January 2010

2010 is going to be an AMAZING year ! I am going to write out my goals and they ARE going to be achieved. I am going to believe and have faith and God IS going to be with me. I am going to trust in the Lord to help with everything - no matter how small it seems. He has proven to me over and over, especially these past few years - and even more so these past few weeks - that if we will trust in Him He will work everything out, no matter how small, big or difficult the situation seems. God is AMAZING !!!

So, in 2010 I am going to continue to have faith, trust and "believe." What an AMAZING year we are going to have !

God bless you my friends for a prosperous, wonderful, and faith filled 2010. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you."

If you have a picture of Chris (Wynne's) house please email it to me. I would love to post it here for all to enjoy. Who would have ever thought that Chris would have a Griswold Christmas !!! I love it. email it to me at amazinggraceva@aol.com

"Ask of God, who is able to do exceedingly far more abundantly above and beyond

"WALTER" - one of my favorite horses, and definitely the most beautiful horse I have ever seen.

Brrrrrrrrr ! As soon as it "warms up" we have some fun things planned at the barn. I just hope it warms up soon. Remember our January 23 show. It must be above 40 degrees though. I'll post the prize list in a day or two.

We are working on the new lesson schedule. The college "group" is back from winter break and the schedule will change some. We are excited because we have two boys on the team this semester ! Hooray. The team has grown too which is exciting.

We are also setting up the lesson schedule with Chris Wynne at Amazing Grace Stable. There will be a few openings for people who would like to bring their horses over. E-Mail me at amazinggraceva@aol.com or call me at 846-8176.

We have several new horses at the barn to use with the CNU team. We are really excited about them. We are very appreciative of the owners of the horses who have sent them to us to use in this program. It really is a win-win situation for everyone. The horses are well taken care of, they are in a regular program under supervision, the CNU riders ride quite well, and the owners are still able to come out to Amazing Grace Stable and ride if they would like!!! It just doesn't get much better than this for the horse owners and the CNU riders. Thank you everyone who has contributed.

The power of prayer ! Well - call it what you will, but I do believe that Britt's prayers had something to do with it. All you guys who go to Isle of Wight Schools have her to thank for getting out of school today because of the "snow." Last night when the weatherman was calling for snow Britt was "praying" for school to be closed today. Then this morning at 5:30 the T.V. was running that bar across the bottom of the screen and all the schools were on a two hour delay - even Isle of Wight. So I texted Britt and told her - but she wasn't giving up. She said she was still praying for school to be closed. Well - every school in our our area is on a two hour delay - except - Isle of Wight - which are closed !!! You can call it what you want, I call it prayer power. You go Britt !!!

My friend Kim Gottwald and her daughter Caroline are in Haiti on a mission trip. They were on a day trip when the earthquake hit. Thank God they are alright and have made it to the American embassy. Please keep them and continue to keep everyone in Haiti in your prayers. What a terrible catastrophe.

Kim called me last night and I'm so grateful to the Lord that she and Caroline are home safely. She says the situation it is far worse than we are seeing on the news and that it is a miracle they are alive and back in the United States this quickly. It sounds like they have been through "hell." Please keep them in your prayers and ask God to help them heal from this horrific experience. Please ask Him to let them clearly see how they can use this experience to make a difference in our world. He obviously has big plans for them and that is why He protected them. We will never know or understand why catastrophes like this happen. It is all too big for us to comprehend. But we do know that our God is a loving God and He is there to give us peace to get through the hard times in our life. Sometimes that is when we feel Him the most. Actually - most of the time that is when we feel Him the most. So please - keep Kim and Caroline in your prayers for God's peace, and of course continue to pray for all those poor people in Haiti.

Click here for the prize list to our January 23 horse show. Be sure to enter by noon on Wednesday.

Howdy ! Wow, I can't believe I haven't updated this in a week. It's probably because I have just started Facebook - which is ridiculously time consuming and time wasting. I guess the first few weeks of being on FB takes a while because of "friending". I do like being contacted by old friends who I've lost touch with, but - it is ridiculous how time consuming it is.

So - aren't we sick of rain and mud and rain and mud and cold and more rain?!?! Will it ever end? I think it's about time for me to head to Florida. The only thing about that is it makes it even harder to face this when I come home.

Tomorrow is a "girls day" at the spa. We're heading over for pedicures and massages. We're sure looking forward to it.

I've just started a new book and it is wonderful. It's Called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It starts out about how he (Francis) started out believing in God without having a clue what God is like. He doesn't think his church teachings were incorrect, just incomplete. Then God started changing his heart - and he started reading more of the Bible - which resulted in him feeling more alive. The Bible - such an amazing book!!! So full of wisdom and knowledge, SECRETS and clues. You don't read it like any other book. You get something new and different out of it almost every time you read it. Even reading the same pages will mean something different to you depending on what's happening in your life when you read it. The Bible - a book we all take for granted and don't realize how blessed we are to be able to read it whenever we want. The SECRETS and SOLUTIONS are all there. Hidden away in different stories and parables. The ANSWERS to all of our questions. You don't just sit down and try to read it like you would any other book. You don't start at the beginning and read to the end. It doesn't read like that. There is a great way to read the Bible. Each day read one chapter of the New Testament, one chapter of the Old Testament, Proverbs and Psalms. And of course, use it as a reference tool by looking up different circumstances in your life that need the word of God. The Bible - all written by our God to help us understand the SECRETS of our world, the reason we are here, and the way to eternity.

Sooooo - with that said, we just saw Denzel Washington play an amazing role in The Book of Eli. It is an incredible movie with quite an important message! It's about - The Bible - the most important book in the world !!!

We had such a nice time today at Lorraine's Day Spa. Manicures, pedicures, massages and lunch. What more could a girl ask for !!!

Have you thought about how big your God is today? Do you realize you have the Creator of the universe on your side? He's the God who spoke the worlds into existence. He's called the Great I Am. He's saying today, "I am everything you need. I am your strength. I am your wisdom. I am your protection. I am your provider. I am your way maker. I am your problem solver. I am your dream giver. I am your victory!"

David put it this way in Psalm 138, "Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will bring me safely through. Your fist is clenched against my enemies. Your power will save me." Maybe you feel like David today. You're surrounded by all kinds of difficulties. You're tempted to just settle right where you are. But you need to get your fire back. Instead of focusing on how big your problems are, focus on how big your God is! He is everything you need. He is the Great I AM, and He is the one leading and guiding you into victory in every area of your life!

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won't take care of you when you are Sick. Your friends and parents will.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
It's OK to let your children see you cry.
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
Don't let other people control your feelings.
Time heals almost everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
God loves you because of who God is, not Because of anything you did or didn't do.
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

Happy Birthday Ryann. 24 Years Old - where did those years go??? I'm not kidding when I say feel like it was just yesterday when Ryann was born. The years go by so quickly. I think if you asked any parent they would tell you the same. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful, precious daughter. God bless you Ryann.

Watch this uplifting video. It will truly inspire you to know that you can do ANYTHING !!! Thank you Kendall.

We have soooooo much to be grateful for. God has sure been good to us these past several months.

First - we are very grateful to Georgina Bloomberg for sending us so many wonderful - almost new - riding clothes for our CNU Team. She sent everything ! Coats, pants, shirts and boots and all beautiful. What a wonderful thing for Georgina to do. She is a truly wonderful person. She recognizes how blessed her life is and she in turn "gives back." And all the people who donated the clothes to her foundation are also "giving back" and making a difference.

Next - the CNU team has been a tremendous blessing to us. Last night they gave Ryann a very fun birthday party - and she was totally surprised. It turned out perfect. And Hunter pulled it all off great.

The weatherman was right ! We have about 8" of snow - and it's still coming down. It is soooooo pretty - but - we know that in a few days it will be MUD !! I am sick of yucky weather. We've had a fun day though, and are going to enjoy the beauty of the snow while it is here. We're all at Ryann's house and for lunch we had Brittany's favorite - Chicken and Dumplings. Now everyone is outside taking care of the horses and getting ready to go sledding. We're blessed to have Becky here with us. She and Ryann went to Master's Commission together. She's been a big help. And Agita has the day off so she's been with us too. We're having a nice time watching movies and just hangin' out.

Last night we went to Josh Carr's house for dinner and a Bible study. He lives in a beautiful condo in Port Warwick. He cooked us a delicious dinner. Josh is a wonderful young man. We love him to pieces !!! I am so grateful for the wonderful people I am blessed to have in my life. They love the Lord sooooooo much. God is good !

If you are showing at ANY "A" rated horse shows you should join the VHSA so your points will count. There are many exhibitors who would be winners of VHSA year end awards if they join and record their horses. Click here to visit the VHSA website for more information and the necessary forms.


2009 Snow		2010 Snow