An Adventure to Remember

SO.

My feet almost froze today.

The adventure began when Brittany and I decided to go on a walk because it was beautiful outside and we had the morning off. So we start walking through the meadows, catching up and having nice girlie time. When we got to the pond meadows, we started to hear frogs and the tomboy in me wanted to find one...so we walked around the marshy part of the meadows. By the time we passed the marsh, we were on our way back when we both decided that it would be adventurous to cross the creek so we could "visit" the baby horsies.

(By visit we mean not going near the babies because Tony Warnock would kill us because we'd be bothering them, but in reality we would just be getting cute pictures of them and maybe, just maybe, getting to pet them if their moms don't kill us as well.)

So we find a shallower point in the creek that looks non-threatening and we start to take off our shoes. At this point, two non-pregnant horses come ambling over to "have a drink" but I think they're there to mock us because they're on the other side already. Brittany takes off into the creek so she can get it over with, and I'm not too far behind her when we both start unconsciously start verbally chanting "cold, cold, COLD!" Halfway across (and we were only in the creek for about 5 seconds, so it's COLD), we can't feel our feet hitting the ground because they're numb. BUT, we make it, thank the Lord. Immediately hitting the other side Brittany and I danced around like mad trying to get warmth into our toes. The horse just stood there and mocked us, I swear.

And then we got to reap the benefits of our suffering by getting adorable pictures with the foals and they're mommies. But don't tell Tony Warnock.

Our beautiful walk...

The other side of the creekWe made it across!Happy that we are strong enough to take on the creek...But still scared!WE MADE IT!Yay!Feet before crossing...Feet after crossing...they're pink!The mocking horse.And our benefits: Baby horses!This one is my favorite!

Another Step

As I look to the mountains, I am reminded about where my hope comes from...
My hope comes from you, maker of heavens, creator of the earth.
Today in Colorado, it is 72 degrees and partly cloudy. A perfect day for a run. I haven't ran in what seems like a month because of my back. Hopefully this warm air will keep it loose and relaxed so it doesn't bother me. Someday, and don't hold me to it, I would like to run a marathon...I've never liked the prospect of running over 5 miles though, so we'll see.

I ran to the Jail and back (about 3 miles total), and on the way I visited our 4 new foals. The miracle of birth never ceases to amaze me. I loved watching them struggle to gain their balance on their wobbly legs...kind of like my struggle sometimes to gain my footing. Yet, I am aware that we have to stumble in life in order to continuously proceed in our faith journey. As one friend of mine told me,

"You can't always start something over...you have to proceed from where you are or else you will keep making the same mistakes that you had started over from."

That statement is also something that I've been learning from. So many times in my life I say, well I won't do that ever again because I'm going to start that chapter over. That was my mistake...I wasn't accepting what I had done in a way that I would take to heart the mistakes I HAD made in order to move past them. Very wordy, but I hope that makes sense.

To end on a happier note, I sat in the Dining Room with a guest family and was reminded about why I am here. They kept saying over and over how they loved their experience here, mostly because of the staff interactions they've had. I had the privilege to sing to them, as well as hear Josh, the young husband in the family, share some of his songs because he's a musician. It touched me that they wanted to stay in contact with me so I could send them songs that Drew and I record, and vice versa. It's something I will always remember. Plus, they said that I should be in a Pantene Pro V commercial, hahaha.

Just the Beginning

As I write this, I am reminded that I promised many people that I was going to start this blog this past fall...obviously that didn't happen.

So here I am, 8 months later, and I don't know what to write about.
I guess I will explain what the purpose of this blog will be used for...

1. Creative Writing
2. What God has been teaching me
3. Life on the Ranch
4. ETC.

I don't have much else to say, but this is just the intro anyway...
To get you started here are some of my favorite pictures from this past fall..

Waitrii 2008
Lost Valley Staff Girls
Reid, Will, and me being silly
The A Team
CK came to visit!
On top of Southern ComfortMy 23rd birthday surprise: Pie in the face
Fargo foreverSpongebob and his friends at HalloweenI love Becca and Will's faces!On top of Sheep's Rock Dome with my Uncle JimReid and I painted these boards, and Moose built themFirst SnowFirst RideMe and Lil' BitMe and NoahLittle Noah and Davis