WE SAY GOODBYE TO AZLE PARKER (aka Don Seely)

What? Would you please repeat that? Oh Dear, not another cowboy. Those were the words I heard spoken as Dogie was on the phone with a friend and fellow cowboy shooter.
Shock hits first, and then a sadness that just hangs on washed over me. Although I didn’t know him well, I did know his wife and grandson. My thoughts went immediately to them and the pain they must be feeling at this moment.
I am so grieved to have to say goodbye to Azle Parker (aka Don Seely). Azle was only 55 years old, yet God reached down last Friday morning and called him into eternity. He will be sorely missed. Here was a take-charge kind of guy in our Game of Cowboy. I remember he was one of those guys that not only was a great R.O. and could run the timer without hesitation. He was also a good shooter too! Because of his love for shooting, he had shared this love with his wife and beloved grandson. They too are top shooters in their own right!
I pray for this family tonight in their hour of overwhelming grief at the loss of a dear husband, father, and Grandfather. I pray for strength for Sweet Beulah Land (Chris) and Justin as they grapple for understanding of God’s will. Give them Your peace, Lord. In Your Son’s precious name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Goodbye Cedar Creek Bill (aka Bill Winfrey Sr.)

It was only a week ago today we were all together at our favorite cowboy club. We had all prepared ourselves both physically and mentally for a very cold day of shooting. Dogie knows that shooting on cold days, even here in Texas, is usually not something I look forward in doing. But, a dear friend and lady shooter, and her husband, had driven a considerable distance to be at this shoot. I instantly wanted to be a participant and be with my friend. We both decided to “cowgirl up” and do our best. The posses were formed and the match began. There we were, 12 brave souls on our posse, braving the elements, and all at the same time laughing, teasing one another, and just plan fellowshipping.

The following morning, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, I dressed and prepared to attend our church service there at the range. Again, the morning was “cold and crisp” as it had been the day before. Again, I was leaning more to the decision to not shoot that day. I’d attend our church service, which is always a blessing for Dogie and I to attend, but also be a part of the service. I’ll make my decision after church and leave it up to the best decision maker ever, my Lord and Savior. It still sends chills over me as I recall last Sunday morning. We opened the door to the little building where we held services, the little building with a heater. Instantly, all had changed with the weather. During our time with the Lord, He had allowed the sun to come out and all was quickly becoming warm. The chill in the air was vanishing and I was excited that the temperatures were moving in favor of a great day for a cowboy match.

I quickly signed my name on one of the posses, and things were put into motion to get the safety meeting started and the cowboy match underway. Oh, I could just feel it deep down that this was going to be an even more special day. Again, I was blessed with 12 or so cowboys/gentlemen. I remember thinking, “This is going to be fun”. Several cowboys that had braved the day before had returned for the Sunday match. Here we were again all on the same posse for a second day in a row. One of those cowboys was Cedar Creek Bill. He was an older gentleman, with always an eagerness to get to the firing line. Last year when I had first met him, he never had much to say to me, but I had noticed more smiles from him and enjoyed more conversation in the last few months. He didn’t even seem to mind that I was always snapping pictures of our posse during shoots and he’d be a good sport and smile for me during recent matches. This day was even more enjoyable. He was more cooperative and I was able to snap some good shots of Bill and his grown son. I remember thinking of my own father and how much I still miss him. How much my dad would have enjoyed our game of Cowboy. Yes, I had been right, the day turned out glorious. One of those, “I’ll never-forget-days”.

There was only one thing Bill had said to me that expressed his disappointment while he was shooting on Sunday. He was not one of those “Go Fast Shooters”, his age had slowed him some, but Bill was accurate most of the time. He had been shooting well all day Sunday until the next to last stage. “A Miss!” Yes, he said softly to me, “There went my clean match”. I told him I was sorry, but there was always next time.

Well Bill, your next time came on Thursday afternoon when our Father in Heaven called you to eternity. God’s timing is perfect. That was your clean match day! We will miss you in the months and years to follow. You touched our lives with your grace, understanding, and willingness to be a helper in and out of season.

(Obituary from The Dallas Morning News)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/obituaries/stories/DN-winfreyob_19met.ART.State.Edition1.4ed7939.html

Have a Blessed 2009!

How is it that the holidays fly by so quickly? Just about the time I acknowledge that Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, I usually think, “Here We Go”. This year was different for me. I can honestly say that I enjoyed Christmas-time and all the holidays this year. Instead of focusing on buying lots of presents, I made decorating our home and getting the tree up early a priority. I took great joy in baking goodies for my neighbors and for my family. Spending time with our children and grandchildren was at the top of my list! I can’t remember ever enjoying our tree and the decorations more. It was inspiring to look at the tree and read the story Jesus’ birth. Just to think of the real meaning of Christmas. Also, my thoughts turned to why we think of loved ones and friends more at this time of year than at any other time.

I discovered when I made some of those phone calls to friends I had not stayed in touch with that there was not one single friend that wasn’t truly excited to hear from me. How just hearing their voice again was so touching and warming inside. I loved how we could just pick up where we had left off years before. I hope you took the time to make some of those calls also; it’s still not too late.

So now all those days have passed, gone. No more holidays in front of me for now, but a brand new year before me. I’m grateful for the holidays that I enjoyed this year. I’m grateful for the friends and family that I reconnected with during those days and I’m determined to keep those ties. I’m finally learning that it is relationships that really count in life. Sadly, it takes us far too many years to learn that lesson.

Yes, yes, I’ve certainly made some promises (resolutions) to myself of things I would like to accomplish in 2009, but most of all I want folks to see in me His reflection. If it is His will, then I ask that He give me the time and energy to be about His assignments for 2009. He’s already given me the JOY!

Have a blessed 2009!