If you haven't read the "Experience the Moment" blog first you might want to check it first so you'll be in order.
On Wednesday afternoon I left Camp Caraway to come to Oak Ranch, I finally made it here after having to use both my ipod map map and a gps (which is a whole other story.) So let's just say I was thankful to get here. Upon my arrival I was greeted with big hugs and smiles all around. This place is gorgeous and I must say the pictures online do not do it justice. I got the grand tour and got to meet lots of new people including some of the office staff, barn manager, house parents and the kids. They are curous and pretty honest when it comes to what they're thinking for the most part. We then went to youth group at a local church. Although the boys have been attending this was the girl's first time so I immediately made friends with one young lady as I urged her to sit with me in the circle. None really wanted to go in. We concluded the night with some American Idol and never before have I seen Scotty obsessions like some of these ladies.
On Thursday I got to sit in on some Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training, I never knew this type stuff existed...wow is all I have to say. Afterwards I headed off to the barn where I got introduced to the 8 horses and went on a ride with the barn manager. During lunch I learned more about the 5 girls and how to best work with them before driving to the bus stop. Three of the girls are in high school and 2 are in middle school. The girls had their riding lessons that afternoon where they worked on stretching and balance on the horse while holding good posture. I wish I had known some of these things a long time ago! I also got to do my first devotion with the girls. We talked about having 'burrs' under our saddle and the things that irritate us and looked at Psalms 139:23-24 for ways to give those burrs back to God and help us to have self-control. They said they enjoyed it so I've been working on another for when they all get back to OR. We concluded the day with a walk down to the Cape Fear River. It is a beautiful place and I couldn't help but think of ideas for things to do down there.
Friday was a fairly eventful day as we started with some a visit from an older adult disabled group who came to ride horses. They were a lot of fun to be around and they really responded to the horses. They also got to see the 'olympic' goats nelly and cocoa as they ran, hopped and vaulted around the barn. They also got to see a baby bird that was injured by a dog and our barn manager was rescuing. I then became the 'rescuer' as we used the boys vermicomposting (worm compost) as a source of food. It tried flying away yesterday afternoon so we let it go and hoped for the best. All of the girls but one went home for the long weekend so last night we drove into Fayetteville to eat Thai and watch Rango. Couponmom and restaurant.com is where the families can get coupons to go out to eat and it has really saved them lots of money. When you have at least 7 girls, 2 house parents and an intern meals can be expensive.
Today should be a pretty lazy day with the rain and only 1 guy and 1 girl here at the ranch for the weekend. Yesterday one of the horses cut himself at the barn before riding so this weekend I get to play Dr. with him. I am unable to get on facebook or email from the OR computers so if I'm not responding that's why, but thanks for thinking of me!
This coming week please pray for the young ladies I am working with as they come from home back to OR. That I'm able to get to know them and the guys better and that I am able to find devotions and bible studies that God is able to speak to them through. Please also be prayerful for the houseparents who change over on Wednesday but also for their realtionships with the students and the patience they need to handle the issues that may arise.
Love you all!
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