Do you hear from God?

Perhaps you are wondering where in the world is June, why hasn't she been blogging? Well, I've decided to take my own advice.... I'm trying to do only what the Lord tells me to do.

I know popular polls tell us that we need to constantly stay connected to our audience, and my blog says weekly updates. But all of that is man's doing (except for the words..weekly updates posted on my blog, sigh....that was my stupid idea...note to self, take that off the blog site). What I'm trying to say is we need to stop listening to society and start listening to God. If we keep hearing the words of man we are going to live in fear, guilt, and confusion. God has convicted me of not listening to Him. Where is He directing me? What is He doing in my life? When we stop and listen to the voice and the ways of God, then we can we live with great peace, joy, and confidence.

What I'm about to tell you might make you mad, possibly make you stand and cheer, or it could simply make you want to run for a bathroom and throw up. But stay with me until the end because God has something to tell you.

A couple of weeks ago I sat upon a mountain top with my husband of 29 years, Jay. I had been trying to find the right romantic moment to tell him about his birthday surprise. Now personally I would have picked a fancy restaurant to receive my great news, but guys are different, and I wanted this to be about Jay.

We were nestled together in our camo outfits that were accessorized with bright orange hats and vests (you won't find this outfit at forever 21). Ahh, there we were, in a place that Jay loved. In the quiet, surreal, fresh air of the mountains. "This is it, this is a romantic place to Jay (for me...not so lovely)."

While sitting next to him on a cold mountain I spilled his 50th birthday surprise like a kid knocking over his grape juice at the dinner table. OK, maybe it didn't have the best delivery but I could see in his eyes that Jay was truly surprised, grateful, and excited. It was a priceless moment...I leaned toward him with my eyes closed anticipating his tenderhearted kiss. But I almost lost my balance and fell flat on my face as he pulled away from me and said, "There they are!"

"There who are?" I said with a little attitude.

"The elk!" He exclaimed.

"Oh, could this event get any better?" I thought to myself. Two missions accomplished for the price of one.

Slowly, I put my gun into position and zeroed in on my target. "I think I can do it." I said with the confidence of a mighty hunter.

"They are too far, not yet." Jay whispered.

Of course I knew that 300 yards was too far away but..."I'm sure I can do this. I have her in my sights."

"OK," Jay said, almost smiling, knowing this was a long shot for a rookie. "Gently squeeze the trigger." he whispered.

The sound of the gun seemed like a cannon. My right shoulder flinched from the recoil of the rifle. My heart raced. "What had I done, what was I thinking!" The cow (female elk) just stood there as if someone had slapped her across the face.

"Did I get her?"

I watched her slowly disappear into the forest.

"We have to go get her." My husband exclaimed. "You shot her!"

I'm not going to lie, I felt like Anne Oakley. Although a little sad at the same time. I love elk meat, but was it worth this?

As we entered the forest there was no blood to be seen. "How, could we track her?"

Jay saw a heard of elk head up the mountain but as I surveyed the trees I saw her disappear into the black timber.

We searched high and low but still no sign of her. "Maybe I missed" I thought to myself after we searched for about an hour. As darkness was setting in Jay said, "We have to split up and go through the black timber (the deepest, scariest part of the Forrest)."

First of all I had no idea where we were, and second, the darkness of the black timber scared me with Jay by my side, much less by myself.

"June, it's are only hope to find her." he assured me.

With no gun, flashlight, or sense of direction I headed into the black timber. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." My voice kept getting louder and louder as I recited the 23rd Psalms. I walked over fallen trees and heard noises that would make me jump. After what seamed like days I screamed for Jay but heard no answer. "Where are you?" I yelled with all of my might. I was half mad, half scared, and praying with all of my might that God wouldn't let this beautiful animal die in vain (that is if she was dead).

"I'm over here, you are to far right, start making your way left and I'll meet you at the top." he shouted. I took a deep breath, "Okay, at least I know Jay hasn't deserted me."

Psalms 23 kept comforting me, "He prepareth a banqueting table in the presence of mine enemies." I mumbled as I climbed up and over a fallen tree. As I began to take my next step I froze in my tracks, my heart began to race. "What is it?" I asked myself. "Was it a bear? Do I dare move? Should I scream?" "God help me!" was all that would come out of my mouth. I had stumbled onto a pile of fur but could not see any appendages.

I stood on my tippy toes to look over the log that hid the object. "It's her, it's her, I found her!" I screamed with all my might. I praised God that she didn't die in vain. I thanked God that I was still alive and not lost. But most of all I praised God that He had guided me and directed me through the darkest part of the Forrest.

I know this story seems a little odd for most of my readers but two days later one of my daughters dogs dissappeared while I was watching him. Jolene and her family had just moved to Grand Junction from Texas. I knew that this was terrible as the dog didn't know the neighborhood and it was night time. I jumped in my car to go looking for him. I prayed, "Lord you know where this dog is, please tell me." "Go back to Jolene's house and wait." was the voice in my soul.

As I stood at Jolene's back yard with a flashlight I could hear a faint bark that seemed to be blocks away. Sure enough, the dog had been guided back home.

As I was headed back home the Lord gently spoke to me, "I've shown you twice in the last two days that I will guide you. In these dark confusing times I will lead you, listen for my voice."

What peace to know that we don't have to do things the way the world would. And even when life seams dark or confusing we just have to listen for our Shepard's voice. "His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105).

What was Jay's birthday surprise...to be continued