DEER!

Ok so this little fellow crossed the road just fine, but last night a little deer was not so lucky. Here's the story: I was with one of my very good friends Kelly and she wanted to show me how to drive a stick shift. I thought it would be a good idea, although I was a little nervous, so we went out on the country roads. She showed me how to work the shifting and I was having a lot of fun, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We even worked on starting up on a hill, which the first time was a little rocky, but I think it got better as we tried a couple times. Then I asked Kelly if we could go see Warner Castle in Orion, she told me we'd missed the turn but we could go back to her house to turn around. So on our way back to the castle, only about a mile away from her house, all of a sudden there was this deer. And I can't really tell you what all happened, it happened so quickly, but it seemed like the deer was right there along side the car and then I just heard a thump.

I pulled over and we assessed the damage. The deer had made it away from the road, I don't know how much it was hurt. The deer had hit the car in 3 places, first starting right by the drivers side wheel, then a huge indent on the drivers door, and the last hit was on the back seat door right by the handle. I think that if my window would have been down it's little face would have been in my lap for a moment.

This is your warning, for all of you who live in a place populated with deer. Drive careful. I'm just thankful that it wasn't worse.
-Beth

We watched a great show on Tv before our hitting a deer experience. Dancinig with the stars was the name and if you haven't seen it before, check it out. It's on ABC.

Soccer Camp!


So my family and I have this soccer camp that we organize every year. We put it on with the sponcership of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth for Christ. It's an outreach to the Quad City area kids. It all started with the idea of doing ministry in areas of life that we love and are passionate about. My whole life I've grown up playing soccer, therefore the idea was raised of starting a Christian soccer camp.

Every year we call up many high school/college soccer coaches in hopes to put on what was only a dream five years ago. Along with the coaches, there are about 25 student volunteers who've had experience in soccer. That way the ratio of volunteers & coaches to kids is pretty good. I feel as if we are moving in the right direction, this year I believe the camp went better than ever!

So it's a christian soccer camp...what does that really mean? Well it means that the kids come for the morning and midway through the day they'll hear a message about God. Each year there is a theme, this year's theme was "Heart of a champion" with the great commandments of loving God and loving others as the main ideas. In the past I am afraid that some of the messages were more of a moral lesson than teaching directly about the basics of God, so this year we changes that up a bit. I was so very pleased with the messages. I believe they were to the point about who God is and yet at a level the kids could comprehend. What a blessing both speakers were to camp this year! Praise God for His providance!

One last random thought.....so I'm glad that it'll be a while before I ever think of having kids! I realize that there will have to be many things that would have to happen before that was possible, graduationg from college, engagement, marriage, etc. I like to work with those kids don't get me wrong, but the 5-7 age group was just a bit much for me. It's like when I tell them to please stop digging mud pits they must think I'm speaking a different language, they don't even try to comprehend! They are just perfect in the morning and seemingly get more outruly as the day goes on. I did take a human development class last year so I understand they they have to go through stages of thought patterns etc, but sometimes I just wonder what in the world they are thinking!

Ok, so now I'll add some picture for you all to see.
From left to right and top to bottom...
Picture 1- My friend Bill & I. He did the messages for the 5-7 age group and I knew it would take a special person to speak to the young kids. He did not dissapoint me and came up with new and creative messages each day. This particular moment he was making a poster of "what's in God's heart".
Picture 2- What a typical message time looks like. This is Keith the other speaker who also did a great job.
Picture 3-Kids lines up to shoot on goal. The volunteers are Becky and Jon. Jon is my boyfriend's (Alex) younger brother.
Picture 4- All the volunteers who helped out with the soccer camp. As you can see there are many people who put a lot of time and energy to get this camp going each day. We could not do it without them!

Blessings to you..
-Beth

So this is my very first blog. I have been thinking about this for quite a while. I hope to write a little bit of my thoughts and share with you what God's been teaching me lately. I hope to share with you the Wonder of creation that God has/is shown/showing me.

Well I'll dig right into life at the moment.

Today I loaded Juliet up into a trailer only to be shipped to Muscatine. It was suprisingly easy for me to do. Not the actualy loading, because that was another story, but emotionally it wasn't too bad. Maybe that is because I haven't really realized the fact that she could be sold soon. Maybe I was too preoccupied with all the events that are going on in these past days. Soccer camp has kept my mind busy. But one thing is for sure, when I do sell that horse it will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Never have I had to think past my heart as much as I've done in this situation. There is nothing in that horse that I don't love. The decision to sell Juliet has had several main factors: College is expensive, riding time is few and far between during the school year- therefore Juliet deserves more attention than I can give, horses are not cheap, and I want to make my life more available for God.

Life changes and that is one thing for certain. As much as I love all the years I spent with that horse, I know that it is time to move on. At first that was very hard for me to even think of, but praise be to God that He has given me much confirmation that this is the time. He didn't have to do that, but he did. It is so many of the little things that God does that wouldn't have to be done, but does get done that shows His loving character.

One night when God really spoke to my heart on the subject I found myself with tears of joy and praise that my God would have given me Juliet for so long as He did. I realized that upon that horse I grew up. She kept me out of trouble before I knew God. She kept me away from boys before I was ready to meet them. I learned responsibility and perserverance through training that ex race horse. Through riding I met some of my very best friends. I will forever think upon my days of owning Juliet with joy. I will see the character of the God who gave me such a blessing, and when it's been years since I've seen that sweet thoroughbred's face, I will rejoice and know that she is in His hands. I don't have to own her to protect her. So often we want to hold on to the good things God gives us, but what if He wants us to pass them on to others?

Today I also decided that whatever I end up doing in life I will still taking riding lessons. Maybe it doesn't have to be strictly hunter/Jumper lessons, although those are great, maybe someday I'll try some Dressage. I think that is a beautiful discipline. Someday I will write about the very sweet lady who manages Steiner Dressage, she has a great appriciation and love for that specific discipline.

Have a lovely day.
-Beth

This is one of my very favorite pictures of Juliet and I. This captures that not only do we enjoy hunter/jumper activities, but after the day is done it's always nice to take a quick trail ride. I've been able to see many wild animals and been in awe of the creation of God. Nothing to me is more relaxing than taking my sweet horse Juliet for a ride, taking in all that I cease to see in the activities of a busy day. I praise God for times such as these.  

Juliet and myself enjoying the day at Steiner Dressage. This has been home to Juliet for about 2 years.  

Juliet