My Big Life Change!

Picture taken by Abby Austin of 1000 Miles on my own two feet.



MY GOALS FOR LIFE!

To transform my life, with God's help of course, one step at a time.

1. Get healthy & honor God with my body

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter


2.Become at least 50% sustainable with emphasis on doing our part to take care of God's planet.


3. Live life as an adventure, experiencing new places, things & people.
18 out of 150 bucket list goals accomplished


4. Become debt free & build security for my family, so we can then bless others financially also.

5. Continue to grow closer to God, building My family's faith & sharing the Gospel with those we meet, by using the talents and gifts God has provided us.

6.Continue to make money by creating and sharing my thoughts and beliefs through artistic expression: all the while hoping that my art will impact others. "Holly Kennedy

: All I know is, if you don't figure out this something, you'll just stay ordinary, and it doesn't matter if it's a work of art, or a taco, or a pair of socks! Just create something... new, and there it is, and it's you, out in the world, outside of you, and you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it... and you know a little more about... you. A little bit more than anyone else does... Does that make any sense at all?" Quote from PS I LOVE YOU

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Adventure 17

It was the weekend after our vacation and I was still in vacation mode. I didn't want to come home and deal with the normal stuff like laundry and dishes. So when i found out that the circus was in town I was so excited. Joslyn had never been to the circus and I hadn't been to one since I was a girl. I was wondering if it would still have the exciting feel as it did to me as a kid. We got there early so we could check out the fun things they had going on. And I looked over and my heart got fluttery. Elephant rides!


When I put ride an elephant on my adventure list I never considered that it would be so easy to accomplish. I remember looking at the State Fair last time hoping they had something like that there, but alas they didn't. So when I looked over and there it was, I was thrilled. The big question was Would Joslyn go with me? We bought tickets and stood in line. We had talked and talked up the elephants before the circus to get her excited about going. So standing in line to ride I showed her that we were going to get to touch an elephant!

We ended up being first in line for our elephant named Viola. Joslyn went on first and was a trouper. Normally a strange guy picking her up would have scared her, but she went with it. Then it was my turn. I looked at that high elephant and said how do i get on? He held his hand out like a stool and offered. I looked at him like he was crazy. He must have been 100 hundred lbs soaking wet, and he wanted my hefty but to stand on his hands? I reluctantly got on and hefted my self on the big beast. Now look, I am no little fairy of a woman. I am big bold and beautiful, but even Viola got nervous when I got on. She started moving back a little and I started to get nervous. I silently said a prayer and thank you to Viola for suffering for my benefit. Turns out she was spooked because I was sitting above the mat and that made her nervous. So they had me scoot back and she calmed down. I patted her head and said thank you sweet elephant! Joslyn was calm the whole time until I got nervous about her being nervous. They loaded a couple other small kids and we were off.
What a ride! Oh I will admit I tried to stay calm while I was on there for Joslyn's sake, but I was terrified! Joslyn was able to pat her head and feel her bristles. Joslyn was fearless! She had fun! Momma did not. I am really glad I did it but I don't think I would ever do it again. Everytime that Viola moved I felt we were going to fall off. I was a nervous wreck until we got off that elephant! A nervous wreck with a smile though! I looked in Viola's sad eyes as we parted ways and thanked her again. I will never understand what it is like for service animals. We all can speculate what they are feeling as they are doing our bidding. Whether it is a service dog, a competition horse, or a circus elephant. All I know is that I will always have respect for the animals. When Adam and Eve took those bites of that apple, they not only changed our lives but the lives of the animals. God created the animals for companions to live in the garden, leisurely lives in Eden to live out eternity. Suddenly thrust in the world to be looked at as food and as the help. Then as sin corrupted all of the Earth, their lush homes turned into desserts and their past companions turned into enemies. I try and remember this as I look at the animals that pass through my life. Gifts from God to his people. Respect and love is something I wish I could convey to everyone in respect to these animals. They aren't playthings or things to abuse, but gifts from God to enjoy and be thankful for.
Thank you God for the animals! Thank you that we have them to share live with, eat and work with. Thank you for their sacrifices for your benefit. Help us to know how best to love and respect the animals and therefore honor you. Thank you for the joy they bring and help us to do our part in taking care of the blessings that you provide for us. In your name amen! 

6 comments:

  1. Sooooooo cool. I don't think I can ride one (physically) but if I could I would for sure!! And Joslyn, "Grandma" is very proud of how brave you are. (Good thing for you, but not so good for Momma.) And, T, thanks for insiring me to think of things I really want to do. Some day I'll be swimming with dolphins!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so proud of her too! One day you will be swimming with the dolphins, maybe we can do it together!

      Delete
  2. That is AWESOME, Brown! Good job for getting up there! I rode an elephant when I was a teen, but it was a smaller Indian elephant. Its motion felt like riding a large, slower horse. I enjoyed what you had to say about serivice animals. They are a gift from God.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What joy they bring to us! I can't find a better example of unconditional love than the love we get from our animals!

      Delete
  3. How cool is this?! :D I took Mia to Yorks Wild Kingdom last year and they have an elephant there for rides too! I kept thinking of reasons why I shouldn't take her on it, and reading your post made me realize that I was actually coming up with my own reasons (fears) of why not to. She probably would have loved it!

    You are very brave to get out of your comfort zone like that! And now, I have no excuse not to do the same! Thanks for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand that fear. You are inspiring in your ways to constantly make Mia see things from a new view. That is scary too!

      Delete