The Big "11"

Hattie is turning the Big "11" on August 26th. She is so excited about her birthday. It is always a celebration that she looks forward to each year. She gets to plan a fun party, and these parties usually have something to do with an animal. We even had a local friend ask us a couple of weeks ago when Hattie was going to have her party. They couldn't wait for a fun birthday party.

Well, this year is no different, Hattie is very excited about her birthday, and she has decided to not have a party. Instead she decided she wants to search for a place to go ride real horses. Hattie loves to ride horses. When we were in the states she took English riding lessons, and she was so in love with riding horses and caring for them. Here in North Thailand we have not found any real horses. There are some Thai breed horses which are mostly used for mountain climbing and such. Hattie is learning how to ride one, but it is not the same. So Hattie and Pattie are going to Chiang Mai on her birthday to seek out a place to let her ride some real horses. She prays often for a real horse of her own, and I know when the time is right God will provide for her. The following picture is of Hattie riding a horse in Korat Thailand at a friend's stable.

Hattie is in heaven here.

I want to spend a small amount of time telling you about Hattie. Of course, I have already mentioned her love for animals. I don't think it really matters what the animal is; she will love it. Since we have been in Thailand, Hattie has thought of many ways to get closer to animals some of her ideas have included:

Horse rescue

Horse stable to train others

Dog rescue

Dog breeding

Dog training group

Dog agility group

Cow agility group

Showing cows

Starting a 4-H group

(The list is longer....)

She loves being around animals, and so she thinks of ways she can bring these things to our community. She has designed a donations box for a dog rescue, and she has also spent many hours at our local dairy farm. She has even had the opportunity to watch a cow being born.

Ok...before you ask her parents..."Why don't you get this girl some animals?" Let me answer... She was given two hamsters for her birthday two years ago. Due to our lack of training, she became afraid of handling them, so she had to give them to a friend. We now know that with more knowledge she could have had a great pet. At this time, we own two dogs. They are both border collies, and she loves them very much. She spends time each day training them, and she hopes to train them in agility.

Hattie sitting with Beau (left) and Luke (right).

Hattie just had a really unique opportunity in the last few weeks. As we were cleaning out toy baskets we discovered some gecho eggs. One of them was destroyed, but we were able to save on of them. Hattie put in a bottle, and it hatched! You can see it below.

We aren't for sure how long it has been out of the egg, but we do know that it was alive tonight. Hattie turned it loose so it would not die, and I am sure it will come back to visit. This is one type of animal that is in abundance here in Thailand.

So what else does Hattie do....She seeks out every opportunity to be with animals. Check out some of the pictures below.

Hattie made some new friends. These two would not let her leave.

Here is another friend that Hattie was wanting to take home.

What a treat! For Hattie and Harry to get to hold this tiger.

Hattie's not afraid of a little work either!!

I am not sure who is smiling bigger!!

Hattie has a real heart for the creatures of this world. God created her this way! She is a very special young lady that is growing up fast. She is beautiful, and she is outgoing. She really has a heart for what is right, and God is really speaking to her now about that very thing.

Please pray for Hattie today. Pray that she will be blessed on her special day. Pray that we are able to find some horses for her to ride. Pray for special friendships for her also. Pray that her education is right for what God has planned for her life. Pray that Hattie continue to follow Him each and every day of her life.