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.