Notes From a Cowgirl

There are only six weeks left in the spring semester. After those six weeks I don’t know where I will go. Will I go to Texas? Minnesota? Wisconsin? Will I be comfortable in an air-conditioned office, or sweating on a horse’s back? If I go to Wisconsin, will I have a long commute, or will I be taking online classes from home? I won’t be in Arkansas or Kansas City, Missouri. Ruling out those two options is as close to a solution as I’ve come. There are two horses I’d like to see every day, but I don’t know if that can happen. I’m looking forward to the summer, and a break from a full class load, but I have no idea where I’ll be. It’s rather disconcerting at this point. I know God has something amazing for me - where I will grow and help others grow - so it’d be convenient if he filled me in sometime soon. Despite uncertainty over my near future, it is well with my soul, and that’s all that really matters. After all, “Jesus has overcome, the grave is overwhelmed. The ...

There is no way I could ask for a better mom. Here are a few reasons, in no particular order, why she’s so great. 1) She cares immensely for any student who needs her help and doesn’t stop trying until the student is helped. 2) She’s the kind of person who talks to young people like they’re valuable human beings, not like they’re “just kids.” 3) She will say something is “not good” instead of outright labeling something as bad. (I think that’s her way of giving something or someone the benefit of the doubt.) 4) She has a million and one things to do every day but makes time to help me take care of our animals. 5) Including the animals, she has a million and two things to do every day and usually makes a homemade dinner or leaves instructions about exactly what to do. 6) She encourages her children in our passions and strengths. (For years she told me I should major in something to do with writing. After opening my eyes, I see that she was right all along.) ...

As you know, I’m a college student. You probably also know that college can be hard work. Finals were last week so this morning I checked to see if my grades had been posted online. Seeing my grades made me realize that my effort really WAS worth it! I had some difficult work this semester but I was persistent and ended up having the highest grades of my college career.  A couple weeks ago, just before finals, I was starting to feel the stress of the end of the semester. I realized that I couldn't do everything at once and had to focus on getting one thing  done at a time. Now that the fall semester is over, I've been having a great time. I've been riding my horses… baking… (Try this delicious recipe for  Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies ! You'll be glad you did!) walking with my dog, Missy… and even taking some fun pictures of frost!    I hope you, too, can find some relaxation at Christmastime!  ...