Beautiful Day

It is such a beautiful day that God has created for us today. And what a privilege He has given, that we can be alive in His world today. We all need to just stop what we are doing for a moment, run outside, look up and shout "Thank you Lord ". We human creatures take things so much for granted. I just finished a 6 mile walk before breakfast, and that is my prayer time. When I am walking, I can be totally alone with God. In Psalms 55 we are told, " Morning , Noon and at night will I pray and cry aloud, and He will hear my voice". And in the NT we are instructed to "Pray without ceasing". This is one of the keys to a successful and victorious Christian life. God will direct our every step if we will but follow His leadership.

Life is good, because God has made it so. I am counting down the days until Sue and I will be married. It is going to be so wonderful because God has blessed it and made it so. August 7, 9 more days and counting. The clock is ticking oh so slllllllllllooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!!

Via Con Dios, DM

Many years ago, there was a western film starring Charles Starrett as "The Durango Kid". I believe the title was "Blazing the Western Trail." In this movie, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys sang a song titled "Time Changes Everything". It was a beautiful song, and for those of you who may be old time country/ western music fans, you just might remember it. I mention it now because as I sit here at the keyboard, I'm thinking just how true it is. Time really does change everything.

I remember back to some of the injuries I have received over the years. I've had 34 broken bones, and over 400 stitches, some of which hurt really bad at the time. But time always brought healing and the pain never lasted long. And with time, there's nothing left but scars. And those too will fade.

There has been a lot of emotional pain along the way, the loss of a baby daughter at birth many years ago, my Mom and Dad, a bad marriage, and then the loss of my wife of 32 years. But all these things too have healed. The scarring left behind is the memories that remain. And those too become less noticeable with the passing of time.

I'm still amazed that some folks fail to grasp this gift that God has so richly bestowed on us, this ability to heal from our wounds and go on with life. I think sometimes they would like to see us live the rest of our lives with open wounds that will not heal. And to them,please, let me say, my God is greater than that!!!!!!
My God sees us wounded and hurting, and He sends healing. He sends angels to bind up our wounds and give comfort to our bodies and souls. Those angels take many different forms. Sometimes they are human, simply directed by God. Sometimes without knowledge that they are being used by the Master Physician Himself. I am so very thankful that God saw fit to send such a beautiful angel into my life to bring healing and to make even the scars fade away. Thank you Sue, for being available when God was ready to send you to me.......

Always in His care,
DM

News from Poverty Flats

Things are moving along very well here at Poverty Flats. The horses have been sold and are at a really good home . Most everything has been moved to storage, and I am nearly ready to move. It's going to be a big change, but all for the good.
Sue and I have set a date for our wedding. It will be Friday, August 7. We will have a very simple service with just the two of us, the preacher, the girls and two witnesses. Afterward, we will have a nice reception with all our family and friends, then Sue and I will be off to Eureka Springs Arkansas for a short mini-honeymoon. A little later on, we are going to plan a trip to Hawaii.
I realize none of the folks who read this blog know what my Sue looks like. I keep telling you how pretty she is. At the right hand side of this page, you will find a couple of photos of her. I feel so very blessed to have her by my side.
May all of you have a very blessed day and remember, "you are someone special, cause God don't make no junk."
Via Con Dios DM

It's a really quiet day around Poverty Flats today. We have been having a garage sale yesturday and today. Not trying to make money, just trying to move a lot of stuff before I have to start packing. Some of the things are treasures I guess. Then again, treasures, like beauty, are in the eyes and mind of the beholder.

I am about to embark on a whole new era of life and things are going to be a lot different than in the past. Some things. Other things will never change for me. My faith in God, my devotion to my Savior Jesus Christ, will change only for the better.
My love for my family will never change.

But as I prepare to start a new life with Sue,I will leave some things behind.Many things I have already given away or sold. Many more are things that belonged to, or were important to my late wife Frances. These things, I am trying to sort out and leave with our sons and daughters for whom they are treasured rememberances. I don't want any of our combined offspring to feel leftout or ignored. Some of them already feel they are somehow being leftout. This in itself is something hard for me to understand for in this life she gave them much more than they gave in return. But then, that is what mothers do best isn't it??

My horses,saddles and tack I am selling. My home here at Poverty Flats USA is, in all likelyhood, going to be placed on the market for sale later this week. Until it sells, my son Josh and his family including Hurricane Hailey and Kelsey will live here. I still have my gardens that I will come and attend to until the end of the season. Sue and I will plant our Fall garden at her home this year.

The BBQ business will continue !!!! I am NOT closing it down. In fact, it will be bigger and better than ever thanks to Sue's management experience and willingness to help make it grow.We are discussing the possability of taking it from a part-time seasonal operation to maybe a full time business. Not sure if I want to go that far or not. I really enjoy my retired status.If I want to work, I can. If I choose to go fishing, I can do that too. I've had to work hard all my life and being layed back is so nice.

As for this blog site, yes, it will continue to post from time to time. Sue and I have plans to build a log home on her property and we will probably post photos of that as we get into it. I hope those of you who stop by to visit from time to time will continue to do so.

Life is so good right now, and God is blessing us so greatly.As we continue to praise Him, and give Him the Glory for everything, He continues to bless. Bill, at Countryview Woodcrafts, used to be the song leader at a little country church I pastored years ago. He used to lead the folks in a little song titled "It's Amazing What Praising Will Do." I hope he still remembers that song and the joy that singing it always brought. I remember that God had gifted Bill with a really great singing voice to use for His glory. So often, sadly, when we experience the loss of a very close loved one we focus on the loss and take our eyes off Him who is in control of all things. AND, who has and will continue to bless us beyond measure.

To all who stop by to visit, may I say to you once again as always,
Via Con Dios
DM

Texas BBQ & Beans is on the Road

Well folks, the 4th of July weekend has started. And of course, as would be expected, it is rainning. Don't think the rain is supposed to last past noon today.

The Granby MO. "Old Mining Days" festival begins at 6pm today. We will be set up and ready to go by around mid afternoon so should be in good shape. It will run through Sunday night ending with a gospel music concert followed by a fireworks display.

We will be serving our usual menu of Pulled Pork, Beef Shoulder, Polish Sausage, and of course, our now famous Ranch Style BBQ Beans. Along with this we serve homemade Cole Slaw, potato chips and ice cold soft drinks. Occasionally, someone will ask for a cold beer. I fully realize that for a lot of folks BBQ is not BBQ without a cold beer, but at Texas BBQ & Beans it's just not going to happen.

We will have no shortage of good help this weekend. My granddaughter Ashley, who lives in Granby, MO., will be helping. And of course, my beautiful Bride-To-Be, Sue. Sue will be here shortly and we will be leaving for Granby so guess I had better rap this up for now.

May God bless and keep each of you safe this holiday weekend.

Via Con Dios
DM Pitmaster
Texas BBQ & Beans