Recent Happenings

A couple of days ago I had such an amazing and pleasant meeting with two girls. It was so unexpected on my part, yet I know, it was an ordained meeting for sure. By the way, as I am writing this, the wind is blowing at 18 mph and lets just say the trailer is rocking a little bit!! Ryan and I had a hard time sleeping last night, we were so paranoid that a tornado would throw us to China.

Anyways, I decided to go discover what the shops in Gainesville could offer. So first stop, Goodwill. Second stop, Big Lots, then on to Bealls and finally to payless shoes. I know, classy... I did not buy much at all, I just wanted to see what was there for no reason. Yet when I left payless, two girls stopped me and presented a box full of sun catchers. They said they were doing a fund raiser for an religious/leadership organization. One of the sun catchers had four people on it of different nationalities with a rainbow over top and it said "One people under God." So of course, my interest was sparked!

I asked them exactly what the organization did and then more specifically what religion it was. They said, "we're a non-denominational group, we're Christians, we believe in Jesus and stuff." So I asked more specific questions. They were with a group that has the goal of unifying all religions. Their parents joined this group and they were raised in it. I found that they didn't believe Jesus was God. It was so sweet though because God gave me scripture after scripture to share with them. He gave me a way to talk with them lovingly. The girls were right out of high school and were so sweet. We ended up talking for maybe 45 minutes! Just about God and the Bible and we were getting know one another. The crazy thing is that one is from Colorado and one from California! They travel around and try to raise money for about 2 months

Well, by the end of our conversation, we were giving each other hugs and they were saying how they wanted to start reading the Bible. I was so blessed by this. Ryan and I had just gotten back from a horse show and I was feeling quite distant from the Lord, yet by His grace He showed me that He still wanted to use me for His glory! I am so grateful that He doesn't leave us or forsake us. He is near and yearning to spend time with us and to show us His amazing power and as my friend Holly says, "mad-networking skills!"


So today, since it is going to be storming rain all day, I am beginning mine and Ryan's Christmas presents! I am making stockings for us both. We don't exactly have a mantel, but, we need stockings! So I bought some old 100% wool sweaters from goodwill. They are hideous, by the way! Ryan laughed when he saw them... I actually got him to try some on, but sadly did not get a picture. Anywho, I am felting them and will use them to make the stockings.

I will post pictures of them when I'm finished. I sure miss all our family and friends, some of y'all need to come visit!

Gainesville Date...

For those who may not know, I grew up in Oklahoma. Braum's ice cream is just about on every corner in Oklahoma. Therefore, I grew up thoroughly enjoying Braum's Ice Cream. Yet, my family moved from Oklahoma and since then I have not had any Braum's ice cream. So, Ryan told me earlier this week that he would take me to Braum's for an ice cream date. I was so excited all week! We have a Braum's in Gainesville because we live close to Oklahoma and Gainesville is off of I-35.

So, yesterday, Ryan and I decided we would go out to eat too in order to make the date more of an event. Yet, in Gainesville, there are not many restaurants. In fact, we asked a local where a good place to eat out would be and he just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know of a very good place, ha! There are a few chain restaurants, like chili's and applebee's. So, inevitably, we went to Chili's. Once there we decided to do the 2 entrees for $20. You get an appetizer, two entrees and a dessert! Well, this meant that we had to count out Braum's :( But, I made that decision... I just got myself 2 dates instead of just one! (see that's how you work it)

When we got our food we realized how big of portions and how greasy they can make it! We ate, had a good time, but left stuffed. Well, no date is complete in Gainesville without a trip to Walmart. I needed some groceries so Ryan got to experience the Gainesville Walmart experience with me for once. I get that pleasurable experience every week. Now Ryan knows why I hate walmart people :)

Finally, we made the trek back to our humble trailer. It was not until we got home that we realized how redneck our date was, ha! chili's, walmart, back to the trailer.

We thought it was humorous, I hope you do too :)

Lyndon Rife

Lyndon Rife is my new dressage trainer. I have been riding with him for about a month now. He is very well known and extremely talented in riding, training, and teaching dressage.

This last wednesday he was in a horseback riding accident. I saw his wife today, she taught me a lesson, but I know that they are having a really tough time. Here is a link to his website:

http://www.lyndonrifedressage.com/

Dressage Daily wrote an article about him. He and his wife are in need of help in covering the medical bills. Here is a link to the article:

http://www.dressagedaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4588:09rife&catid=223:october-2009

I have not known them long, but they are wonderful people! I have been wondering what I can do to help them, so I thought I would put this on here in hopes that it may help.

Family Time!

Ryan and I were to blessed to have a horse show in Katy, TX! It was a short show, we drove down on Wednesday and left Saturday, but we got to stay with my parents. It was quite a commute for Ryan driving from katy to cypress and back daily. For those in Houston it is a normal commute! But when you are used to walking across the street to go to work, it was a bit stressful!

Ryan sadly did not get to much time at home with my family, but he did get to have a night with my dad, full of hot wings, cigars and wine :) Some of Ryan's favorite things, ha!

I thought I would post a picture of my niece and nephew, this is not from our weekend together, we forgot to take pictures! But, some of y'all don't know them, they are a lot of fun! We went to outlet mall together where they are sure to get cookies and starbucks, ha! They get the chocolate milk at starbucks, not coffee!! Thursday night we had a mock Thanksgiving meal together. Ryan and I will be at a horse show in OKC so we will miss Thanksgiving. We had the most amazing ham EVER with a cranberry sauce glaze. Complete with sweet potatoe soufle, pumkin pie, and stuffing. It was absolutely delicious! So delicious that the next day my sister and I just ate the ham right out of the container for lunch, we didnt even grab plates or any sides, we just ate the ham and that was it for lunch!

Friday my mom gave me some sewing lessons :) I still have not fixed the sewing machine that was given to me for free. And yes, it was quite an amazing thing. Maybe when I get it working I will post the story about it on here. Anywho, I have some crafty ideas and needed to learn how to do some things before I can make it. Friday night, the girls went out to Lupe Tortilla and then to Michael's starbucks. We had a blast together!

As far at the horse show went. Ryan's boss, Patrice, got second in the futurity on a horse name Rambler. He was tied for first in a four way tie, when one of the guys he was tied with (Nathan Piper, the guy that helped Ryan find this job) came in on his last horse and beat them all! It was a nice day for Nathan! Pat's other horses only did okay. They are all tough rides and have been having some problems in the show ring, but hopefully that will be fixed by the time the big futurity comes up!

Next stop is Ardmore, OK this Sunday. We will be taking our "home" with us! I just have to laugh at that! But the plus side is, we don't have to pack. We just need to fill up the tires, secure everything in place and we are good to go.