From the Home Place

December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas!

At 5 a.m. today, I spent some time praising our Lord for all of His kindness to us as a people, as Americans, and as His children. I spent some time thinking back to all of the Christmas Days our family has been allowed to celebrate, and of all of the different locations of those celebrations, I had to weep with joy! When Jesus told those first disciples that He would build His church, He fully meant it.

As I looked back over the years, I marveled at all of the amazing people Miss Deb and I have been allowed to share life with. As far as ministry it started on our home ranch at Meadowdale, Wyoming. From there we got to know hundreds of people in Phoenix, Arizona. Then to our first official church assignment in the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska. When we travel back to the Sandhills, we still talk about the Pleasant Point Community as “going back home.” Our Heavenly Father was so very kind to give us the perfect first church.

After three years near Grand Island, Nebraska, our little family then traveled north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Miss Deb served at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and I served at Faith Fellowship. Oh my, the connections we were blessed with during our ten years there. Two years ago we were blessed to get to travel back to Sioux Falls and see many of the dear friends who still call that area home.

Next, we went to Custer, SD to plant a church. An experience that every pastor should be blessed with, in my opinion. It helped me to study the Apostle Paul’s church-planting ministry with a whole different understanding. What an amazing man he really was.

Upon the transition from a church plant to an official, functioning church, we went to Platte, SD to help a very special church family learn who they are in God’s kingdom. It was a great time of being stretched as a church family and as Pastor and wife.

Then the Spirit led us back to Wyoming to invest in the lives of many men with A Man and A Mountain Ministries. Just last week we returned to the community of Esterbrook to fellowship with our church family there. After many friends, and several years of fruitful ministry, the Holy Spirit led us to Cutbank, Montana to help a church there find their new pastor. The folks of this community are amazingly tough because of where they live, and extremely gracious because of how they live.

Then He drew us back to Guernsey, WY to help a very special church family find their new pastor. And from Guernsey, we moved to Lusk, where we presently reside and minister. I get to teach adult Sunday School at our church in Lusk, as well as filling the pulpit in area churches from time-to-time. For many years now, Miss Deb has been a substitute teacher in several of the different communities where we have lived. She is so good with “the littles.” Not only do these little ones have a great teacher to help them learn how to do “school” but they also receive hugs and encouragement.

Most days, on top of remodeling an old house in Lusk, Miss Deb is always busy sewing different projects. Her ‘ol embroidery machine ends most days panting! We are enjoying seeing our old house slowly being transformed into our home. So, if you are ever in the area, stop in for a cup of coffee, laughter and a hug. Oh yes, the bodies look much older and don’t move quite as easily, nor as quickly as they used to, but we are still two kids on an amazing adventure called life.

Thank you for being a part of our life, and for allowing us to be a part of your family. We continue to marvel at God’s amazing grace. So, as you and yours celebrate on this Christmas Day, stop for a few moments and tell those around you of your journey.

Continuing on the journey of life with you, Neal