Thank you for your prayers!!!!!!!  I continue to study and practice Parelli Natural Horsemanship several times a week.  One of the horses that was given to me two years ago came with major fear issues especially concerning bags, trash and anything unnatural flying around her.  She is what Parelli would call a right brain extrovert who immediately lets you know how she feels about something.  She either wants to run from it, kick it, or both.  Her previous handler did her best to deal with that especially after being kicked twice when leading the horse through gates where trash happened to be nearby.  After being kicked she would punish the horse then make her run then make her put her front foot on a similar object.  This is what I used to do too to teach them not to kick at me and, I thought, teach them not to be afraid of the object.  It was believed that if they put their foot on the object and would touch it with their nose they were not afraid.  Never mind that the poor horse is totally stiff, wide eyed and much taller while doing this!!!!!!  The horse puts her foot on the object because she's more afraid of what will happen to her from the handler than what she fears the object might do, but she's an emotional mess lacking confidence in herself and in her handler.  (I wonder how many Christians are like this with the Lord?)

The past two years I have slowly been working with Sunlight with bags, tarps, ropes over head and beside her, swinging jackets around and walking with a bag tied on to a rope dragging out behind me and beside her.  She has made progress but this spring it seemed like there was some going backwards.  Two months ago, while I was getting Sunlight ready for a riding session, a big dust devil picked up a bunch of branches that had been cut off of bushes in front of the telephone company building right across the paved road from my place and scattered them all across the road right in front of my yard.  This happened at the time the schools were getting out so all the school buses started coming by along with scores of parents who pick up their kids.  For 15 to 20 minutes we dealt with continual loud popping noises.  Sunlight was filled with total fear and could not stand still at all.  The place in my yard where I brush and saddle the horses is about 25 yards from the road.  We did a lot of sideways from side to side in the small area I have until she was starting to be able to think.  That event stayed with her every time I brought her into the yard for weeks.  I noticed she started having the desire to kick at trash in the general area again so I started doing more with bags.  I really thought we made great progress until a week ago Tuesday.  Sunlight went into a bucking fit when I was leading her through the arena gate.  I prematurely tied a bag to the saddle which totally set her off.  What took place next caused me to pray and pray for help in what to do to help her because my first response was not right nor helpful.  Though Sunlight is a sweet horse, with her fears she is actually dangerous unless in a totally trash free environment.  The dump is about 300 yards to the west of us!  I have greatly increased my bag work with her since then, sometimes leaving her in a round pen with bags tied all around, other times tying bags onto her.  It was hard for me to do that to her at first but I believe it needs to be done.  As I have worked with her graciously and persistently it appears she is making slow but steady progress.

Through this whole process I have continually reflected upon my walk with the Lord.  I used to be totally full of fears for various reasons.  I distinctly remember growing up with a lot of fear but learned not to show it around others.  Whenever we go into hiding our fears instead of learning how to resolve them with the Lord negative habits can develop hindering spiritual and emotional growth.  Inevitably our relationships with others will be affected.  The fear of failure has been a huge one for me my whole life because I expected to be punished and rejected.  I am very grateful for the Lord's faithfulness to continue to help me face my fears (though in the midst of some those times I was not thankful) and find His grace sufficient for all my needs.  This will likely be a lifelong process!!  I am still learning how to work with horses naturally, so I do make many mistakes.  I am thankful for the Lord helping me see my mistakes and giving me the desire to learn to do better.  The Body of Christ often makes mistakes in reflecting God's heart to one another and to unbelievers causing many to go into hiding from Him for fear of His rejection.  We put on masks and are afraid to be real before one another because we don't know God's heart of grace.  God does deal with our sin but in a way that brings us out of hiding into His glorious light.  He doesn't force us, though He may use circumstances to move us in the right direction.  On my own I wouldn't choose to face my biggest fears, but thankfully God loves me and knows when I'm ready to need to take the next step.

Sarah's sister Della invited me to be with them on Mother's Day, so after church I went out there.  When I walked in I greeted their mom in Navajo saying, "Hello my mother" and gave her a hug.  Her face lit up with a smile.  When we were done eating she wanted to get down to the business of playing one of my games she really likes.  I lost count how many times we played it that afternoon!!!  When Sarah came for Bible study Tuesday she related some of what was said after I left.  Turns out my greeting her mom really touched her mom and the whole family.  Sarah's brother said he didn't remember a blonde being his sister then they all started laughing.  Sarah said I'm a part of the family now.  That was special to me especially since her mom is not a Christian yet.  Bible study with Sarah was a touching one as well.  When it was over she said that she some new hope that opened her back up to being involved in ministry to her people.  Thank you for praying for this ministry!!!!!!!!!  I have been giving horsemanship lessons to a teacher who is a Jehovah Witness.  She likely will not be returning to teach her next year.  Thank you for praying!!!!!  I need wisdom.  Some of you have asked about the teacher's horse that almost died two months ago.  He appears to be doing fine, but did lose the sight in the eye he kept falling on.