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unbridled hope

The thrill of hope

“Hope is not what you’d expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming ending… Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks.” ~ Max Lucado I’ve been reflecting on what hope is, what hope does, why hope matters. Maybe hope isn’t simply something you do. Maybe hope is actually also like a gift you receive. Maybe hope is about the journey of anticipation more

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Celebrating 12 Years with Mustang Randi

“One day God stood and wondered who would want the lonely, desolate places…It would take a strong soul…A soul not afraid to be alone, but stronger in a group…a soul that could see another’s heart, open up to them when needed and become one with them. A soul that was willing to allow another into their space and hold them up when the world was pulling them down. A spirit wild and free but kind, understanding, and forgiving. So God created the wild mustang.”   ~Laura Tatum Cowen A spirit wild and free, but kind, understanding, and forgiving. That is Randi.

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A Christmas Gift for Jitterbug

In 2001 a plucky little bay pony joined the Agape herd and began serving small riders in therapeutic riding and all manner of people in equine facilitated learning. Though he is only 13 hands tall, his personality is indomitable and his disposition always joyful. His name, of course, is Jitterbug.  Our dear Jitterbug is now 29 years old and has served in more than 5,400 lessons at Agape since 2001 (WOW!). While he remains joyful in his service and mischievous in character, we cannot deny that he shows a little less pep in his step. That is why we want

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Gypsy Dreamin’

Did you know Agape is competing to win one of 10 Gypsy Vanner horses?  LexLin Gypsy Ranch, based in eastern Tennessee, has partnered with PATH International to provide 10 Gypsy horses to 10 PATH centers around the country through their Gypsy Gift program.  Much to our excitement, Agape was nominated and selected to compete! The LexLin Gypsy Ranch page describes Gypsy horses as follows: “For hundreds of years, nomadic people known as Gypsies have traveled the roads of the United Kingdom in beautifully carved and decorated living wagons.  To maintain this wandering way of life, they created an extraordinary breed

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Picture Perfect

The morning was beautiful.  Volunteers were buzzing around the barn, braiding the horses’ manes and tails with ribbons and giving them glitter hearts on their hips.  The finishing touches were being put on the arena and observation room, Hopalong Cassidy had arrived,things were just falling into place and the weather!  Put simply, it was heaven-sent. The Mane Event was off to a great start!  As the morning went on, the horses were tacked and warmed up in the arena as students and their families were filing in and the “parking lot” pasture was filling up.  It was going to be

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A Part of Something Miraculous

“I DID IT!!!” It’s a phrase that is teamed up with glimmering eyes and a smile that could melt Antarctica.  It’s also a phrase that, most of the time, could never be uttered without the help of our faithful volunteers…without YOU. The time I spent as a volunteer at Agape changed my life.  Volunteerism in general will do that for a person, but seeing miracles first hand is something pretty unique to Agape. [divider line_type=”Small Line” custom_height=””] Have you ever seen a person confined to a wheelchair find complete freedom mounted on a 1600 pound horse?  You might if you side

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