Of Horses

Equus Caballus. These are the creatures that inspire me. When I was eight years old, I went on my first trail ride. It was for a birthday party. I loved every second of it. I knew I was going to have a horse one day. The freedom I felt during that first ride was incredible. It was an adventure and a learning experience for me. I was amazed at how the lead horse could pick up to a trot without the rider even doing anything (or at least that's how it appeared in my young mind at that time!) It was like they shared a secret, and the horse knew what it was supposed to do.

At twelve years old, I was bound and determined to have a horse of my own. I had made up my mind, developed a plan, and I was going to find the perfect horse. She would be beautiful. I would call her Wind Dancer. We would face the world together. I would trust her, and she would trust me. I cried when my parents came back one afternoon and told me that they had signed me and my sister up for riding lessons at a local stable. No girl could have ever been as excited as me. I couldn't WAIT for Saturdays to come. I loved my lesson horse, Nash so much. He taught me a lot of things. My parents thought that lessons would suffice for my horsey intoxication, but they had no idea what was coming there way.

I was doing my research all during this time. I had my notebook, where I gathered all the facts about horses: grooming, cleaning stalls, tack, bits, grain, forage, equine psychology, and tips on what to look for when buying a horse. One day, I began to talk with my instructor about the costs of owning a horse. It was at this point that my dad had said to me (and I quote!) "if you can save up enough money to buy yourself a horse, and you prove that you're responsible enough to own it, I will build you a stable, and get hay for it."

I was getting a HORSE! So, I talked with my instructor about it, and she explained the costs. About a week later, I got a phone call from her, asking if I would like to work in the stable cleaning stalls and feeding horses for her. I had gotten myself my first job. All on my own! And it was with the horses that I knew and loved. Life was great for this young lady! So I worked, and saved and worked some more.

Eventually, at the age of 15, I had enough money saved up to pick out a horse. I began the search. After trying out at least eight horses and inquiring about ten more, I found my girl. A sweet, little palomino Peruvian Paso mare named Farah. I was in love just based on the pictures of her. After many let downs with other horses, I tried to guard my feelings and not get too attached to her.

The day I went to try her out, we visited Chilliwack Heritage Park. One of my dad's friends was riding his cutting horse there. I was so nervous about trying out my new horse later on that day. I couldn't eat a thing when we went out for lunch. We finally got to the stable where she was boarded at. Her owner was a sweet gentleman who had taken great care in training her. When I saw her cantering up to him from in the field, I knew she was the one. I got on her bareback and rode her around the arena. She was so smooth. It felt like I was floating with her. I rode her with her saddle, and then we made arrangements to take her home.

Farah lived out a very good life at my farm, which is exactly what her owner wanted for her. Every horse, at least once in their lives, deserves to be loved by a girl. Boy, did I love her. Nothing was greater than being outside with my horse. I could take her anywhere, and trust her to do anything. She got me through my teenage years, and then I moved on to learn some new things from my current horse, Spirit.

Peruvian Pasos have Brio. Brio means to have pride and energy.

I have stumbled across the opportunity to own a Peruvian Paso again. I'm praying that if it's supposed to be, then it will be. I want nothing more than to feel that sense of freedom again. So all those who read this, please pray. It's my heart's deepest desire to own a Peruvian Paso again.

Better Life

This past week has been a wild one. It was full of good weather, lots of work, and family time since it was Easter this past weekend. I haven't forgotten how I said that I would try to find at least two living moments in everyday life. Here they are:

Life was going to work 8 hours a day, starting at 12:15pm and coming home at 9:00pm. Living was when  a lady who adopted the sweetest little grey and white cat stopped by for a visit--with Tracycakes in hand for all of the staff. She had come back with a lovely thank you card for all of us and a little treat to spoil us with. She was so pleased with how we took care of her kitty before she found her forever home.

Life was having to run errands, and bring charitable items to Value Village this past week. Living was when I got to hug the one of the sweetest young ladies I have ever known, who now works there. I got to catch up with an old friend in an unexpected place. (Plus, I walked away with $8 name brand jeans, and an armful of books! YAY!)

Life was when our dryer decided that it would disconnect itself from its duct work. When you're a relatively new homeowner, you don't always have the supplies at hand to fix such things (like duct tape...it was nowhere to be found in our house!) Living was walking down the block to Canadian Tire on a gorgeous day to pick up the tape.

Life was when I was driving out (again) to the stable to go and clean up after my horse. Living was when a police officer stopped traffic on Highway 11 to let the most beautiful trumpeter swan cross the highway. Everyone stopped and watched this magnificent creature cross the road.

Life was doing horse chores. Living was when my husband stopped by just in time to help me empty the wheelbarrow, and to show me the awesome diamond harrow that he got me for keeping my arena's footing nice, and soft.


So there's a few things that I observed (and actually remembered!) in my ventures. This week is another crazy week, full of adventure and learning.

We'll Bring Our Troubles

This is my song for today. A reminder that we don't have to carry all that presses so hard on our hearts.

Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you're lost and lonely
You're Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down

All you sinners
And the weak at heart
All you helpless
On the boulevards
Wherever you are now
Whatever evil you've found
Bring all of your troubles
And come lay 'em down

We're all tied to the same old failing
Finding shelter in things we know
We're all dirty like corrupted small towns
We'll bring our troubles
We'll bring our troubles
Lay 'em down

All you rich men
And the high above
All of those with and without love
All you burdened broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down

Simple Living

The more that I "grow up," the more I come to realize just how much life gets in the way of living. There's always errands to be run, something to be fixed, a room that needs to be cleaned, animals that need to be attended to, and that's just life. Yesterday, my husband and I spent two and a half hours filing our tax returns for the year. That's life. I also had to pick up some more groceries to get us by for the week. That's life as well. Then it was off to do my horse chores really quickly before attending a meeting at work. That's life too. 

But what about the living part of it? The part where we relax, and love each other deeply. The part where we listen to those who are older than us tell tales of wisdom and stories of the past. Where is the part where we find refuge from the daily tasks and burdens that weigh us down? Some people would say that relief is only found on Sunday, but why can't it be a small part of every day? I believe that there is a sacred spot in each day, where we find strength and renewal to face the "life" parts of living. 

More often than not, I find peace in being outside, surrounded in all of creation. Just knowing that it was all spoken into being is incredibly fascinating to me. Nature is so complex, yet at the same time so simple. I find solace in my horse. His gentle eyes are calming. I love the stillness of the morning when you're not quite ready to get up yet, but you know that you've been given the gift of another day. I lust after long, hot summer days full of adventures with my horse, and my husband. I cherish every second spent together with our families, gaining wisdom and learning by their great examples. 

Farah. She made everything worth living for
during my teenage years. 

Armstrong, BC. The place where life and living become one

Alfalfa fields 

Bale diamonds. You don't see too many of these anymore. 

Some horses that I met in Kamloops, BC

My baby kitten, Filly. 

A Dock at a lake in Pemberton, BC

A lake in Pemberton, BC 

My goal is to find at least two things about living in all of the life stuff that comes my way. With Easter just around the corner, I'm also reminded about how many life things my Saviour had to endure, yet He could always see the living in it. Maybe some of you will do the same with me. Leave me a comment if you do.