So if you read the post about Wake the World you will remember about the small successes I wrote about. Since then I have seen quite a bit more of those small successes but not without taking time to regroup. One of the things I have learned here is they can get just as frustrated as you can. When this happens we have to stop, take a deep breath and regroup. Last week our newest young lady had her first horse lesson. She was super nervous and scared yet excited. Some could say I drew the short straw and was given the task of working solely with her but in truth it was just that I had the most patience. However, it has been a good thing and I have loved every minute of it. Last week we worked on her building trust and confidence in not only me but also her horse, Gee.
Gee is a black Tennessee Walking Horse that stands about 17 hands tall and if any of you remember our horse Gomer they could be twins. We call him our gentle giant but he is quite hardheaded which can sometimes get the best of him. Last Thursday we worked on her learning the basics of putting on a halter, grooming, saddling and riding. She was able to learn how to steer her horse while also learning how to find her balance in the saddle with out grasping the saddle horn. She also learned how to lead her horse which was the biggest challenge. Just know where there is grass and a stubborn horse you can have a challenge pulling him away. So for a girl who want even get 3 feet close to the head, leading a horse is quite difficult.
While these lessons frustrated her they also frustrated me as she is the one you have to tell a million times and then a million more before anything gets through. This would be the part where patience is a virtue and regrouping is often...for all 3 of us! By the end of the day on Thursday I felt good about the successes she had made. We finished the day leading a different horse which was quite more cooperative. Today we were able to continue these lessons and she was able to ride and 'steer' Gee with out him actually following me as well as go over obstacles, groom and saddle her horse and even pick his front hooves. We are still working on her confidence with the horse and while she will get closer to the head she is still quite scared. We will also be working on her comfort level with other horses around. Currently she is so concerned with all the other horses being close that we just have to separate ourselves. I look forward to the lesson that we have next week and the trust and confidence that she continues to grow in her own ability, the horses and myself.
Everything else here has been relatively calm. On Saturday one of our girl's competed in her first horse show where she placed 4th in her class. We also had a water war one night between the girls and boys. Let's just say that water balloons + 4 water hoses + 14 soaking kids = good clean fun! :)
This coming week please continue to pray for the students as one is transitioning home and we are looking for new ones to come. Also pray for the healing of families and students. This week pray for the change over of house parents in the girls house and pray for the relationships that are being built. Don't forget to stop and regroup this week!
Also, I know I have heard that some of you were interested in supporting Oak Ranch so I'm working on a sort of wish/needs list but some of which include: the usual needs of food or hygiene products, Wii games ('E' or 'T'), PG 13 movies, and they are still looking for chicks and a calf, kiddie stirrups or tack (English and Western), or any monetary donations are welcome.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wake the World
Yesterday we had the opportunity to take 9 kids out to Wake the World on Badin Lake. "Wake the World" is a group of NC Wake boarders who wanted to do something special for the kids in NC's children's homes. We began the morning in prayer and we then divided up on boats to head out on the lake. I began the morning with our 3 middle school boys as we all tried to learn how to wake board. Now I'm not sure how many of you have ever tried this before but it looks easier than it is. Our first guy out on his first time was able to get himself up out of the water which I hear is a great accomplishment. The rest of us had a bit more trouble. What is interesting about this though is over the weekend myself and one of the house parents had worked with one of the boys at Jordan Lake teaching him how to swim. It took quite a bit of encouragement, patience and trust to get him to swim out to the rope and back and now here he is learning how to wake board. So cool! While none of us were quite experts and I wasn't even able to to stay up out of the water for a few seconds I'm pretty sure they enjoyed themselves. I think they thought swimming in the lake was much easier so of course we had to do that too.
After lunch in order to have all of the boats filled with kids they split up our 3 girls so I went with the one girl that was by herself. This young lady happens to be our newest at Oak Ranch and the youngest at 12. At Jordan Lake they couldn't get her to go past her waist even in a life jacket so we were all interested to see how the day would go. In the morning she had befriended one of the volunteers on the boat who never broke her promise to her (she wouldn't let her fall off the tube). Once she took a ride on the tube she was awesome. I got the chance to ride with her in the afternoon and I was told that she didn't talk all morning but when I got on the boat with her and began to laugh and joke with her she didn't stop talking. While we were on the tube she laughed the entire time, I think I had just as much fun watching her expressions as I did actually tubing. While she wouldn't get in the water even with a jacket on she loved to ride on the tube.
Although we were there to have a good time out on the lake I observed some interesting things with the kids. With the boys I say how they encouraged one another, shared tips and were able to boost their confidence. With the girls I saw them find trust in the people around them, confidence and courage as well as new friendships. All in all minus the sunburns I think it was quite an extraordinary day for all of us! If you would like more info about this event go to waketheworldnc.com you can also look for pictures of yesterday's event soon.
While some moments can be emotionally challenging for me this past week several of the kids were able to open up to me and begin to trust me more which makes me feel quite honored. Especially when most of them have been burned so many times before. I am loving the friends and family that I have made here at Oak Ranch and I can't wait for what the rest of the summer has in store for all of us. We've all been quite busy at the barn, in the hayfield, the garden, breaking beans (3 bushels so far that were donated and will be saved for the winter) and well having fun of course!
For continued prayers: There is one more new girl coming today and please be prayerful for her transition as well as the house. Just like with the horses there has to be a pecking order in their mind so I'm sure you get the picture. Please pray for confidence and courage for the students to face their adversity and to be able to use self control especially when innocent words hurt. Prayer for each one's self-efficacy as they see their worth to us and in God. Pray for the churches and volunteers around us who have supported us and the kids through donations and friendships.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Great Buffet
This past week was the last week of school for the kids which means it was no different than any other last days of school. Thursday was full of excitement for the summer! Now that they are finished with school I will be able to spend more time with them. This past week we took advantage of the time we had to go on several trail rides in the morning while things are still cool. I know what you are thinking though because Dad has already told me...what a great job I have. :) I have been using this quiet time to just sit and relax from everything else that is going on, pray and think.
While on the trail the horses think that it is just one big great buffet. I think this is hilarious but while on the trail it can become very frustrating. As I fought to keep my horse from eating every maple tree branch and every tall blade of grass there was I thought of my own life. You know sometimes I feel that my life is the trail ride and my great buffet is all the opportunities that I have. Some of which may be what God is asking of me while others are not in his plan. Like my horse I'm ok passing up a few but sometimes I begin to wonder if I can just have a little piece here and there, even if it's not on His agenda, I'm just testing the reins.
I know for my life it has been tough to give everything up to God. It always seems that I'm holding something back, something that I would fight for. I know deep down that He's a Big God and He can handle it but I guess it's either my stubbornness or independence or even shame that holds me back. I've learned I just have to daily hand over the reins and trust in the Lord. I know I may have to pass up some good opportunities in my eyes but in the end he will take me to an even better place...afterall we always end our ride in nice green pasture. :)
Monday is the arrival of our first new young lady of 4 so please keep them in mind along with some of the boys who are in transition now. One young man graduates tomorrow and while he is able to leave Oak Ranch he sure does have a lot of support here that he won't have if he leaves so please pray for his decisions. Lastly, please pray for Oak Ranch and the other Baptist Children's Homes of NC. They really do rely heavily on your help, support and prayers. For the most part they take in the children that foster homes won't and the ones that the court says have to go somewhere.
As a barn update we have new kittens at the barn as of Thursday and they are looking for a donation of chickens and a calf to add to the property. One young man really likes his chickens so we are trying hard to get him some to take care of while another wants to learn how to raise cattle so if you know anyone that would like to help us out send them to good ol' Sanford, NC.
While on the trail the horses think that it is just one big great buffet. I think this is hilarious but while on the trail it can become very frustrating. As I fought to keep my horse from eating every maple tree branch and every tall blade of grass there was I thought of my own life. You know sometimes I feel that my life is the trail ride and my great buffet is all the opportunities that I have. Some of which may be what God is asking of me while others are not in his plan. Like my horse I'm ok passing up a few but sometimes I begin to wonder if I can just have a little piece here and there, even if it's not on His agenda, I'm just testing the reins.
I know for my life it has been tough to give everything up to God. It always seems that I'm holding something back, something that I would fight for. I know deep down that He's a Big God and He can handle it but I guess it's either my stubbornness or independence or even shame that holds me back. I've learned I just have to daily hand over the reins and trust in the Lord. I know I may have to pass up some good opportunities in my eyes but in the end he will take me to an even better place...afterall we always end our ride in nice green pasture. :)
Monday is the arrival of our first new young lady of 4 so please keep them in mind along with some of the boys who are in transition now. One young man graduates tomorrow and while he is able to leave Oak Ranch he sure does have a lot of support here that he won't have if he leaves so please pray for his decisions. Lastly, please pray for Oak Ranch and the other Baptist Children's Homes of NC. They really do rely heavily on your help, support and prayers. For the most part they take in the children that foster homes won't and the ones that the court says have to go somewhere.
As a barn update we have new kittens at the barn as of Thursday and they are looking for a donation of chickens and a calf to add to the property. One young man really likes his chickens so we are trying hard to get him some to take care of while another wants to learn how to raise cattle so if you know anyone that would like to help us out send them to good ol' Sanford, NC.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A Roller Coaster of Emotions
Hello friends! Today officially marks two weeks of my stay here at Oak Ranch. So far I have seen great amounts of change and have seen one enormous roller coaster of emotions! Last night we threw a party for the two ladies who are going home tomorrow, I will just say that the house was packed full of people (and it's a big house)! Last night also happened to be the first time in which I became thoroughly frustrated, overwhelmed, burnt out, annoyed...or whatever you would like to call it.
All I could help to hope for was that the Lord would give me patience and help me to see the whole picture. Growing up one of the biggest lessons I probably learned, or the one that stuck was respect, it was quite evident that these kids as I will call by their actions don't even respect themselves. It's one thing to be disrespectful to others but I think it's a whole other ballgame when it's yourself. For example, we had all of the people go around and say something positive about the two ladies who are leaving. For one it was immensely hard for some to say something nice and for two it was even harder for the two ladies to take what positive things were said. I guess I just have to step back and remember that they were not given the opportunity to learn how to take a nice comment about themselves but rather they have spent their lives defending their self.
After all of the company left I was able to join the girls for their evening devotion which was quite emotional. Two ladies talked about getting to know the Lord and the peace that one can find. Another thanked God for rescuing her from her gang lifestyle and helping her to find a better path. She recognized that had she not found God she would not be alive. As I looked around the room at the hurt, secrets and accusations that these girls are filled with it was all I could do to keep myself together. Can you imagine your parents blaming their pending divorce on you? Or what about having your family members let you get beat up by fellow gang members? Even better what about having to live with one of your abusers every weekend? The list could go on but to me this is more than anyone much less a 13 year old should ever have to handle. This was the source of my frustration as you can imagine.
As I was reminded several times before and after last night I, we must remember that in order to minister to others we must be able to minister and take care of ourselves. Don't be like the starving baker as I have heard before.
Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts and I ask that you remember the students who are leaving and coming as well as their families as they overcome cancer, substance abuse, homelessness and much more. I ask that you keep in mind the staff as they are able to love and support each one but also that they are able to find refuge for themselves from all of the pain.
All I could help to hope for was that the Lord would give me patience and help me to see the whole picture. Growing up one of the biggest lessons I probably learned, or the one that stuck was respect, it was quite evident that these kids as I will call by their actions don't even respect themselves. It's one thing to be disrespectful to others but I think it's a whole other ballgame when it's yourself. For example, we had all of the people go around and say something positive about the two ladies who are leaving. For one it was immensely hard for some to say something nice and for two it was even harder for the two ladies to take what positive things were said. I guess I just have to step back and remember that they were not given the opportunity to learn how to take a nice comment about themselves but rather they have spent their lives defending their self.
After all of the company left I was able to join the girls for their evening devotion which was quite emotional. Two ladies talked about getting to know the Lord and the peace that one can find. Another thanked God for rescuing her from her gang lifestyle and helping her to find a better path. She recognized that had she not found God she would not be alive. As I looked around the room at the hurt, secrets and accusations that these girls are filled with it was all I could do to keep myself together. Can you imagine your parents blaming their pending divorce on you? Or what about having your family members let you get beat up by fellow gang members? Even better what about having to live with one of your abusers every weekend? The list could go on but to me this is more than anyone much less a 13 year old should ever have to handle. This was the source of my frustration as you can imagine.
As I was reminded several times before and after last night I, we must remember that in order to minister to others we must be able to minister and take care of ourselves. Don't be like the starving baker as I have heard before.
Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts and I ask that you remember the students who are leaving and coming as well as their families as they overcome cancer, substance abuse, homelessness and much more. I ask that you keep in mind the staff as they are able to love and support each one but also that they are able to find refuge for themselves from all of the pain.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
Saturday, June 4, 2011
For The Horses
As I was thinking this week about what I could write I feel like I have left out a big part of what I have been doing and will be doing. While some of you may think I'm simply working at a barn with horses, which is partially true, yesterday I got to see how the two really coincide. That is, how the horses fit into the program. Oak Ranch has 8 horses that they care for and use weekly for the purposes of counseling and as an outlet for the students.
Yesterday was the girls riding lesson and as many of you know eastern North Carolina has been experiencing some sweltering heat and it only gets better on the back of a horse. Several of the girls are inexperienced riders and an already frustrated young lady on a hot day does not mix well with a hot stubborn horse. We had the girls tack up and then two at a time they had to go over a cavaletti (a raised pole) and then they had to go over a crosspiece (2 poles with one end raised so that they make an 'X' in the middle). In order to this there has to be good communication between the horse and rider. Some of the girls had to walk while more experienced riders had to pick up a trot to go over the obstacles.
Working with horses there is one thing I have learned and that the girls are learning, you are not asking but telling. So while the girls are on the horse this is one situation in their life where they can have 'the reins' and control the situation. For some this can be fairly frustrating as both horse and rider have to be willing to put in an effort to work through the situation. We have one young lady who has burnt so to speak on a lot of things in her life and she also told us that she didn't like horses (and of course she was on the difficult one of the day) but with a little coaching and encouragement she was able to complete the course and feel good about the ride. One other young lady who will be going home next week wanted to have a great last ride but frustrations from school came out as she tried to handle the horse and it was not going her way. Once again we were able to share with her how she can be in control and how sometimes just like in life you have to stop, take a breather and then regroup just as she did with her horse.
While I cannot tell you specifics of any of the students I'm working with please know that what may seem like small lessons on a horse can really make a difference when they get back to they house or even to school. In the short time I have been here I have seen this and much more. I really wish that more people could see the OR program or Baptist Children's Home for that matter the way I am seeing it. These students are offered as much support and love that one can give and for some it is something they have never seen.
On a last note we tell everyone to make each ride end on a good note. Please pray this week for the ladies who are getting anxious about going home and that they can make a positive transition home. Most of them have never said goodbye on good terms so for an upcoming good goodbye they just don't know how. Please pray for the 4 new girls that will be coming in the next couple of weeks for their transitions here and also pray for each of the students families as they are broken and healing too.
Yesterday was the girls riding lesson and as many of you know eastern North Carolina has been experiencing some sweltering heat and it only gets better on the back of a horse. Several of the girls are inexperienced riders and an already frustrated young lady on a hot day does not mix well with a hot stubborn horse. We had the girls tack up and then two at a time they had to go over a cavaletti (a raised pole) and then they had to go over a crosspiece (2 poles with one end raised so that they make an 'X' in the middle). In order to this there has to be good communication between the horse and rider. Some of the girls had to walk while more experienced riders had to pick up a trot to go over the obstacles.
Working with horses there is one thing I have learned and that the girls are learning, you are not asking but telling. So while the girls are on the horse this is one situation in their life where they can have 'the reins' and control the situation. For some this can be fairly frustrating as both horse and rider have to be willing to put in an effort to work through the situation. We have one young lady who has burnt so to speak on a lot of things in her life and she also told us that she didn't like horses (and of course she was on the difficult one of the day) but with a little coaching and encouragement she was able to complete the course and feel good about the ride. One other young lady who will be going home next week wanted to have a great last ride but frustrations from school came out as she tried to handle the horse and it was not going her way. Once again we were able to share with her how she can be in control and how sometimes just like in life you have to stop, take a breather and then regroup just as she did with her horse.
While I cannot tell you specifics of any of the students I'm working with please know that what may seem like small lessons on a horse can really make a difference when they get back to they house or even to school. In the short time I have been here I have seen this and much more. I really wish that more people could see the OR program or Baptist Children's Home for that matter the way I am seeing it. These students are offered as much support and love that one can give and for some it is something they have never seen.
On a last note we tell everyone to make each ride end on a good note. Please pray this week for the ladies who are getting anxious about going home and that they can make a positive transition home. Most of them have never said goodbye on good terms so for an upcoming good goodbye they just don't know how. Please pray for the 4 new girls that will be coming in the next couple of weeks for their transitions here and also pray for each of the students families as they are broken and healing too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)