H.U.M.B.L.E.D.

Well....Yesterday was just one of those days that you gotta look back at and laugh. But remember and learn from.

The day started out well. It was cloudy and calm outside and as the day went on the sun was shining and it was looking like it would be a great day.

Chaney and I headed out in the gator to see if we could sneak up on a bull with hoof-rot and give him a shot. We got close enough to only give him 5cc's. We were gonna have to bring him in.

So off we went to set up some panels and open gates in the "Working corrals" (they need some work before they will really be good for working...Chaney has a lot of fixing up to do out here).

After setting up the pens we decided to just move all the cows. So we caught and saddled our horses and headed up the hill. The cows haven't been moved a whole lot so they haven't figured out that moving in a group in the same direction makes it easier for everyone.

They split up into two groups and headed through the forest. Chaney and I each followed a group into the trees where you can't see 10 feet in front of you. Both our herds kept splitting up but we couldn't see them anyways. Eventually we got them out of the trees into the meadow and gathered them back into one group. From there we just needed to push them up the fence line into the next meadow. Well they had other plans and again two separate groups. Chaney took the larger herd and I headed after the others. My half decided to go through the swampy aspen forest though. My horse and I kept getting stuck and would have to turn and try another way. Eventually we couldn't go any further so we ran back to the meadow hoping to meet up with our cows on the other side. Luckily we did push them all the way through.

Once we made it to our final destination, Chaney and I realized our bull didn't make it back with us. He was hanging out in the woods with another 8 pair. However, there was a calf who needed a shot. So being the "Incredible" roper I am I offered to get him caught so we could do some doctoring.

Thinkin' I was some sort of hot shot was my first mistake. Not roping for about a year was probably my second one. But the third was most costly (I'll tell you about it in a minute)

I chased the gimpy little calf around several times. This is how it went: miss. miss again. OOps caught some sage brush. "Whoa Dillon". Miss. roped the dirt. At this point I was a little....upset...So I decided this would be my last shot.

The calf was running low on fuel, and I was low on patience. I snuck up on the calf and as he bolted Dillon ( my dad's athletic paint horse) and I followed in close behind. We ran right up on him and as I threw my rope Dillon and I noticed we were in the middle of a big, deep, thick swamp. The calf was stuck and tired and Dillon couldn't move ahead. He ended up falling over on his right side, dumping me and all my pride in the mushy grass. water. and mud. With me on the ground Dillon could get out. So he got up and took off. Leaving me and the wore out sick calf behind, wet and humbled.

Chaney showed up about that time and we got the calf his shot, drug out of the mud and our ropes picked up. When we were done, I started walking towards the barn, knowing Dillon would probably be there with the other horses. It's about a mile and half away ( I think). Chaney offered me his horse but I knew I needed to have a chat with God and thank him for humbling me. After walking about half a mile I tripped over a dirt clod, still needed some humbling. By the end of my walk, I had been pissed, cried, laughed, admired God's handiwork and caught my breath.

When we got back (Chaney met me part way with the gator) I was embarrassed. I don't handle humbling very well and I wasn't very nice to my beyond loving husband.

Once we got in the house, I was humbled enough to apologize and laugh at myself for all that had just happened.

That evening, I made some apple pie stuff. I was so proud of my baking skills. But when I checked on it I noticed a small fire in the oven and a LOT of smoke!!!  The pie turned out fine, but I had to laugh at how quickly I could get back on my high horse.

So.....after all that.....I have learned first how hard it is to be humbled. And second, it's only God trying to teach me that I cannot do anything on my own. Not even walk back to the house, without falling down.

He is my rock. My strength. My savior. My king. My hope and I will rejoice in that. God is my creator and without Him I can do nothing on my own.