oh, to be more like Fuzzy...

Medical reasons have caused me to slow down a bit lately, and in fact some days I've had to just plain stop! Generally speaking, I do not mind this. I love being home! I enjoy working, being outside, meeting people, being on the go, etc...but at the end of every trip - it is always a relief to me to be back home. My home is simple, but cozy. Filled with the love (and hair) of 3 cherished dogs, and 2 adorable cats! Both cats are easy going...just as happy with a snuggle or a scratch of the ear. They both will seek us out when they feel lonely, or ignored. Infact, if you don't give each of them enough daily lovin' before you head to bed, you can rest assured that each WILL wake you to get their just rewards. I love this. I love that they are honest enough to say "hey, I need a hug right now!" I think people should be so honest! :o) ~~~~~The dogs are pretty much the same. They are content to go play outside when they are feeling frisky. They will come to snuggle with ya when they need a hug, or a pat on the head, or play...but they simply like to just be in our presence. ~~~~~1 dog, the smallest, is tiny, and cute, and sweet, and 4 pounds. She is a rescue dog, who had been mistreated, and now by comparision lives in the lap of luxury. She was born to snuggle. She loves being with me, and seeks every chance to be in my lap. At night she even sleeps on me. She knows who her master is, but she will go to anyone with a cozy blanket. She loves us, but first things first! :o) When it drops below 90 degrees, she looks for ways to stay warm! Her adoration comes with limits. She is a sweet, loving, wonderful doggy, but whenever she is no longer comfortable, she's sets her focus on becoming more comfortable FIRST, then she will get back into adoration mode later, after her comfort level is tended to. ~~~~~1 dog, the chubby one, is also very loving and sweet & he also loves to be with us. He too is a rescue dog. He had been confined in a cage his whole little life, not able to move, stretch, run, investigate, or play. Now, he has all the love and freedom to do these things, and he even knows how to get out of the yard when he wants to visit the neighbors. Oh, He will hang out with you for as long as you like -JUST as long as he has nothing more interesting to do! If no neighbor needs to be barked at or checked on, or his belly doesn't growl, or his mouth doesn't get dry, or there is no couch that needs to be napped on, or there is no interesting noise for him to investigate, or a yummy smell for him to hunt down and inspect, etc. Oh He loves us, and adores us, but when it is convenient for him! ~~~~~And then there is Fuzzy. Also a rescue, he had lived in the middle of acres of woods, with no noises except their house and the wild animals. When we first got him, we took him to a groomer to get cleaned up. He had been ignored, and uncared for, and in serious need of some bath/grooming time. When we went to pick him up, a huge truck went by and startled him and he got loose. In the woods of another town a half hour away, for a whole week - due to a groomers error in replacing his collar after his bath incorrectly. He was now alone in a strange new area, LOTS of noises, no food, no water, no comfort, no safety, no idea where he was, no idea where we were, no idea how to find us...he had really just met us hours before he got loose, so probably not even sure he wanted to find us again. 7 days later, I found him. He was worn out, bone tired, thirsty, scared, and exhausted. When he saw me, I saw the relief on his face. I walked to him, and bent down and I scooped him up and he just melted into my into my safe, loving arms! I loved on him, spoke to him, hugged him, kissed his forhead, and then carried him back through all the fields, and hiked up to the road, and got into the van with him still in my arms... not to release him until we were safely in the house. When we finally got him back home, and I opened my arms, he still didn't want to let go of me. He was content to be in my arms forever. that was 11 years ago and He still is! Wherever I am, he is at my feet! He rests his head on my feet. He washes my feet. he curls up on my feet when I am cold. When I do dishes, he is at my feet. When I am on the toilet, he is at my feet. When I do laundry, he is at my feet. When I make dinner, he is at my feet. when I am in the tub, he is next to the tub. When I am on the couch, he is beside the couch. When I'm outside, he's at my feet. when I'm inside, he's at my feet. early mornings, he's at my feet. late nights, he's at my feet. When I go to bed, he is beside the bed. It doesn't matter WHAT else is going on inside the house, outside the house, in the neighborhood, etc... he doesn't care what the neighbors are doing, he doesn't care what the weather is, he doesn't care if he is sick, or old, or thirsty, or what the other dogs are doing, he doesn't care what is going on around us - as long as he is at my feet, he is pleased. He knows my moves before I start to take them. he knows me!! he is 100% faithful and loyal - no questions asked! ~~~~~WOW! Wouldn't it be great if God could say that about us?!!! As much as I love the Lord, I cannot honestly say that I am always 100% faithful and loyal - with NO questions asked. I sometimes question. I sometimes worry. I sometimes wonder. I sometimes feel lost. I sometimes lose faith. I sometimes see the storm, before I see the Master of the storm. I sometimes notice the danger in the waves, before I recall the safety of the boat. I sometimes see the mess from the crowd, instead of just focusing on loving on them and then cleaning later. I sometimes spend too much time online, and not as much time at the Lord's feet! LORD JESUS, please forgive me, and help me to again be SO close to you, that I feel your direction before you need to tell me! Help me to again linger at your feet, and to again be so deep in your presence That we may once again dance as one my Lord!!

http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/ This is my first time participating in the Random Dozen Meme from a wonderful blogger at 2nd cup of Coffee. (see link above) ~~1. Are you pleasant when you're ill or are you a grumpy, fussy patient? I generally sleep, or just want to be alone, so I tend to be very quiet -> so I'd say yep, I'm pleasant to be around when I'm sick :) lol ~~2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction? oh how exciting for them, I remember those cherished days!! ~~3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve? not a loyal duster. probably because it makes me sneeze, so I don't do it often enough. ~~4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day? nope. just simple decorations for Christmas. ~~5. What song is on your mind today? "He's working it out for you" ~~6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic? the classics, or the older movies where chivalry, romance, and morality were more prevalent. ~~7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room. I work in customer service, so my entire work life is compartmentalized! not matter hw you felt before they came in, or after they leave...but when they are there, it's all about them with a smile your your face and in your eyes! besides, I have fibromyalgia, so I have spent my whole life compartmentalizing! if I waited until I were pain free, I'd have spent my whole life in bed. ~~8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your best friend? she adores Jesus!! I don't let many people inside my walls...but I can be 100% completely myself with her, & she just loves what she can, and prays for the rest! :) ~~9. When was the last time your heart raced? everytime I meditate on the love of the Lord for me, and how grateful I am that He ALWAYS "gets me"! ~~10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school? Not so much at school, but LOVED picking which valentine to give to who... ~~11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer? the good brand of buttermints, yummy! ~~12. Red or pink? red

The Ant

I was home for lunch, and I had just finished washing the dishes. As I was rinsing the last of the soap bubbles from the sink, I noticed one lone ant! "UGH!! who is this ant that would dare invade my kitchen?!?" was my first thought. >>>>>>I will be honest, my second thought was "poor little fella, he must not have a family or friends because he is all alone." I (sorta) wish I could say I introduced him to some friends, and set him up with a cute little wife to live happily-ever-after. You know, fairy-tale-style... but I must confess I knocked him into the sink & turned the water on full bore. >>>>>>Again, I must confess... as I saw him swirling around the sink drain (it looked like it was big over-powering whirlpool) my heart again went out to him as I thought "YEP! I've been there!!! Sorry buddy." >>>>>>The point could be made that if I were really feeling compassion for him, I could have 'jumped in and saved him'. But instead I really just had this amazing view of life, and it just made me completely grateful for Jesus!!! :) >>>>>>Have YOU ever felt like you were a tiny ant in a huge over-powering whirlpool?!?! I have. and although they have not killed me, they have caused me to call out (LOUDLY!) for help & compassion! for Grace! They have sent me to my knees with my arms open wide crying "Daddy, please come save me!" and EVERYTIME, not sometimes, EVERYTIME...JESUS was there!! ISN'T THAT EXCITING!!! Now, don't get me wrong, He didn't always do it the way I would have chosen - nor did He always do it as soon as I would have arranged, because let's be honest...if I had had the choice I would have preferred Jesus showed up BEFORE, and then PREVENTED the huge whirlpools in my life! :) I mean c'mon...Hello? pain hurts! :) LOL But I am SO GRATEFUL that JESUS was there WITH ME, and FOR ME!!!! I could not say that - IF He had prevented every trial and 'storm' in my life! If we never had rough times in life, we wouldn't need Jesus. We would not need faith. We would not need a Saviour! >>>>>>I have heard it said that sin will take you farther than you want to go; keep you longer than you wanted to stay; and cost you more than you wanted to pay. And it's true. >>>>>>I am so grateful for the Lord!! HE jumped into the huge whirlpool of life and death, and paid the price that we could not afford!! He died, so that we might live!!!! Do NOT take it for granted my friends; take it to heart!!!! :)

The Exact Same Place???

The alarm goes off, and I wake to see my kitty sleeping next to me. He is my adorable, snuggle bug so I am not surprised that he is near me...as close as he can get! I love on him a little while, and then get out of bed to prepare for my day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I go off to work, and a few hours later I return for lunch, to find my sweet baby is still is the exact same spot he was when I awoke that morning! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I come home after my shift at work, and he has still seemingly not moved a hair. Most days I chuckle and pet him, while teasing him about being lazy. Some days I just think "Oh what joy to be a cat! where do I sign up?". One day it reminded me of some people I know. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Have you ever ran into an old friend after a few months? or several years...and they are in the exact same spot! They are fighting the same spiritual battle that they were dealing with the last time you saw them. It seems that they have not grown at all spiritually. Nor do they even seem to notice it sometimes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ They are still trying to convince God that THEY have ALL the answers... if He would just answer their prayers. If He would just see fit to work it out the way they have asked him to do it. As I am thinking, it occurrs to me -> do I do that? Do I have God in a box? Am I still at the same spiritual level I was at 20 years ago? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh I know...We all come to Christ as babes, needing the milk of the word. but some of us never stop feeding on the milk! Can you imagine a 50 year old man STILL, just eatting baby food and nothing else? It is insane! There is NO way an adult could get enough nutrition to function the way God has intended, by living on just milk and baby food. As we grow, we desire steak...the meat of the word! And yet, don't we do that to ourselves sometimes?? We want to stay safe, and have simple poblems. Oh Lord...please just tell me the nice stuff. Oh Lord, please don't let me get hurt. Oh Lord, please don't make me have to grow...new things are uncomfortable for me. I get nervous when I have to trust...please don't make me have to step out of my comfort zone...etc... Many times, I believe we may not even realize that is our inner most prayer, because we of course do not word it that way...but really? Isn't that what we WANT to say to the Lord? I have. I do...Life hurts sometimes!! :D But ultimately, I don't want to survive my life just having milk. I want to THRIVE in my life time...I want the meat of the Word!! I want the good stuff!! I want ALL that God has for me!!! I want the exciting dance, the adventure, the real stuff...I want all of JESUS!! :) and I am forever grateful, that as HIS child...I am able to walk in the full life of Christ! Yes, it isn't always easy. no, it doesn't always feel safe...but honey, it is SO worth it!!! :D

"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread."

"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread." by Max Lucado *What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG). *And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity. ***This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. "Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?" ***The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude. ***All are important and all are from God. ***---> The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39). ***Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did. And with God's help, you can too!!

clean house?

Do you know people who have those picture perfect homes? You know -> not a dust bunny to be found; not 1 finger print on any window; not a single dog hair any place in the building; no magazine out of place; no dish in the sink; no toaster crumbs have ever touched the counter; no mail left on the table everyday; no shoes off of the shoe rack; etc...! I do NOT live THERE! I want to! but sadly, no. I day dream about coming home to those picture perfect magazine-looking-homes! Such rich-colored, perfectly polished furniture; the un-shedding dog; the pristine view from the front door as you enter....Ahhhhhh, sounds heavenly!!! *MY guys have fingerprints on EVERYTHING; the dogs have hair on every chair; the cats curl up on every item of clothing they can knock down; the dirty dishes seem to multiple in rabbit-time; the laundry basket usually has plenty to hold; dust bunnies galore; the phone ringing off the hook; my mom making me scratch my head in wonder; being pulled in ever direction at once because seemingly no one can function without me for 20 minutes; nope, not a moment of silence to be found! *Heck, I'd settle for my home to STILL be clean even 15 minutes after I have put away the cleaning supplies!! :) I dream of quiet time!! where I can read a book, or enjoy a whole magazine; or sip my morning coffee in peace & quiet; where dogs are seen and not heard; where I can hear myself think; where my husband doesn't diasgree with me 98% of the time; where my son will not desire ALL of my attention; where I can take a bath without conversations that can not wait until I am done; etc...! ***But then!! All of those years of working in nursing homes come in a great flash before my eyes...and I am smacked with the realization that my house will not ALWAYS be full & crazy!!! That there will most likely come a time when my husband (who is 10 years my senior, with heart issues) will not always be here. That my son will one day have a wife, kids, home repairs, a mortgage to pay, and a full & crazy life of his own to juggle -> and good ole mom will be pushed to the back burner of his focus! When my neices and nephews wont need me so much; when my pets are no longer alive; when my parents are no longer here to make me crazy & make me laugh; when my brothers have forgotten my name from old age; when my aunts & uncles have long since left this planet and wait for me in heaven; when my cherished friends will need a walker to get to our girl's dinners; And there will most likely come a day when I will be alone and bored and praying for this loud, crazy life that I am worn out from at the moment...and so, I choose to be grateful in this loud, 'lived-in', dust bunny & pet hair covered, loving home!!!! *but don't feel badly: I will have plenty of quiet time to think and read in my nursing home...but for now -> there is fun to be had!!!!! :D So...I am off to make memories with my loud, crazy family...and oh yeah -> don't forget the camera!!!! ;o)

My prayer, my hope, is that when people meet me...

I fail miserably, mostly when I try to do everything in my own strength. It is when I give it all to God, that His Love shines through, not mine. Only when I humble myself and remember what I am not, can I share with other people what an awesome God He is. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galations 2: 20 My prayer, my hope, is that when people meet me, they won't wonder what I do, or who I am. They won't even want to know anything about me, but somehow through my faith and failures in this imperfect life I live, they will want to know The God who helps me through it all. They will only see Him for Who He is. They will see His goodness. His mercy. His love. And they will turn to Him and say, "Nice to meet you." ***Please Note: I did not write the preceeding thought/wish...but when I read it, my spirit felt like I had!! Thank you Melanie, for beating me to it! :) (copied in part from 'This Ain't NY'...to see in full, check out her blog)