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  The Power of a Legacy

  The Divine Commissions of Eli and Jasmine - Volume III

  By Donna J. Farris

  Copyright 2011 Donna J. Farris

  Cover Design Copyrights:

  Series Logo - Two Unicorns: Zorica Lukacev - Gra - Fotolia.com

  Black Horse: Nastenok - Fotolia.com

  Old Family Albums Photos: Hank Frentz - Fotolia.com

  Silhouette: AZP Worldwide - Fotolia.com

  Hands raised to sky: rolffimages - Fotolia

  Horse Glyphs: srnicholl - Fotolia.com

  For Isabella

  “Legacy” - anything handed down as from an ancestor.

  “’It is not by force, nor by strength, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 - Love at First Sight

  Chapter 2 - Inheriting a Dream

  Chapter 3 - Threats at Christmas

  Chapter 4 - Unexpected Guests

  Chapter 5 - For the Love of Money

  Chapter 6 - Fire!

  Chapter 7 - Chasing Thieves

  Chapter 8 - Where’s Orion?

  Chapter 9 - Happy Trails

  Chapter 1 - Love at First Sight

  “Is everything ready?” asked Papa.

  Bowing respectfully, Eli and Jasmine replied in unison, “Sir, all things are as you have instructed.”

  “Excellent!” Papa replied.

  It was love at first sight! One look into his huge, dark brown eyes, his silky black hair, his long, slender legs, and the beautiful white diamond marking on his forehead and Isabella knew her life would never be the same. His name was Orion and he was a magnificent jet-black, pure breed Arabian stallion. His very name, meaning “God-revealed insight,” seemed to imply Orion and Isabella’s relationship was God inspired and truly a match made in heaven. Orion was strong, intelligent, courageous and spirited. So was Isabella Janea Randal.

  Isabella grew up in the high mountain country of western Colorado. Her family owned a large home on five acres adorned with crystal clear streams, gently sloping hillsides and fields of wildflowers. The family, of course, shared the land with wildlife as varied and numerous as the evergreen trees were tall. Being raised with such an assortment of animals made it easy to understand how Bella’s love of life developed.

  Some of her most cherished memories were of the deer herds which used to graze near the house at all hours of the day and night. Some mornings, Bella would open her bedroom curtains to find a buck with a full antler rack only inches away from her face staring back at her through the window while casually munching on a patch of grass near the driveway. And whether deer or elk, Bella remembered how downtown traffic regularly came to a screeching halt whenever a herd decided to take a leisurely stroll down Main Street. It was hilarious watching the tourists scramble for their cameras eager to capture the image.

  Bella remembered the black bears that used to dig into the garbage cans looking for dinner and how she and her brother complained when told to clean up the trash scattered throughout the yard the following morning. She remembered how the foxes were always finding new ways to devour her baby chicks, even after her father reinforced the fencing around the shed. And she especially remembered the time a full grown cougar jumped onto the upstairs patio deck and killed her orange tabby cat. She cried for a whole week until her parents were able to find an acceptable alternate feline companion to replace the one she buried beneath the tree fort.

  With each passing year, Isabella’s passion for life grew stronger. Whether a creature had two legs, four legs, feathers or fins, Isabella loved every one. “God made all things great and small, and He loves them all,” was one of her favorite songs in Sunday school.

  Bella’s parents recognized their daughter’s love for animals and provided many opportunities to develop her interests. When she was very young, Bella enjoyed watching the activities inside her ant farm, playing with an assortment of hamsters and mice, and gazing at the magical world inside a large fish aquarium located in the hallway.

  At age six, Bella was allowed to raise her own chickens. From the money she earned selling eggs, she purchased the family’s first lamb a year later. Being home-schooled, Bella’s mother was diligent to educate her daughter on the proper care and nurture of sheep. Bella was then given full responsibility for the well-being of the newest addition to the Randal family.

  When Bella was eight, she entered her prized sheep in the Evergreen County Fair and won Second Place for “Best Groomed.” She especially remembers that year’s County Fair because it was the same year she won first place in the Mutton Busting contest. She beat out nine other boys for the title, one of which was her older brother. Proudly displaying her blue ribbon on the wall in her bedroom Bella never missed an opportunity to remind her brother of his defeat, in a loving way of course.

  Isabella’s father used to teasingly say she was his little “Blue-eyed Prairie Maverick”. And it was true. Bella was independent, strong, hard-working, fearless, and knew exactly what she wanted in life. She was not what some would call a “typical” little girl.

  You see, Bella was not the least bit impressed with pearls, perfume, ribbons or lace. And while her girl friends dreamed of frilly dolls or fussed with their hair, Bella dreamed of horses. Whenever it was time for birthday or Christmas presents, the family always knew exactly what Bella wanted most. Over the years, dozens of big ones, small ones, purple ones, brown ones, horses with horns and horses with wings were added to her equestrian collection.

  As Isabella grew older, her passion for horses never went away. It was easy to tell God had destined this young girl to make her living on horseback; riding the trails of life, enjoying the great outdoors. So after high school, it made perfect sense when Bella decided to study Equestrian Science at the University of Colorado. Upon graduation, she was eager to discover how God would use her education and passions.