A Lil Pip in Our Step

So we have been busy lately. And this is one reason:

We added a new meowing family member. Weclome, Pipsqueak.

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Now, I had no intention of adding a new family member, but we happened upon her on our walk to church. And she was so thin. And so frail. And so friendly. I went took her back to our house (on the property) and gave her a bowl of food. She ate. I wished her well and headed off to Sunday School. I couldn’t get her off my mind. She was outside the door greeting people on their transition to church from Sunday School. And that’s when she started to work her magic. After church she was gone. I went over to try to find her. Couldn’t find her. Matt and I talked.

She showed back up after supper time. The kids and I found her and encouraged her friendship with a can of tuna. She was so good with the kids. So tolerant of little hands, especially when they were not so rough.

We brought her back to the house, played with her on the lawn while the sun went down. Such a playful little kitten inside of her. Oh the squeals. Oh the joy. Matt must have known it when he came home from evening service. He must have known it long before. She wasn’t going anywhere. “Why don’t you bring her in and we can think about it.” He invited her into the family.

Fleas, ear mites, all bones, but friendly as can be. She wasn’t nervous at all to be brought inside. She happily curled up on the bathroom mat. She purred. She napped.

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Once the fleas were gone and ear mites getting under control, she met the other two cats. 24 hours of hissing gave way to ignoring each other. And that is now giving way to smelling each other and carrying on with normal life. No more hiding. No more anxiety. Just casual glances out the window, hopes for tuna juice and naps on the fish tank hood (it’s warm on top of the light!).

She continues to do great with the kids. She’s way too tolerant of Abi’s bear hugs. She just meows for rescue from the babies rough attempts at “gentle touch”. And she likes to sit n laps late at night, just snuggling in and being close. She has no desire to leave. And she’s starting to gain more weight. Her stomach’s once distended look is now evening out into a healthy balance of consistent meals. And I am happy. Very happy. We’re getting her in to the vet here soon to help us get the last of the ear mites under control and get her vaccinated. But she’s just so sweet. Loveable little thing.

And so now we have 3 cats. And we adults agree that we are full in the pet department. Afterall, we did take in 11 pets in just about a week (10 fish). And we’re all as happy as can be.

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Losing

I absolutely LOVE this song. Now I’m one that can’t dance. And the bounce looks nothing but foolish running through my veins, but this song… oh people, this song puts a little rhythm in my step that I pray never leaves.

I do not believe that you can lose your salvation. You see, if you can lose your salvation that there is something out there stronger than Christ. If you can lose your salvation, then the cross did not overcome ALL. The Savior is not ALL-Sufficient if he cannot hold you for eternity through salvation. See where this poses a problem? Take it to Scripture, WHOLE Scripture, and decide for yourself.

That being said, there is a Daily, minutely, every second battle for our minds. We can either be focused on Christ OR ourselves. NOT BOTH. Oh, friends, this one is so hard. See, I want to glorify myself. That’s what the flesh does. It begs distraction from Christ. But the Spirit within us, oh that beautiful Spirit that Christ implanted within us when we fell to the very raw of ourselves begging for forgiveness of sin… that Spirit directs us to the Father. That He would receive glory from my words, my actions, my thoughts, and my everything.

It’s so easy to become tempted. Lead astray. And this song reminds me that it is a fight worth fighting, CONSTANTLY fighting. No, my salvation in Christ is not in question, but my fruitfulness in Christ IS constantly combatted. For if I can be distracted, hindered or swayed from walking a faithful walk in Christ, then through my testimony others can be equally turned off to Christ.

No, no one’s perfect, dear friends. But we can accomplish NOTHING of eternal value without showing up for the fight, armed in the Word.

So today. In this exact moment. I don’t want to lose my soul to this world’s distractions. Here on this side of the cross, I don’t want to gain this world’s values and lose my soul. MY SOUL!

We all have to come to that choice, be it here in this world or when we meet Christ face to face and have run out of time to choose. And it is my prayer that my life, my walk and my faith would push others to ponder Christ. And I pray lead them to His feet.

Please, Lord, in this moment and every moment help me. Please, help me to focus on your world view. Your eternal thoughts. And Your Kingdom above all that I see before me. It IS such a challenge that I will surely fail without falling at your feet. I must decrease that You may increase.

 

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Thank You’s Not Enough

Oh, and for those of you that sent Big Guy a birthday present in the mail because you could not give it to him yourself…

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thank you.

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He may never get to meet you, but oh how you have breathed value into his little heart.

Oh how he has felt your love, you can see it in his sweet face.

He is generally tough on things, but these things… friends, he treasures these things. Treasures.

 

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Thank you, thank you!

Such an investment, dear ones. Such an investment.

It Begins

Today this awesome Big Guy starts his first day of Kindergarten.

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Go, Big Guy, and conquer that first day with the awesome joy only you can bring to a classroom of new friends. I don’t know how long you’ll still be with us or where you’ll be when you finish your Kindergarten year, but I do know this… we love you so and today ENJOY the excitements of a new beginning.

And yes, buddy, today you finally get to EAT LUNCH AT SCHOOL!!!! =D

It’s the simple things that mean the most in your world.

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They can’t possibly be ready for all your personality. 😉

Wordless Wednesday: With You

I don’t ever want to forget your hand in mine.

Your initiative.

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It could have all gone so much quicker.

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But I didn’t want it to.

Step by step down the long hallway.

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I just wanted to be with you.

Today’s Running Shoes

Turn them out… out of doors!

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The Batmobile.

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And he’s off!

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Creativity at it’s finest!

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Their middles names could all be Joy, really.

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Our patient and gentle teacher – love him so.

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You can do it, girlie!

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Look at her accomplishment!

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Some day soon this will all come easily for her and the learning will be a memory soon forgotten.

But today the watching of her own feet means she’s still little… and she still needs our running-alongside encouragement.

She’ll take off on her own soon enough… too soon some days.

So we’ll delight in today’s running shoes.

Let’s go, Rachael.

We’re right here with you.

– They are a treasure.

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