Possum Shorty

Marigrace has a LOVE AFFAIR going on with her pony.
A year ago last April the girls purchased Possum Shorty as a fun investment.  He was a MIGHTY stallion, so we quickly had that changed.  He had never been ridden, or bridled, or clipped or even washed (he still hates to be bathed).  He was just a teaser in a mare pasture.
He was typiche and cute.
We couldn't live without him.  He was the perfect size for Marigrace to learn to break and ride a pony.


Gramma Marcie came for a few days and helped Marigrace build a jump.  Gramma LOVES building jumps.  So, today, Marigrace and Possum Shorty jumped.  Here's how it went.....

When I first got out there, Marigrace was a little behind....

But not interfering.....
But, still a little behind.  Now she is bareback, no pad.....indian style...and no helmet.....

Possum Shorty is happy and Marigrace is the happiest 8 year old there is.....a girl and her pony.
So, I encouraged her to stay "with" him over the fence....

This is better.  Both are loving this, for sure!!!  Her toes may hit the jump.....but they didn't!

Getting better, a little to the left maybe, but who cares, it's fun.

Aaaahhhhhh, just right!!!  Okay, pet him and put him away.....with some carrots.
Thank you Gramma, for building a jump with the kids.  Always fun to jump!!!

Psalm 107:8-9

"Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,  And for His wonderful works to the children of men:  For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness."

The Green Bug

So, Reagan has always, always wanted a VW Bug for a car.  I'm not sure when this started....this obsession, but I know she was yelling out "Zuh-Bug" before she could complete a whole sentence.  Her cousin, Steven, made it a game to yell at the top of his lungs, "Zuh-Bug" each and everytime we passed a bug.  Living in California, this was a rather frequent occurrence.  For each bug you scored 1 point and for every yellow bug, you got 2 points.   Now that we are in Texas, the game has nearly ceased....or rather, changed to John Deere tractors.  Marigrace likes big green, loud tractors.
For Reagan, this could quite possibly be in her genes.  My grandma Stimmel drove a vanilla bug.  My mom had a bug that we had to wear a blanket over our legs when driving to school on those cold days.  She drove that thing for years....come to think of it, I think she might have had two.
Then, my brother had a bug....that he wrecked when he was a senior or so in high school.  And, finally, I had a bug...the BEST of all bugs.  It was termed "super beetle".  It was bright orange and had a souped up engine in it. Wow, did I have fun with that bug!!!  I was NEVER late for school, needless to say.  It was rumored that our neighbors along the very rural route (dirt roads) would wait until I had passed their house before they would leave for work.  The roads were narrow and being dirt and all, my bug would venture over to the far side when on a curve.  But, the gamble was, no one was coming.  And looking back, thank God no one did come...they were waiting in their own driveways waiting till I passed.
Anyhow, back to Reagan.  Last Sunday we were at our dear friends' for "dinner" (southern for lunch).  Afterwards we took a trail through the trees that lead to nowhere.
Around the bend, what did Reagan find!!!

 She died and went to heaven...for a short moment in time.  She posed...













 And posed some more.  Mom, let's drive it out of here!!!  Dad, let's fix it up!!  She settled on posing for just one more picture......PLEASE!!!

Garage Sales

I hate selling things. 

I mean it, I really do.  Everything I own is worth far more to me than the price I put on it with a little sticker for  someone else.  Take a garage sale, for instance.  I totally understand and really believe in their benefit.......get rid of stuff and junk and offer it up to be someone else's treasure.  But, I have so many emotions attached to my "things".  When someone comes and paws through my belongings I am confident that my "thing" won't be appreciated.  Just, how could it be?  After all, it has no sentimental value to that scavenger.

Before moving to Texas my sunflower friends helped put on a garage sale for me.  "Get rid of all that junk so you won't have to haul it 2500 miles."   So, I did!!!  And, oh, what a heartbreak!!!  One special sunflower LOVES hosting garage sales.  She loves the selling, the bartering, the setting up, the folding down......she loves the whole experience.  In fact she puts several on at her own home to raise money for different causes throughout the year.  She's good at it and she has no remorse when a sale is made.     Absolutely LOVES them.  Picture her after she's put the money in the little cash box, she flits about refolding clothes, up-righting picture frames, sorting the glassware, re shelving books while engaging each customer into conversation where they then become her best friend and because now they are her best friend..........they buy, buy, buy.   And, she experiences no anguish for what I've lost.  Instead, at the end of the day she thinks on the number of new friends she's gained.   I love her......everybody loves her.

Now, me, when it comes to selling my stuff, I should be a Pansy, instead of one of those bold stand up straight, taller than everyone else in the garden sunflowers.   Call me a wimp.  Every thing I put out to sell has a story in my heart.  Lots of items in this particular garage sale were unused wedding gifts from 17 years before.  Good things, that I just never used.  Some were gifts, for example,  from Mrs. So and So who painted the little what-not on the back and wrote a personal note.  Some even had cards still attached.  UGH!   I shed tears that day.  Call me a wimp, or Pansy!!

But, on the flip side, I LOVE garage saling.  Nothing is more fun than piling into a huge van with several friends and their kids and roaming the streets on an early Saturday morning, searching out "a good deal" or "a steal".  **(Because that is really what garage sales are, "Steals".  Another reason why I don't like anyone to get that kind of satisfaction from my personal things...........a steal!!!  call me Pansy!)

Then, because of peer pressure and wanting to have fun on a glorious Saturday morning with my friends, I got sucked into selling some more of my stuff.
One day last summer several of us put on a group garage sale.  Many were invited to contribute to the sale and many sold.   Reagan and I contributed a table worth of  things.  I left her to our table so I wouldn't have to watch the piranhas mull through our things that I was emotionally tied to.    I told Reagan to "make the deals".  It's good to toughen her up when she's young.    Meanwhile, I shopped..........and shopped.  Steals, for sure!!!

When a sale opens at 7, people usually start to arrive at 6:30..trying to get an edge on making their deals.    Then by 10:00 when it is getting hot (Remember, August in Texas), there's not much action.  So, to encourage buyers, or to just pass the time,  (Truly, I think the men started getting a little low blood sugar, or maybe they just had too much sugar and ..........

 They modeled their wares

Then, to pass the time, the ladies staged some of the wares into a "talk show" set.  They pretended to interview our gullible garage sale attendees, (does this make them want to never come back by here again?)  Some ran away from the stage for fear of being "on stage".

Then around 11:00, I noticed sleeping..........call it the sun, overwork, or let down from anxiety, or just call it a baby.  She has the right to sleep, anytime, anywhere...........

I looked over at our once piranhas infested table and noticed Reagan was GONE.  Had they eaten her alive?  I started feeling sorry for her.  What had I done as a Mom, leaving my precious, vulnerable daughter alone with the killers?  I ventured closer to the table thinking there would be carnage, no cash box, no daughter.  I was thinking back how I hate selling, oh why did we come to this, why did we bring our things to sell and why had I been such a Pansy and let my young sprouting vulnerable sunflower...............
Under the table:

 She was done, ALL DONE.  Then, I noticed there was no more bait on the table, the cash box was full.  She deserved a snow cone!!!!  Just so you know, snow cones are a BIG thing in Gatesville, TX.  There's no Baskin Robbins, or Jamba Juice............but there's "Snow Biz" and he sells any flavor, any size.  Perfect for an August, after garage sale treat!!

She's 80 today!!
My Mom!

 Winning a relay 2 years ago

 Competitive Trail Ride, last October on Annie

My Mom loves this life that God has given her.  She's so positive and always encourages everyone around her to love everyday right along with her. 
Naturally, she wants to have a good time

Christmas Talent Show

Halloween with her best friend, Jeannie

Even when work is HARD and dirty, she presses on with a smile and a purpose........she appreciates the earth..........and her tractor....

Tilling the Jump Pasture

She loves a good game and a good horse to practice on, .....even if her bandages don't match.......

2008 stick-n-ball at Pinto Ranch

My Mom loves her husband, my Dad of 58 years.

Mom and Dad, a good-looking couple

Oh, I love this engagement picture in 1953.  What a party, I mean a white tux!!!

  

And here's their wedding picture later that same year.  What style!!!

I could go on and on and I would really want to right now.  But, this is a sneak preview of a slide show coming later on sometime this year.  Oh, the pictures!!!  Oh, the model. 

I LOVE my Mom.  God blessed me with her.  She was chosen to do the job she did.........raising the 3 of us.

 

We never gave her any trouble, though, so you know her job was easy ;)  (Well, I didn't anyway)  Just don't tell the other two I said that.  It might start one of those family arguments (for no apparent reason at all) that will go on and on, laughing and laughing until our faces ache, bringing up all the dead worms from the garden.  We love retracing old steps that when taken were rough and frightening, or alarming anyway....   but now are hilarious, especially when my Dad starts telling the stories........

This is one of my favorite recent photos with the whole family.   This blog won't let me enlarge it without taking 5 members off of the page.     Mom is in the middle on an 'ole paint'.  A Thanksgiving to remember, Viejo Springs Ranch, 2009.

 We are thankful for your positive influence,  and your zest for life........and for many great stories to tell....... 
Happy Birthday, Mom!!!  We love you!!!

...........Arise..........

'"Talitha, cumi,"......."immediately the girl arose and walked'"
I have to tell of this precious memory in the Dyer family's lives.  It is a memory for us of hope and honor to our Creator.   
 

 A few weeks ago, Alma Mae Shannon, 7 months in utero, was delivered.  5 days prior, John and Pauli learned that she went to be with our precious Shepherd and Guardian, Jesus.  Our family has had the privilege to know and love the Shannons' as they have walked through this difficult season that God purposed in their lives.  They have amassed strength, peace and joy from our God that has indeed surpassed all understanding.  Through this couple, God has evidenced to untold many of His provision, love and tender mercies.
     In January, some church ladies held a prayer meeting for Pauli.  At that time, it was hopeful that Alma would be able to be born fully formed and alive.  Pauli explained to us how Alma Mae had some serious mental and physical abnormalities and that her life would be at best only hours long.   Pauli was single minded, functioning for our Lord, bearing the weight and life of a precious child.  Pauli served our Lord as she sweetly obeyed His purpose for John and her over these 7 months.  That morning as the ladies chatted, Pauli shared the Gospel of Christ as it related to Alma Mae.  Most of us were in tears, amazed at Pauli's strength and the peace she conveyed.  All of us were imprinted with God that morning.
      Upon hearing of Alma's death, Jody and I spent a couple of sweet, loving hours with the Shannons'.  While, their toddler, Moses mastered his trucks and drawings we were able to draw upon the Lord, not for understanding, but for complete submission to His Sovereignty and Love.  John shared how Alma Mae had served her Creator even in-utero.  They had been able to share the Gospel of Hope and Deliverance to many people as they trusted in God, even when this life hurt.

        On February 8th, a rainy Monday morning, in a large, warm, "living-room style" delivery room at the hospital Pauli delivered little Alma Mae.  The attentive, caring hospital staff swaddled Alma Mae in blankets and put her in a basket.  Pauli welcomed visitors and enjoyed sharing her precious baby.  John was tender, mindful of everyone in the room at all times, caring for Moses, and loving his adorable wife.  What a Christ-centered couple.    God chose them to fulfill this particular detail for Him and they shared both the joy and the suffering of Alma's journey with their friends and loved ones.
        Friday of that same week, our Church family and friends joined together on a cold overcast  morning at the Osage Cemetery for a service to honor God with Thanksgiving for Alma Mae's short life.  Yes, there was heartfelt sorrow, but that was understated by the joy in knowing Alma is with our Savior, Jesus.  Our pastor Perry comforted all of us by reminding us of David's son who died, 2 Sam 12:23.  David exclaimed to his servants "......I shall go to him...." meaning when he himself dies, he will be united with his son in heaven. 
This was followed by John giving a personal note of encouragement to the crowd and to Pauli.  John shared how Alma Mae although only in the womb, honored her creator.  He ended with reading from the gospel of Mark 5.  Jesus calls all of His beloved to "Arise" and we will walk into His embrace. 

But this is not the end.  Alma Mae will continue to serve her Creator as John and Pauli relate her story down the years.  The story of Our God doing only that which is Good, Good according to His Will for those who know Him, who love Him, who trust Him with their lives, who serve Him, our Savior, Our Redeemer.  What a precious memory and message of Hope.

We love you Alma Mae.  To John and Pauli we dedicate this song, Glory Baby by Selah.  (See playlist on the right)

Father Abe

 ..........In Hindsight.......

Today as I was riding my stationary bike, I listened to R.C. Sproul’s radio segment, “Renewing Your Mind” entitled “Grow Up”. 

First off I am so blessed by our Church’s website (see side bar) that has this direct link and I like  Mr. Sproul’s discernment and wisdom so much that I put that same link on my blog (again, to the right). 

The topic was childlike faith versus childish faith.  Childlike faith is implicit faith or as Sproul says, Fides Implicitum .  (That surely is misspelled)  That is believing God, not merely believing in God, or about God.  Childlike faith, implicit faith, means “without question”.  He defined this faith as “Authentic faith in the biblical sense that believes God for your life”.

And here is where I connected to Mr. Sproul’s message today.  He chose one of my favorite characters in the Old Testament, Abraham.  Father Abraham…..father of the faithful.

God chose this old man, with lots of grey hair (like mine), a man comfy with his life, settled!!!  God calls to him to ‘get thee up’ and leave your home, leave your security, leave everything you know and go far away, somewhere you’ve never been before and live there.  He had to “Leave all the pillows of security of  his life” as Sproul says.

I identify with Father Abe.  I mean I know what it is to leave my extended family, leave all familiarity, my church, my beloved home, neighbors and all that was my identity.  LEAVE.  But here is the difference.  I left kicking and screaming in my heart.  Obedient to God in action, but not in my heart……….at first, anyway.

Abraham, as Sproul says, “was called to abandon and walk out and trust God for his future.  Abraham believed God and he put his life in God’s hand.  He exhibited fides implicitum, a childlike faith.  Authentic Faith.”

Oh, if in hindsight I could do it all over again……….I could say now that I walked out (actually drove out to Texas) and trusted God for my future in complete abandon to Him like Abraham. 

But now, a year and a half later, I thank God that I am learning to trust Him implicitly, to trust Him in His goodness and His wisdom even when I can not see it.  To be brought to points along the way when there is nothing else to see but the face of my savior, Jesus.  Now, I can say with RC Sproul that it would be utterly foolish to not trust implicitly the infallibly of the Holy Creator.

He is all, in all, over all.

Looking back, which I know things are clearer in a rearview mirror, I see I am childish when I trust in myself.   So, like my hero in Genesis, I pray I have a childlike faith with complete abandon to Christ, trusting Him for every moment of my future. 

Our Texas Home

........covered in snow........

The front of the house

Gatesville, Tx or Valley Mills.  While our address is Valley Mills in Bosque County, the closest post office is Gatesville in Coryell County.  Valley Mills is 15 miles away and has one stop light with 1,121 people living in or nearby.  Gatesville, on the other hand, has a huge population of 15,272,  and is 8 miles away..................with several feed stores, a Tractor Supply, McDonalds.............and Walmart.
Whatever.........or wherever we live........it is central gorgeous Texas with thick clouds of Bluebonnets in the spring, lots of rivers, Live Oak trees, wheat farms, longhorns............and sometimes snow in the winter.
We have had 4 snows this year, which is very unusual.   Early December started this white frenzy.  That snow was so exciting, as you can imagine, being from California and all.  Soon after, a blessing from God for His new Texans..... snow on Christmas eve (written about on a previous blog).  Then we were overjoyed with the next snow early in Feb, written about here.
This last snow, which I anticipate will be the last of the 2010 flurries, I took pictures of our home.  Wanting to keep tabs of the seasonal changes around here, I couldn't help but use the Canon.  Snow deserves the very best.

  The next day, clear blue skies, 32 degrees, I captured the 17 acre hayfield....

Here is a snap of the back of the house.

 Isn't this camera fun???  Look at that drop of icy water leaving its icicle home.  Cool!!!........or, cold!

This is our neighbor's home across the way, just built.  Our pastor and wife and 2 kids live there.

"Hello" to Russ and Donna Crosby.  They live in the snug 2 bedroom wooden floor apartment in the barn.  They have 102 descendents.  That started with their own 13 children.   They keep track of every name, birthday, graduation, wedding, and overall wellfare of each person......all 102 of them.  Russ is a Baptist preacher nearby.  We love to share our eggs with them.

This is our OLD barn............now chicken pen and hay storage.  It doesn't leak, believe it or not.  Warm and cozy for those birds..........and eggs.

                          Our old cat.............(actually kitty).

 

                   Our old rooster, John the Baptist.   He will be in the pot very soon!!!  Story on that later!!!   Just say He needs to meet His Creator.

And my favorite, good old Duke!!!  Just picture in your mind a lovely white horse.  That will take buckets of soap and lots of elbow grease........wanna help?  Definitely not ready for the marriage carriage!!

A Phenom Friend

Reagan's friend, Madison

One thing that overwhelmed us when leaving California was saying "good-bye" to our friends.  That was sad, just plain sad.  Reagan misses her friends, extremely!!!  We all do.  But, God intervenes, He provides.........and has blessed Reagan with phenomenal friendships.

Madison 

Recently, these past 3 days, Reagan helped Madison house sit while Madison's parents escaped the everyday mayhem for an anniversary get-away.   This was quality time for Reagan, for sure.  The 2 girls were left with a herd of goats to tend, 4 horses to hay, chicken eggs to collect, one goat to milk, babies to bottle feed,  dogs to keep track of (Jack Russells), cats, cats, and more cats, mice to keep caged .........plus all else that goes on at the Bowland homestead.   Kelly (mama) left them with LOTS of food to eat.............like PW's cinnamon rolls and, and, and.  Remember, Kelly LOVES to cook.
Here are the 2 of them milking Guerty.

Today it snowed. Lots and lots of snow!!!  So, when I went over to check on the girls, I took some pics.........of course.  Here's a few!!!

Check out this barn cat.


Madison took care of the horses.............

 

After chores the girls had some fun with the snow.........on the trampoline!

 

  

  

What a great 3 days Reagan had...........watching the Olympics, watching all 3 Pirates of the Caribbean, in a row.........studying Algebra (thank you Maddie!) and eating great food!!  That's phenom!!!

We thank God for our friends.