For those of you who don’t know, I work at a dairy... I wake up early six days a week and drive over half an hour one way to milk cows. Some mornings I just roll right out of bed. Others I curse the day before it even gets a good start. I’ve had seasons where I love the job and some when I swear I'll quit. Some days I can understand my co-workers spanish, other times I am the lingual frustration of a toddler unable to communicate. My first winter as a dairy worker became a focus of frustrating interactions with my co-workers, colder mornings, and further isolation from my community. One morning, I was cleaning the beds in “Corral 3” with my head down and I felt a little nudge in my back. I turned around to see a little Jersey with big brown eyes, soft red hair, and a tag number 7312. With a smile I started to scratch her head and she would lean into me. Thus began a new morning ritual where I still wake up at 4:25am and work with people I don’t share a language with, but clean with my new best friend in “Corral 3”. I named her Rosie. 

I forgot my early morning pleas to God that didn’t mean or make sense to me. When I had asked for fresh joy in my work, He gave me a sassy little red head that has not only changed me but those on my social media. In the midst of a pandemic and political turmoil God still intently hears the prayers I whisper or deem not worthy of His time. Rosie represents one of my favorite parts of God’s love. The part that gives you a glimpse of how much He knows you better than you know yourself by giving a gift you didn't even know to ask for, but changes your whole perspective of life in the simplest ways. Rosie was a prayer answered. I wasn't aware I was shouting in a whisper. 

As I was deciding whether or not to go on the World Race, Rosie encouraged me. This adventure seemed fun and felt loving but I still didn't know if I was being “called”. I asked for clear answers and God gave me a new perspective of my little Jersey and what she is for me. Truthfully, I didn't understand that Rosie was a gift from God in my time of dark winter and uncertainty of how long I would be milking cows. It wasn't until I was reflecting and debating to start my World Race adventure that God made clear the power of a simple gift in a person's life. Like how a friendship with a cow can completely change me through the decisions I make and the day to day life I live or going when He hasn't said no. 

That is why I choose to ask Rosie to help me to go. As a token of simple gifts given from God can help to bring Heaven on earth, as Rosie has done for me. I hope God can use me as a gift to the World in the simplest of ways combined with His right time to create altering changes.For all of these reasons (any maybe a couple of more!) I have decided to make Rosie my adventure co-pilot and I am hoping that maybe she can be yours too! I’ve had T-shirts created with the help of my Papa Mike and Single Speed Screen Printing to help raise funds for my World Race adventure and hopefully to serve as a reminder for us all of God’s goodness and creativity when answering a simple prayer. 

God, I pray I never forget the power of a simple prayer, the large joy of small presents.Your timing is divine and makes simple friendships with cows powerful life testimonies not easily forgotten. Thank you God for sharing Rosie with me so I can share You with others.