Circus Time!

In less than 48 hours, fresh faced counselors will arrive at camp to begin their equestrian/horsemanship training. Some may have no idea what adventure they are about to embark on, the madness they are about to undertake, and the crazy people they are about to meet.  In just a few short weeks, they will call this place home, find that being abnormal is normal around here, and they will have met their new best friends.  In less than 48 hours, my life will be filled with 16 hour days (some have already been this week!), revolving around counselors and kids, and won't be my own.  It'll be tough and tiring but it'll all be worth it.  So long for now.

Faith Rain

Rain.  We need it.  We need it badly.  Pastures are going to nothing, hay field yields are down, and it's looking like a dust bowl.  We pray for it.  We wish for it.  We......prepare for it.  In faith, believing that God will provide rain, you move important stuff inside, close up any and all doors and windows, and believe.  In faith, I moved materials inside or under cover, cleaned out the back of the truck, and I'm prepared for rain.  Just like the little boy who brings an umbrella to the prayer gathering for rain for a dry community, let's believe it'll rain.

Happy Mother's Day

"I want to wear out, not rust out."

How many times have I heard that from my mom.  She doesn't want to sit around, waiting for life to come to her but rather always on the move, not letting the rust accumulate.  Let me tell you that my mother moves around so much that there isn't a speck of rust on her.  Nowadays she babysits my 4 nephews every other weekend.  I just hope that I'll have grandkids in time for her to love on them the way she loves on those 4 crazy boys.  Every kid should have a grandma like that!

She (and my dad) drove me (and my brother) the equivalent of around the world (number of times, don't remember) just in taking us to school and back every day from kindergarten on (I started driving in 10th grade so that took some of the strain off).  She sat through countless school programs, watched me play "Little girl #2" in Heidi in 4th grade, several animal parts in Peter Cottontail, and the bean seller in "Jack and the Beanstalk".  I started 4-H in 6th grade and from then on there were 4-H meetings, shows, clinics, and everything else in between.  I took riding lessons for three years starting in 5th grade.  Once I hit 7th grade, sports took over.  There were practices that she had to pick me up from, games that were hours away from us that she and dad drove to knowing there was a good chance I wouldn't play (until I made starter).  She helped me with decisions, both big and small.  When I got to college, she picked me up nearly every weekend so I could go home (freshman had no cars) and even brought Hansi with her too.  It was two hours, one way, just to pick me up but it was definitely something I needed at the time.  My parents have been so dependable throughout the years.  Sometimes I make the mistake of taking them for granted and don't always take the time to call.  As the years go on, I realize that I can't take either of them for granted anymore.  They still rescue me when I've needed it as recently as this past winter when they drove over to drive me to a doctor's appointment after my foot got infected and things were a little uncertain.  I'll love them forever and like them for always.  My mom never asked for anything in return yet has given everything without complaint.  She's a mom, she's my mom.  Thank you.

Missing the Train

We've missed the train.  The train has left the station and we are still standing on the platform, pacing back and forth, wondering and hoping that there will be another train coming along soon.  We didn't even get a chance to grab onto the railing of the caboose.  We just plan missed it.  What do you mean, you ask?  Summer camp.  In just a few short weeks, our equestrian staff will arrive and our training will begin and there is SO much to do before they arrive.  Yeah, we usually say that we're behind, there's a lot to do, and we wonder how we'll get it all done.  But this time, it's May and we haven't done any prep work.  No horses have been ridden, no pastures mowed, no arenas cultivated, no games/activities prepared.  Not sure what happened, but we just haven't been able to get to things.  I feel like I haven't been able to string together consecutive work days working on the equestrian center.  Our weekends have been crazy and seems like we spend the first part of the week recovering from that.  Then it's time to get ready for the next weekend.  The weather was great in March and poor in April.  But no matter what happens and how much we do or don't get done, one thing is true.  Actually two things.  First off, kids are coming no matter what.  They will come and even if all the details don't get ironed out, chances are they won't notice.  And secondly, God's in control and He has His finger all over camp.  We'll work a lot between now and then, almost every day, I'll get saddle and tractor butt, and my life will not be mine anymore.  It'll be camps.  But I give because I want to and I want to give those kids the best that I have to offer.  They probably won't notice the little things and they won't know that I prepared an activity the night before we did it and their experience will still be awesome.  I might have to work harder and longer but they deserve it.  So here's to the summer.....the weeks of prep before summer.....here's to CT2012!