Not exactly a super hero...

I've had this in my head for a few weeks now. I think it's time to download it out of my brain circuits and onto the computer circuits. Not that it's stellar or anything - but it'll at least free up brain space.

About a month ago, some one wrote in public for all the world to see, that he didn't understand how anyone could life in a state that passed a same-sex marriage amendment.

I understand what the Bible says about homosexuality (there goes my G rating) in Leviticus. I'm quite fine with God's position on it. (We are to hate the sin - not the sinner, but that's another post for another time.)

However, I was troubled by the blanket statement -- that included anyone and everyone.

Knowing many people who war in the spirit for their state and country, I pointed out to him that there were Christians living in those states. It was really quite pointless. His next comment told me that really, in his brain, he didn't understand why there wasn't a mass exodus of Christians from those states.

I guess he expected people to get up, uproot family and leave their jobs.
I was a bit saddened by this. There was no grace, there was no love - only judgement and law.
I understand using God's Word as a guide...but I also know what it's like to use the Word to only bring about judgement.

I gave up the conversation. It was a pointless pursuit to try to change his mind.

I didn't give up the thought in my heart, though. I came from such a religious thinking. How can I point out to people the need for grace and love? I mean, with that attitude, they will never ever see anyone set free from that lifestyle. Possibly from any lifestyle.

Then one night at church, I was encouraged by someone who preached that he wanted to be like LOT. Yes, the Lot in Genesis.

He's not a super hero.

God and Abraham had a talk about Sodom & Gomorrah. God was going to destroy the cities and Abraham interceded. (Abraham in this city is a very good example of intercessory prayer)

You can read the rest of the story - but the Angels go to the city gates to find Lot. For him to be sitting at the city gates, suggests that he was a city leader, an elder in the city.

God counted him righteous among a city of nuts and unrighteous. He was spared. Like I said, he was not exactly super hero material.

I want to be like Lot.
The world may be going crazy - but I want to be counted as righteous!!

I got a chance tonight to thank my preacher friend for his exhortation about Lot and I told him how it ministered to me. He said something that ties in with what God has been talking to me about letting your light shine!

He said, "What are we supposed to do? Abandon the cities for the demons to occupy?"

I could see it visually! I could see how we are the Light of the world. If the light totally leaves an area - it would be completely dark. That could preach!!! The song "Mighty to Save" says we're to let our light shine. So all the world can see ...

Letting our light shine means we're offering hope.

Letting our light shine means we're refusing to let the enemy take any more ground.

Letting our light shine means we're taking back the ground he's stolen.

I'm reminded of the scene in "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings" when the Fellowship is the mines of Moria. Gandalf has to shine his light bright to scatter the bad guys.

I'm reminded of a scene in "Pitch Black" where the light kills and hurts the dark dwelling creatures. the creatures couldn't survive in the light. They had to wait for the light to completely leave before they came out.

We can't let the light leave (until God calls us out) - so I want to be like Lot. I want my light to shine, even when the world calls me crazy.

Because I know what happens when the light leaves. .... and I'm not ready to let that happen.

In christ Alone...

My Saturday plans are not going my way...
I really, really want to whine about it.

really I do.

I guess I shouldn't though, because I needed a time to sit and do nothing- and that's what I'm getting - even if it wasn't in the plan for today. The dog is loving the saturday -- he's spent most of the day sleeping.

someone sent me something with this song in it- and I love this song...decided to find it and post it..

because it really could be one of the many background songs of my life.



I guess I won't whine after all.

A week in recap ...

Mother's log ---

Star Date...

......Monday.

Strategic Target: Survive the first day of Swim lessons.

Swim lessons started Today. Mini-Me and G-man were enrolled in levels 5 & 3. Their classes started at 9 am. This requires a 30 minute drive. More importantly, it requires me to get up earlier than usual in order to get everyone and their stuff out the door in time.

Luckily, everyone was eager and ready to get ready. We were ready early...so we left early (and naturally made a quick stop at the Sonic). We arrived early and picked a spot to sit and camp out.

J-man headed over to the splash pad to look at stuff - and naturally pushed the button that starts the splash pad. I was surprised - and he was thrilled - that the sprinklers actually turned on. People were sitting at a picnic table nearby and the wind blew the sprinkles right onto them - they dashed around and moved to another picnic table - FAR AWAY from the splash pad. I rush to get him to stop pounding on the start button - and just managed to walk over a spout as it gushed up.

My right side and carry-all bag got wet.
It was funny! I laughed -- but felt bad for the people who had to scramble for cover. (Snicker Snicker)

The two big kids have swim lessons in the first session - and Bubbles and J-man have swim lessons in the second session. I brought a ball - but the wind blew it around too much. They got bored quickly. I finally found a distraction for them using the squares on the concrete to make a pathway. Time passed quickly - and it was their turn for lessons and the big kids turn to wait.

The big kids actually got more bored than the little kids. Luckily, I informed them that this is what it was going to be like for each lesson -- and they needed to come prepared. The wait passed a bit painfully for all of us. J-man did well during his lesson - but Bubbles didn't want to listen and obey.

Her class got finished before J's did -- she sat on my lap and I tried to talk to her about swim lessons. She whined at me. I told her that she needed to listen and obey the teacher - she told me she didn't want to play in the water - she wanted to play in the street. I laughed out loud.

Finally, lessons were over - we go home and do some math.
Over all - it was a pretty successful day.
The Professor worked late.

Star Date ....
Tuesday.
I'm impressed with myself for keeping the days straight.
Strategic Target for today: Survive Swim lessons - and manage to not for get to take Gizmo to the vet.

I overslept.
We still managed to get out of the house fairly on time.
Even if I did forget to eat breakfast.

We are all more prepared for the waiting part of the day. I brought mazes for J-man and vowel magnets for both he and Bubbles. J-man did puzzle after puzzle. Bubbles went to visit a baby. So I worked with J-man while Bubbles was visiting. I looked up and she was sitting in a lady's lap.
Oh! I'd better go see if the lady minds.
Her mouth said she didn't mind - but her body language did.
I walked away because I listened to her mouth - but watched Erica talk to her and watched the lap-lady look at her friend. Neither of them smiled.
I dug out the magnets and called Bubbles over and we messed with magnets and vowel sounds until it was her turn for swim lessons.
Today was much better for her.

While they were having swim lessons, a dad and I struck up a conversation. I started it by saying, "Look at all those people lined up in their chairs watching swim lessons -- sitting right on top of the splash pad. How funny would it be if the sprinklers accidentally turned on."

He sauntered up to test the off function. It was still off.

It would have been funny.

On the way home, I think how much I need to go to the grocery store - but The Professor is going to work until midnight. So I text my friend who is an awesome babysitter in her own right and ask her if she'd be interested in the job. She is and she's available to come NOW.

She just increased in her awesomeness - which I wasn't sure was possible.

We arrive home to find blood on the bathroom floor. NOT what I wanted to see.
The search for Maggie found her in the closet sleeping and apparently sound of body.
I clean up the blood and try to get ready for a grocery trip. I had bought Clown food for the kids on the way home.

My Awesome friend and her brother showed up - and I went grocery shopping.

No bathroom breaks interrupted my trip. No fits were thrown. I got done within the hour. I didn't get everything I needed - but I don't mind going to the store for one or two items. Bubbles doesn't really manage long trips, and I don't blame her. The store is an awesome place of distractions for a 3 year old. I keep forgetting how young 3 is - especially when she's desirous of world domination.

So groceries are put away. My friends leave. We travel to take Gizmo to the vet. Which proved to be way more of a challenge for Bubbles "no nap" Denim. We survived - and the whole visit made me love Dr. B even more. Gizmo is over all healthy. He had fleas and signs of a former infestation and he had hookworms, so he got 3 pills and an over all clean bill of health. The main diagnosis he got was "CUTE"

I mowed the grass.

Phew. That concludes the log for Tuesday.

Wednesday ---
I overslept again.
I need George Jetson's ejector bed.
Strategic target: Swim Lessons
We were just a skosh late and someone else was sitting in our camping spot. So we move to an actual picnic table. And LOVED IT!
J-man wants to do mazes and quickly gets bored. Bubbles is loving the magnet vowels and is no equal to J-man and possible surpassing him.

It dawns on me that I will have 4 students for the 2009/2010 school year.
4.
students.

I managed not to panic.
or cry.

The vowel magnet thing was pure genius, if I do say so myself.

Swim lessons for them - Today Bubbles didn't want to listen and obey.
For some reason, I've noticed that all the kids are a bit cranky today.
I hope tomorrow is better.

BONUS! We got to see the Professor in the day light! and before the kids went to bed!!
He was nearly tackled in the door way by 4 kids AND the dog. Mini-Me recruited him to help her on her video game -- nothing says "welcome home" like a video controller being thrust in your hand.

Star Date -- Thursday.
Though - it really feels like Friday.
We manage to arrive on time for Swim lessons today.
Today is treading water day for G-man's class. He managed to tread water for the count of 25. The desired goal for the class is more than 50. Mini-Me manages a belly flop when trying a standing dive. The wait for the little kids includes crayons, magnets and visiting with a new friend. J-man decided not to do any mazes but to play with action figures. He is happy. Our new friend is an older kid enrolled in the level 1 class. She got moved to the level 3 class today - but couldn't handle the water in her eyes. She said it caused her head to pound. We talked and colored and I was listening for Holy Spirit to tell me how to minister to her - when her dad showed up and she had to leave. She left in tears and I was sad for her.

Bubbles came running up after class. "I 'isten and 'bey!!!!"
J said, "I put my whole head in the water!!" and he is beaming.
The car is filled with much chatter. we headed to PetSmart to get a dog tag for Gizmo and a few stuffed doggy toys. As much fun as the swim lessons were - the etching of the dog tag was the bright spot in their day. G told me "I'll always remember this!"

Awesome!!!!

We made an unexpected visit to the cat vet which turned out to be more of a challenge than we wanted. I wished I could have turned my phasers to stun. the Vet...not the kids.

bonus: We got to see The Professor twice in a row before bed time. AND we had pizza!

Swim lessons were concluded for the week.
We managed our strategic target for each day - and we're looking forward to swim lessons next week, too. The Strategic target remains the same for next week.

This week indicated that we were on the right track and plan. Now -- to figure out the right plan and strategy for actually going swimming.

That's an entirely different scenario.

Mother's log - out.

A Tail of a Tale --- Part 2

After we took Sprout back, I was relieved.


For several reasons. One, The Professor didn't have to shoot a dog. and Two, It gave my heart time to rest.

When we drove to pick Sprout up, I had to pull into a Sonic to cry. I ordered a drink so they didn't look at me funny and so as not to freak out the kids. They're used to Sonic. They're not so used to seeing me cry for no apparent reason. (outside of church, I guess I should say.)

I began the search for an understanding of dog breeds. I finally narrowed my choices down to Havanese, Shih-Tzus and maltese. Havanese are still rare enough to not be in the rescue centers.

I found one for sale by name of Bounty....but he cost $350.
I was tempted -because I was totally tickled by his name.
The Professor, who's allergic and is only getting a dog because he loves us, was put off by the price.

I checked the online "for sale" site. Found a few that were emergency adoptions and one possibility. But he shed.

So I took my list of possible dog breeds, and surfed an online adopt-a-pet site. I was able to narrow my search to my zip code and the breed I wanted was "Small" - and began the search.

I searched through many pages of cute and adorable dogs - but making sure I hunted for the non-shedding variety.

I suddenly found the listing for "Gizmo". A 9-month old Shih-Tzu mix. He's been through obedience training and he was CUTE!! We had considered changing Shaggy's name to Gizmo before we decided he really was a shaggy, so I was curious.

I began talking to the lady running the rescue via e-mail. I sent her an e-mail on Saturday night and she responded on Sunday.

The training Gizmo had been through was called "Parole-a-pet". He'd been taught to come and answer his name, and some other basics like that at a local prison.

He's cute.
He's been trained.
He's cute.
He's got a great name.

So I asked what we needed to do to adopt him. We needed a fenced back yard and the referral from our vet.

I told the kids that we had found a possible dog...but we were waiting to see what happened with it. Mini-Me was not thrilled with his name.
But that was the only detractor she came up with.

So I gave the lady Dr. B's name and we waited.

We had G-man's 9th birthday party on Monday and that night I got the e-mail that told us that we could have him.

We went to pick him up on Tuesday.He wasn't happy to leave his foster mom.

Maggie, the cat, was LESS than thrilled about him. I'm not even sure there are words that express her displeasure. But it was the fact that Gizmo gave chase that really got her goat.

It wasn't long before he was begging food from the kids...


And curling up in Shaggy's old bed (That he never used except to wrestle with).

He's gentle - but he's showing spurts of energy. He LOVES tug-of-war and he'll chase a few tennis balls and when he's done he just stops.

We don't think he likes the heat because he doesn't play much outside.
He still doesn't have his appetite back for dog food - he is trying to steal food off the kids plates, though.

He ran out of the door this morning, but didn't run far and came when we called him.

He's a good dog.
I think he's a good fit - even if he's still not adjusted yet.

They don't know about his daddy but his mom was a full shih-tzu.

He's taller than Shaggy was - but still manages to get out of the doggy door.
We've had to close the cat up in the bedroom for now because she scratches and that makes him bark.

It's been a crazy week...tomorrow will be his one week anniversary with us. He meets Dr. B tomorrow, too.

thanks for meeting Gizmo.
I'll keep you posted.

A Tail of a tale... part 1

When Shaggy went to be with Jesus (that's our hope as we don't really KNOW where Doggies go when they die.) our vet suggested we adopt Sprout. He's 9 months old. Completely healthy. Had all his shots. He's been neutered. He would do really well with kids. He loves to play chase.

The kids were all for this idea. They really wanted another dog.
I really wanted time to wait. and ponder and think.
But we picked him up on a Friday.

This is Sprout.

He's cute, isn't he?

Rather unassuming, too.
He looks a bit like a rascal with that hair.



He's not very tall. When he's on all 4 feet.
When he jumps .... he's very tall.

And when he jumps - he bites.

And when he bites, he's scary.

9 months old - and NEVER been around kids.
He's a biter.

In just a few hours of having him in our home, I heard two very telling comments.

J-man said, "I don't like him. I wish Shaggy hadn't died."

Mini-E, who is now known as Bubbles, hollered as she ran for the door, "Doggy gonna EAT ME!!!"

Sigh.

The professor was willing, on Friday, to see how the weekend went. To see if Sprout calmed down at all.

He jumped. He bit.
He bruised.
He even bit me - and I realize it was just playing and herding -- but he was biting ANYTHING available. Arms, legs, bottoms.

Mini-Me pointed her finger at him and told him "NO!" and he bit her finger.

By the evening came, and all the kids were scared of him.
The professor said, "He goes back in the morning."

In the morning, Mini-Me took him outside to run and play, hoping to win over our affections for the dog. Soon someone comes in and says, "MINI-ME NEEDS HELP!"

So I saunter over and find her crying and frozen in place with the dog bouncing around her. He did not want to just play ball -- he bit her on her arms and legs so hard that he left bruises all over her. The next day, she looked like an abuse victim.

If we had lived in the woods, Sprout would have been sprouting up daisies.
The Prof was one mad man.
Sprout went back to the vet as soon as they opened the next day.

I started the search for dog breeds.
We now knew we did NOT want a terrier.
EVER.
Because of him, I also cut out herding dogs as a potential pup for us, too.

We needed a rather non-shedding dog as the professor is allergic to fur. -- anything growing really. So -- the search began.

Stay tuned for the our next exciting *snort* adventure

I use the term "adventure" VERY lightly.