At the Close of 2012...

Yes, it is the end of another year. Did you all really think the world was going to end on the 21st? (Just kidding.:D) Another year in which I saw great blessings. A year where I accomplished most of my 2012 goals. And a year in which I learned much (again).

Every year when I take the time to look back on the past, I am always amazed how much we can fit into 365 days. All the activities, social events, demands, requirements, schedules, family time, friend get-togethers, studies, commitments...really it's remarkable sometimes.

I saw the providence of God and the faithfulness of people again this year. I am currently writing out a newsletter of this year's activities, and it was amazing to see our Savior's hand in it all. He provided for our family when my dad's work slowed. He gave me the endurance to complete my music exams and graduate high school. I walked the oral surgeon's halls in His strength when I went to get my wisdom teeth out. I saw His hand in the events and decisions leading up to my degree consultation. When all seemed hopeless, I received His hope.

It was a challenging year; one that I would not push the rewind button on. However, I can look back now and I am grateful for what it taught me. Perhaps some of you remember the post I wrote back in March entitled He's Been There. All of those events are now past, and I can see that He truly was there and has been all along--just as He had promised. He is faithful.

I look forward to 2013, not because it will have no challenges to overcome, but because I can go forward in the strength of Christ. 2013 will be another year of challenges and blessings, but, Lord willing, it will be another that draws me closer to Him.

Anna and I have loved receiving and reading all your comments over the year. It has been a blessing to write for you all, and it has been an encouragement to us in the process. We hope that you will be encouraged through our next year of blogging. May you go forward into this new year "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." Live each and every day as though He were returning in the next moment. Enter His plans for you striving to do all to bring glory to Him. Don't give up; keep going. "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) And remember that "the One who gave the vision still calls, and what God calls us to do, He gives the strength to accomplish".

Deuternomy 31:8 (NIV 2011)
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. 

John 16:33 (KJV)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Mark 4:37-41
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

I can face the waves, for I trust the One who made the ocean. 

Your sister in Christ,
Kaleigh
(and Julianna)

~Christmas 2012 Greetings~

(Note: This is our Christmas letter-as written by my Mom-but I wanted to share it with all of you. :) Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New 2013!)

Our 2012 year has been filled with delightful-and sometimes sad-memories and we’ve managed to somehow stay busy with our jobs, school, and taking care of our animals. But the Lord has continued to bless us with good health and we have enjoyed our friendship with all of you.

To start off, we lost our draft horse, Mingo, just a few days after Christmas last year due to old age. He was 29 years old-which is a long time for horses that large, so he had a long life, but he just wasn’t able to stand on his own any more. We had a neighbor come over to put him down and he’s buried next to Julianna’s Quarter Horse, Samantha, who died just a few years ago.

In February, I started a bakery business with organic chocolate chip cookies and organic dog, horse, and cat treats. Our animals loved them, so I decided to sell them. One local store is selling my cookies and dog bones. Later on, Julianna and I started working for a company called Quality Track International-a business hired by Marriott hotels to keep tabs on their Sales Managers as they set up meeting space rentals and sleeping rooms with prospective clients. I try to get in seven hours a day (which is hard at times) and Julianna only works part time as she is continuing with online college classes.

In May, Julianna turned 19. She keeps busy with her college studies, showing horses and trail riding, work, and helping out Dave on the farm and some friends of ours who have lots of horses. At the moment, she is working on a Psychology course and is enjoying CollegePlus very much. Her coach, Brittany, is very helpful and is such a blessing to her. Julianna also continues as our church’s pianist and has been for five years now. She took JubiLee, her Quarter Horse, over to her riding teacher’s farm for the summer. Julianna prepared for numerous shows throughout the summer and for her last year in participating in the county fair. She also played for a Baccalaureate Service for area graduates in May.

Julianna also participated in the Welsh Pony Show in June with both my pony, McAnna, and her pony, Sky. This year, she entered driving classes with my pony and did quite well, considering that the sand in the indoor arena was really deep and made pulling a cart very difficult. She came away with seven ribbons: one third, four fourths, and two fifths. Julianna is now on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin club. There are three members on the board.

In August, Julianna competed in her last year at the Jackson County Fair. She came away with nine firsts and five second ribbons. She also entered my pony, McAnna, in an open driving class with the draft horses and came away with a third place ribbon. The judge leaned more toward the draft horses, thus a biased opinion. Julianna hopes to start riding lessons for some kids next year-as there are interested parents-and also hopes to help them get started in 4-H showing. The Horse Project group at the fair really want Julianna to come back to help with the youth and rewarded her with a $50 gift certificate for her leadership skills in the Project.

In September, Julianna took JubiLee and McAnna to the 4-H District Champ Show in West Salem, Wisconsin. JubiLee was a little “hot-headed”, so they didn’t do very well in their classes, but Julianna and McAnna came away with two grand champions in driving. The judge even made it clear to Julianna that she didn’t have to award a first place ribbon. But McAnna did very well!

In October, Julianna began a search for a 4WD truck. Her vehicle is only rear-wheel, so it is not the best for winter traveling. She has found a few that she likes, but the right buyer for her vehicle has not come along as of yet. She also played for her first wedding and enjoyed the experience. She also played for another funeral right before fair time in late July.

We had a dry summer this year, so finding hay for our horses and goats became a slight problem. But we are very fortunate to have found a source who could sell us some come spring time if we still need them!  We started to build an arena in our front yard so that Julianna would have a decent enclosed area to train horses and give riding lessons in.  

And lastly, we end this year on a sad note. Just this last Friday, we were forced to put our 14-year-old dog, Trevor, to sleep. He was such a sweetheart and as we used to call him, our little “Schweedie Beast”. He lived a long time for being a large dog and he had a happy life with us for as long as we had him. We’re not entirely sure why it was his time, though the morning of, he was unable to stand on his own. We miss him dearly, as do his sisters, Beth and Keara.

But now as we look to Christmas, we give thanks to God for His provision and for allowing us the time that He gives us with each of our animals and family members.  My parents are still living in their home and we talk most every night. My Mom will be 90 coming this January and my Dad is now 91. They have been married for 68 years now and it’s a blessing to see both still independently living in their own home.

God bless you and your family this coming year of 2013.  May the thought of Jesus warm your hearts and homes this Christmas season. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

God bless you from the Cadogoho Ranch family,
Deb, Julianna
Jack, Con
JubiLee, McAnna, Sky
Beth, Keara
Cecily, and Bandy

ICBF blog and Life

I'm having a challenging time finding something relevant to write about at the moment, so I'll just update you on some of my weekly activities. :)

I wanted to let you know about the other blog that I'm co-authoring, though. This blog was recently launched in order to keep record of our Bible study group's notes. Several students got together about a year ago to study Scripture, and though there have been many changes over the past year our group has, in some ways, expanded and is still a time and place for friendship and study. You can find the International Christian Bible Fellowship blog HERE and you are more than welcome to follow it. We still meet on a Google+ hangout each week, and they are something I always look forward to--especially in the middle of a busy (and sometimes tiring) week. :)

After passing Western Civilizations 1, Introduction to Computing, and English Literature in October to increase my credit count to 18, I began studying College Math and Biology in November. They are both going well. I'm thankful for the good background in math and science that the BJU curriculum gave me through high school. People often have asked me how different studying college at home is from attending a traditional campus. It is not much different from the 12+ years of homeschooling that I recently completed. However, I do most, if not all, my studying on a computer. CP is very flexible, although I do schedule out my study plans. Sometimes, I get stuck studying and forget to "just live" (as Pollyanna would say), but I am grateful that I am still at home with my family, church, and friends. I will have my Degree Consultation on Wednesday, Lord willing, and my current plan is to earn a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies.

I still babysit with Hannah (my sister) about 6-8 hours a week. Kids often don't "connect" to me as quickly as they will with Hannah, but I still love taking care of them. Being in charge of children is a great responsibility, but it is something that I am used to now. I have watched children of all ages, and have been blessed with valuable experience in that area.

I have a few more weeks of harp lessons left for this semester. I am currently preparing for the harp festival in February, as well as for a duet audition in January (possibly). Playing with my group as well as just on my own is something I have always enjoyed. On Thursday, I will be playing background music for a seniors' home. There is something more rewarding playing as background music than there is just performing, in my opinion. People can still socialize and enjoy the music without having to "pay attention". Of course, there is less pressure on the performer, too. ;)

Other than day-to-day activities, there have been other events over the past month. Some good, some bad. Yet, in all God has been faithful, as He always has and always will be. One of my life verses has stuck with me through it all: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Seeking Him,
Kaleigh