A couple of days ago I made egg rolls in the oven. They were homemade and delicious, but they set off the smoke detectors. At least we thought that must be what happened. I didn't notice any smoke, but Hubby thought he did, so we fanned out the house with really cold air, and reset the alarms.
Last night we discovered it was not my cooking that set off the alarms. At 3:00 a.m. the alarms sounded again. We looked through the attic, the rooms, sniffed and searched, and found nothing. At about 5:00 we finally started to drift off, and blaring alarms sounded again. We flipped off the breaker and decided to think about it later. At 6:30 I flipped the breaker back on so I could shower, and while I was in the shower, BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!
So this morning I vacuumed out all of the alarms and so far so good. I am glad that we have alarms to keep us safe, but do they HAVE to go off all night long?
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And speaking of cold air. . . It seems a cold front is coming through and bringing with it some ice and maybe snow. That means that with the possibility of bad roads, everything has already started shutting down. Life in the South; )
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
It's My Birthday
Today is my 43 birthday. Wow it doesn't sound as bad as it looks! It has been a good weekend of celebrating with my family, and I know that I am loved and adored by them.
Today Preacherman was talking about who we are. We are children of God. John 1 tells us we have the right to become children of God if we will accept the position. It seems awfully silly not to accept it, but still it is difficult to accept.
Am I really adored, loved, treated as a child? Yes, and more. God doesn't treat me as a spoiled child but one that needs discipline. To truly believe that God owns me as His own daughter I must accept that he will discipline me with the same love that he used on his legitimate son. What a tough thought. I don't want to die on a cross!
Whatever my death must entail, I should gladly accept it since I know the life that exists for God's children as well.
Happy birthday to me, Angel, a child of God.
Today Preacherman was talking about who we are. We are children of God. John 1 tells us we have the right to become children of God if we will accept the position. It seems awfully silly not to accept it, but still it is difficult to accept.
Am I really adored, loved, treated as a child? Yes, and more. God doesn't treat me as a spoiled child but one that needs discipline. To truly believe that God owns me as His own daughter I must accept that he will discipline me with the same love that he used on his legitimate son. What a tough thought. I don't want to die on a cross!
Whatever my death must entail, I should gladly accept it since I know the life that exists for God's children as well.
Happy birthday to me, Angel, a child of God.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Stress: Puppy Lesson #1
Puppies cause stress. I had forgotten how much stress until last week. I was feeling overwhelmed and in need of a good cry, but couldn't figure out why. I wasn't behind in grading papers, the house wasn't a complete wreck, I wasn't hormonal, so what could the problem be? Then the mail came, and I started crying. The electric fence for the pup had arrived. Suddenly I knew why I was so emotional; the dog was causing me stress.
I would like to say that it got better instantly, but, alas, I cannot. The fence still didn't work correctly. I called the company again and this time they said it must be the receiver instead of the transmitter, and I would have to wait longer. Well it came this week- I paid extra to have it sent two day shipping!- and still it does not work right. I don't know if it is the metal barn next to us, the metal roof on the house, or the large water tower next to us on the other side, but whenever the dog has the collar on he may or may not get zapped, and it may or may not turn off. Poor dog. Poor Angel!!
So I guess the dog will have to live on a leash. He has escaped a few times in the last several days, and he is getting better at it. He chewed through one leash and is working hard on the metal chain. He has destroyed many things here in the house, and especially he has destroyed my peaceful way of life.
But through it all I keep telling myself he is only doing what God made him to do. He is energetic, ferociously alert to odors, and very hard headed and stubborn. All of those things make a great hunting dog, not so much a house dog. But he keeps on doing what he was made to do.
I could take a lesson from that pup. God made me to care for others, be a bright spot in a dark world, and to share the love of Christ. But sometimes I am an old dog instead of a young pup, and I don't do my job with much enthusiasm. I will try to re-energize myself this week.
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I am not the only one in our congregation feeling stress, and mine is minor compared to my friends'. We have had three families touched by death in less than a week, and now one is facing tests on a mass on her liver. At times like this I truly need to focus on my inner puppy and be the energetic servant that God made me to be.
I would like to say that it got better instantly, but, alas, I cannot. The fence still didn't work correctly. I called the company again and this time they said it must be the receiver instead of the transmitter, and I would have to wait longer. Well it came this week- I paid extra to have it sent two day shipping!- and still it does not work right. I don't know if it is the metal barn next to us, the metal roof on the house, or the large water tower next to us on the other side, but whenever the dog has the collar on he may or may not get zapped, and it may or may not turn off. Poor dog. Poor Angel!!
So I guess the dog will have to live on a leash. He has escaped a few times in the last several days, and he is getting better at it. He chewed through one leash and is working hard on the metal chain. He has destroyed many things here in the house, and especially he has destroyed my peaceful way of life.
But through it all I keep telling myself he is only doing what God made him to do. He is energetic, ferociously alert to odors, and very hard headed and stubborn. All of those things make a great hunting dog, not so much a house dog. But he keeps on doing what he was made to do.
I could take a lesson from that pup. God made me to care for others, be a bright spot in a dark world, and to share the love of Christ. But sometimes I am an old dog instead of a young pup, and I don't do my job with much enthusiasm. I will try to re-energize myself this week.
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I am not the only one in our congregation feeling stress, and mine is minor compared to my friends'. We have had three families touched by death in less than a week, and now one is facing tests on a mass on her liver. At times like this I truly need to focus on my inner puppy and be the energetic servant that God made me to be.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Devotions of a Gerbil
As I said yesterday, I believe I have finished my book about Kelly. You may find it odd that I have entitled it Devotions of a Gerbil, but when you read it you will understand. It is a devotional book intended to be read alone or in small groups. I reread some parts yesterday and surprised myself because I had forgotten some of what I wrote, and I found help in my own writings!
So now starts the agent search in earnest. Most agents need the book to be finished before they will even look at it or me. I have looked at a few agents, but now I need to start writing letters and sending the book manuscript out.
The real purpose behind this post though is not to tell you I finished the book, but to confess what a lousy person I am. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to write one day a week for two hours. I know it doesn't sound like much, but with the schedule I keep it is a lot of time. But how am I to make sure I keep the resolution? I need accountability.
So I told Hubby what I wanted and that he has to provide a punishment for me if I do not write. That, however, caused me some apprehension because how would he punish me and what if I wouldn't go along with it? So we discussed the punishment and decided that it will be that I have to believe what he tells me.
Sounds easy, huh? No way!! We were driving around town when we discussed this, and I made a comment about the old Circuit City sign being yellow. He told me it was red. I didn't believe him and continued to say yellow, until a memory flashed in my mind and I had to admit it MIGHT have been red.
Saturday when the guy took out our mailboxes, the state trooper came by to make a report of the accident. He said the guy's tires were bald and measured them with a guage. It just didn't sound right to me, not that I didn't believe him, but it just didn't seem to match up with what I was feeling with my fingers.
Long story short, the officer took offense at my disbelief and need to measure the tires myself. My need to know for myself and not take someone's word for it nearly got me a ticket!
So it seems that believing Hubby is a harsh punishment after all. I guess I will be getting a lot of writng done this year--- I can't have him being right all the time!
So now starts the agent search in earnest. Most agents need the book to be finished before they will even look at it or me. I have looked at a few agents, but now I need to start writing letters and sending the book manuscript out.
The real purpose behind this post though is not to tell you I finished the book, but to confess what a lousy person I am. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to write one day a week for two hours. I know it doesn't sound like much, but with the schedule I keep it is a lot of time. But how am I to make sure I keep the resolution? I need accountability.
So I told Hubby what I wanted and that he has to provide a punishment for me if I do not write. That, however, caused me some apprehension because how would he punish me and what if I wouldn't go along with it? So we discussed the punishment and decided that it will be that I have to believe what he tells me.
Sounds easy, huh? No way!! We were driving around town when we discussed this, and I made a comment about the old Circuit City sign being yellow. He told me it was red. I didn't believe him and continued to say yellow, until a memory flashed in my mind and I had to admit it MIGHT have been red.
Saturday when the guy took out our mailboxes, the state trooper came by to make a report of the accident. He said the guy's tires were bald and measured them with a guage. It just didn't sound right to me, not that I didn't believe him, but it just didn't seem to match up with what I was feeling with my fingers.
Long story short, the officer took offense at my disbelief and need to measure the tires myself. My need to know for myself and not take someone's word for it nearly got me a ticket!
So it seems that believing Hubby is a harsh punishment after all. I guess I will be getting a lot of writng done this year--- I can't have him being right all the time!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Fog Creeps in on Huge Lion Paws
Carl Sandburg didn't understand Eastern NC fog when he wrote his little poem. The fog has been drifting in for many nights now, and last night it decided to stay. The fog came in about 7 pm and is still here nearly 24 hours later.
A friend was telling me last Sunday that she had driven in the fog to her boyfriend's house. There is a four way stop on the way, and she completely missed it. She was at his house and still looking for the stop signs! Thank goodness she wasn't injured.
I was lying in bed about 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and Hubby was out walking the dog when I heard a familiar crashing sound. A guy slid across the curve in front of our house and took out 3 mailboxes and a newspaper box. The fog certainly had something to do with the crash, but he also needed new tires.
Fog is mysterious, floating in and drifting out unexpectedly. What you know is there, like mailboxes and stop signs, may or may not be seen depending how the fog is moving. You can see a bit into the distance, but the big picture is not there.
I feel like I have been in a fog for many, many years, and it has suddenly lifted. I have been a Christian for nearly 25 years, and yet I am just learning and discovering something. I have been praying for over 20 years that Hubby will get a teaching position at a Christian college or university. I feel like I have been patient in that prayer, and I know I have been diligent to pray it often and bring my petition before the Lord. I asked this because I know that Hubby would really enjoy teaching and conversing with others who are interested in God's Word. I never thought about it being a selfish request because it wasn't really a request for me. Suddenly I have changed my perspective. I should instead be thinking of all of the people who will be affected by Hubby's ability to teach. It is for Christ that I should want Hubby to be able to teach, not for Hubby's sake.
This morning I was writing the last of my book about Kelly; yes, I think it is finished! But as I began to write I stopped to pray, and instead of praying for me to write the right words, or for me to find a great agent, or even for the book to make enough money for #2 to get braces (which has been my goal), I suddenly thought about the people who will read the book. They are the ones I should be praying for. I should realize that people will be brought closer to Christ for reading the book. What a dunce I have been.
Now the fog is lifting and I am seeing so much more of the big picture. I shouldn't be praying for my children to get to Heaven but that through their lives even more than my kids will praise Jesus. I shouldn't be praying for our country to turn to God and do better, but that our country will lift God to the world. I shouldn't be praying for the safety and good health of D1, but that through our letters and emails to her she will praise Christ.
Christ is the stop sign that I have driven past in the fog. But now the fog is drifting, slowly pulling away from the ground and lifting itself to where I should have been looking all along- up.
A friend was telling me last Sunday that she had driven in the fog to her boyfriend's house. There is a four way stop on the way, and she completely missed it. She was at his house and still looking for the stop signs! Thank goodness she wasn't injured.
I was lying in bed about 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and Hubby was out walking the dog when I heard a familiar crashing sound. A guy slid across the curve in front of our house and took out 3 mailboxes and a newspaper box. The fog certainly had something to do with the crash, but he also needed new tires.
Fog is mysterious, floating in and drifting out unexpectedly. What you know is there, like mailboxes and stop signs, may or may not be seen depending how the fog is moving. You can see a bit into the distance, but the big picture is not there.
I feel like I have been in a fog for many, many years, and it has suddenly lifted. I have been a Christian for nearly 25 years, and yet I am just learning and discovering something. I have been praying for over 20 years that Hubby will get a teaching position at a Christian college or university. I feel like I have been patient in that prayer, and I know I have been diligent to pray it often and bring my petition before the Lord. I asked this because I know that Hubby would really enjoy teaching and conversing with others who are interested in God's Word. I never thought about it being a selfish request because it wasn't really a request for me. Suddenly I have changed my perspective. I should instead be thinking of all of the people who will be affected by Hubby's ability to teach. It is for Christ that I should want Hubby to be able to teach, not for Hubby's sake.
This morning I was writing the last of my book about Kelly; yes, I think it is finished! But as I began to write I stopped to pray, and instead of praying for me to write the right words, or for me to find a great agent, or even for the book to make enough money for #2 to get braces (which has been my goal), I suddenly thought about the people who will read the book. They are the ones I should be praying for. I should realize that people will be brought closer to Christ for reading the book. What a dunce I have been.
Now the fog is lifting and I am seeing so much more of the big picture. I shouldn't be praying for my children to get to Heaven but that through their lives even more than my kids will praise Jesus. I shouldn't be praying for our country to turn to God and do better, but that our country will lift God to the world. I shouldn't be praying for the safety and good health of D1, but that through our letters and emails to her she will praise Christ.
Christ is the stop sign that I have driven past in the fog. But now the fog is drifting, slowly pulling away from the ground and lifting itself to where I should have been looking all along- up.
Monday, January 14, 2013
A Man At Last!!!
Here he is Ladies, the latest Man on the Rise. It seems that Hubby is finally turning into a man, at least according to his secretary. He now has a truck AND a beagle. He's almost a real man she told him. I think the missing part is a gun, but we are probably going for a fishing pole instead. A pacifist man.
Ready to tailgate
Hubby hasn't had a new car since #1 was in Kindergarten, so it was time. The old car, sitting next to the truck there, will be handed down to our Junior in High School when he gets his license in a couple of months. I remember getting that car like it was last week. How could it have been over ten years ago?
Anyway, Hubby is enjoying his truck, and I am enjoying the seat warmer. On chilly Sunday nights, when we head out on a date, I get a little extra warmth sitting next to my MAN.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
My Birthday Boy
I think I managed good presents for this birthday boy. He likes Converse shoes, and he seems to especially like these red ones. You just never know with teens. The other present was one he chose himself and I ordered online. It is the Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty song from The Big Bang Theory on tv. 
I can't believe he is going to take Driver's Ed this summer!! Oh how the time has flown.
We are looking at college tours this spring for #1. That's just a few short months away! Oh My Goodness!!!!!!! College seems to be going fine for him so far with the dual enrollment classes. He is still tired from mono, so I am not expecting too much from him, not that he is ever resplendant with joy, but I think he is liking it well enough. Time will tell.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
More Christmas
Here is some more picture fun for you. Hopefully the descriptions work better today. I don't know what was going on with yesterday's post, but I couldn't fix it no matter what. Anyway, aren't these little elves the cutest!? My cousin makes some pretty kids, that's for sure.
Christmas at my parents' house is fairly laid back. We do an exchange game based on numbers. We eat and visit, usually sing for a while, and then eat and visit some more.
We were thrown a curve ball while in WV and received an ice storm one day. We had a couple days of snowstorms as well. We had hoped that #1 could practice driving on snow, but this was no beginning driver weather. He will just have to wait for another time.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Crazy Cousin Christmas
Here they are, the Crazy Cousins. Handsome group of kids, huh? Yeah, they all look like their grandmother, at least that's what she thinks.#1 is nearly 16, #2 is 14, and the others right to left are 10, 6, and nearly 5.
Here is everyone else, ages unmentioned, but boy do we all look good for what we are!
And then we had to add some silliness. I bought moustaches through Oriental Trading and we had a little fun. Notice Hubby's 'stache is tilted. I guess he can only wear a natural one! He has had a beard and moustache so long I can't remember what he looks like without one.
Then came our family picture. Handsome group of hairy people aren't we?
This one is a card. This pose was his idea and he hopes to put it on FaceBook!! What a nut!
This was my favorite gift of the season. Last summer this little guy stared at a picture of my two boys dressed as pirates when they were little ones. He thought it was a fabulous picture.
He told me he wanted to look like a pirate and he even wanted a beard. Well this aunt filed that away for several months and then went to work. I was able to get a bunch of moustaches so he can play with his buddies.
And then I was even able to find this fabulous beard!! He was the perfect pirate. We were able to find bunches of dress up stuff for his treasure box since we live in The Pirate Nation. Don't you just love the parrot on the shoulder?!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Summer in January
We are having school outside part of the time these days. It seems that January is the new June. The weather has been lovely and so we have been enjoying one of my favorite Christmas presents: a picnic table! The slab of concrete was the floor of a shed when we moved here. Hubby and #2 tore it down several years ago, and I have been wanting a picnic area ever since.
As you can see, Captain thinks it is an enjoyable spot as well.
Though the weather seems spring/summerish, the landscape belies the real time of year. It isn't much to look at right now, but it is nice to be sitting outside anyway.
Though the weather seems spring/summerish, the landscape belies the real time of year. It isn't much to look at right now, but it is nice to be sitting outside anyway.
In the right hand corner, near the wheelbarrow, you can see Hubby's and my anniversary gift to each other. We got a firepit so we can sit near the house and enjoy a little fire in the evenings. I have done it once, with no Hubby, but I am sure we will get to it sometime.
Still waiting on the electric fence for this little guy. He is improving, and I really shouldn't complain, but truly I am too old for babies.
You may have noticed all of the tissues on the picnic table. #2 has a cold. #1 is still fighting mono and is worn out. Today the plan is to stay home and just get school and laundry done, to which #1 responded, "AWESOME!" Having college and other classes three days a week seem to be having their impact. Welcome to the new year!
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Puppy Lesson #12: I Am Too Old for a Puppy
OK, so the pup is ten months old now, and he acts like he is 3 months old. He has A LOT of energy and needs to be outside. After the horror of the last dog's demise, we decided to try a wireless fence. I ordered it and started yesterday trying to figure it out.
No matter where I put the flags, the next time I try to match up the boundary, it has changed from the last time! The poor dog got zapped when he was in the safety zone! So I have spent the day trying to figure it out, calling the company and having them try to figure it out, and now I have to send it back. They think there is a problem with the transmitter.
So now I am back to having an energetic pup that needs to go for walks and play a lot, and school is about to start back. I do not have everything ready for starting back- remember the sick son on top of the energetic pup- and I have come to one conclusion:
I am too old for a pup. Just call me The Old Gray Mare!
No matter where I put the flags, the next time I try to match up the boundary, it has changed from the last time! The poor dog got zapped when he was in the safety zone! So I have spent the day trying to figure it out, calling the company and having them try to figure it out, and now I have to send it back. They think there is a problem with the transmitter.
So now I am back to having an energetic pup that needs to go for walks and play a lot, and school is about to start back. I do not have everything ready for starting back- remember the sick son on top of the energetic pup- and I have come to one conclusion:
I am too old for a pup. Just call me The Old Gray Mare!
Friday, January 04, 2013
Christmas Sickness
Poor #1 often spends Christmas time ill. I think it was three years in a row that he got a stomach virus and spent Christmas Eve vomiting all night. Really puts a damper on the magic of the night. So he never looks forward to Christmas very much; he is a bit of an Eeyore and expects things to go poorly so that he isn't disappointed when they do.
This year was worse than ever. We left for WV on Thursday the 20th. We stopped first at my parents' house and spent the night. #1 awoke in the morning saying his throat and head hurt, and he definitely had an inflamed lymph node. We let him take it easy and indulged him with sad faces and lots of Tylenol. Saturday we headed up to the in-laws' and things got no better. He could be distracted for a while, but the head always hurt, and he was definitely dragging. He couldn't stand light or noise- definitely a problem at Christmas celebrations!
Finally Monday morning, Christmas Eve day, Hubby took him to the doctor at an express place. He was diagnosed with some sort of infection, placed on Prednisone and an antibiotic. Still he did not improve. The headaches NEVER went away.
By the time we returned home the 27th, I was concerned, but thought that perhaps all of the travel and out-of-routine time had not allowed his body to heal even with medication, so I put him on bed rest and watched him. Sunday he dragged, but I thought might be improving. Monday, New Year's Eve, I caught him holding his head, but when he saw, me he perked up. He had a party to go to that night, and I think he was determined NOT to miss it!
New Year's Day he awoke with blisters in his throat and as miserable as he could be- or so I thought. I told him we would be going to the doctor the next day. The next day, nearly two weeks after the start of all of this!- he awoke with a horrible rash on his face and arms. We headed over to the doc expecting to be told that he had a reaction to the antibiotic. Instead, they did a blood test and told us it is mononucleosis. We left the office being told the rash was normal and just wait it out.
That night the poor thing came downstairs and his whole head was swollen, even his ears! The rash was spreading and he was the most miserable I had seen him yet. I gave him some Prednisone I had left from a poison ivy incident with #2, two Benadryl, and sent him off to bed in the spare room so I could listen for him through the night.
Yesterday I called and got the definite results; it is mono. I told them I wanted to get him back in to the doc since the swelling and rash were worse. We went this morning. The good news is he is no longer contagious. I had been afraid that he would have to miss his first day of college on Monday, but thankfully, as long as he doesn't kiss anyone, he will be ok to go. The bad part is that this has been such a severe case that he will probably be tired for a month or more. I have not told him that, but said it may take a couple of weeks. I am not an Eeyore!
So while we are sitting at the doctor's office having been told that it is probably mono, the nurse practitioner leaves for a few minutes. "So have you been kissing the girlfriend?" I ask.
Great fear seizes his eyes as they grow round in his swollen head. He pauses, half nods, and then shakily whispers, "Yeah."
"You'll need to tell her," I say. That was it. The NP comes back in and continues the exam, then he leaves again.
"I thought you would be mad," #1 says. Then the NP is back again.
Out in the van I ask why he thought I would be mad that he got sick. "Not that I got sick, but that it is mono," he replied. I assured him that it is just a virus and I am not upset. Glad to know I still hold some fear over him though.
This year was worse than ever. We left for WV on Thursday the 20th. We stopped first at my parents' house and spent the night. #1 awoke in the morning saying his throat and head hurt, and he definitely had an inflamed lymph node. We let him take it easy and indulged him with sad faces and lots of Tylenol. Saturday we headed up to the in-laws' and things got no better. He could be distracted for a while, but the head always hurt, and he was definitely dragging. He couldn't stand light or noise- definitely a problem at Christmas celebrations!
Finally Monday morning, Christmas Eve day, Hubby took him to the doctor at an express place. He was diagnosed with some sort of infection, placed on Prednisone and an antibiotic. Still he did not improve. The headaches NEVER went away.
By the time we returned home the 27th, I was concerned, but thought that perhaps all of the travel and out-of-routine time had not allowed his body to heal even with medication, so I put him on bed rest and watched him. Sunday he dragged, but I thought might be improving. Monday, New Year's Eve, I caught him holding his head, but when he saw, me he perked up. He had a party to go to that night, and I think he was determined NOT to miss it!
New Year's Day he awoke with blisters in his throat and as miserable as he could be- or so I thought. I told him we would be going to the doctor the next day. The next day, nearly two weeks after the start of all of this!- he awoke with a horrible rash on his face and arms. We headed over to the doc expecting to be told that he had a reaction to the antibiotic. Instead, they did a blood test and told us it is mononucleosis. We left the office being told the rash was normal and just wait it out.
That night the poor thing came downstairs and his whole head was swollen, even his ears! The rash was spreading and he was the most miserable I had seen him yet. I gave him some Prednisone I had left from a poison ivy incident with #2, two Benadryl, and sent him off to bed in the spare room so I could listen for him through the night.
Yesterday I called and got the definite results; it is mono. I told them I wanted to get him back in to the doc since the swelling and rash were worse. We went this morning. The good news is he is no longer contagious. I had been afraid that he would have to miss his first day of college on Monday, but thankfully, as long as he doesn't kiss anyone, he will be ok to go. The bad part is that this has been such a severe case that he will probably be tired for a month or more. I have not told him that, but said it may take a couple of weeks. I am not an Eeyore!
So while we are sitting at the doctor's office having been told that it is probably mono, the nurse practitioner leaves for a few minutes. "So have you been kissing the girlfriend?" I ask.
Great fear seizes his eyes as they grow round in his swollen head. He pauses, half nods, and then shakily whispers, "Yeah."
"You'll need to tell her," I say. That was it. The NP comes back in and continues the exam, then he leaves again.
"I thought you would be mad," #1 says. Then the NP is back again.
Out in the van I ask why he thought I would be mad that he got sick. "Not that I got sick, but that it is mono," he replied. I assured him that it is just a virus and I am not upset. Glad to know I still hold some fear over him though.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Puppy Lesson #31: Nothing is Safe
A rug, a postcard collection, a make-up brush, a pair of underwear, a mitten, sandals, boots, and a pair of slippers. What do all of these things have in common? They look like a fun feeding toy to a pup. I had forgotten how much trouble one little pup can get into.
I guess he was a problem for the dogsitter too. I heard that he jumped into the middle of the diningroom table and wouldn't get down. He also pulled her over backward while chasing down a jogger. He escaped by climbing a pile of bricks and jumping over the fence, but his stomach rules and he came back for a treat.
So, tomorrow the electric fence arrives. I don't think it will take many times for him to learn his boundaries. He touched his nose on the electric fence around the horses and ran back to me and stayed for quite a long time.
Soon after we took Captain, I was talking to the boys about how much trouble Kelly had been. I ended with, but she was worth it. I didn't know it at the time, but she was. So I imagine this little guy will be worth it some day too. I just have to imagine it really, really hard sometimes!
I guess he was a problem for the dogsitter too. I heard that he jumped into the middle of the diningroom table and wouldn't get down. He also pulled her over backward while chasing down a jogger. He escaped by climbing a pile of bricks and jumping over the fence, but his stomach rules and he came back for a treat.
So, tomorrow the electric fence arrives. I don't think it will take many times for him to learn his boundaries. He touched his nose on the electric fence around the horses and ran back to me and stayed for quite a long time.
Soon after we took Captain, I was talking to the boys about how much trouble Kelly had been. I ended with, but she was worth it. I didn't know it at the time, but she was. So I imagine this little guy will be worth it some day too. I just have to imagine it really, really hard sometimes!
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Hardening of the Heart
I have been mulling over a section of Mark 6 the last few days. Jesus was busy healing and feeding the multitudes. He needed a break and told his disciples to go on over the lake while he went to be alone. Partway through the night, Jesus walked across the lake, but the men saw him, and they were afraid. Jesus asked them basically what had they expected. Hadn't they seen all of those miracles? Why were they surprised by his walking on water? Then Mark tells us that the disciples hearts were hardened.
Hardened? How could that be?! These men had given their lives to be with Jesus, to follow and serve him, and their hearts were hardened?! So what must my heart be?
I have grappled with this a few days now, even looking back at a journal entry from December 18th where I asked something similar. I think I am concluding that it isn't that the disciples were unwilling to understand, but that the thing they were trying to understand was outside the realm of their thinking.
Then I wonder about myself. How is my heart hardened? Where is God trying to work and because it is outside of my thought process or thought path, I am thwarting God's intentions? I have some ideas and I am trying to change the way I think about them, but it is hard to start thinking in new ways. Perhaps that will be my goal for this New Year.
Hardened? How could that be?! These men had given their lives to be with Jesus, to follow and serve him, and their hearts were hardened?! So what must my heart be?
I have grappled with this a few days now, even looking back at a journal entry from December 18th where I asked something similar. I think I am concluding that it isn't that the disciples were unwilling to understand, but that the thing they were trying to understand was outside the realm of their thinking.
Then I wonder about myself. How is my heart hardened? Where is God trying to work and because it is outside of my thought process or thought path, I am thwarting God's intentions? I have some ideas and I am trying to change the way I think about them, but it is hard to start thinking in new ways. Perhaps that will be my goal for this New Year.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Chasing Your Tail
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope your day and your year are filled with happiness and good health.
Our new puppy will certainly be keeping us busy in 2013, and I hope that he adds happiness and good health to our lives as well. I know he is already adding lessons to my life. I have been noticing that he ignores his tail all day, and then in the evening, as shadows lengthen and darkness falls, he curls up in a ball to rest. Peeking out one eye, he sees that tail is back again. He chased it last evening until it had him dizzy and worn-out. Now it is back for another round.
He growls and grabs hold of it with his teeth, then jumping to his feet, he has to let go of the tail. He turns in circles, chasing that tail faster and harder, but never quite catching up to it. I am not sure that he knows what it is. It doesn't bother him all day, it doesn't serve any purpose that he can see, and yet it keeps showing up!
Some people are like that with their spiritual lives. They are busy doing the daily things of life and completely ignore that little niggling at the back of their minds. But when the day lengthens into night and they are left alone in peace, they begin to wrestle with themselves. That is their spiritual tail reminding them that it has been there all day, and it will no longer be ignored.
As this pup grows, he will someday not bother to chase his tail. He will give it no mind as he curls up to rest for the night. And some people will do the same.
After years of rolling around with God, grabbing hold and then letting go, forgetting that He is there in the busyness of daily life, they will curl up some night and never think of Him again. Don't let that be you! Grab on hard to your spiritual tail and don't let go when you jump up. Let God know you haven't forgotten Him.This year, chase your tail!
Our new puppy will certainly be keeping us busy in 2013, and I hope that he adds happiness and good health to our lives as well. I know he is already adding lessons to my life. I have been noticing that he ignores his tail all day, and then in the evening, as shadows lengthen and darkness falls, he curls up in a ball to rest. Peeking out one eye, he sees that tail is back again. He chased it last evening until it had him dizzy and worn-out. Now it is back for another round.
He growls and grabs hold of it with his teeth, then jumping to his feet, he has to let go of the tail. He turns in circles, chasing that tail faster and harder, but never quite catching up to it. I am not sure that he knows what it is. It doesn't bother him all day, it doesn't serve any purpose that he can see, and yet it keeps showing up!
Some people are like that with their spiritual lives. They are busy doing the daily things of life and completely ignore that little niggling at the back of their minds. But when the day lengthens into night and they are left alone in peace, they begin to wrestle with themselves. That is their spiritual tail reminding them that it has been there all day, and it will no longer be ignored.
As this pup grows, he will someday not bother to chase his tail. He will give it no mind as he curls up to rest for the night. And some people will do the same.
After years of rolling around with God, grabbing hold and then letting go, forgetting that He is there in the busyness of daily life, they will curl up some night and never think of Him again. Don't let that be you! Grab on hard to your spiritual tail and don't let go when you jump up. Let God know you haven't forgotten Him.This year, chase your tail!
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