My Heart Responds

"My heart has heard you say, 

'Come and talk with me.' 

And my heart responds, 

'Lord, I am coming.'"

Psalm 27:8

I hope all of those who read here hear the Lord calling to them to spend time with Him. 

Dear Reader, if you do not hear Him calling you to spend time talking (praying) with Him, ask Him to impress that upon your heart. Then spend time frequent time talking with Him about whatever is on your heart. You will soon feel Him calling to you. Respond to Him every time.  

He's there. He listens. He cares. 

Testing and Cousins

Clint's

Wendy's

A few years ago, I mentioned that Clint and I did our DNA testing with the health components. We learned we both have the muscle composition of elite competitive athletes, have great genes for health, none of the genes for many major diseases, and much, much more. It's been fun and informative!

The best part has been finding family we never knew we had, meeting some of them, and hearing the generational stories. 

Due to our existing genealogy research that led to family to our immediate south, we were both surprised to learn we have so many relatives in the northern and midwestern states. It's many more than represented on the maps. The map only shows those who have been tested not their parents, siblings, spouses, children, and grandchildren.

It's been an adventure, and it is continuing to bless us!  

Through FB, we have also been contacted several times by others looking for family. They weren't blood relatives, but we gladly welcomed them as friends and exchanged tips.

As more and more extended family and friends discover the blog, we would love hearing what is similar to and different from our immediate family. 

Over the last few years, we have been very blessed by all of our newest cousins and friends near and far and consider each of you a gift. We love you all! God is good!

what more could we possibly want

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Psalms 16:5-6

After learning I have a blog and it is called Contentment Acres, a good friend and homeschooling mother of eight shared with me that her life verse was Psalms 16:6. That prompted me to study the chapter which caused me to fall in love with the verse also. Over the course of a few days, I put it and some other quotes and verses in the sidebar of this blog as I studied what she had shared.

From the Benson commentary: “though they still covet more of God, never covet more than God; but, being satisfied they possess his loving-kindness, are satisfied with it, and envy not any their carnal mirth and sensual pleasures and delights, but account themselves truly happy in what they have, and doubt not but to be completely happy in what they hope for. And those whose lot is cast, as David’s was, in a land of light, in a valley of vision, where God is known and worshipped, have, upon that account, reason to say, the lines are fallen to them in pleasant places, much more they that have not only the means but the end not only Immanuel’s land, but Immanuel’s love.”

Dear Reader, what more could we possibly want than Immanuel's love? Do we fully realize the wealth we possess in Him? I don't think our minds can grasp the true measure. What more can we possibly give to each other than Him by sharing His love? How much more readily should we be lavashing it on each and every person we know with what time we have left to share it? This is one area we can all work to improve! My family and I are praying that you will share His love more readily with everyone He has placed in your life. I hope you pray the same for me and my family. 

Fervent

A fervent prayer 

will never 

get a cold reception from God. 

-William Gurnall

Grey's Crimes

Bethany's cat, Grey, jumped on the wire cage we were using before the aviary was built. He made it fall onto another surface leaving it leaning. It was at night, so no one heard it crash from upstairs. The doors stayed closed, but the very determined cat figured out he could force the bars apart by forcing his leg through. He forced his front leg through to the shoulder which had to have caused him quite a bit of pain. He hooked with his claws, pulled out, and killed four birds. I woke up to walk downstairs to find the body of a bird with its decapitated head lying next to it. 

The pictured bird was actually uninjured when we found it. It flew away from Bethany as she tried to catch it. Grey came out of hiding, lept in the air, and caught it in his mouth in a split second. It would have been a beautiful display of the cat's speed and graceful agility if it had not been so horrific for the poor bird! Bethany caught Grey and popped him on the head until he let the bird go. Grey was stubborn, so he got a few whacks. 

Bethany was very upset her cat destroyed the birds. She cried because she thought we'd make her find a new home for Grey. She finally heeded my instruction to work with Grey to make him a better house pet. He was causing more and more trouble, but she was afraid correcting him would make him not love her.

I figured the injured bird would die, but I wanted to give it a chance. Within 10 minutes, I had treated the wound and gave it topical and oral antibiotics. The first five days, the bird was hurting from the injury. I could see the hole and some bad bruising. It pulled the feathers away from the wound on one of those days. 

At one point, Clint said he would put it down because it looked very bad. I was in agreement. As soon as we spoke about it, the bird climbed off the floor and perched, so we decided to wait. We are glad we did!

The tough little bird lived!! I watched the hole fill in over two weeks. At first, it was traumatized and slept under something on the bottom of the cage to keep itself out of reach of any other cat paws. The first time I put it back in with the flock, they picked on her nonstop. I put her back into her wire cage. I thought I'd have to find it a home as a single pet instead of keeping it with our small flock. 

A few days later, I tried again, and the flock accepted it! That bird acts a little different from the others from time to time, probably because it was literally in the jaws of death, but it's doing OK. 

Gray was put through a training program for a week. He now does not go near the birds because Bethany worked with him consistently several times a day to teach him the birds were off limits. We remind him once a week at this point. He has the freedom of our home and farm, but he can not touch those birds.

Thankfully, our aviary was already under construction when this happened, so we quickly had a way to secure the birds better. I kept the injured bird beside me in a small cage 24/7 while it was healing. I didn't have a lot of hope those first few days, but I kept rooting for it.

When we decided to get the birds for our family, I told Bethany she would need to work with Grey to teach him not to mess with them. Bethany had a problem with disciplining Grey because she thought it would ruin their bond. She learned a little bit about parenting and taking in advice through this experience. She also learned how cats are very trainable if their owner will spend the time to teach them. She discovered Grey still loves her even though she had to be firm, and even sometimes a little harsh with him, to keep him within the boundaries. As a family, we discussed The Garden of Eden and the one rule they had to follow and why it is so important to fight our flesh to do the right things in our own lives. The rules seem like the limit us, but they really give us more than we thought possible.

Why did we get birds? Because we had them with Brandon and Amanda and again with our middle children. Now, we are giving our youngest a similar experience. I wanted less work and less mess in something more attractive than a wire cage with a "seed catcher" pinned around the bottom. The aviary with auto feed and water keep chores to a very minimal level while maximizing the beauty of the birds.

How to file for the $125 Equifax Breach

Just a quick note...

These links were shared with me. Thank you Linda! Check to see if your name was in the breach. If so, you can file for the $125 if you already have credit monitoring.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/25/8930233/equifax-data-breach-ftc-settlement-claim-sign-up-how-to

https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/file-a-claim

Mindlessly Mothering

First posted on: 5/10/17

Hannah and Emily came running in the house and breathlessly announced that Hannah had seen a "baby snake" at their bike ramp.

"How long was it?"

She spreads her fingers about 4 inches. Kind of small for a snake, but children aren't always the best judge of measurements. 

"What color was it?"

"Brown with black markings" was her reply.

In my state, that could possibly mean a copperhead or water moccasin, but I've never seen one at our place. However, they are not reptiles I want near where my children play. I've learned to be patient and gather as many facts as I can before responding in my decades of parenting.

"Will you please draw me a picture?"

Hannah drew the picture above, and I knew right away it was a Little Brown Skink which is a harmless creature. They can move so quickly; you can miss seeing their tiny legs and mistake them for a baby snake. 

Skinks are very beneficial to humans. They eat the bugs that destroy our crops and pests that invade our homes. I used this opportunity to teach my youngest two about the role of the skink and the God given responsibility of having dominion and stewardship over the earth. 

Now, I am not fond of slithery things, and I certainly do not not want them touching me. If they surprise me, I'll scream so loud you will hear it from where you sit. I'd be quite happy if I never came across another slithery thing. 

I was not given this job as a mother to teach my children about my preferences or aversions. I am to teach them God's unadulterated truth. So, I can't mindlessly mother. Mothering requires thoughtfulness and careful consideration of what God's Word says.

The truth is that we have been given dominion and stewardship over the earth and the creatures on it. We need to take the job as seriously as we do the other jobs He has given us like parenting, ministry, marriage, career, etc. 

If we react with fear or revulsion to every little creature we see, it can lead us to foolishly destroying the gifts God has given us in creation. Then, we lose the benefits God has in place. 

God says His thoughts and ways are much higher than mine, so I believe the benefits of letting creatures, like the Little Brown Skink, alone extend much further than I can imagine. 

I also believe God will bless us for slowing down in the course of our day to consider Him as we go along ...and also for choosing kindness over cruelty. 

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Prayers for Discernment, Please

We have another business meeting today. Prayers for discernment and leading are appreciated. Thank you!

Update 8:49 p.m.: This looks like a HUGE financial opportunity for us. Please pray for it to go through if it is God's will for our family and for Him to bless us from beginning to end.

Update 10:36 p.m.: This is something we have to do quickly if we are going to do it. Our associate worked with us to get the paperwork done just a few minutes ago. This person has been and continues to be an outstanding ally to our family in helping us make our dreams come true. We have a 10 day window to back out to protect our and others' interests, if needed. Please pray God throws up a big red flag or closes the door if this is not good for our family. We are trying so hard to do the right thing here. It's something we love doing and find exciting, but it is a little scary too.

Update 7/21: So far, so good. We learned this could potentially become two bigger opportunities with a smaller third opportunity...all rolled into one! We will see what God does here. There are several steps in the process. We are on our way, but if we see something we do not like, we can stop. There is a challenging language barrier, but we seem to be working through it. It is giving us more time to seek the Lord. We are asking God to open the door if it is good for us and to close it if it is not. We are trying to make sure we keep our hearts in a place where we want His will for us more than we want this deal. If this isn't the one He has for us, He will open the right door at the right time. We trust Him. He gives good gifts to His children. Please keep praying. As of what we see now, this looks like it will be good for the entire family, but we will continue seeking the Lord for discernment. 

7/22/2019: The language barrier is definitely complicating things business-wise. I assume we will have a better picture today but maybe not. It's OK. We've put this in God's Hands and will see how it unfolds. This was in my morning devotional: The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." –Psalms 32:8 

7/23/2019: No paperwork has been presented to us yet. We are still working through the language barrier. It seems their end of the business is not in order. We are going to go ahead and do our end and see what happens. If it works out, we will pursue this. If not, we will rest knowing God has something else planned. Someone has already presented us with another opportunity we can pursue if this doesn't go forward. We are sitting back and watching what God does. (It may be up to two weeks at this point before we have all of the information we need.)

7/25/2019: Things are looking very favorable. We need a couple of specific questions answered, and getting those can take a while. We had an issue getting one of these addressed. On that, we had one roadblock after another. We reached out to some friends with connections, and things started to happen! This deal could potentially become two bigger opportunities with a smaller third opportunity...all rolled into one. It's hard not to be excited and hopeful, but we truly want God's will. We don't want to make a mistake. Please keep praying as we do our part to make sure this is a good thing for our future. I am sorry to be ambiguous. It is necessary. 

A Thirsty Opossum

pict from early spring

This one got in the trap for the umpteenth time in early spring. 

It was healthy and active with no signs of disease, but I could not open the trap alone. It was a very warm day for spring, but our springs are like that. We both got a little overheated while we waited for someone to assist.

Once we let it go, it didn't run off like normal. It looked hot. It walked a few steps, turned around slowly and looked at me. 

"Huh, that's never happened. Poor thing is overheated, I bet."

I grabbed a bottle of water.

Ready to run in case I wasn't reading its body language correctly, I poured the water in a container and pushed it to the opossum with a garden hoe. I had read it correctly; it was thirsty.

It drank for a few seconds and tipped over the water. Ugh! 

Then it looked at me again. Pretty smart for a furry.

I grabbed another bottle of water from the house. It waited patiently and watched me closely. I was going to pour it into the dish, but Clint arrived and asked me to let him do it since he was wearing thick canvas pants. 

It didn't give Clint any problems. The opossum drank and drank and drank without tipping it over that time.

Then it looked at us for a long time, turned around, and quickly ran off on its way. It was a special encounter. It gave us its trust, and we gave it water.

We caught it again a few nights later. It's not THAT smart.

We can tell the opossums apart at this place due to the markings on their backs.

The wildlife is not an issue at this property. It's the feral cats we are working to remove. Everyone involved wants the natural wildlife at this place to keep their home.  

One Foot in Front of the Other

This life gets really hard. It can be difficult to keep pushing forward in some circumstances. Some days, you want to give up. 

My father passed on some wisdom he gained from the army.  He repeated it often over the course of my upbringing. It's one of the good things I carry with me.

"The army taught me how to march. Some days you need to just keep putting one foot in front of the other." 

I've tried to do that when the hard days came. 

Sometimes I'd repeat that to myself and add, "Just do the next thing."

The slow march keeps me in the race on the days I can't run well. 

But, it's OK that I'm a little slower than normal because...

I'm still moving forward, and I haven't given up.

I hope this helps you, dear reader, when you are struggling with life's hard circumstances. Life is a crazy ride! I hope you are able to "keep putting one foot in front of the other" on your hard days too. 

Nor do we have any right to boast over them

When we look at the ungodly, we are not to hate them-but to pity them, mourn over them, and pray for them. Nor do we have any right to boast over them; for, by nature, and of ourselves, we are no better than they. -John Newton

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that 

while we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8

A few young people were confused by the quote. I'll explain. We can't boast over them because we needed redemption through Jesus too. Without Jesus, we'd be in the same place as they. "Of ourselves,"meaning without Christ, we would be just as lost as they. With Jesus, we are redeemed and made heirs with Christ. We pity them because they do not understand the profound difference Jesus makes to our present and our future.

Growth

Grape leaves are nom nom!

It is hard to believe Little Jo, our Sulcata aka African Spurred Tortoise, was so small when we brought her home a few years ago. She has really been growing in the last few months.

Local Friends

If you are local and need a place to get out of the heat, you are welcome to come here. We have a cool home, food, drinks, plenty of entertainment, a pool, and lots of love and friendship. If you can't come on your own, we can pick you up. If you can't leave home, we have a couple of extra window units and a portable a/c you are welcome to borrow. We'll deliver.

Maggie Loves Us All

Maggie gets so happy when the oldest two come home. She stays beside them until they leave. If they are both here at the same time, she will rotate back and forth between them. She is tiny but has been a big blessing to our family in many ways during the seven years we have had her. We have other dogs of different sizes on our farm, but none of them are as special as Maggie!

Thank you, Angie!

Smiling big today! I am blessed to have some of 
this talented lady's artwork in my home! 
Thank you so much, Angie J.! 
I love it and will treasure it always! 
The rest of the family loves it too! 
I love you too!!

Awakening Needed

...to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 

Acts 26:17-18

Father, please open people's eyes to the enemy's lies and Your Truth.

From My Scribble Pad 2

I never finished the dead rise (traditional fishing vessel), 
but they are commonly seen on the water in my area.

Regrind

This is a partial collection of the different types of food industry plastic Amanda works with in her job. She can tell you the name, what chemicals it is made from, temperatures it is workable at, what product types it is used for, and what processes shapes each. Amanda works with other managers to lead a 12 hour night shift team of people, keeps track of production and downtime, monitors the machines for issues, makes reports containing various types of information, meets with other leaders to discuss and work through problems, talks directly with mechanics, engineers, and electricians to resolve issues, etc. 

Amanda is licensed to drive a forklift and changes rolls of material that weigh two tons and up. She works with dangerous chemicals and extremely high temperatures. She is the youngest person in leadership there. 

Amanda has had to work through language barriers. She's had to navigate through older people not liking her because of her age or gender or both, sexual advances and inappropriate touching, racial discrimination, jealousy of lazy workers who envied her promotions, people foisting their responsibilities on her, etc. She had an entire year of a woman openly mistreating her. She took my advice of not retaliating but enduring and representing Christ. I suggested she find ways to be nice to the person which Amanda did.

One of the reasons Amanda got the promotions she has so young is because she would take thick manuals home and read them on her days off to increase her knowledge of the job. When she shared knowledge or answered questions beyond her then-current position in interviews, the hiring bosses gave the promotions to her because she was showing the initiative and drive they wanted. She arrives early and leaves late. When her responsibilities are filled, she looks for a way to help a co-worker with their task. Every report from her boss continues to declare that she is "excelling in the workplace." 

I don't see Amanda at work, but I do get pictures sometimes. She asked a co-worker to video her using a fork lift just for me. I see her up close after work now and then and know from her fatigue she is giving 100%+. Then she makes time to help her family and friends. She really is an incredible physically and mentally strong young woman. I see so much of her daddy in her tenacious spirit, mechanical abilities, and outstanding work ethic. I am thankful to be her mother and have this up close view of her life. 

If you have purchased fruit cups, coffee pods, convenience snack containers, packaged ready to eat salads from a grocery store, etc you have used a product that has passed directly through the place she works. Some of the brands are Coca Cola, Kraft, Frito Lay, Hershey, and ect. They supply many well known grocery chains that sell their own fresh products (deli, salads, etc) and companies that sell pet food, snack foods, coffee, cereal, and more. 

Break Time

OBX sunset from the dune line

We met our goal, so we are getting a treat! 

Clint and I have tried on a regular basis to getaway together once a month except for November and December which are too busy with holidays. Sometimes January or one of our family "birthday" months are too chaotic too. If there is a holiday we observe as a family at the beginning of the month, like July 4th, we do something together towards the end of the month. Vice versa goes too. 

Much of the time it's been low key. When our children were little, they'd be inside watching tv or sleeping, while we'd recline on the trampoline watching shooting stars while talking and holding hands. We still like sitting on one of the pretty beaches within five minutes from home or watching a Wallops Island rocket launch from a place just a mile from our home. Other times, it involves a rental house or a room at a resort somewhere scenic with fine dining. We make the time, and then find something to do that fits in with our interests and budget. 

We make time for each other on the daily, weekly, and yearly (anniversary) level too. We have two hours that are just "for us" every day. It really doesn't matter what we are doing. It's the frequent space of time we have blocked out to focus on each other that is key. It's the attitude that "life is going to have to wait a while" because we will get "our time" together. We place a high value on our relationship. Knowing we get a little break together also helps us mentally through the super busy days.

Clint and I are blessed with a very full and very active life that seems to only be getting fuller and busier. While it's good things, it also means we get worn out. There is always so much vying for our time and attention. A Christian marriage should not be pushed aside in the busy-ness of life. It should be kept on the front burner of life and tended to regularly. 

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 
Matthew 19:4-6

It has been and still is...

I purchased this for our master bedroom.
What a grand adventure it has been!

God put us together and led us to live outside 

of many of the normal parameters of society.

We followed, and the blessings just kept coming..and are still coming.

More Progress

To those who know what our snail represents...
and the exciting journey we have been on... 
and have alluded to in the past...

we've made a big "slide" ahead!!

Dreams do become realities!

Thank you Lord!

To those who have been cheering us onward and praying us through, thank you!
Hopefully I can share the snail again in the future! 

Knowing God has already made a clear path for us to duplicate this experience is encouraging us even on the very tiring days.

Let us not become weary in doing good, 
for at the proper time 
we will reap a harvest 
if we do not give up. 
Galatians 6:9

5 gallon buckets make giving practical gifts easy

filled with food and paper products
The bucket in the picture is a little dusty from waiting to be used. I buy them in bulk to have them on hand and use them as needed. I wiped it off before I gave it away.

I can get a 5 gallon bucket and lid in my area for less than $5.

My local Walmart and Lowes carry food grade quality buckets in case you are looking for bulk food storage.

Sometimes restaurants will give them away for free.

5 gallon buckets make giving practical gifts easy. You can put the lid on the top or wedge it between the goods like I did in the picture.

A blanket, gloves, small plastic tarp, toiletries, bottles of water, and pop top canned food with some change and a gospel tract work well for the homeless. The bucket serves as a seat or a table and offers dry storage of goods.

Car cleaning supplies in a bucket make a good gift for a new driver or car owner.

It is a great way to take gifts to college students. I've even had one friend make a cushioned top for extra seating in a dorm room. 

Fill one with baby supplies for new parents.

Kitchen and cleaning supplies go over nicely for new homeowners.

A teacher was happy to get one filled with classroom supplies.

Electrolytes, crackers, tissues, cough drops, OTC medicines, magazines, things to keep young children busy, easy to heat meals are helpful to families with illnesses. There are times when large families appreciate the extra bucket.

I do not know anyone who can't use another bucket for storage or utility needs. I personally prefer using buckets instead of wrapping paper and gift bags. It is worth the few dollars more to keep trash out of the landfill and give something practical.

Who do you know that can benefit from a gift whether for a physical need or as cheerful encouragement? How can you share the gospel with someone new to you this week? I challenge you to respond to the need you see.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Acts 20:35 

Reach Out Today and Build Someone Up

Always encourage others as often as you can as soon as you can. Build them up. Most people are their own worst critics, and our words that build can be the balm that soothes their hurt places and gives them strength for whatever trials they are facing. That doesn't mean we ignore or condone sin, but we can find good things in everyone to encourage them.

Most people are harder on themselves than one would ever be towards a friend. Most of us do not see ourselves accurately until someone is brave enough to say what good qualities they see in us. I am not talking about ear tickling words of flattery but genuine soul loving truth that builds up a person. 

• "I love how you always think the best of others." 
• "Your smile can light up a room!" 
• "The way you handled yourself has changed my thinking about those facing that type of kind of battle." 
• "You are such a great encourager!" 
• "The way your faith carries you through things gives me confidence that I will survive trials in my own life." 
• "I so admire how you took a battle and turned it into a ministry." 
• "Your level of patience in that situation is amazing!" 
• "You inspire me to live better." 
• "Edifying others is one of your gifts." 
• "Thank you for being such a faithful and hard worker. I appreciate your dedication." 
• "Your care for me while I was sick was better than I ever hoped to receive.   Thank you!"
• "I admire how you stood by and loved James during his difficult last days. It was a beautiful example of God's perfect timing and perfect love."

Don't put off the opportunity to say good words to others. No one can hear what you say about them at their funeral. Say them now while your words matter and can do them good. The people in your life are just as needful of your encouraging words as you are of theirs.

Dear Reader, I challenge you to call, text, or email at least one person today and share with them a quality of theirs you admire or respect. It will give a boost in their day..and yours! Be a genuine and caring friend to someone today!

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

On the way from Pampano Beach!!

7/11/2019 10:29 p.m.:

How exciting!
Thank you everyone!!
I don't know if I can sleep tonight for the excitement!
A new adventure awaits starting tomorrow morning!



Another 20 year dream come true!
Thank you!

If you aren't afraid to look...

Everything that irritates us in others, 
can lead to an understanding of ourselves. 
Karl Jung

Thank you Suffolk Friends

A big Thank You to all of my friends in Suffolk today! There's nothing like being in your old 'hood with your homies! I really appreciate your kind words, compliments, and encouragement to keep going as the Lord has led. We're seeing some big things happening in our personal lives, in our children's lives, in our extended family's lives, and in our ministry. The next year or so is going to be very exciting!

Engine Study or Spontaneous Teaching

picts were taken in March
I am very behind on sharing pictures.

The girls loved the engine study (affiliate link) and learned a lot!

I intended to teach so I could pick up more knowledge about engines. I asked Bethany to prep the first lesson for me while I paid bills online. Before I could finish, she had started teaching herself and her sisters from the manual which gave explanations of the parts. I got ready to jump in and felt that quiet voice tell me to reap the fruit of my years of labor while she learned to teach. So, I quietly watched because gaining knowledge and then giving it in a way others can comprehend easily is also a valuable skill for Bethany to acquire.

Amanda dropped by on another day while lessons were in progress. She had worked a 12 hour midnight shift. I saw the tiredness leave her face as she jumped in and excitedly took over sharing her knowledge. She has inherited her grandfather's and father's natural mechanical ability. Amanda has torn down and rebuilt an engine with guidance and very, very limited help from Clint. She is very good at car repair and often helps others for free as a personal ministry. When Amanda was finished with the lesson, I told her she was a natural teacher. She did very well breaking down what she knows for her younger sisters. 

The Gift of Miracle

'Ne’er shall thy now expiring puss forget

To thy kind care her long-enduring debt,

...

Nay, e’en at founts of cream shall sullen swear,

Since thou, her more loved master, art not there.’

An Old Cat's Dying Soliloquy Anna Seward

Last night, an era of 17 years ended as we said "goodbye" to our tortoise shelled cat Miracle. When she was younger, she was Queen of the Farm and a mighty hunter of rats, weasels, rabbits, and snakes. She was also a huge pain in the butt who seemingly teleported through walls to get into the house where her "too smart for her own good" mind would get her into trouble. Fast as lightning, she stole many meals of chicken in those early days. 

She was fascinated and tender with our babies. She never reacted to a pulled tail or yanked ear or a toddler falling on her. As they grew, she would follow our children around the yard or into the woods. She rode on bikes, swung in swings, went down slides, and tolerated a bouncing trampoline to stay close to them. She was dressed up in doll clothes, put on rolling toys, and played with remote control cars. The laser pointer had her climbing furniture and walls trying to capture the ever evasive red dot. She also found a way indoors to spend the night or take naps with "her" children. She loved all of our children so much. If they weren't around, she'd hang out with me as I gardened forcing me to take breaks to give her a good scratch and petting. When Clint worked on the cars, she was either on or under them. When she couldn't be indoors, she'd sit by an open window so she could hear us. She loved staying close to any or all of us.

For the last few years, she had to live indoors. She lost her reign to a younger cat and needed us to protect her from felines, wildlife, and the cold. At first, she was too regal to use the litter box, so she would go to the door and meow impatiently to go out. Even in her last days, she appreciated someone sitting with her on the deck so she could enjoy the sights, sounds, and sunlight. Mostly, she loved to find one of us sitting down and would climb into our warm laps for some tender attention and a a nap. 

A few of the things she taught us are:

• Miracles really do happen, hence her name.
• Seven year olds believe prayers will be answered simply because, "I asked Him to do it."
• Guard cats and welcome committees do exist: an unruly new dog 12xs her size got a sudden, sharp, and lingering lesson in who she was and the respect that would be shown to her human family. 
• Loyalty comes on four legs too.
• Cats can be trained to leave quail, chicks, and ducklings alone. Even when they escaped a brooder, she just knew they were off limits.
• Cats do not pick just one person, as it is often claimed. They can and do choose a whole family to love.
• A cat can be smart enough to stay hidden in a vehicle for 8 hours until you reach your camping destination and then pop out like "You almost forgot me!" 
• Tough young men can tenderly care for an aged old feline.
• When our strength fails, a defiant attitude can carry us further 
• A twitching feline tail can be the equivalent of a human eye roll.
• When a furry friend is really, really mad at you, they sit with their back to you.
• Real love does not hold onto anger for long, but it does insist on neck scratches.
• Sunbeams, aka prime napping spots, are always found in a high traffic area.
• Insistent meows make very effective alarm clocks.
• A pool full of water is something at which one can hiss.
• That which is insanely irritating can become loved and cherished with time.
• No matter how much we wish for different, all good things do come to an end.
• A tired 50 year old man will sleep in a weird position all night so the old cat with aching joints can get a good rest while laying on him.
• The right thing to do can be the hardest thing to do.

She was such an aggravating pest in those early years! She got into trash cans, stole food, hid inside to wake us up in the middle of the night when she wanted to go out, climbed the screens, etc. You know, I'd go through it all again just to get those last few years with her. I miss her already. We all will for a long time.

Miracle gave our family 17 years of enjoyment. She watched our children grow up. She was the pet that knew them all and loved them all. I believe God has a plan for our pets because of what I read of His tenderness and attention towards us and His creatures in Scripture. I believe we may see them again. Maybe the rest of the Asbell children are enjoying her now?  

Thank you, Lord, for the love, joy, laughter, and memories Miracle brought to our family. She was an incredible gift even if I did not see it right away. That fire inside of her got her into so much trouble, but it carried her very well in the end. What a strong will and determined spirit she had! I so am thankful, that 17 years ago, you answered my weary prayer to spare that broken kitten and worked that miracle right in front of my and my children's eyes. Thank you too for allowing me to see my children, in the middle of their very busy days, stop and tend to their old friend's needs so patiently and tenderly.  

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17