Adventuring in Oregon: the Great Outdoors

I always wanted to do everything she did.  It might have taken me a little long

but I would try.  I remember her climbing up a tree, yelling down at me that I would hurt myself

But, by golly, if she could do it, I could do it!!  I never made it up the tree!!

Ten years ago, February 2007,  I set out on an adventure and moved to Oregon.   Growing up in the Black Hills, the forest was our playground.  We would spend our days, hiking, biking, making forts, and climbing trees.  Now that I live in Central Oregon, there are not very many pine trees and forest around.  I know that might not be what you think of with Oregon, but Central Oregon is high desert.  I love driving over Mt. Hood towards Portland, because it reminds me of the Black Hills. 

I never been one just to sit around, if there a way, I will find it!!

Thankful for Oregon Adaptive Sports!!

Growing up with 4 sisters, I wanted to do everything they did.

I didn't want CP to hold me back!  If they climb a mountain I would try to

find a way, to be right there with them.  This has made me the person I am today.

Oregon has a lot to offer, from hiking, biking, kayaking, white water rafting and coastal range.  I would love to explore more of what Oregon has to offer, but to get to these places I would have to drive several hours.  One of my fears is driving long distances.  I love going on road trips and seeing new places, but I don't go very often, because of my fear.   God is bigger then our fears!! 

Multnomah Falls is about 15 minutes away from the Portland metro area.  This week, my awesome roommate drove me 3 hours away to Multnomah Falls.  When I first came to Oregon, we drove through the Columbia Gorge to the Ranch.  I was in awe of it beauty.   Multnomah Falls is tucked in the Gorge.  I knew I had to stop there someday.   This week we made it to the falls.  We hiked up to the overview bridge..

"Anything you can do, I can do..." well you know the song

Maybe not "Better", but man, I will I try!!

Emma and me at Multnomah Falls.  She took her day off
just to drive me there!

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaim His handiwork."  Psalms 19:1

White Water Rafting Adventure!

If you know me well you know that I am terrified of water.  I know I was on the swim team, but if it is deep water or I can't grab the wall; I will freak myself out.  This being said another adventure I took this summer was white water rafting.  Every other year Mark 2 has the opportunity to go white water rafting.  I didn't go the last year because of some neck issues I was having.  So this year I was a little intimated to get in the boat.  At first I was going to ride in the front of the raft.  I told myself I could do it, but as I was entering into the boat fear came over me and I could not ride in the front.  The Bible teaches us that we are a new creation when we except Jesus as our Savior.  I know this from experience.  My old self would have beat myself up for not being more brave to sit in the front, and for crying over my fear.  This time through tears I moved to the second seat and let my friends take my place.  I enjoyed the trip so much better.  There were times I was still scared, but I conquered my fear. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The new has come, and the old is gone, the new is here" ! Corith 5:19

Candle Creek!  My first camping in Oregon

A sweet treat with these sweet friends

Camping Adventure

I also went camping this summer.  My first camping trip since moving to Oregon.  As I become older, I am noticing how much harder to get around.  If you know me, though, this doesn't slow me down.  One major adjustment my body has made in the last 10 years, is having to go the bathroom more frequently.  I tell you this because when you are camping, going the bathroom in the middle of the night is not the easiest.  Luckily, I have some great friends!  My friend, Carol, got up in the middle of the night to help me go to the bathroom.  Sometimes a couple times a night!!!  Why do I tell you this, because waking up to the outhouse I saw Jesus.  First I saw Jesus in Carol.  No matter what time, or how many times, Carol would get up and walk with me.  No questions asked!
  I also saw Jesus walking to and from the bathroom.  I was so grateful for Carol walking me to the bathroom, we had a little flashlight and the moon.  Being so dark, I thought of Jesus with our flashlight.  Jesus said, " I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."  John 8:12.  Having the flashlight as our only source of light, I would think of this verse.  In my faith walk I am learning not to look to far ahead of me, nor behind me.  During my nightly walks to the bathroom, I saw this come to life.  You have to focus on right were the light is.  If I didn't focus on where the light was, I would trip on a rock or something in my path.     Sometimes in life, I look behind me and think, I wish.  I wish I did better in school, I wish I got a different degree, I wish... I wish.  Or I look to far ahead of me, and worry about what will or will not happen in my life.   Jesus asked us to follow him, the Light of the World.  I have a prayer that says "May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be."  I have to trust that God is leading me on a great path in life and as long as I focus on Him I will not trip in the darkness.  I can't look behind me to think what I should of or could of done.  I also can't look to far ahead of me.  I have to keep my eyes on the path right before me!

Austin, Serra, Savannah, and Bri

Keep walking

Jesus Calling July 14
Keep walking with Me along the path I have chosen for you.  Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to my heart.  I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that not my way for you.  Together we will forge pathway up the high mountains....


Kids come to Young Life camp to hear the gospel of Jesus, and to experience the "Best week of your life."  During "Club", or camp talk, the speaker will tell a story of Jesus from the Bible. Wednesday night my roommates and I went to Club.  The speaker, Nate, told about a woman that was bleeding for 12+ years.

Luke 8:40-48  "On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they have been waiting for him.  Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus's feet, pleading with him to come home with him.  His only daughter was dying.
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds.  A woman in the crowd had suffered for 12 years with constant bleeding and she could find no cure.  Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe if his robe.  Immediately, the bleeding stopped."
"Who touched me?"  Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master this whole crowd is pressing up against you."
But Jesus said, "Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me."  When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him.  The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had immediately healed.  "Daughter," he said to her, "your faith has made you well."

After club, we decided to go for a walk.  One of my roommates was telling us that one her legs is shorter then the other.  I was thinking, I can relate!  My right leg is a shorter then the left.  I have used lifts in my shoes throughout the years, but my PT and I have agreed that it doesn't make that huge of a difference. 
When we got home, one of my roommate asked if she could pray over our legs.  We both said yes.  She prayed that Jesus would make my leg longer.  At first, I was a little skeptical.  I can be like doubting Thomas.  Thomas said, "I won't believe it unless I see the nails in his hands, put my finger into them, and place my hand into the wounds in his side."  John 20:25. 
As she was praying, I felt my leg move, in a way I can't explain.  Part of having CP is getting muscle spasms daily.  This was not a spasm.  It was something I can't explain, but when it happened we both looked at each other and knew something amazing happen. 
After that I got up to walk and this happened:
You have to click on the link to see!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trXVakL43tI

Jesus calling-July 14
  The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak.  Someday you will dance light footed on the high peaks, but for now, your walk of often plodding and heavy.  All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction.  Stay on the path I  have selected for you,  It is truly the path of life. 

On Thursday, July 14th, I went to show my friend, Lisa, what had happened.  She asked me if I read Jesus Calling that day.  My walk is often plodding and heavy, and most of the time weak.  It is something I been working on all my life.  That night I believe Jesus touched me.  Before that night, if I tried really hard I could walked straight.  It took a lot of concentration and work, but I could do it.  As you can see in the video, that night I was just walking, no thinking about it, and no walking sticks.  I just KEPT WALKING!!


After I went to Lisa's house, I went to the gym to walk on the treadmill.  My 5k is less then a month away!!!!  Usually when I do the treadmill the fastest I can go is 2.7 speed.  That is holding on for dear life.  I have always thought "I wish I could get to 3.0, but 2.7 is my top speed!!  That day I went to 2.8 and could let go!!!!!  I thought maybe I could get to 3.0 hanging on, I DID!!!  That when I knew a miracle happened!

Walking at 2.8!!  without holding on!!!

I have heard the story of the woman bleeding for 12+ years, as well as many others of Jesus healing stories many times living at a Young Life camp.  And as I said before, I truly believe God gave me CP for His glory.  Jesus said, He had come to heal the broken hearted.  I have seen in my own life that to be true, from a young teenage girl with depression, not knowing who I was and hating that I had CP.  To a young adult embracing my disability and knowing God healed my broken heart.  I knew one day I would get to Heaven and run and not grow weary.  Maybe even run a 5k!!!  I believed God physically healed those in the bible when He walked the earth.  But now, as Jesus told Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my side.  Don't be faithless any longer, Believe!!"  John 20:27

Here is one of my favorite band singing "I Need a Miracle!"  Third Day. 


I need a miracle! Third Day!

Daughter you faith has made you well!!!

GOD IN THE DETAILS- Bri's worship talk

God works in our details, This little girl may have

thought she was broken, but God had a plan

The first video is the camp manager introducing me!!

Andy introducing Bri


The second video is my talk.  I hope you enjoy it! 

God in the details. Bri's worship talk

God in the detials

God in the Details


We all know the saying “I don't want to bore you with the details.” We are eager to get to the exciting part of the story, but the details are what make the story interesting. Without the details, there would be no story.
This is how I feel when it comes to reading about the Tabernacle in the Book of Exodus. I am a very visual person so reading all those numbers and measurements can make me confused. One day when I was at  my friend's, Marianne, house, I saw that she was doing a bible study called “The Temple”, by Laurie Cole. Her study focuses on 1st Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore glorify God in your body.”   I decided to buy the study.


While doing this study, chapter 3 really caught my attention, which is very strange because it is about details of the tabernacle. Usually when I read or hear about the Tabernacle, I tune it out. There are too many measurements and numbers to keep straight in my head and it is hard to keep my attention.


In this chapter, I learned that God was very detailed about how the Tabernacle was to be built. In Exodus 25:1-7, God said to Moses, “Tell the Israelite to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man who hearts prompt him to give.” These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver, bronze; blue, purple, scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skin died red, and hides of sea cow; acacia wood, olive oil for lights; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastplate.” Ex 25:1-7 NIV


He continues, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all it furnishings exactly like the patterns I will show you.” Ex 25:8-9 NIV\


While traveling through the desert, the tabernacle was a mobile place the Israelite could go to worship God. The rest of the book of Exodus, God give specific instructions on how the Tabernacle was to be built. For the sake of time and to keep your attention, I will give you a synopsis of the building of the Tabernacle.


I like things to read very simple, so after reaching about the tabernacle, I found a website called Tabernacle Place. According to this website, “The tabernacle consisted of a tent-like structure, covered by rug-like coverings for a roof, and an external courtyard. The whole compound was surrounded by a high fence about 7 feet tall. The fence was made of linen hangings held by pillars. As we continue to read the Book of Exodus, God goes into details of how things were to be built and placed inside the tabernacle, including the Ark, the table, the lamp stand, and the Ark of burnt offerings. God used all these details of the Tabernacle, to illustrate His relationship with His people. God was looking for complete obedience from his people. 

The Tabernacle.  A place the Israelites could go to worship the Lord!

Before doing this study I really had no idea the difference between the tabernacle and the temple. Through this study, I learned that David wanted to build a permanent structure for the Lord. David said “I am living in a beautiful ceder palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent.” 2 Sam 6:2
David was Israel king for 33 years, and died before he could build the temple. Even though it was King David desire to build the temple, his son, Solomon, became king and was the one to build the temple.
King Solomon built the temple 480 years after the people of Israel were rescued from Egypt. In 1^st King 6 we read Solomon built the Temple that was 90 ft long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The Lord appeared to Solomon saying, “Concerning the Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promises I have made to your father, David. I will live among the Israelite and will never abandon my people.” 1 Kings 6:12-13

The details of the Temple!

The remaining of chapter 6 goes detail by detail of how the rest of the Temple was built. When Solomon was finished with the Tempe, he brought the Ark of the Lord into the Temple. They dedicated the Temple to the Lord and the Lord responded by saying, “I have heard your prayers and petitions. I have set this Temple apart to be holy-this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” 1 Kings 9:2-3


God is in the details.
So what does the Tabernacle and the Temple have to do with us today. Well as Laurie Cole's points out 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore glorify God in your body.” 


I want to tell you a couple stories of where I seen God in the details of my life.


This study caught my interest because I believe God gave me cerebral palsy for His glory. Since there are a few new faces from the last time I spoke, I will want to share a little of my background. In a family of 6 kids, my twin sister, Brooke and I, are the 2^nd and 3^rd oldest. Because of some complications at birth, I was born an hour and eight minutes after Brooke, which caused me to have cerebral palsy. Growing up with cerebral palsy was very hard, physically and emotionally. I would get teased a lot at school, and couldn't keep up with my sisters. I would often wonder why I got cerebral palsy, and nobody else did. Since my brother and sisters did a lot of sports, this also made me feel left out. I wanted to do everything they did.  I believed there was a God, but had no idea He cared for me, or had a plan for my life. I often blamed God for my CP.

God had a plan for this little broken girl!! I may have hated my CP growing up, but God has blessed me with it!

In my third year of college is when I really where I realized that God was personal and cared for me. That year after having an emotional breakdown in class, my adviser told I needed to go see a counselor. For many years, I suffered with depression and anxiety, and feeling all alone in my disability. When I met the counselor, Mark, that day. He asked me if I believed in God. I told him I did. I had a few Christian friends in college. I was struggling with the relationship part. I also told him I hated my CP, and it wasn't fare that I got it, and nobody else did. During the 3 years of seeing Mark, he taught me that Jesus loved me for who I was, and that Jesus gave me CP. Mark also told me that God had a purpose for my life. I learned to tell tell myself the truth, that I was loved, accepted and created my Heavenly Father. Since then, I have fallen in love with Deuteronomy 7:6, “Of all the people on earth, the Lord, your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure.”

"Of all the people on the earth, the Lord, your God has chosen you

to be His own special treasure."  Deuteronomy 7:6 

God in My Details
As long as I can remember, I always knew I wanted to work with people with disabilities. I didn't really know how God would use me. When I graduated from college in 2005 I was going to move in with my college friends and help them with starting Young Life in a new area. I knew very little of Young Life at that time, I just knew I was going be a volunteer leader. There was talk of going to Malibu that year. I was excited to part of this “new” ministry.  The Lord led me to live with my sister instead. About six months later, I moved to Iowa to be closer to my mom. I kind thought that the Young Life door was closed. After three long months of job searching in Iowa, the Lord may have had a different plan.  During this time my YL friends, decided to also move down to New Mexico. She called me and told me she found a perfect job for me in Oregon at the Young Life camp. I told her I wasn't moving to Oregon.

Creekside!!  Young Life camp!!  never in a million years, would I thought I live here!!

Some of us from Mark 2!!  I love this ministry!!

I came to the ranch nine years ago, to be the ladies job coach. One of the main jobs the ladies do is helping to keep camp clean. In order for kids to come and learn about Jesus, we are called to keep this place looking amazing. Whether it is folding towels in the washboard, making hospital corners on all the beds, or setting the tables in the iron kettle, we do it to show kids that God cares about the details.


After five years of job coaching, my body was telling me that it couldn't keep up anymore. I went to my boss and told her that I loved it here, but my body was getting worn out. At that time, one of our staff members was moving back home.  She told me she didn't really want to hire full time for that position. She asked me if I wanted that position. Of course, I said yes, not knowing how God would provide financially. At the same time, I learned that to qualify for SSDI you had to work five full years, which was the exact number of years I had worked for Mark 2. I have been working part time for four years now. I am the healthiest and fullest I been since I came. God has done some amazing thing for me since going to part time, and have provided in the details I never would have imagined. 

Since going to part time, I have had more time and energy to focus on my health!

Who gets to live at a Young Life camp!!!  oh yeah! ME!!!

The other story I want to tell you has just happen in about the last month. I went to Bend in February and got a oil change. The people at Ford told me I needed to start looking for new tires. Knowing nothing about tires, but for the fact that our road eat them up, I asked Kory about tires. After learning about what to look for in a tire from Kory, I also asked Shirley, where Terry gets his tires. She told my Tire Factory in Madras. Also during this time, I was blessed by someone who gave me a check for new tires. I decided to go to the Tire Factory website to check out tires. I emailed them and told them that I lived on 18 miles of gravel road, and asked what would be a good tire for me. About five minutes later my phone rang. It was Tony from Tire Factory, saying he received my email. He said he had these tires, not the ones I was looking at, but a different set. He been wanting someone who has to drive on a lot of gravel to test them out. He said he personally owned these tires, they do great in all conditions, but he been curious how they do on a lot of gravel road. When he saw I lived on 18 miles of gravel road, he called to ask to be his guinea pig. He said he would sell all four tires to me for $500, if I would try them out. Three weeks ago I went to Madras on got my new tires.

Good tires are important out here!  we live on 18 miles gravel road!!

There are still details in my life that I wonder how God is going to work out. But the longer I follow Jesus and the more I learn about Him , I am realizing that He works out the details of our lives, to show us his glory. So as we leave tonight, how is God working in the details of your life.

I want to leave you with a song.  This song was on the radio one day after I had an important appointment meeting in Bend.  I totally saw God in the details of that appointment.  a verse in the song that spoke to me was "Jesus is for me."  He is for all of us, and want work out the details!

Jesus Love us.  By Chris Tomlin
Here the Link!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGkt67F2uI

Jehovah Jireh! The God Who Provides!

"And my God will meet all of your needs according to his glorious riches."  Philippians 4:19

Back in February I went to the Ford dealership in Bend to get an oil change.  They guys at Ford told me I should start thinking of getting new tires.   When I got home I asked my friend, Kory, if I needed them sooner then later.   To get to Washington Family Ranch, we have to drive on 18 miles of grave road.  So having good tires is essential!!  Kory told me I could probably wait to the end of summer, but defiantly before winter I need new ones.   At the same time someone came to me and gave me $300, saying that they wanted to bless me with helping me get new tires.

Living on such a long gravel road, a lot of people end up getting flat tires.  I always wondered what would happen if I got a flat tire.  There is no cell phone coverage on our gravel road.   There is a emergency phone, but unless I get a flat tire right next to it, I don't think I could walk very far to get to it!!  Also with my disability, even if I knew how to change a tire, I don't think I could possibly do it.  I'm the nine years that I have lived out at WFR, I have had only one flat tire!!  God protected me in that I didn't even notice it going flat till I got to the camp office.  I got out of my car and just happen to look at my tire and saw it going flat.   Kory was at the office, and was able to go fix it, and someone gave me a ride to my house.

down by the river!!! 

A couple weeks ago I went to Kory house to do some tire talk.   Knowing nothing about tires, Kory helped me look up some tires, and gave me great advice on what to look for in a tire.  I also asked the mechanic's (at camp) wife were he buys his tires from.  She told me that he buys them from Tire Factory.  I thought to look at Tirefactory.com for tires.  I found a couple tires that looked good for gravel road, so I emailed them for a quote.  When they emailed me back, I asked them which would be the better tire for a 18 mile gravel road.  About five minute later my phone rang, it was Tony from Tire Factory.  He told me that he had these tires called Nokian Rotiva, which weren't on the website.  He said that he has these tires and loves them.  He also said that he been looking for someone to test out the tire on a gravel road.  So when he saw that lived on 18 miles of gravel, he had to call me.  He told me if I was willing to try them out he would give me a discount, and give me all four tires for $500.  All I had to do was email him every now and then and tell him how they were doing. 

The closes town to the camp is Madras, which is 50 miles one way.  It seems I am driving to town more then others out here, for a physical therapy or doctor appointment.  So I put a lot of miles on my car!!!  Yesterday I went to town for a PT appointment and my tires!!  I thought I would pay the $500 plus labor.  About the hour later, my tires were on and I ended up paying $500 even.

This is a couple years ago.  But a lot of our road looks likes this!!

Lots and lots of gravel

"And God will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."  2 Corinthians 9:8

I have seen God provide in many ways out here at camp.  One more way God has provide out here is by water.  We have reservoir that helps supply our water needs.  Now that we have two camps, one being a water park, we need water!  A lot of people don't know this, but a lot of Oregon is desert.  That being said, we are in constant need of water, not only for the camp but also for the irrigation of the land. 

The past 2 years we experience a big drought.  I am not a big fan of snow, but I think I have learned the important of snow living in the desert.  If we don't get enough snow in the winter, our reservoir does not fill up.  That is what happen the past two years.  Some people that lived here for almost 20 years, said it was the lowest it ever been.

2014, all those weeds should be under water!!!

But this year God provided in big ways.  We had some great snow fall during Christmas, and it didn't melt fast, so it was able to run into the reservoir.  And I was in MN with my family, so I didn't have to deal with it!!!  It is fun to see creaks running down the hills, the rivers high again.  And the reservoir spilling over!!!!

"I will send you the seasonal rains.  The land will then yield its crop, and the trees of the felid will produce their fruit."  Levitus 26:4

I am always so amazed how Gods provide for me!!  Even sometime shocked, but He keeps being faithful!!!!

A Valantine Blog

Yesterday I was having a hard day, knowing that today is Valentine Day.  I admit that one of my biggest struggles and fears is not being married, and not knowing if I ever will be.  In the last 10 years of following the Lord, I have taken many leap and bounds in this struggle.  The Lord has grown my confidence in a woman with a disability, and enjoying my life as a single woman.  But there are days when these fears still creep in.  It seems like Valentine Day is one of those days every year!

I long to be married and have a family.  One of my biggest dreams is to be a mom.  I know I have many children in my life, and love each one of them, but to be a mom is my deepest desire.  I haven't been in many relationships, and struggle that maybe there is something wrong with me.  I know that this is not true, but at the age of 34 it crosses my mind every now and then.   I know the Lord gave me my disability, and I do see it as a blessing. But to be honest, it is hard in this area of my life.  Sometimes I believe the lie that nobody will love me, because of it.  I know that is a lie!! 

Today I woke up and decided to listen to a sermon of a church my friend goes to.  Pastor Toby was preaching out of 1 Samuel.  I don't know a lot about the Old Testament, but the story of Hannah really spoke to me. 

Hannah was married to Elkanah, who had two wives.  Hannah didn't have children, while the other wife did.  This made Hannah very sad. 1 Samuel 1:9 "Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray.  Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.  And she made this vow, 'O Lord of Heaven's Armies, if you will love up upon my sorrows and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you." 
The priest Eli watched her pray and said to her, "Go in peace!  May the God of Israel  grant you the request you have made."  The Lord remembered Hannah, and in due time, she gave birth to a son named Samuel. 

Hannah's story was so encouraging me today on Valentine Day.  I have felt like Hanna many times, forgot by God.  Pastor Toby reminded us that God remembered her.  God doesn't forget us.  God timing is perfect.  Today I was talking to my sister Molly, about my struggles on Valentine Day.  But then I remembered how blessed I am.  God has been so good to me.  He has blessed me with a great job, a great community, many friends and my family.  And as Molly reminded me today I am loved by so many people!  I my not have a husband to buy me roses, kids to love on (yet), but my life is filled with love and joy from the Lord. 

Pastor Toby said "Life will often be disappointing and painful."  It what we do in those times, trust God.  Pastor Toby went on to say, "God makes no promises of what you ask for, but you trust and pray, because He is good and sovereign.  Everything will work out for His good.

There are so many things in my life to be joyful about.  God has done some incredible things in my life.  When am rejoicing about being single, I am reminded of the things I get to do because of it.  For example, I get to go skiing for spring break this year.  I pray that one day I will have my own family, but in the mean time, I get to love on my friend's kids, and be loved by so many people in my life!!!

I thank my God for you!

"I thank my God every time I remember you."  Phillip 1:3

In our lives there are a few people that make a big impact on us.  I would like to tell you about 2 of those people in my life.  Mr. Jim Phillips and Ward Van Guilder

Last summer morning swim at camp!

The first is Mr. Phillips.  For most of us, growing up with siblings, we want to do everything they do, but that can be hard when you have a disability.  My siblings were very much into sports, baseball/softball, basketball, football, and the swim team.
 As young as I can remember, my older brother, Jason, and my twin sister, Brooke, were on the swim team.  I remember going to their swim meets and wishing I could join them.  It looked so fun.  I have a little memory of Brooke and Jason practicing at the Deadwood Rec Center, but the one thing  I remember Jim Phillips always teasing me that

he was going to throw me in.  I would cry and be scared of him, because I was terrified of the water.  I was so terrified that if someone got me into the water I would nearly drown them!  My mom and dad said this was because when I was around 3, my  dad took Jason, Brooke, and me to the Deadwood Rec Center.  Brooke and Jason were swimming all over the pool.  I guess I thought I could be like them, and when dad turned his back, I jumped in.  I don't remember this day, but for it was the day fear of water came to me. 

Mr Phillips being Mr. Phillips!!

After that day, nobody could get me into that water without a fight.  In 5th or 6th grade, Jim Phillips took on that challenge!!  I began the Adaptive Swim Program with him.   I would sit on the steps in the 3 foot end and not move.  I told him I was not getting off the steps and there was NO WAY, he was getting me to the 10 foot end.  I was wrong, he got me to the 10 foot. I remember I would start by going only to the 5 ft, clinging to the wall.  then eventually I made it to the 7 foot.  I hung out there for a long time.  I remember thinking "This as far as I will go, because I can't touch."  I have no idea how he ever got me to the 10 feet, but a year later, I joined the swim team with Brooke!!!!   I remember that first year riding on his back to

1997?  The best team ever!! Thank you accepting me to your team!

get to 10 feet, then hanging on the wall for dear life!

In my 9 years of being on the swim team, I got to compete in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.   I was never the fastest swimmer, and always the last one to finish the race, but that didn't matter.   I conquered my fear and was part of a team with my sister.  All because Mr. Jim Phillips didn't give up on me!!!  A little teasing and a lot of threats, but because of him, I fell in love with swimming.

Me, Ward, Noah, and Krrie!!  Seeing me off back to Orgeon

The second person that has made a big impact on my life, is my friend Ward.  I met Ward in 8th grade at Deadwood Middle School.  I had to do physical therapy in school instead of gym class.  Of course I didn't like this, because it made me feel different.  When I first met Ward, I was kind of a bratty 8th grader.   I didn't want to go to PT, and really didn't want to do my exercises.    Ward would come to school to work with me. One day he told me that, for therapy, we were going to walk down to Goldbergs for ice-cream.  I was so excited, of course there was one rule, I had to walk my best down there and back!  It was a hard walk, but I got my ice-cream!!  I had to do therapy all my life, but this was the first time, I enjoyed it, and realized this guy was kind of cool!!  ;)

In 9th grade, Ward wanted me to use a cane in school.  I was very against this!  He reason was that I was falling a lot. But as a freshman in high school, this was not cool!  (I still tell him this!!)   Now as I am older, I see how he was right!!!   I been trying to use walking sticks more.  Ward is very good at letting me call and email him, when I have something going on with my body.  

up at Lake Tahoe!  Love these peeps!

I have kept in touch with Ward and Lancette, his wife, for 20 years now.  He has always encouraged me to keep exercising.  When I decided to try to walk my first 5k, I called Ward.  He told me he knew I could do it.  I have walk two 5k with Ward and his family in two years.  Since there is only outdoor pool, here at camp, I have also fallen in love with walking.  (with my walking sticks, or course.)

Ward and Lancette are like a brother and sister to me.  They have let me come down to visit their family.  I have seen there kids grow up and feel part of their family!

Begining of the race!!  Ward, Lancette, Noah, Bri, Amber, Derick

and Kryie, (who walked the entire 3 miles with me!!)

I am so thankful for Mr. Phillips and Ward in my life.  They have both taught me not to let my disability or fears, get in my way.  Even though I probably told the both "no" a time or to, they didn't let me give up!!  They both have a special place in my heart!

Last year at the 5k finish line!!  I was one of the very last one to

cross it!  but I didn't care, I had some of my best friends there

cheering me on!