Having been a very hard winter, the sight of green upon the landscape refreshed my heart!  It blanketed the ground in a luscious delight of radiance!  As I walked the Trails to check in on the sheep, I wanted a closer look at the sustenance of the grass. However, when I trekked into the pasture, I found an array of weeds. The disappointment went deep into my spirit. If I had not envisioned the provision of green grass, I don’t think that I would have been so disappointed, but I felt tricked…betrayed by the appearance.  What gave the representation of nourishment was empty and could not even be consumed. Sooo it was back to the feed sacks for nourishment.

Well….it didn’t take much reflection to bring this thought back home to me. I go to church and follow the traditions of being a Christian from a distance, but what do people see when they get up close….?  What do they see when I go through a trial or a tribulation?  I just finished a really hard week in my personal life and the life at the Trails? What did my family see….? My close friends…..? Those who needed to be nourished spiritually by Christ through me? I pray that through my tears they could hear the whispers of God’s promises, and that in spite of my melancholy they could see His hope.  I must not consist, exist in the flesh, in emptiness, but be filled nourished, provided with the Spirit of the living God.16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. or be the things that God desires you to be Galatians 5:16 empty weeds

When I have a right to hate, I love

When I have a right to despair, I have joy

When I have a right to be anxious, I have peace

When I have a right to be impatient, I wait on God and His timing

When I have a right to be mean, I am kind

When I have a right to be harsh, I am gentle

When I have a right to be self-willed, I am self controlled

When I have a right to be bad(no character) I am good(character

When I have a right to be unfaithful, I am faithful

no spiritual nourishment, to nourishment in Christ to those around me

Love you all!!! more than 1000 blades of yummy grass for the animals!!!!

Renee

I am so happy!!!!! My bottles babies(Tweedy and Heartland) are eating grain! It has been a long road and very wearisome at times! It is a lot of work when they depend on me for every bit of nourishment! While they are still on the bottle, it is just part of their nourishment now, and I know that they are well on their way to total independence. Which is the point!!!!  
Upon reflecting, I had to ask myself where I am spiritually?  Am I totally dependent upon my pastor, my Sunday School teacher, my husband, ect… to spiritually guide me, or am I becoming more independent each day. Do I find my own nourishment spiritually in my daily Bible study, quiet times, prayer, and song? Do I drag myself into church every Sunday starving nearly to death? Do I call friends desperately searching for spiritual insight every time a struggle comes into my life.
 Four scriptures in the Bible make reference to this question?
1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Hebrews 5:12 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

1 Corinthians 3:2 – I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.

Hebrews 5:13 – For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Ouch!!!! While there is a time for milk, the Word is very clear that I am to grow past that! I believe the strongest tool that has deepened my spiritual maturity is the memorized Word of God.  When the storm has arrived, I seldom have the spiritual strength to search for a scripture that addresses the situation, but if I start with A then go to Z, the next thing that I know is that I’m free!!!!(smile)Each one I precede with Thank you, Jesus

A-(I can do ALL things (through Christ )which strengtheneth me. ) Philippians 4:13

B- (BEING confident of this very thing, that (He) which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.) Philippians 1:6

C-(and ye are COMPLETE(in HIM), which is the head of all principalities and powers. ) Colossians 2:10

D-(fear thou not; for (I) am with thee;) be not DISMAYED; for (I) am thy God: (I) will strengthen thee; yea, (I) will help thee; yea, (I) will uphold thee with the right hand of (My) righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

E-(now unto Him tht is able to do EXCEEDINGLY abundantly above all that we ask) or think according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

F-( I will praise thee: FOR I am fearfully and wonderfully made)marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

G-(GREATER is (He) that is in you, than he that is in the world. ) 1 John 4:4b

H-(for (I) will restore HEALTH unto thee, )and (I) will HEAL thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17a

I-((I) will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go()I) will guide thee with (Mine) eyes. Psalm 32:8

J-(but my (God) shall supply all your needs according to (His) riches in glory by Christ JESUS.) Philippians 4:19

K-((Thou) wilt KEEP him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on (Thee),) because he trusteth in (Thee). Isaiah 26:3

L-(behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. ) Isaiah 59:1

M-(MANY are the afflictions of the righteous, but the (Lord) delivered him out of them all. ) Psalm 34:19

N-(NOT by might, not by power, but by (My Spirit),” saith the Lord of Host.) Zechariah 4:6b

O-(for (He) shall give (His) angels charge OVER thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ) Psalms 91:11

P-(the (Lord) will PERFECT that which concerneth me.) Psalm 138:8a

Q- (nay, in all these things we are more than CONQUERORS, through (Him) that loves us. ) Romans 8:37

R- (for which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man (is )renewed day by day.) 2 Corinthians 4:16

S-(for SIN shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace.) Romans 6:14

T-(I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be THWARTED. ) Job 42:2

U-(and we know that to them that love God, all things work together UNTO good, )to such as, according to (His) purpose, are called to be saints. Romans 8:28

V-( through (God), we shall do VALIANTLY, for (He) it is that shall tread down our enemies.) Psalm 108:13

W-(WHEN thou passest through the waters, (I) will be with thee )and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee;when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

X-(for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,) thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an EXPECTED end. Jerremiah 29:11

Y-(and whatsoever YE shall ask in(My) name, that will (I )do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ) John 14:13

Z- ( for with God nothing is impossible. ) Luke 1:37

Friday, Greyson the Miniature Therapy Horse, made his first appearance at Hillcrest Manor in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He stole the hearts of residents as well as family and staff. This will be one of many nursing home visits Greyson will make in his life as a miniature therapy horse.

Wednesday, New Life Trails visited 250 students at Ponca City Pre’K center for their End Of Year Celebration. Two calves, two mini horses, two geese, chickens, rabbits, a snake, Millie the sheep, Isaac the goat, and Gracie along with Greyson, the miniature therapy horse were part of the team.

McCord Student Council visited New Life Trails Tuesday to help clean stables and other projects at the trails. While there, they walked the trails and the creek in search of turtles, frogs, and crawdads.

On Friday April 27th New Life Trails visited Marland Children’s Home for Family Fun Day for Kay County Foster Families. The children enjoyed walking Tweedy the Calf, Mickey the Mini Horse, and Millie the Sheep. They also enjoyed playing with the baby Geese, Ducks and Chickens, and holding a baby lamb.

Heather Cannon Honda and Jeri Nash from Sterling Broadcasting and Sunny 104.7 came to visit the trails for Pay it Forward Friday. While there, our pig pepper and chunky did tricks and they we’re able to visit our new Miniature Therapy Horse.

Edwin Fair Community Health Center visited New Life Trails for their Staff/Client Picnic where they ate and enjoyed the company of the animals. Pepper and Chunky the Pig we’re the highlights of entertainment with their tricks. New Life Trails mission is to serve our community as much as possible through animal therapy.

Welcome “Heartland” to New Life Trails! This is his greeting party! Two weeks old and he has a heart in the middle of his forehead. When he looks at you it’s an automatic “I love you!”

The Ponca City Noon Lions Club hosted Renee Spears, CEO of New Life Trails Ministries. At the meeting, the history and services available through New Life Trails to the community were presented.

Lutheran Schools 4 year old, Kindergarten and First Grade visited New Life Trails for an Easter Celebration where they visited the animals, rode horses, heard the Easter story and enjoyed a picnic.

Five day old miniature horse Greyson, visited a Wednesday night children’s program at Northeast Baptist Church.

Cub Scouts spent Saturday morning cleaning winter hay from seven different barns and paddock area for New Life Trails Spring Cleaning. While they we’re there they enjoyed the animals.

When Logan Blakey, 10 years old, became too sick to make his “Make A Wish” visit to San Diego Zoo, His family contacted New Life Trails and asked us to bring animals to see him. He was visited by Shadow the rabbit, Speck the chicken, Isaac the sheep, Mocha the lamb, and a one day old lamb that Logan named Skittles. Logan asked his family to build a red barn for the animals. A week later, Logan went to his forever home and the family made New Life Trails the recipient of memorial donations in Logan’s honor to help build his red barn. As of today $1500.00 has been raised of the $4500.00 needed has been contributed.

As the sun shone so bright at the Trails today, and the animals bathed in its warmth, I could not imagine the darkness that would be unveiled. The darkness had disguised it’s work and wrath upon a package that was bubbly, hard working, very intuitive, and had eyes that looked through you to your heart. She was at the Trails completing community service. We worked side by side through the day and stopped to eat a bite when I first noticed the hidden cries for help. Her sleeve slipped up and her arm revealed battles that were being fought where no one wins. Cutting is the word that describes desperate act upon its victims. I couldn’t stop the gasp that started in my lungs and verbalized itself, “Honey, what in the world?” At first, she pulled her arm to hide it, but in response to my questioning eyes, she unveiled the remaining portion. “I have a problem,” she spoke. I whispered a pray. What?……What?…What was I to say to her?
We visited for quite some time. I shared my testimony with her. She professed to know Christ as her Savior. I asked her many question, and sensed that she did know him as her Savior. She had received eternal life, but she knew nothing of the abundant life that Christ had died for her. John 10:10b I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly. How would I explain to her a concept that she had no understanding of in her life? The Lord quickly brought to my mind an experience that we had earlier in the day. He is so amazing!!!!! Windstar, a 28 year old horse, at the Trails has laying in the sun soaking up it’s warmth. On the other side of the fence was 3 of our younger horses that tend to bully Windstar. Even with them so near, Windstar lay in perfect peace. He had complete confidence in the fence that protected him. So much so that he even closed his eyes to sleep;complete perfect rest. Upon reminding the young lady of the scene, I told her that she could have that same kind of peace in her life. I shared with her the promises that God has for us as His children(A-Z). I told her how God had taught me and continues to teach me to turn to those promises with “Thanksgiving.” Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your request be made known to God, and the PEACE that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

A- Thank you Jesus, that I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
B- Thank you Jesus, that I can be confident that the work that You began, You will complete. Philippians 6:1
C- Thank you Jesus, that I am complete in Christ the head of all principalities and powers. Colossians 2:10

I shared with her that each one of those cuts on her arm represented a lie from Satan, and that there is a promise from God that will hold back everyone of those lies, just like the FENCE held back the other horses. I shared that if she would trust God, like Windstar trust the fence that she could REST in peace. I told her that I was going to get the promises of God from A to Z enlarged and laminated so that she could put them up in her room and remember them. She said that her room is very empty and that there was plenty of room for them. We had taken a picture of Windstar earlier, so I will add that to her verses.
We talked of many things; being a conqueror of our destiny, not a victim of our circumstances; how if we can find a purpose for our pain that we can find peace; how we have little control over our time with our parents, but that is a small chapter in our lives, and how we have the whole rest of our story to write; what do you want your story to say….?

Is there anything like building fence with teenagers? I kind of compare it to fishing with children!!!! There are reverberation of Mrs. Spears, Renee, Nanny, ect..every 5 minutes. To which I replied, “Just a minute!” from one end of the fence to the other. However, while it may be that way sometimes, this crew of volunteer teenagers are amazing!
Overlapping a new sheep, goat, and pig fence onto an old single wire barbed fence, upon the owner’s request, we found to be somewhat frustrating! However, we made it work. The distance between post was more than I was comfortable with, so at places we would add a post or connect the new fence to the existing one. In working with one of the community service teenagers(not pictured), we were hard at it, until he noticed that the wire that we were connecting to had broken and in no way supported the fence. I just shook my head at the irony. As we disconnected to the unsecured fence, I couldn’t help but think of the correlation to my life.
What and who I connect to in life is sooooo important! In my life, my spiritual relationship with God is the most valuable and important. Upon receiving Christ as my Savior, my heart was to be Christ like, a Christian, in all I do and say(though I often fail in acts, my heart is relentless) It is firm and secure(unlike the fence, ha!). Next, my friends and spouse make a huge impact in how secure I am connected. I thank God for my husband every day! While we are very very different in so many ways, we both are connected to the same source. Because of that, we can go forward regardless of the storm. Sometimes the connection has been tested to the very limits of who we are and we are crawling belly down for each inch, but we have remained connected to God, our source, and to each other. All that I am and New Life Trails disseminates is in response to God’s work through my husband. You don’t see or hear from him personally a lot, but he is there in Christ through every word and action that transpires.

The Bible tells in 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial: or what part has he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols: for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. I love these verses! They are so personal!!!!! They are so from the heart of God!!!!! He longs that we walk in fellowship with Him, connected!!!!!

In our best efforts, just like the fence, we can connect to the wrong things. In response to that, just like the fence, we have to disconnect to the lose unsecured people or situations. 
p.s. Sometimes it is a good idea to pull on the wire beforehand to test its security! hint hint

New Life Trails visited Lutheran school this morning with Isaac their 4 week old orphan sheep. The kids loved him!

Being exhausted from caring for the animals in the frigid weather, I laid down to rest for a moment in the late afternoon. With a gasp, I awoken to see that the light has dissipated from the sliver through the blinds in our front room. I glanced at the clock and it was after 8:00 p.m.. “Oh my!” slipped from my lips. I had not done the evening feeding and it was after dark now. It is so much harder to feed after dark, and the weather make it even more difficult. Shaking my head, I began putting on the layers of clothes as it was now 6 degrees outside.

Upon my arrival, I saw a Ewe back in the corner of the paddock. I saw that she had one new lamb at her side nursing, and upon closer evaluation, she had another that was laying on the ground. I scurried her into a separate pen, and picked up the lambs to join. One was jostling around, but the other had not made it to its feet and lay very helplessly. Freezing and still having a lot of feeding to do, I was thinking that the mother would just take care of it. However, I knew that the second lamb was frail, and was going to have a hard time and possibly die. Against my first intuition to leave it to the mother, I went back and picked it up. I snuggled it into my coat, and headed to the house to warm it up and see if I could get it to its feet. Well into the night, he rose to his feet. I continued to rub him down to get his circulation going, and gave him warm milk to get his little stomach working. After he was stronger, I took him back to him mom where he jumped into the battle for her milk.

Harshness would have said in my heart to leave it because life is about the survival of the fittest. I was tired and done, but at that point , it was time to draw from that which is deeper within me.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that therefore if any man be in Christ(saved, a christian), we are a new creation. The old things have passed away(our self) and behold all things are new. It is the contrast between the old nature or fruit of the flesh, and the new nature of Christ that has been born within us at the time of salvation, the fruit of the Spirit.
When we have a right to hate we love,
When we have a right to despair, we have joy,
When we have a right to be anxious, we have peace,
When we have a right to be impatient, we have patience,
When we have a right to be mean, we are kind,
When we have a right to be harsh, we are gentleness,
When we have a right to be self willed, we practice self control,
When we have a right to be bad, we are goodness,
When we have a right to be faithless, we are faithfulness.

It’s all about learning who I am in Christ, which is alive in me at salvation, and saying no to the flesh, which hangs on to my being until redemption(being with Jesus in heaven). Romans 7:17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

So, is all of this about a little lamb? Yes, but no, it is not. It is about a teenage girl that gave her heart to Jesus at the Trails a couple of months ago. She comes from a home situation with extended sexual abuse. She is in counseling, and I continue to work with her spiritually. Frustratingly, she has been making some really bad choices. She shared that she had smoked marijuana and the guy that she bought it from had laced it with a stronger drug to get her addicted to it. She shared about how bad it made her feel to do that, and how when she says no to that stuff that it makes her feel so light and free inside. But then the other day, she came to me and had been in trouble again, and her countenance was very downcast. I was tired. I was done for the day and felt a harshness from my flesh, but then Christ within me stirred God’s spirit within my heart. I took her face within my hands, and with gentleness ask her what her heart said, “It’s not who I am.” With gentleness, I wrapped my arms around her and enunciated, “Jesus loves you! He wants your heart, every minute of every day! Don’t give up because of the mistakes that you make, but learn from them. Jesus wants your heart!!!!!” 1 Samuel 16:7 For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

As a newborn Christian, she was as helpless as that newborn lamb. Not all people are spiritually born strong when they are saved. God does do that in some cases, but for most of us, it is a journey of living, learning, and loving. Just like the little lamb needed me to take it in my arms, help get its blood circulating, put it on its feet, give it time to get strong enough to face the harsh coldness of the world, sometimes people need time to understand who they are in Christ, say no to the flesh, and be who they are in Jesus.

Every stage of life, and really every day of life,I am learning who I am in Christ and what that looks like. When I make mistakes, I know God is picking me up with gentleness, circulating my spiritual blood with His Word, Christian music, fellowship of believers, putting me on my feet, and getting me ready to go out and face a very frigid world! Will I exemplify that same gentleness to those who cross my path today? One thing that I know for sure is that it will be when I feel the harshness of my flesh the greatest, that I will have the greatest opportunity to show Christ gentleness from within me.

Love you all!

Seven!!!! We have seven baby lambs now. They are in the paddock until they are strong enough to be put in the big pasture. Sitting and watching them today, I was amazed! The paddock is small so the lambs and the ewes are all mixed together. When it is feeding time, the ewe will call for her lamb and it will just run over to her. The other lambs don’t even look around. They know that the call was not for them. How do they know?!!!! They all sound the same to me!

I couldn’t help but think of New Life Trails, and myself really………I am listening carefully for God’s call upon this ministry each day. Already, God has taken us to many places and given us many experiences. Sometimes, I feel like all the ewes are calling and I don’t know which one is the one! Faithfully, God directs and redirects me when I respond to the wrong call(sometimes through my husband, a friend, a message, His word, or even a song). My heart is to faithfully follow him, but my reception isn’t always clear.

My job is to keep the ear canal clear, so that the call isn’t muffled with the cares and desires of this world, and I can hear my call. Be it as a Mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a teacher, or a servant for my Savior, I want to come running just like those little lambs do to their mother’s call.

Romans 8:4b who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Who and what am I listening to, and responding to?(notice the lamb that hasn’t been called my it’s mom?)

Have you ever encountered something that was symbolic of something meaningful in your life? My youngest daughter would always say that God was talking to us when she would see the sun shining through an open place in the clouds. When my grandfather died, I struggled desperately with knowing whether he was in heaven or not. Upon returning home from his funeral, I pleaded with God for the resolution of salvation for my grandfather. “After all the prayers, if only I could know,” I whispered. The snow had blanketed the ground and continued to fall profoundly as I entered the driveway of our house. Tears flowed profusely down my cheek as my head rested upon the steering wheel. A song came on the radio, “Grandpa Loved the Snow.” The words of the song resonated within my heart as they spoke the message that Grandpa was in heaven tonight I know, because the snow is falling and Grandpa always loved the snow. The God of heaven, the Alpha and Omega, reached down from heaven, placed a song on KLVV, a Christian radio station, and confirmed in his child’s heart that her Grandpa was indeed with Him that night! Snow will always be symbolic of the gentleness of a great God to me.( I’ve never heard that song again, and the radio manager said that he had never heard of it)
Yesterday after going to Logan’s funeral, my heart was heavy. Even though, it was a celebration of life; the frigid jab of separation could not be escaped. Later, I was back at New Life Trails watching the seven baby lambs play with my heart in a state of melancholy; one of the lambs was Logan’s lamb that he named Skittles. Logan’s is the smallest and most frail. As I watched them frolic and play, kicking and bucking, a smile crept onto my lips and my heart felt a sense of peace. Words whispered in my heart, “How can you be sad for me? I am in a state of absolute delight, just like these little lambs!” Although much of my sadness is due to the loss of his presence with us, it was countered by the ecstasy of his heart being in the presence of His Savior.
How much of Logan’s presence we capture within our hearts and allow to make us a better person by knowing him, by knowing of him is a question each individual must answer within themselves. He had a love for EVERYONE, a love for life, a compassion for all, a strength beyond his years, a total character that enveloped this young 10 year old boy’s life in spite of disabilities and longevity of pain.
A memorial has been established with New Life Trails for Logan by his family. New Life Trails brought some of their animals to visit Logan while he was at home. “Make a Wish” was going to send him to the zoo in San Diego, but he got too sick too fast and couldn’t go. Logan ask his Dad and Mom to build a Red Barn for his lamb(Skittles), bunny, and chicken. I told him that New Life Trails was going to build a barn to house animals to serve the people of Ponca City with love. Our heart is to serve Hospice patients, nursing homes, the children’s home, Big Brother and Sister program, schools, families, children with disabilities, our disabled veterans ect…….. I told Logan that when we build that barn that we will paint it red for him and we will call it Logan’s Barn.
The heart of New Life Trails is to build that barn now. How big we can make it will depend on your partnership with New Life Trails. We have the skeleton of a motorhome garage that we can make into Logan’s Barn, or we can purchase land across from Lowes here in Ponca City, and build a 13 stall barn that will make parking, accessibility year round, comfort for the animals and those visiting, ect…..amazing.
My heart is to make a barn as big as Logan’s life, a symbol of the greatest thing of life, love. Bigger than the suffering and pain that he endured from cancer, and great as the love that he emulated.
Logan wasn’t a famous scientist, a famous leader, a famous movie star or any of the other famous things that people are that have monuments built after them, but what Logan’s life encapsulated was something much greater, something almost forgotten, something imperative to our existence as human being, ……love, love for life, love for eachother, love for those hurting emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually.
Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory, 100 East Kansas Ave. P.O.Box 756, Arkansas City,Kansas 67005 is where they are taking memorial contributions.
We’ve given everything that we are and have to serve others in this way. What can you give? If not now; when, If not here; where, If not you; who?

Having worked hard at building fence all day with the New Life Trail’s volunteers, I was exhausted. I came into the house and collapsed onto the couch, just to rest for a moment. That moment turned into the night, and I woke the next morning in the disbelief, “I slept all night!” I pulled myself off of the couch feeling really gross and made my way into the kitchen. When I looked at the clock, I realized that I had even slept longer than I thought! I had 10 minutes to get ready for Sunday School, and I was so dirty!

I hated to miss church. I waited all week to get to see my spiritual family and see how everyone was doing, but I was too dirty to go to church. I sat down in dismay with a sigh. Then, I proclaimed in my Spirit, God’s Spirit within me. That’s an oxymoron! “I can’t be too dirty for church!” Pulling my hair into a bun, washing off with a washrag, I jumped into my church clothes. With a little extra perfume, I headed off to my spiritual family. You know what?! I don’t think anyone even noticed. They were just glad that I was there. Hebrew 10: 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much more as we see the day approaching.

How sad it is, that we often let our spiritual dirt keep us from coming together as believers. Maybe it was the fight with your spouse, your children, or another believer that leaves you feeling too dirty for church. Maybe it is an addiction, small or great, and you have listened to the deceiver’s lies, and believe that you can never remove the dirt and you are unworthy to gather. Do you fight these unseen battles? I do….not as much as I used to, but I still do sometimes. The more that I come together with other believers, the weaker the enemy”s condemnation slurs. This principle is consistent with the scripture, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 When my focus became on the good that I was called to instead of the mistakes that I make, I became free. Romans 8:1 There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ. And John 8:36 Who the Son has set free, is free indeed. Yes, I need to be aware of the dirt, and spend the needed time in the shower(Bible study, prayer and worship) washing it off, but never let it keep me from coming into the presence of my God wherever that might be.

New Life Trails is so excited to announce the birth of our first miniature therapy horse Greyson! After training, Greyson will be used to service Hospice, Nursing Homes, In Home Care, Children’s Home, the Autistic Foundation, Special Needs, and Tutoring Assistance.

Upon having visitors to New Life Trails, we embark upon a guided tour. Of the many animals that we visit, Chunky the pig is one of the favorites! Figuring out that a crowd of people means donuts, he quickly moves in with his tricks for the harvest!!! One day, after introducing him, I was puzzled. He usually responds quickly to the request to sit for a donut! However, today he seemed totally confused! After several diligent tries, I resolved that he was having an off day when suddenly one of the girls bellowed across the paddock, “That’s Belle, not Chunky!!!” I did a double take and she was right! Belle is Chunky’s Mom. They do look a lot a like, but normally I know which one I’m addressing. No wonder she didn’t respond, she didn’t have the ability to perform the request. It would not have mattered how many donuts I had, she would not have done the “sit” trick.
Later, I couldn’t help but think how similar Belle and Chunky’s situation was to many of my own spiritual dilemmas. Many times, I call upon the fleshly(old nature) part of my nature to do that which can only be done in the Spirit of God. I try so hard to change from the outside in! I resolve that I am not going to raise my voice, talk hateful, pout, eat that cookie, ( you name it)……… True change with longevity has to come from within…..from God’s Spirit within me. When I became a Christian, God’s Spirit became alive within me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away and behold all things have become new. Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ. At that moment, I received the power of the Holy Spirit (the Fruit of the Spirit Galations 5:22) to:
Love when I have a right(by the world) to hate
Have joy when I have a right(by the world) to despair
Have peace when I have a right(by the world) to be anxious
Have patience when I have a right(by the world) to be impatient
Be kind when I have a right(by the world)to be mean
Be gentle, when I have a right(by the world) to be harsh
Be self-controlled, when I have a right(by the world) to be self-willed
Good when I have a right(by the world) to be bad
Faithful, when I have a right(by the world) to be unfaithful
The key for me is knowing and identifying who I am in Christ. (I forget all the time! Satan has spent my life screaming in my heart all the things that I am not!)Any success that I have( speaking to the right pig(so to speak))comes from the memorized Word of God(Bible verses). The Rely verses(Shield of Faith)(God’s Promises). I can tell myself that I’m not going to do something, or I’m going to do something, but it is not until I speak out loud the promises of who I am in Christ with THANKSGIVING, that I find victory! Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
A-(I can do ALL things (through Christ )which strengtheneth me. ) Philippians 4:13
B- (BEING confident of this very thing, that (He) which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the 
day of Jesus Christ.) Philippians 1:6
C-(and ye are COMPLETE(in HIM), which is the head of all principalities and powers. ) Colossians 2:10
D-(fear thou not; for (I) am with thee;) be not DISMAYED; for (I) am thy God: (I) will strengthen thee; yea, (I) 
will help thee; yea, (I) will uphold thee with the right hand of (My) righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
E-(now unto Him tht is able to do EXCEEDINGLY abundantly above all that we ask) or think according to the power 
that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20
F-( I will praise thee: FOR I am fearfully and wonderfully made)marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul
knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
G-(GREATER is (He) that is in you, than he that is in the world. ) 1 John 4:4b
H-(for (I) will restore HEALTH unto thee, )and (I) will HEAL thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17a

I-((I) will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go()I) will guide thee with (Mine) eyes. Psalm 32:8
J-(but my (God) shall supply all your needs according to (His) riches in glory by Christ JESUS.) Philippians 4:19

K-((Thou) wilt KEEP him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on (Thee),) because he trusteth in (Thee). Isaiah 26:3
L-(behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. ) Isaiah 59:1
M-(MANY are the afflictions of the righteous, but the (Lord) delivered him out of them all. ) Psalm 34:19

N-(NOT by might, not by power, but by (My Spirit),” saith the Lord of Host.) Zechariah 4:6b
O-(for (He) shall give (His) angels charge OVER thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ) Psalms 91:11
P-(the (Lord) will PERFECT that which concerneth me.) Psalm 138:8a
Q- (nay, in all these things we are more than CONQUERORS, through (Him) that loves us. ) Romans 8:37
R- (for which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man (is )renewed day by day.) 2 Corinthians 4:16
S-(for SIN shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace.) Romans 6:14
T-(I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be THWARTED. ) Job 42:2
U-(and we know that to them that love God, all things work together UNTO good, )to such as, according to (His) purpose, 
are called to be saints. Romans 8:28
V-( through (God), we shall do VALIANTLY, for (He) it is that shall tread down our enemies.) Psalm 108:13
W-(WHEN thou passest through the waters, (I) will be with thee )and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; 
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
X-(for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,) thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you 
an EXPECTED end. Jerremiah 29:11
Y-(and whatsoever YE shall ask in(My) name, that will (I )do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ) John 14:13
Z- ( for with God nothing is impossible. ) Luke 1:37

Wonderful day at Northeast Baptist Church on our Great Day of service! Putting together New Life Trails Academic Curriculum to help teachers and students at our PreK center! We had 32 volunteers put together 350 academic New Life Learning books for the PreK center in Ponca City.

Being just another morning like many, I started in on the chores as soon as I got to the Trails. I was busy delivering feed and checking water when I glanced over to Glory’s(our miniature horse that was expecting her foal) pen. The months that we had been waiting for the delivery had seemed like years. What would God give us to minister to so many? We had envisioned the smiles upon seeing her, the caresses of her adorable hair, the nibbles on fingers, and the precious neighs that she would articulate as she called for us. We could see her tiny feet and legs trotting around in youthful bliss. We could see the love, God’s love being delivered to so many through her presence.

What I saw upon glancing into her pen was none of the things that I mentioned. I saw death. It lay in the corner of the pen; a little white and brown filly, Glory’s foal. Shaking my head no,……I could hardly catch my breath as I shakingly loosened the latch and opened the gate. Pawing at the ground, Glory stood faithfully by her lifeless foal. I hesitantly took one step after the other. Each step felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. As I knelt and caressed the foals tiny little ears and nose, I looked for what could have caused this horrific death. I could find nothing. She looked perfect…..just perfect. Reaching down, my arms enveloped her and I brought her to my chest. Yes….. the tears flowed. Yes….. I asked God why?

Even though I know that God is a God of life, not death. I could not help but ask Him why. Even though I know that God created a perfect world, and mankind brought sin, death, disease, ect…… into it. We started this ball, and must be subject to it’s rolling until Christ returns to forever free us from it’s wrath. However God them, gave His Son to atone for mankind’s sin to reconcile them to Himself in a perfect world(the second time)…. again…….. in heaven. On top of that, He promises while we are in this fallen world and subject to it’s sin, death, and disease that He will be with us through the darkest days,and longest nights of pain, emptiness, and suffering. Even with all of this knowledge, I still ask Him why.

Through the cracking of my voice and tears that saturated my shirt,as well as my cheeks, I ask Him why? In my why……I saw another one kneeling… but His tears carried such distress that they intermingled with drops of blood. God’s own Son, and His cry was to let this cup pass from Him. At that time, during those events of Jesus dying and paying the price for our sin, dying became part of living. Christ died that we might have life. So in that, we must find life in death. It must make us stronger, more determined, more resolved to go on. Upon death’s visit, we must go on with greater fervor, greater purpose, greater vision,……greater life. Then death loses it’s sting, because through death can come life.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have eternal(perfect) life.

Sitting on the ground with the foal held to my chest, I closed my eyes. I saw her story…..for a moment. I saw our dream….for a moment. Just for a moment……. she lived.. in my vision of what could have been. Then I laid her and the dream to rest. I wanted to stop……stop exposing my heart to these losses. I wanted to stop being vulnerable to this ministry that God had called me to. However, as I stood …….to walk…. forward. I knew if I quit that something greater than the foal had died, my purpose; God’s purpose through me.

I know God called me to New Life Trails. He has prepared me for the ministry at the Trails from the day that I was born. Everything that He has allowed into my life both good and bad were for this moment in time. He allowed me to be forged in the fire of adversities of this fallen world. A tool…..a tool used to draw others to Him in salvation and in comfort. He allowed me to grow me up in poverty and in the country around animals where my only solace was from Him through them. He grew me up with 3 rowdy brothers and 4 boy cousins. I know how to do community service work with these teenage boys. He has brought me through death, sickness, sexual abuse, suicide,alcoholism, divorce, physical abuse, foster care, a children’s home, ect…. All through which, I could become a casing that He would combat the darkness and suffering of this fallen world.

definition of casing-large diameter pipe lowered into an open hole and cemented in place. The well designer(God) must design casing to w ithstand a variety of forces, such as collapse, burst, tensile failure, as well as chemically aggressive components.

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; no man that warreth entangleth himself with the cares of this world that he may please Him who hath chosen him as a soldier.

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak, I have become weak; I have become all things to all men, that through Christ some would be saved.

Anyway, the point being…..God laid this story on my heart for a reason. I wasn’t going to write about it, but the Holy Spirit urged me relentlessly. We have all experienced death. It may be a physical death, or the death of a dream, the death of a love, death of hopes for a child, a job, a career, and the list goes on and on. Many times in life I have had to chose to be a conqueror of my destiny, and not a victim of my circumstances. A victim equates to death; be it physical, emotional,or spiritual. A conqueror equates to life, and abundant life; life from death(going on).

The worst thing that could happen from my death would be for it to equate to someone quitting, giving up, or emotionally, spiritually dying. I desire that it would engage, fill with vigor,and greater determination the purpose that my life encapsulated! With this thought, I will honor our little foal. She lived 9 months within her mother giving us hope, anticipation, and dreams. I will honor her life by continuing to love, to live, and to learn of how to bring others to Christ and to His comfort.

This is a picture of the pen after Glory was put back out with the other horses. It looks empty, but it’s not. Therein lies, all the hopes and dreams that were 
strengthened not destroyed by her death.
Please forgive me if the picture offends you. I posted in hope that within it you could see life….death……and life from death.

As the temperature gets more frigid, the time it takes to care for the animals gets longer….!!!!! Often my toes and hands are numb by the time I get half way through chores. Recently, some of the teenage volunteers purchased hand warmers. I had heard of them but never used them. I don’t know why…… I just had not gone there. After they got me to try them, I was so excited!!! It was wonderful!!!!! My fingers were warm instead of frozen when I finished chores!!!! I just stuck them in my glove which held them in place. In addition,the more you work the warmers; the more they warm you! Later, I even bought some toe warmers because I was such a believer!!!!! Why had I suffered so long needlessly….?
As the temperature gets more frigid, the time it takes to care for the animals gets longer….!!!!! Often my toes and hands are numb by the time I get half way through chores. Recently, some of the teenage volunteers purchased hand warmers. I had heard of them but never used them. I don’t know why…… I just had not gone there. After they got me to try them, I was so excited!!! It was wonderful!!!!! My fingers were warm instead of frozen when I finished chores!!!! I just stuck them in my glove which held them in place. In addition,the more you work the warmers; the more they warm you! Later, I even bought some toe warmers because I was such a believer!!!!! Why had I suffered so long needlessly….?

Correspondingly, 7 years ago, I started memorizing the promises of God in His Word. 78 promises I put into writing; A-Z 3 times. 3 levels of spiritual warfare, I identified. When I am going through a lighter battle, I go through the first A-Z list. Next, when I am going through a heavier battle, I go through the first list and the second list. Then, when the battle is intense, it takes me all three A-Z lists to find peace. I put on the promises with “Thank you Jesus” preceding each promise. It is what holds the promise firm, just like the glove holds the hand warmer firm against my hand. Upon reading or memorizing them, it is wonderful!!!! Why did I wait so long? Why had I suffered so needlessly? As a believer, I was numb with despair, anxiety, hate………All reactions to the frigid circumstances of a fallen world and the sin, sickness, death, ect….that comes with it.

Two things come to my mind about the two question above. First, like the hand warmers, someone needed to introduce me to this method of staying warm spiritually. However, even the verbal exhortation of the availability of using them was not enough to get me to buy into the hand warmers. The volunteers modeled the use of them to me, and made them available to me. Then, I was hooked, and chores would never be the same. Just like my spiritual battles have never been the same since I read and memorize God’s promises in the battle.

Below are the promises that I have used. I am making them available to you(like the teenagers made the hand warmers available to me). I pray that I have humbly……humbly modeled them(like the teenagers did the handwarmers)to some degree in my life in spite of my inadequacies and failures.

Remember the more you work them, the warmer you get spiritually(like the warmers)!!!!

You are given exceeding great, precious promises that you may be a partaker of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4

Thank you, Jesus:

A*that I can do ALL things through You, who will give her strength. Philippians 4:13
* that AS You are, so am I in this world. 1 John 4:17
* that You will give Your ANGELS charge concerning me to guard me in all of my ways Luke 4:1
B* that I can BE confident that the work You began in my life, You will complete. Philippians 1:6
* that the Spirit of the Lord is on you, BECAUSE the Lord has anointed you to bring good news to the afflicted;
sent you to bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive. Isaiah 61:1
* that BEFORE You formed me in the womb, You knew me, before I was born, You set me apart. Jeremiah 1: 5
C* that if I CALL on You, You will hear me and answer. Jeremiah 33:3
* that there is no CONDEMNATION to those which are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
* that the God of all COMFORT, comforts you in all her trouble that you may be able to comfort others in trouble
with the comfort I have been comforted with. 2 Corinthians 1:3
D* that I DON’T need to fear, for You are with me; I don’t need to despair, for You are my God, and
You will strengthen me, yes, You will uphold me with the right hand of Your righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
* that as my DAYS are, so will my strength be in You. Deuteronomy 33:25
* that You are the Light of the world, anyone that follows You shall not walk in Darkness. John 8:12
E*You can do EXCEEDINGLY above what I ask or think according to the power that works in me. Ephesians 3:20
*when my ways please the Lord, He makes even my ENEMIES to be at peace with me. Proverbs 16:7
*that there is no temptation to me that others have not gone through, and God is faithful. He will not allow me to be tempted more than what I can handle, and He will provide a way for me to ESCAPE. 1 Corinthians 10:13
F*that You have not given me a spirit of FEAR, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
*that if I walk in the Spirit, I will not FULFILL the lust of the flesh. Galations 5:16
* that Your Word is like FIRE, and like a hammer that break the rocks of sin into pieces in my life. Jeremiah 23:29
G* that GREATER is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
* that Satan thought evil against me, but God meant it for GOOD, to save many people’s lives. Genesis 50:20
* that the plans You have for me are to prosper and not to harm me, to GIVE me a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
H* that my grief, You bore, and my sorrows, You carried for me. You were stricken, smitten of God, and
afficted. You were pierced through for my sin, and crushed for my iniquities. The chastening for my well
being fell upon You and by Your scourging, I am HEALED. Isaiah 53:4
* that You will restore HEALTH unto me and You will heal me of my wounds. Jeremiah 30:17
* that You are my rock, in You, I will trust; You are my shield, and the HORN of my salvation; my
High Tower, and my refuge, my Savior; You will save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:2
I * that if I lack wisdom, I can ask You, and IT will be given to me. James 1:5
* that You will INSTRUCT me in the way that I should go, and You will guide me with Your eyes. Psalm 32:8
* that God IS a Father to the fatherless, and a defender of the widow in His holy dwelling place. Psalm 68:5
J * that God will supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ JESUS. Philippians 4:1
* that neither death nor life, nor principalities, nor things present, nor thing to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ JESUS. Romans 8:38
* that God is my rock, His work is perfect in me, JUST and right is He. Deuteronomy 32:4
K* that the peace of God that passes all understanding, shall KEEP my heart through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
* I can ask You and it will be given;seek and I will find; KNOCK and it will be opened to me. Matthew 7:7
* that before You formed me in the womb, You KNEW me, before I was born, You set me apart. Jeremiah 1:5
L *that the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it can not save me, or His ear heavy, that it can not hear. Isaiah 59:1
*that I have set my LOVE on You, and You will deliver me. You will set me on high. Psalm 91:4
*that You came that I would have LIFE and have it abundantly. John 10:10
M*that MANY are the afflictions of the righteous, but You deliver them out of all of them. Psalm 34:9
* that when I wait on You, You renew my strength, I shall MOUNT up with wings as eagles, I shall walk
and not be weary, I shall run and not faint. Isaiah 40:13
*that Your grace is sufficient for me, for power is perfected in weakness; MOST gladly, therefore I will
boast about my weakness, so that the power of Jesus Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
N*that Your work in me is NOT done by might, not by power, but by Your Spirit. Zechariah 4:6
*that if I be in You, I am a NEW creation, old things are passed away and all things are new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
*that when I walk in You, my steps will NOT be hindered, when I run, I will not stumble. Proverbs 4:12
O*that what doors You OPEN for me, can not be shut, what doors You shut can not be opened. Revelation 3:7
*that You have given me power to tread OVER all the power of the enemy, nothing shall hurt me. Luke 10:19
*that it is God that works in me to will, and to act in ORDER to fulfill His good purpose. Philippians 2:13
P *that You will PERFECT that which concerns me. Psalm 138:8
*that many are the PLANS in my mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail. Proverbs 19:21
*that You give POWER to the faint(me) and to them that have no might, You give strength. Isaiah 40:29
Q*that I am more than a CONQUEROR through You that loves me. Romans 8:37
*that He that raised You from the dead shall also QUICKEN me by His spirit that dwells in me. Romans 8:11
*that God will tread my INIQUITIES under foot, He will cast all my sins into the depths of the sea Micah 7:19
R*that You will RESTORE the years for me that Satan has destroyed. Joel 2:25
*that I, in the shadow of Your wings will make my REFUGE, until these calamities are over. Psalm 57:1
*You were made to be sin, that knew no sin, that I would be the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21
S *That SIN shall not have dominion over me, for I am not under the law, but under Your grace. Romans 6:14
*that if I SUBMIT myself to You and resist the devil, he will flee from me James 4:7
*that I am SEALED by You, for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
T *that You can do all things in my life, and that no purpose of Yours can be THWARTED. Job 43:2
*that if my mother and father forsake me, that You will TAKE me up. Psalms 27:10
*that I have a High Priest which can be TOUCHED with the feelings of my infirmities. Hebrews 4:15
U*that the fire will not have any power over me, the hair of my head will not be singed, my cloak will not be harmed,
and no smell of fire will come UPON me Daniel 3:27
*that we know to those who loves You, all things work together UNTO good. Romans 8:28
*that the Spirit helps my infirmities; for I know not what I should pray; but the Spirit; itself, makes
intercession for me with groanings which can not be UTTERED according to the will of God. Romans 8:26
V*that through God, I, shall do VALIENTLY for He it is that shall tread down my enemies. Psalm 108:18
*that, so shall Your Word be that goes out of my mouth; It shall not return VOID, but It shall accomplish for
me that which You please, and It shall prosper in the thing that You sent It to. Isaiah 55:11
* I have this treasure in his earthly VESSEL, that the power in me is of God, not me. 1 Corinthians 4:7
W*that no WEAPON formed against meshall prosper; and every tongue that rises against me in judgement,
You will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is in Jesus. Isaiah 54:17
*that when I pass through the WATERS, You will be with me, and when I pass through the rivers, they
will not overflow me, and when I walks through the fire, I will not be burned Isaiah 43:2
*that the weapons of my WARFARE are not of this world, but mighty through God to the pulling down of my
strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4
X*You know the plans You have for me, thoughts of peace, not evil, to give me an EXPECTED end. Jeremiah 29:11
* My light afflictions, which are but for a moment work for me a more EXCEEDING glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
*that I am troubled on every side, but not distressed, I am PERPLEXED, but not in despair; persecuted but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always remembering the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might
be seen and lived in my life. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Y*that all of the promises of God are YES, for me, in Him. 2 Corinthians 1:20
*YOU shall fight for me, and I shall hold her peace. Exodus 14:14
*YOUR steadfast love never ceases, Your mercies to me never come to an end, they are new every morning.
Lamentation 3:22
Z*(Final Thoughts) that if the Son shall make me free, I am free indeed. John 8:36
*that I shall lend to many and not borrow, the Lord will make me the head and not the tail, and I will be above
and not beneath. Deuteronomy 28:13
*that You shall show me the path of life; in Your presence is my fulness of joy; at Your right hand there are
pleasures for me evermore. Psalm 16:11

On the way out to feed the animals by the pond, there is a hill that I have to traverse before I get to the stream that I have to cross. Yesterday, I evaluated it before I started down! I observed the smoothest part of the hill and thought that it would travel the best. With the ice, I Ianded on my back side with two buckets of feed. Soooo…… today, I decided to take the rough side of the hill. Using each of the rough spots for footage, and I made it soundly to bottom this time. Who would have thought that the rough spots would be what gave me my footing instead of tripping me up?

Correspondingly, have you ever heard, “The question that you miss is the one that you always remember?” I failed a history exam when I was 16, after my brother that was a year older than me died in a vehicle accident. I was typically a good student, so failing the test was unusual. My teacher ask me to stay while he graded my test that day as I was the last one to finish. When he showed me my failing grade, my head dropped in despair. He ask me to wait a minute as I headed to exit the class. He inquired of me, “Who invented the cotton gin?” I replied, “Eli Whitney.” He ask me to come to his desk and showed me the question on my test where I had missed that question. He looked at me and said, “Looks like you made a “B” on this test.

While for several reasons this was a rough spot in my life, it has, through the years, been a place for me to get my footing. My teacher demonstrated to me that day so many life principles; the value of a person over a fact, the power that we carry within us each day to make or break people, the meaning of being a true educator that embraces wisdom, not just knowledge, people are important,not just their problems, ect…. Many of these principles have guided the decisions that I have made in my life and have made me much of who I am today.

Peter, at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion denied him 3 times. Jesus knew that this was going to be a rough spot. Jesus, also, knew that this would be a place for Peter to get his footing for the rest of his journey in ministry. This moment in Peter’s life changed and shaped the rest of his life.

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon(Peter), that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Today, I learned that the rough spots are not to be avoided. They can give me my footing to traverse the ground that leads to the pasture, as well as give me the footing I need to traverse the journeys that encapsulate the rest of my life.

I’m looking back at other rough spots in my life now and asking,”How can I use these instead of being abused by these?”

p.s. We have plans to build steps and a bridge on the table!!!!

In an attempt to separate the ewes and the rams yesterday, we embarked upon an interesting adventure! I keep the ewes with the lambs in the paddock because coyotes will get them when they are small. I don’t need the rams in the paddock because it’s too crowded. However, sheep are not easily separated!!!!! To even get them apart, it takes feed. Unfortunately, when you have feed, they want it immediately and there is no stopping them! Sooo…without professional pens, separating them is not an easy task. If you mix impatient sheep and a lot of mud, you almost have a disaster. After a couple of hours of roping, chasing, and bulldogging, we finally tasted success. The battles was more apparent on some of us than others, however!!!

I couldn’t help but think what would happen if I sought God as diligently as the sheep sought me, and if I sought spiritual food with the same fervor as the sheep did their feed. Jeremiah 29:13 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. There is no doubt about it; my walk with God would be off the chart!

That me underneath the sheep after I slipped in mud and they took me down to get the feed!

Please join us in establishing this service to our community in honor and memory of this precious boy. We want his dream to be bigger than the physical struggles of his life, and our emptiness in his absence. A memorial has been established with New Life Trails by the family in honor and memory of Logan Blakey to build a barn to care for the animals used in service to hospice, Children’s Home, Big Brother and Sister program, Disabled Vets, families, ect…….You can donate online or mail to New Life Trails Ministries 1707 Queens Ave. Ponca City, Ok. 74604

Someone is always at The Trails. Come rain or shine, snow or heat, the animals have to be cared for daily, with the majority of them twice a day. They need feed, water and general upkeep, from receiving preventative medicine to having their hooves trimmed or caring for any injuries or special needs. It’s truly amazing the amount of time it can take. If your are alone, 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening is the care time. Now, if you happen to notice an animal is in the wrong pasture, or has knocked down or just jumped over a fence, that will add to your time. You’ll have to find the hole (the place they got through). It’s amazing how many place they can get out. Then, bring wire and tools and maybe even, an extra portion of fence to patch it. It all seems do-able, right? Well, multiple those issues by the 40+ animals we keep during the winter. You can imagine how impossible this becomes. Now, if you add events with the preparation time, building fences to hold them, transportation, it gets a little crazy. Also, add any trips we take the animals on to visit a school or nursing home. All of this said, we could not function with out the vital resource we have received in the youth of Ponca City.

This year we asked the local business, fast food restaurants, and diners to help us show  just what these kids mean to us. We were able to give them sundae tokens, chicken dinners tickets, free pizza certificates, tacos and even a full size pie ticket. You should have seen their eyes light up when they knew the businesses of Ponca City appreciated the help/work they did at New Life Trails.

Our CEO/Founder, Deborah(Renee) Spears was amazed when she started compiling the list of kids who have helped. When she reached 30, it seemed like she was missing a few. Around 50, she felt like she got most of them. As she continued to search her phone, there were close to 75 kids who have helped out. Does anyone have a spare youth pastor? Here is your flock! These kids come willingly, worked hard and aren’t afraid to get a little dirty. All in all, after she sent out the info for the party, we had 28 kids show up. Pretty good percentage as anyone who works with kids should know. We had LOTS of food, soda, and games. Because this was the first function of this type for us, most of these kids didn’t know who else volunteered. The games were set up to change participants for each activity. So it was a time to get to know each other.

At about 8:30 we called it quits because we were scheduled from 6-8. The next day during morning chores 5 of those teenagers showed up to help with whatever we needed. And you know what the biggest complaint was…”We didn’t get to play all the games.” We know it was a success and plan to have another get-together in the spring.

THANK YOU YOUTH OF PONCA CITY FOR JUST BEING AWESOME!

Lutheran school, first grade and below, has decided to make New Life Trails the charity for the quarter. All offerings received from this class will go to help feed the animals.The staff at NLT would like to say thank you and God bless you for teaching the young the importance of our nonprofits and giving

WHAT A SUCCESS!

Tractor Supply gave large candy canes donated by customers to each child. New Life Trails gave out about 150 coloring books, crayons and a letter to parents. KLVV provided music, Between horse rides, trinity hot rolls, New Life Trails mix, and Christmas ornaments we received enough donations to feed all 50+ animals for a month, 3xs the amount we have received at any other event.

THANK YOU PONCA CITY!

Where do you go for comfort? a bag of potato chips, a friend, shopping, ect…? When Brownie and Red were orphaned, they went to each other. Specifically, each others belly buttons. Although they were fed with a bottle, they needed extra nurturing and they went to the natural thing(ha!). Because of this early nurturing habit, they have droopy belly button. So much so, that they look like boys instead of girls at first glance. I have often been met with strange looks when I mention that I can’t wait until Brownie is big enough to have a calf. Visitors will glance Brownie and then give me an eyebrows down look.

Brownie came to New Life Trails when she was 8 weeks old. While I was never able to teach her to lead, she has been a delight. We do prod her along by pulling her tail forward. Filling our lives with brushing, petting, and even riding her when she was smaller, she is a major part of the work that we do with students at New Life Trails. We often here children say, ” I’ve never touched a cow before!”

Well, Brownie has entered a new chapter in her life. She is going to be a mom. We aren’t sure the date, because she was pasture bred, but we fill confident that it won’t be too long. Since she was a baby, I’ve petted her from top to bottom because I wanted her to be used to touch. As she got older, I would pretend milk her so that she will allow us to milk her when she has her calf. Not much, just enough so that she is familiar with the feel. As her milk bag has started to drop preparing for the calf, I have done it more often. Yes, I get a really hard time about it! First, she is an angus, and I am continually told that you don’t milk or mess with an angus,especially when they have a calf. We were also told that we couldn’t even do what we are doing now with her.

Our journey at New Life Trails has been one miracle after another. Yes, Brownie is one of those miracles. From the beginning we have claimed the scripture Romans 4:17 – (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Yes, we live by calling those things that are not, as though they are in Jesus name and according to His will. We do not ask the things that we do for our own pleasure , but that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

As a teacher, each year we took the kids to a family farm and they were able to milk a cow. They were elated by the experience. Consistent with our goal to get the heart, so we can work with the minds of children. This emulates are goal!

As many things in my life relate to New Life Trails, I find that they often translate to my personal life. What in my life do I need to “in faith” call it to be even though I don’t see it immediately: my children’s and grandchildren’s walk with God, personal goals that I haven’t met, unsaved friends and family, my relationship with my spouse, fruit of the Spirit in my life, peace, patience, joy?

I send personalized Bible promises to my family members, friends, and those who need a Word from God. There are a lot of bad things going on with phones and in this world, but Jesus said to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good Romans 12:21.

So, as you see in the picture that I am pretend milking Brownie. I am calling those things that are not(yet!), as though they are.

Peyton is a junior volunteer for New Life Trails. He was first a student that used our academic curriculum and is now in the top part of his class. He gives back to New Life Trails by volunteering every Monday after school. Today he dug out a water blockage of mud.