The Road I'm On

I am a very blessed girl. I have a family and friends who laugh, cry, support, tease, encourage and love me. I am pursuing an education at one of the best institutions in the country. Learning tons each day about cattle production, agriculture, business, communications and several other areas that will benefit my future. The problem with schools like mine are that they are located in TOWN! WHY.. this is an epic failure of the land grant system that these institutions are located in large towns, booming with people and the hustle and bustle of life off the ranch. This morning when I woke up, I looked out the window above my bed to see the sun reflecting of the clouds in the West as it rose. This sight was gorgeous pink and orange. My initial thought... if the neighbor's house was not there I could see this beautiful sunrise, should I be living on the ranch right now, I wouldn't need that tall back yard fence, those telephone wires wouldn't be there... I could enjoy the beauty of the Lord's creation to its fullness. This sent me into a downward spiral towards a case of the Mean Reds.

What are the Mean Reds you ask? Well they aren't the same as the Blues. The blues are depressed, sad and for some they result in a dark bedroom. The Mean Reds on the other hand aren't necessarily sad, they aren't really depressed and when you've got a case of the Mean Reds, the last place you want to be is inside. Feelings of discontentment, restlessness, and the need for wide open western skies are common with the Mean Reds. Today I want to be on the South end of a North bound cow. I would love to be disgustingly dirty, sweaty and exhausted. But instead of getting up this morning throwing on grub clothes and a cap, I got dressed tamed my unruly curly hair and put on some war paint. Instead of feeling the sun's warmth on my face, and the fresh dirt under my boots, I will be walking on pavement and under the glow of light bulbs.

I know that the Lord's path will lead me back down a dirt road to a ranch and with faith I will continue to walk humbly with my God according to His purpose, I just really wish that today the road I'm walking on wasn't paved with asphalt.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Trails,

~ Anna-Lisa