In Times Of Great Tragedy There Is A Difference....

In the Streets of Charleston there is a difference.. 

I don't see rioting though I know there could have been. 

I didn't see speeches full of hate. I was waiting for those to start.

I did see people... God's People.. Not just people who know there is a God, but People who have a deep relationship and Faith in God. People who because of their Faith in Christ showed the difference. 

People who are so deeply wounded, deeply grieving, and in pain that few of us can fathom.. these people stood at the arraignment hearing for the one who shot and killed 9 people who loved the Lord.. 9 people Who showed only kindness to the young gunman and welcomed him into their midst with love of Jesus Christ. 

The families of the victims stood at that hearing. 

They didn't spew hate. 

They stood in the midst of their pain with Forgiveness. 

They gave that forgiveness freely. 

They gave it through tears, pain, and grief. 

The difference in this horrible tragic time. 

God

God's people refusing to let the enemy Satan win a victory by seeking hate filled revenge. 

God's people praying, 

God's people standing for Love and unity. 

God's people who see no color, who see all people as created and loved by God.   

There is a Difference 

My First Debate Tournament...

This past weekend I was able to attend my first debate tournament. As it was my first, it was also Matt's last. It was a bitter sweet weekend. 

I had no idea that these debate days were 14 hours long. The first day I barely noticed. I was so interested in the debaters and the differences in the way each team approached their topic along with the position of affirmative and negative. 

                        

                          Matt and his brother/aka: teammate Mike

It was so much fun to watch this pair give their side of the topic to the judges. They were both very knowledgeable about their topic and held their position well. 

"King of Debate" 

The last day of the tournament we headed out to lunch at the local Burger King. Matt found a crown and proclaimed himself King. 

One of my favorite parts of that day was the final debate between the 2 top teams. I have no idea how those judges (7) could decide the winning team, but they did. I wouldn't mind attending one of these debates tournaments again. I wouldn't want to spend the day, but would love to watch a debate or two to see who might crown themselves "King of Debate"...   

The View From My Kitchen Window....

The view from my kitchen window is limited. If you are brave you can look a little closer and see the house on the other side of the truck. Actually on the other side of the truck is an old trailer that is loaded with old mowers and assorted other mowery type stuff. Well the last time we looked anyway. Then the other side of the trailer is the house. I use to be able to see the road if I tilted my head and eyes just right.. Then the owners decided to add on so now I just see the truck, trailer, (there was a huge tree, but it's gone now) and the tan siding. Needless to say I try to find something interesting to look at. 

today while I was doing dishes I noticed 2 male robins. It's rainy, gray, and cool here today. As I watched those two I had to laugh. One was walking a bit closer to the house with some tasty morsel in it's beak. The other robin was a bit behind him and over a bit more toward the truck. He was grabbing stuff that looked like it could be a worm, but to his disgust was just long dead weeds and grass. 

They both kept a close eye on each other never getting to close. I don't think either one was pleased that the other one was there. I'm not sure if the one really had a tasty morsel or had just grabbed some bit of grass for a nest. They were each doing the "ya, I'm bad, you better watch yourself" strutty walk. 

I'm not really sure if the one was trying to get a bigger tasty item. I started wondering if they were vying for some cute girl robin's attention. I think nest materials and how the nest is constructed is something a girl should always consider. She would obviously want someone with the right skills. 

It's funny to watch them and almost see them thinking. I bet if they are still looking for just the right girl to birth some babies, they would really watch what the other guy was up to. 

I'm curious to see where the nests are made this year and who wins the heart of the girl. I've noticed several girl robins in the yard worm hunting. I'm glad there are a few for them to choose from. 

I love that the "wildlife" hang out around the kitchen window. I definitely love the entertainment..  hope you are having a great and entertaining day..  

Brucie , An Adventure In Love....

Brucie Sept. 2009

This is our Brucie, well not just our Brucie, she also belongs to several others. She lives in a rural area of West Ky. She is one of the smartest dogs I've ever known. She is loyal, loving, protective, and playful. She is also very Leary of people, terrified of being shut inside anything, truck bed, barn, out building, or house. She has lived through much, most of which we don't know about for sure, but her life, until the last 6 years, was never easy or loving. 

We met Brucie in march of 2009. She had followed one of her humans walking to visit a friend. Their trip brought them by our place. He stopped to chat with husband. I did the typical "hey is your dog nice?" and after hearing yes, I ran and got her a bowl of water and a bowl of food. I could see every bone in her body, every bone in her head. She was so weak she laid down almost the moment she came into our yard. She inhaled the bowl of food. I got her another. She inhaled that one. We told her human she could rest there with us until he was heading back home. She stayed. She was to tired to walk on with him. 

Brucie started to come to visit us daily for a big bowl of food, water, and a talk. She was Leary of us getting close enough to touch her. She finally let us pet her and realized we would never hurt her. She finally just stayed with us. She was so sweet and so good. Even though she was starving, she never tried to take food from us. She always waited for us to give it to her. I was Leary of the kids when they came to visit, afraid she might take their food away since they were eye to eye.. Nope.. she wanted it but never took it unless it was given. Even then she took it carefully. 

the first photo above was from Sept. She had started gaining weight. We had traveled to her home, about 2 miles away from us. We talked to her humans who really didn't have the money to feed her, so it was her job to find her own food and water. One day we saw her flat chase down and Squirrel and eat it. I asked if they knew how old she was. At that time she was 10. They said someone had dropped her there and she just stayed. I asked if they would let me buy her food. I really didn't want to offend them. I'm so glad they let us do that. That year we made 4 trips to Ky. each time she looked a little skinny, but we'd fatten her up again. She would stay with us as soon as she knew we were home. 

When she stayed with us, she would lay in front of the door. At night when Ken would go out to the outhouse she would do a perimeter check. She ran off any wandering dogs, deer, coyotes, anything. She would then walk with him everywhere. We did try to put her in the barn one time while the kids were hunting Easter eggs, She was terrified.. I believe she was left in a building. She wouldn't let anyone put her in that barn. She didn't growl or snap at us, she just pushed her way out. That was when we realized she wouldn't harm anyone even the little kids.. She followed them around looking for eggs. when they were finished, she ate the ones they gave her with the shells still on. 

Fall came and I knew she would have no regular source of food when we left. Her humans were not concerned as she could eat the deer carcasses that would be left by the hunters, catch rabbits, etc. I was mortified. When we got back home to Michigan I called the local shelter wondering if there was anyone who could go out and feed her if I sent money for food. The person I spoke with, Toyia, said she would be happy to do it. 

So our 6 year journey of feeding and loving our Brucie began. I wished a million times that we could have put her in the back of the truck and took her back to Michigan with us. She was terrified of the truck. Her human put her in back one time so we could take him home. she threw herself back and forth in the topper trying to get out. So taking her to a vet, for a ride, or home was not an option. 

Toyia went every two weeks to leave food for Brucie and another little inside dog. The humans just were not able to care for them. As time went by Toyia asked a couple, Mike and Judy, to check on Brucie too. They knew her as they had tried on several occasions to get her to follow their horses home to their house. She wouldn't leave the only home she'd ever known. The trio had gotten a couple of auto feeders. They brought special treats of hot dogs, milkbones, blankets for a bed, a dog house, straw, and fresh water in clean buckets. She'd never had it so good. 

It's been 6 yrs. Brucie's humans had to move, the house was falling in and they were in poor health. It was the best thing for them. They left Brucie. Before you get to sad, Brucie has never known another home. She knows she has food and water. She can run and play, and she has visitors. She really never had a lot of human contact until now. A neighbor keeps her area bush hogged. Another neighbor drops by on her way home from work and leaves her a bowl of canned food. Other's stop and check her feeders and water buckets. She is given special treats. Her favorites these days are turkey jerky treats. Her teeth are just about worn away, but she still loves to chew on bones. 

She is well loved. For 6 yrs. strangers have banded together to see that her remaining years are the best ones. As you can see from the photos she is fat and sassy. She is perfectly content where she lives.

She was even a pin-up girl this year. She has her photo in the 2015 Fundraising Calendar for the " Mary Hall Ruddiman Canine Shelter"  a no kill shelter in the area. 

 We realize that she will be 16 this year. I know one day I will get the call that she has gone on ahead. I dread that day, but for now I will remember that happy girl running to meet Toyia as she honks for her. We've gotten to see her and tell her how much we love her. I think she knows. She seems to remember us, even though there were a couple of years we didn't get to Ky. to see her. 

I know this "Love" adventure with our girl Brucie may seem odd to some, but I really can't imagine not having had the chance to love such a wonderful girl. I am so thankful for Toyia and Bennett who took on this adventure. I also want to thank Mike and Judy for taking our girl on too.. I want to thank the neighbors who keep an eye out for her too. It's amazing how this old dog, has inspired such love and devotion. 

Thank you Brucie for letting us love you. In our hearts we all know that if any of us could have we would have taken you home with us. I hope you will come and visit us often in Heaven. We'll keep a blanket on the porch for you.. 

Thank you Toyia for all the great photos you've taken over the years for us... 

I Can Trust Him....

Today was full of emotions and thoughts all spinning in my head. I'm trying to sort through all this. I don't know how to process what I know, and don't know about all this dementia stuff. 

I am very thankful for my friend Ann. Her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers a couple of years ago. When I told her that I was being referred to a neurologist for symptoms of Early onset Dementia; she was great. she brought me a bag full of informational items about Dementia and Alzheimers. 

I put that bag away. I didn't want to read through any of it until I had the MRI and the EEG and results were available. I wanted to wait until Doc and I had gone over those test results and I'd had a chance to think about it and ask questions. 

One of the items she brought to me was a sheet containing the name of some books that were written by the Mayo Clinic. One that she suggested can be found  here. I purchased the Kindle version. I really feel better after reading the first 2 chapters. I have to remind myself that Doc said to return if my symptoms worsen. I can't assume they will get worse. I can make myself crazy thinking about what may happen. I have to stop myself and remember a couple of things. 

First.  I have to remember that God is Trust worthy. I've trusted Him with my Salvation. I've trusted Him to lead me through this life. I can trust Him with this too. I don't have to know or understand it all right now. I may never understand the why of this. 

I know that God can use this for good. I want Him to be Glorified in my life. I know that He can use this to teach me, to build my Faith, and to show me more of Himself. 

Today I felt torn and worn. I was again bombarded by fear, and the what ifs .. but God again reminded me that My times are in His hands. 

I need to go on with my life enjoying each day. living each moment. Waking each day taking God's hand and walking through whatever that day holds. If I had to do it alone. I know I couldn't but I don't have to do anything on my own. God is holding me. He's promised to be with me and never leave me. Yes, my God is trustworthy. 

God's Peace In My Storm....

I love that God cares about me even when I am afraid.. 

Our Bible study this morning was On Mark 4:35-41..  Jesus had finished teaching and had told disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side. Jesus grabbed a pillow and went to the back of the boat and fell asleep. All of a sudden a storm came up. It tossed the boat so violently that the disciples feared they would all die. They woke Jesus up asking Him if he cared that they were perishing... Jesus got up and spoke " Peace, be still".. the wind, the waves, the entire storm stopped and all was calm and still.  

 I only need to put my trust in Him and he will look at my storm and say "Peace Be Still"  or He'll speak gently to me and say " dear daughter, be at Peace, be still, I'm right here with you and I'll be with you as long as it takes for you to walk through this storm."  

I would always prefer that He would just calm the storm I'm going though. that is always my first thought.. Hey God, get me outta this, I'm scared and I can't do this. Please stop it NOW . 

Storms are loud, and scary, they can come up out of nowhere. Sometimes you can see them coming. You can go outside and see them in the distance. The sky is dark, foreboding, you can hear and feel the wind pick up. All of a sudden it's there. Those storms you can see, you can't stop. There is not one thing you can do to make it go away. 

I see that storm today in the distance. Thankfully It's not moving fast. I've been watching it for awhile. This storm is Early Onset Dementia. It's a scary one. I've seen the neurologist a couple of times. I've had the tests. I have many of the symptoms. Doc says it's to early to say for sure right now. I am very thankful for that.  We need to wait and see if my symptoms worsen. 

I see the storm, I've heard the details of some who tell of loved ones and friends who've had Alzheimer's and Dementia. They aren't pretty, to tell the truth some things I've heard others say this past week have been downright terrifying. I even had a mini meltdown at the doctor's office. Thankfully we both stopped it. There is no point in fearing what may never happen. 

I love how God planned this Bible study lesson today. He has been showing me verses in His word all week to remind me of His love, and Peace.. Those words, "Peace, be still" were spoken to me from the lips of the Holy Spirit. They were burned into my mind and my heart today. Jesus isn't sleeping. This has not taken God by surprise. 

Today I'm trusting Jesus. I pray that these glitches in my memory do not progress. I'm praying that if they do, they won't be severe. I'm praying that I'll be that sweet little lady who lives down the street who says the funniest things ever. I pray that I will, without a doubt, know that Jesus loves me. I pray that my faith will never waver, but that it will continue to grow stronger. I am a daughter of the King. I am an over-comer by the Blood of Christ. I trust God with everything. I am at Peace. 

The Rest Of The Story...

Wow, it's the 7th of January already. November and December seemed to fly by. I'll catch you up quickly.. 

Nov: 

Snow

Cold

Thanksgiving

Family

Eating

Thanking God for our many Blessings

Packing boxes for the Troops.

Dec: 

Decorating porch and tree, kitchen, and even the bathroom.

Baking cookies, pies, and special jams. 

Heading off to the airport to see a grandson off to Cali. 

Christmas shopping finished and wrapping done.

Warm...  like almost 50 warm. No snow and warm. wow..

The call came that my precious sister in law/ only mom I had for years, was home with hospice care. We went to visit one Monday afternoon. We loved on her, visited with Brother, and went home. 

The dreaded call came only 6 short days later. She had gone on home to Heaven. I still can't wrap my head or heart around it. 

Then more hard news came; more of Husbands family; more cancers found and more death. 

Even now we are praying for a peaceful passing for a dear cousin.

The end of the year came hard. It slammed into my heart like a punch to the gut. I still feel the grief of losing one of my Best friends since Jr. High, and her mom/my mom.. 

As I move on through this life loss seems to come in waves. Those who've been with us longest are leaving us. I don't know how I could take it other then the knowledge that God is carrying me through it.

 I am moving on into 2015 with a grateful heart and wonderful memories of those who've gone on ahead.