Meet Bella

Hi everyone!

So I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my little family:                                   

Meet Bella. She is 4 year old miniature who has the ability to melt hearts. ;) She has some of the softest sweetest brown eyes I've ever seen and if there ever was a pony with a "...gentle and quiet spirit..." (1 Pt. 3:4) it would be her.
Lately I have felt like God has been calling me to get back to my original focus of using horses as therapy animals as a branch of my business plan. A therapy pony has to be pretty special and withstand a lot of unusual circumstances. My other guys are gentle enough but I need something I can train to "go on the inside" if you know what I mean and visit people in actual nursing homes, hospitals, schools etc. Now Bella is very shy and has not had much done with her but apparently has an affinity for children. It is my hope to work with her and possibly get her certified for therapy work or.....
Bella is also expecting a little one this next summer. And to say the least I am sooooo excited!! This will be my first equine baby and I am looking forward to the experience. And this baby is going to be born with a job...haha! From the very beginning I will be able to work with her/him and train it to the perfect little therapy pony. So whether Bella comes along or we find out that being a inside therapy pony is not her gift, then I will be able to use her little one.

Each time I have gotten an new animal I feel as if God has guided the process. Each of their stories and the connections made with absolute strangers has been such a rewarding experience. I have made new friendships and new doors have opened.
It is also exciting to see how He is opening the doors to my business. This next year is shaping up to be the right year to start this venture and I have gained resources that I would have not had if I started this earlier. Just evidence He always has a plan! I also feel He has convicted me to get back to some of my original visions. I have always been happiest when I am helping others and bringing happiness to other people's lives. Something about taking the focus of yourself and your "problems" and being there for someone else is good for the soul. As Christians we are supposed to be Kingdom and Christ-minded and what did Christ do? He cared about others. He sacrificed. The focus was not on Himself. I want to reflect that. I want to bring joy to people's lives with the amazing creatures He has blessed me with. Lately I have had feelings of guilt that God has given me a fairly easy life with my health and abilities when so many people are struggling and in pain every day of their lives.  But I have realized that I don't have to feel guilty. Now that doesn't mean I parade around and act like I've got it all together because I don't. But  rather it is a humbling and huge calling. Because I have been blessed with all the capabilities I have, I need to use those to help everyone I possibly can around me. I can't sit on the sidelines when I have work to do. I have a responsibility to help, encourage, stand up, speak out, and fight for people who need it. I need to use this body and mind to give it everything I've got to help those God puts in my path. And that means using the gifts God has given me with my animals to make lives a little brighter even if it is just for a day. Because one day's kindness can last a lifetime. And I want that legacy. A life used up to the very end giving to others as Christ did. My hope is Bella and her little one can help bring that dream to a reality as well as my other special buddies.
I ask for your continual prayer in this venture and that God will give me the strength and guidance to stay on the path He has for me. And I will and would suggest for you to continually pray for God to show you those around you that can use your help, gifts and abilities. I have been amazed at how sometimes those people are those that happen to simple be in my every day life. And understand that if you have a particular challenge or struggle in your life whether physical or mental you have the ability to touch so many lives with your story. In a way that some of us never will be able to. Because we all have our battles. God always has a purpose and a plan for our lives irregardless of how easy or hard our lives may be and He can speak to someone through us whenever He so desires. So use what He's given you and give someone a little ray of sunshine today whether it be by your own hand or by what the Lord has blessed you with.

"...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." Luke 12:48 (ESV)