Month: June 2017

Do you like to play game? I love games. Cards, board games, charades, word games, or even hide and seek are all fun to me. My entire family has played games as far back as I can remember. When I was small we played “I Doubt It,” “Button, Button,” “Kick the Can,” “Crazy 8’s”, and a list that would fill up this entire page. In High School we had “Monopoly” tournaments and played a word game called “Probe”. They make good memories and help keep minds sharp, too.

Recently our kids, grandkids, and my parents came over for dinner on Sunday night. It was a nice family evening of food, family, and fun. I played a game with my twin granddaughters, M&M (yes, they are sweet as candy), and son. The game was called “Things.” Have you played it? My hubby ventured out from in front of the television to see why we were laughing and hollering. We were having a ball! One person, the reader, reads a question that everyone answers on a piece of paper. He then reads the answers and the others try to guess who said which answer. Try playing this with twins. Very difficult. A couple of times mother and son had similar or the same answers.

Questions were all over the place. “Things you should not say to a policeman when getting a ticket” or “Things you wish your parents had told you.” One grand girl said to the latter, “take socks to a sleepover.” Parents, remember that. Our same answer came on “Things that need a referee” to which we both said…….”this game!”  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree here.

My aha moment came with question “Things you would buy if you won $1 million.” My son dreamed of a better vacation for his family while I wanted a vacation home large enough for our entire family in the Smoky Mountains. We were both shamed by the girls’ responses. “Help for the homeless” and “Give to charity and homeless people.”  Wow, what generous answers!

This Mother’s and Gram’s heart swelled with love and pride. My son has done a fabulous job teaching his children priorities and what is really important in life.  Let’s not forget his dear wife.  It was a tag team job. The girls have gentle, loving, giving souls already. Their answers were much better than ours. Obviously this was just a “what if” game, but they still answered with their hearts.

How were your answers? Did you play along with us?  How would your children or grandchildren do? Make memories with them and use a fun game to teach lessons, too. Sometimes you might be the one that learns something.  You might be pleasantly surprised!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:21 NIV

  

I love animals, most of them anyway. My house doesn’t feel quite like a home without at least one dog and cat. Unfortunately within the past year or two my senior pets all crossed that rainbow bridge except my eleven year old Peke-a-poo protector Samson. I laughingly asked my hubby “please don’t ever tell Sam he’s a d.o.g.” To which he replied “Don’t worry. He wouldn’t believe me anyway.” That’s how important my furbabies are to me. They are family.

Previously at different times I had two Siamese cats, and this is the breed for me. I knew it was important to me that I rescue and not buy my pet so I searched and found the Siamese Cat Rescue Center. They are nationwide and divided into regions. I completed an application, got references, and received a telephone interview. The objective of this organization is to place the right cat with the right person. I was asked what I was looking for in a cat: lap sitter or active, gets along with animals and children, chatty, likes affection or a loner. After the conversation the interviewer determined a male cat, no younger than 18 months or so would be right for us, but no “torties”. I was excited and ready. Bring on the kitties!

Looking at the pictures I discovered I liked them all. I wanted a cat so I put in to be considered for a few of them. For one reason or another each time the adoption just didn’t work. There were family health issues, the cat wouldn’t do well with kids or dogs, or it was outside our transport area. After five months I had almost given up hope, but not JoAnn, my Fairy Catmother. She was diligently watching for the right match. She knew what I needed and had it down to a science. A male, lap sitter, love bug, chatty, playful, good with kids and dogs. JoAnn worked endlessly to make sure I received the “purrfect” pet. She assured me the right one was out there and just hadn’t come along yet. “Be patient.”

Throughout this ordeal I prayed and asked God for the right pet at the right time. It was difficult waiting. I was impatient. How silly was that? I asked my Creator and Maker of the universe for the perfect pet at the perfect time and got upset because that hadnt happened. God is good even when we don’t deserve it. He stills loves us and answers prayers.

One day it happened like JoAnn said it would. I watched the pages and saw a new boy. I never believed in love at first sight until I saw my Jesse’s picture. When I viewed it I immediately knew he was my forever furbaby and I was his human. I was in love. The waiting had paid off. He was available for adoption at 9:00 a.m. the next morning so I set a reminder on my iPad. It went off and I signed up as “First in Line” to adopt him! He is a beautiful seal point with sky blue eyes that melt my heart. After being here only three days he was right at home. He and Sam eat sleep, and play together. Jesse follows me around like a shadow, comes running when called and loves to play.  My life has so much joy in it with this sweet boy. Even my husband remarks that it is like we found a missing piece to our family we didn’t know we lost.

Could I have found a nicer, cuter, sweeter, cat? Absolutely not. He’s perfect! God answered my prayer in His time. If I had gotten a cat earlier, I would have missed out on this jewel.  Even though it is hard, the best thing to do is pray and wait. God’s timing is perfect. Believe me, I know from experience.

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

P.S.  If you are wanting to adopt a cat, I highly recommend the Siamese Cat Rescue.  They are still checking on us and offer great support.  Their cats come microchipped, with all shots, neutered, and with a goodie bag of food, treats, toys, scratching pad, and surprises.  It is very affordable and offers a senior discount.

Father’s Day is almost here. It is a day to honor and remember fathers and those men that have influenced our lives. I have been so fortunate to have had not only two Christian men as fathers, but also my grandfathers and uncles were as well. The memories I have and am still making are priceless. Having a husband that prays with me is a treasure, too. Every marriage needs God in it. Seeing the Christian man my son is brings joy to my soul as does knowing my daughter married one, too. Godly men come in all ages and are all important.

Who are the men that influence you or have influenced you? Are you honoring them on Father’s Day? Are you making them feel loved and respected? Two of the worst feelings are being ignored or forgotten. Don’t do that to them. Remember all the good times you have shared and reminence with them. Tell them how important they are and what a good job they are doing or have done. Let them know they are appreciated and adored. Encourage the young fathers.

For a long time Father’s Day was rough for me. After losing Daddy the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate fathers. It was a day of sadness and tears for me. I was so young then. God changed that and now I can rejoice in my blessings on Father’s Day. Abba gifted me with Dad almost forty years ago. Dad is awesome. The relationship we have is much different than the one I had with Daddy. Child verses adult, but the love is equally strong. The memories I have with my Daddy are happy memories of the past, and the memories of Dad are still being made. Those are definitely happy ones, too. He is a precious man and I treasure him. His wisdom and values are immeasurable. He is a great role model for the men in our family. Dad loves God and family. He has a servant’s heart.

Uncles equal happy memories for me. When I think of my uncles images of drives in the country, picnics, camping, family gatherings and fun pop into my head. Jokes and partial verses of songs come to mind, too. Uncles are just fun. They laugh, joke, tease, and love. I have one uncle left here on Earth. Dad’s brother could pass as his twin, and I know he loves me dearly as I do him. His laugh is contagious, just like my Dad’s.

How about those grandfathers? Are you fortunate enough to still have yours? So many times I want to ask one or the other of mine something. I want to hold their hands. See the twinkle in their eyes. Hear their loving raspy voices. I miss them.

Don’t for one minute take for granted something that could be taken away in the blink of an eye. Show love now. Tell family how important and loved they are. Pray for God to protect them. If you have grandchildren, be an influential, loving grandparent. If you are a parent, set a good example. Guide and direct them in God’s ways. This Father’s Day, don’t forget the greatest, best of all Fathers. Jehovah, God our Creator and Father. He has provided the perfect example of love.

Happy Fathers Day to my husband, Dad, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in, nephew, and Uncle G! To all the countless men, cousins and friends, who have helped us, I remember and thank you. You are appreciated, loved and respected. To my Father God, thank you for the perfect care you give us. Thank you for fathers.

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Eph. 6:2-3