Horses and bad days.

Soooo...... last time a rode a horse (unfortunately) was two weeks ago.

It was, beyond any doubt, one of the worst rides I have had in my five years of riding. It.Was.Awful. 

Allow me to explain a little:

There were several reasons as to why this was such a horrible ride. 

1) Winsome ("My horse") hadn't been ridden in a couple weeks. He was "out of practice", he was lazy. 

2) I, hadn't ridden in a while. Just like anything else, if you stop doing it for a while, it is a little harder to jump right back in the saddle. 

3) It was the first day that was warm enough and dry enough to actually work the horses, rather than just walking, we actually trotted and *attempted* to canter.(which, I might add, the horses were not happy with working harder than they have for the past four months.) 

All of that adds up to a pretty bad day. 

We were out in the back of the property, and decided to do a little bit of cantering. We were not in a ring, so it was naturally harder to keep the horse where I wanted him. 

Horses have a homing instinct, which, can sometimes be a good thing, but at this particular time the only reason Winsome wanted to head back to the barn was because that meant that he would be done working. (some of you may be surprised how smart these animals really are) so while we would try to canter a circle, as soon as we would hit the Southeast corner of the circle, he would start his stupid little game and veer to the left, (towards the barn) We wrestled for an hour and a half, trying to canter the circle, then trotting, then just walking, then doing smaller circles, and a number of other things to make sure he knew that I was in control, so to speak. I can't even put into words the frustration I was feeling, not to mention the screaming protest my legs were making every time I had to use even more muscle to push this horse over (which was about every two minuets.) Everything in my body hurt, even my upper body from keeping his head in place. My emotions were all over the place, and I'm actually pretty surprised I made it through the ride without screaming or crying or both. This horse was testing my every being. 

What was worse, was that I had to be somewhere, so I didn't have the time I felt I need to work this horse. (though, one would think an hour and a half would have been plenty.) So I ended on a good enough note, he did indeed canter, (Hurrah!) but we still were not able to do it in a nice circle. 

I'm not sure who all exactly reads my blog posts, but I'm going to assume that not everyone is a "horse person" "cowboy" "equine enthusiast" whatever you may call my breed of people. You may or may not be surprised to read that riding can be such an emotional and physical battle sometimes. Just know, riding can be hard. We don't just jump on a horse and ride. Not all of us "cowgirls" wear pink and sparkly hats and boots, and we sure as heck work hard.

Why do I say all of the above? I think to encourage, This was an awful day, but I made it through. I did it. I haven't ridden since, due to being out of state, I don't know how next time will go. but after that ride, after all that hardship, I still love horses,and I still want to pursue Ranching as a living. and I am stronger because of that day, I learned a little more about horses and myself. 

So, whatever you're going through, whether it be a bad day, bad month, or even a bad year, stay strong in Christ, and remember that you will come out stronger. 

"Count it all as joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4) 

~KayK 

I hold you in my heart....

Sometimes putting my thoughts into words is quite hard. So, I'm not sure how this will turn out, but here it goes...
Missing someone is pretty awful, to be quite honest. Having people you hold so dear in your heart be so far away is sometimes so hard to bear.
Thank the Lord for phones, to be able to call and text (snapchat is pretty cool too:) said people, but sometimes it just isn't enough.
 It feels as if over time the memories just become dreams, and that's what you're left with, dreams. Wonderful, sweet dreams, but it all just feels so distant, so long ago. In a way I guess it was a long time ago, time is such an odd thing....
Lets just think about this for a moment though, If we never missed anyone, that would basically mean that we would always be able to see anyone you loved all the time, don't get me wrong, there are days where that sounds wonderful, but not missing anyone would also confine us in our world of friends, we wouldn't be able to branch out much, because we would have to stay where all our family and friends are. Which, to some I suppose may still sound beautiful, but where would the fun be? where would the adventure be? I love making new friends, for real. Especially when they turn out to be forever friends...
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus, And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:3-11)
That's a lot of verses, I know, but who could choose just one out of those?
~KayK

Camp Sweet Camp....

So, there's this place.... Huron Forest Camp CedarRidge.
I have been spending at least a week in the Huron forest since I was 6. This summer, I spent almost two months there. A good portion of my life revolves around camp, and camp friends....
There are so many great things about camp, I hope to touch on just a few.

~God...
God is at the center of everything at camp, whether learning how to shoot Archery, or doing drama class, Christ is the center. I never feel as close to God as I do at camp.
~Friends...
I can't even imagine my life without my camp friends. Friendships made there are long lasting, no matter who you are, what kind of things you like to do, you will find forever friends at camp.
~Beauty....
Being in the heart of the Huron National forest, Gods creation is shown everywhere. There is just something about being surrounded by Gods beauty that does something great for the soul.
~Staff..
Guys, seriously. The staff are basically the best. I think I can safely say after spending so much time with them this summer, I know most of them pretty well, and I can think of few greater people. They strive to serve God, and to help campers do just that same thing.
~Team Elijah...
Team Elijah is a high school work crew, something I spent 5 weeks doing this year. Its volunteer, we do everything from washing dishes to mucking horse stalls to building benches. It teaches you how to have a servants heart. I love TE (team elijah) You grow so close you your other team members, and learn so much about our awesome creator

If your interested in signing up for a week of camp, look into staffing, or volunteering a week on TE. (which will be the best week of your life) here's the camp website link!

www.campcedarridge.org

Did I mention we have horses?!?!

Wacky Hair Wednesday!

Team Elijah Strong.

Proof that we do really awesome things on TE like build benches!

~KayK

My Dearest little sister.....

My little sister, Chloe, is turning 10 in about a week.
This little girl makes my life ten times better, I can't even put into words how much I love her.
I keep having theses "big sister moments" (She is my only little sister, so I have never experienced such moments until now.) moments, when I look at her and no longer see my "little" sister, but rather a growing young woman. Talk about scary. Small things, like seeing her for the first time with a french braid, or with pierced ears, make me realize how fast my baby sister is growing. 
Some may find little siblings just plan anoying, I used to feel the same way, still do sometimes, but somwhere along the way I realized how much I really do enjoy "playing" with her, whether it be her just sitting on my lap and tickling each other, playing checkers, having late night talks with her (we share a room.) seriously guys, she is the best.

Happy Birthday, little sister.
~KayK 

For the Dreamers....

For the past two weeks, I have been trying to find the right words for a blog post on dreams, finding those very words is proving to be quite difficult. 

I believe God gives us dreams, desires, longings to do something with our time on earth. I also believe very few make their dreams come true, I feel that it is instilled as us a human beings to pursue something, anything. Our life is made of looking forward, whether it be planing out years, or simply trying to get your week planed, we dream all the time. 

Putting aside all practicality, if you could fulfill any dream, what would it be? where would you go? what would you do? 

I have been told over and over again that my dream is simply all in my head, my dream is not possible. I am here to tell you that dreams are possible, that they can happen. Don't give up on your dreams, whether you are 8 or 82, keep dreaming, keep working towards you goals.

That brings me to something else. Working. Dreams take work, some, more than others. Yet you can't sit around waiting for you dream to come knocking at your door, I am very much sorry to say. Pray about it, if you believe that it is something God wants you to do, go after it, do it, work for it, prove people wrong. 

One more topic, Pray. we must be careful, and always go to God before anyone else. I caution you, follow your dreams, but be sure that they are God-centered dreams. 

"With God, all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) 

~KayK

Precious gifts of God.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of something called Kids Club. 

A group of three or four of followers of Jesus go into a public school once a week and spend an hour teaching the kids about Jesus and what he did for them, along with singing songs, playing games, and building friendships. 

Even though we have only done it about three times, being a helper at kids club is changing my life. Seeing these precious little faces light up when we talk about The Creator, seeing the eagerness in their eyes, craving to learn more about this God and Jesus we talk about, its all so amazing, God is doing great things. Some of them are just so excited about it all, about singing the songs and doing the motions to the memory verse, and when my sister stands up to give a lesson, and asks questions, there are always at least 10 kids who raise their hand, jumping up and down saying "I know! I know the answer!" I am growing to love each and every one of the children. It also all gets me thinking, 

Kids grow up. Kids become adults. What are we teaching our kids in America? are we helping to build them up, or simply tell them "your too little, you will understand when your older." or "Your too little, you can't do that." I know that there is a time and place for such phrases, but how often to you say that to a child because its easier than taking time out of our day to help them understand or do something? If they won't know until they grow up, how are they expected to know what to do when they grow up? Listen to what kids have to say, it may surprise you. Show them Jesus love, so that they might grow to be God fearing adults. 

"but Jesus said, "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

~KayK 

His love endures forever.

Everywhere in the Christian world, there are conferences, help centers, and books upon books about what to do when life just isn't going right. All great and valuable things, but, what do we do when life is going good? times when we don't really 'need' to trust God, because everything is just going great and life is good.
I often find myself falling away a little from God at these times, My life is good, everything is going great, I have no need, no, time of desperate hour to call upon my Lord. Upon realizing this, I see how sad it is, that God helps me out of hard times, but I then go on my merry way forgetting to thank him often.
"In everything gives thanks." ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Praise God! give thanks to him for everything he does for you. If life is going good, don't put God out. Don't use him as a fallback when things get tough. He created you, and he loves you more than you can ever even imagine. He loves you in the good times and bad, so why only talk to him in the bad?
"Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)
~KayK