Thanks Cherokee for not Ripping My Leg Off!

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a friend about our blog and how I started it for a family journal since my memory stinks. Somehow, we got on the subject of remembering more spiritual things though. Not long ago, Elder Bednar, an apostle of our church, spoke on "Tender Mercies" from our Father in Heaven. And, then since that, another leader spoke on the importance of writing things down. I know our blog has been more about remembering the fun, family activities. But, at the moment I was talking to my friend, I realized that I should also include the tender mercies in my life...for my sake...and for my children's sake. It is important that my children know of my beliefs, my faith, and of my gratitude towards my Heavenly Father for my many blessings that I have in this life.

And, so I am going to include little things here and there that I feel I should share with my children and my posterity. ....It won't be anything too personal since anyone else might also be reading this on my blog:). If you're not interested in the sappy stuff, skip it. But, this is for me and my kids.

About a week and a half ago, I was taking our horses down the street to our neighbor's pasture. They don't have any animals on it, so we are lucky enough to let our horses go graze on their lot when ours is irrigated or simply gone from four horses chowing down on it.

Now, anyone that knows horses has probably seen horses run out into the field, bucking and tooting. They can get pretty excited to be let out into the pasture. And, anyone that knows horses will also know that horses can be pretty buddy sour. Meaning they like to stay together...with their herd buddies. When one horse goes running and bucking, the others quickly follow in a bucking fest. It can be pretty entertaining to watch.

Well, I walk down two horses at a time to the neighbor's pasture. I had walked Trigger and Cherokee down the street. As I unbuckled Trigger's halter, he decided it was time for one of the running/bucking fests. However, my horse, Cherokee was still haltered up with his lead rope in my hands...and as I quickly noticed....the rope was somehow also wrapped around my leg. In that split second, I was terrified. I knew that if Cherokee followed suit, he would be pulling me down as he ran out bucking to join his herd buddy. (FYI - we have had a friend who had his hand badly hurt when the rope was wrapped around his hand and his horse went off.... So, normally, I am very careful about NEVER letting the rope wrap around my hand or arm as I lead horses. I am not sure how it got around my leg. I had just stepped around as I untied Trigger and went to untie Cherokee). ???

Anyways. In that brief second, I was scared that Cherokee would take off and who knows what would happen to my leg. Maybe just a bad friction burn....maybe a broken bone. But, I quickly yelled out "Whoa" to my horse and said a quick plea to my Father in Heaven. And lo, and behold, my horse stood frozen... but still keeping his eye on his buddy that was taking off and having a heyday out in the pasture. I quickly undid his halter and let him go without any problems.

Whew. And, then I immediately realized how grateful and how blessed I was. I know that my Father in Heaven watched over me in that second. I know that I could have been hurt, but I wasn't at all. I titled the post "thanks Cherokee", but the real thanks doesn't go to my horse. I am really most grateful for the many tender mercies that my Father in Heaven gives to me. I know that he heard my plea for help, as he hears all prayers from His children down here on earth.