May 8, 2015 Horses!!!!!

May 8, 2015

Horses!!!!

We woke up this morning very early (well early for us anyway). Carl wanted to be up at the service department by 8. We woke up a little after 7:30. We managed to get 8 kids up and dressed and the inside of the camper packed up by 8. Carl headed up to the service department while Esther, William, Alex, and I finished getting the outside of the camper all unhooked and ready to be hitched up. We then headed up to the service department to check on Carl to see if they could get the brakes checked out. They were able to get everything checked out and tell us that everything was a go for our trip.

We finished up breakfast just in time to meet Carl’s friend, Richard. He lives about 5 minutes from the RV campground. He is a chaplain in Carl’s Army unit. He met us and brought along his 2 girls who are about 15 and 16. We had a special surprise for the kids but had not mentioned it until we knew that things were not going to fall through. Richard and his girls own two horses and the plan was to let the kids go and see them. But they had a surprise for us. Not only were we going to see the horses but we were going to be able to ride them too. The kids were ecstatic, especially our horse loving Esther girl.

We drove the 10 minutes to the pasture where they keep their horses and were introduced to Gus and Doc. They also had a little pony named Hunt. She was in her pin and was not going to be one of the ones we were to ride. The little ones had a wonderful time with her though. All the kids were trained in how to walk around horses and groom them before riding. Each child then got a turn to ride Doc. The girls were so awesome with my kids in teaching them all about how to ride a horse. The kids had a blast. Tirzah was even able to ride. I did miss her turn and Sam and Caleb’s turn due to what will infamously forever be known as the “Bathroom Incident.” Let’s just say that there were no bathrooms in the area and I had to find one. Richard eventually drove me to a neighbor’s house to use theirs. They were very nice and I got in time to see Daniel, William, and Esther have a turn.

The kids had such a good time but we had to get on the road. We ended up eating lunch at the little café again and finally got the camper hitched up and on the road. We drove to the Blue Ridge Parkway and got our cancellation stamp. We then drove into Tennessee to the Great Smoky Mountains. We had to drive through Gatlinburg to get there. It looks like a nice town to visit although very touristy. We got there just as they were closing but I was able to get our cancellation stamp and pin.

We continued on through Tennessee and finally made it into Kentucky. We ended up staying at Big South Fork National Park. They have a campground called Blue Heron Campground. I was praying the entire way there that the gates would be open. Some parks close their gates at night. It was after 9 so I was afraid we would be locked out. We had tried to call all day to see if we could reserve a site but we could never reach anyone.

Praise the Lord!!!! The gates were open and we were able to get a nice site. As we pulled up to a site we noticed that there was another family pulling in just before us. They had just purchased their camper so Carl was able to help them up when they hooked up their water line to their sewer tank and was flushing their tank. I am so thankful that Carl was there to help them out.

We were able to get our camper set up and little ones and big ones put to sleep. It was an exhausting day but a very enjoyable one. The little excursion with the horses was such an unexpected blessing. The kids had such a good time and this is something that they will always remember. I am so glad about the memories we are making for our children and the heartstrings that we are tying.

I am beginning to notice such a change in some of the children. They are happier and more respectful and obedient. It is wonderful being able to talk to them and build relationships. Carl and I are able to deal with issues right away and work on some things that we have seen in them. It has been such a blessed time together already so far on this out west trip. And it is only day 2. Praise the Lord!!!!!!