October Blessings

This past Thursday we (staff and volunteers) had horse lessons in the morning. It is during this time that Kelsie teaches us how to work with the horses and helps us either learn riding skills (that would be me) or teaches ways to refine and improve on the base of knowledge we have. We learn how to back them up, have them turn in different directions to stretch, and learn techniques on how to help us during session times with children. When Kelsie told me I could get go get my horse I asked her if I could get a Level 3 horse today. (We have three levels of horses. Levels 1 are the horses that have the easiest temperament and are super calm with children. The next two levels of horses have what I call at least, more excitable temperaments and need to have a more skilled hand in guiding them to do what they should with a child on their back. Also, some of our newer horses are in the Level 2 or 3 because the staff has not spent enough time with them yet so they are familiar with the horse and its behaviors.) I am able to ride and use during sessions Level 1 horses only. So when I asked Kelsie it was kind of jokingly….but she turned to me and said, “The only Level 3 horse not being used right now is Bozeman….but go ahead if you want to ride him.” So, of course, I did!! YEEEHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bozeman is the BIGGEST horse on our ranch as you will see by the pictures. His hooves are the size of my hand!! It was one of the BESTEST rides all year so far! I rode him bareback and it was just as comfortable as my lazy girl chair back home—he just flowed when he trotted! Thanks Kelsie for making my day super special!!

As I was driving to the ranch one sunny morning, my eyes were on the road, but my heart was elsewhere. My seatbelt was buckled, but my mind was wandering. It was one of those days when it was work to read my Bible and pray that morning. A day when, if I could, I would of buried my head under my covers, gone back to sleep and hopefully woke up differently the next time. It was a day that I didn’t wake up ready to tackle the world with enthusiasm and zest, a day that already seemed to be cloudy before the sun rose. A day when I was one person on the outside, and another on the inside. I will never forget this day, never.

I arrived at the ranch and began my morning chores. Another volunteer and I were assigned to the “fat paddock”. That meant getting Hero, Isaac and Molly into a specially made corral inside the main paddock, bringing them a bale of hay and making sure all the waters were clean and full. Isabella and Shamis needed to be brought from the back paddock to hang out with the horses in the main paddock for the day. We both kinda laughed and joked while working together to accomplish our task. Wouldn’t it be great if we went to a “fat paddock” each day and were told to eat as much as we wanted to gain 50 or more pounds!! Ha Ha!!

For the rest of the morning I wrote donor thank you’s, processed some donations that were sent to the ranch in boxes from kind and generous people all over the United Sates, did an inventory of our merchandise, and “kung foo’d” flies that were in the barn. :-) Lunch is from 12:00 to 12:30 and a bunch of us gathered out on the lawn to eat and chat together. From 12:30 to 1:00 is staff meeting where we go over the session schedule for the day and then break up in two’s or three’s to pray for each of the children and families coming.

The process of healing from my head injury was at a place where I was still not able to be a leader for sessions with kids and horses. Instead, I assisted the greeter with welcoming everyone, helped with the required forms that needed to be filled out for those coming for a tour, and hung out with those sitting in the grass while sessions were going on. It was a busy day—lots of children coming and going. The music of the ranch included shrieks of delight, eyes full of joy, horses being loved on, and a game of “noodle war” taking place on the grass. My heart was soaking it all in. There was also an air of expectation and excitement this day. It was a day that was long awaited—our newest rescues were being brought to the ranch around 4:00!!





A vehicle drove up the driveway and a lady rolled down her window and it was a Mom and daughter. The daughter was visually impaired so we invited them to park up on the wood chips by the office. After they parked I welcomed them and led them back to the greeter’s station to fill out the necessary forms. They were part of a tour that was scheduled that day so off they went.

When the tour was finished I noticed the Mom and daughter resting on the green bench under a pine tree. I walked over and asked how it was going. Both were beaming and could hardly get the words out over top of each other of how wonderful it was to be here, and how it was a dream come true for the young lady. I asked her if she was able to go into the paddock and meet some of the horses and she said she had. I asked her if she had met Hero—a horse that had lost an eye when he was shot and left for dead. No, but she would like too—so together we walked to the back of the ranch. I asked her how long she had been blind and she told me since birth. Can you see anything at all? No, blind as a bat she said. Her hand was resting on my elbow as we walked, and I became conscious of the fact that I was her eyes. It was me who would tell her that she had to step over the railroad tie in the path and when we were going from one level to another. I described the flowers lining the driveway and main arena where horses and children were playing. She asked questions regarding what the buildings and barns looked like, what children did when riding horses, and how the layout of the ranch was designed. As we entered the back paddock and horses gathered around, I guided her hands to their faces, to their noses, and to their sides. She knew that she was surrounded by horses; she could feel their presence, feel their warm breath on her face, neck and arms. It struck me how trusting she was of me—a stranger she had met just hours ago. As we fed the horses apples, her giggles and laughter was as melodious to me as the apples were delicious to the horses. So both of her hands could be free to “see” the horses, I kept one of my hands on her shoulder or arm at all times. She asked me to tell her the name of each horse, what color(s) they were as well as their stories. When she met Hero, it was like she slipped into another world. If I could of, I would of walked away to give her her space, her time alone with the one she so connected with. As I guided her hands to his face she felt the empty eye socket and softly began to pour out her love for him. It was like I was eavesdropping on a private conversation from one friend’s heart to another. I was an observer to the three of them—Hero, the young lady and our Creator each participating in a unique and deep miracle that was taking place.





As we made our way back to the main part of the ranch not many words were spoken between us. I heard a truck coming up the driveway—it was Kim with the trailer and the horses! As my new friend and I moved to a bench to sit down I again was her “eyes” and described all that was taking place. I told her that it was a Momma and her foal that were being unloaded from the trailer to begin a new life at the ranch. Templeton, the foal was born walking on the front of his legs, instead of his hooves. It wasn’t too long before he could not stand up, and therefore could not eat, and was soon going to die. A concerned neighbor called the sheriff and the Mom and baby were taken to Bend Equine Medical Center where under the skilled and loving hands of a kind Doctor the foal’s life was saved and the process of restoring strength to his legs was begun. Casts were made for his front legs, and after weeks of time and therapy he was able to stand on his own! The clinic contacted Kim and Troy and asked if they were interested in adopting the foal. YES! YES! YES! was the answer, and so at 9 weeks of age Templeton and his Momma arrived at the ranch.








It was an occasion of excitement and joy and wonder! He was adorable! Babies are always amusing, and this horse was no exception! Everything was so small—his tiny little hooves, his cute little head and muzzle, and his short mane and tail. He has one brown eye and the other eye is brown and blue! His soft nicker and curiosity about everything and everyone was undeniably the reason for the smiles on everyone’s faces as we watched them both explore their new home. Even though he still “went down” on his front legs from time to time as he pranced and danced it was delightful to watch him play!








I had never seen up close or even touched a foal, and neither had my new friend. As we made our way into the paddock we kneeled down and held out our hands full of hay to entice them to come over. My heart was so full I forgot to talk, and my friend gently brought me back by asking me what he looked like. I fumbled for words to describe him and his Mom, and as Templeton made his way closer to us I guided her hands to touch his nose, his face, and his neck. Her smile of joy radiated across her face, and again as I listened to her talk I was struck with the enormity of the privilege of being part of her life this day.

It was late by the time her Mom and I walked back to their vehicle to go home. The three of us embraced and exchanged e-mails and promises to write. With arms around each other’s shoulders we prayed—sharing with our Heavenly Father a portion of what that day meant to each of us. Again, words fail to describe the moment. I was so touched. We parted with tears and joy—knowing that someday we will see each other again. If not here—then in heaven where we ALL would see and be seen!

Weeks have passed since that day, and several e-mails have been exchanged. On that sunny day a precious child of the King came to the ranch with a physical body that was scarred. She came with emotions and words that were buried deep down, but wishing more than anything to be heard and understood. She was seemingly strong and composed on the outside, but barren and scared and hurting on the inside. That day, secret places were opened up to the Shepherd who wrapped His strong, safe, and loving arms around His cherished sheep. Healing took place. His breath of life was breathed in the desert parts of her heart, and now there was an oasis of His love. To love and be loved—that is a treasure beyond price. To trust and be trusted—a gift beyond value. To be received and valued and be safe with no conditions, no strings, and with total acceptance—these were miracles performed by the Great Physician to His beloved child.

Two precious children of the King came to the ranch that sunny day. One arrived in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Two lives were forever changed and healed as they left that evening. My new friend and me. I will never forget that day, never. Nor will she.