RMCNews with Liz Cornett – Casper, Wyoming … Wyoming residents are tough people and live by the motto of the early postal service, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will stop us from our duty.” Casper church members lived out that motto at their recent annual fall gathering and hayride at Mills Spring Ranch.
As members gathered on top of Casper Mountain, they knew the evening would be eventful, but Mother Nature decided to join the party by offering up rain, heavy at times, and sleet during the event.
A roaring fire welcomed the families as they entered the auditorium and a delicious barbecue smell wafted through the building. Children pointed at their favorite foods, asking for them to be added to their plates. Laughter ran through the room as children played games and parents visited and made new friends. Then children donned their coats and gloves, parents grabbed blankets and umbrellas and they all headed out for the hayrides. Smiles, laughter, and singing echoed through the trees as nature glistened in all her glory and the families experienced God’s creation.
Despite the challenging weather conditions Mills Spring Ranch director Brent Learned was pleased with the turnout. “We advertised the event to the Casper community and had more than 50 community members showed up in spite of the weather.”
Reflecting on the event, Liz Cornett, Casper member, said, “Despite the rain and sleet now falling consistently, an overwhelming amount of community members, came excited to bundle up for the hayride.”
The riders returned damp and happy, grabbed hot chocolate, and warmed up by the fire.
As families filtered home, smiling faces remembered the excitement and love of spending time in fellowship and recalling the statements that were overheard from the children. “Daddy, this was so much fun!” “Mommy, can we go again?” (And they did, rain and all!).
–RMCNews with Liz Cornett is a Casper church member; photos by Cecelia Gage
