Always Strong, Always Courageous

Today we added this t-shirt to our online Ranch Goods Store, and I must say, it’s really cool to get to share not only a piece of ranch life with you all, but also some joy, hope, and encouragement.

The bull on this shirt is one of our Red Angus herd bulls; his name is Clark. Clark is strong and courageous, just like the shirt says, but more importantly, these words were inspired by Carson back when he was just four years old.

A few months after Keith was diagnosed with Wegener’s Disease in 2011, Carson was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. What a crazy time in our lives!

The night before Carson’s first surgery, that little boy must have sensed how I was feeling. Not only would I be taking him to the hospital by myself early the next morning, but Keith would also be at a different Seattle hospital having a chemo infusion at the same time.

After we prayed that night, Carson began singing a song from Vacation Bible School:

“Have I not you commanded you?
Be strong & courageous.
Do not be terrified;
Do not be discouraged,
For the Lord your God will be with you
Wherever you go, wherever you go.”

Sure enough, it was a learning moment for me. It was time to stop with the fear that I thought I had been hiding well all this time and to trust that God would continue to be with us.

Ever since that night, Joshua 1:9 has been one of my favorite Bible verses. And today, we’re so glad to get to share that verse with all of you on this ranch t-shirt.