When I think of Bob Sr., the word "infectious" comes to mind... You could not stay around the man without catching something.... Zest for life, love for God and people, an adventurous spirit, hunger for God's word, or just plain ol' full hearted laughter! I remember well during my four year stint at Lost Valley how his grandiose story telling on Monday mornings at The Trading Post ending with him yelling "MOTHER" and scaring the kids who were listening so intently out of their minds! It was our signal in the corral that we were about to be inundated with excited youngsters ready to mount up on their chargers for the first time of the week.
I grew up as a cowgirl in the coast range mountains of Oregon on my grandparent's cattle ranch and didn't even know Guest Ranches existed until I heard about them from my college roommate. Later, as a Sophomore in college, I traveled with my Navigators group, under the guidance of Darren and Gina Lindblom, to a Spring break conference at Glen Eyrie in CO Springs. While there, I visited with my brother's college roommate who was working there, and he told me about Lost Valley Ranch and how I would love working there. Truer words were never spoken.... It was a match made in heaven. My first summer I spent 3 weeks as a cabin girl, 3 weeks as a waitress, 3 weeks as a kid Supervisor, 2 weeks as a Teen Supervisor, 3 weeks as a Teen Wrangler, and 3 weeks as a Wrangler... God used the first 6 weeks to bring me to a place of brokenness as I came to see my selfishness and depravity in a whole new light. I discovered that I was fine to serve, as long as it was in a way that I wanted....
As I wept for hours on the Trading Post lawn late on a Wednesday night after walking back from the jail, I surrendered anew everything to the LORD, to be used as he saw fit. The next 3 years saw me working at Lost Valley in my dream job.... Love others until they ask why, and then lead them to Jesus, from the back of a horse. It just doesn't get any better than that! I recruited my cousin, Vern to work with me my 2nd Summer, and after that my sister, DeeAnne, and have sent several other staff members their way over the years.... most recently, my cousin's daughter, Chelsea Reeher (now Schwab). After graduating from college, I went to work there full time! One of my crew mates (Jason Peterson (JP)) ended up becoming my best friend, and as of May 25th, we have now been married for 20 years! As newlyweds, we attended a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission, and subsequently, went on staff with a new ministry of theirs called Cowboys With A Mission. After 4 years of serving there and leading Discipleship schools to Australia, Morocco, and Mongolia, we transitioned into business, and still find great joy in serving in the hospitality industry, and in raising our 2 boys and 5 horses in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Montana. In October of 2014, after attending Jake and Chelsea Schwab's wedding at the Pond at Lost Valley, we got together with Bob Sr. and Jr. and Karen, and Bill Reynolds. It was a sweet time of fellowship and was a great opportunity for our boys to meet a family who have been so instrumental in our lives. I am so grateful for that special time with you all and only wish Janna could have made it too! I remember with fondness Rick speaking to us at staff meetings, and him baptizing Dace Starkweather in the swimming pool. It was always fun when Dan came to visit as all, even though I didn't know him as well. I remember great conversations with Marion as well, and her manual for the cabin girls was a labor of love! When I think of Marion, I think of Col. 3:17.... Whatsoever you do, do it with all your heart, as unto the LORD, and not unto men....
Meeting the man you will one day marry in a place where you are not allowed to date is it's own special crucible. I thank God and the Foster's and Reynold's for creating such a place as they co-labored with Heaven. For me, Lost Valley was a refining fire, a labor of love, a place to lay down my life and receive it back again, a place of growth, discipleship, leadership development, a foundation for lifelong friendships, and because of Bob's vision, there are two Peterson boys named Levi James and Victor Lance who wouldn't be here without it...
Infectious, influential, innovative, unconventional (he interviewed Jason on the spot when he hadn't even filled out an application yet and was only accompanying a friend from college who was applying).... That was Big Bob! An icon, a servant.
He loved well. He laughed often. I know his reward is great!