A Dream Come True

 

  Most of you know our little horse-lover, Kammy. She has wanted a horse as long as I can remember. Seriously. I think she was born wanting one. Initially, I think a lot of her love for Jesus was based on the fact that He is returning on a horse. Of course it goes deeper than that now, but that made a huge impression on a little girl.
Her first word was, "Worsie." 

We gave her time to outgrow it, and when that didn't happen, we let her get horseback lessons thinking the hands-on would either confirm her love of horses, or help her realize that she didn't care for them so much as she thought. You guessed it. More love than ever! As time went on, it became increasingly clear, that hers was not a casual love or a passing fancy. Now, think what you will, but we are not "those"
 parents....you know, the ones who give their kids everything they want. We do believe though, that as much as possible and reasonable, we are to model God to our children and God said he would give us the desires of our dedicated hearts. We also believe that part of training up a child in the way he "should go" is fostering wholesome, God-given desires, and that when this is possible and is not done, a child will often turn and fill those desires with sinful habits/ways.

 

Several weeks ago, her best friend, Duchess, the horse she was learning on, passed away. She was heart-broken, and in the moment, we promised to start seriously looking for a horse of her own. We had been looking some already, but this was the nail in the horseshoe so to speak. She waited patiently for the right horse, praying daily and knowing that God's time was best. After looking at several horses and ponies that weren't the right ones, we told her that when God closes a door, he opens a window. She took it quite seriously, wondering daily if today would be the "open window" day. She was incredibly sweet, patient and understanding of the time, responsibility and finances involved. When her little sister struggled with jealousy, she gladly offered to share, and her prayers changed to "Please help Kaite and I get a horse to SHARE."

Our dear friends, Dennis and Lisa (Dennis has been her trainer, and I have known Dennis and Lisa all my life) began helping us in our search, and located Annie. Annie Top Deck, whom Kam refers to as Annie Denise, is a 15 year old registered Quarter Horse. Turns out, Kammy and Annie have a history. Kammy has been riding in the Independence Day parade for several years, and her first year was on non other than Annie! Kammy was also the first visitor when Annie gave birth to her foal, Maybella.

 

Slight detour here. Years ago, my dad worked with Lisa's dad on a survey crew for the State of Idaho. Wayne Aman was my dad's crew boss who became his friend and finally his pastor, after my dad gave his heart to The Lord. Bro. Aman was also a cowboy--he was saved while riding which makes me think of the old ballad "I Saw the Light."

 

Pastor Wayne Aman

Their family and ours was just that. Family. They lived down the street from us and we attended church together. Lisa babysat me and when I got older, I babysat her kids. :)

 

 

Lisa and Karen circa 1982

Anyway, Kammy of course, fell in love with Annie all over again.

Love at First Sight!

Since we do not have pasture at our place, Annie will be staying in Grandpa's pasture for the time being. Grandpa is not a horse-lover, but he is a Kammy-lover! 

Kammy spent the night and helped clean and tidy the lean-to and pasture. It was tiring, but she worked hard! Papa said she needed paid, but Kammy insisted that she was getting all the payment she needed!

Past~ure Naptime!

Last night, with Dennis' help, we went to collect Annie. 

 

Dennis and Kammy have have bonded over their love of horses. Kammy's love of horses takes him back to his own childhood dreams, he says.

 

 

Kammy was beyond excited, yet sober and conscious of her responsibility. I love this picture!

 

My Horse. My Heart~beat on Hooves.

 

Kammy loaded Annie up herself and said there was nothing like the sound of those hooves going into that trailer!

 

 

A hug and teary eyes between (owner) Ron McIntyre, who said all the payment he needed was a hug, and Kammy. I have one thankful little girl. Mommy's heart is thankful too. To Ron, Dennis, my sweet hubby and wonderful daddy, "Thank You!". What great men you are!

 

 

Unloading. Kammy has no fear of horses, but it soothes this Mommas nervous mind to see that she has a healthy dose of respect.

 

 

Journey of a Lifetime!

 

 

Meeting the family, and as Kammy, who just walked up and is reading over my shoulder said, 

"They lived happily ever after!"