The Long Road Home Project- Leo’s Trail Notes for Day 1

Photo credit: The Social Bit Photography

I'm really excited about our trail ride from Bentonville to Little Rock starting Wednesday morning from Bentonville square. I'm really proud of Andrew getting everything lined out all the technical little things that it takes somebody organized and dedicated to organize something like this to make it happen. So I'm really thankful and proud that he asked us to come along. I think I've already said this, but his mission in honoring the Foster care, children, families and workers is right in alignment with our mission at Flint Creek Youth Ranch. We want to reach every spectrum of people who want a chance to ride a horse, especially the children.

Many children who come through our program don't have parents either. And they're trying to cope and deal with life and I have seen their lives transformed by these horses. These horses have been in my life ever since I can remember and I'm sure I'd be a different person if I didn't have a horse because they have taught me so many things through the last six decades of my life. I'm really looking forward to this ride.

It is a little overwhelming trying to get everything ready. This trail ride's only 12 to 13 horses. It's a small group compared to what we usually take. And so that is nice but still there's a lot of work to get everything ready and I so appreciate those who are helping. From catching the horses and having them ready at 4:00 in the morning for me to come by to load them in the trailer, to gathering up the tack .They're making that job 10 times easier by having them caught and packing up the tack already to meet us at Bentonville square. All the riders showing up to saddle up their own horse, and being personally responsible for their horse. I am so proud that each one of them exhibits a positive attitude and cheerful personality through stressful yet exciting times like this.

I'm really excited and I know we're really going to enjoy this ride. It's going to be a learning experience for all of us. Including myself.

Adventures like this never cease to redirect my mind and my thoughts and teach me a thing or two from time to time. Another aspect of this ride- I love the people. I’m always learning things from others. And even though it may be stressful. I believe there's a God behind all of this and he has furnished us a text that he has preserved throughout the ages that we call the Bible. Thousands of promises in that book that pertain to every circumstance in life we must face.

There's thousands of exceeding great and precious promises in that book and one of my favorite is

Philippians 4:6. When I'm facing such a time as this, I remember what it says. "Don't worry about anything, but in all things by prayer and supplications, let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus."

I can testify from experience that promise is absolutely true. I experience it every time that I get overwhelmed and so I appreciate all the volunteers who work and and make this happen. I appreciate the prayers of those who are not going with us and I ask for everyone to pray for this trip. That God will be glorified and his love for mankind will be demonstrated and we get there and back safely. The horses and the riders . It's going to be a great trip!