January through April
The New Year started with me just over two months into a detail instructing in Artesia, New Mexico. It felt great to be back teaching firearms at the Academy again. I had really enjoyed it when I was there in '06-'07, but this time back I truly savored it. The warmth of New Mexico, found both in climate and in people, was a balm to my soul.
Staying in a little cabin close to the lake offered the best of both worlds. Sunrise over the water each morning and sunset over the desert plateaus each night constantly affirmed God's presence. The wife never complained about the long hours or the isolation that my job afforded her- she just made pets of whatever desert rabbit or flock of birds happened to wander her way. One particularly brave bird began coming to the window seeking her out for food when the weather took a oddly bitter snap for the our southwestern location. That evolved into an odd welcome home for me each night. Pairs of doves and thrashers would fly escort on my Jeep as I rolled down the drive. Random blackbirds stationed as sentinels would scramble to the lake to collect the others in their flock. Upon my arrival to the porch steps, I had to watch out for the now "yard bunnies" who refuged with Toni's mini-menagerie. Yeah, go a head and laugh. God has a sense of humor too, 'cause I will be hard pressed to ever shoot a rabbit now unless we were starving!
I have always lived a high speed, hard charging life, but God has taught me a few things over the last few years. Take nothing for granted because life can change dramatically in a heartbeat. One can never call home too much, write too many letters or take too many pictures. It is impossible to say "I love you" too often and there is no such thing as too many good memories. There should always be time to spend with friends and family, and it is worth the effort to visit just a few minutes longer. Make sure your house is in order with the Lord too, for there may not be a second chance.
Every chance we could we headed out to explore the desert and see the sights. There are great memories of offroading through the Mescalero Sands with friends , awesome worship services shared, and many, many pictures of our adventures printed for albums, and posted on our Facebook. The times may have passed, but the photos and memories always remain to remind us of the love and friendship that we share- nothing can take that away.
It had been a good winter. Leaving our tranquil refuge in the desert was not easy, but early April found us loading both vehicles and covering the 1550 miles back to my home station here in Shelby. Having missed the worst of Montana's cold, it felt really good to be back home. The beauty here is amazing, they don't call it "Big Sky Country" for nothing. Home, sky, wheat fields and mountains...yes, Montana, we did miss you.
"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who tells of peace and brings good news of happiness, who tells of saving power, and says to Zion, “MyGod reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
denton.moberly@live.com
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