Wow, Thanksgiving is already over and the Christmas season is hurrying on by. I always wonder every year how it could have come so quickly, but I’m not complaining – this is a great time of the year. (Unless of course, you work in retail, then I guess it’s not so pleasant. I do remember, though.)
I started off the Turkey Day festivities with a little romp in the mud. I dug out my old lacrosse cleats (they haven’t seen daylight in a few years) and joined the boys (and a few brave girlfriends of mine) on the football field for what sounded like fun for the moment. Four days later and I am just now recovering from the torture I subjected my body to. Ouch! This girl is not used to 2 hours of running around and tackling people. Well, tackling would be a skewed term – chasing after the QB and occasionally 2 hand touching would be a little more accurate.
After the turkey, stuffing, and all the works had a day to settle, we went and picked out our Christmas tree. The morning following that I got a wake up call from a friend saying to get ready because I was being treated to The Nutcracker at McCaw Hall in Seattle. Not a bad way to wake up! We had a fabulous time enjoying the freezing cold weather, wonderful friends, and a beautiful ballet.
The Christmas season is officially upon us!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Step of Faith
Steps of faith – it’s never an easy thing, but if it’s a step in the right direction, there is nothing more rewarding.
I just got back from a road trip down to Bend, Oregon to check out the ranch that has been on my heart and mind for the past couple months. Stepping foot on the soil that has been a lifeline to so many horses and kids seemed a little surreal. The chilly air reminded me that this was very real, but it was slightly hard to believe that I was actually there, in Oregon, checking into this possibility, rather than just going along my daily existence talking about this thing I would like to do, but never actually taking the step to possibly make it a reality.
I was able to take a tour of the ranch, hear the stories of the different horses, be loved on by these gentle giants, and see this haven of rescued dreams. There were some boys from the local juvenile detention center there doing chores, and also so other kids riding some of the horses. I got the chance to see the ranch is motion, and it was an incredible sight. It made my heart long to be a part of the mission that they have.
They close down for the winter (December – April), but it looks like a good possibility that I may be taking up residence in Central Oregon come spring. It’s a scary thought, but also a liberating one. If you get a chance, I highly recommend the book that the owner, Kim Meeder, has written about the ranch (Hope Rising) – it’s definitely a tear-jerker.
I just got back from a road trip down to Bend, Oregon to check out the ranch that has been on my heart and mind for the past couple months. Stepping foot on the soil that has been a lifeline to so many horses and kids seemed a little surreal. The chilly air reminded me that this was very real, but it was slightly hard to believe that I was actually there, in Oregon, checking into this possibility, rather than just going along my daily existence talking about this thing I would like to do, but never actually taking the step to possibly make it a reality.
I was able to take a tour of the ranch, hear the stories of the different horses, be loved on by these gentle giants, and see this haven of rescued dreams. There were some boys from the local juvenile detention center there doing chores, and also so other kids riding some of the horses. I got the chance to see the ranch is motion, and it was an incredible sight. It made my heart long to be a part of the mission that they have.
They close down for the winter (December – April), but it looks like a good possibility that I may be taking up residence in Central Oregon come spring. It’s a scary thought, but also a liberating one. If you get a chance, I highly recommend the book that the owner, Kim Meeder, has written about the ranch (Hope Rising) – it’s definitely a tear-jerker.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Shake Your Tailfeathers
In honor of Bosses Day, each year we get everyone together and have a little celebration in honor of our pastors. Included in this celebration is always a healthy dose of competion. In years past, it has been a scanvenger hunt, or racing a car that you had 5 minutes to build with what you could find in our supply room
This year, since we were a little tardy in our celebration (I think Bosses Day is usually around the middle of October - hey, it's better late than never, right?), we had a slightly Thanksgiving-ish feel to the afternoon.
Their challenge was to build a turkey with the items that were placed in front of them. Here are the results:
This year, since we were a little tardy in our celebration (I think Bosses Day is usually around the middle of October - hey, it's better late than never, right?), we had a slightly Thanksgiving-ish feel to the afternoon.
Their challenge was to build a turkey with the items that were placed in front of them. Here are the results:
Love Note
I found a little love note this morning. It wasn’t for me, but for the next best thing – my parents. This is one reason why I am blessed to be where I am at right now – otherwise I might have missed this.
My mom had left a little note by the coffee pot for my dad, brother and I saying something about pears being ripe, so we should eat them. My dad had written on top of the note, “Just to let you know, I know what you do. I can tell the tub’s been cleaned, even the sink. And in the dark I know that my underwear drawer is full and I could smell the coffee.”
It may seem like trivial little things, but I know that note will mean the world to my mom (my guess is that it might even bring her to tears). That is what I want to learn, that even after 27 years of marriage, the little things matter.
Find someone who you can encourage today, by taking the time to notice the small things.
My mom had left a little note by the coffee pot for my dad, brother and I saying something about pears being ripe, so we should eat them. My dad had written on top of the note, “Just to let you know, I know what you do. I can tell the tub’s been cleaned, even the sink. And in the dark I know that my underwear drawer is full and I could smell the coffee.”
It may seem like trivial little things, but I know that note will mean the world to my mom (my guess is that it might even bring her to tears). That is what I want to learn, that even after 27 years of marriage, the little things matter.
Find someone who you can encourage today, by taking the time to notice the small things.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Ready to Fight...
I take off for Oregon in only 4 more days. I’m really looking forward to checking out this opportunity and to see where it might bring me. As I was browsing around the internet doing some research about Bend, Oregon, I ran across this – a blog entry from a young girl. This is one of the reasons my heart gets so excited about this possibility – it touches real people right where they are at. This ranch is a safe place where love can spill out onto others.
~~~~~~
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Who I Wish I Was:
I'd be pretty and smart. I'd be happy and without constant depression. And most of all, I'd have horses. I'd be a lovely redhead-brunette mix, without the scars I have and without all the splints I'm constantly wearing. I'd be graceful, rarely awkward, and be able to talk to the boy I love without freaking out when I call and hang up.
I'd be pretty and smart. I'd be happy and without constant depression. And most of all, I'd have horses. I'd be a lovely redhead-brunette mix, without the scars I have and without all the splints I'm constantly wearing. I'd be graceful, rarely awkward, and be able to talk to the boy I love without freaking out when I call and hang up.
I'd be Princess of my own world, with my own room (hey, I could even handle a room with my youngest sibling, but NOT all three!), and be enrolled in an online college course about horse training. I'd be a 14-yr-old jockey and ride a Triple Crown winner to victory, I'd be a Junior Leader at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, a place that saved my life, and I'd be able to get through a day without being told I'm stupid.
That's who I wish I was.
Reality: I'm constantly told I'm ugly and dumb by my own family, I'm depressed 99% of the time, a total klutz with peanut-butter colored hair (why couldn't grape jelly color have been added???), and totally shy around a guy I've liked since I was 12. I'm basically a social outcast, meaning nobody to talk to, I have to share a room in a 5 bedroom house with three younger sisters, my brother has his own room and my mom and dad share. It's not like they can't spare one! And I barely passed 8th grade!
I'm small enough to be a jockey, but a) I'm SO inexperienced, b) my mom wouldn't let me after I've broken my arm 2 times on my own and the doc had to break it once to reset it, and c) I live in Oregon! It's not like I'm able to travel to the other side of the US for training! I don't even have my own horse!
Thanks to my injury, I'm not allowed to ride until at LEAST August, possibly later, and there is no way I'd be able to accomplish all that anyways!
I'll just be me for now, and possibly later I'll become who I want to be.
~~~~~
I want to have a positive say in this girl's life, I want to be a part of extending hope to those who feel there is none. I want to be used of God to encourage and lift up the broken hearted.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Coffee Cup Inspiration
Here is a little quote that was on the coffee mug that I used this morning. I thought it was quite fitting for my current situation.
“Faith is risking what is for what is yet to be. It is taking small steps knowing they lead to bigger ones. Faith is holding on when you want to let go. It is letting go when you want to hold on. Faith is hearing God’s yes when everything else says no. It is seeing the Light in darkness, the presence of God in all.” ~ Ellen M. Cuomo
“Faith is risking what is for what is yet to be. It is taking small steps knowing they lead to bigger ones. Faith is holding on when you want to let go. It is letting go when you want to hold on. Faith is hearing God’s yes when everything else says no. It is seeing the Light in darkness, the presence of God in all.” ~ Ellen M. Cuomo
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Once Upon A Time...
I like stories.
I am currently reading (for the first time) The Chronicles of Narnia. I know, I know, I was deprived during my childhood because I didn’t grow up with these stories, but I think I turned out alright.
As I am reading through the Chronicles, I am trying to catch all the symbolism and Lewis’ motivation for telling this fantasy behind the stories that he told. I was doing alright through The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, & The Wardrobe, but am slightly lost to the story behind The Horse & His Boy. I’m right in the middle of the book and that is usually the most difficult time to see what is really going on and what the outcome will be.
I’ve discovered along this journey of mine that that holds quite true for real life as well. As I travel through my days, I wonder what adventures I may behold along the way and the reason for them. And what the compilation of those adventures will be at the end of my life. Ultimately I know that my end result will be heaven, but my days here on earth hold much mystery.
I know the story that Christ is making with my life is a good one – he’s already promised me that. I’m just learning how to enjoy the ride and not get caught up in the details. I’ve taken to heart a line from my current reading.
“One of the drawbacks about adventures is that when you come to the most beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them.” ~ C.S. Lewis, A Horse & His Boy
May you be blessed today and may you enjoy the journey!
I am currently reading (for the first time) The Chronicles of Narnia. I know, I know, I was deprived during my childhood because I didn’t grow up with these stories, but I think I turned out alright.
As I am reading through the Chronicles, I am trying to catch all the symbolism and Lewis’ motivation for telling this fantasy behind the stories that he told. I was doing alright through The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, & The Wardrobe, but am slightly lost to the story behind The Horse & His Boy. I’m right in the middle of the book and that is usually the most difficult time to see what is really going on and what the outcome will be.
I’ve discovered along this journey of mine that that holds quite true for real life as well. As I travel through my days, I wonder what adventures I may behold along the way and the reason for them. And what the compilation of those adventures will be at the end of my life. Ultimately I know that my end result will be heaven, but my days here on earth hold much mystery.
I know the story that Christ is making with my life is a good one – he’s already promised me that. I’m just learning how to enjoy the ride and not get caught up in the details. I’ve taken to heart a line from my current reading.
“One of the drawbacks about adventures is that when you come to the most beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them.” ~ C.S. Lewis, A Horse & His Boy
May you be blessed today and may you enjoy the journey!
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