We had an amazing day at The Desert Rose on October 8. We opened our doors to this community and welcomed our friends and family to share in our endeavor of bringing a venue barn to Muleshoe, Texas with hopes of making memories to last a lifetime inside these metal walls. I have so many people to thank, but lets start with Chad and Rebecca Beall. Chad was our contractor for The Desert Rose and the final product is awesome! Chad and I worked well together and he completely saw my vision for this project. The Desert Rose is about fellowship. I wanted to take my gift of opening my home to minister to old friends and new, to feed them physically and spiritually and make them feel welcome and a part of our circle on a grander scale. Chad got that. Before we began this building project, we stood in a circle on unbroken ground just east of our family home, grasped hands and prayed for God’s blessing, His protection and for the people who would come through our doors to feel loved through God’s grace and with thankful hearts we praised our Father for the opportunity to be a part of someone’s memories. So to Chad and Rebecca, I thank you. The Desert Rose is more than I could’ve ever imagined or dreamed. I am so thankful to have shared this part of our journey with you and for the chance to “keep it local”.
As we prepared for the grand opening, I had one request. That my boys come together and sing just one song for me. They don’t have the chance to be together in the physical sense much anymore, but just as they have always done when I asked them to serve in some form, they agreed to sing! Hearing the two of them sing together or separately is one of the main things I miss being an empty nester! I know it was stressful on both of them, but I thank you Jackson and Garrison for obliging one more time…and I promise it will NOT be the last! I love you both more than my heart can handle at times, I would sacrifice myself for you and I am proud of the young men you are and are still striving to be. To Jackson and Garrison I say, “have a heart for God in whatever you do, and yes these Country Roads will always lead you home where you belong”!
The one person that has been my constant through life and through building The Desert Rose is my husband, Thurman. He is my number one fan, my biggest cheerleader, the love of my life and yes my soulmate. I do believe in soulmates! Each time I paced the floors and tossed and turned he would say, “honey everything will be ok, don’t worry, you got this”. Thurman, I thank you for believing in me and supporting me in every aspect to see my dream come to life. You are my person and I am yours. What an adventure we are about to have!
Credit to the photographer…wait, I don’t have a picture of the photographer to share with you because she failed to get a picture of herself! My daughter, Madison Bamert. What a joy it is to have your son in-law move your daughter back home…where she belongs! Madison has been my supporter, my ear, my photographer, the mother of our soon to be first grandchild and especially my friend. She is so talented and gifted with an eye for perfection and style. Madison, I thank you for helping me get this project off the ground in areas I am so illiterate, such as websites and blogs. You are always willing and ready to be my teacher, mentor and photographer. You are a beautiful person inside and out and I couldn’t be more proud of the woman you have become. I am thankful you are my daughter and also my friend.
Michael Dunham, my brother and now my partner. When I started this project, I asked Michael if he thought a bed and breakfast would be successful in our small town and he immediately said, “no, but I think a venue barn might be the way to go”. The rest is history! My physical body just can’t seem to keep up with my mind and I needed Michael to complete me and Jackson in this endeavor. The one thing our parents taught us and taught us well is to work, serve, never quit and never ever leave until the work is finished. There is no one I would rather partner with. Hang on for the ride of our lives, I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us.
What an honor and privilege it has been to bring this beautiful couple into our circle. Meet Londi Blackwell and her husband Tory. Londi is The Desert Rose Event Designer and Coordinator. She is as talented as she is sweet. Londi and Tory worked so hard to make the grand opening a spectacular event and we look forward to her having the opportunity to showcase her designs at future events.
Last but certainly not least is Jackson bringing down the house with “Tulsa Time”! It was so fun watching him do what he loves and his heart’s desire. Jackson joins The Desert Rose as talent buyer, sound technician, D.J., musician and my number one go to guy. It has been a true blessing getting to work with him side by side in this new endeavor. I had the opportunity to say a few words at the grand opening. I shared one of my purposes for building the venue barn is to show my kids to never give up on your dreams. Push forward and have the confidence to do what you love and don’t let life get you down. Hanging in the groom room of The Desert Rose is a mirror Jackson made for me years ago and added one of my favorite scriptures in the wood…Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 So as I reflect back to the grand opening I certainly want to delight myself in the Lord because all my heart desires were present and supportive that night, and every night, including my fam-damily. I thank you all for making it a memory for a lifetime and I look forward to the future friends and families we will host at The Desert Rose helping them make their own memories of a lifetime.