…Horse Camp — 6/29-7/03:

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Sarah, along w/ her cousin Rachel, attended Gallops and Goals Horse Camp all this week.

Of course, Sarah has enjoyed herself immensely!  Here are a few pics for now (believe me, there are dozens more!) :

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Sarah saddling Sugar. Can you see the excitement in Sarah’s face?!

It’s not that noticeable, is it?!

Sarah leading Sugar. Looks like Sugar’s talkin’ to her!

Sarah riding Sugar.

My niece Rachel, w/ her favorite riding horse, Honey.

Rachel has been taking lessons for the last 2-3 months now.

Little Kerry didn’t attend the camp, but he even got to ride a little on the last day!

Kerry is riding Shorty w/ a western saddle.

(I think it’s so cute how Kerry prepared himself for this

and made sure he wore his cowboy hat and boots! )

Kerry on Shorty (led by Cameron) and Sarah on Sugar.

Our VBS, 2009 — “Rome and the Underground Church”:

Rome

“Paul” in  chains:

“Paul” and the Roman guard:

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4-H–”Just Horsin’ Around”:

Always wanted to ride a horse…Well, I can finally say I’ve ridden one!!

“Freckles” and me.  Little Kerry’s in the pic too…he wasn’t quite ready to ride yet.

Freckles

Kerry and Freckles

Kerry feeding Pedro the pony.

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Kids’ T-Ball and Softball, Spring 2009:

Kerry’s t-ball trophy:

Sarah’s softball medal:

Kerry

Sarah

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4-H at Lazy O Farm:

My niece, Rachel, holding up the fish she caught.

Sarah, Kerry, and friend, Ethan look on.

(Sarah’s in the white hat, Kerry in the red hat, and Ethan is in the

striped shirt, on the other side of Kerry).

They looked thrilled, don’t they?!

It’s Kerry’s turn to help make homemade ice-cream.

I just love this pic, and I’m so happy for my Sarah Beth!

**I’ll post more about this later…just wanted to go ahead & post this photo!

…even though, he IS rather cute.

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“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…” Hebrews 13:5

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God has a purpose and a calling for YOU….don’t try to be anyONE else or to be anyWHERE else than where He wants you!

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**For more participants in Word-Filled Wednesday, you may visit here.

**Found above pic here.

Recent Updates:

–June 13 at 7:19am:

Little Kerry’s got his last t-ball game this morning. They’re going to give out little trophies…

he will be so tickled!

…My Hope is in Jesus…nothing less; nothing more.

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“Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.” –Psalm 119:116-117

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” –Romans 5:1-5

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My Hope Is Built (The Solid Rock)

Words By: Edward Mote; Music by: William B. Bradbury

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

…and I LIKE it!

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I got an email from my brother Johnny today, entitled, “When Life Gives You Lemonade…Dedicated To All Pet-Lovers.” Of course, since I love dogs, lemonade, and all things inspirational, I thought I must share. Below is part of the message I received:

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This is ‘Faith’

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs – 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which needed to be amputated.

He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he was thinking of ‘putting him to sleep’.
By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him.
She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. Therefore she named him ‘Faith’.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfing board to let him feel the movements.

Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around..

Even the other dog at home also helped to encourage him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jump to move forward.

After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being.

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts all the people around him.
He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows.
There is even one book entitled ‘With A Little Faith’ being published about him.

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**I say it’s always good to be reminded…of how to make lemonade!

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**P.S. I discovered Faith’s official website, here. The book, entitled, “With A Little Faith,” can be found over here.

I need a word from God…I need THE Word of God…everyday.  At times, I may feel alone on this journey.  Every once in a while, I feel a little rejected, judged, lonely, and unloved…or maybe even unlovable.  However, there is One who knows all the minor disappointments and hurts.  There is a verse that keeps coming to mind the last couple of days, and that is:

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For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,

nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 8:38-39

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I was reminded last night that if I am feeling unloved and rejected, perhaps I have begun to seek that Godly, unconditional love in the wrong places.  Have I left my “first love,” the only One who can truly satisfy?  Have I once again started to lose perspective and temporarily forgotten where my true Hope lies?

I praise the Lord that He says:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.–John 14:27

**Visit other participants in Word-filled Wednesday, by clicking here.

Well, last post I wrote about how hectic things had been. The very next day, things began to change. This past week, our little family has HAD to slow down, whether we liked it or not! Here are some high-lights of the week (as posted on Facebook):

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May 25 at 2:02pm “Alright, you yucky germs, you shall rue the day you invaded my head & body!! O.k., maybe not…but don’t get too comfy! Your abode here is only temporary…This too shall pass!!”

at 2:14pm May 25

Been sick since Sat…Difficult to breathe, hear, think, walk around. However, I refuse to be an hospitable host…this is war!!! O.k., yes, I may be a little addled and dizzy between the fever and medications….
So, I may have to lay back down now, but once again I say, “This too shall pass!!”
…And yes, your prayers are appreciated!

May 26 at 11:25am Feeling a little better today…Think I’ll be on the mend soon! Thank You Lord!

at 11:29am May 2

P.S. I’m prepared…I just got re-stocked on Mucinex, saline nose spray, Robitussin DM, & tissues!

May 27 at 1:00pm

Hubby’s sick too…home from work today. I’m still strugglin’, & the kids aren’t feeling

too good either. Yep, 1 sick little family, but we’re here together!!

at 7:19pm May 27

O.k., I’m SOOOO bored w/ T.V.!!!!!! Must find something more productive…still don’t feel up to doing much, though.

at 8:52pm May 27

Scott’s still having fever, so he’ll probably be home tomorrow too.

Thu 10:49am

In the words of King Julian (ya know, Penguins of Madagascar)…

“HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE?!!!!” {I have tried declaring that I will no longer

be sick now…sadly this has not yet worked!}

at 11:41am May 28

O.k., patience is not always one of my best virtues! Good thing the Lord is still workin’ on me!

Thu 11:39am

“Our Daily Bread” for today says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…to the end of the earth.” –Acts 1:8

Fri 1:34pm

“ODB” for today says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be

able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” –Eph. 6:11

at 1:59pm May 29

Yep, it’s been kind of a long week ’round here. The Lord is my strength. Praise the Lord that we’re starting to get back to “normal.”

…Well, ya know, “normal” is such a relative word!!

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**Latest Update: I had missed last Sunday morning church services, and we all had to stay home Wed. night. I was so glad to be able to

attend church this morning! Of course, I did have to come straight home and take a nap, but still very glad that I was able to be at church today!

Things have been rather hectic lately…busy week, but good. Between homeschooling, co-ops, field trips, play-dates, church, t-ball, softball, spring cleaning, organizing, planning, etc…I’ve been a little busier than normal. Also, about 2 weeks ago, I started a “job/chore chart” for the kids, and I’ve been very pleased with the results. The first day, Kerry was outraged and fought it every step of the way. (In fact, that morning, Kerry informed me that he hated the new chart, that he was not going to do it, and that he would tear into little pieces!) However, I forged ahead, not giving up on our new system quite yet. By the end of the day, I had cried, prayed, and disciplined until I had quite a headache. However…Kerry also had smiley faces for each of the jobs (including making his bed, cleaning up his room, doing his math and reading, etc.)! To my amazement, by the next day, Kerry had totally changed his mind about the chart. Now, he is actually excited and eager to get the the day filled up with smiley faces! In fact, Kerry’s an early bird, and he often has most of his work done by 8:00 am! Usually, Sarah’s not even awake by then, so she finds his accomplishment more than slightly annoying!

Yep, these kids sure are keeping me busy and “on my toes.” All this trying to keep them active often wears me out, while they’re just getting warmed up! Sarah, especially, is hard to wear out, unless she’s sick or something. She may not like to get up early, but once she is awake, she likes to “go, go, go” all day!

Last night, Sarah made it to a softball game for the 1st time (this was the 2nd game…she cried about missing the 1st one while she was sick). She got to bat twice and hit the ball both times. Her team won 8 to 3…Sarah was soooo excited! All the girls played hard, and the coach was very supportive and encouraging.

I am glad though that we have no t-ball or softball games on the horizon for tomorrow! I’m glad it’s Friday, and I’m definitely looking forward to a little rest and relaxation with the family. Hope you all have a great weekend, and God Bless!