It is Right and Just

 Let us give thanks to the Lord our God...

           https://youtu.be/zImwFWwi5qA         

Peace Accept, Fear Reject

 Simple gut check on obedience.

           https://youtu.be/v0AiRo8Iiko         

Here I am Lord

I come to do Your will.

           https://youtu.be/6lvqnxhxVmI         

 

On the Road Again

Dave and I had been sitting on this second reefer trailer waiting to find its proper home. That problem was solved when my cousin Riley Olson said it would fit nicely into his operation. So we jumped in Jack's truck and hit the road to Stockton Missouri to the Agapé Ranch.

The first day was long, 976 miles, but Dave was a faithful navigator

Riley and his boys are going to turn her into a meat locker similar to ours

Riley was called from Wyoming to Missouri to start a ranch program at a Christian high school for troubled boys. He showed up with a couple horses about 10 years ago and the rest is history. 

He's been blessed with a keen knowledge of horses and how man and them relate. Through the grace of God he has been able to take that understanding a step further and illustrate how man and God relate. In both cases when the two work together, respecting the authority of the other, the ride is beautiful. But it takes work to get there. Riley assigns the teenage boys who commit to the program a two year old colt and they spend the next several months starting and training the horses to get over their fears, while in turn the boys are aided in getting over theirs. Riley's program is off the charts successful. For more information check out: https://agapeboardingschool.org/equestrian/

Riley and I have been ranching for years. He got the horse skills, but I got the good looks.

I'm proud of you ol' son. Keep up the Good work. The world needs more cowboys like Riley Olson. 

Dave and I then blew out and headed west to visit my ol buddy Fr. Jacob Schneider in Garden City Kansas. This faithful servant of Christ keeps the Fire stoked while keeping his boots rooted in the rich Kansas dirt. I thought Matt Dillion was a man of the past, not so. Stand proud and shoot straight partner. The Church needs more heroes like you.

To top our journey off, Dave and I then swung by Denver to visit my alma mater, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary 

I spent four hard years in this beautiful house of God. Our blessed Mother saw me through to the priesthood. Thanks Mother Mary.

My good friend and classmate Fr. Matt Magee gave us a warm welcome. What a treat to concelebrate Mass with him.

Fr. Matt does all things well. There's no steak too big for him to handle. You are the salt of the earth brother, keep shining that light of Christ within you. 

When Cardinal Stafford and Archbishop Aquila heard that Dave was coming to town they threw a feast. What a treat to share a good meal and holy conversation with such faithful Christian men. 

Mission accomplished. Feeding America doesn't stop in Wyoming, but it does start there. I look back on the fruit of our pilgrimage and am at awe of the quality of men the Lord has put into my life. A man can change the world. And I believe during this year of St. Joseph God will through them. Thanks boys for inspiring me to up my game. We're on to the next one. Spring is in the air...

 

Buckle Up

 With the same seat belt of Jesus and Fr. Beavers: Mark 1:11

           https://youtu.be/eKJW_XUiZEs         

Just for the Dale of It

Kurt called the other day and said he had found an ambulance in Rapid that he wanted to buy. Being the proud owner of a school bus, I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. So hit the trail we did, and what a gem we found.

I think the smile says it all.

97 Power Stroke

Some might ask what is he going to do with it. I think the proper question to ask is, what is he not going to do with it. Whatever it becomes, there's one thing you can count on, it'll be cool.

Tough Love

Chris Ledoux has a song called tougher than the rest.

           https://youtu.be/7lKfdb19vJI         

 

Just Another Day in Paradise

One of the perks of the priesthood is pastoral visits. Those are all the more exciting when they lead you into the mountains. This time it was northeast of Hulett in Black Hills. So like any Wyoming Catholic Cowboy priest would do, I flew in.

Dad and I went halves on a drone. It's the coolest piece of technology I've ever seen.

Sue and John Raney are getting this place set up piece by piece. Currently they are living in the shouse on the right and the foundation for the new home is on the left.

The pics from this drone are outstanding

After the big ranch tour we settled down for some LB steak and Bush's beans

Being cajans, they treated this ol cowboy with some southern hospitality 

Beef, crab legs, beans still in the can, and shop towels for napkins, now this is my kind of feast. 

Thanks Sue and John for sharing with me some of the gifts God has given you. 

All You Need Is Love

 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.

           https://youtu.be/5V4AqZkdjFk         

Let us Love one Another

 The Truth will set us free.

           https://youtu.be/FUMb8LXCaD4         

Showdown at the - d Corral

Flocchini had been talking smack about my grass fattened beef, so it was time to throw down: Texas Wagyu vs. Wyoming grass fattened. 

So we gathered the boys for judging: Kelly Hand and Seth Hostetler

John and I provided the meat while Kelly and Seth brought the bs.

John's outfit sells Wagyu beef as well as their Bison 

We, on the other hand, stick to the bovine 

Wagyu on top and WGF below 

Our beef is a solid 1 1/4" thick while John's is 1"

Wagyu's fat has the consistency of butter and melts quick on the grill

I think John gave special attention to the cross hatching on his beef

To play it safe, we blind folded the boys

The criteria was simple: Taste, Tender, & Texture 

Well I don't mind admitting defeat. John has a good steak. Well done ol' son. At least I got one plug for tenderness. Thanks Seth. 

Let the fun begin. So we threw the rest of the meat on grill. John likes to cook on high.

Wagyu, Bison, WGF

A good time had by all. Thanks boys for a fun evening on the feast of the Epiphany. Praised be Jesus Christ. 

 

Father, I Desire to do Your Will...

 ... your desire is My will.

           https://youtu.be/ZjBKysDluTA