"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!