THE MOUNTAIN TOP

My dear readers~

Welcome to my 200th post this week!  I think it quite fitting that “The Mountain Top” is the inspiration for this milestone.  A special thank you for reading, your ongoing support and encouragement as I continue to express weekly what is in my heart sharing about our great God!

 

This summer afforded me the surprise opportunity of having a true mountain top experience, (pun intended, as you will see) which granted me a glimpse of what a slice of heaven on earth is like!

 

Yes, it was the first time in my life, that for a solid week, I was treated like royalty by every person that was part of the Wind River Ranch ministry family making me feel special, loved and valued!

 

It is probably no coincidence that Wind River Ranch is in the mountains (hence my pun intended!) of the Estes Park area!  🙂

 

 

I am so thankful that this trip provided me with my first encounter in the state of Colorado, specifically the area of Estes Park for any that may be familiar with the area.  Our plane arrived in Denver.

 

The Wind River Ranch destination is about two hours northwest of Denver. Driving from the Denver airport to Estes Park, you quickly realize how very flat Denver really is.

 

 

While transitioning away from the Denver area the rocks and mountains start appearing along the horizon. As I was gazing upon the sight, all I kept saying was “Wow!  Wow!  Wow!”  So much captivating beauty surrounds you!

 

 

A bit into our drive out of Denver, we were blessed to see a beautiful rainbow appear as part of the sky was dark and a few showers appeared while the rest of the sky was lit up by the sun.

 

 

Why was Wind River Ranch a mountain top experience for me….a slice of heaven on earth making me feel like royalty?

 

–Due to God’s Presence in the beauty of the whole area

–The peacefulness of the Holy Ground that surrounded me

–The way the staff interacted with the guests; using words AND actions to reflect Christ

–Being with a group of like minded Christians who all love the Lord

–Having daily devotions and worship

–Having all the meals planned out, prepared and executed so carefully by the loving chef and crew

–Only having me to care for and think about

–An array of activities that would help stretch me to expand my horizons

–Engaging in meaningful conversation with staff and guests though we never met before

–Observing the approximate 35 college age young adults who love the Lord committed to serving others in so many capacities–from housekeeping, food preparation/serving, doing laundry, wranglers, spear heading all the activities, etc.

–No worries for the week…limited cell service so you could just BE and enjoy everything around you

–Ministered to in body, mind and soul

 

 

I’ll take time to share some of the “extra” ways that Wind River Ranch goes above and beyond to make the guests feel like royalty and family~~

 

***THE WARM WELCOME***

If you arrive at the ranch between a two hour window, your vehicle is stopped at the bottom entrance and you are greeted by two wranglers on their horses who then escort you to the top. There you are greeted and hugged by all the Wind River Ranch family to start your mountain top experience. Unfortunately we were prevented from experiencing that welcome as our plane was delayed. We sat on the plane waiting for the pilot to arrive as well as waiting over an hour to obtain the keys for our rental car!

In fact, we ended up arriving 3 hours after our original expected time and an hour after dinner was served.  As soon as we found all the people in the dining hall, Aaron, the first staff member we encountered, welcomed us and within a few minutes the kitchen staff was serving us a plateful of food.

We were quite thankful as we had not really eaten all day!  Aaron gave us the low down on the place and week, had staff move our car to the parking area, unpacked our bags from our car and delivered them right inside to our cabin!  That was royal treatment!

 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  –Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)

 

 

***ASK and YOU WILL RECEIVE***

Anytime you needed something, like when our Keurig machine stopped working, we needed kindling wood for our fireplace, cream for our coffee, you just said the word and the items suddenly appeared!  Pampered is definitely a great word to describe how we were treated for the entire time which seemed a bit foreign but was a true blessing to experience!  Ask and you will receive was modeled!

 

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  –Luke 11:9 (ESV)

 

 

***ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER and PRAY FOR OTHERS***

The young adult housekeeping staff left notes of various Bible verses that would be just the uplifting thought you needed to hear each night when they turned down your bed.  (I hope some of them were blessed when they received some notes of their own from our cabin!)

 

 

While walking back to the bus at Red Rocks for the final Third Day concert, the young adult men came along side some of the older guests as we had to climb several steep stairs to get back to the bus. These gentlemen were so kind, offering to help carry things for the people, letting them hold on to them to climb the stairs, etc. The men could be heard encouraging these people in their physical abilities as well as assisting them.

On a few occasions I witnessed the young adults and staff members, while listening and conversing with guests, stop and offer to pray right then and there with the people because they were putting their faith into action.  All of the staff members were willing to pray or talk if the need arose.

 

Two, special to me, young adult staff members!

 

I was very impressed with Cowboy Nick; the way he knew the perfect horse for each person without even knowing us!  The horse he paired me up with, Sugar, was perfect for me as she was a little shorter and smaller than most of the horses. She had a muzzle on so I didn’t have the added stress of making sure she didn’t eat the grass while riding, and she was slower and steadier than some of the other horses.

All of the wranglers made sure you felt comfortable and confident before and as you went for horse rides. They were even gracious enough to provide me with my personal wrangler the one day I missed the group ride time!

My last horse ride trail that last day was extra special to me. The wrangler that was behind me engaged me in meaningful conversation as we were riding and much to my surprise she ended up blessing and encouraging me by sharing her thoughts as a young adult. She sure ministered to me and encouraged me!

 

 

 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  –1 Thessalonians 5:11  (ESV)

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.  –Ephesians 6:18 (CEV)

 

 

***FEEDING THE HUNGRY***

The food service at Wind River Ranch was outstanding providing great variety and selection of buffet food each day. The highlight was Friday evening when the adults were served a sit down dinner.  Beef tenderloin or a fish selection were the main entrees.  I know much planning and executing of all of the meals took much effort which was a blessing to us all.

 

 

The day of the last official Third Day concert at Red Rocks (a two hour ride) the food service had all the fixings for sandwiches that we could prepare in advance and take on the bus with us.  That, along with snacks and drinks, were lovingly provided and prepped for us all.  Snacks for the two hour bus ride home where also available for each of us since we arrived back to the ranch about 2 am!

One could observe how all the young adult staff would allow the guests to get their food first, then slowly get their food, and they would mingle and sit with the guests striking up conversations wherever they sat.  The staff did not just sit together rather made themselves available to us making us feel special! They genuinely care for everyone and put others before themselves in their interactions. That is quite a special feat~

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.  –Isaiah 58:10 (ESV)

 

 

Already over a month later, giving me time to reflect on my time at Wind River Ranch and my mountain top, feeling like royalty experience, I can’t help but think that is exactly how we should be living each day of our lives!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  –1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

 

Yes, WE are God’s chosen, belonging to the ROYAL family of God, making us God’s special POSSESSION!!

Every moment of our lives should be spent declaring the PRAISES of God~~

God, by sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, for our sake calls us out of darkness into God’s wonderful LIGHT!!

 

Thank you, to all of the 2018 Wind River Ranch family, for the mountain top experience, royal treatment you modeled reminding me of how we need to live each day in God’s kingdom~~not only at the amazing ranch there (where it was so easy to do) but wherever we are daily!

 

If I asked you to think of a mountain top encounter in your life, maybe even feeling like royalty, what would you share?  Guess what?  Yes, I would love for you to take a few moments and tell me about it in the comment section below!

 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  –Matthew 25:35  (ESV)