Things are looking up

      It was a beautiful winter day here in Bonner so the two best black labs that ever walked this rock we call Earth, Duchess and Kashi, decided to take ourselves a trek across some new territory.  Never before smelled ground to these girls carries with it the same amount of excitement as a golf course I've never played does for me, or an empty room waiting to be decorated does for Kelli.  Her mind is fully active of ideas to bring the room to life, mine is filled with anticipation of the challenges each new hole will bring, and theirs is filled with the fresh aroma of the previous dogs lack of bladder control on our new trail.  Admittedly ours seems much more enticing, but trust me these two were ecstatic!

      Our new route today took us past the old lumber mill which has sat vacant for as long as we've lived here and for quite some time before that.  For travelers entering Missoula from the East, and for local residents of our small community, it has been an ever present sign of the economic times.  The most exciting thing thats happened inside the gates in recent years is when one of the many buildings collapsed last winter under heavy stress from deep snow.  Today however the rumors that someone purchased the mill were put to rest in my eyes as the three of us were forced to wait at the entrance in order to allow a logging truck, full of fresh cut timbers, to enter.  As we walked past the facility I counted the piles of lumber which stood at least 15' tall and stretched for as long as a football field.  In the short time it took us to walk past the mill, then turn around and head for home, I watched four different trucks pull through the gate.


      Even though I am not a logger, nor do I have any intention of entering the logging industry, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with a sense of happiness.  Understandably so, this is but a very small step towards total recovery, but in this town small steps are very much appreciated!  Our entire community will eagerly accept any movement in the right direction of economic development.  For years Bonners people have hoped that the mill would fire back up, boosting this community back to the bustling area it once was, maybe these peoples hopes are finally coming true.


      One thing remains a certainty in this life, if we are patient and allow God to work out his plan at his pace, all of our doubts will be taken care of.


Remember, always walk tall and carry a big smile:)