Fluffy the 2nd

Some of you already know that we had an unexpected visitor at our house on Sunday. The little guy showed up just before lunch and after Drason walked around the neighborhood asking if he belonged to anyone we allowed the boys to bring in "fluffy" and we cleaned him up a bit - He had burs all over and was a matted mess - BUT we were able to recognize that this was a cute dog after some clean up. It looked something like this



Sunday evening we posted an ad in the Advocate that we had found a dog, and then Monday Drason called and let the Dog shelter know. So after 4 days with "fluffy" his owners call and claim him, at 10:30 last night.

This is both good and bad - it's great because we really didn't think we wanted another dog, but it is really bad because the boys had gotten so attached - even after repeated talks about - "fluffy will have to go home"

So Macguines very solemnly says to me last night - "I guess God wanted fluffy to live at someone elses house." He gives the couple their dog and is very grown up. He didn't even cry while they were there - I was so proud of him. They offered a reward, but we refused so they gave it to Macguines.

As soon as the front door is closed the tears start, and we all have a talk about how we would want to go home with our family if we were lost. Macguines tearfully goes to bed around midnight.

This morning he was so tired and his eyes were so red I decided to allow him a mental health day from school, and instead of going on the field trip we had planned, we went on the central Ohio tour of county animal shelters to find, you guessed it, Fluffy the 2nd. After all day and no luck we see an ad in the Advertiser, and guess how much Macguines had to pay for Fluffy the 2nd? The reward money!

So Fluffy the 2nd is currently hiding under the computer table while I type - but all is well again in the Sillin house - no more tears - Fluffy is here :-)


Sweet Dreams
Amanda

Time to trim the fat

and no I'm not talking about points.

I have been going to the "discerning the voice of God" bible study ( good study) and this past week the thing that has been coming up a lot is that I really need to trim the fat out of my life.

This may sound silly, but I honestly think there are a lot of wasted opportunities that if I would just trim out some of the junk I don't really need to do I would have more time to focus on the things I should be focusing on.

Our world is designed to keep us busy, distracted, upset, worried and defeated.

Think I'm wrong?

How much time do you spend worried about a bill, about how you look, about what others think instead of just being focused - tuned into God?
One of the things this study talks about is using the time you have to focus on God - to be still and just listen, pray and meditate on God's word. Many times when I am driving, running an errand, folding laundry - or whatever - I am focused on how I am going to solve a problem. I could spend that time to focus on God, to think about what is important to Him.

How much time do you spend as a "human doing" rather than just a human being - you know what I mean - running to baseball practices, stressing over the smallest details?

Why do we do this?

Because we live in a world where everything is "gotta have it now" Fast - speedy - bargain - the very best- a must have society.

And we sell our peace for an extra baseball practice, or for having the perfectly manicured lawn, or the prettiest/priciest outfit.

Then we worry about our kids, our jobs, our spouses, our relationships, our everything - instead of just focusing on the important thing to begin with

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Peace out
Amanda