The Wood's Secret Garden

Old-time cowboy to reign at 12th Raymond Rodeo by Morgan Voorhis OF THE SIERRA STAR  RAYMOND – An all-American cowboy – Clifford Calhoun, 84, of Madera – will serve as grand marshal for the 12th annual Raymond parade. "I was picked based on my age and reputation," he chuckles with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. His reputation is that of an expert horse trainer – something he gave up just 12 years ago at the age of 72. Mr. Calhoun was born in 1913 in Green Mountain, seven miles outside Raymond. His family homesteaded there in the late 1800s, while his father worked in the mines. As for education, young Cliff finished the eighth grade before going to work for Lindsay Wright, a cattleman in Green Mountain. By the age of 16, he was competing in all kinds of rodeo events, such as team-roping and steer-stopping, an event where the steer is roped and stopped. And at 17, he began working for Paul Westfall in Le Grand. Over the years, Mr. Calh...

We received a call this morning from Lucy's son letting us know that Lucy passed away last night.  In his own words, we were informed that "Lucy has graduated".  She was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and those of us who know the Lord know that, "to live is Christ, to die is gain"! We met Lucy in September of 2011.  She was sitting in her wheelchair at a small bible study that Michael and I attended at Atria just a few weeks prior to him starting his Pastoral Care Ministry and Sunday Preaching ministry there.  I recall that first meeting vividly.  Myrtle, who has since gone home to be with the Lord, was easy to get to know and did a great deal of interacting.  Lucy, on the other hand, did not speak a word the entire time.  After the study concluded, I sat with her and discovered many things about her.  She was suffering with Parkinson disease and was having a rather difficult time dealing with her limited ability to do physical t...

A New Year's Resolution! "My times are in Your hand!"  Psalm 31:15  Firmly believing that my times are in God's hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God's divine providence. Whether God appoints for me . . . .   health--or sickness,   peace--or trouble,   comforts--or crosses,   life--or death --may His holy will be done! All my time, strength, and service, I devote to the honor of the Lord Jesus--and even my common actions. It is my earnest expectation, hope, and desire, my constant aim and endeavor--that Jesus Christ may be magnified in me. In everything I have to do--my entire dependence is upon Jesus Christ for strength. And whatever I do in word or deed, I desire to do all in His name, to make Him my Alpha and Omega. I  have  all from Him--and I would  use  all for Him. If this should prove a year of  affliction , a  sorrowful  year to ...