Only God can make beauty from ashes, and we have witnessed His beauty in our brothers and sisters in Christ who have shared their bounty to replace our losses!
As we set up for a concert in Hereford, Arizona, Jan Kidd told us she had seen the story of the fire and wanted to share her saddle and matching blanket with us to help replace lost saddles. We were so thrilled!
Our family ministered at the Cowboy Bible Church, in Brush, Colorado on April 7th. Church is held in the local livestock sale barn, and was filled to overflowing that Saturday evening.
Sterling, Lucas, Havilah, Avery and Blake sing an accapella number.
Bristol plays the penny whistle on "My Jesus I Love Thee".
After our last song, the most amazing thing happened! Tim Stutzman announced to the audience and us that the church had a surprise for our family.
We watched in amazement as they brought out five saddles, saddle pads, saddle blankets, bridles, a halter and lead!
Jim and Bristol exchanged smiles as the tack was brought out and displayed. There were tears in many eyes!
Tack lined up along the arena panels.
Lowell Woodward added two of his own saddles to our bountiful gifts. The smiles were abundant that night!
Havilah and Sterling tried out saddles for size.
Bristol found the perfect fit!
We all felt the love of God in a tangible way through the outpouring of generosity from these special folks.
L-R: Jim, Tim Stutzman, Bristol, Blake, Avery, Lucas, Havilah, Sterling and Joel Chisum.
The tack on display.
Jim and Kathy, and our dear friends, Lana and Tim Stutzman, who organized the tack shower. The prayer of Pastor Mark, from Gothenburg, Nebraska, was that God would make the loss of our possessions in the barn fire to be an opportunity for blessing and abundance beyond our losses. We have seen God answer that prayer so richly!
The blessings just didn't stop there!
On Wednesday, April 16th, Mardel Connell brought gifts from friends in Central Nebraska whose generosity reached across the miles.
Bristol and Havilah received grain buckets, hoof picks, lead ropes, brushes and halters!
They even sent a saddle blanket and bridle for me! (Kathy)
Avery received a beautiful saddle and breast collar.
Blake received a lead rope and a hoof pick.
Sterling's gifts were a bozel and bridle.
The very happy crew with Mardel in the center.
Our insurance company settled with us, and we were pleased with the settlement. We still have a lot to clean up and many rebuilding plans to make, but we have received gifts and cards and prayers from across the nation. God can undoubtedly make beauty from ashes! We received a total of eleven saddles; one for every member of our family, including son-in-law, Brandon.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO EACH ONE WHO BLESSED US!
Posted by Kathy
