Springtime.  It is here!  I love spring. It was in the 90's today in Texas. The smell of mountain laurel blooming.  The birds singing.  The sky is a brighter blue.  Life comes back in the soil.
I was motivated to do some spring cleaning today.  Notice my picture of my spotless barn.  A clean barn makes me happy.  I also worked in the garden and killed some weeds.  I watered the plants.  Hopefully, we will have some nice veggies to enjoy soon.  I was filthy by the end of the day but I felt like I had accomplished a lot.  I'm already thinking and planning for family camp at the end of April.  I'm excited to see what experiences and memories this summer will bring.  I have almost all my summer staff hired and I think it is going to be a good group of girls.  We will be like family living so closely with one another for three months.  The work is hard and long and hot.  You have to pull something from deep down inside you when the days are long and you are tired.  We encourage each other and laugh a lot.  We will give smiles and lift lots of kids up in their saddles.  Hopefully we will lift some kids up with confidence and encouragement too.
Laurel and Carol came over this evening and worked on stained glass.  We all have projects going.  I am teaching Carol how to make two panels for her kitchen cabinet.  It is so nice to spend time with friends.  I put on music from my iPhone and we create.  You get in a what I call a flow and it is peaceful and rewarding.  I am so blessed to have the room across the hall to work in.  We can leave our projects and come back to them next week.
Tomorrow I have my staff meeting in Ingram.  I always enjoy seeing the people I work with.  They are positive and encouraging.  I think that is the kind of people that work at camps.  They are givers and love to pour into others.  God knew just what He was doing when he sent me here.  I needed to give to others in order to heal my broken heart.  He put me in a job doing what I love and sharing that love with others.  No one could have made it all work out the way it has but God.  So to quote my dear friend Lori, "It is for my good and God's glory."  Love that!

Kids and Horses

This is Arrow, he is one of the sweetest horses I know.  He is an old guy and I wish he could talk and tell me his life story.  He was probably some cowboy's roping horse and look at him now with his new hair do.  I had 80 8th graders today at the barn.  First,  I went over safety with them, then they got into pairs and groomed a horse.  They brushed and braided and hugged their horses.  It is so heartwarming to see these kids come out here and connect with the horses.  Many of them are so afraid to touch or approach a horse.  They reach out timidly to pet them but at the end of the hour they are leading them in circles, giving them big hugs, and petting them all over.  I just love my job that I get to be a part of that.  They become comfortable and confident.  When I teach them to lead a horse I always tell them to be confident and look where you want to go.  Don't look at the horse because you are sending him the signal that you are not the leader and you are not sure where you want to go.  Isn't that true in our lives?  We have to keep looking ahead, stepping out, keeping the faith and confidence that God has a plan.
It was a good day.  I am tired.  The horses are happy.  The kids are happy.  All is well.