Sonya Dalrymple

Sometimes I’m just heads down, focused on where I need to go or in my own world processing whatever’s going on in my own life.

But sometimes, I have the desire and energy to intentionally pause, breathe in, and be on the lookout for whatever God has in store for me that day.

I wish I did that every day. It really is a more enjoyable and fulfilling way to live!

Our recent trip to Breckenridge, CO included a collection of those types of experiences. For me, I guess they tend to happen more when I travel – when I’m generally out of my ordinary routine. Each day can be unpredictable…exciting. I like to have a few anchors of meetings scheduled, but I also just pray and ask that God would guide my day and let me run into anyone He wants me to meet. He is the best Connector around. I always say we are 0 degrees of separation from anyone God wants us to meet.

Happy Hour With the Halls

Now, the Halls aren’t new people to us. They are dear old friends. Like 24 years old! But the timing of their call was just perfect as we were on our way from Denver to Leadville last Thursday, stopping off in Frisco for some water and a potty break.

They were in town for a surprise proposal for their daughter Anna, one of our daughter Jadyn’s best friends. We’d been behind the scenes helping pick the proposal location and find lodging, but were in the dark about other details as we were all desperately trying to pull off the surprise – to the point where Heather turned off her location settings and told everyone she was in Spain…

So, that’s why it was a sweet surprise to get their call just as we were about to get back on the highway from Frisco on our way to FREIGHT Leadville. We got to meet them at one of our favorite Happy Hour spots – Vinny’s!

We were all giddy excited for their daughter and her future fiancee Brock. It was going to be a beautiful proposal! (…And it was!) Mike and Heather had also been able to enjoy the whole week there in Summit County, riding the trails and walking around Main Streets. Maybe next summer, we can both be there for a whole month!!

Meeting Savannah While Walking the Dogs

We stayed in Breckenridge with our dear friends Russ and Sue Curran. They have a routine of walking their dogs every morning, just like we walk ourselves, lol. Except they have the most gorgeous views of the 10 mile range and Breckenridge, and we just have trees and houses.

Anyhow, during our walk, we ran into another woman walking her beautiful dogs. We introduced ourselves, and asked where she lives. She was actually just moving to Breckenridge that day! She was staying at the Lodge while her home was getting ready in Tiger Run! We asked her what brought her to Summit County, and she basically said that she followed Christ’s leading. ❤️

I got her phone number and wanted to keep in touch! I was able to invite her to church on Sunday at Agape, introduce her to Rebecca who also lives in Tiger Run and Michele who also loves and works with horses like Savannah does. I was so honored that even though we don’t live in Summit full time anymore, I was still able to introduce people to each other.

The rest of the week was FULL with really awesome time with friends – the Nakos’ were incredible hosts to us both in Denver and in Frisco; the Burnettes and Rizzos always bring the fun and the real; and Main Street Breck was full of familiar faces. We got to enjoy our favorite spot, Carboy a couple nights – once with our longtime favorite friends and once with a new friend, Tiffany we’d met in Texas but also has a home in Summit (thanks, Twee!). We got to talk Culture Index with Laurie from CMC and a new friend Rebecca Lockwood and Darryl. And of course, we got to veer off to our most beloved short trails like Sawmill Creek, Lower McCullough Gulch, and Little Mountain in Illinois Gulch.

Giving Imagine Heaven Book to a Woman on Airplane

It was sad to fly home – but we were also tired and ready for our own beds. I slept the whole time on the plane.

As we were landing, I finally woke up and spotted a familiar book across the aisle, Imagine Heaven. I reached over and tapped the woman and said, “I’m reading that book right now! I love it!” She said it was her third time reading it! Still feeling friendly, I turned to the woman next to me and introduced myself and asked if she lived in Austin.

Karen shared that she was just moving here today because her friend Julie has stage five kidney failure, and she’s coming to help care for her. I was heartbroken for her and said that I’d be praying for Julie. I texted Karen my contact card and let her know we were here if she needed anything – even a meal.

And before I knew it, Don was passing over the book Imagine Heaven to give her! He’d asked the owner if he could buy it from her, and of course, she gifted it. We said that perhaps Karen could read it aloud to Julie. Karen was so grateful and said that Julie would love it. Julie had expressed that she was afraid and was just asking for another book to read.

I pray that they both experience the love and peace of God and the assurance of an eternal home in heaven with Jesus – inspired by this book. May Karen even receive complete healing on this side right now and live to tell an incredible story. 🙏

(Oh, and I almost forgot – while I was talking to Karen, this man peeked around from the seat in front of us. At first I thought he was just interested in our conversation, but when we got off the plane, he said, “Hey guys!” and we realized it was an old friend from my high school in Sharyland! So cool!

I know we don’t always have the energy to look up and around or respond to those promptings that enter our minds (“I wonder how so-and-so is doing?” or “___ would probably like this song or podcast” or maybe I should say Hi to that stranger), but I want to keep living like this more and more, as much in step with God’s leading as I can. There’s opportunities all around us every day to see and love people in little and big ways! 😍