Fun Filled Day

Today was another long work day and between the two times I had to work I went and rode my pony :). And so did Jess! She had mentioned a long time ago that she wanted to ride Cheeks so the time finally came. He was such a good boy! Jess hopped right on up and we walked around for a while.

Then it was time for me to go back to work. I didn't get home as soon as I would have like to and Sammie pulled in my driveway right behind me to go to Jessica's (a different one lol) surprise party in Post Falls. I had to hurry and change then we drove faster than evil flying monkeys!

The party was fun but the people at Denny's were kinda grumpy. We didn't get home till late and I had to get ready for another early work morning.

Cheeks & Jess.

He's such a good boy!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Katie's Surprise Party

Today started early with work at 9, but riding doesn't ever really seem like work so thats a good thing. Between that and Katie's surprise party I didn't do much else.

There was a little mix up about getting to Katie's because Jess had said she was going to pick me up and she thought it was the other way around lol. But everything worked out. We thought we were going to be late so we tried to be sneaky as we ran down the street with a huge purple sparkly bag. Only to find out that she was still in some far away land.

When she finally got to her house Katie was greatly surprised and then it was time for food and fun. We had cake and snacks, played dodge ball on the trampoline, mafia and spoons ;).

Go Maggie!

Tayne's turn.

Me, Jess & Heather.

Be: Compassionate

Q: Is there a particular "type" of person you find difficult to value? Why do you think this so? How can you learn to show compassion for that person?
A: I find value in every person. We are all created equal in God's image. We all have some calling here on earth. The only "type" of person I have a hard time feeling compassionate for are those who want everything handed to them. But that isn't a people group its a character issue.

Q: Why not seriously consider sponsoring a child (or two) in need - just because you can?
A: I have. And I still do. Right now I have a hard time making that commitment because I don't have a job really and need to have my life in order more but I am totally for it! I want to sponsor one child at least and then be able to visit them!

Q: Do you pray on a regular basis for your city, your country or for the lost throughout the world?
A: Not on a regular basis but it has been in the back of my mind for a while now. I keep thinking about what I can do. Right now all I can do is be ready for whatever God has for me.

Creation Fest '09

Creation was so much fun! Katie, Kyle, Jesse & I met bright and early and drove down to the Gorge. The whole worship team was invited but only the four of us could make it.

We got there right about when it was starting so we got to see Worth Dying For lead the morning worship. The day was completely packed and I can better describe it in list form.

9:55 - Worth Dying For.
10:40 - Margaret Feinberg
11:25 - Above The Golden State
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Group 1 Crew
2:00 - New World Son
3:00-5:00 - Shopping & Dinner
5:00 - The Classic Crime
5:40 - Sanctus Real
6:35 - Israel Houghton
7:20 - Ron Luce
9:00 - David Crowder Band
10:00 - Leave

It was a long day and by the end I was sunburt and my feet had swollen but it was totally worth it! I am totally planning on coming for the whole thing next year.

Worth Dying For.

Above The Golden State.

Group 1 Crew.

New World Son.

The Classic Crime.

Sanctus Real.

Israel Houghton.

How are you called to Repaint Jesus?

David Crowder Band.

Just One

Speaker: Ron Luce

When you fall in love with Jesus you fall out of love with the world.

1 Corinthians 13

"when the perfect appears the imperfect disappears"

JUST ONE...
just one act of love leads to so much more

love is sacrifice
one act of sacrificial love will change the world

~They will know we are Christians by our love

give your life away: GO! :there are still people living in that loveless world
I will go and be that first act of sacrificial love!

I will go against all odds!

Hearing God's Voice

Speaker: Margaret Feinberg

1 Kings 18

Hearing God's voice is a thin silence
-you are not alone
-be sensitive to the nudgings of God

sacred echos:
the repetitive word or phrase that follow you

I LOVE YOU
>God will go to every depth to tell you this

We live in such a high paced life
take time for God
slow down and realize when God is speaking to you

1. God hears the sound of your heart
- we act differently when our heart is acting purely
2. The love of God does not travel alone
wisdom-discretion-good council-prudence
love-faith-joy-peace-self-control

Why not pray for everything?

We all put up lines in our relationship with God. What are yours?

Be: Salt

Q: Do people get a good taste of Jesus when the encounter you?
A: I hope so. I try to be a good example and a helping hand towards my friends. I want the best for each and every one of them! For the ones I truly care about I will do anything. And I hope they know that.

Q: What kind of flavors do you see yourself bringing out in your world?
A: Hopefully ones of love, passion, and God's grace. I want to love each of God's children. Share my passion for him and encourage them to have that too. And spread God's grace to all corners of the world.

Q: Take a moment and determine how you can add flavor to your world in a positive way today.
A: Well today is almost over but I hope and pray that my efforts are getting somewhere. That the things I say are helpful and make him think about his actions. What is done today effects tomorrow in either a positive or negative way. And he has the power to decide that.

Q: Do you think the example you set as a Christian sometimes errs on the side of being too salty, or not salty enough?
A: Not salty enough. I would rather not be in people's faces. In speaking in salt terms I would rather be a reoccurring flavor they eventually notice and ask about than a bold flavor that could turn people away right then and there.

Be: The Church

Q: Do you ever feel like you are just "doing Church"? If so, why?
A: Yeah :( When I actually go it doesn't seem like I can get into it. I don't really know why. I've talked about this before so I know that it has to do with worship style but I don't know what it'll be like for me away at college.

Q: What are you contributing to your Church?
A: Nothing. I'm not involved in anything. I hardly go.

Q: Do you think the Church exists only to meet your needs?
A: No. The Church is a place for fellow believers to come for worship and fellowship.

Emerging Athletes Day #2

Yesterday went well but all in all today was by far better. Today Cheeks started off focused and while he still had his moments of boredom we were able to participate in all of the flat work. We worked on trotting with the correct bend and something like a counter bend, shifting Cheeks' weight from front to back, and turning on the forehand and his haunches.

For jumping we worked on being able to make our own distances. That we needed to really sit up and straight and resist the natural give in order to slow down, collect and find the deeper distance, and to just let him go and move with his head to open up his step and find the jump in stride. I'm so proud of my pony!

Watching the 3' and 4' groups was an equally helpful learning experience. For the 3' group I was able to see what they were doing wrong and know what to do to correct that and for the 4' group I saw what level I wanted to reach. Watching them was a real motivation!

A super special thank you to Natasha Campbell for letting me borrow her boots! Thank you thank you thank you!!! My left boot's zipper blew out yesterday but held while I was riding but today it wasn't going to happen. So thank you again!


Also I want to make sure I give thanks to God. Not only for getting us here but for having his hand on my back. I have had a hard time even walking because it hurt so badly and each time I rode it didn't give me any trouble. Praise the Lord!

Emerging Athletes Day #1

We made it! We borrowed my grandpa's truck and rented a trailer and brought Cheeks down here all by ourselves. It was a long trip and we left late so we got here when it was dark. We found him a stall and got all settled.

This morning was an early one. We had a little meeting at 8 and got our cool polo's and saddle pads, along with a backpack and a boot polishing kit. I watched most of the 3' group then it was my turn.

Cheeks was a ornery in the beginning but eventually settled down. We worked over poles, trot jumps, "clockwork", and 3'6" jumps. It was a total blast and I can't wait for tomorrow!

The Truck and Trailer.

Melanie Smith Taylor.

Future Classmates.

Marisa, Garrett, Me, Madison, Jacque, Ana, Kelsi & Taylor.

Be: Genuine

It has been a long drive to Bend, OR so I've been able to do a lot of reading. I mostly read God's Road Map for Grads that I got for graduation from Mom's In Touch. It's pretty good and it really applies to what I am going through. After a while though I got bored and decided to read one of my devotions.

Be: Genuine from the book Stop Acting Like a Christian Just Be One by Christine Caine

Q: Do you think it's possible to love God and not love other people?
A: I do not. If you truly love God then you want to be like him and loving others is one of the simplest things we can do.

Q: Why is loving God the beginning and not the end of our Christianity if it is the "greatest commandment"?
A: I don't even know how it could be the end of Christianity. Like I said above loving others is just a small step to becoming Christ-like.

Q: Can you live a life filled with Christian "works" and still not be an authentic Christian? Why or why not?
A: Of course. Actually I would guess that is the way the majority of Christians live their life. It is sad to say but not all Christians search out God and have the desire to continuously grow in Him. We all, myself included, need to be aware of where we are with that and challenge ourselves to strive for more.

Q: Can you be an authentic Christian while neglecting the work Christ has called you to do? Why or why not?
A: No. To fully "be" a Christian you would want to be doing the things God has called you to do. He wants you to use your talents and abilities for His glory. But most importantly of all we should want to.

International Justice Day

Today is International Justice Day.

I will stand up for you because you can't. I will do whatever I can to help because I want to. I will love you because I love you and you deserve love. I will help, stand, fight, love, and defend you because I care. ♥

Please check out the video from Mocha Club by clicking on the picture.

Be: Determined

Q: Do you tend to let your circumstances dictate your thoughts, or does the Word of God determine how you think?
A: Ouch, this one is a hard one to answer truthfully. I would have to say that my circumstances dictate my thoughts. I really need to immerse myself in God's Word!

Q: Do you keep a list of the promises from God's Word that are specifically for you? If not, take some time to write them down, and reflect upon them regularly.
A: I do not. Where can I find them?

Q: Think of a challenge you are currently facing. Now pick up your Bible and find a Scripture that speaks truth into your difficulty. When you are tempted to be discouraged, hold on to that truth!
A: Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Be: Intentional

Q: Think of one challenge in your life right now. Where are your thoughts about it taking you? Are you headed for a train wreck?
A: To be completely honest I'm really still struggling with breaking up with Stephen. Thoughts keep flooding my mind that I'll be alone forever, did I just make the biggest mistake of my life, how could there be anyone as amazing as he is, many things that bog down my everyday. Leaning on God's strength is so key right now and I'm having the hardest time. God always seems so far away but I know He isn't, I just have to be the one to seek Him. I'm sure this is one of those life lesson type things because I have the hardest time opening up to people. Why I can't seem to communicate with God I don't understand. I mean He already knows everything, why do I need to tell Him about it? Please pray for me as I head to college and will need to lean on Him even more.

Q: Can you think of any "platforms" you need to stay away from, as there always seems to be trains passing by that are headed in the wrong direction?
A: The biggest one right now is one I mentioned above. Will I be alone forever? No. God has everything planned out in His good and perfect will. I just need patience to wait and see what that is.

Q: List three things that help you choose the right trains of thought.
A: 1 - My mom. She always is able to see farther down the road than I can. I guess that's just her gift as a parent.
2 - Riding. The barn is my slice of perfection. Heaven on earth. The air I breathe. It is everything to me and every time I go up there my priorities are realigned. Thank God for horses!
3 - Dreams. I am a dreamer. I imagine everything in a perfect world and strive to live there. And in troubling times focusing on that helps me stay on the path I always want to stay on.

Richard Keller

This could be my last Richard Keller Clinic. I almost didn't do it but I was able to pay for it myself. It was really good for me to be able to do this before Gary left for a week and then Emerging Athletes.

We worked a lot on taking ownership of everything our horse does. So every distance we needed to know exactly what was happening. It was really fun and I can't wait for EAP in a week!

Can't Go On

By Group 1 Crew.

I can't do it without You

I've tried so many times, and I've failed

Lord I really need You in my life,

Fall every time that You're not in sight,

Can't go on without Your love, I can't go on...

Every time You arrive let my heart be open

Cause its You I put my hope in

You give me love, give me strength, and You give me courage

Even though I don't deserve it

I can't go on without YouI don't believe that I'd even want to

All I really wanna see is me becoming more and more like You

Lord I really need You in my life

Fall every time that You're not in sight

Can't go on without your love, I can't go on...

And I don't wanna face this world alone

I don't wanna do this on my own

Can't go on without Your love, I can't go on...

I see the need in my, life and I can't deny

That You're the reason I'm breathing I need You in my life

I'm on a new level and never will I be coming down

Lift me up when I'm feeling drowned inside the shame I found

And I believe what You said and You promised me

Now I constantly look for You to keep on watching me

I can't go on without You, I don't believe I'd ever want to

Never beyond You all I wanna see is me becoming like You

Lord I realize, can't do it on my own

I need You close so You can help me make it through the storm

And when I fall I know, You're there to pick me up

Brush me off and then You're quick to bring me back inside Your love

I don't know where to go now

I'm lost in this emotion

I'm giving You control now

Pull me up from the bottom of the ocean

I don't know where to go now

I'm lost in this emotion

I'm giving You control now

You pull me up, pull me up when I'm going down

Yo, I could never let anything get between You and me

At times I've tried to drive solo, but I finished on "E"

My own anxiety blinded me that I just couldn't see

That You were always there and not once did You every leave me

I learned the hard way but I'm glad I can now say I'm free

Through all the turmoil You have opened my eyes to see

The greater love that You give, and never ask a fee

Now I can say I can't go on with out your love in me

Be: Brainwashed

Q: Is there an area in your life in which you need to renew, or 'wash' your mind with the Word of God?
A: Right now I just really feel like I need God to be the super center of all my thoughts and actions. If I am to live a healthy and honoring life for Him good habits need to start now.

Q: Can you identify and areas in your life in which you changed your behavior but not the way you thought about your behavior? If so, did you find that you eventually relapsed?
A: I think for me I've tried to do the same things about what I eat or how I look but that's just way too tiring. I'd rather be me and be happy with that.

Q: Can you identify thoughts you have about yourself or others that are contrary to God's thoughts?
A: Of Course! I am a teen-age girl. There are always those times where I feel ugly and fat and all those things and when I am envious of someone else for the silliest reasons. I think being able to move past that is a part of growing up. So I will try to keep what God wants me to think in my mind more than what the world wants me to think.

Q: What can you start to do today to begin to renew your mind?
A: Spend time in God's word. Yeah I know thats a Sunday school answer but I really do believe it and want to do that.

Silverwood

To celebrate Audrey's birthday she had a class party at Silverwood. Hilly came with me so I wouldn't be alone. We had a lot of fun and went straight to the AfterShock. It was crazy! We met a few friends in line and one of them had been hitch-hiking across America. That was so crazy fascinating!

They joined us on Tremors but then we went our separate ways. Hilly and I went on every thrill ride there was before our huge funnel cake for lunch. We went to the ice show, on the train ride and to the magic show for some calmer entertainment. We joined my mom and dad for the magic show and had pizza for dinner.

After that we started to go on every smaller ride we passed. Honestly the Tilta-Whirl was the funnest ride of the day! We met up with the rest of the group and started to head home. Adam and Sam rode back with us and we turned up the tunes and raved all the way home! Once we reached school the party continued. They boys sang and danced in front of the car headlights.

Happy 15th Birthday Audrey! <3

The AfterShock!

Mini Candy. :)

The terrorizing little kid rides.

Adam, Me, Hilly & Audrey.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot.

Be: Authentic

Q: What are the primary gifts that you think God has given you?
A: I would have to say the biggest gift God has given me is the gift of passion. If I am in to something I am devoted all the way! Riding is the biggest area in my life where this can be seen.

Q: Are there areas in your life where there is an inconsistency between your inner and outer life?
A: I think there was. Hopefully nowhere else, because I had a really hard time dealing with that area.

Q: Do you think the current condition of your inner core is strong enough to sustain the kind of life that God has gifted you for?
A: Right now I'm not feeling oh so strong but I know God is there for every one of my needs and that in my weakness I will find his strength. I pray that in the career I have chosen I will be able to uphold my morals and standards. I know it will be hard and that I can handle it but I don't want to ever get worn down.

Q: Do you have an accountability group or someone in your life to help keep you on track? If so, are you honest, open and vulnerable with them?
A: Hilary and Sammie have been really key to helping me with what I am going through right now. Mainly because I am comfortable with being open and honest with them. I need to work on being those things before something happens but they are always there when I need them.

Locks of Love

Jess went and got her hair cut today and I went with her for moral support. She got 10 inches cut off so she could donate it to locks of love. It was a very dramatic change but it looks great!

After.

Awesome Shades.

Celebratory Hats!

Happy Fourth

My family and I went out to our family's cabin on CDA lake to enjoy the sun, their company and see the firework display. We went out on the boat a couple times but I didn't go tubing because my back really hurt. I spent most of my day reading and trying to keep my mind occupied.

Audrey, Taylor & Amanda.

The Firework Finale.

Favorite Movies

I think I've figured out my top 5 favorite movie list. Each for their own reasons but they each seem to be a love story. I guess this is an area where my true inner girly girl comes out.

1. Anastasia - I don't know what it is about this movie but I love it all around. When I was younger Rasputin and Bartok were scary but not so much anymore. I think Bartok is one of the greatest bats ever. Maybe I appreciate it because of all the Russians I've been around or maybe its simply the joy of self discovery. Whatever it is its one of my favorites.

2. A Walk To Remember - I remember seeing this movie for the first time at one of my birthday parties and every girl balling their eyes out. This movie has a take on love that is precious. I think every girl likes the idea of being loved like that. So wholly and innocently.

3. Pride & Prejudice - I love Keira Knightly! She is so elegant and poised. In this movie I am drawn to the Romantic buildings and dresses. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and only wanted to wear dresses and have everything Victorian. The happy ending in this movie is so perfect as well. Two people fall in love with each others faults and are truly in love with one another.

4. Slumdog Millionaire - I went and saw this movie in the theaters and had heard it was a really good movie but was pretty graphic. The graphic parts weren't blood & gore, or sexual, or bad language, it was reality. The film was so raw it just took off with my heart strings. The sad thing was I never doubted the things it was showing me. This movie was really good at doing two things: opening people's eyes to India and telling a beautiful love story. I'm starting to notice a theme.

5. Fireproof - This movie is something I fear and a challenge to me to face future marital problems correctly. By making my marriage a marriage of three it will have a solid cornerstone. God is the most important part to any relationship and without Him being the major focus its not going to work. I love the ending when they renu their vows and say they are entering into a covenant not a contract. And the ending song by Warren Barfield "Love Is Not a Fight" is something I really want to hold true.