Thoughts on a Monday

I am sitting on the front porch watching it rain and thanking God not only for the rain, but also for the fact that I just got done mOwing! And as I'm writing this from my phone I just realized that I have no idea how to attach a picture of all my hard work! Brilliant. So how about a riddle:
What is the best way to mount a horse?
  How should I know, I'm no taxidermist!
That's a shout out to my husband.
Now that you are inspired I will leave you with this:
Two ducks in front of a duck,one duck behind a duck and a duck in the middle. How
Many ducks are there?

Kayak the Coosa

For my Alabama friends; Did you know that this was in your backyard?

Well, I had no idea until a group of friends got together to go Kayaking over the weekend!  We had so much fun.  Ten of us rented kayaks and paddled our way down the river.  Most of the water was calm and moved slowly...but some of it was like this:

Totally kidding!

 This is more accurate:

This isn't an actual picture of me, but I was in a small yellow boat and I did get flipped over a couple of times.  If you are looking for something fun to do this summer that is cool, I highly recommend it!

"What a Blessing!"

This is the story of Logan, an amazing young man who has changed my life and Slaton's. 

I Love MANE!

At age 13, My life was filled with action.  I was a skatebaording, round-off back flipping, dirt biking, dare-devil swim diver.  If it was fun, and maybe a little dangerous, I loved it!!  But on September 29, 2008, my life was dramatically changed.  I had gone through a series of blood tests to try to determine the reason that at age 13, I was the size of an 8 year old. I was human growth hormone deficient, and was sent for an MRI of my pituitary gland to see if it appeared to be functioning properly.  When they injected the IV Contrast into my veins, I had an anaphylactic allergic reaction to it.  I went into full-arrest, respiratory and cardiac, and went without a heartbeat or breath for in excess of 40 minutes.  Emergency health care workers tried to revive me, but all of their attempts failed, and they stopped working on me.  I lay there on the stretcher lifeless.  My mom and other family members were still praying, and after a few moments, miraculously, my heart began to beat again. 

Because of going without oxygen too long, I suffered a brain injury.  I was in a coma for 12 days, and when I woke up, I was unable speak, or move any muscles.  The doctor's thought that I wouldn't even know that I was in the world, and didn't expect me to ever be able to move my arms or legs.  I couldn't even blink when I wanted to.  I was in the hospital until Dec 23, 2008. 

In the spring of 2009, my mom received a call from MANE to tell her that someone had blessed me, by paying for the spring riding sessions for me.   I had never heard of MANE, but when I found out about it, I was so excited. 

The first horse that I road after my injury was a mare named DOC.  I was so weak, that the side walkers had to completely support me to hold me on.  I couldn't even hold up my trunk.  This was such a great day for me.  I had been confined to a wheel chair or a bed, and although I was doing therapy, this was different!  I was on a horse!  It felt great to be outside and having fun. 

I have been blessed to be able to continue to ride at MANE, and since I  began, I have improved physically to the point that my side walkers do not have to hold me when the horse is walking.  I have even been able to trot. 

I love MANE!  It is the highlight of my week.  It has helped me to get better, but has also brought back fun and excitement to my life.   Thanks to everyone at MANE, and all who help make it possible.  You have brought joy, smiles, strenght and fun back to my life.  What a blessing!!

What this story does not tell you is that Logan is completely blind along with having to maneuver through the world with a body that won't do what he tells it and a only a whisper to communicate.  Last winter, Slaton took Logan deer hunting.  On the last day of the season, Slaton woke up knowing that God was going to bless their hunt.  All Logan wanted to do was pull the trigger!  But how would a little boy, with no sight and contracted hands, quietly get his hand on the gun to make the kill?  With a little faith!
To get into the woods, Slaton had to carry Logan on his back to the blind he built that day.  Late that evening, as the sun was just setting, a group of does came out to feed.  Slaton described every second quietly to Logan so that he could invision the field.  As a large doe crossed in front of them, Slaton put the gun on the stand, pried Logan's finger away from his cold, cramped hand to put it on the trigger.  Then, only by God's grace did the bullet make contact with that doe and kill her instantly! 

As the boys came up the driveway on the 4wheeler, Logan was in front of Slaton and the 120lb doe in the back, I saw tears in their eyes.  To this day Slaton swears it was the wind in his face, but I knew that this young man had forever changed our lives.  What a blessing!

Fun in the Sun!

Today is the last day of MANE summer camp!  About February of each year I start to dread summer.  Not only is it hot, but the horses are miserable, the volunteers are exhausted and the staff are run ragged.  Today is the day I celebrate the most!  The ironic thing is that camp is like going to the doctor for me.  I work myself up all year and then when I actually get here, it is not so bad!!  Now that I can look back I can smile and think of all the sweet children that have come through our doors.  It is so refreshing to see their passion for horses and their joy in getting to spend time in the hot, stinky barn.  I need that reminder, because sometimes I am too blind to see what God has served up on a silver platter! 
I find myself often taking what I do for granted.  I am so blessed to get to be doing exactly what the Lord has planned for this season of my life.  He is the one who put a heart for horses and children in me, and for that I am so thankful.  I cannot believe that I have been here over 5 years now!  I have been blessed to see first smiles, big hugs, tears of joy and sorrow, lives changed, horses healed, families healed, hope restored and through all of that, I have been the one blessed.  I wish that I could tell you each story of each person that has walked down this barn aisle.  Maybe that is something I can start to share to help me remember!

 I will share the story of the child above soon.  It is one that will change your perspective on life.

 This is from a summer camp past.  Cowboy Week!  I shoulda been a cowgirl!

Many times we have school groups come out to learn about horses.  This day we were teaching them about hooves and grooming!  I'm sure Slaton would point out the skunk stripes in my hair!

The clock is ticking...and in thirty minutes my quiet office will turn into a buzzing beehive of kids, volunteers, ponies and parents as we celebrate the last day of camp with a horse show!  Wish me luck...

This One's For Bonnie

Per my sweet cousin Bonnie's request, I am posting on my blog again.  I went through a phase where I thought that no one really cared to read about my boring life, which is still very true.  But then I thought about the couple of blogs that I read religiously and I was inspired!!
With two consecutive "beach blogs" it may seem like I go out of town all the time, but I don't!  I am a homebody times a million.  But...this weekend was an exception!  Rebecca, Slaton's sister, planned a girls weekend for the sister-in-laws and cousin Bons!  We had a blast catching up, playing on the beach and eating and eating!  It is so refreshing to get away from the fast pace of life and slow down long enough to catch your breath and catch up with the people who matter to you most!

I wish I had more pictures to share, but since I am not on facebook I am not privy to them!!! I wish I had something more inspirational to pass along with my first blog back in months, but I don't!

Best Weekend EVER!

For the last month I have been pondering what to do for Slaton for our anniversary.  I can't believe a year has flown by.  People always say that the first year is the most difficult.  This was the best year...EVER! (Ok, everyone always makes fun at me because everything is always the "best ever."  So I am joking, obviously, although it has been a good one)  But I have learned so much about unconditional love and how to truly, deeply, honestly love someone like Christ loves us.  It fascinates me that although we can drive each other insane and push buttons like no other, that we can also get on our knees together and pray for each other, intercede for each other, and lift each other up when we are having a bad day.  It is so much fun to be married to your best bud (who is pretty darn cute, too)!
   I finally came up with the brilliant idea to take him, along with two other couples, to the beach for a deep sea fishing adventure!  What is better than sitting on the beach with some of your favorite people enjoying bushwhackers? Cobia fishing with them...and enjoying bushwhackers!
With the recommendation of Slaton's cousin, who spent time as a mate on a boat out of Orange Beach, Fl, we started off on our adventure Saturday morning after a night at the Flora Bama (my first...possibly last time there).
Just to brag, we were the only boat to bring in 3 cobia that day! That one on the bottom weighs 36.7lbs!

  We spent the day spotting the fish from the tower and then casting live eels to them.  Along with seeing nearly 7 Cobia, we also saw sharks, rays and dolphins.  It was a beautiful day!  I could not have ordered up any better weather.  God is good. 

We had a great weekend with our friends, but nothing is better than coming home to our animals and a little green grass!  Well, some of us came home.  Slaton ended up staying a few extra days and fishing with the the Butlers.
   

When your well runs dry...

Water.  You don't realize how much you need it until you can't have it.  Slaton and I have spent the past three days now without precious water.  Even the smallest thing can become a huge chore.  Brushing your teeth with a bottle of water feels like camping again as a child.  Filling water troughs is impossible, so the horses have to be led to the pond.  And the saying "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" is oh so true!  Last night, after watching Slaton work on the pump for hours in the dark, we couldn't take it any longer and went to the old house to shower.
Today, we called the "well man."  So hopefully by tonight we will have water...again!  Which for me means I can do laundry, wash dishes and water dogs and horses....oh goodie.
When I think about water Biblically, I think of being cleansed, washed, renewed and refreshed.  Jesus is the Living Water.  In John we are told that whoever believes will have rivers of living water flowing from his heart.  Think about how much you use your water source.  I could hardly tolerate a few days without fresh water, I cannot imagine life without my divine refreshment.

And because I don't have any good pictures of the well...and a blog is boring without a picure...

He Gives and Takes Away

I miss my little buddy Titus, but am comforted in knowing he is playing with his Master!  It has taken a week for me to be able to write about him, but here I am, on a rainy morning, thinking of my sweet Titus.
There is not much I can say.  For those of you that knew him, he was not a typical Doberman.  He was a gentle soul who loved everyone.  I just keep replaying the scripture "He gives and takes away." 
I can't say that I didn't question his death and place blame on many things.  Moving, not taking him to work that day, not looking harder for him when he and Cache ran off, but as my sweet friend Michelle said, that would be questioning God.  It was his time.  We are just a mist.  Life is short and we need to live each day in honor of our Lord.  We don't know when our last moment will be. 

Days are getting easier.  I know he was just a dog, but that doesn't make it any easier for me.  I love my animals deeply and each tear I cry for him helps me heal.  So here's to you Titer-bug.  I can't wait to see you with all your hair in all your glory someday!

In the Beginning

Fair Haven Farm is not a name I would have chosen for a piece of property with rolling hills, 100-year-old oaks and babbling creeks.  It is a name that goes deeper than describing the outward beauty of this farm.  It is a state of mind.  On the island of Fair Havens is where Paul finally lets the wind take over his journey in the book of Acts while on his way to Rome to share the gospel for which he was willing to die.  As we prayed over the decision to move here, and gave up our need to control every detail of our lives, I sat on the front porch and flipped to Paul's story.  This is the beginning of our journey where we let go of control and let the wind of the Holy Spirit guide us to our destination.  We have be blessed to be planted where the Lord wants us and it is here that we will share the Good News of Christ through his beautiful creation.
The plans for Fair Haven have not been completely revealed to me.  But as these pages unfold and we are given clarity, we will be sure that our eyes will be focused on giving God all the glory for us landing here!