Sarah Horses Around on Her Birthday!

A decade is a long time, isn't it? Not to us, for the past ten years of Sarah's life have flown by. Sarah and her dad took a horse ride up Refugio Canyon (yes, THE Refugio Canyon where Ronald Reagan formerly lived) as part of her birthday gift. Sarah's horse had a bad episode--he relieved himself in my horses face just before the ride commenced. I must say, I was horrified at the manners of Paco, her horse. My horse (Puddin'--don't ask) never recovered, and stumbled like an old mule the whole way up the mountain. We had a stinky but good time. Boy, it was dusty though! Sarah rode up front with Cowboy Ron, who looked like he walked out of a John Wayne Western. A genuine cowboy, he has worked on ranches from Florida to California. In fact, he will be moving to Arizona shortly to work a dude ranch. Ron and Sarah had a great conversation. But when Sarah told him I was in the Air Force, he took a special shining to me and wanted to chat with the "Capt'n" all the way up and down the mountain. Thanked me for serving and everything. He also asked me twice to pray for him when he discovered I was a chaplain. I was glad to do it as he seemed to be really reaching out. Sarah's favorite part of the ride was when we trotted. But we paid for it later when we dismounted--we hobbled back to the truck walking like John Wayne himself. Rachel and Abby rode a pony in the corral while Leigh sneezed her head off (horse allergies, you know). We had a big time today, but we really want to thank God for that blessing in our lives who is Sarah. She grows more special to us each day.
Update on Sarah's Spiritual Birthday: You may recall my previous post on our caution about Sarah's repentance. But day by day, we are seeing the fruits of conversion in her life. Continue to pray for her! We are looking forward to baptizing her in the swimming pool at the Castros in Spartanburg on 6 Aug. Please come if you are in the area to celebrate with us.