Yesterday’s Follow up

 

I’m sitting here in my room staring at the blank page before me, contemplating whether I should post the events of today, one in particular in such a public place. I’m so embarrassed and ashamed….I’m just going to get it over with, for it is quite the story.

My day began well, nothing too spectacular besides the sudden drop in temperature and breaking out the winter coats before going on the walk. The walk was cold and windy and at one point freezing rain droplets stung our faces, but the conversation was bright for the most part and the love of my relatives filled me with warmth. I had extra time this morning, as my practical didn’t require me to get to school until 9:10, so I stayed awhile longer than usual; I knew no one would be home when I returned, so I decided I may as well enjoy the company. Once home, I still had about thirty minutes until I was to leave. I took my time picking out a professional outfit and doing my hair in a neat fashion. Anyone watching from the outside would have thought nothing of the morning as I piddled around, even humming to myself at times. They wouldn’t have known the small twinge I felt every time the wind caused some sound similar to someone opening our front door. I kept telling myself that I was being so silly. I was not afraid yesterday, and I should not be today. Life is no different this week than it was from last when I felt perfectly safe and content at home. Remembering the song “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” I said a quick prayer for God’s comfort, reassurance, and safety and prepared myself for a stressful day at school.

Practicals were in many ways not worth mentioning. We arrived, did our thing, and left. I feel I did well (at least, I haven’t gotten a phone call yet saying I failed…) nevertheless, coming home I was stressed to be certain. I knew that my day had hardly begun. I had planned to go to the lake somewhere around noon to give a presentation on horses and give pony rides to the Lighthouse Academy students on their fieldtrip, then I needed to clean Diane’s house, and after that, a fancy dinner for those who received scholarships this year. While driving home, I contemplated the busyness that would unfold and, first felt upset at it all (though most of it I volunteered for and was more than happy to do it), but then I remembered yesterday. I knew that if I didn’t have all this to do, I would be home alone. The thought didn’t set to well, so I sighed a sigh of relief at knowing that I would not be home all day, but busy doing things. Busy, and more importantly, with people.

As much as I wanted to go straight to the Lake where I knew there would be kids and teachers and people around, I had to stop at home to change into clothes more suitable for handling horses. I’ll go in quick and will not be in any danger. I thought. It was about 10:45 at this time and I stood in front of the fire for a quick warm up before going back out in the cold wind. Just standing there my thoughts wondered aimlessly. It was so quiet and peaceful at home . Then I heard the voices. At first I dismissed it as wind playing tricks on me, but to ease my mind I strained my eyes to see through the window of the door. I could just make out the bushes on the other side and decided I was just hearing things. There was no way anyone was coming home this early. I started to avert my gaze from the door, when dark figure appears through the glass. I felt my entire body react. My mind went into a terrorized state and I stood stock still, praying that it was nothing. My thoughts had barely completed a sentence when the door knob begins to shake violently. No family member or person with good intentions would do that. Feeling a sudden burst of adrenaline, I tore toward my parents room knowing that there was a door in there that I could escape from. I was so afraid I wouldn’t get out of the room before he was able to open the door. I was so afraid I would be seen and chased and cornered. I was so afraid and my mind told me This is it. This is happening to you and the odds are against you. I was blind in my wild dash, I can’t remember any of it.

I just know that at some point, between where I was standing and the bedroom, I must have stopped.

At some point I must have looked at the open door.

I must have stood long enough to focus on the person standing against the light.

I must have, at some point recognized my dear, lovely brother, and Anni coming in the door, laughing at their joke. I collapsed and tears began streaming down my face. “You have no idea what you’ve done to me just now.” I sobbed and realizing their mistake they each gave me a hug. “I was s-s-so af-f-fraaaaid” I cried into Ryan’s shoulder.

And it’s true. I have never been more afraid in my life.

Now, can you see my embarrassment? Here I live surrounded by cornfields and the sweetest neighbors and I get this wild idea from some police report that I could be the victim of some horrible crime and get all bent out of shape about it. If there was a chance of anything bad happening, which there wasn’t, but if there was, it would seem that I would have shown a complete lack of faith. No matter what, God is with me and I have no reason to fear even death. I can rest on the assurance that He is with me no matter what. How silly for me to react so dramatically.

The rest of the day was uneventful. Pony rides went perfectly, we used Ribbon the vaulting horse and Bunny, and the dinner was very nice.

Car Accident Kills Bartonville Teen

Car Accident Kills Bartonville Teen

October 28, 2010

An autopsy is scheduled Thursday on a Bartonville teenager killed in a car accident on I-474 Wednesday night.
It happened just after 8 p.m. Wedneday on East bound I-474 about a quarter mile west of the Airport Road exit.
Authorities say a car driven by Dallas Hunter,16, left the roadway and hit a guard rail.
The passenger, Tyler Knowles,18, of Bartonville, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Authorities say he did appear to be wearing a seatbelt.
The Peoria County Sheriff's office is investigating.

This kid, Tyler, was in my grade in highschool. He had to stay another year, so he was still attending this year. He had some of my classes and a locker just a couple down from mine. I didn’t really know him, but it is really sad to hear of his death. Anni and Ryan came home from school saying that none of the teachers held class today. They said  everyone was crying and talking quietly in small groups. A lot of the students started putting papers up on the library wall about hope and sorrow. This tragedy has shaken the school it seems. They told the students that for today, if they leave early, it won’t be an absence counted against them.

I don’t know if Tyler had a relationship with God and it’s so hard to think of those kids from Illini Bluffs that I know don’t. They have nothing but each other to find comfort in. They have no mighty arms to lean on like we did when BJ and Gabriel died. Prayers will surely be needed for that school.

Concerned Parents

After three hours of class, with one hour left to go, we took a small break and went outside to see the weather. I checked my phone and see a text from mom. Expecting it to be asking to run an errand, I quick open it up and here’s what I read: “Lock the house door”. Puzzled I reply, “I’m not home”, to which she replies: “I know, lock ur car door and call dad.” So I call dad up and he must have been busy because all he tells me is not to go home, come straight to where he is working, after school.

Can you imagine the panic that was beginning to rise up inside me? Needless to say, I heard nothing that was said in that last hour of class. My mind was making up all these dreadful scenarios. The one that made most sense to me was that there was a criminal terrorizing the area. I worried a little because, if it’s a burglar, it just so happens that if you walk into our front door the first things you would see on the table right by it would by my laptop, camera, and camcorder.

As soon as class gets out I immediately call dad back to get things straight. He tells me that there are some men in the Lake Camelot area who have been following girls home. Mom and Dad’s worry grew when they thought of me going home to a completely empty house by myself.

So, dad arranged for me to meet him at the house he is working at so he could follow me home. Upon arriving home he takes me straight to his gun cabinet and takes out a pistol. “Shoot first, ask questions later” he tells me as he shows me how to use it. He has me put it in an accessible place and tells me to lock all the doors. On the phone later he wanted to make sure I would know to point it in the right direction and not just go shooting will nilly. I said, “yah, so, I’ll go for arms and legs right? I don’t want to kill anyone, right?” “Actually,” dad replies, “if you just injure them, they’ll sue you, if you kill them, it will be out of self defense and you won’t be in trouble for that.” This is what his police friend told him.

I talked to mom next on the phone. She laughed when I told her dad gave me a gun, but instead of saying, “well, that’s too dramatic,” or, “he’s worrying too much” she says, “Good, just make sure you don’t shot the kids when they come home from school.” She explained that she didn’t want me scared, but she felt this was a pretty serious warning, not to be taken lightly.

I don’t want to blow this out of proportion. I’m not afraid and the chances that someone is actually going to try to follow me home and enter my house and put me in a position of having to defend my life, are extremely little. But, for my parents sake, I’m not going to brush it off either. I mean, there are wackos out there. And, if we’re honest, I am home alone every day for at least three hours with no neighbors close enough to know if anything were amiss. And I do go into a bad part of town every day, and drive home from there everyday, alone.…..I think its time to get a dog. A big one.

Last three

Part 10

Part 11

Better late than never Eh?

We have obtained a new internet device that is Marvelous!!! I can now put some videos on my blog! So here are the ones from the vacation we took in August. To watch them all is about an hour or so of time, so unless you are really interested, I wouldn’t bother watching them all through.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

There are 3 more parts that I will post later.

Frustrations with school

Looking back on today, I’m thinking that for a monday, it didn’t go so badly. Of course I feel as though my brain would explode(except I know that won’t happen. Wanna know how I know? we are learning about the brain right now. That’s how I know.) We just get so much information in a day that it is terribly hard to get it all to stick in my mind. I guess that’s where studying comes in.
Well, my first frustration comes from PHTA 112. This is our Physical Therapy program online class and it basically covers the common sense things like patient rights, dealing with different situations, etc. Well, I get an email from the teacher one day saying to meet with her about my grade. I quickly and panickingly check Blackboard to see that my grade was a 62%! If we have anything below a 75 by the end of the semester we get kicked out of the program. Not good news. So I go to meet with her thinking it must be a math error on her part, because I knew that I had only missed on one assignment. What I found out during that meeting was that she has it set up so that basically, yah, if you miss even one assignment, you are put into a failing position. WHAT IS THAT???? Not fair in my opinion. Well, we figured out that if I get every assignment in from here out and get 100s on all of them I will get a 78% by the end of the semester. Cutting it too close? Yes.
The second frustration is in my art class and just happened today. This is another online class and only a gen-ed so no big consequences for failing it. Not that I’m going to fail. Anyway, Our last assignment was to write a 3-4 page history paper on some artist. I picked one that did a lot of landscape scenes. They were pretty and easy to write about. I spent a lot of time on it and actually enjoyed it a lot. I turned it in feeling good about it. An Easy A. Well I checked my grade today and it says I got a 98 out of 200! that’s a 40%!!! Ok, I’m not bragging, but I am good at writing papers. I got an A+ in a super hard English Composition class. I would understand getting that grade on some drawing or painting assignment as I know nothing about art, but a history paper!?!?! Really!?!?!? I sent her an email and I hope to get a nice one back saying, “oh I’m sorry, I must have entered your grade wrong” or something like that. At least we have enough grades in that class that an F on this assignment will only put me at a low B.
Sometimes I think it’s just not fair the way teachers can ruin your life like that. Anyway, I’m going to go to vaulting in 30 minutes and that will surely calm me down. Then it’s the Titus Bible Study with the family.
We have two little finches and they have laid 13 eggs! they sit on them faithfully, but I doubt any will hatch.

UPDATE:
Turns out the art grade was a mistake, this is the email the teacher sent me:
Hi Rebekah,  No this is not right It should read 198.  I make sure that it is changed.  Thanks for letting me know.  Phyllis

Bible Study and Set up

Last night the young group had a Bible Study held at the fellowship hall so we could set up for the Senior Citizens dinner at the same time. As soon as we arrived we were put to work setting up tables, decoration, and rinsing off dishes. The theme for this year is fishers of men, and the center pieces for the tables will be a vase with some beads in the bottom and a gold fish! I thought that was a pretty entertaining idea.

The Bible Study was really nice, Dave O. had it. We talked a lot about the character of a Christian and how a Christian should walk. He gave us some scenarios and verses to analyze and we broke off into groups. I was glad to get a really nice, serious group. Our “scenario” was about having faith like a child. We talked about how enthusiastic children can be about things and how cool it would be if we as Christians would be like that. Have you ever tried looking at a sunset and thinking that God must have painted it just for you? I do sometimes and that thought makes me so excited, just like a child. What if that mindset continued through all aspects of our lives?

After the Bible Study we had a nice supper of hot sandwiches, chips, and caramel apples provided by the Leuthholds. Then we got down to business practicing our songs for the dinner. It was 10:00 at this point and I had been on my feet all day. I won’t lie, it felt like there were a million songs and they took sooooooo long. After enduring through that a game of giant dutch blitz was brought out. Dutch Blitz is a very fast pace card game. Now imagine that with cardboard cards that are huge. It can get pretty brutal, everyone racing to put their cards on the right spot all the way across the room, but it’s great fun! Come to think of it, it’s pretty amazing we even had energy to do this after all we had done before and considering the time…

We didn’t get to Janelle’s house until 11:00 or so. We had planned to stay the night in their brand new home. Of course you can’t have a slumber party without staying up late. We didn’t get to sleep until 1:00. Needless to say, when I woke up this morning I felt like  a mess. I probably look a mess.

Now we are home just chillin’, the house is clean, so no work today. Actually I really should be studying. We learned all these new muscles in the head, neck, and trunk and it is really hard!

Later on tonight we will go back to the fellowship hall to serve the dinner and sing for the elderly who come. Should be great.

Act of Kindness

 

Came home from a lovely walk this morning to see my bed beautifully made! I asked Ryan who did it and he sort of ducked down humbly and muttered, “I did”. Well, I had to give him a hard time with that one. Kisses and hugs and extravagant compliments all the way out the door. But, in all seriousness, I was touched that he would do that. You know, it’s one thing for someone to do something nice to someone outside of family where others can see, but to show someone kindness in such a quiet way, where no self-glory or higher reputation will come of it, is quite amazing. That is the sort of act of kindness that really means something. I’m going to remember that this week. I’m glad God worked through Ryan today to teach me this lesson.

Ultrasound

At school today, all we did was practice ultrasound. Not the kind of Ultrasound that has to do with seeing unborn babies, the kind for healing and deep heating to certain tissues. It was actually a really relaxed day. It was enjoyable.

Once home, I got to work on my laundry and bedroom. I always intend to keep up with laundry so the next time I do it it isn’t such a large job, but that never seems to work. The mountain was huge, but I plowed through it tirelessly. Lol.

Seeing my room clean, I decided to add some cozy touches. Did I mention earlier that my parents bestowed upon me the gift of a lovely little gas fireplace. It is just the perfect thing to replace the ugly heater that filled the space before. Look: nice and cozy.

The gate used to be our entry into the field. It’s been replace with an industrial looking, shiny, strong new gate. I just had to keep it, it has sentimental value, and it’s an interesting decorative piece….at least I think so.

Yesterday I went to church rotation, which is one of the ICC Young group activities. We attended Princeville Church and then went to Drew Martin’s house for snack and socializing. It was a lot of fun.

Here are some random pictures I took out of boredom:

 

Here’s what we were doing in this one: Hold a camera in front of your face and jump backwards on the trampoline…..Good times.

Prince Charming

 

 

Here is a video I made to commemorate Steve…Well, he’s just growing so fast!

And a really short sunset video.

Nothing too exciting

Monday and Tuesday were huge school days, Monday, four hour lecture with two ten minute breaks, and Tuesday was a two hour lecture on Ultrasound (not very interesting). Finally yesterday we were able to practice some things and get out of our seats in lab. Determined to understand Ultrasound completly in order to come into practicals (in only one more week) confident, I worked very hard yesterday and came home mentally taxed. On days such as that, there is only one thing to do to rest my weary mind: play with Steve. He is always so anxious to see me, and showers me with licks and cuddles that I just can't resist him. He has relinquished baby markings to a more adult face and with his size I can hardly call him a fawn now. I'll get pictures up asap.

Sandra has caused us some trouble. We have some people renting our large pens for their horses. One such horse, the one whose pen abuts Steve and Sandra's is Liberty, who was third ranked Arabian in the United States. He is something to behold and his owners spend alot of time making him look great. Well, Sandra, being the typical goat that she is, seems to have found a way into Liberty's pen. His owner is concerned because, apparently goats eat horses tails. Have you ever tried to contain a goat? It is impossible, they squirm their way out of the most impossible places. So now, either we sell her, or spend more time goat proofing the pen. I'm sorry to say, she has become so tame, I am now quite attached to her. Stupid Goat.
This weekend is the Senior citizen's dinner, which means alot of work for the young group. We are meeting at the fellowship hall Friday to set up and have a Bible Study, and Saturday at three for the dinner. I must say, I'm actually really excited for it. I haven't been able to spend much time with the Young Group due to trips and such. It should be nice.

Thursday and Friday.

Church yesterday was, again, a huge blessing. Craig spoke in the morning service about Ruth and Naomi. He pointed out how difficult of a time Naomi was going through and how God was with her even then. She was so sad at the death of her two sons and husband that she told her daughters in law not to call her Naomi which means pleasant or lovely, but Mara, which means bitter. In her bitterness, Naomi couldn't see Ruth standing right there to love and comfort her, she couldn't see God had a great plan that includes a lovely life for her, instead she was seeing through what the world must have seen in her. Of course, the world will tell us that when bad times befalls us, that we should be sad, angry, and bitter. Look at what Job's friends told him over and over: curse God and be angry. But that is not what God wants for us. He wants us to look forward to His plans for us and open our eyes to His love and comforting arms, instead of dwell on our bitterness. Through Ruth we can see a great example of faithfulness to Naomi even when there was nothing for her. There were so many good things to learn that morning.
On that topic, lately I've been trying to give the Old Testament a little more attention. I don't believe I've ever read the minor prophets, and what I have read, I skimmed and shrugged off as irrelevant to my life. I have come to the realization that it has everything to do with my life. These people were, first off real, not just some stories, and, somewhat, put on this earth to be examples and have experiences that I can learn from. It's been a pleasant surprise to see that the ENTIRE Bible is beautiful and relevant, not just the last quarter.
Well, about real life: this weekend was so beautiful. First of all, this fall weather has been perfect. Sunny and cool. Thursday I took the last midterm for those two weeks. It was an easy one. Later on in the day we went to the relaxed vaulting practice. Really we are mainly just having these practices for the horse as Karin is determined to get her into a nice steady canter. For Ribbon, this will be quite and accomplishment. When thinking of Ribbon running, images of elephants, rhinos, hippos, and my fat pony, Cindy, come to mind. She is not graceful and, well, you know the earthquake in Haiti? That was Ribbon trying a gallop. (I know I shouldn't joke of such things, but you get my point) But, actually, the practice went so well, we are really starting to think she'll make a good canter horse yet! After vaulting, we headed over to Grandma's for a game of football with Caleb. The teams may have been unfair and the ground may have been full of Mole tracks, but we had alot of fun. We then invaded the Sauder's and demanded food from the poor slave of a housewife, Rachel. Actually, she kindly offered us supper and I am very grateful for that. I haven't had meatloaf in ages. After that we hit the hot tub. Day well spent.
Friday arose with promise. No school or responsibilty, no plans or stress, just a free day to do as I pleased. I started out the day well with some devotions, coffee, and the walk with the ladies. I love the walks. Finishing up with that, I came home, took a deep breath, and plunged into the job of cleaning the house with great excitement and energy. Starting with the kitchen I tackled the refrigerator into submission, fought the pantry till it shone, battled the bathrooms to the death, their death, by death I mean they were stripped of all dirt, and, well, the victory over the livingroom wasn't very exciting as it is quite a calm and easy going job. All in all, it took 6 hours. Looking at the finished product, I'd say they were very rewarding 6 hours. At 3 I went to ride horses with Karin, she on Ribbon, I on Jenis. Then it was vaulting. Again, it was a very nice practice and I am all the more excited. By then, however, my shoulders were sore, my legs were sore, my back was sore, and just about every other muscle in my body was throbbing. I just could make myself go to the game night with the young group, my body needed rest. So we got in the hot tub.
I was going to finish this post with a detailed account of the events of Saturday and Sunday, however, Mom has convinced me to go on the walk on this busy morning.

Wednesday night church

Last night I was so glad to be able to attend Wednesday night church. It's been weeks since I've come to church due to traveling and school work and I was really starting to miss it. Anyway, last night Willis Enlhe gave the sermon. Willis was a missionary in Japan for many many years and recently moved back with his wife. We read out of 2 Samuel 9 and Ephesians 3 and the topic for the night was family. As Willis spoke he made a point about children telling our parents we love and appreciate them. My mind wondered as he spoke and I thought about my own relationship with my parents. I love them tremedously, just thinking about all that they have done for me and how blessed am to have them brings tears to my eyes. Every day I try very hard to please them by cleaning, keeping peace with my siblings, showering them with hugs and kisses (I wonder if they ever tire of that?), reading my Bible, and doing whatever I can think of that will make them proud to be my parents. And, when I fail by neglecting dishes, fighting, or what have you, I always feel so down hearted. Last night it dawned on me that our relationship with our parents is very similar to our relationship with our Father in heaven. I love my parents so I try to please them and make them proud of me and I am ashamed when I hurt them. Shouldn't it be the same with God? Since I love God, I should daily strive to make Him proud of me, and when I sin, I should weep at the pain that causes Him. It's amazing to think that I can be so hard hearted about how I treat God and so sensitive to the way I treat my family. But, thank God that He provided this example of famliy.

World Equestrian Games

Ok, Judy, I'm updating. lol

Well, last weekend we took a 6 and a half hour trip in the Sauder's van to Kentucky to see the World Equestrian Games. These Games are kind of a big deal for us to be attending because normally they would be across seas. The fact that they were only 6 hours away from us made it an easy decision to go.
We got to the campground after dark and blundered around trying to set up camp. The tent for the younger girls took forever to set up as we kept putting the wrong poles in the wrong slots. We all felt a little dumb when a man from the neighboring camper came to ask if we need help. Its not like this was our first time. Anyway, it was a good thing he came, for there was a missing crank on Rachel's pop up and he happened to have the same one.
The next morning we had a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon and then our group of 11 hauled out to attend the games. It wasn't until we came to the parking lot that I realize how big this thing really is. Cars stretched for what seemed for ever. We were lucky to get a decent spot and on a shuttle bus quickly. We found an outdoor arena with some bleachers and a big crowd so we sat down to watch the show. The quality of these demonstrations was so much better than what I was used to and I just sat there dazzled. Funny, because this wasn't even the stuff you had to buy a ticket for.
The stuff you buy a ticket for was at four o'clock and about a mile and half (or so it seemed) walk from where we were. Seriously, this place is HUGE and if you want to get anywhere you had to walk crazy distances. The worst part was, there were golf carts zipping around. Their drivers passed by us with smug looks on their faces as their hair flew in the cool breeze. We were able to flag one down to give us a ride.
Anywho, the shows we paid to see were all vaulting. We saw two team freestyles and one singles freestyle. (if you don't know what all that means, google it). All I can say is that they were unbelievable. I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing real professional vaulting. The only chances I get to see it otherwise is in bad quality Youtube videos! These people did high up stunts, flips over eachother, flexibility moves that left you scratching your head, and impossible strength moves. We came out of every show completely inspired. In fact, Jessica has decided not to quit our team (I think) and I decided I'm going to come out of retirement and rejoin. Its such a cool sport that I just can't help it.
All in all, it was a blast to spend all that time with the girl cousins and our favorite aunts Karin and Rachel, who, by the way, competed to earn the title of "favorite" by showering us with free breakfasts and frosties, which we didn't mind in the least. I have a video made, but our internet is too slow to upload it. There are some pictures on Rachel Sauder's blog.