Happy Birthday Kiersten
She may be the sixth of the #Reinholdsix, however last has nothing to do with least. Kiersten Rae... May you be most blessed as you enter your 16th year. Mom and I could not be more thankful for what you bring to this family. You are an amazing young lady. Thank you for being you and allowing Jesus to live through you.
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FYI... Kiersten is the only Reinhold Kid that can say that she was born on the Lonetree Ranch. Pretty special.
The "Grand" Generation
Robin and I count our blessings. Jacob and Molly Fisher are great parents. Hunter is high on their priority list... It is much easier to be separated by 1500 miles when you know that "grand" generation is being brought up in a home centered on Christ and they are surrounded by love.
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Godspeed Fisher Family.
A Lifelong Friend... Paul Marrs
Think with me for a moment of someone that God has placed in your life that would rank as a lifelong friend. I think of a man named Paul. We go back to high school days. Paul was a little older than myself; however, we both graduated from Sturgis Brown High school in the seventies. I have many fond memories of Paul and his family. Their family ranch was down the beautiful Whitewood Valley. We would kid each other about living on the “backside of Bear Butte”. He saw the mountain daily looking southeast and I would see the landmark looking to the northwest. I remember numerous times picking apples from their orchard. Paul and his brother, Daniel, would introduce the Reinhold boys to motorcycles, and the challenge would be to ride across the creek without tipping over. In those days, Whitewood Creek carried a lot of “sludge” from the gold mines near Lead and Deadwood. The water was not very pretty. Oh, but the fun we had!
Paul and his family were part of the construction process of Rainbow Bible Ranch from the very beginning in 1979. Shortly after my brothers died, Paul would avail himself in the digging of the basement. And later that fall, it was men from the Marrs family that helped put the final sheets of steel on the roof of the gym before a winter storm moved in.
Paul and I had the distinction of being the most eligible bachelors in Meade County, South Dakota. There were many of the older ladies in our community and in our churches who were worried that we would never get married. I am quite sure that our mothers probably prayed daily for us. However, in 1991, Paul and Larry relinquished the distinguished notoriety of being the most eligible bachelors. In October of that year, Paul married “Miss Linda” and in December, Robin and I were married.
Our friendship continued as we shared similar heart-felt passion—for Christ… for family… and for missions. We served on the board of directors for Steer Inc. for many years. This would allow for us to travel to Bismarck regularly. We would travel with our friend Bruce Brunner and talk and laugh. We enjoyed many mission conferences together and our families would enjoy swimming together, and, of course, you could never forget the South Dakota parties in the Reinhold hotel rooms. Of course, the Clark family would be in on that, as well as our dear NoDak friends, Todd and Kim and their family.
Paul had a near down home country way of speaking. In fact, if I would retell a story that I heard from Paul, I would find myself falling into a certain drawl just the way Paul would speak. And then there were times listening to Paul, a good Norwegian, order Knoephla, a German soup in Bismarck. More often than not, he would be wearing denim and coveralls. I still smile at the sight of him leading a business meeting, his reading glasses perched low on his nose.
We are talking friendship and relationship that is forty and fifty years long.
Paul was a welder and mechanic… whenever we would go to their place for dinner, Paul would have to take us to his shop. He loved taking my sons, Danny and Caleb, to his shop to show them his projects.
We had the privilege of watching Paul stand up as best man for his son, James, at his wedding in January. His other son, Johnny, was to fill that position but he was deployed to the Middle East and was not able to make it home. What added to a special aspect of that evening was that during the supper, Paul came over and sat with us, Robin and myself, and as normal, he did not ignore the presence of the young people. Julia and Kiersten were in attendance as well and of course Paul made sure that they were important.
Paul and Linda came over to the ranch at Christmas and asked what Rainbow Bible Ranch needed. He asked me of my concerns.
I said there was a continued need for qualified and godly staff members. We just are not able to go to the day labor office and find a team leader. RBR needs top people to fill the positions each season. And then I said we need to be able to finance them and meet their needs. Paul was more than attentive. He was sincere in his follow-up questions and thoughts.
Two and half weeks ago Danny, Caleb and I stopped at the Sturgis hospital to see our dear old friend, Walt Simons. I leaned over him before I left and simply stated,“Well, old cowboy, you are going to beat me home to Glory.”
As we were leaving we met Linda, Paul’s wife and she told us that Paul would like to see us. Paul was now a patient in the hospital. Some complications with surgery and the cancer that was now attacking his body was becoming more complicated. We visited… we prayed…we said our good bye.
Little did I know that would be my last conversation with my friend Paul… You see… My life long friend died on Feb 10…. Or rather … He beat me home to Glory as well.
No one will take his place here on this earth, but I do know that I am a life that has been most blessed by my friendship with Paul Ray Marrs.
Photo of Paul and Larry on December 8, 2023
"MIss My Dad"
The other day, I had lunch with an elderly couple who had been dear friends for over forty years. I said out of curiosity, "Hugh, how old are you getting to be"? He replied, "Ninety-Four".
I responded, "1929... The same year as my dad."
After a short pause, I said, "I still miss my dad". To which my friend of many years stated, "I miss my dad, too. There are things I would like to ask him."
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Perhaps our conversation led to a distant past or more probable the longing of a joyous reunion. I must say that the exchange brought to mind the blessings of godly fathers and godly mothers and the far reaching impact even to future generations.
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Photo of my dad, Tige Reinhold.
A Life Well Lived...
A Life Well Lived....
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Today, I will head to Sturgis to attend the memorial service for Walt Simons. "Uncle Walt" to our family and hundreds of RBR kids in years past. A few years back when Uncle Walt was younger and yet old enough that many his age had gone in retirement into a life more of self and ease, this man continued to come to the ranch to share of his life and the love of Jesus. He had no greater joy than to share in the life of others. He would help on horseback or perhaps you find him in the shop or tack room repairing and oiling the huge amount equipment that is used at RBR. I loved watching my dad, Tige, and Uncle Walt relate to the RBR kids. Truly, they were an inspiration.
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May that be said of more of us. Uncle Walt left a legacy... a life well lived.
Artwork by Serenity
I love this painting done by our own Serenity Meyer. Serenity painted this piece of one of our favorite old cows still bringing a big calf. Excellent job Serenity.
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Serenity has been working with our family at RBR for a number of years. This capable young lady is not only artistic but a good friend that loves the Lord. She is currently studying to be a veterinary technician at Torrington.
"Signature"
We talk about "signature" as a family. "Not just about being different for the sake of" but rather realizing that we can be unique and that it is OK to stand out... whether a hobby perfected, a talent pursued, an ability such as cooking or baking, a fine herd of cattle or other livestock. Variety has merit.. even if for no other reason than to beat the doldrums of falling into a rut of mediocrity. I believe many would be surprised by how they may have slipped into a sense of complacency without being aware of it, because they are doing what is "expected" of them.
Hereford Heritage
Hunter Enjoys the Bull Sale
Does a Grandpa and Grandma hearts pretty good as Molly sent us a video of our grandson, Hunter, watching Van Newkirk Herefords bull sale online. We would have considered going, but weather and chores have us watching online as well. Hunter lives in Virginia and he likes his livestock. Enjoy the bull sale little man.
Warm Water on Cold Day
Danny Reinhold turned on the water in the tank near the calving shed and chicken coop. Nearly -40 chill factor... put a thermometer in it and this is the water that comes out of the Reinhold #2 well. Good water, too. Most of our tanks are set to handle the amount of livestock that use them, thus we let this warm water run in with an overflow to a drainage area where it is beneficial. At the well head the. water is 76 degrees... from 2800' down.
Caleb and Joaquin
The "Bull Trains" of the freight trails to the Black Hills may be long gone, However the heart and soul of those that works and train livestock lives on. Caleb and Joaquin were out on a cold afternoon "doing a little pulling". This Hereford steer is really just plain cute. He needs a little coaxing to head cross country but the trip back to the barn makes up for any lost time.
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The last photo in this post shows the bull trains on Main Street in Sturgis, Dakota. The Fort Pierre/Deadwood freight trail followed the top of the breaks just a mile and half south of here in the winter times.
