O Death, Where is Your Sting...

Sometimes a song touches the heart in a very special way.

This song touches mine.

You'll need to turn off the Playlist at the right, before clicking on this song.

Thinking of you, Terri, my dear friend at Our Crazy Farm.

For Terri, just as Mary, mother of Jesus, knows the agony of losing a son.  
Trent.
And also knows the victory of everlasting life.

Come awake my friends.  Come awake.

Take a listen, and let the song soak in your soul.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Buck Brannaman (...more than just a horse whisperer...)

Over a decade ago,
I sat for several days on a lush carpet of green grass,
watching an amazing horseman in action.

No, not Russ and our beloved Nauish...

Buck Brannaman, the "Horse Whisperer".

He was putting on a clinic at beautiful Bay Harbor, 

just over the hill, in my hometown of Petoskey, Michigan.

Buck didn't mince words as he doled out advice at this beautiful equestrian center.

By the way, Buck will be back in 2013...

If you haven't seen the Documentary yet, I hear it's a must see.

I don't doubt it...

BUCK

Check out the trailer...

You'll have to turn off the soothing music to your right.  It's worth it folks...take a moment.

And please view this very touching interview with David Letterman...
where Buck discusses horses, and his tragic young life, which led to foster care.

It's not your typical "Letterman" fun and games...it's an excellent, moving clip!

I was inspired by his discussion of forgiveness.  You will be too...

 Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, 
forgive them, 
so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

God bless Buck's foster mother, Betsy Shirley, now in her late 80's.

If you wish to see more about his foster parents and their approach to Buck,
check out this article highlighting  Faraway Horses, Buck's book.   It's a gem.

When asked by Reuters as to what Buck would like to see come out of the movie he said this:

"I hope some people would think, 
'I sure wouldn't mind being like (Brannaman's foster mother) Betsy Shirley.' 
There are a lot of kids around that people don't want, or that have no place. 
It might occur to someone to follow the same path that she did. 
If that's all that came of it, it was worth it."

 Amen.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Amish Bound

I'm heading to visit the Amish today...twice in one week.

It's hard to believe I was on Mackinac Island last week, 

at the gorgeous Grand Hotel.

I have so many Christ-filled stories to reveal about my time on the Island.

Such a beautiful trip, both physically and spiritually.

And yes, I got to experience indoor plumbing for one night!!

 But now, I'm back in my element.

Visiting Michigan Amish folks.

And who better for a travelin' partner, but Zip.

She's so easy.  

Behaves, 

 never has to use the bathroom, 

and enjoys the McDonald's drive-thru, 

where she gets a package of shortbread cookies, 

just for being cute.

There's just something about Fall...that makes me love being "on the road"...

Until tomorrow dear friends, God willing.

Catching Up

Folks ~ I've been busy, but can't wait to tell you all about it.

Visiting friends (like Ellen pictured below), 

Internet down, road trips for moose meat for our sled dogs, 

and Amish trips 

have been keeping me busy since I returned from Mackinac Island.  

But before I head out for another day with the Amish, 

***yes, I'm feeling so blessed***

I wanted you to see a farm family, who are friends of mine.

Remember Ang, who is featured in the post below?  

We attended Win-Some Women together last October...

Well, her family appeared on the Anderson Cooper show yesterday.  

We don't have TV, so I was unable to view it.  

But I plan to, once it surfaces online.

However, in the meantime, here's a nice little video about their family:

Matt and Ang, 

and beautiful children 

Abby, Anna, Buddy, Penny, Peter, and Favour 

(who I dubbed "The Special K's").

Check it out HERE.

I'll be back soon, with so many amazing God-filled stories to tell you about.  

I can't wait to reveal how He has been working in our lives, all for His glory!

Until then, God willing.

Heading to the Island (Again)

October and May for me = Win-Some Women

I've been attending for over 13 years, and look forward to every trip.

And each trip is different, depending on who God chooses I attend with...

It's hard to believe that just a year ago, 

I was traveling with friend and fellow homesteader,  

Homemaker Ang  

to the beautiful 

Mackinac Island, 

and staying at the

Grand Hotel.

Arriving by carriage.

If you haven't been to Michigan's Mackinac Island,
pronounced Mack-in-nawww
the real treat is,
there are no vehicles.

 Only horses. 
And bikes.

My version of heaven...

You'll need to turn down the soothing music on Playlist, to your right.

And if you liked that, check out this 1944 clip~!

I can't wait to ride the amazing Shepler ferry

this coming week
and once again step foot,  

back in time.

And...more importantly,
see how the Holy Spirit will be working within the Win-Some Women gathering.

 And to see "J" again...and his smiling face and Jesus-filled heart!

It's always amazing to watch it unfold,
and feel our Heavenly Father at work within the hearts of many

...sometimes even before you even take your first step.

Until then dear friends, God willing.

Fall Focus

It's time.

to turn our beautiful mornings

into training sessions for the sled dogs.

Running and training sled dogs isn't "black or white" for us.

Why, you ask?

Because we have older dogs...12-year olds who love to run.

But we have younger dogs too.
Two-year olds.

So we just have to find the right blend.

And that's half the fun.

We'll check in when we can, God willing.

Happy "Fall" to everyone!

Pretty in Pink

Business Trip.

That sums up my son Charlie's trip to his home state of Michigan this past week.

He and his business partner, Bub Kuns,
were scouting locations for their new upcoming movie...Ordinary World.

 I saw some snippets of him.  But, for a mother, it's never enough.

But thank goodness, he and his family travel together, for vacation and/or business.

It left us gals some "down time" ~ treasured one-on-one time
with my beautiful Daughter-in-Love,
Kristina.

AND, their new daughter,
Evie Marie~!

What a wonderful afternoon we spent...
and it wasn't just us gals, 
as we also had the Little Woodsman, David, spend the leisure hours with us,
enjoying the Michigan flora and fauna before they head back to California.

I must, must, must be patient until we see each other again.

Writing with heavy heart, until next time my dear friends, God willing.

Fall, Fun, Film, Family, Farewell

The same thing that took my son, Charlie, out of Michigan, just brought him back.

Film making.

 He and business partner, Bub Kuns (and Bub's wife Jeanette)
came to Michigan to scout out locations
for their new movie, Ordinary World, featuring Noah Munck.

Noah will play a lead role as "David".

 Not to be confused with our adorable grandson, David.

 So, this trip is all about work.  

Scouting, assessing, movie planning.

But for the family who follows along, it's all about fun.

For me, it's about reflection.

I recall when I took Charlie to this very same spot, 

at "Dead Man's Hill",

when he was almost 4, just like his son, David.

It truly seems like it was just yesterday.

 And now, Charlie's a film maker, with a successful business.  

A business that lifts up the Lord in all it does.

The Veracity Project.

 But even more importantly, 

he's the head of a family that also puts the Lord first in all it does.

Oh, how amazing it will be to see what the future holds.

But for now, the task is at hand.  

To make a movie that will bring others to know the 

sweet, 

sweet,  

sweet 

grace of

Christ Jesus.

 And it is my job to lift up those who are making this truth known,

in daily prayer for their discernment and God-driven guidance.

For Bub...

And for my son, Charlie.

 It is this knowledge, knowing Charlie and Bub are making a difference in this world, 

that makes it a tad easier for me to say goodbye, 

as they head back to California with their families.

It's not easy for a mother to miss her son, his amazing wife, and their little ones.

Our grandchildren...

But I cope.  As many others cope in similar situations.

And know, it is what is best for Charlie. 

In service to Him.

“You are the light of the world. 

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds 

and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 

Until next time dear friends, God willing.