Dan's Cancer Journey

04/16/2026

It's 4 AM and I find myself being stirred by God much like my dad used to experience. Why God can't stir my heart at 7 in the morning will inevitably remain a mystery until I find myself at heavens door. lol

That being said, He has shared something with me that I think a lot of people could benefit from. So here goes.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28-30‬

Grief. She's a heifer, am I right? 😂 I've heard counselors say "oh it happens in stages, sometimes the stages repeat, sometimes they happen in different orders." The truth? There's no rhyme or reason. Grief is completely dependent on the individual. Maybe you're the type that shuts down and isolates, maybe you run away and find a new story to involve yourself in, maybe you become bitter and gruff. What they all have in common though? They're fleshy responses. Romans 8:5 says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

When you walk through grief according to your flesh the enemy will pull you to some pretty dark places, and society will right it off as "Well, that's just how they grieve." Friends will choose sides based on their own experiences of flesh, and families will be pulled apart for "not being at the same stage".

The truth? We were never meant to walk through grief OUR way. We are meant to walk it God's way. A light yoke. A gentle and humble heart, willing to receive guidance from the Father. Willing to just sit with Him and mourn; knowing He has created a space for us to do that. So that our hearts and minds are not corrupted with the desires and aches of this world.

So I encourage you, brothers and sisters, dudes and dudettes, submit your grief to God. Grief for the loss of a parent, a child, a dream... submit them, and allow God to pour into your life in a way you never thought He could.

Love your peeps. 🇺🇸 🖤

12/17/2025

Merry Christmas to everybody! I have a mostly short thought, I wanted to share with you all.

This time of year brings a lot of emotions, some good and some…not. You find people sprinting around scheels, Walmart, bass pro trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one. Some people (like my mother-in-law) ask for a digital list with links to the desired item - probably the better move. But some people (myself) spend all year analyzing their loved ones and keeping a record of useful items they would love to receive.

You see, the act of giving the perfect gift is something that cannot be explained in so many words. To see sheer joy on someone’s face because they realize that you SAW them. That you learned their soul and invested into their life in a way that so few people do anymore. It’s the best feeling in the world and you can’t put a price on it. Not to mention the feeling you have when you GET that kind of gift. The joy, relief, excitement that comes witha gift like that, it is also unexplainable.

My dad used to be my favorite person to shop for. We were in sync like the fan and core on a jet engine. Ha! There was nothing better than watching him open a present for fishing or hunting and knowing that we were gonna make ANOTHER memory because of it. To see him light up about life was truly the best reward. Imagine how lame it would have been if every year i had just given him a new plastic cup?

So it all got me thinking. What is the perfect gift? And God clear as day said, “Me. The real reason for the season. The best gift that could ever be given - salvation.”

I know there are people out there who are dreading this season. Who are dreading every season, because each one brings struggle, exhaustion, challenge, and they need a reprieve. They need the perfect gift that could reset their path.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that none can boast.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-9

God. He sees you. He sees the anger you carry because of the hurt your child has experienced. He sees the hurt you carry because you lost your favorite person. He sees the scar of abandonment you wear because everyone seems to leave. BUT GOD. God has the perfect gift, specific to you, and He is just waiting for you to open it. To accept His love and see that He has known your soul since you were formed in your mother’s womb. You don’t have to do anything but say “Yes” and accept His gift. No chores, no job, no sprint through Scheels on a Sunday afternoon. Just an open and willing heart.

That’s all. Those are my thoughts. Love your peeps, and don’t forget to Thank God for the joys and blessings of the day.

Merry Christmas.

06/26/2025

It’s been just a little under 1 month since my official last day of service and just about 9 months since my dad went on what I’m calling a heavenly hunting trip and I was drinking my coffee this morning, playing with the kid, looking out the window at our beautiful view of the black hills and I was reminded of something my dad used to say - “Just because you are good, or even great at something, does not mean you’re meant to do it forever.” Sometimes we just get in our own way of succeeding, because we keep trying to have God bless what we are doing rather than being blessed in what God wants to do WITH us. Hear me out.

I did a lot in 8 years of service, like A LOT. About 6 years ago I really started to hit road blocks. Some caused by myself and some by others but nonetheless it left me frustrated and defeated. I was pursuing my faith but God just kept saying “No.” over and over and over again. Finally, we got a yes. A pregnancy we had prayed for years for and suddenly it seemed so obvious. God was saying “You are done, and if I don’t stop you for the sake of your family you won’t.” *cringe* ouch. Talk about rough feedback, but He was right. So I made the decision to separate, with hardly any plan other than “I am just gonna be mom and wife.”

One act of obedience turned into another and before I knew it our entire life changed.

We now live in my childhood adventure land, where we get to raise our son, we have found a forever church, God has called us to start a ministry, I’m finishing writing my first book (I know, crazy), we have an actual house not a camper, I dyed my hair blue (accidentally) but wasn’t stressed about fixing it and could just laugh at the moment, we led our first 12 week bible study, and so much more that I won’t even get into.

All of that to say, sometimes just because you’re good at something, doesn’t mean you should do it forever, because you might miss out on an even more amazing opportunity God has for you. To use you in a way that was bigger than anything else you have ever done.

So be encouraged, what may look like a small act of obedience may be the greatest thing you ever do. That’s all. Enjoy your day, and love your peeps.

05/22/2025

Exciting news!!

Hey everyone!! This is Dan’s daughter - Shelby - and I will be taking over my father’s page, because this story is not over. Read below!!

👇 👇 👇

FROM GRIEF TO GLORY: Building on the Altar Our Father Laid

When our father passed, our hearts broke—but God was not finished with his story - or ours.

Our dad lived a life of quiet (sometimes loud) obedience, unwavering faith, and deep love for people. He laid down his life in service to others, and in doing so, he built a spiritual altar—one rooted in prayer, purpose, and legacy.

In the months since his passing, my husband and my sister and her husband have returned to that altar.
We’ve wept there.
We’ve prayed there.
And we’ve listened for what God wanted to do next.

Out of that sacred space, Back to the Well Co. was born.

A business and ministry built on biblical principles—designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and fund Kingdom outreach. What began in our father’s life as a legacy of faith is now growing into something that will touch lives, empower dreams, and expand ministry.

We’re not just launching a brand.
We’re stewarding a legacy.

Dad, your altar is now our foundation—and we will keep building.



---

While I will link many a thing back to this page you can tune into our Instagram account “backtothewell_co” and follow even closer.

We are small but when I tell you God has divinely accelerated our journey, I’m not exaggerating, and trust us, you don’t want to miss this.

Much love to everyone. 🫡✝️🇺🇸

12/24/2024

My friend Cheryl Embree shared this photo today. She took it just before we left for a camping trip at Shadehill back in May. I’d never seen it before. It so perfectly captures the relationship Dan had with our cat Bandit, and I laughed and laughed! He would grumble about this particular cat a lot, that Bandit was always underfoot or getting in to things, being generally obtuse as cats are prone to doing. But then I’d hear him before bed, cooing gently to Bandit and carrying him around, telling him what a stupid, good boy he was.

Please remember this Christmas to be grateful for the intangible but precious gifts in your life, like that swelling bubble of laughter in your chest just before it comes out. Or the soft calm that comes over you when you’re greeted by a beloved pet. The ability to travel and adventure, or be in your safe happy home at night. Or the gift of time with those you love. And if you don’t have these gifts in your life, I’m praying for healing in your situation.

Hope you all have a blessed Christmas, in whatever way the blessings come to you. Love your peeps.

11/04/2024

Hello all- Rock Point Church graciously recorded Dan’s service for us all. You can watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/YPgc_iCmi94 (https://www.youtube.com/live/YPgc_iCmi94)

10/30/2024

Good morning all! For those that can’t attend Dan’s memorial service, the church will be recording it and I will post online and/or share via text with a link as soon as I have it 💙

10/22/2024

For those out-of-town friends and family driving here for Dan’s memorial on November 1, please be aware of this upcoming construction that may add a few extra minutes to your travel time!

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, work will begin to repair a bridge that was hit by an over height load on Interstate 90 over Junction Avenue at exit 32 (Sturgis). Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on Junction Avenue throughout the entirety of the repair project.

On Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, an additional bridge repair project will be conducted on Interstate 190 over eastbound I-90 at exit 57 (Rapid City). This repair project is also due to an over height load hit. Traffic will be reduced to one lane on eastbound I-90 with a speed reduction in place. Delays of up to five minutes can be expected while traveling through the work area during daytime hours. Motorists should be aware of alternating lane closures on eastbound I-90. This work will also require a short closure of southbound I-190 for a portion of the operations.

Both projects are anticipated to complete repair work in four weeks.

The project completion date is Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

10/08/2024

❤ Memorial Service will be held at Rock Point Church on Friday, November 1st, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

Daniel Nathan Ries, age 60 of Black Hawk, SD passed away peacefully at his home on September 30, 2024. Dan was born September 7, 1964 at Glasgow Air Force Base, MT to David Ries and Betty (Jones) Ries. Dan grew up with four brothers and two sisters in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. He graduated high school a...

10/04/2024

Hi all, we have a tentative date and time for Dan’s memorial. We are awaiting confirmation. Love you all

10/02/2024

Hey everyone, we don’t have a date set for Dan’s memorial yet but I’ll post here once we have that set. I can’t wait to sit and read the comments and outpouring of love from you all ♥️