Independence Day 2012!

Started Independence Day early to get my horse saddled before we met for a cannon blast at 6am. That was followed by a flag ceremony to start the day. For all of the Point Leader level and above we caught up horses and painted them for the Arivaca 4th of July Day parade. B and I carried the American and Arivaca Boys Ranch flags and we loaded up the horses and then waited. It was a fun parade about 6 blocks long which is also the length of downtown Arivaca. But the feeling of the community was really cool. These town members really support the ranch and want to see these boys succeed.

 After we got back I worked with one really determined boy and his horse. Even with the holiday he really wanted to accomplish some goals with his horse so I was down in the roping arena with him working on riding. I caught up Rusty, the palamino you see above and worked with him which was really fun. We got hit with a few rounds of hard rain but sometimes it is even more fun working through the rain. I was just headed back to the bunk to clean up when we started a game of mud softball! That was epic! Four inches of rain, mud, and horse crap and then add a softball, baseball bat and a bunch of crazy boys. We got hit with more rain during the game and couldn't hardly see the bases in the end. It was a great game though!

 That evening we had a BBQ with quite a few family members there as well as graduated boys and community members. It was great. I had a chance to visit with some staff members and get to know them better and that was good for me too. I work with some pretty amazing people. I sang the National Anthem before dinner and the day finished with a great fireworks show. A year ago I was in WA DC and who'd a thought I'd have moved to AZ a year later!? But God is in the details of my life and I'm enjoying what I'm learning each day on this journey!