Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday evening I went out to the horse paddock searching for Denver. Him, being a dark colour, didn't make it easy! Suddenly, his dark face came out of the night, and nuzzled me. I pulled the grain out of my pocket and offered it to him. He then continued grazing, and I rested against his back peering into the darkness. His slow and steady breathing was calming, as I gazed up at the cloudy night sky. I could see the light colour of my breath in the cold, but I felt warm leaning on him. I thought back to when I had first got on his back at Cyndi's request. How nervous I had been, because every one told me he was crazy....

And he was!

Yet so am I! I thought about the falls, the progression, the horse show, and then to us in the moment, silent, yet bonding. I felt so thankful that Cyndi decided Denver would be a good match for me! 

Denver has taught me many lessons, and is always there for me when I need him. Whenever I feel down, he brings me out of it. After Africa, I was having a hard time adjusting back to my old life. He was my grounding, and focus. 

I have so much to be thankful for this year! I'm not even sure where to begin!

First of all, I am thankful for you my friends, family, and followers; For your support, guidance, and companionship over the year! Without you all, it would be really hard to go on!

I am very thankful for Cyndi and the barn family at Absolute Equestrian! Thanks to them, I have become a better rider, learned new skills, and increased in Equine knowledge! They are also a family away from home, and are always there for me when I need them.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to go to Uganda. It helped me grow in confidence, maturity, and gave me a more concicous and open mind. Plus, it was the adventure of a lifetime!

I am also thankful for the hard experiences I have had this year. Such as almost drowning in cow poop, and being sick with Typhoid. It made me realize how fragile our lives can be, and that we need to make every day count, because it could be our last! I am thankful that I survived the illness, and being stuck in poop, and that I still have a chance to live life and make the most of it.

The time I had with my family this summer was also a blessing from above! Hannah and I bonded over horses, I grew to like my sister Nancy more, realizing that being different from each other is okay! I also found my relationship with my mother improved and that we connected better then we ever had before. 

Hannah and I swimming with a horse

I am very thankful I had the opportunity to go to the Passion to Purpose conference in Regina this year, and am very thankful that Tom Shmidts Construction in Killaloe sponsored me to go. I learned a lot about my one passion (International Development), made many new connections, and friends. I hope one day to put what I learned into action even more!

And for all these things, experiences, and blessings, I give thanks to God, for they all came from him. No matter where I am in the world, in my travels, or obstacles that come my way, he is always there to carry me over. I don't expect anyone to understand, but in my world where nothing is constant, he is the constant. He is the only motivation I need to push myself in life, because I am so thankful for the gift of life he has given me!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. 

"Gratitude can turn common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward