Lisa! This morning, I had to take my youngest to the wrestling room to lose a third of a pound before weighting in for a tournament. As I waited, I walked out of the gym just before dawn. I noticed the clearly visible moon with just the sliver of the waining crescent iluminated. It was leading the brilliant pink of the coming sun over the horizon.
It wasn’t until I came home and read your blog that I realized just exactly what I had witnessed. The past several weeks have been awfully tough on me. Reading this brought things back into perspective for me again.
Enjoyed your photo’s and comments! We all need to count our blessing’s and be greatful for all that nature brings us. This is a sunrise from Oregon at the end of our street.( Mt Hood)/Users/dndismith/Desktop/DSC_0315.JPG
Marvelous picture! You have a real talent.I am sure you have noticed that children still have the sense of wonder we were all born with. I am glad R.W. still has his. My Dad used to cll me on the phone to tell me to go to the window and see the sunset over Middletown Valley. We would share the reminder of God’s grace in the beauty of creation by phone.
I need to send an email to R W. I cannot open an email address on his web site contact page.
Could you please send me an email address to use to contact him regarding his appearance at a benefit Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering next January in Saddlerooke, Az? The benefit is for our local Tucson Troop Support Group.
I had talked to him briefly at the ElKo Gathering earlier this month and he asked me to send an email with the details.
Thanks,
Al Mollenkopf