July 2010

Horses, daily devotionals, and Bible studies. It doesn't get any better than that !!!

JASON THOMPSON. Over the next few days I'm going to tell you about Jason Thompson. How he came into our lives, the things that happened when he was in our lives, and how he went out of our lives. There is sooooooo much to tell about those few months that I could (and probably will) write a book about it.

In these past years there have been many people who have been "in and out" of our lives and they have all helped mold us and help us "grow." We have had some interesting events - that's for sure - but all of it was for a reason. I'm beginning to realize that everything that happens to us can be a wonderful "life lesson", if we pay attention and learn from it. I am sixty years old, and it has taken me this long to realize ALL the lessons I have learned. For about fifty years I was just going along in life, living one day after the other. But I'm realizing there is more to life than that. Every person, every event, every thing that happens to us is to help us to grow into the person God wants us to be. And it all depends on how we perceive and handle it. So many "CRAZY" things have happened to us these past few years, and I now realize that it was all part of the "process."

Life is like a game. Ups and downs, good and bad. And it is all how we deal with our challenges that gives us "bonus points" to make it to the finish line. I think of it like a game of "Good and Evil." God and Satan are "battling" it out to see who wins our souls. I am realizing that when I react the way Jesus would, and handle things in a Christ-like manner, instead of in my Human flesh-like manner, that I get rewarded in some way. It never fails. So - knowing that - why don't I react like Jesus every time? Because I'm human. And I'm fighting my "flesh" and "the world." It is an ongoing battle and Satan is very good at how he plays the game. He is constantly trying to beat us down. God waits for us to come to him. He never forces himself on us like Satan does. But when we ask Him for his help the Holy Spirit is right there waiting to help us. It really is cool when you think about it. It's all planned out. And, just like any "game", it eventually comes to an end. And - I believe the end of this game is coming soon. All the signs are there. The oil spill is not surprising. It is right there in the Bible in the book of Revelation. The earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, famines, the crumble of Wall Street, etc., etc. - all predicted. And yes, we serve a loving God, but He is also a just God. He gives us choices - then the rest is up to us. He clearly says in the Bible that we won't get to heaven just by the good works we do. Good works are good, but without believing in Jesus as our Lord and savior we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. No Buddha, no Mohammad. Only Jesus. Yes - I'm preaching here - but that's because I love you guys and I feel this "Game of Good and Evil" is coming to an end - and soon.

Back to Jason ! I'm glad he was in our life. Jason did a lot of good things for us. If it wasn't for Jason we wouldn't have Sam and Lucy at our barn. If it wasn't for Jason we wouldn't have taken on the Christopher Newport Equestrian Team. If it wasn't for Jason, Ryann wouldn't be training and showing the horses. Jason did a lot of good things for us.

Oops, I've gotta run to the barn and teach a lesson or two. But when I get back I'll continue with the Jason story. This will take days, maybe longer.

Ryann is an Aunt !!! Hunter's sister Brooke had a baby girl on Thursday night. Her name is Makeyla and she is precious. I'm sure Auntie Ryann and Uncle Hunter are going to spoil her rotten. So cute.

We have a new horse at the barn named "Fred Astaire." Lissa sent him home with us from Deep Run. He is for sale so if you are looking for a horse let us know. He is big, quiet, does perfect flying changes, moves good, and would jump fire. We LOVE him.

Baby Alice is adorable. She is still the sweetest thing - even with having eye drops put in four times a day. She's amazing. Dr. King can't believe her. He says he's NEVER seen a sweeter baby. Her eye is better. It still has a spot on it, and is still having medicine put in it, but it seems to be under control. She is definitely going through a "funny looking" stage - partly shed out of her pretty bright chestnut color. None of us can decide what color she is going to be. Maybe liver chestnut, maybe bay, who knows. There's not a gray hair on her anywhere - so I'm not too sure if gray is a possibility. But who knows.

We'll be at the barn all day on Saturday. It feels weird because it's our first Saturday in weeks without a horse show. Come visit if you're in town.

This following is a daily devotional e-mail message I got today from Joel Osteen. Ironic, isn't it?

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!

Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July !!! Happy birthday America.

What a difference a year makes. Life is good .

Have a WONDERFUL, blessed day. Lots of love.

Nardeen

Wow - I don't know what happened to my diary, but a couple of days have disappeared. I don't even know if I can remember what I wrote about, but it's really not that big of deal - is it? I basically do this for my relaxation - and it's just kind of fun to keep track of everything that goes on.

I've got to get back to the Jason Thompson blog. Brittany and I made a list of all the "happenings" while Jason was around. It was amazing when we started writing down how much went on in those couple of months we knew him. Anyway - I'll get back to that soon.

We hope we'll see you tomorrow at our show. We have a nice group coming. We've been busy all day getting ready - and in addition to that we had a couple of little girls come out for pony rides, and a new beginner student. And yesterday we had potential new customers who seem very nice. We are very particular now about who we take as boarders. We have such a wonderful group out here and everyone gets along so nicely. Ryann and I sure don't want to rock that boat. So, I introduced them to all the "kids" and made sure everyone felt comfortable with them. We all like them very much and "hopefully" they will be joining our AGS soon. And - if not, well, it wasn't meant to be and God sure knows best. He's shown us that over and over again.

Today was one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. And then I realized - I had not taken a few minutes starting my day in prayer and a few minutes with the Lord. I woke up sooooo busy - with lots of different projects on my plate - and I just didn't take the time. We'll - as I well know - when I don't give a few minutes of my morning to God, my whole day seems hectic. When I finally stopped, took a deep breath and had a little "prayer time" things sure got better. And I know this principle sooooo good that it was ridiculous that it took me all day to do it. So, things are much better now and I'm even getting to write in my diary. Actually - I just finished painting the front door at the barn, and I'm watering the rings. So I'm just killing a little time writing in here while the sprinkler is going.

We're looking forward to tomorrow. It's going to be a peaceful, wonderful day at Amazing Grace Stable !!! They are calling for an 80% chance of thunderstorms, and that will be just fine if that happens - even if we have to cancel the show. We actually got a good rain this morning. My precious girls Shannon and Savannah were here and we were going to ride in the rain because we were all so happy to have rain. But when we got out there Jack said no way and refused to partake. So - we all just sat back and enjoyed rain - something we haven't seen in a long time.

A PERFECT horse show. We were all talking about how it was like a "reunion." It felt good !

Jenny Old Powell was the judge and - well - I LOVE Jenny. She is - and has always been - the most precious girl. Jenny started riding with us when she was a little, little girl. Actually - we were still at Shamrock Stables in Newport News. I think she was seven or eight. We were fearful when we had to move to Smithfield that we might lose the Olds because they lived in Williamsburg and that was quite a drive for them. But - praise God, they came with us. Jenny's mom, Judy, and I would talk about what a long drive it was, but Judy was always so good about it and said she actually enjoyed the time in the car with the girls because they would talk and bond. She was always positive about it and never made me feel like it was a burden or inconvenience for her. And - then they moved even further away - to New Kent County - and they still continued to make the drive - never complaining. The Olds will always have a very special place in my heart.

Jenny was the cutest little girl. I'll never forget the first time she rode "Dublin." Jenny was ready to move up and start showing at the local shows, and I wanted them to lease Dublin from the Shields (another AMAZING family). Jenny took a lesson on him and well - it wasn't that much fun. Dublin didn't like to "walk", he definitely had a mind of his own - and you had to ride him "his" way. And, when you did, he was perfect. And - he didn't really like being in riding lessons. He just wanted to get in that ring, jump the course of jumps, and leave. So - he wasn't always that much fun to "lesson" on. So Jenny's first experience with Dublin wasn't that good. She and Judy came in the office afterwards looking a "bit" disappointed. I think I had built him up too much and they were expecting "magic." But Dublin was a "magical" pony - who was wonderful, but took some getting use to. I told them that day to not be discouraged and to just wait until after the horse show to see how they felt because that would be a whole different experience. Dublin was a show pony - not a lesson pony. Soooooo - that weekend - Jenny and Dublin won EVERY class they went in. It was adorable. Awwww - Dublin - what a great pony. Lots of kids learned how to ride on Dub -and I'll always be grateful to the Beamers for buying him. At that time he was the most expensive pony I had in the barn and he was the best boy. Wow - what great memories are flooding my heart right now thinking about that pony and all the "kids" who rode him. I'm actually a bit choked up. Memories - aren't we blessed to have them. Anyway - Jenny went on to win the VHSA Pony Medal Finals at age 10, and numerous equitation classes years after. She was one of the most beautiful, soft, natural riders. See the picture below when Jenny showed our wonderful horse Untouchable at the Deep Run Horse Show in the Equitation classes. She was only twelve years old and ended up 2nd in the Bryan Trophy. She was then and is still quite the rider. But more importantly she is a wonderful, sweet and kind young woman. We've been blessed to have her and her family in our lives.

Brittany Pomeroy and her wonderful mom and dad came out for a while. It was so good to see all of them again. What nice, nice people. Keep Brittany's mom in your prayers. She has Parkinson's disease. I'm not sure why things like this have to happen - I wish I had the answers. But she loves the Lord, she has peace, and she has a wonderful husband and daughter who love her dearly!!! So - even with Parkinson's disease - she has much, much more than a lot of people. God bless her.

Neysa had a great day . She and Reese won all three Junior Amateur classes. He was a "little" Reese-ish in the warm up but then he went around beautifully. Neysa was even able to "lengthen" to the jumps without him getting upset. He is such a worrier. But he is starting to look more and more comfortable and happy to be in the show ring.

Ryann and Supernatural had a great day too and won all three Open Hunter classes. And Ry and Sydney won both jumping classes and second in the under saddle in the Baby Green. Deena and Kendall won the undersaddle and were wonderful in the jumping classes - just a couple of "baby green" things. That Deena is something else. What a good mover and jumper. And Kendall just loves her soooooo much - and rightfully so. Adorable.

Lucy had a clean sweep too in the Beginner Equitation. Mel Mel is starting to get it. She's going to be alright and by the end of this year she'll have it all figured out. I love Melody. She's a useful little horse for what Lucy is doing right now. And my goodness - it's not like Lucy doesn't have a barn full of other horses to ride.

Anne Martin made her return to the show ring and was AMAZING. She showed Sly in the Junior Amateur and the Special Junior Amateur and she got better, and better, and better in each class. In the first class she was a little nervous and had to get use to Sly again. As I've said before, Sly is such a good boy - but he is very green and takes a continuous ride. Ryann says you have to ride him every step of the way and when you get to the jump you have to tell him to jump. And once Anne got use to that she won both jumping classes in the Special Junior Amateur and went beautifully. The girl can ride. Anne's other horse Supernatural was Reserve Champion with Brittany in the Special. So Anne Martin's horses were the stars of the show. Toby won a Champion and a Reserve Champion, and Sly won two Champions. So if there was such an award at the show, Anne would have won High Point Owner !!! You go girl.

Beth Jones' ponies and kids are adorable. Dana Hooper Kiser brought a very nice group. We love Kasey and Anita's kids and horses. And there is no one who loves to show more than Catherine Isner. Thank all of you who came to our show. I know it was a hard decision with two shows within two miles of each other. I'm sorry you were put in a position to have to decide. No - we didn't have the biggest show we've ever had, but we had "our friends" with us and it was a special day. We thank you for your support.

Jenny & Untouchable - Deep Run. Jenny was only twelve years old !!! Quite a talent.

Summer Camp has been AMAZING. Brittany, Lucy and Sam have pretty much handled the entire week. Ryann and I are so impressed with them . They have totally organized everything. When I was out of town at Deep Run the three of them decided we MUST have a camp this year. Ryann and I weren't going to do one because we are soooooooo busy. But Britt, Lucy and Sam put together an entire packet, had it totally organized and went over it with me when I got home from Deep Run. They "sold me" on their camp and assured me they would handle it all. So, they made a homemade sign, all taped together with duct tape, and put it up on the road. We have had the biggest summer camp we have ever had - even bigger than the Hunter's Way days !!! Last night we had a house full of kids who spent the night. Thank you to Michaela's Grandma and Aunt for bringing pizza and sundaes, and to Cathy for all the treats, spending the night and helping! We had a great time and all the kids were wonderful. They all curled up in their sleeping bags up in the loft and watched International Velvet. Sooooooo cute.

Thank you Lissa for Memo and Fred. They participated in Summer Camp on Wednesday. We even let some of the teeny little ones ride them. They were absolutely perfect and LOVED all the LOVE they were getting. That Memo is one big mess. He is the cutest thing, and Fred has been a "gentle GIANT." He's such a big boy, but he thinks he's little. We love Memo and Fred. And on Monday Caroline (Moran) is sending us "Vinny" her precious little pinto horse. He's going to stay with us until after our IHSA show in November then he will go back to Caroline for the winter. We have been soooooo blessed .

If you ever get a chance watch Creflo Dollar on TV. He is wonderful. Today he's teaching about being thankful. We all have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are so good. If you're reading this blog, you have lots to be thankful for because that means you have a computer, you have the internet, you have electric, you have a roof over your head. We all live wonderful, blessed lives don't we?

I have a praise report about how God helped me find the Middleburg Classic Trophy Book. I have been looking and looking and looking for it for several weeks. I need it to get the results for this year's prize list. Well I have turned my house upside down, taken everything out of my car several times, and even looked at the barn even though I KNEW I had not taken it there. I have been praying but with no success. Well, when all the kids from summer camp spent the night I told them about how important that book is and how much I needed it. I told them that the Bible says when two or more pray together that it is powerful, and especially the prayers of little children. So we said a quick prayer and about five minutes later I found the book . It was in my office where I had looked many, many times. God's timing is everything. He doesn't always answer our prayers when we want Him to but when He thinks it is best. I think that God thought it would be best for all those little children to see how powerful prayer can be. So - thank you God for teaching me another wonderful lesson and showing me how AMAZING You are. And thank You for helping me find the trophy book so I can get on with the Middleburg Classic prize list.

Where is the summer going! Oh my goodness - we are halfway through July. I can't believe it.. And we went from the wettest winter on record to now the driest summer. Unbelievable.

Summer Camp was a huge success. All the kids had a ball. Lucy, Brittany and Sam are to be commended. They pretty much did the entire camp themselves. What a great experience for them. They learned a lot about business planning, marketing, teaching, organizing, and patience ! Good all around skills. The three of them are such great kids. They are just amazing and wonderful role models. They are the kind of kids you want your children influenced by. We are so blessed to have them with us at Amazing Grace Stable. We LOVE OUR KIDS !!! So thank you Lucy, Britt and Sam.

I'm in Richmond at the Old Dominion Horse Show. Ellen (Shevella) the show Chairman has done a wonderful job. She really works hard on this show. The show is to benefit Danny & Ron's Rescue . There are several parties, events and classes scheduled. It is going to be a really fun week. And you should see the show office. Ellen set up one of the rooms as a lounge - with a loveseat, table and chair. It is so people can come in out of the heat and relax. I know the exhibitors are going to love it. She has popsicles to hand out to the barns when they start arriving tomorrow. She has the cutest ribbons for donors to wear when they've made a commitment to sponsor Danny & Ron's Rescue. Her mom made them ! My mother use to make red ribbons for us to hand out at Middleburg Classic. I miss my Mother Dear. Anyway - I know we are going to have an AMAZING week.

Kim Gottwald and Alexa Quinn are putting on a wedding shower for D. J. and Nikki on Wednesday night at the Deep Run Club House. It will be right after the horse show. The theme is "Stock the Bar," I bought them Bloody Mary Mixer, Peanuts, and a jar of Asparagus from the Smithfield Shoppe. I can't wait to finally meet Nikki. D.J. was probably a wise man to keep her away from all of us crazy horse people.

The kids want to do another Summer Camp - so the dates are August 9 - 13, from 9 - 2. We're excited . I love those kids. They are such a blessing to help us with camp so the barn can make some extra money. So - I told them we are going to buy a vacuum for the barn aisle. Sam doesn't want to. He thinks the exercise from sweeping is good for us. Plus he doesn't want me to spend the money. He's such a good kid. But - I know when he uses that vacuum he's going to absolutely LOVE IT !!! So when I get home from Old Dominion we're going to get the vacuum.

Today is the first day of the Old Dominion Horse Show. The show grounds look beautiful. It is going to be another hot week though - but at least we've gotten a little bit of rain, thank God. Ellen has done a great job working on the show.

Poor Danny (Robertshaw) took a fall yesterday, and I'm not sure yet if anything is broken. I'll let you know as soon as I know. Keep him in your prayers.

"Vinny" arrived at AGS yesterday. We're so excited. "Vinny" is Caroline's precious pinto horse that she's loaning us for the CNU girls. I love my friend Caroline Moran. She is so wonderful and so good to me. I'm going to Blowing Rock after Old Dominion to spend some time with Caroline and Alex and I can't wait. I've never been to Blowing Rock and I know it's going to be so much fun. I always have fun with Caroline and Alex - no matter where we are or what we're doing. I love them !!! They are two of the best people I know in this world.

It is Sunday night and I am at my hotel in Richmond. The Old Dominion Horse Show was a wonderful success. We had 48 more entries this year than last year. Imagine if we would have had cooler weather. The show was beautiful with a lot of little extra "Ellen" touches. The grandstands were gorgeous. She put small tables in each box, and covered them with a navy blue table cloth. They were perfect for the box seat holders. And she used brown chairs instead of the white ones that all of us use. They looked so pretty in the stands. And with them being brown they blended right in with the stands so it never looked messy. That was a great idea.

Ellen had LOTS of classes that we don't often see at other shows and they were a lot of fun. One was a costume lead line and oh my goodness, I've never seen anything cuter than those kids and their perfect ponies. I think I'm going to steal her idea and put that class at Middleburg Classic. We already have the Costume Team Class, but that will be cute to put in the lead-liners too. ADORABLE.

I had an AMAZING God moment tonight when I was leaving the show grounds. I can't wait to tell you all about it but I just woke up from falling to sleep at the computer. I think I'll hit the hay and tell you about it in the morning. GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD.

Sooooo - about my God moment that happened at the horse show last night. I was leaving to go to my hotel - and I pulled out of the driveway, then I decided to pull back in and tell the jump crew goodbye in case they weren't at the show grounds on Monday. I knew I was going to see Kevin, but I wasn't sure about the others - and after spending a week with them I feel like they're "family." Anyway - I pulled in just about the same time that Jennifer - the landscaper got there. We were chatting for a few minutes and I was telling her what a beautiful job she had done. She has never done a horse show before and was totally on her own as to what to do. The corners of the ring were gorgeous with all sorts of greenery, and if you didn't get a chance to go into the grandstands - well, the hanging baskets were incredible. I wish I had a truck or someway to take a few home with me. Anyway - I was talking to her about doing some work for me at my shows and she told me that she was feeling pretty down and how business has been really slow, and that as she was driving into the show grounds she was praying for God to let her know if she should close her business, or what direction she should take. She said our conversation was giving her the hope to keep doing it. WOW - isn't God amazing. I was driving out - and He turned me around and took me back into the show grounds so I could be His voice and give Jennifer the hope she needs. The name of her business is "Mustard Seed Farm". Isn't that wonderful. The Bible says if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can do all things. It was such a God moment. She and I shared a few minutes talking about how wonderful He is and how grateful we are that He shows Hmself to us in things like this. His reassurance is AMAZING and I thank Him everyday -actually almost every moment. I've learned that the more grateful I am to Him the happier I am.

I've gotta run to the show grounds and finish up some things and meet with Ellen. I've got lots to tell you about this week at the show.

Oh - by the way, Danny hasn't found out if he's broken anything. He sure is holding his left arm funny. He probably dislocated or bruised something pretty bad. Anyway, he didn't show but he seemed in good spirits. Bob Crandall showed his horses.

So that means it's been two years that we've been Amazing Grace Stable. We built the barn the barn 13 years ago, but two years ago we changed the name to Amazing Grace Stable. We named it that because we wanted to thank God for the grace He has shown us - especially these past few years. I'll tell you what - I could have never gotten through this time if it hadn't been for his "amazing" grace. One reason for the name. We want to be sure that people know we are a Christian barn so there are no surprises. Yes - we are "crazy Christians" and proud of it. So if you come out to AGS, don't be surprised if Christian music is playing in the barn, or we may be having a bible study, or we may be saying a prayer for someone who has called and asked us to pray for them or someone they know. We love the Lord and are not ashamed to express it. God has sure been good to us and we thank Him for it.

Ryann and Hunter are on vacation, and the kids and I are running the barn this week. Actually - the kids are running the barn and I'm just there working on horse shows. It's that time of the year when I'm extremely busy doing that - and I love it. My only complaint is there are not enough hours in the day.

Barb, Leddie and Shawn move in with us tomorrow. We can't wait. They are wonderful and we are looking so forward to them becoming part of our family. We're going to have a fun, full house. I love it. You know me - the more the merrier.

So - off to work on Middleburg Classic. I've been agonizing over the timetable and how many days we are going to have. But after this week I've decided to stick with only five days like we had last year. That seemed to work out fine and it saved us thousands of dollars by having one less day. I'll get the prize list up soon.

We have amazing horses at Amazing Grace Stable but not enough time to keep them all ridden. This is a great opportunity for those of you who are too busy to lease or own your own horse. You can lease a horse by the ride or for a show. And ride a different horse every time if you'd like. This is a win/win situation for everyone. Call Nardeen at 846-8176 for more details.

Also - we are planning some EVENING "Fun Horse Shows" and we'll provide the horses. Chaps, half chaps and polo shirts are the attire . I'll post some dates here soon.

Horses, daily devotionals, and Bible studies. It just doesn't get any better than this !!!