Well I arrived in Springfield, MO Thursday afternoon to find my Papaw Olson waiting for me in the baggage area. One of my favorite things about being around him is his height :-D it is because of him that I am so tall!! Well, small world (like usual), as I was waiting for my bags, a girl started to walk up to me. I had to take a double take to see that it was Lori Milton, a good friend from Flagstaff in the Springfield airport! Who knew?! I just love how small this world is! She was in missouri for the month of june to do a summer camp! Too cool!
Papaw and I headed to his farm, but first had to stop at a feed store to pick up some supplies. He surprised me by buying me my own cowgirl hat!! He had finished my cowgirl look- i had the boots, the belt buckle and now the hat... the trip was now allowed to continue :) We picked up some supplies, got a quick bite to eat, bought some groceries and drove the 100 miles to the farm. Exhausted from the long day, I slept til we got to his place. 
Then low and behold we arrived to the Fingal Farm...sweet and tucked away just like I remembered it, but this time there were sheep in the pasture, two new dogs, 5 new kittens and a llama. We got started right away with feeding of the animals. I got to feed the sheep who were hilarious to listen too. I never realized how noisy they were! Papaw was able to catch a lamb for me so I could hold it and get a picture with it :)
We then headed to where Louie the guard llama was pinned. He is in charge of the adolesent ewes. Supposedly this is not a nice llama, but when you have food in a bucket he doesn't think you are too bad. I fed the llama then headed up the porch where the kittens were. These are definitely the cutest things! So little, only 3 weeks old! So I sat there for a while just loving on these sweet kittens!
After petting on the kittens, I needed to go see my horse Olly. O what a beauty he is! I was excited because the next day we were gonna give him a bath and saddle him up to ride! The day had gone so well the whole time! Papaw and I made a delicious steak dinner, put on a movie and called it a night. DAY 2
Day 2 started a little later which was amazing because I got to finally sleep in! We ate some breakfast, lathered on our spf 100 sunscreen and headed out for a day of fun on the farm. We went and fed the sheep and then harnessed up Olly to get a bath. I forget how big and strong those animals are, but with just a rope or a bridal, they are so under control-very cool!! We bathed Olly up (which im not sure how keen he was on that event), picked off a ton of ticks which totally grossed me out, brushed him and let him dry. One cool thing I learned today was how to clean out a horse's hoof. That was something I had never done before- I must say a little scary, but he behaved and stood there like nothing was happening (however this is because his face was stuffed in a bucket of grain :) ) After we got Olly all cleaned up we stuck the saddle on him.
Day 2 started a little later which was amazing because I got to finally sleep in! We ate some breakfast, lathered on our spf 100 sunscreen and headed out for a day of fun on the farm. We went and fed the sheep and then harnessed up Olly to get a bath. I forget how big and strong those animals are, but with just a rope or a bridal, they are so under control-very cool!! We bathed Olly up (which im not sure how keen he was on that event), picked off a ton of ticks which totally grossed me out, brushed him and let him dry. One cool thing I learned today was how to clean out a horse's hoof. That was something I had never done before- I must say a little scary, but he behaved and stood there like nothing was happening (however this is because his face was stuffed in a bucket of grain :) ) After we got Olly all cleaned up we stuck the saddle on him.
Now Olly had not been ridden since I was there the last time, and that was over 2 years ago. So, this horse was none to thrilled to have someone sitting on his back. However, whether he liked it or not, we did it anyways. Papaw rode him first, then I walked him around for a while-no trotting for me! Once I got the horse ridding in that I wanted, we cleaned up and headed to town to run a few errands. 
You know I just love how the Lord works. He really does allow us to go through trials so that we can encourage and comfort those who end up going through the same stuff. One of Papaw's neighbors just had a stroke last week, and so we were headed to go visit her in the hospital. Come to find out this woman had the same kind of stroke grandma judy had! So I was able to talk with the lady and her family and understand all the things that she had gone through or was going through. Man, what an awesome family! This woman looked great and was recovery quickly and her reason for feeling good: PRAYER! Why or how you couldnt believe that prayer is not only powerful but effective is beyond me. Papaw and I spent a good hour in there talking with the family. Papaw is surrounded by some pretty awesome people, coincidence? I think NOT. 
After our errands were run in town we headed back home to get some dinner started. Another steak dinner was on the table and it was delicious. I then proceeded to ask Papaw a list of questions pertaining to his childhood, genealogy etc. His background is amazing, and I loved hearing all of the stories from back then. I am taking these questions and asking them to all my other close relatives, because you never know when they will be gone and what a shame to have all of this neat history and memories to be wasted and never recorded! So the questions and answering will continue tomorrow.
You know I just love how the Lord works. He really does allow us to go through trials so that we can encourage and comfort those who end up going through the same stuff. One of Papaw's neighbors just had a stroke last week, and so we were headed to go visit her in the hospital. Come to find out this woman had the same kind of stroke grandma judy had! So I was able to talk with the lady and her family and understand all the things that she had gone through or was going through. Man, what an awesome family! This woman looked great and was recovery quickly and her reason for feeling good: PRAYER! Why or how you couldnt believe that prayer is not only powerful but effective is beyond me. Papaw and I spent a good hour in there talking with the family. Papaw is surrounded by some pretty awesome people, coincidence? I think NOT. After our errands were run in town we headed back home to get some dinner started. Another steak dinner was on the table and it was delicious. I then proceeded to ask Papaw a list of questions pertaining to his childhood, genealogy etc. His background is amazing, and I loved hearing all of the stories from back then. I am taking these questions and asking them to all my other close relatives, because you never know when they will be gone and what a shame to have all of this neat history and memories to be wasted and never recorded! So the questions and answering will continue tomorrow. Although going to bed a little discouraged, I need to know and trust that God is still in control. As my friend told me "pray and that's it". So that is what I will do. As I lay my head to rest tonight, I will pray. Pray that the Lord will continue to soften the heart, that opportunities to be bold will present themselves in the Lord's perfect time, and that I can approach the throne of grace with confidence! Lord, I do thank you for being faithful, and I do trust that you cause all things to work out for the good of those who love you!
Looking forward to another day on the farm being a cowgirl!
