WHAT ABOUT OUR TRIPS??

Life has been busy!  I know I keep saying that but it is true. This time of year I take lots of time for me.  I bath in the quiet by the lake.  I enjoy church in Clear Lake and I just sit and read.  Yes we are in our new house in Clear Lake and it is very homey.  Christmas by the Lake was fun.  But alas I got the crud and was sick for a few days after the event.  I got 13 to 15 hours of sleep!  Much needed time.  I am almost finished Christmas shopping.   I have a couple more things to get.  The tree is decorated and the house looks like Christmas.  What about our trips??

Dale and I spent a week in Illinois well, actually we stayed a Lake Geneva.  He received a week of training.   Home for a little while.  Rika went to Missouri and we went to Clear Lake.  Angie spent a week in Ill for training.  She to stayed in Lake Geneva.   She came home and they went to the Newsboys concert.  Next day off to Missouri to look at a horse for the program.  We brought back a part Gypsy mare and miniature donkey.   Well so January and Feb will be filled with trips to Ill, Mn and much more training.  Then March will take us to Nebraska for more training.   I will relish in the time I have in Clear Lake and enjoy each day.  I am looking forward to that quiet time.  I am excited to see them learn and grow in their jobs but Christmas is a time for me.  

What about our trips?  Lots of learning, growing and peaceful moments.  I have enjoyed my time on all the trips and look forward to many more.  I pray for a mild winter.  Hard to drive when the weather is bad.

So on this day I wish you a very Merry Christmas and may God give you the time you need in peace and solitude.

Life before Christmas

The trees are decorated, the houses are all lit up.  The stores are bustling with many people.  We have finished with Black Friday and now it is Cyber Monday.  Life before Christmas can be exhausting.  Rushing here and there and everywhere to get just the right gift for the right someone. 

Thanksgiving is completed at our house and now it is time to reflect and pray.  I am ready for my December break and sitting by the lake.  This year will be different, we are in a new house.  The experience will be interesting as we have chosen this house with only seeing the outside.   Pictures are showing a nice place but until you get inside you don't know.  I am excited yet anxious.  

Life before Christmas at the farm means very little decorating.  We don't have room for much.  There are few little things but nothing big.  Rika is leaving the end of this week and we travel to Clear Lake for Christmas by the Lake and my rest time begins.  I will mail out Christmas Cards and decorate the house for Christmas.  I have a grant due in the middle of the month but beyond that I will shop, play, watch TV and rest.   Slowing down for me is huge during this time of year.  We have gone 100 miles an hour for so many months it is time for me to reflect and think about how I want my 2018 to look.  God is the planner and I look for the many ways he is guiding me in my life.  

Life before Christmas is figuring how to celebrate with the animals and the children.  Teaching them the true meaning of Christmas.  I will enjoy my time alone and with friends.  It will be a joyous holiday season for me.  

As I sit back and listen to the music and listen to the pastor I realize I am in control of only my thoughts and emotions and I will make the best of my time away and at home this holiday season.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  God's Blessings to all of you.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will soon be here.  Just 2 more days and we will be eating turkey around the table.  We will be chatting with our friends and family and sometimes these moments can be very stressful.  We make the best of it as it is one of the times of the year that we get together.  What if!!!! What if it was an ideal situation!!!!!  What would that look like to you????     What would be the conversation???  How would you act????  What is the most memorable moments you can share?????  What if things were different and we could all be thankful and get along?????  What if there was no hate, no anger, no judgements?????  What would your thanksgiving look like???

Mine would be thankful for the times we have spent together as family and friends.  I would feel truly blessed for the times I was able to learn new things.  I would be forever grateful my family could be with me as I was baptized this year.  I would be grateful for the time I was able to spend with our clients, our horses, cats, rabbit and dog.  I would be grateful for the time I spent with volunteers and all they have accomplished this year.  I am grateful for the time I have been able to look ahead to the next year and what it has to offer.   I am so grateful for the memorable times I can spend with my grandson.

On this Thanksgiving I pray that everyone will be together and it will be a happy time.  Happy, Happy Thanksgiving.

New Meanings, New Changes

Just when you think you have the world by the tail, the tail catches you and there you go down the path of changes, lessons and learning. 

The holiday season is growing closer and it will have new meaning and new changes.  Thanksgiving and Christmas will not be the same.  Our family will celebrate Thanksgiving but in a different house in a different way.  Christmas will be different as our family celebrates it at a different house in Clear Lake.  Our family attends a church in Clear Lake and we enjoy the time we spend at this church.  It has taken on a life of its own and we love to go to church at Agape.

ASPIRE is experiencing some new meanings and new changes.  Rika is going to a new home soon.  The team will evaluate a new horse for the program.  ASPIRE is looking at different options for classes and how to bring more students and volunteers in the door.  Sustainability is on our minds.  ASPIRE is in a new phase with new staff and new meanings and lots of changes. 

Family is experiencing some loss.  Grief is never easy and all too frequently we push it aside and think let’s get on with life but it is never a good thing to push it aside.  We need to experience it, walk through it and meet up on the other side of grief.  We know our lives will change forever but we don’t know at the time how that will look.  People often ask why.  There are no answers only faith can be our guide.  We don’t understand why only know that we are strong and need lots of support.  Sometimes it seems that life brings us to our knees and all we can do is pray.

New meanings and new changes means good will come from those new meanings and new changes.  Our lives are forever in a changing circle and where we end up only God knows that answer but in the mean time we just hop on and ride it out.  Listen for the lessons, learning, experience crying, laughing, sharing, hugging and praying all along life’s journey.  Be grateful, experience the blessing, be kind, be respectful and love with all your heart and the journey will be easier.  

Life in the fast lane

Wow it has been a whirlwind year.  Lots of ups and downs and challenges facing us each and every day.  Hope you were able to join us for the events.  ASPIRE served 1,147 people and volunteers clocked over 2,800 hours of service.  As I wake each morning to see the sunrise and swim at the pool I am struck by the constant negativity I hear and see on the news.  It is a troubled world we live in and it breaks my heart there is so many people struggling and falling short.  It breaks my heart that there is so many people that struggle with grief.  It is a hard road out there.  But the good news is God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.  I have a lot of life to live and so much work to do.

Life in the fast lane means that all of us at ASPIRE are going to move fast to set this organization up for long term success.  We are moving fast to increase, change and motivate everyone that is involved.  We are going places this year because God has our back and we are working in his honor.  He is leading the path and opening new doors and I am excited but yes a little scared at the same time.  Look for news at it unfolds a little at a time.

I hope you will find ways to be Grateful and Thankful during this holiday season.  I will be spending some time in Clear Lake reflecting,growing in my faith and planning ahead for next year.  Get on board and see what 2018 has to offer.  God is good all the time as we move into the fast lane.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

The Old One

ASPIRE has a miniature horse: Maverick

Maverick has a long history.  He is the Old One.  Maverick came to us many years ago with a home life of not really fitting in or needed.  He came as a package deal for the owners.  He had different owners throughout his life and he was an angry old soul.  We gave him to one of our volunteers to work with and she moved so Maverick came to the ASPIRE farm.  He received a lot of tender loving care and lots of work.  His life turned around and he was able to do miniature horse visits to nursing homes and he loved his job for many years.  He is old now and we only utilize him for one of our programs.  He still loves attention and wants to be needed but sometimes he just gets agitated.

It has always been part of the mission that if they give us years of their life they get to stay and live out their life on the farm.

Why the old one.  I am an official senior citzen.  I am the old one now.  I want to live out my life feeling loved, needed, wanted and cared about in my later years.  I want to have a purpose forever.  I could not image getting to the point where I was tossed aside and no one wanted or cared about me anymore.  I choose to take care of the old ones because I want the same for me.  So the mission will remain the same we will take care of the old ones and I pray someone will give me the same care.  I will remain in the hearts and minds of those that loved me forever.  Thanks for allowing me to share about the Old One.

A Voice

So, yes I forgot to blog last week but that's what I get for being so busy running here and there.  It is OK I enjoy the business of conducting business.

A voice.  I was asked the other day about the difference between being intimidating and inspiring.  I was told that one feels like you might be intimidating usually not always feels a good of self-esteem or self-confidence.  If someone feels you are inspiring it shows a lot of confidence and they are in awe of you.

I have learned throughout the years there are so many different personalities and so many struggle with so many issues.  I have learned and gained some wisdom throughout those years but the one thing I have always wanted to do is be the voice for those that have no voice.

Sometimes I think I come across in many of the wrong ways but the end result is I care deeply about the people who are not able to stand up for themselves and I will go the extra mile to help them find their way.  A voice, when they have no voice, a leaning shoulder when they have no shoulder to lean on.  I so want to be the person that shows the way to a better life and I step on peoples toes in the process.  I don't mean to but my passion gets in the way and I want whats best for others not myself. God put me on this earth for a purpose and I believe to this very day it is to be the voice for the people that have no voice.  It is to be the spirit that leads the way.  God said let there be light.  Shine your light so bright that darkness can not seep through.  I want to shine my light so that others can see the light.  That means being a voice, that means passion, love, respect, kindness and sometimes it even means stepping back and reevaluating your situation and whom shall I share my life with or whom shall I have a voice.  It means being positive in all situations but also stand up for the purpose and the vision.

On this day may God give me the strength and voice to show the way for those that do not have a voice.

Life on a farm

Life on the farm continues to be a 24/7 job.  There is always so much to do and never enough time to do it.  It seems like only yesterday we were diving into spring and summer now it is time for apples, leaves turning and soon to be that horrible word snow.

As I sat by the lake this weekend and reflected on days gone by and where is God leading me, it was a little time for a reality check.  I realized with exposure to two different farms in the past few days that the farmers job never ends.  You are always on the job.  Equipment to fix, livestock to feed, crops to get in and out of the field.  Buildings need to be maintained and farming now is difficult as we have such low prices.

The world is spinning out of control and lots of prayers to all the families that are dealing with so much tragedy.  In our little corner of the world we are on 24/7.  No breaks, no time to rest and no time to often reflect.  I was blessed to have the time by the lake for a little while.  I will have it again on Saturday.  I need that time to consider and pray and learn new ideas.  It is a time that God gives me to reach inside my soul and expose what I need to know.  Breathe and Breathe again as I take in the shear beauty of the lake as the sun sets.

Now we come back to reality and I have ideas and sometime to implement them but as we know only God can lead the way.  We are not in control of humans or animals we can only facilitate a difference.  Sometimes I get so tired and cranky I can't see past the next minute.  Sometimes I need to step back and find my peace.  Mediate, breathe and mediate some more.  I have come down off a enormous high and I have now crashed from the Night of the Horse.  It was truly amazing and I wanted to stay in that place but reality always hits and here we go.  As I think about the months and days ahead it is going to be good because I want to let go and let God.  God lead the way to a different tomorrow.

Get up, show up, dress up and get on with the day with the multitude of responsibilities.  Here is to a great rest of your week and thanks for stopping by.  May God watch over each and everyone of us as we try to remain positive and get on with our 24/7 days ahead.

New Day Dawning

It's Thursday.  Darn it time just seems to slip away.  So much to do and so many stories.

As I think about all the turmoil that is going on in our country and the world.  In my small world we had an exciting night.

Night of the Horse is completed and we had around 400 people in attendance.  What a memorable night.  The night was hot and humid.  11 years of doing this show and it was the hottest but alas everyone stepped up and did their part.  It went beautifully.  I could not ask for better entertainers and wonderful behind the scenes people.  The staff, volunteers, board of directors, and all the people that made this show a success melts my heart.  I enjoyed some great visits with a number of people in the audience.

One of my favorites is the special time with my grandson.  He loved to help Dan James and Dan was kind and let him help in every way possible.  It was truly special.

One other story is a man and his son.  He loved and cared about him so much and brought his entire family.  We got to visit with them and they are such nice people that wanted to watch the show.  Stay tuned for more of this story.

I have to say I have gained great friends and great supporters.  The staff surprised me with flowers.  That was totally unexpected.  I did not know and I was filled with gratitude.  It was truly nice.

God is good all the time.  He always finds a way to dig in and show me the right path and the right people and right environment.  I just need to learn my lessons and let go and let him lead the way.

We are on a mission to fill classes and learn more and market more and have lots of fun learning and working with our amazing animals.

As I close on this Tuesday let God be your guide

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Halloween Open House, October 27th from 5-8 p.m.  Hayrides, food, haunted barn, pumpkin painting, trick or treats, lots of fun.  I hope you will join us as we look to the close of our 18th year.

Have a great week and stay tuned for more to come.

RISE ABOVE

It is Thursday and my day is filled with activities.  Not like any other day except it is Thursday and my blog is late.  How do I make this up.  I can tell it has been a busy week.  Interviews, auction, tickets, program, classes, horses, and the list goes on.  Staff is assisting in getting ready for the big night.  Night of the Horse will be an exciting night and by the time I do my next blog it will be about that evening.  I hope you will join us on Saturday Night.  It is shaping up to be a great night of exciting entertainment, beautiful auction items and lots of fun for the entire family.

But I did not want to just blog about the night.  I want to tell you a story.  As I have been interviewing on TV and attending meetings I have encountered some amazing people.  Let's remember I have been ED for 18 years.  Yes that means I have seen many of our children grow up and become adults.  Wow where has the time gone.

Stories to tell to the nation will melt your heart.  The stories I hear are thank you.  Thank you for the service you have provided as the children, now adults have grown into young successful and independent adults.  They have overcome some major obstacles and now have surpassed their parents belief.  I can not take the credit for the entire work   ASPIRE gave them a moment in time to be strong, rise up, show us their independence, freedom and love for others and animals.  My heart melts when I hear the success stories of not just one but many of the children we served so many years ago that I loved and cared about and still do.  The children we serve become part of our family and we love them in all their broken ways.  They socialize and love their animals.  I watched last night as they groomed and tacked their horses.  Wow through the midst of the heat and then rain they conquered what was once an impossible task.  It is a beautiful picture to see these children with issues only God knows why become fearless, overcome whatever is in their way and RISE UP.  Thank you Lord for blessing my life with these awesome children and thank you Lord for allowing me to see that a small act of kindness sets the wheels in motion to become awesome adults.

Gratitude and blessings

This week and next week will be filled with lots of activity as we prepare for the Night of the Horse.  Between flyers, tickets, radio advertising , television advertising and preparing the program there is a lot to do.

I want to pause for just a moment and take a deep breathe and think about the many blessings that God has provided.

I am extremely grateful for all the students that ride and work with us.  I am grateful for the volunteers that give so much of their time to enjoy their time at ASPIRE.  I am grateful and blessed to have a wonderful staff that loves the work they do.  I am grateful for beautiful dry days.  I am grateful for the wonderful animals that are part of our program.  They give so much to us each and everyday.

I am grateful for a house, food, gas and meals.  I am truly blessed to have a greater understanding and love for God.  I am truly blessed to everyone that supports ASPIRE on a daily basis.  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

As the time grows closer to our event I hope you will consider bringing your children and grandchildren to this wonderful family event.  Your time and dollars mean so much and we are looking forward to a great event.  Remember Children 12 and under are free in advance and free military tickets in advance.  Thanks again for the blessings and wonderful support.  God has truly blessed my life.

Jumping into Fall

Wow, the time has flown it hardly seems that it is time to harvest crops and fall classes are beginning.  Where has the summer gone.  Lots of changes and lots of fun but it seems like there is never enough time for all we want to do.  Summer came and went with classes, Horsemanship, YMCA, Camp HOPE, Bremwood, miniature horse visits, and pre-school visits.  It is time to think about leaves fall off trees, apples, cider, and sweaters.

ASPIRE is preparing for lots of activities this fall and it  is time to jump right into the water and get wet.  It is a busy month with volunteer fairs, career fairs, health fairs, classes, Bremwood, finishing up with miniature horse visits, and our events.  Join us Sept 23rd for Night of the Horse, October 27th for our Halloween Open House and then Volunteer Recognition.  Wow the year flies by way to fast.

God is good all the time.  We sold the wonderful travel trailer that was donated.  It was a great donation and we enjoyed the people that received the trailer.

I am so thankful for the great staff and the wonderful time we are having making a difference.  It is so wonderful to see all the happy faces.  Join us each week and I update you on the wonderful things that are happening around the farm.

Small but mighty

ASPIRE is small but mighty.  I have been  networking more in the past couple of weeks.  I attend the meetings and the events, I realize that we are a small organization compared to some in the community.  We are serving so many people in need and changing lives everyday from our students, to our volunteers and staff.  It is amazing to watch the transformation of our participants as they sit a top of a horse or interact with our mini's.  ASPIRE is small but we are doing amazing work.  Please don't ever underestimate what you can learn and gain from the small places.

I have been watching the news with all the flooding going on.  I watch as the media centers on Houston and all the people, but there are small towns that are just out there surviving and helping each other just as much as Houston.  Don't get me wrong they are all in my prayers, each individual and animal not matter where they are in the flood waters.

I am truly touched by the shear numbers of neighbor helping neighbor.  When it comes to very small organizations like ASPIRE we need lots of help to keep us moving forward.  It is everyone coming together to make us mighty.  When I thought about donations for Hurricane Harvey I chose the small organizations that were truly trying to make a difference.  ASPIRE truly works hard to make a difference.  Our animals work hard to touch everyone's life.  Please make sure you are keeping your eyes open to the great things that we do.

I hope you will attend the Night of the Horse, Sept 23rd.  It is a wonderful night of entertainment. As we move forward we will once again have our Halloween Open House with hay rides, haunted barn and lots more.  Volunteer Recognition will happen in November.  Wow this year is flying by.  Join us in helping with classes, donating to help keep our horses, help with events.  It is with awesome pleasure that we stand tall and move this program forward.  ASPIRE is truly SMALL but MIGHTY.

God is opening doors and he is reaching out and guiding us all!  Have a wonderful day and blessing and prayers to all in need.

Memories

Today is Sunday!  The day we worship the Lord!  It is a day to give thanks and praise for all the blessings we receive.  The storms of life hit us on a regular basis.  Sometimes they are dark storms and sometimes just a whirlwind of turmoil.  Life is not always easy but it is truly the way we react.  I am so grateful to be in a position of witnessing changes on a daily basis.  The small changes.  Sometimes in our riders, sometimes in our staff, sometimes in our volunteers and even sometimes in our horses and other wonderful animals.  When it comes to animals we are on 24/7.  The heat is taking its toll on all of us.  We have to remember to do the best we can and this to shall pass.  It such a beauty to witness the time with our students.  Thanks to all of the staff and volunteers for stepping up and making this a happier place to work.  Each day will get better and we will trudge through the greatness of our loving path that has been set before us.  Each day is decision making and life's journey.  I hope we can make this journey with love and kindness.  Someday's days we need an extra prayer as we trudge through the deep grass to handle yet another time of trial.   All of you are so amazing and I truly am grateful.

The stories of life.  As I reflect on the past couple of weeks and the discussions with parents, staff and wonderful volunteers it is time to grow and learn.  I am working on more education to work with trauma children and adults.  We have amazing animals waiting to give back to those that are willing to participate.

Life takes us on some uncertain journeys but when I reflect back on the best childhood and adult memories I remember the laughter, joy and love.  I choose to dwell on those memories and take the difficult ones and make some wonderful tasting memories.

Enjoy the sunshine and praise the Lord today!

Change

Today is a new day! Rejoice and be glad in it!  Wow everyday we are faced with changes!  Changes in our attitude, changes in the weather, changes in the world, changes in the government, changes in our health, changes in our children, grandchildren, spouses, even our parents as they or we get older.  Everywhere we turn there are unexpected and expected changes.   This year I have learned so much from the many changes in my life.   This year has been a year for me to work on forgiveness and trust.   I have learned about letting go.   I have learned about appreciation.  I have learned there is a season for everything under heaven.  I had the honor of visiting a therapeutic riding center in Ill for a couple of days there is much we can accomplish.  As we remain dedicated and passionate and let go of some of our control and turn it over to others and God it makes is so much easier. It is what God has in mind.   Changes in horses as they come and go. We welcome our new Gypsy Horse Maggie and Morgan Horse Gemini. Our new rabbit Puff.   Wow so many changes and our old horses just go with the flow.   I need to learn to just lean back and go with flow and not get so anxious about everything.  There is a time and a season for everything under heaven.

As we look at the many changes.  Please visit our new website for a new look. We continue a presence on  twitter, blog, facebook and yes even You Tube.  Please visit our page and print out our new annual appeal forms.  We would love to include you in our wonderful benefit package for being a donor.   Just fill out the form and mail it back with a check, or credit card.  We are offering a variety of options this year.  So I hope you will visit our website at www.aspiretrp.org and join us in helping ASPIRE be the best it can be in 2017.   Blessings for a great weekend.  Remember to take in the beauty of the changing of the seasons. Watch for some additional programs including preschool visits, women's program and we are working toward a teambuilding program.  ASPIRE is excited about the new Equicizer(mechanical horse).  We will be able to provide more through assessments and much more.  Stay tuned for more updates.