Teachin the Teacher

Morning trail rides usually include breakfast and what I like to call story time. Well, it's Tuesday morning so I'm up. Deep breathe as I collect my thoughts and grab a seat on the edge of the table. "Hey yall, if you wanna grab a seat I'm gonna share a story with ya. (pause, pause) I just wanted to take this opportunity to share a little bit of my story with ya and how I got here."

"So when I was little, I loved horses, I watched all the horse movie and had the horse calendars but I had never ridden one before. When I was eight I got the opportunity to go to a wrangler breakfast like this one at Trail West, the Young Life family camp that's about 20 minutes down the road. Granted this is through eight-year-old eyes, but they put me on what seemed to be the biggest black horse I had ever seen. I was terrified! I don't even remember hanging on to the reigns, but I gripped that saddle horn with both hands. Wanting to get down so badly, my dad kept encouraging me, 'Trust the wranglers, it will be ok.'  The horse readjusted and I started freaking out even more. Needless to say, that ride took some coaxing. But by the end of the ride I had the reigns and I LOVED it!! I'm so thankful my dad didn't let me get down."

"Fast forward to college, I went to the University of Arkansas. I was working my way through school and trying to figure out how I could graduate early. It took me about two months of appealing and substituting classes but I finally got it figured out. I was gonna take classes over the summer, finish a semester early and it was gonna be great. Well, I went home for 24 hours that weekend for a friend's wedding shower. My dad asked if I had time to meet with this guy who just lost his horse person and is looking for someone to fill the spot over the summer. Um, well, I'm taking classes this summer so I'm busy...but I guess I can be nice and just meet him. So literally I met him in a parking lot about 15 minutes before I headed back to school. He needed someone to be a barn manger, which I wasn't qualified for; someone to run western camp. I had no idea how to run a horse camp, that someone would be on the Summer Leadership Team as well, and other people on that team had been to that camp for 12 years....I've never even been there and you want me to lead. So not happening!! But the guy asked me to pray about it, so I figured before I said no, that was the least that I could do. I wrestled with God on it for a long time! I had just spent two months ironing out my summer and I was so under-qualified for this thing. As I prayed about it, it became apparent I wasn't going to be taking classes over the summer. I had no idea how God was going to use this later in my life and it was far too much like a wrapped present to ignore. I hadn't asked for it, hadn't applied for the job, but it found me. So I went. I met the horses about 3-4 days before I was supposed to start. I remember getting on this one horse in particular, Cherokee. We literally spun in tight little circles the whole time, he wouldn't walk in a straight line or move forward at all. 'Lord, what are you doing? What did I just get myself into? There is no way I'm putting little kids on this!' Turns out Cherokee does better with other horses around and I rode him a good bit of that summer. It was really hard. I was there, I was working, but my heart was so not in it. Everything was their camp, their horses, I didn't wanna be there."

"One day we were doing worship and the chorus of a song just hit me. 'Where You go, I'll go. And where You stay, I'll stay.' I could hear the Lord saying, 'Well, here is where we are staying.' So that day, I got an attitude adjustment, my heart changed, and it became my horses, my barn, my camp. It was still a hard summer but it got so much easier after that. And that summer was largely instrumental is getting me qualified to be here at Frontier last summer and then I got to come back again this summer."

"I just want to encourage you with both of those stories. Both times I was fighting my father or my heavenly Father on something that turned out to be what was best for me. Yes, I am very stubborn but the Lord is patient and willing to wait for me to trust Him and follow His plan. And His plan is always so much better than mine. I am so thankful that my dad didn't let me get off when I was 8 and that the Lord didn't let me get away with my fit in college. Horses are kinda my life now and I love it! I have no idea what God is doing in each of your lives right now, but I just wanted to encourage you that His plan really is the best for you and to not fight Him on that. Well, that's how I got here. I'm going to pray for us and then we will get back on horses............"

If I only knew then that in a couple weeks I would have the opportunity to take my own advice. Being the stubborn one I am, I would fight God again when I had to come home without a job. Turns out it is time for me to learn my own lesson again. Problem is "God's best" isn't usually visible in the moment.... but sometimes, just sometimes, He graciously shows us a glimpse of what He was doing after the fact. But until then, the Lord is sweetly saying, "Do you trust me?" "Do you really, truly, trust me?" 

Now Walk it Out, Walk it Out...

Putting high school students on horses always proves to be an entertaining adventure one way or another. We had the clown, the diva, the allergic, the cocky, the pretender, the barrel racer, the timid, the rowdy, the hotshot, the sweetheart, etc., and the first-timer.
After giving a ride demonstration and dividing the students into advanced, middle, and beginner categories, I scan down the line of faces. I see the cocky guy in the advanced section with his helmet on backwards - He has probably only ridden once. I see the three divas with linked arms - They probably want to ride together and all want white horses. I see the leader hanging back in the beginner section watching his guys - He knows what he is doing but is giving up an advanced ride to stay with his nervous guys. I see the terrified girl all the way at the end of the line...trying to stay strong...but might start crying at any second...
I start assigning horses, answering questions, and correcting exaggerated "horse throwing" stories, while keeping an eye on the little girl on the end.  About halfway through assigning, I pause and calmly walk to the end of the line. I smile, ask if she has ridden before or how her last ride went, and no matter her answer I assign her, Willow. Just needed her to know that I care and will give her a horse that will take care of her. I go back to assigning the other horses, keeping the students under control, and repeating instructions they didn't hear.  Finishing in time to grab Willow, I call the little girl over to mount up.
The first-timers can be the hardest yet the most rewarding at the same time. Sometimes it requires a lot of negotiating and another instruction walk through to help them put their foot in the first stirrup. Sometimes it takes calm reassurance to keep them in the saddle. And sometimes ... "Do you want me to walk you on the trail?" ...the little girl hesitates and then slowly nods, holding back the once falling tears.
I dearly wish that I had counted how many times I walked the trail this summer. One day I earned what we fondly called "The Triple Crown" because I walked all three of three trails that day. But that isn't what matters. Walking gives a whole new perspective. I'm able to get to know this little girl and focus all of my attention on her. It is my job to protect and guide, to correct the past experience, and to comfort her fears. Also it is a choice, to put her needs and fears above myself, to leave my horse behind, and walk the 20, 30, 45 minute trail at a horse pace.
I found so many parallels and challenges in those trail walks. It is the last ride of the day, I'm exhausted and getting sick, but am I willing to sacrifice for this little girl? Trotting uphill, I can't breathe, let alone carry on a conversation...just one step at a time, love on this girl! I get the privilege to walk out the Gospel for this little girl in my own way. The Lord also showed me things in my own life. Those times when I'm unsure, scared, or crying and the Lord says, "Can I walk you?" "Let me protect you." "Let me correct your past memory." "Don't be scared, I got you, trust me." "You will be ok." How much calm reassurance it takes sometimes is unreal but He gets me up in the saddle and walks me through the trail.
We get to the end of the trail, I stop Willow and turn towards the little girl. "So how was it?" A smile usually spreads across her face, "Good."
Yes, Lord you are Good! Thank you for letting me be a part of what you are doing. Thank you for easing her fear. Thank you for giving me the strength to ...walk it out. 

It's been a long time

Past  ~  Well, as of last night, I have returned to Colorado; therefore, it is time to revamp the blog. But, first let’s catch up with last semester highlights: Destiny, my 11 year old cousin, lives with us; Taylor got married and moved to Washington; the Lord gave me a cute Ford Escape named Maya (which means God’s creative power in Hindi); and Madison had knee surgery to repair her torn ACL and meniscus. I could give a detailed story on each of these but rather the summary is that I spent my transition semester living at home. And though God was working in huge ways, it proved to be harder than I anticipated (because I wasn’t paying attention). Coming off the back of Frontier: great community, accountability, numerous opportunities to share Christ, hard work, long days, 44 horses, constant adventures, daily sense of accomplishment, and consistent structure; being at home seemed like a letdown. I had left my glimpse of heaven on earth to return home.  I struggled feeling like I was just wasting my time, because I had SO MUCH time. I wasn’t officially working anywhere, just random here and there stuff. So I felt as though I had become the second “mom,” running errands, transporting siblings, helping Destiny with schoolwork, and random house chores... because I had the time. I was down and worn out and missing the joys in life. That is until I heard, “You don’t know how to really serve until you can joyfully serve at home” (morgan paraphrase). So that was my problem! I was being selfish again; one day I will learn that lesson. I was “serving” more out of guilt and boredom, than my love for my family who needed me at the time. The Lord redeems and the semester ended more joyfully (not perfect, I’m still working on not being selfish) than it started.

Present  ~  So I drove up to CO yesterday- by myself. You know that drive is killer long! But there were some sweet people and country music that helped me pass the time. And no, I didn’t hit a deer this time :) I hung out with the cousins, who were super excited, until bedtime and then talked with my aunt and uncle awhile. –Then comes the dreaded time for me….time to “sleep.” – Ok, I’m not sure if you remember this but traveling and I don’t get along very well; and then altitude and I really don’t get along. So going to sleep means a long night, pain, and super sick in the morning; not very exciting. But this time I was convinced I’d outsmart the travel, elevation, stomach combo. I did anything and everything that was suggested to me and that I know to do: lots of water few days leading up, motion sickness bracelets, vitamin E, my normal sickness med, Gatorade, a warm blanket, crackers, and prayer upon prayer. Sadly, the score currently stands altitude one, morgan zero. But I will drink lots of water and praise God in my sickness!

Plan  ~  Here is the plan, Stan :) I have the rest of today to be sick, but that’s highly overrated so I hope not. Then I’ll head to BV (Buena Vista) and hangout with some dear friends and help them move until TW starts. I start work at Trail West, as a seasonal intern aka four month intern, on January 11^th. What that looks like…I’ll have to get back to you on that. But from there I will return to Frontier Ranch as a horse intern (my favoritest job I’ve ever done.)

Prayers  ~ If you happen to be thinking about me…little Destiny misses me like crazy already. While I was home, I spent most of my waking hours with her, trying to fill her love tank. There have been multiple people who have left her life, I want to love her well and be able to assure her that I didn’t leave her, I still love her, and I will be back! Prayers that she will do well without me there and that I can love her well from here. Prayers that my stomach will chill out. And prayers that I can reach out, welcome the other interns well, and support them even though I am just as new as they are.

Love you all! Thank you so much for your care and investment in my life

morgan t

P.S.  I will do my best to keep you posted, I should have more down time this first four months until I switch to horse hours :)

Fun Eventful Times

This week has been a blast!! We didn't have a ride on Sunday so we got most of the day off. I got to spend it just chilling with my summer staff girls. Sunday night is also the day that we do Town Tour, so we get to book it on horse back through the infield. It is an absolute blast/adrenaline rush and my staff are so good with horses that it isn't stressful.
Monday morning on our breakfast ride we were entertained by a group of Norwegians. They are so precious!! Reigns are called ropes and trotting is called stepping lightly :) They were sooo much fun!! Even when a few horses acted up, they just took it in stride and didn't freak out. That night two of the summer staff came to my room and spent some quality time while waiting on doctor dad. 
Tuesday we had a small weather set back. We got back in with one ride only moments before it started pouring. The run in the rain felt like I was in a movie :) We rushed to get all the campers off and unsaddle/set free the fence horses so they wouldn't freak out. The next ride was an hour late. We had late dinner with tons of other interns and summer staff on the porch and then just hung out afterwards. My two summer staff, their coordinator, and I hung out and told life stories for most of the evening.  
Yesterday we ran into weather again which made life interesting. The first afternoon ride left in the rain, with wet saddles, and soaked riders. But the rain stopped once we got out on the trail. We have been praying for rain, so it's been great. The timing has just been interesting :) The last ride yesterday was soooo fun. They were super friendly, goofy, and talkative. I think that is the most I have heard my name on a trail ride :) Last night is the night that never ends because we do Tableau, Carnival, and Square Dance among other things. We set a record in the fastest set up of Carnival and I didn't have to wear a dress in Tableau; it was great. I have a standing dance partner for the second dance but this week I got an extra dance! My partner is the cutest, little eight year old :) And I mean little, he looks five or six, but he is so sweet. We also did some swing dancing at the end of the night with summer staff. It was a fun conclusion to our 19 hour day :) 
I got to sleep in this morning because my awesome summer staff fed the horses. 


I am blessed!!!!!

Forced Rest

I visited the doctor last night and turns out I have bronchitis so Travis is forcing me to rest. I am not allowed to go into work until after lunch. After spending 12hours in bed, showering, and it is still only 8am I figured I could update you on the last week or two of camp. And of course because I keep a journal it will be in perfect chronological order ;)
Everyday seems to bring its new adventures. 

• We had two different horses colic in a period of 24 hours, Ram Jam and Mumford. So that meant extra time at the barn, a few shots, and walking in countless circles. 
• Buffet got loose as we were headed out on the Wrangler Breakfast Ride. It played are to get, kicking out at us whenever we got close. It was super skiddish that morning being away from the herd. 
• Jasmine reared with the property managers daughter, literally backing/rearing her into the barn.
• Peter got an infection in his leg so we had to give him a shot.
• Acapella took off and broke her headstall. 
• Donkey keeps kicking Travis during Tableau 
• I got to walk Cash for an entire ride because the girl was terrified every time he moved a muscle
• Some campers get back to the barn with their eyes practically swollen shut ...bc they just found out they were allergic to horses
• Those are all the horse stories I can remember at the moment :)

But my summer staff have been totally awesome!! And they actually still like to hang out with me outside of the barn :) We will eat dinner together, hangout by the pool, grab a smoothie, joke around, and share life. They have made these last couple weeks so much fun. One of my girls says she is going to come visit me at the end of the summer! Young Life creates a different kind of friend and it has been fun to be apart of that!
Hanging out with the interns seems to be few and far between. Because I get up at 4.30 every morning, it limits how much night stuff I can do. I feel like a party pooper but it comes with the long hours. 
God is reminding me that I can't do things in my own strength. I was never meant to go through life on my own, so I need to stop trying to do things in my own strength. 

Work Week snapshot

Amazing work crew and saddles

Groom and Katness's escape

Manure spreader 

Sketchy ladder and staining on the roof

Crazy ride and vet adventures

Hilarious dinner and concert

Mountain stroll and rock climbing

FRONTIER!!!!!!

Arrived at Frontier today!! But let's momentarily back up so you know how I got here....
Dad went on a retreat, like he has every year for the last XX years with the same group of guys. And like he does he started talking about his kids. (That is where I come in :)) He talked to "Joe", leader of Young Life, about me, horses, and working. Mr. "Joe" sent a few emails which led to "Sam", head of Frontier/Trail West horses, contacting me. A few prayers and phone calls later "Sam" offered me a job for the summer at Frontier. (God note- I was offered the job before I sent in my application/references, and while other applications were sitting on "Sam's" desk.) Pretty sweet!!! Yet another example of those wrapped presents from God!!
My body and attitude are not typically friends, so I headed to high country a little early to help get adjusted. So, I made the ubber long drive out by myself. I was less than 30min away from my destination after being in the car for about 10.5hrs and ...I hit a deer!! Ok, I know what I'm supposed to do when little animals cross in front of me. But I am not familiar with deer etiquette. So I slowed down and just hit it! There was a car behind me...I couldn't slow down too much. It added a little adventure to the trip but both the truck and I are ok. 
I made it to attitude safely and was feeling ok...I drank an entire gallon of water on the way up :) The following morning however, that was a different story. My subconscious apparently wanted to get super excited over night! I woke up hurling the next morning and didn't make it upstairs until almost 1pm. So glad I was prompted to go up early!! And past that first day, had a great time hanging out with my cousins, aunt, and uncle. Spent a couple days with them and then to Frontier I went....here I am :) This place is huge, H.U.G.E., huge! Got myself unpacked and settled, dinner is a 7 and tomorrow we go work!!