For His Service

We have been blessed with two days of Cedar Waxwings.  These birds are only passing visitors to North Georgia.  I didn't see them at all last year..even though I have intently looked for them. Enjoy some of the photo I took of them in our yard.

John-Michael took a friend with our other children to the GA aquarium.   They loved watching the dolphin show.  I don't have photos because we weren't allowed to take photos. LOL...  The tanks are huge...the educational aspect of the aquarium is as large as the entertainment of it.     Fun and public education isn't its only goal.  The GA aquarium is also a  leading facility for aquatic animal conservation and research.  To my knowledge, it is the only integration of an aquarium and a veterinarian teaching hospital in the United States.  As the world’s largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium features more animals than any other aquarium in more than ten million gallons of water.     Out kids enjoyed the more than sixty exhibits.  The one  they seemed to enjoy the most were the touching tanks...touching sting rays ... and of course the large tanks you can walk through...with the WHALE sharks!

Trudy is a sweet Appaloosa mare. She was rescued by a veterinarian in North Georgia in the mid 90’s. She's lived at the rescue facility since 1996. Trudy’s history includes the most physical and mental abuse of any horse on the farm. She was bound in barbed wire, then dragged behind a tractor. Trudy has much fear of humans and deservedly so. Her safest place is surrounded by horses, because she trusts them. She does not kick or strike, even though she can easily get revenge for her horror and pain. All she does is blow very loudly and hard through her nostrils and look for a way to escape. Trudy will also tremble at her shoulders and arch her neck as if to hold all of the fear in her neck muscles. It is heartbreaking to be near Trudy and not be able to get her to understand that we will never hurt her or let her be hurt again. Trudy was lucky enough to be 'joined-up' with Monty Roberts when he was in Conyers, GA, a few years ago. It started out with

To do what you want .... requires sacrifice and hard work!  You can't expect things to just happen.  I wanted my college degree, so I worked as a waitress  and overloaded in my classes in order to finish my 4 year degree in 3 years.  It can be done.  I just kept telling myself.  .....I can do anything for a few months.  When those classes were over, I would say, "I can do anything for a few months."... Eventually, I had my bachelor's degree.  Well worth it!   Look at this man!  He wanted to dance.  He didn't let his lack of leg strength stop him...  He had motivation..... we all need motivation to get hard things done.  Write down your goals and move.  Make steps to make those dreams happen!  You can do it.  Take the first step.   You want a better marriage.  Write down the things you can control to make it happen.  You want to loose weight.  Exercise and write down the healthy eating choices you choose to make.  Whatever your dream, move!

Average is usually not my favorite.  I like different things.  I like to see different things.  I like to see interesting faces.   I like having blue hair.  I like decorating in interesting ways.  I don't mind if I am not like most people.   However, average ..at times..is just what I want.   Russell will tell you ..that when we are on vacation....I am the first to say that I am ready to go home....back to average.   Madeline, my daughter, is sometimes TOO much like  the free-spirited me.  She is sometimes hard to parent..because of that free-spirit!   However, she differs from me in one extreme...she loves the thrill of heights and speed.  Roller Coasters are her favorite.  She loves big, high, fast rides.  Swinging is one of her beloved way to pass the time.   I can so see her doing this.   I imagine she will marry a man like this.  I have been praying that he is more strong-headed than she is..   LOL.... In the meanwhile...back to average.... decluttering and organizing the scho

We went to the horse rescue to help today.  John-Michael was happy until it was time to lead the horses in for the night.  Noah and I were busy getting the first 6 or so horses in...that I didn't notice he was sitting all scrunched up by the barn door.  I asked him what was wrong...and he said, "I just need some alone time"... I asked him again... ten minutes later...why he was said.  He said that he didn't want to talk about it, but I wouldn't give in.  Finally, he told me that one of his siblings told him, "Maybe in four or five years, you will be big enough to lead in Pebbles (the smallest goat there)"....  Obviously, a mean thing to say to your 8 year old brother.   When Sam( one of the master-volunteers)   heard John-MIchael say this he said, "Let's go get Earl".    Earl is a one year old mule (half-horse/ half donkey).  He is sweet, but...he is a mule.   Harry Truman, our 33rd president, said, "My  favorite animal is the mule. He

This dog is so gentle with these kittens>.. Is he trying to ignore them?  Is he trying to go to sleep?   Is he thinking of how he can calm them down?   Whatever he is thinking...I admire his patience. Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  I gave Noah a new "rapid-fire" Nerf toy gun... a toy that speaks to a 13 year old.  He loves to take target practice at his little brother..and for now...John-Michael is willing to play the game.   I gave Madeline a couple of small stuffed animals and some unique erasers (she has a little collection of them).   I gave John-Michael a pirate costume...something to help playtime...   And..of course I gave them each a little chocolate.  Russell received a home-made cheesecake... Today...the day after...  .. was pretty average.  School, dinner, cleaning the house... I LIKE the average...I thank God for those average days.  There is comfort in them...for I know the other days will be coming..  Realllllly good...and realllllly bad...   Today...I

Valentine's Day occurs every year on February 14. Red and pink hearts, along with chubby cupids, decorate stores, offices, and classrooms. Children often make cards to give to their friends and their families. Adults make or buy special cards for the people they love. Friends may give gifts of candy, flowers, or   jewelry. The cards given on Valentine's Day are called "valentines." Valentines often have poems written on them. Valentine's Day is not a legal holiday. This means that businesses and schools are open. Mail is still delivered. However, Valentine's Day is still a very special day. Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to tell someone "I'm glad you're my friend," or "I love you." Valentine's Day is based upon the legend of a priest named Valentine.   St. Valentine was a Christian priest who lived in 270 A.D.  (270 A.D. means 270 years after Christ was born.) At that time, the Roman government controlled much o

Did you know that "The Vow"  ...the movie that was just released this weekend...just in time for Valentine's Day is based on the true story???   The story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter.     Kim and Krickitt Carpenter never expected their vows to be tested so early.  Yet ...just 2 months after their wedding, a car accident left Krickett with a traumatic head injury and in a coma.   Several long  weeks later,  she woke up and her rehabilitation began.   Tragically, Krickitt had no memory of her husband. The previous 18 months when they had met, fallen in love, and been married were completely erased.    Vanished!    Kim and Krickitt had to start all over again with the added stress of physical rehabilitation, mounting medical bills and amnesia against them. The Carpenters are eager to share their story of how, against enormous odds, they stuck together, fell in love again, and kept the marriage vows they'd made to each other. They also share their Christian faith, a

Women want to feel loved. They need to feel loved by their husbands. Husbands want to feel respected....they need to feel respected by their wives. (That is another blog for another day). Romance is the key to showing your wife love.  Here lies the problem. Generally men have no idea what romance is. Men show their love through physical touch. If you haven't read this book, The Five Love languages.,... physical touch is just one love language, but often the only one that men know how to speak. You need to learn your spouses "love languages" . Then, once you know your spouse's love language...taking steps to speak that language. (The five love languages are Physical touch, gifts, acts of service, quality time, and words of affirmation) http://inhonoroftheking.blogspot.com/2011/03/doing-hard-thingsworking-fighting-for.html   (This blog entry has more about love languages)... Anyway, men assume that physical touch is how women receive love, yet they don't underst

We are on our 3rd week of studying the Book of James.  ...by using the study guide Beth Moore wrote. From James Chapter 1...she has taught us these points... -■Faith receives more than it asks. Doubt loses more than it disbelieved. ■It is virtually impossible to remember God and forget the poor. ■Jesus alone can change us from the core. ■Loving God with everything in us is the key to a healthy heart. ■Never be duped into believing that the flesh gives and heaven takes away. ■Pride takes credit. Glory gives credit.    week 3/.... ■True religion is all hands on deck and all heads out of the sand. ■Left to ourselves, we’re mud pies baking in the elements of preference and prejudice. ■At the end of the day, what impresses us dictates us. ■Because we look up, we’re compelled to look out. ■We’re not bound to ritual laws but we are bound to love. ■Faith and favoritism don’t mix. It has been a great study.... If you get a chance, you should do it! James 1 Trials and Temptati

 Bender....  Star Today ...and yesterday we went out to the horse rescue ( www.savethehorses.org ).   It is always a blessing to us.  Each time I go, I am amazed by the horses' intelligence and how similar they are to big dogs. You can call their names..and they will come (if they feel like it). :)  ..just like the dogs at my house.  Yesterday was Groundhog's day.  .   which  is a popular tradition in the United States.    On t hat day ...the groundhog, or woodchuck,   supposedly comes out of his hole after winter hibernation to look for his shadow;   It supposedly foretells six more weeks of bad weather ....if he sees his shadow; spring is coming if he cannot see his shadow because of clouds; supposedly   he goes back into his hole if more bad weather is coming and stays above ground if spring is near.   Statistical evidence does not support this tradition.      However, since we already have had a mild winter, I think he will be right this year..as ....he predic

This video shows three patient, calm  dogs...waiting for their dinner.  They show self-control ... sitting.... as they wait for him to say the keyword, Amen.   I am wondering what the trainer's secret is..  On days like today.... I could use it. LOL...  I think Proverbs 19:3 is a bit of wisdom we all could use... It says- " A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD".  We do stupid stuff, we make a big mess...then, we get mad at God for letting us do it.  LOL..... Isn't it the truth?    For me, maybe not you...,  but for me ... parenting is HARD!  This is pretty odd because I can easily control a classroom of 25 kids, but parent my own 3 kids... THAT's HARD!   I know why.  It is that I am not going for crowd control.... but for their hearts.  I want them to show contentment.  I want them to show gratitude.  I want them to show joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.    Today, the lack of gratitude really got to me.  I made

Why does He call us SHEEP? (The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times). A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10. There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the protection of the shepherd. People tend to wander away from God, from everything that is right and holy. • Sheep respond to the shepherd's voice. The voice of the shepherd brings comfort and security to the sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they