“It’s gonna be a long day. I’ve got a ton to do today. I have to feed the chickens, slop the hogs, throw out hay and water the horses, pick the beans, wash the clothes and churn the butter. That’s not to mention my daily chores of cooking and cleaning

A cowboy’s wife’s job is never done. Living in the west is no picnic. Work is hard but I can’t imagine being anywhere else. The air is clean, there are wide-open spaces for the cattle to graze, the water is pure, the neighbors are mighty friendly and at night you can see millions of stars because the sky is so clear. Only complaint is there never seems to be enough time to get everything done.

Oh no, the hens are out again. They get out almost every day and I need to gather them up and put them back in the hen house.”

That’s how the evening started out at this year’s Stars Retreat as I portrayed the wife of a cowboy. As the evening progressed the girls participated and discovered how quickly tasks are completed when you have people that are kind enough to help. What can be a boring and not so enjoyable task can become fun. When we all take an active part, we can do amazing things. Through our kindness we show good deeds to others. We are like lights that shine, we become STARS of EXCELLENCE that give praise to our father in heaven.

Focusing on the scripture, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16,

I challenged the girls to let their light shine in such a way that people would see their lives and wonder what made them different and special. It is through their good deeds that people would see that they are different and discover that it is because of their relationship with Jesus.

Jesus changes our lives and gives us joy and hope. There were ~200 girls there that weekend, 10 made first time decisions to follow Jesus and 35 renewed their commitment to let their light shine for Him.

It is God’s desire that all come to know Him personally. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” It is my desire that each of the girls that attended this weekend will be a light that shines for Jesus so that others may come to know Jesus personally.