Found the horse records!!!

OK this picture has nothing to do with my subject but I thought Lilly looked cute sitting in my chair at work. She gets to come to work with me on days when I am not staying late in town doing other things.
It is so exciting when I see God work in my life. I am learning to pray and expect. I can't say that I had that kind of faith before. I realize that answered prayer may mean that I don't see the answer right away or even in this lifetime but I pray with expectations now. Yesterday was a day God answered a prayer for me. For several weeks I couldn't find a green bag that contained my tennis shoes and horse records. I last saw it several weeks ago in my car. I had retraced my steps. I went to the Hunt Store, the car wash, my BSF church, everywhere I could think I might have left it. No luck. I left my phone number with everyone. I prayed and asked God to help me find it, I asked friends to pray for me to find it. Yesterday I found the binder with the horse records in a cabinet here at work. The bag is still missing with the shoes but I was most concerned about the horse records. I am so thankful. I didn't get the bag back like I envisioned but I got the most important item. It was an answer to prayer in a different way. That is so typical of the way God works. He does it in a totally different way than we envision. He either says yes, no, or I have a better plan. He is always listening and always faithful.

A true friend is a gift from God.

I have been blessed with the best friends in the world. People who display the character and love of Christ to others. These are two of them ~ Lori and Amanda. They are wise women of character that inspire me with their love of life and Christ. They are striving to become the best they can be and that challenges me to grow. I want to have the courage to step out and do something out of my comfort zone. This weekend I entered my first art show and won third place. I was thrilled and I plan on doing more stained glass projects. Watch out everyone Christmas is coming and you may be getting one of my projects.
Lori flew down to visit from Kentucky for the weekend. She had not been to Texas before so we did a few Texas things like horseback riding, eating Mexican food, a quick tour of the Riverwalk and Mi Terra. She is going to have to come back to get her cowboy boots. She is a treasured friend and I am so thankful for her love and encouragement during this past year. We laughed, we cried, we enjoyed just being in each others' company. It's nice when you have a friend that you feel so comfortable with no matter what you are doing.
Amanda is a friend that I have known for 20+ years when I moved away we had lost touch with each other. We reconnected and picked up right where we left off. She is entering a new chapter in her life and I have watched her step out in courage to pursue her dreams and use the creative gifts God gave her. I got to work her booth while she was at a bridal shower and I learned how to make sales on an iPhone. I am looking forward to seeing her more often now that we are both doing art. Thank you God for friendship and all that we learn about ourselves and others because of it.

A visit from Ryan, Crystal and Biscuit Killer

Time flies when you are having fun and we packed in as much fun as we could. Ryan, Crystal and Biscuit Killer spent a couple of days with me and we rode horses, toured the camp, had chicken fried steak and the Lost Maples Cafe in Utopia, good Mexican food at Mamacita's, picked veggies in the organic garden. I am working on a book of memories for the boys and it was fun to pick Ryan's brain about his childhood memories. Most of them were about doing things outdoors in Texas. He has always been so laid back and comfortable outdoors. I remember when he a baby we took him hiking at Lost Maples State Park and I put him on a large smooth rock under a cedar tree and he fell asleep. Now he is looking after his Mom by giving me a shotgun :). Thanks Rybo for caring about your Mom - Texas style!

Gift of Friendship

I spent this past weekend with some wonderful friends I have not seen in 13+ years. I spent the night with the Sanford family in Uvalde, Texas. They home schooled their 9 children when I was homeschooling my boys. We shared memories of Christmas caroling in the canyon, producing and decorating plays at the Opera house, milking goats, teaching riding lessons. Sunday I went to the church that I attended over 15 years ago. It amazed me how quickly I felt at home again.

It was sooo good to connect with that time in my life when my boys were little and recall all the fun activities we participated in. It really seems like we live many lifetimes in this journey that we call life. I want to keep growing and being thankful for the open book that lies ahead in my life. What a blessing to have christian friends to remind you that you are loved!!! The photo above is Edie Sutherland and Mary Ann Glasscock, two women I worked with at Faith Ranch from 1990 to 1993. They served God by working with troubled boys that came to live at the ranch to get their lives back on track.

Answered Prayers

It has been a blessing to watch God work in my life over the past year. Yesterday I spent all day out in the sunshine riding horses in 75 degree weather. I drive up in the mule and they come looking for a meal. I just throw a saddle on and go for a ride. That is heaven for me and after not being able to ride for 4 weeks because of being bucked off it it was really wonderful to ride without pain.

This week while I was talking on the phone to Bebo I challenged each of us to do a random act of kindness and then report back to each other. I was in Austin Monday afternoon for the Fire Relief concert when a young girl approached me and asked for money. I don't like admitting that I am conditioned to say no but I did. Then it was like my eyes were opened and I realized this was an "opportunity" and I turned around and went back to her and gave her some money. I have been praying that I would become a better encourager to others. A day later an acquaintance on Facebook sent me a message that she wanted me to call her. I haven't seen her in over 14 years and when I called we talked for an hour. I invited her out to camp to go riding with me Sunday afternoon and I hope I can be the friend she needs. I have been praying about my relationship with my boys since the divorce. I don't want them to loose the support and strength that being connected to God and family gives us. I attended a Native American Indian workshop on Saturday and was reminded of the "wisdom keepers" who remember the stories of the past and the lessons learned. I don't have a very good memory but God has whispered into my heart that this is a project He is going to help me with. I just keep a little notebook and He will whisper. He really does give us the desires of our heart when we line them up with His plan for our lives. Oh, and last but not least today at lunch I had to go to the post office - I have been wanting a bike rack for my car so I can start riding some of these beautiful hill country roads. I found one at a storage building sale for $5. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I pray God opens your eyes to answered prayers.

Intentional Prayers

I have been blessed with a busy & fun schedule the last few days. I spent Monday evening with friends in Austin at the Fire Relief Concert. It was a great to hear some Texas tunes by Willie Nelson, George Straight, Lyle Lovett and the Dixie Chicks. Yesterday I went to a fish fry with all the people I work with and we played washers and I got 3 sinkers! I work with some fun, positive and great people. I also went to a Young Life Committee meeting after the fish fry. I want to give back because Young Life has blessed me and my family. It was through a Young Life leader that Bebo was led to turn his life over to the Lord. He is a different person and I see that he is being molded into the authentic man that God is calling him to be. I am praying about what God wants me to do. I don't want to serve out of my own desires and agenda but according to His purpose and plan. I don't want it to be a waste of my time where it doesn't produce any fruit. This morning as I was praying God lead me to write out my prayers, to say them outloud and then to write what I felt like He was telling me. I think He is trying to teach me to focus on being more intentional. Don't just be wishy about praying. So I will pray as He teaches me. I am so thankful that He wants that for me so that it will come full circle and bring glory to Him, a blessing to me and to others FOR ETERNITY!

Trust is the lesson of a lifetime.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The bottom line is this: I struggle with trusting God.

I have thought of myself as a woman of adventure but when I am honest with myself I see that I'd rather stay with what is familiar than trust God to give me a calling that I can’t envision right now. I don’t want to be short-sighted, dubious of God’s desire or ability to bless me, or resistant to the future He has for me. But my lack of trust, fear of the unknown, and reluctance to give up my planned life are threatening to hold me back from obeying Him. And that’s definitely not good.

So I have a choice to make. Will I believe that God’s plans are better than my own desires? Will I risk stepping out of my comfort zone? Do I believe the growing pains I’ll face will be worth the blessings that will come? Do I trust God to really take care of me? I have taken baby steps with His encouragement. Changing jobs, moving to Texas, leaving family and friends in another state, establishing new priorities, friendships, church, home. Many times I have woken up to the feeling of "Where am I?" and "Is this my life now?" All that is familiar is gone - my furniture, home, sights and sounds of family, traditions.

What changes I need to release? Do I believe the rewards are worth the pain? Do I trust God’s perfect plan is worth leaving my comfort behind?

Do I trust Him?

The unknown is scary. I do want to have the courage and trust to stand on His word and faith that He knows the Big picture. It’s scarier to think of what I might miss if I don’t let go. And so I say a prayer, open my hands, help me to stand with the power of the Holy Spirit, to seek the joy and peace that comes with each day.

Today let’s choose to trust God and not require that we like or even understand what He is calling us to do. Let’s submit to Him, believing that the path He calls us to take will always be worth the change, worth the risk, worth the effort, simply because He has chosen it for us.