From the Home Place

October 26, 2025

The next morning, day three, starts a strong hour before the sun wakes up and we are on the road again, ten miles to the Lusk sale barn. The biggest issue of this day will be getting the cattle to cross the asphalt road just east of Manville so we can come into the sale barn on the north side of Lusk. Oh yea, we will also have to drag some cattle across the railroad tracks before reaching our destination. Cattle hate asphalt and railroads, and so do young horses and tired cowboys.

By mid-morning we reach the holding pens at the sale barn and now the work begins. Every critter has to be sorted by brand, gender and age. This day is much like the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) that will take place at the end of time. Believers will be separated from the non-believers and judgments will be handed out.

Let’s stop here and make it very clear, God does not send anyone to Hell, people will be sent there because they refused God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ! Just as God allowed Adam and Eve to exercise their free will, He allows every person to do the same – we all get to accept or reject God’s gracious gift of salvation. To refuse said grace means to choose eternity in Hell.

So, our cowboys will spend the rest of day three sorting cattle, this is a Monday, and the sale is on Tuesday. Every critter is sorted, put into the appropriate pen and fed. Our horses too are penned and fed. Cowboys and some of our families will go to the city park for supper. Everyone will head home, in a vehicle, or stay the night with a friend or relative in Lusk. Day Three.

Many will gather the next morning at the sale barn, check on cattle and horses. Right after lunch, several of us younger cowboys will saddle up our horse and lead someone else’s horse and head back to the home ranches. It’s a four-hour ride and we have to get home before time to do chores. Our parents will usually arrive after dark, yet in time for supper and with a check from the sale. Day Four.

I believe the date was September 1962, this was the last time this annual trip was made. From this date on, all of the cattle from our community would be hauled to market in stock trailers or trucks. This would mark the end of another era of my life, a life that has seen many amazing ends. And one of these days my life will end here on earth.

But the end of life here marks the beginning of life in eternity! Where will you spend eternity, Heaven or Hell? It’s your choice, choose wisely my friend. Please believe that Heaven and Hell are both as real as the Grand Tetons!

Awaiting the end so we can start forever, Neal