Saturday, July 30, 2011

What is our BIG PURPOSE?????? Outward not Inward Focus

I had an interesting talk with Meg this week. She asked me a good question... What is our big purpose in this world? Not our personal purpose or gift but our purpose as human beings. I answered that it is to be a part of something bigger and more powerful than we are capable of on our own. To love as we are loved. It really has me thinking of what life is like for eternity. To be WITH GOD. BIG thinking!!! What am I doing right now to make that happen? How am I contributing to others. It really comes down to giving out from your life and not being focused on yourself and your life. Outward not inward. Let the love flow out - reach out, hug more, smile often, touch someones life today in any small way you can.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

"Surely every one realizes, at some point along the way, that he is capable of living a far better life than the one he has chosen."
Henry Miller

This quote was on the Happiness Project today. It challenges me to be all I know God wants me to be. Presently these are my goals for this year - spiritually (taking Bible Study Fellowship classes and journaling), mentally (new job and learning Quickbooks by taking classes), Physically (not eating sugar, exercising daily), emotionally (learning to capture my negative thoughts,taking art classes and riding).
I want to be at peace with myself and others. I know that comes from accepting myself as God sees me and accepting others as He sees them. That is what it is all about! Live the life you have been given and don't wait for something to happen.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

An Evening of Good Music and Fun

The Chris Brade band played for us last night. They were the opening band for Allan Jackson in Austin and Meg liked them so much that she booked them to come play for us at camp. It was the perfect evening. Soft southern breeze and the last night of session 2A. I even tried a little line dancing. Gotta learn how to do that. What a great job I have. So much to be thankful for.
We had a storm blow through camp late last night. Looks like we got about an inch and a half of rain. The lake rose some and looked good for closing ceremonies this morning.
I am exhausted and heading to my room for a nap this afternoon. Another session starts tomorrow at 1 so I have 24 hours to rest up.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011


Oh the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas! So is the moon tonight. I sat in the amphitheater and listened while Stephen and the band played Lenny Kravitz to an audience of one - me. I was lying back looking at the stars and just being filled with the joy of being in this place at this moment. The majestic splendor of seeing the moon over the mountains in a clear night sky. The soft warm breeze on my skin. The music in my ears. It filled my senses and I just had to say Thank you God.
Today was a good day. I did my office work this morning then I spent the early afternoon riding one of the new horses to try him out for the camp. This evening we had crew outpost on the side of a mountain as the sun was setting. I was giving a little girl a ride up the mountain in one of the mules and picked up her friends to ride with her. It was Lance Armstrong's twin girls. They asked me if I was Ms. Manners and just talked and talked and talked. It is funny to think years ago I saw them in France stand on the podium with Lance when he won the Tour de France and now I have them sitting beside me in Texas. This world really is small.
I love today's quote from the happiness project, it says..."So I learned to accept myself and aim beyond myself" - Stephen Spender.
When I look up at the heavens I am reminded that there is so much more to this world than what I see and that truth can really only come from God and what he has given us to understand him, the holy spirit and the bible. That is my goal to aim beyond myself and seek Him and his truth.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Rain, Fire, Storm = Evacuation

A bit of excitement this afternoon. I have been evaluating riders all day. This is our largest session with close to 300 campers. We match them with the horse that best suits their abilities. I know this doesn't fall under the bookkeeper job description but I loved spending the day with the campers and outside. During our last class we had a dark cloud come from the South, then the announcement from the outdoor speaker said to seek cover. Shortly thereafter we heard lightening strike close by. Then smoke from behind one of the mountains appeared. It began to pour rain (something we really needed) and we had to start an evacuation of the camp. Two of the counselors were able to put the fire out before the Utopia Fire Dept. arrived. It turned out just fine and we all know that we can accomplish a complete evacuation if we ever have to. God finished it all off with a beautiful pink and purple sunset.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Happy 53 to Me, it rhymes!



I don't know how to rotate my picture so I just say lean to the left and smile. I woke up and didn't remember it was my birthday today. Tonight at dinner everyone sang to me REALLY LOUD and then they brought out this beautiful and delicious cake and I blew out the candle. Can't remember the last time I did that on a birthday. It is good to be here and I love the people that I see everyday. They are so full of life and ideas. They inspire me to grow and give. I found balloons in my office, ribbons on my door and a homemade card signed by many. It made me cry. I hope I have many more like this one. After dinner we all got in the truck and drove to the upper lake to watch them open the dam and release the water. We are trying to raise the water level in the main lake. It was exciting to watch the water flow and fill the dry creekbed. The rocks rolled and the sound is so pleasant. We don't watch TV out here we watch creeks fill and the lake rise. I like that!




Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sorry no picture to post tonight. I just got back to camp after a few days off. It was good to spend time with my friends, Connie and Karl, at their place in Wimberly. I got to see Elliott, their son after many many years. We toured Wimberly and I can't wait to go back. I am going to take an art class on August 20th in San Marcos so I will be close by.
I spent the 4th of July in Marble Falls with Mom and cousins. I loved watching the fireworks. They were the best I have ever seen in my life. I sat with Brooke, Trevor and Skylar, three of the sweetest kids you'll ever meet. We ooooohhhed and aaaaaahhhed as the sky lit up with color.
Today I had breakfast at the Bluebonnet Cafe with Mom, Aunt Pat and Uncle Jim. Good ole grits and egg and biscuits. It is just wonderful to be with family again and to be in Texas. I drove to Fredericksburg (my favorite place on earth) and had a great visit with cousin Sherry.
Now I am closing my day at Camp Lonehollow. The leadership staff had a "value session" sitting outside this evening. We asked each other to answer 5 questions....

1.What do you like most about yourself? (Creativity and sense of Adventure)
2. What do you like least about yourself? (lack of discipline)
3. What are you committed to? (My faith and trusting God)
4. Where are you going in your life journey? (to grow and challenge myself-not get comfortable)
5. What is a quirky fact about you? (I've been hit by a car while on a bike 3 times)

Something to think about. I choked up when I shared what I am committed to. God has been so faithful in loving me and I showing me that through circumstances and friendships. I am learning to trust him so much more now than ever before in my life. After sharing that Kayla invited me to come to the counselor's bible study on Tues and Thurs. mornings. I am so excited to see what that is all about.