What's Your Pet Personality?

I've never been a pet person. I didn't have many pets growing up. But I'm the mother of Ashley, the pet princess, who would have loved a pet of every kind if we'd only let her. So who was I to deny the way God made her? He put that love of animals deep in her heart. So we have had pets. Lots of them, but not too many at one time, thank you.

We've had three dogs over her lifetime. One was a stray that no one claimed, so we kept her. Oreo was a black and white English setter who came to live with us before Ashley did. She used that as ammunition when asking for a pet a few years later. "But Mom, Oreo isn't my dog. You had her before I was born!" 

After Oreo died at the ripe old age of fourteen, we started looking for another dog. Oreo had been an "outside" dog. We only let her in when the temps got too cold at night, and then she slunk around with a guilt complex for being indoors. 

This time, we decided to get a small dog that could be an "inside" dog. My husband surprised me one afternoon while he and Ashley were out running errands by calling to say they found a cute black chihuahua puppy for sale. We went back to get her the next day and Ashley named her Kisses. She really would have preferred a big dog, but I said only a small dog in the house as long as she lives with us.

Sadly, Kisses died only five years later due to a liver disease. Saddest day ever. We decided to wait a little while before getting another dog. Maybe we could even get by without one. But it wasn't long until we realized how lonely the house was without a tail-wagger to greet us. There was no jingle of dog tags following us around. We started looking for our next dog. 

Kobi

We found a family on Craig's List whose chihuahua had just had a litter of pups. We went to see them and fell in love with the white and tan spotted puppies. We visited a couple more times before they were old enough to leave their mom. Soon, Kobi became part of our family. He was the cutest dog ever, and still is, even at five years old. Everyone says so. He even has his own Facebook page. Just type in Kobi and you'll see a handsome picture of him in his sweater. 

We have a few rules regarding dogs around here. Only small dogs in the house. We don't feed them people food, (though my husband always wants to break this rule). They sleep in their crate at night (usually). They aren't allowed in our laps at the table. 

All these boundaries have much to do with our personalities. What about you? Do you have pets? What kinds? What boundaries do you draw with your pets? Can they get on the furniture? Can they eat people food? Drink from the toilet? Are they outside pets? How much do the kids take care of them? Let's talk pets!

Linda

Simply Being There

There is power in the presence of just sitting with someone in their time of need. I know this first-hand. 

It was sixteen years ago and my family was in crisis. Our teenage daughter had run away hours before and we didn't know where to find her. We'd looked everywhere we knew. Finally, we went back home to wait. We were numb with grief.

I called my sister, who offered to come right over. I told her she didn't need to. There was nothing she could do. We were just sitting, waiting. About a half hour later, our doorbell rang. We opened the door and there stood my sister and her husband. "We had to come."

I wept at the very sight of her. I had no idea how much I needed her or the comfort I'd feel just having her close. We sat in the living room, more silent than talking. They didn't come to fix anything, but to support us in one of our darkest parental moments. They helped us get through it just by being present.

We found our daughter and went to family counseling. Now, we couldn't ask for a better relationship with her. All the credit goes to God. But some of the comfort and support also goes to my sister, and others like her, who prayed, supported, and rallied round us as we moved through a difficult time.

Have you ever had someone "simple be there" for you? Tell us about it in the comments. Or simply list their name. Then let's all lift a song of praise to God for people like them.

Linda

New Diet Program

Maybe this is what I need. Happy Wacky Wednesday!

Linda

Clean Speech

Please don't take this as a personal judgment. But as a writer, I know there are many ways to make your point without using profanity. Clean speech can pack just as much punch as profanity is supposed to articulate. Stretch yourself. Dig deep to find the right word. Everyone knows what you're trying to say, even if you don't drop that f-bomb. It's still clear, but less offensive. Challenge yourself to use timeless, clean speech for a specific amount of time. See what words you can replace with others. Be creative. Maybe you'll start a new speech trend or catch-phrase. But one thing's for sure. You'll stand out from the crowd. And you're too special to just blend in. Happy Timeless Tuesday.

Linda

I Have an Older Brother

It's Me Monday, where I share a little about myself and I hope you do, too. I like to think of it as a "getting acquainted" day. I'll go first. Then you share about yourself in the comments.

I'm the youngest, the baby, of three children in my family of origin. These days, that makes me a fifty-six-year-old baby. And those cute rolls on my arms and legs are starting to come back.

Steve and me

My oldest sibling is my brother, Steve, who lives in Florida with his wife. He also has a step-daughter there in Florida and a daughter who lives not too far from me in Arizona. Emotionally, Steve and I are close now that we're adults. But growing up, that was not the case. With him being five years older, I always thought he was way cooler than I was. I'm pretty sure he thought the same. We didn't have much in common other than our family and church. Our interests may as well have been from different planets. I liked dolls, stuffed animals, roller skates, and books. He liked sports and building model cars and airplanes. Beyond that I have no idea what else he liked because, like I said, we weren't terribly close.

I remember once when I was probably in first grade I cried to my mom about, "Why doesn't Steve like me?" I have no idea what prompted the emotional scene. My mom hugged me and assured me Steve loved me. She went on to say that if someone ever picked on me, Steve would be right there to stick up for me. I have no idea if that was true since the situation never presented itself, but it changed my perspective. Steve wasn't my playmate. He was my protector.

That made all the difference for me. From that day on, in the back of my mind was always the thought that Steve cared for me. He'd be there for me. He even loved me in his own stoic way, or at least that's what I liked to think. And it seems I was right.

Now, living in different states, we call each other every year on our birthdays. Our interests are more alike. We love our families and want to hear updates about each member. We both like to travel a bit and talk about our vacations. We both own homes and enjoy discussing our latest home improvement or maintenance projects. I fill him in on our mom, who lives near me, and how she's doing. And at the close of every phone call, we end with an exchange of heartfelt "I love yous." The same is true when one of us visits. We greet each other with hugs and kisses and then say good-bye the same way, only with tears in our eyes. Isn't it funny how life changes things?

I'm thankful for my big brother. He's still my protector in many ways. When our dad died ten years ago, Steve was in town and delivered the sad news to me. I went immediately to meet them at the hospice where Dad still laid. Steve urged me not to go in to see him because he didn't look good. I didn't listen, saying I didn't care. I just needed to see him once more. Steve silently nodded, understanding my heart. As I stood by Dad's bed, it was Steve who came to me a few minutes later to put his arm around me and gently lead me back out of the room, my final good-bye complete.

He was there for me, caring for and protecting me, just like our mom said he would be.

Do you have a brother? What role does he play in your life? Are you closer now or when you were kids?

Linda

Children's Book Review: Understanding My Mormon Friends' Faith and Mine

Several years ago, my daughter had a Mormon friend who invited her to go to church with her. We said she couldn't go, but it wasn't easy explaining why, except that we didn't believe they taught what the Bible taught. We needed a resource that would help us explain to her why we wouldn't allow it.

Fortunately, there is such a resource. It helped us tremendously and it can help you, too. Understanding My Mormon Friends' Faith and Mine by Judy Robertson is a quick lesson in what Mormons (Latter-day Saints) believe versus what the Bible teaches. This short, 24-page book is written for kids, but it is expected that parents will read it with them and explain their own views on the covered topics.

The back cover lists seven areas that are covered in the book, illustrating the differences between the Mormon faith and Christianity.

Inside, the book gives a clear explanation of Mormon teachings and shows what the Bible says on these topics. It is easy to use and understand.

Though Understanding My Mormon Friends' Faith and Mine is written for children, it is also a good quick reference for teens and adults.

To learn more about Mormonism or how you can witness to your Mormon friends, go to www.concernedchristians.org.

This book is a clear, concise resource that helps your children understand that not all faiths are equal. It does matter what you believe. I found it very helpful in my family and I think you will, too.

Linda

Never Fear Aging

I love this New Living Translation of Isaiah 46:4. So many people fear getting old. There are so many questions that can accompany aging. Will I have enough money? Will I be lonely? Will I be able to care for myself? Will anyone visit me? Will I have pain and bad health?

This verse puts all those fears to rest. We don't have to worry about our old age because God is going there with us. He'll take care of us and even carry us along and save us. Has God been faithful to you in your younger years? Do you have stories of Him providing for you in ways you didn't expect?

I remember when I was pregnant with my second child and going through a divorce. I had many worries and concerns. Where would I live? How would I manage two children all by myself? Should I call my estranged husband when I went into labor? Wait until the baby was born? What was the right thing to do? How would I manage financially?

I didn't need to worry about a thing. But I didn't know that then. God had His eye on me and was looking out for me. I lived with my parents to finish out my pregnancy. I went into labor one night and my mom drove me to the hospital. My son was born so fast, we didn't have time to call anyone, including my husband. So I didn't have to wonder what the right thing to do was.

As to where I'd live, a couple from my church "just happened" to have their two-bedroom rental townhouse come available when I needed it. I had prayed for a place that would have a washer and dryer in the unit, which was hard to come by in my price range. But I knew it would be difficult to haul a laundry basket, a 3-year-old, and a newborn to a laundry facility. The townhouse, which was right across the street from my church, had a stacked washer and dryer. They went down on the price a bit so I could afford it. Another blessing from God.

I feared I couldn't manage two children on my own because my first baby had been so fussy as an infant that I couldn't even put her down. She wouldn't sit in an infant seat or play on the floor. I prayed for an easy baby this time and that's exactly what I got. My new baby boy was content to lie on the floor and watch the ceiling fan, laughing and cooing as if I'd bought him a terrific toy. He was a joy.

I share these things so you'll see how faithful God is. He knows our needs and has more resources at His disposal than we can even imagine. He's always working things out for our good. Oh, and by the way, that baby boy? He turns 29 today and he's still a joy to me.

Tyler and me on Mother's Day, 2014

So aging? No sweat. God's got this. Isaiah knew what he was talking about.

What fears do you have? Have you found God to be faithful in the past?

Linda