Monday afternoon, a bank in our town was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight. The assailants escaped in an SUV and have yet to be caught. This is highly unusual for a small town like ours, and left the residents on edge.
Although I was concerned about the situation, it was really up to the police, so after a prayer for those involved, life continued on in our house. Evening brought homework, dinner, baths and bed.
With the house buttoned up tight, I headed onto bed, and quickly fell asleep. I was awakened some time later by my dog. She started out growling, then woofing, then downright furiously barking. I started to chastise her for barking at her boyfriend next door, when I heard someone knocking on my door!
It's 12:30am, a bank has been robbed a mile from my house, I'm not opening the door! I jumped out of bed, cell phone in hand, and my finger hit the speed dial 5. No, not 911, but my best friend two houses down. I'll get to that in a minute. I run down the hallway, with my dogs carrying on like a pack of wolves, and my heart racing like crazy. Still someone is pounding on my door.
It's not college kid, it's not my husband, they both have keys. If it was the police, they'd announce that, right? So, this can't be good. Friend tells me to call the law, then says to hold on. She woke her dh, and they came flying down here to see who it was.
I soon found out everything was okay, the person outside was a neighbor of mine. She wanted to tell me about the bank robbery, and that the perpetrators hadn't been caught. I appreciate that, but she really frightened myself, and my children. Plus pulled my other neighbors out of bed, and surely scared them as well.
So why did't I call 911? I am not sure. I picked up my cell, and went straight for their speed dial. They're always there for me, no matter the hour or the problem. They are the best friends I could ever wish to have. By the way, they are the ones I had invited over for Thanksgiving just days before. When I mentioned this to them, that I really should have called the police, my friend mentioned that they would have been here first anyway-they would have heard the call over the police scanner.
So I learned a few things from this experience: lock your house at night, keep a phone by your bed, have a dog or two with a big bark, and good friends are worth all the gold in the world. Whether I need to talk, want to chat, or have a dire emergency, my friends are always there for me. Thank you T and T for everything, you are the best. Thank You Jesus for such wonderful friends, and for keeping us safe that night and always. Amen
Chela
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A Thanksgiving to Remember
Ahhh..Thanksgiving...a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy a delectable meal, and remember the first settlers to make our wonderful land their home.
Sure...in a Southern Living magazine, maybe. Here is how Thanksgiving played out at our house! The week before the holiday, I had helped our zoo with a booth at the fair, talking to hundreds of people. Naturally, one of them was kind enough to share some crud with me, so I spent the next several days in bed.
After a visit to the dr, a sore hip, and a boatload of meds, I was starting to feel human again. Just in time for a pipe to break in our bathroom. Now remember, this is only one week before Thanksgiving. The break flooded both bathrooms, and left us unable to use the kitchen sink or dishwasher.
Friday, ds #2 has his wisdom teeth out. I also receive a phone call informing me of unexpected company for Thanksgiving. I thought college kid and his girlfriend were coming the week after the holiday.
Monday, college kid and I hit Lowe's for supplies to fix the pipe. Washing dishes in coolers is quickly getting old. College kid then informs me he is going to remodel our kitchen floor over Thanksgiving break, replacing the horrid brown linoleum with beautiful ceramic tile.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, he didn't get the first tiles down until Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Did I mention they can't be touched/stepped on/breathed upon for 24 hours? Fortunately, by the time I needed the kitchen to start preparing our meal, the floor was dry and able to be stepped on.
Since the kitchen/dining area was a work in progress, we rolled up our beautiful area rug, and ate in the living room. The day before Turkey day, dh and I had visited a friend of ours, and found out they weren't having a Thanksgiving. Due to a planned road trip on Black Friday, they were not going to mess with cooking a big meal. Before I knew it, the words, "Please come to our home, and share a meal with us. We'll have plenty of food" came tumbling out of my mouth.
I prayed as we prepared food, that we would have enough. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the 5,000, surely he could multiply our feast enough to feed eleven. (John 6:1-14) And He did. We ran out of only one dessert, and in fact, had enough leftovers to feed us for 4 days. Twelve baskets of leftovers indeed.
For all my stressing, worry, and craziness leading up to the celebration, we had a great Thanksgiving. Jesus keeps working on me, and I shall one day learn to trust Him to supply all our needs. Thank You Father for a great celebration. I love You, amen.
Chela
Sure...in a Southern Living magazine, maybe. Here is how Thanksgiving played out at our house! The week before the holiday, I had helped our zoo with a booth at the fair, talking to hundreds of people. Naturally, one of them was kind enough to share some crud with me, so I spent the next several days in bed.
After a visit to the dr, a sore hip, and a boatload of meds, I was starting to feel human again. Just in time for a pipe to break in our bathroom. Now remember, this is only one week before Thanksgiving. The break flooded both bathrooms, and left us unable to use the kitchen sink or dishwasher.
Friday, ds #2 has his wisdom teeth out. I also receive a phone call informing me of unexpected company for Thanksgiving. I thought college kid and his girlfriend were coming the week after the holiday.
Monday, college kid and I hit Lowe's for supplies to fix the pipe. Washing dishes in coolers is quickly getting old. College kid then informs me he is going to remodel our kitchen floor over Thanksgiving break, replacing the horrid brown linoleum with beautiful ceramic tile.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, he didn't get the first tiles down until Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Did I mention they can't be touched/stepped on/breathed upon for 24 hours? Fortunately, by the time I needed the kitchen to start preparing our meal, the floor was dry and able to be stepped on.
Since the kitchen/dining area was a work in progress, we rolled up our beautiful area rug, and ate in the living room. The day before Turkey day, dh and I had visited a friend of ours, and found out they weren't having a Thanksgiving. Due to a planned road trip on Black Friday, they were not going to mess with cooking a big meal. Before I knew it, the words, "Please come to our home, and share a meal with us. We'll have plenty of food" came tumbling out of my mouth.
I prayed as we prepared food, that we would have enough. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the 5,000, surely he could multiply our feast enough to feed eleven. (John 6:1-14) And He did. We ran out of only one dessert, and in fact, had enough leftovers to feed us for 4 days. Twelve baskets of leftovers indeed.
For all my stressing, worry, and craziness leading up to the celebration, we had a great Thanksgiving. Jesus keeps working on me, and I shall one day learn to trust Him to supply all our needs. Thank You Father for a great celebration. I love You, amen.
Chela
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Unanswered prayers
Unanswered prayers....those times we pray, and think God isn't listening to us, or perhaps He is too busy for our little concern. Maybe God only listens to priests or nuns, or people who are heavily involved in the church.
Not so, of course. Our Heavenly Father hears all of our prayers. Whether it's a big one, 'please let me have this promotion' or a small one, 'please don't let me stumble over my words when talking to the boss today.'
Jesus wants what is best for us, and sometimes that isn't how we want to live our lives. He can see our past, present, and future. He knows how the book is going to end, and He knows that although we desperately want the promotion, it isn't in our best interest. Sometimes the answer is no, or not yet, or wait and see what I am going to do in your life. As hard as that can be, Jesus has a great plan for you, as He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope."
What a good deal He has for us! Still, it can hurt when the answer to your prayer isn't the "yes" you've been praying for. That is when we have to remember that we aren't in charge of our lives; Someone much bigger is taking care of that for us. That can be a real comfort.
Recently, another job opportunity became available at the zoo. I was so excited, and applied right away. I mentioned the opening to my co-worker Sarah, and she also applied. Imagine, me as an assistant zookeeper. Taking care of cheetahs, wolves, big snakes. This was my dream job! Except I didn't get it. Sarah did. I tried to be cheerful, and congratulate Sarah on her new job.
I was happy for her, but it hurt so much. Why didn't I get it? I didn't even get a phone call for an interview! I was really crushed for a couple of weeks. Then I happened to be at the zoo, and found out exactly what the job entailed. Then, I was grateful I didn't get it. I don't want it. At all.
Sarah is taking care of the education animals, not the zoo animals. She is working hard caring for a variety of animals ranging from Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, to scorpions, alligators, beavers, possums, owls and parrots. It is also a volunteer position I've been avoiding for 8 years. It's way too much work, and I just don't want to do it. Perhaps it's the ground floor for working with zoo animals, but it's not for me.
This time, I am thanking Jesus that He gave the job to Sarah, and not me. I'm grateful that He knew I wouldn't want it, and that He has better plans for me. When I heard about the opening, and through to when I submitted my application, I told Jesus, "Thy Will be done". I'm grateful it was. Thank You Jesus for taking my life in Your hands, and guiding me through each day. Please continue to prepare my future, to prosper and not harm me. I love You! Amen.
Not so, of course. Our Heavenly Father hears all of our prayers. Whether it's a big one, 'please let me have this promotion' or a small one, 'please don't let me stumble over my words when talking to the boss today.'
Jesus wants what is best for us, and sometimes that isn't how we want to live our lives. He can see our past, present, and future. He knows how the book is going to end, and He knows that although we desperately want the promotion, it isn't in our best interest. Sometimes the answer is no, or not yet, or wait and see what I am going to do in your life. As hard as that can be, Jesus has a great plan for you, as He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope."
What a good deal He has for us! Still, it can hurt when the answer to your prayer isn't the "yes" you've been praying for. That is when we have to remember that we aren't in charge of our lives; Someone much bigger is taking care of that for us. That can be a real comfort.
Recently, another job opportunity became available at the zoo. I was so excited, and applied right away. I mentioned the opening to my co-worker Sarah, and she also applied. Imagine, me as an assistant zookeeper. Taking care of cheetahs, wolves, big snakes. This was my dream job! Except I didn't get it. Sarah did. I tried to be cheerful, and congratulate Sarah on her new job.
I was happy for her, but it hurt so much. Why didn't I get it? I didn't even get a phone call for an interview! I was really crushed for a couple of weeks. Then I happened to be at the zoo, and found out exactly what the job entailed. Then, I was grateful I didn't get it. I don't want it. At all.
Sarah is taking care of the education animals, not the zoo animals. She is working hard caring for a variety of animals ranging from Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, to scorpions, alligators, beavers, possums, owls and parrots. It is also a volunteer position I've been avoiding for 8 years. It's way too much work, and I just don't want to do it. Perhaps it's the ground floor for working with zoo animals, but it's not for me.
This time, I am thanking Jesus that He gave the job to Sarah, and not me. I'm grateful that He knew I wouldn't want it, and that He has better plans for me. When I heard about the opening, and through to when I submitted my application, I told Jesus, "Thy Will be done". I'm grateful it was. Thank You Jesus for taking my life in Your hands, and guiding me through each day. Please continue to prepare my future, to prosper and not harm me. I love You! Amen.
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