They're Children...

(I wrote this piece a couple days ago while I was a counselor at a camp I have worked at for many years...that is primarily for the children of inmates. It's a Bible camp, and a wonderful place (sagradabiblecamp.org). But this piece started coming to me as I heard the stories of these children...terrible things (everyday life to them) and some of them are just eight or nine years old. Anyway, it's pretty much a poem, but kinda a rough cut one that's almost just rhythmic sort of speaking. But I just left it as it came...)
They’re children...
and your heart tells you
they should be full of innocence
but their eyes testify it’s not true
the burdens they carry
are greater than any
we ever bore at that age
the pains of the world,
the breaks, fears and terrors
have exposed these lives
to all of mankind’s errors
my heart cries for them
and longs to heal their pain
but the truth must sink in
once the damage-it remains
the scars are deep and sharp
and worn from time again
and in their minds
the memories are stark…
where do you begin?
but look deep into their souls
search close and you will see
there are sparks of light still left
so much that they could be
there’s hope, there’s a chance
don’t give up on them now
Christ’s arms are open
and He’s waiting patiently
He might use us for a mouthpiece
and place us where we should be
nothing in our own strength
will ever fix a thing
but the power of God behind us
is of an unstoppable King
He works in mighty ways
breaks their so many bars and chains
but even so He holds them gently
and softly calls their name
He takes away their pain
the raw and burning shame
the truth has shown the way
and light is pouring in
the broken, fragmented pieces
are reforged…
they’re made brand new
how can we sit by
and let minutes still tick on
when He’s ready to show His love
and chose to right their wrong
it’s so good, so pure and beautiful
a sight worth much to see
how His truth and gracious promise
has set these new lives free

Jumping...good and bad...mostly good!

We did a jumping clinic in mid-March at Lost Springs Farm. (where I work) It was fantastic, I learned a whole TON of new stuff...and Jess got some great pictures =) So here ya go:

Here is my lovely Symphony (ok, not mine, but I'm her sole rider and she's almost like mine)

trot poles for rhythm and balance

isn't she a handsome mare?! =)

and we hadn't jumped much in the last several months but she was great

and gosh is she cute! (don't look at my form, but her's is great!)

she's got so much potential! But we're working on quality before height

fantastic jump! Woohoo!

and here are some of Allspice (Spice). I don't have many good ones of her, and she had just begun jumping a few months before. But she is now doing automatic flying lead changes and jumping closer and closer to 3', so I love working with her!

our big Appendix Quarter girl

she was a Western Pleasure horse and we've had
to work hard trying to pick up her front end

this is how NOT to jump

still learning to go to the part of the jump that I told her to!

working on taking off correctly as well

and a very beautiful jump as the finale!

you are Mine...

I can find you in a million facessee you in the darkest room
find you when you think you’re hidden
and when the light shines through
because I Am
and you are Mine

when you stumble and you fall down
scraped and torn and bruised
I'm here and reaching out My hand
to someone broken and confused
because I Amand you are Mine

you must trust Me that I’ll hold you up
that I am your strength and shield
your pride and self you must give up
if to My way you will yield
because I Am
and you are Mine

the plans and dreams that are all your own
you’ve laid before Me now
said you wanted to do My will
asked Me please to show you how
because I Am
and you are Mine

days of pain and days of glory will flit
before your wondering eyes
I will guide and teach and show you
how to fight the world’s lies
because I Am
and you are Mine

I’m here in your confusion and your loss
when you can’t see your way through
I hold you when you’re tempest tossed
and don’t know what to do
because I Am
and you are Mine

I am your ever constant source of hope
still you at times forget I’m here
but my promises never die
and I’ll wait ‘till you draw near
because I Am
and you are Mine

I hear your prayers and I feel your pains
understand the struggles that you find
know great loss and desolation
beyond thought by your mind
because I Am
and you are Mine

so I can comfort and uphold you
when the world’s falling down
because I walked for a time among you
for you I bore My Father’s frown
because I Am
and you are Mine

find in Me your joy and life of rest
assurance that I care for My own
always to Me you can return
I’ll not leave you alone
because I Am
and you are Mine

My heart breaks when you just won’t see Me
but when you repent and turn
know that you’re forgiven and loved
I am steadfast, you've yet to learn
because I Am
and you are Mine

your heart will fill with purpose and hope
when you take to heart My truth
and know that I am for you
since the days of your youth
because I Am
and you are Mine

so even when you’re unsure and fearful
I never change or vary
then place yourself in My hand
let me your burdens carry
because I Am
and you are Mine

I can find you in a million faces
see you in the darkest room
find you when you think you’re hidden
and when the light shines through
because I Am
and you are Mine
-written by Heather

Our Missouri Blizzard!

Yay! We had fun today. We decided to go out and take pictures, though we weren't out for long because it was very tiring post holing through all the snow and because the wind stung your face. But it was a fun adventure!

Greg is 6' tall, and this drift is above his knees

standing beside the car

the snow is deeper than Schae...but he loves it!

Deep sculpted drifts

Lovely sculpted drifts!

Deep drift, with goofy dogs

snow IN the barn!

shoveling the roof

Beautiful drifts!

The blizzard! =)

To A Young Lady...

I ran across this poem, and I consider it to be very beautiful. But I also consider it a challenge, for I know that I do not live up to that standard of young womanhood. So I wanted to share this with anyone who may yet read this blog, as a challenge to all young women out there that we might all strive to be worthy of the tribute given in this poem, and we might strive to be the most honorable, wholesome, and God-glorifying people that we are able. We will never be perfect, but we must still strive for greater character

To A Young Lady
Sweet stream that winds through yonder glade,
Apt emblem of a virtuous maid
Silent and chaste she steals along,
Far from the world's gay busy throng:
With gentle yet prevailing force,
Intent upon her destined course;
Graceful and useful in all she does,
Blessing and blest where'er she goes;
Pure-bosom'd as that water glass,
And heaven reflected in her face.
-William Cowper