AHHHHHH!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Now lets all go to Hannah's house and eat some Beaniehalloweenies.

And Boy, Are Their Arms Tired!

Miranda (Rubberband) and Keithan (He who will make millions) have flown back home with their new cat toy for their child Oscar. What could possibly be better than a big stuffed cat with random dangly things attached that crunches when you walk on it...or...sleep in this case. I think we should take a few notes from this little kitty. He probably needs to go do some things around the house like fold clothes, wash dishes, cook supper. And, what is he doing? Taking a nap. Yes, he knows how to take advantage of the good things in life. Oscar, I salute you.

It was a sunny afternoon when Bob said to George, "Hey, George, why don't we get ourselves 2 horses? We could ride them in the summer and in the winter we could put them in the paddock behind the house." George thought it was a great idea, so the next day they went out and bought themselves 2 horses. They rode them in the summer, but when winter came George got worried. He said "Hey, Bob, how are we going to tell them apart next spring?" Bob said, "Well, I'll shave the mane off mine and you shave the tail off yours." This satisfied George, so he did. The next spring when they went back to get their horses they found the horses' hair had all grown back. Alarmed, George said, "Oh great, now how are we going to tell them apart?" and Bob said, "Well, you can have the black one and I'll take the white one." -nchorsenews.com

Grey Havens

www.tolkienion.com

Pippin: "I didn't think it would end this way..."
Gandalf: "End?"
Gandalf: "No, the journey doesn't end here."
Gandalf: "Death is just another path...One that we all must take."
Gandalf: "The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass..."
Gandalf: "...And then you see it."
Pippin: "What? Gandalf? ...See what?"
Gandalf: "White shores...and beyond."
Gandalf: "The far green country under a swift sunrise."
Pippin: "Well, that isn't so bad."..
Gandalf: "No...No it isn't."

-Transcripted by Noora
Return of The King 2003

Darkening Skies

"O! Wanderers in the shadowed land
despair not! For though dark they stand,
all woods there be must end at last,
and see the open sun go past:
the setting sun, the rising sun,
the day's end, or the day begun.
For east or west all woods must fail..."
-J.R.R. Tolkein

Silence

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

-Stuart Townend

Hannah Loves Horse Show Music

The horse show is officially over. And what a good show it was. I didn't even fall off in the canter class. The bad thing was, 2 other people did. I don't think 16 horses in one class all running at the same time is a really great idea. At least no one was hurt. So, the final results:
Friday night: 3rd place out of 16 horses.
5th out of 22.
Saturday day: 1st out of 22.
2nd out of 9
3rd out of a lot.
5th out of a lot more.
3rd in the youth chamionship.
Youth high point winner.
Saturday night: 4th out of 26 in the championship.

Over all, not a bad show. Poor Cole is so worn out. I'm giving him a major vacation. He really deserves one. A big thanks to all my friends who came out Saturday night and cheered for me. I think it got the judges attention...which is a HUGE plus in a class that big. That leaves only one show left this year. Then we can settle down to a winter of fun trails and warm wool blankets.

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "Everybody is somebody else's wierdo."
-www.indianchild.com

You're On In 3...2...1...

Well, this is it. Just 2 more days until we pack up and head out. What? Am I nervous? Why in the world would I be nervous? I'm only taking my hyperneverpaysattention horse to a horse show, which, includes hundreds of other horses that Cole believes are all there for his personal entertainment. I'm only going to take said horse into the show ring (which will be stuffed with most of the hundreds of horses) and then be politely asked by the ring master to "canter your horse please." As they say about the Bristol race track....it's like trying to fly a jet in a gymnasium. Then, I will put him in a stall (which is not home and he knows it and it will be completely destroyed by morning) and repeat the whole day on Saturday...only with more pressure because it's the championships. So, no worries. I guess most of ya'll will be there. But, if you aren't, fear not, I'll give an update after the show. But right now, I'm going to take my not-so-very-nervous self upstairs and pack my show clothes. Wish me luck!

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Frank Herbert

Home Again, Home Again

Well, I'm home. And, I'm sitting in front of my computer (listening to Dune-quit laughing Hannah) thinking of something inspired to say...and coming up with nothing. I had a great time at the horse show. I got to see the 2005 World Grand Champion. Actually, the first time I saw him I thought he was a colt someone was leading around. It really made me miss my own horse. I rarely go to shows without dragging him along behind me. I was inspired to come home and ride Cole. If you want to know what it feels like to be mortal, go get on a horse that's been in a stall for a week eating high fat grain on a cold and rainyish day.

Moving on...
This is one of the pictures from Gettysburg the other weekend. We commandeered a camera from one of the guys in the regiment. I have a ton of awesome pictures that I want to post. Hannah, check your email. I'll pass them along to anyone who wants to see them.

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "How much deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn't live there?"
-Steven Wright

Hit The Road

www.newfrontier.com

+

www.pugcafe.com

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See Ya'll

To The Fallen

Photo by Oldsoul1864

Photo by www.kimshockey.com/cw/thirdday.html

"Far away to the front, I saw the dim outlines of lofty hills, broken rocks, and frightful precepts which resembled Gettysburg. As we advanced further, I found we were fighting that great battle over again and I saw something before me like a thin shadow which I tried to get around and go by. But it kept in front of me and whichever way I turned, it still appeared between me and the enemy. Nobody else seemed to see or notice the shadow which looked as thin as smoke and did not prevent my seeing the enemy distinctly through it. I felt troubled and oppressed but still the shadow went on before me. I pushed forward in the thickest of the fray trying to lose sight of it and went all through the battle of Gettysburg again with this shadow forever before me and between me and the enemy.

And when I came out behind the danger of shot, it spoke to me and said, "I am the angel that protected you. I will never leave nor forsake you."

The surprise was so grest, that I awoke and burst into tears. What had I done that should entitle me to such favor beyond the hundreds of brave and reputed men who had fallen on that day leaving widowed mothers and widowed wives, orphaned children and disconsolate families to mourn their fates?"

Captain Henry T. Owen
Speaking of a dream in a letter to his wife
Six Months after Pickett's Charge
Gettysburg Audio Tour as Read by Wayne Motts
Travelbrains, Inc
www.brotherswar.com/Civil_War_Quotes_41.htm

For the next few days I'll be posting some of the photos we took at Gettysburg this past weekend. It was my very first visit to the battlefield, and it was a very moving experience. Although we spent nearly 3 days touring the site there was still so much that I wasn't able to see. It would take about a week to get it all in. It was without a doubt one of the best events I've ever been able to attend (4.5 mile walk and all). It was really hard to grasp what actually happened there. The guys in the regiment did an awesome job, especially in the woods (I have pictures) at the 24th Michigan monument. It was erie listening to the reenactors charge through. I guess you just had to be there. One of those things I'll never forget.

The Donkey Whisperer

(p.s.-pay no attention to the masked man)

Ok, so let me clarify: You give me an entire CD of photos. Then you give me instructions to never photoshop any of them and use them in embarrassing ways. And you expect me to follow your instructions? Well, I didn't do any photoshoping. This is an honest picture. I figured I had to put something really good up since I'll be gone the next couple of days. Cedar and Holly will need to be walked if anyone feels up to it. Yeah, me neither.

If anything good happens ya'll call me. I don't want to be left out.


Rachael's Quote of the Day: "I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence."
- Doug MacLeod

Hippopotamic Land Mass

I had a great time last night. Movie night with the group is the greatest. I would just like to say that I hope every girl can find that special guy that would put her out if she got attacked by a flame spud, save her from the lightning sand, and defend her from a giant rodent even without the use of a glue trap. Ladies, he's out there somewhere. You might need a Giant and a Spaniard to find him...but he's out there. And when you do find him you can sing to him that oh-so-famous Storybook Love song from the movie. Here, I will remind you. It is Jesse's favorite and all:

Come my love, I'll tell you a tale
of a boy and girl and their love story
and how he loved her oh, so much,
and all the charms she did possess.

My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel;
it's as real as the feelings I feel.

Now this did happen once upon a time
When things were not so complex.
And how he worshipped the ground she walked on.
When he looked in her eyes, he became obsessed.

This love was stronger than the powers so dark,
A prince could have within his keeping;
His spells to weave and steal a heart
Within her breast, but only sleeping.

He said, "Don't you know I love you oh, so much,
And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?"
She said, "Don't you know that storybook loves
Always have a happy ending?"

Then he swooped her up, just like in the books,
And on his stallion they rode away.

-Mark Knopfler
What? You don't like that song? Well, get your own then.

You Look Like A Monkey....

And you smell like one toooooo!
P.S.- Pay no attention to the floating spot above your right shoulder. It's perfectly normal.

Happy Birthday Quote for John:"Roses are red, Violets are blue. I'm schizophrenic, and so am I." -Oscar Levant

Sleepy Rach

It's getting late and I'm really tired but I wanted to take a second to update my blog. Congratulations to J&B on their future having of a child. Hurry up 'cause I want to play with him/her right now. I'm so excited about being an aunt. I finally get to be crazy Aunt Rachael. For those few who came over the other night, I guess that'll teach you to watch a movie at my house. Everyone gets the soundtrack for Christmas. We're running out of childhood Rachael movies. I need some suggestions. I guess we can always go back to the Feature Family Films. I think if we combined all of ours we would have about 10 million.

Quote of the Day: "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
- Groucho Marx

I Almost Forgot

www.aaathemes.com/detail/Animals/A

FYI: Always check your bit before riding your horse. Especially if you plan on going fast. There is a remote possibility that while you are riding a horse through a field that when you pull back on the reins, fully expecting them to work, that your bit can snap in half causing a great deal of panic for you and your horse who doesn't understand why he is turning in circles while his rider is yelling for him to whoa. When you buy a bit, be prepared to spend some money. If you buy a cheap bit, take the money you saved and put it into an account designated for your hospital bills for when the bit breaks. This is a very personal topic considering the traumatic events experienced earlier this week.

Quote of the Day: "I don't know which is more discouraging, literature or chickens."
- E. B. White

A Distant Thunder

"Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well. For all we ought to have thought, and have not thought; all we ought to have said, and have not said; all we ought to have done, and have not done; I pray thee God for forgiveness."
-The 13th Warrior

Funny (lookin') People

I know this girl who does strange things. This is one of the things that she does.

It got cold tonight. That made me miss the beach. Then I got over it cause I realized (as I drove past the horse complex) that cold weather means State Fair. And State Fair means horse shows, late nights, and lots of food. So, anyone who wants to come ride my horse and get him in shape...come on. Oh, and anyone who wants to work out for me...you can still come on. I have no energy. I suggest a college & career "go to the fair and eat lots of food but don't ride any rides so we don't get sick" night.


Quote of the Day: "Go away...I'm alright."
- H. G. Wells, dying words

Moving Hearts

specad.org/meetings/retec/2000/img/bottles-lg.jpg

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 9:9&10

The hurricane left a lot of people without hope. If you have been moved by the situation in the south, act on it. Now is a time for giving. Materials and prayers. Both are needed.

Man Hands

Martha just called me from the line at the gas station informing me that tomorrow morning gas prices go up to $3.00 a gallon. So, in light of the fantastic news, I'm looking for volunteers. Who would like to come push me around town tomorrow? I have about a half a tank left . But, after going to work, the post office, the doctor, lunch, the bank, and back to work, I'm gonna have to walk home. Anyways, I'm going to attempt to go to bed early tonight...probly' won't happen though. Oh, for inquiries about the photo I will refer you to Hannah (aka: purple grimace). Brings new meaning to the term "man hands."

Goodnight to all.

"If you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here by me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth

The Call to Go

Since Bobbie and Jesse will be leaving us soon for the mission field so far away I wanted to post a favorite poem of Jesse. I believe it pretty much sums up how Christians should feel about life...and death. This poem has a way of putting whether we go, or stay, into perspective. Bobbie and Jesse, you will have our prayers and support wherever you go. However, if you chose to stay with us....we won't be sad (selfishly said).

Afraid of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
Afraid to see the Savior's face?
To hear His welcome and to trace the glory,
Glean from wounds of grace?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart?
Darkness, light, O heaven's art?
A wound of His a counterpart?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
To enter into heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
To do by death what life could not?
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid of that?

-John & Betty Stamm