Lisa's Gallery, Created by Heather

Our trip to Europe provided Heather and I with ample pictures to decorate our apartment with. We went through my pictures and picked the ones that we liked best. The other day, I came home and they were all mounted in frames in our hallway, sitting on our steamer trunk, and hanging among the German garlands on our wall. It was a wonderful surprise. It's so very exciting and almost unbelievable that we were at those places and that I took those pictures.

I love how excited kids get when someone mentions horses. I was watching Ben and Nano yesterday and I was also supposed to feed the horses, so when 4:15 rolled around I asked the boys what they would think about going to see the horses with me. Nano, just up from his nap, dropped his blanket and pulled his yellow boots out of the shoe box and Ben pulled on his more traditional black cowboy boots. We had to gather a few things and I was holding my breath, hoping Andrea wouldn't be back before we left because the boys were so excited. I was so upset that I didn't bring my camera! They were such cute little helpers. Nano was shy at first, but warmed up to the horses. Ben was quite fascinated by Chex, who was following him up and down the fence, looking for his dinner.

It was so much fun!

Next time maybe I can convince them to help me clean too. :)

Katie is safely delivered to Black Lake and it sounds like she is having a lot of fun.

I have been very busy. Saturday Heather, David, and I went to the St. Paul rodeo. It was so much fun! The decision was made: it's a tradition.

There was a carnival and a barbecue before-hand. We skipped the carnival and enjoyed the barbecue while we watched the rodeo. The team ropers and the steer wrestlers didn't do so great, but there were some good bronc riders and bull riders; and one adorable junior bull rider who couldn't quite get his horse to go forward for his victory lap after he won the junior bull ride. It was a late rodeo, so there were fireworks when it was over, which was pretty cool.

Sunday I experienced a 4th of July party (unknown until this year because I've always been at camp and my Independence Day celebration consisted of a parade through camp). Paul and Andrea had a party at their house. There was a barbecue and games and then fireworks at Riverfront Park (apparently this is what most Americans do on the Fourth of July).

I began my first week working for Heather to pay for my horse. It is rather fun and I am enjoying feeding and cleaning stalls. I used to hate feeding. I remember all the adults I worked with looking at me strangely and speaking about how they loved to hear the horses munching on their hay. Now I can say that it is one of the most peaceful noises and I love feeding.

I have also been working with the horses who will be my partners in ministry. I've been making lists of things needed before day #1, planning the first day rather than the big picture, and getting advice from those wiser in the ways of horse programs than myself. So exciting!

Hello again.

Things are coming together for Oak Springs Horse Camp. I have been working a lot at church and that is a blessing. I have also been offered to work off Ribbon's board which is a huge blessing and a lot of fun. I've been working on a program and am very anxious to begin. I test rode one of the horses on Saturday and Friday I begin working with both horses on Friday and getting them ready for the kids. My hope is to begin August 1st so that I can have a test run for at least a month and see how it goes and what I need to change for next year when the ground dries out. However, I still don't have insurance, so if you would pray for that I would be much obliged.

Katie came Saturday night rather late. I forced her to come to the early service at church with me because the VBS kids were singing all their songs and there was a slideshow (I was the primary photographer) and I had to work second service. (She slept in the truck while I worked). River Front Park hosted the World Beat Saturday and Sunday so we walked around there but didn't purchase anything as neither of us had any money. Monday we went to see Ribbon. Katie hasn't ridden for about a year, so I was quite impressed that she still remembered how. She did very well.

We had lunch Monday with Andrea and Alysun and all their kids and then yesterday we had lunch with Vince and Bobbi and Berlyn. Luke was at day care so we didn't see him. I brought Katie to Black Lake last night and she begins work at 2:30 this afternoon.

After neglecting you for so long, I must ask you all a huge favor. A ministry opportunity has presented itself in the form of a woman with her two horses, her property, and her desire to share what she has with others. I would be taking care of the horses while operating a camp style child/horse ministry. I desire to do this. It has been sitting on my heart since I returned to Oregon to do some sort of horse ministry again, but I just wasn’t sure how. I have one rather large obstacle, though. Funds. The ministry would not pay anything. So, I am asking for all of you to pray for me.

Pray that:

1. God smoothes the way for this dream and idea to become a reality,
2. I can find a job that provides enough pay for me to pay rent, board my horse, and pay for any other expenses (food, gas, truck upkeep, Ribbon’s food) as well as
3. Give me the time to commit what I need to prepare the horses and commit to each child the time that they need/deserve.

Along that line, if any of you know of an available job, or a couple of available jobs, please let me know! Thank you for your prayers.

God bless,

Lisa

Hey everyone! Remember Ribbon? Yeah, she remembered me too! I can't say if she missed me, but I can say that she was glad to see me. She took a whole three seconds to smell me and see who I was before furiously licking and following me around like a puppy dog. Our first ride was like I hadn't even been gone for five months. It was utterly enjoyable.

Home Sweet Home

I arrived back in Salem after a refreshingly short flight of an hour and a half (I had been in Grass Valley for my cousin's wedding - pictures coming - which accounts for the short flight). Heather was there to pick me up and after taking a round-a-bout way and a ferry across the river, we made it to McMinnville for a late Sunday dinner at Grandma Bonnie's. It was so good to see everyone. The kids have grown so much! Remington got stuck in my arms for a little while. Uncle Mike took me home so that I was able to get my truck. It feels good to drive it again.

One of the things that I got really excited about as my return to Oregon grew closer was Dutch Brothers. So, I had to get myself some yesterday.

Heather did a lovely job decorating our living room and the organizing the kitchen. We live at the same place as the fall but in a different apartment. It is slightly bigger and everything is flipped which - I think - adds to the size.
Our welcome sign is from Fohr, Germany.
This is my contribution - well, I picked it out and my mom bought it. Thanks Mama!
Our living room.
We've lit the oil lamp every night since I got back. It actually adds an impressive amount of heat to the room which we are thankful for since it is still a little chilly and we don't want to turn the heater on.