On Thunder, Dogs and Sleepless Nights

Where I happen to live.... it gets hot.  I  live in a land locked high desert location.... and cool air this time of year is a distant memory.  It also happens that we have a broken air conditioning unit.  This, most of all, can hamper one's joy on a 100 degree day.

Yesterday, was one of those warm days....  so in the evening we throw open every window, and ceiling fan and hope for cool air.  Last night around 2 am a Thunderstorm rolled in....  lots of beautiful heat lightening, a cool shifting breeze.... fat lazy rain drops that sound like splats, and make the air fresh with the smell of rain.  I know all this about this storm, that I should have slept through, because my dog.... went insane.

She sat at the back door barking and whining and scratching and howling and doing everything with in her doggie self to let us know she was loosing her mind.  I thought it was the OTHER dog... and he DOESN'T freak out, so I woke up Big Daddy and asked him to check why there was barking....  I wanted to make sure it wasn't an intruder........
So dutifully and sacrificially my dear husband trudges out to the back of the house to see whatever IS this dog's deal....  The following... "knock it off", "be quiet"... followed by the sound of the gate going up and the dogs being let into the laundry room.... let me know it was not an intruder, just a wigged out dog.  Hubby tells them to lay down... and then shuffles back to bed.

It lasted about 5 min. Now she is IN the house.  The windows are open... she hears the storm still, it is WAY to hot to even entertain the thought of closing a window..... and now she is inside yapping her fool head off and we are sure she is going to wake the entire house.  We lob a few more " No!", and "knock it off!" 's and she settles down around 3am.

3:45 am........ more barking. more scratching, more "please save me from the evil thunder" pleas from the neurotic dog.
Hubby gets up again, this time is more forceful in his demand that the dog shut its mouth..... he even said... " you are IN the house!, you are fine... safe and sound... now SHUT UP!"

I get up a few minutes later and turn on the light in the laundry room.... some how in my sleep deprivation, I am sure that if she can't SEE the lighting, maybe she won't wig out as bad.... and she will settle down.....

It didn't work.  4:45 am...  again she is in full panic.  I am thinking at this point she is just out of control.  Hubster is up.... this time he stubs a toe in the bedroom on the way to yell at the dog.... he mutters something about if she doesn't shut up she may not live to see daylight....This time.... there was no calm soothing words to the dog.  Just a really loud nearly swearing version of "be quiet"......it wasn't pretty.... but we were rather over her all night panic attack.

5:30 am...... scratching, whining..... quiet yips. I get up.  Let out the other dog.... and bring princess panic back to the bedroom to sleep on our floor.....

She finally settled down and we were able to get a few hours of sleep.........As we tried to talk ourselves out of bed in the morning..... we talked of tranquilizers, in dart form...... so we could legally shoot the dog and she would not have to suffer from the stress of being up all night either...........I think this is something we need to bring up with the retired vet across the street........  I am sure she kept HIM up all night too.

Tonight's forecast is for more of the same weather.....  I guess we will soon know how much sleep we will get....

Home Sweet Home

We are home!
We are tired.
We have been blessed beyond words.
Thank you all for your prayers, they helped us all.
As I decompress and get the photos, I will start posting more details about our wonderful trip.

Day Seventeen ~ Mexico

Today is fly home day. 
Please pray that we are prepared and no one leaves anything unintentionally behind.  Pray for smooth passage back to the airport, and boarding the planes.  Pray that we will have an easy time going through customs upon our return.

I am sure that this trip has been tiring, and full of fun.  I can't wait to tell you all about it when I get back!

Day Sixteen ~ Mexico

I am really rather excited about today, but that would be because deep down inside, I am a history nerd.  Today we will be visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids.  I can't wait!  It looks like there will be lots of walking involved..... but to be up close and personal with history like this, it is worth it!  Again please pray for out testimony as a large group.  Pray for witnessing opportunities as we are out with other tourists.

Day Fifteen ~ Mexico

The Doctor we have been working with will fly home today. Please pray for travel mercies. 

Today is a day that we have set aside to debrief.  We will look back on a piece of paper we filled out a few weeks ago, about what we wanted God to teach us individually on this trip.  Throughout the trip we have been challenged to look for God's grace.  We will take time to share the things that we have seen and learned.  Pray that we will have many items to praise the Lord for on this day.

Day Fourteen ~ Mexico

Church day again.  According to the schedule, we will be attending two different churches today.  Our Dr. will be speaking at one church and our own Pastor will be speaking at another.  Please pray for these men and the message that they will be sharing.  Pray for our pastor's wife, she will be interpreting for his message. 
I hope we learn much from worshiping with these people.

Happy Birthday Big Daddy

He is always vigilant, watching to make sure his family is safe.

He looks tough.  If bad things were lurking around.......... they would run and hide!

He is tender too......  he will walk you up to the ocean, and give you a soft place to nap.

He most definitely has a sense of humor!!!!!!!!

He will teach you how to build a fire

He won't flaunt his fame, or his sacrifice of service.

He will hold your hand if you are scared to go somewhere you have never been

He will sleep on the stuffed animal, so you can have the good pillow.

He likes ice cream.... even more than you do, and will always let you eat lots of it.

From Me:

Happy Birthday my dear Husband.  Thank you for all you do, and every way you make what we do as a family possible.  We appreciate your hard work, so I can stay home with the kids. The sacrifice of time you make to help others.  I love you.

From Evan:

Happy Birthday, I already think you are way over the hill.......

From Tayler:

Hi Daddy, I miss you.  I will be thinking about you today.  I will eat some birthday candy in your honor! See you in 5 more days! luv you...

From Hunter:

Dear Daddy, I love you, and I love that you are my dad, and that I am able to be your son, and that, it is so cool to be able to help you and work with you whenever I can do it. I love you no matter what.

From Jeremiah:

Happy Bwirfday to Dad. uuuuuu ( now he starts singing ) happy bwirfday to you, happy bwirfday...bwess YOOOUUU!  (end song )  .......dats what I wanna say to dad.

Day Thirteen ~ Mexico

Back to work.  All of us will be working at the third church today on the medical campaign.  It is our last full day of hard work, please pray that we will finish strong.

Day Twelve ~ Mexico

IT IS OUR FIRST DAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  we will be going to play tourist
We will be at the Xochimilco Canal.  That long word with the X means 'garden of flowers' in Aztecs.

It looks like it ought to be a fun time.  I am sure there will be lots of pictures to share from this place.  Please pray for our safety as we travel to this tourist location.  Pray for our testimony as a large group of American Christians, that people would see Christ through our actions.  Pray we will be rested and rejuvenated from this day playing "hookey" from the work we came to do.

Day Eleven~ Mexico

Same things, different church.  Pray that our medicine will hold out and that we will be able to help many people.

Day Ten ~ Mexico

Today we will again be doing medical and building projects.  Today is likely to be busier, as the news that there is a free doctor, will have spread rapidly.  Pray for the preaching service after the medical care.  May these people seek to have their souls healed by the Great Physician, not just the human one.

Day Nine ~ Mexico

First real day taking blood pressures, blood sugars, and helping the Doctor.  We may need to think on the fly and entertain kids while their parents are seeing the Doctor, we don't really know what this will entail yet.  We will also be begining to work on a building project at the church we will be sleeping at.  Please pray for both teams... we will be busy!

Day Eight ~ Mexico

Today, will begin to prepare to meet some more serious medical needs.  The doctor arrives today.  Please pray for his safe travel as well.  Pray for us as we begin this new portion of our Ministry.  We will be doing inventory on our medicines and setting up a pharmacy of sorts, to despense what the Doctor chooses to give them.

Day Seven ~ Mexico

Today we will be attending church services at our first church.  Ministering to the people there with our skits. Please pray for us as we worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Day Six ~ Mexico

Today we will be at our third church with our Carnival activities.  Pray for strength. We are tired for sure.

Happy Birthday Little-est Sister

So again, long long ago, in a land far away.... Mom and Dad brought home ANOTHER sister for me to play with.  I don't know where they kept getting them.... musta been a summer sale on babies or something....

I remember liking this one.... I was older.  I don't have to rely so much on the photographic evidence.

I was going into the 4th grade..... and she was supposed to be born on the 4th of July.  I couldn't think of a cooler day to be born than the day we had a huge party on the corner and lit things on fire.

Alas, she missed the party we had for her........

Over the years, I will have to say it was fun to have a sister so much younger than I.  She always thought I was cool.  She didn't tattle on me like that other one they brought home....  She liked to go in rides in my car.  She was cute, and had the best freckles.

She loves animals.  Especially dogs.  She is the best Dog Mom in the Universe.  If you don't believe me, just ask Sierra.... she'll tell ya.

Ames, you are amazing.  You have grown from the pigtailed little girl who shared my room and complained when my legs needed shaving...... into an amazing woman of fortitude and spiritual substance.  You are the chronicler of our family memories, the keeper of traditions, the loudest cheerleader for all your nephews and niece.  Your heart is a big as the sky, and you know just what to do to make everyone around you feel special, welcome, and loved.  Your sacrifice of time to help mom with dad....... well.... to say I am grateful, sounds lame.  There aren't words to describe what you did, and how I feel about it. 

If I wasn't in Mexico, I would love to take you to Half Moon Bay for your birthday; or maybe just load the car up with kids and dogs, and drive from SF down to Santa Cruz, and stop and play along the way.  Maybe stop at a few Antique stores if we could keep the kids from touching anything.... Take our cameras, and find letters in the landscape.... or just take a bazillion or so more pictures of all the kids.... I know you need a new few more...lol

Somewhere in there would have to be a bowl of Clam Chowder and a nod to Dad.... He loved you so much and he would be the first in line to try to make your Birthday special.

I love ya kid~ Have a wonderful birthday!

Day Five ~ Mexico

Today will be a repeat of yesterday.  Pray the children of yesterday go home and tell their parents what they learned.  Pray our numbers are greater than the day before.

Day Four ~ Mexico

We will be at a new church today, but still doing our Carnival, and telling stories about Jesus.  There is something about a Tent on the schedule...... not sure what that means.... but I will let you know when I can.  Pray for strength as we minister in the community of Colonia Olivos.

Day Three ~ Mexico

Today will be much like yesterday, but bigger I am sure.  We will be in the same location with the same church.  Only today, all the children from yesterday will have gone home to tell all their friends we are here.  I expect there to be more children to hear about Jesus today.  Please pray their parents come with them.

Day Two ~ Mexico

Today begins the Carnival and out reach to the children in the community of Francisco Villa.
Pray that God will use us to share the gospel today.

Day One ~ Mexico

Today we fly!.....  please pray for travel mercies, and a smooth passage through customs.  We will be carrying medical supplies with us for use in the second week, we do not want to lose any of it, as we know it is needed. 

We will also be preparing our items for the Kids carnival we will be doing for the next 5 days.

D- Day

So here we are.   The bags are packed.... and loaded on the truck.  The only thing left to do is wake up early for the flight. 

Pray for our team.  10 men/young men.... 10 women/ young women and kids.  We are about to embark on a Journey WITH the Lord.  May none of us come home the same.  May we be changed forever for God's glory.

Thank you to our home church.... and other supporters.  We would not have been able to do this without you. May we be found worthy servants for the gospel this week.

Dog Days of Summer

For those of you who don't know, we have puppies lots and lots of adorable puppies.  We had a litter of 8 and we are down to 5.... and if this absolutely adorable kid around the corner has his way, I will be down to 4 soon.  I mean really... what is not to love about a face like this?

We met this young man when he showed up on our doorstep Monday.  His family had been driving down the street and seen our sign pointing to free puppies down the street.  He asked his mom if he could come and see them......... He knocks, I open the door to one of the cutest 10 year olds I have ever seen.  Big brown eyes, TONS of freckles and a figure that looks like he might play a few more video games than baseball during the summer.  He immediately asks about the dogs, and in his second sentence, asks if he can take one home for a few hours to play with it. I must have had a look on my face that was a mixture of surprise and I don't even know you...... because his third sentence was a description of where he lived, and that he just wanted to play with them.........  I explained that for now, he was welcome to go into the yard and play with them but they needed to stay here.  He walked off down the stairs and to the dogs asking questions about their names.... and all Tayler could do was follow him out there and answer him.  He stayed for a while and went home.

Then he was back in a half hour WITH his sister. The kid is persistent.  He wanted to take 2 home now for a few hours.  He said his dad was looking for a black lab and we had two, could he take them home so his dad could see them?  I caved.  I told you the kid was cute.  Besides, I rather admired his tenacity.  So he and his sister trudge off with the two black puppies.... with Tayler helping in the delivery.  A couple of hours later they are back with Dad... and Tayler said the he was a little gruff. Saying something about not wanting a dog right now.  Score is Kid 0, Parents 1.

Tuesday night we are on the way home from a meeting and we see our little dude walking up the street from our place to home....  I look at Jody who was home before picking me up, with one of those HUH? looks.  He smiles and says. " yeah, he came by, asking if he could play with them.... and then told me this really long story about how he has names for them and which one is which.... your right he is a cute kid, he wants a dog BAD, I let him come in a play with them."  I smile at what a sweet softy my husband is.

Wednesday.... He's back. This time with two little girls from down the street.  He has enlisted reinforcements.  He asks if he can take one home again.  Remembering that his dad seemed a bit put off by the fact he came home to TWO dogs last time, I suggest that perhaps playing with them here is a better idea.  He is mildly dejected, but he agrees, and goes home with his entourage.  Half hour later....... he is back.  He says mom says he can bring one home, and he has brought a leash and collar as proof his mother agreed.  I caved.  I told you I admire his tenacity.  We armed him with doggie treats to coax her to walk on a leash, and Tayler walked him home.  2 hours later he is BACK, with his sister and his entourage from earlier.  He wants the other 2 brown ones..... He says, dad has seen the black ones and one brown one and wants to see the other two, can he please take these ones home too?  Sure , Whatever.... go for it.  I know they are going to be back with them in a bit.  When he brought them all home.... He said " Dad likes one of the brown ones, He says that it is much smarter than Princess (the black one the kid was becoming really attached too) "  Score: Kid 1, Parents 1

I really sort of hope the kids parents cave in..... This kid is like a Marty Preston without his beagle Shiloh.... like, Billy Coleman without his Old Dan and Little Ann, in Where the Red Fern Grows.  The boy NEEDS a dog.  Not just because it will mean I have one less here to feed, but because you can see his love for them, he wants to teach and train and have a buddy to follow him around.....someone to share his secrets with and lick away his tears.....

We will see what today holds.... We will see if he comes back, and we will see what the score is at the end of this day.....  but personally, I think the kid is gaining on them.


Update 4pm:  All of the puppies are gone.  Found a family from out of town that wanted 3, and another that wanted 2..... at the same time as this goodbye was happening.... the "reinforcements" came over to play with the puppies....  I am sure the ring leader has been notified that his dream dog has been given away.  My heart goes out to the little guy.......  sigh......