Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

2016



Testimony of Robert Dye

Bobby Dye was my father. He never wrote his testimony to leave it behind for others to read. So this is my version as to what he would have to say.

Dad was born April 20, 1925 to Leonard and Anna Dye at the ranch. There was an old dugout dug into a bank on the hillside in the 1800’s. An addition or two to the front of the dugout had been added. He was born in that dugout. (His three older siblings were also born there.) He put in a new modular home about fifty feet away in 1972. If you look over where the dugout used to be the ground is a little lower there. Someone once asked him where he was born and he said “Right there in that low spot. I haven’t gotten very far in life have I?”  In his younger days he herded sheep for Willie Walker, helped trail cattle and horses to Belle Fourche in the fall of the year, and helped around the neighborhood doing odd jobs. Toward the end of WWII he was drafted into the Army. After he got out, he came back to the ranch where he married my mother on June 3, 1949. I had 3 older siblings (Dave, Anne, and Juanita Jo) and two younger ones (Ward and Jim).

We never really went to church while growing up at the ranch. Dad did not push it at all. He did not seem to have a spiritual interest. He had grown up with devout Baptist parents, but his mother had a very critical tongue. I think that she pushed Christianity too hard at him. My personal view is that she drove him away from the Lord, as both her two daughters were active in their churches.  He became the black sheep of the family or the prodigal son.

 I got saved in July of 1985. I started to attend church quite regularly along with my mother. One day along the highway, Dad and I were talking to Rodney Walker and they were giving me a bad time about going to church. Dad said something smart to me and I asked him if he died today would he go to Heaven or Hell. He never said anything, but I could tell by his reaction that I had given him something to think about.  Later in the fall (probably November) during hunting season, Dad had a friend named Paul Simpson and one of Paul’s friends here hunting. We spent a day hunting with them and Dad told Paul about me being a church regular and how I was going 2-3 times a week. So much that I had even quit drinking.  The next day Paul and his buddy took off and went up into the buttes to go hunting and Dad and I went down to Gene Walker’s to work cows. When we came home that night, we learned that Paul and his friend had got stuck and had spent hours trying to get unstuck. Paul was emotionally upset. He felt that he couldn’t have walked back out of there as the weather wasn’t very nice.  He was scared stiff. He actually got down on his knees and prayed that the Lord would help them get out. He felt that the hand of God was moving in his life that day to bring him to his knees and to seek Him. Some of what my dad had told him the day before about me had him thinking about God.

The next day was Sunday and Paul wanted to go to church with us. He was up at daylight and crowding everyone to hurry up and get ready to go. We went to Hope Baptist Church and at the end of the church service Pastor Bob Anderson gave an alter call as we were singing the song “Just as I Am.”  Paul was standing next to me with tears streaming down his cheeks. He was under some pretty good conviction.  I reached over and put my hand on his back and gave him a little push to step forward and receive Christ as his personal Savior. My father also stepped forward to answer the alter call. (We were sitting in the front row.) They both got saved that day.   

Dad lived for about a year to the day, and died in a car accident on November 1, 1986. During that year, he read his Bible every day and practiced his guitar in preparation of giving his testimony in front of the church.  That did not happen as “Jesus Beckoned him Home.”

 

When Jesus Beckons Me Home

 

   What will my answer be what can I say

     When Jesus beckons me home

       What can I do that will ever repay

      The wonderful love He has shown

 

Day follows night night follows day
Farther and farther I roam
What will my answer be what can I say
When Jesus beckons me home

Sometimes the clouds seem to cover his face
Sometimes the skies are so gray
Still by the stars and his wonderful grace
He'll roll the storm clouds away

Day follows night night follows day
Farther and farther I roam
What will my answer be what can I say
When Jesus beckons me home

I know that Jesus will never forsake
His love will find a way
He'll bridge the stream if his hand I will take
When he calls what can I say

Day follows night night follows day
Farther and farther I roam
What will my answer be what can I say
When Jesus beckons me home

 

 

 

The Dye Ranch Celebrates 100 Years 1916-2016

On July 2nd and 3rd we celebrated 100 years on the Dye Ranch.  I thought that I would share some or our information with you. 

President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862.  The Homestead Act was a United States Federal law that gave freehold title to 160 acres of undeveloped land in the American West.  The person to whom title was granted had to be at least 21 years of age, had to build a house at least 12 X 14 feet and had to live in it for 5 years.

Sarah Ann Ward “Anna” came from Illinois to Montana with her friend Mary Genre Owen to homestead near Ridgeway.  They built houses side by side but each on their own property.  

 

Leonard “Leon” Dye left Gann Valley, South Dakota to homestead near Ludlow, SD.  He broke horses for Andrew and Carl Giannonatti, two brothers that lived nearby, and who had leased land near the Finger Buttes in Montana.  Because of this, Leon became acquainted with Montana.   He later turned his homestead over to them, moved his homestead rights to the Finger Buttes and took over their lease in Montana.  He then leased 90 head of mares from the brothers and set up his operation.  On August 7, 1916 he purchased an adjoining ranch from Jim Lamb.  At one time he figured that he had between 500-700 head of horses.

There were many social events at the country schools in those early years and Anna and Leon met.  With their ranches about 10 miles apart they soon became friends and married on May 1, 1918.  They had four children, Floy, J.O., Virginia and Robert.  When Robert was about to be born, Leon sent for the midwife who didn’t make it in time so Leon delivered the baby.   

Leon and Anna spent 30 years on the ranch.  When Robert “Bobby” returned from the service he leased the ranch from his parents.  He met Shirley Bolton whose grandfather homesteaded north of Alzada in 1906 and brought his daughter.  Winnifred married and had two children Gene and Shirley.   Bobby and Shirley were married on June 3, 1949 and later bought the ranch.  They raised six children.   David, Anne, Juanita, Robert Jr. “Chip”, Ward and James. 

In March of 1986 Chip bought the ranch from his parents.  They continued to work the ranch as a family until November 1, 1986 when Bobby died in a car accident.   Chip’s mother continued to live on the ranch with Chip until 1993 when she remarried.

A Bend in the Road

The Bend in the Road

Author: Helen Steiner Rice

Sometimes we come to life's crossroads
And we view what we think is the end.
But God has a much wider vision
And he knows that it's only a bend-                                       
The road will go on and get smoother
And after we've stopped for a rest,
The path that lies hidden beyond us
Is often the path that is best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load
And have faith in a brighter tomorrow-
You've just come to a bend in the road.

Years ago, I was a reader and then I went to college where I was forced to read in order to get a passing grade.  I used that as my excuse not to read anymore.  This past year, I have put "Read" on my "to do" list.  I am currently reading A Bend in the Road by Dr. David Jeremiah.  I started to read the book hoping that it would help me be an encouragement to friends who are dealing with cancer.  Dr. Jeremiah's "bend in the road" was cancer.

While living in Minnesota, I experienced many bends in my road.  I learned to ask the Lord, "What am I to learn from this?"  I knew that eventually everything would work out and my life would be better for the event.  I knew that it was a growing time for me.  Ashamedly, I have to admit, that I lost that understanding or let's call it faith.  Maybe getting married and having the ranch that I always dreamed of owning put me in a self-reliant mode. I was living my dream.  Then came a bend in the road and life was not as pleasant as it used to be.  Once again, I knew that the Lord was working in my life, but I was not able to say, "Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?"

Dr. Jeremiah's book has shown me so many truths from the scripture.  Truths that were taught to him as he went through his bend in the road.

Last night, I was not able to sleep.  I finally gave up, came out to the living room and turned on the television.  Walker Texas Ranger came on.  For some reason, I like to watch the fancy moves when he fights and the fact that he can take on several guys at one time and win.  So I watched the last 45 minutes of the show.

The episode was about a wealthy young man who believed his dad's attorney's could get him out of any situation.  The wealthy father took his son's side no matter what he did.  The young man was dealing drugs and was about to make a huge sale when Walker and his rangers arrived to break it up.  This was happening in the dad's huge office building.  Walker and associates did their fancy fighting and the son threatened him with the usual "I'll get off" attitude.  Here is the part that hit me hard last night.  The dad was behind some bookcases, walked out and confronted his son.

Son:  "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Dad:  "Walker told me he would give up being a Texas ranger if we didn't find you in this building today. Looks like he gets to keep his job.  Even my attorneys can't get you out of this one."

The dad then turns around and walks off.  He turned his back on his son and left.

The son pleaded, "Dad, Don't turn your back on me!"

I was reminded of Jesus on the cross (pg. 89 in the book) and how he quoted Psalm 22.  "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

"The Lord Jesus Christ not only felt forsaken, He was forsaken.  The Father turned His back on Jesus because He was a holy and just God who could not look upon the sin that Jesus carried to the cross--your sin and mine."

" 'My god, My God,' He cried out, 'Why have you forsaken Me?' He was forsaken indeed--but we are never forsaken. Here is the truth you must fully comprehend and stake your life upon if you remember no other words from this chapter:  He turned His back upon His Son so that He would never have to turn His back on you."

Hebrews 13:5: "For he himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Quotes taken from A Bend in the Road, but Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

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Celebrate A Season of Life Renewed

I know!  It has been 15 months since I have posted anything.  Let me just say that we have had a very unusual and busy year.

This post is to let you know that I have written a "The Way We Live" for Farm and Ranch Living called "Celebrate A Season of Life Renewed".  It will be posted in the March/April 2016 issue.  I am sure that Farm and Ranch Living would appreciate anyone buying a copy.

My promise is to do better in the future posting to my blog.