Sad Mamma Kitty, Happy Us

Our five kittens are gone. The two male kittens left today for a country home, they will be the only two that will be outside kitties and their new owner is hoping that they will be good hunters like their mamma. The three females went before Christmas and were to be inside cats.  We think that our favorite of the five, a female, is now living in Fort Worth, her new owner was just visiting here in Brownwood. That one is going to be spoiled and has a little Yorkie to play with.

The question of the day is how do you tell a mamma kitty that her babies are no longer here but they are OK? Though she is currently quiet, Patches has been walking around the house and calling them. She has done this after every departure but this is the first time that no kittens at all responded. She is sad because she can't find them. We are happy because they have all gone to good homes. We think she will adjust soon and my logical mind says that she does still have Coal and Toki, though I don't think she is thinking of them as her babies anymore.

We've got to say that God answered our prayers. We had gotten attached to these kittens and asked God to provide good homes for them, and He did. We were disappointed when only three went before Christmas, but if they had all gone before Christmas then this family who just lost their male cat wouldn't have been able to take these last two. God's perfect timing, even with distribution of kittens. We had some that needed a new home, and God made sure that people who had a home and wanted a kitten saw our ad. Isn't it great that we can trust God with every aspect of our lives no matter how big or small?  Even with providing homes for cats. With that in mind, whatever your need might be right now, don't hesitate to tell God about it and ask Him to provide.

Hallelujah, God be praised

This morning we attended a special Christmas service at our church. Scripture was read, readings shared, and songs were sung. Among the songs were many traditional Christmas hymns, but one of a different variety touched my heart today. Searching the internet for the words we sang this morning was a challenge. I discovered that the song itself has many different versions with most of them being nothing I would sing. But the version this morning was about Christ's birth and His reason for coming.

I had heard the song before and knew the somewhat haunting tune, so singing along was easily done with the words before me on the screen . . . until we reached the last verse. I could only stand there awed by the truth of the words "I know you came to rescue me. This baby boy would grow to be a man and one day die for me and you. My sins would drive the nails in You, that rugged cross was my cross too, still every breath You drew was Hallelujah".

Hallelujah means "God be praised, an expression of worship and rejoicing". I looked it up to be certain of the meaning. I know the truth that Christ came to this earth to rescue me from sin, and I often think of Christ suffering for me on the cross, the cross that I so much deserve, but to think that maybe while He was suffering He was whispering the word Hallelujah, praising God, worshiping and rejoicing that my redemption would soon be completed . . .  how could this be? How could Jesus possibly be praising and worshiping God while my sins were in the process of covering Him?

You won't find it in the scripture where His last words are recorded, but I know Him personally, and whether He said the word verbally or not I'm convinced that His heart surely shouted Hallelujah, God be praised. I can only sit here with tears in my eyes doing some worshiping and praising of my own. With a thankful heart I repeat Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.


Lyrics can be viewed at:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/cloverton/ahallelujahchristmas.html

Or listen to a beautiful recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuNAknMZlqo

Who's on your ladder?

The week of Thanksgiving I had a couple extra days off.  The bedroom needed a new coat of paint so out came the paint, brushes, plastics to protect stuff, and that all important ladder to help reach the top of the walls. It didn't take long for Toki and Coal to come find out what was going on. Coal got bored quickly but Toki wanted to be there, just to keep an eye on things. Based on the blog title, you have probably guessed that the best place from which to watch was high up on the ladder.

Except for those times when I needed to use the ladder, it was a great place for her to be because I knew she wasn't underfoot or leaning her little body against the wet paint. Granted, those times when I made her get off she kept an eye on the ladder for an opening to get back on, but she patiently waited and didn't leave the room. She didn't say anything, she was just there keeping me company and listening when I talked to her. She didn't help with the painting, and in fact got in the way a few times, but her presence did make a tiresome job a little bit brighter. 

As I pondered her "assistance" I thought about the many people who have been there for me. Not sitting on a ladder staring at my every move of course, but just being there. Many times when I have had to do something I didn't really want to do, or I was going through a difficult time in my life, there was a friend or two willing to just hang around with me. Step in with the work if that is what I needed, sit and chat for awhile, or just lend me their ear so I could talk it out myself.

I'm reminded that when I know someone is struggling a bit with life, I just need to be there for them. They probably don't need my mouth as much as they need my ears so I don't need to be concerned that I don't know what to say, and if I can help with whatever is going on that's great, but if I can't just my presence may be encouraging. I think I'm going to try and keep an eye out for those God given opportunities to help someone else along the way, whether it's by jumping in to help get a job done or just quietly staying by their side. I hope you'll look for those opportunities as well.

Kittens @ 1 month

Here are some pictures of the new kittens at 1 Month old. They are starting to drink milk and come out in the open more. We have started socializing them and are trying to get them to use the litter box although that is hard with them outside. They should be ready for new homes at Christmas. 

A Cutie

A lot like her mother

All five

Four of them

Don't let their innocent looks fool you

Sometimes these cats drive me nuts.  I make my wishes known that they don’t stick their claws in my leg, don’t eat the plants, sharpen their claws on the cat tree not the furniture, stay off the table, etc. Yet when I turn my back what are they doing?  Exactly the things that they know I don’t want them to do.  When I make eye contact or raise my voice they are on the run because they know that they are in trouble.

We’re just like that sometimes aren’t we?  It all started with Adam and Eve. God told them what they could do, and what they could not do. What happened?  Even though they spent a lot of time with God, and they knew that He loved them, they did exactly what He told them not to do and then they hid because they knew they were in big trouble.

I carry those same traits.  Though I want to do what is right, holy and true to my Lord, my sinful nature jumps out there and I do or say something I should not.  I’m in good company because Paul wrote that he had the same problem (Roman 7:15) “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (ESV).

When I mess up God is there waiting for me to recognize my sin and confess, His arms are open to welcome me back.  I’m glad that when I honestly say “I’m sorry” God responds “You’re forgiven my child, I love you”.

Kittens! Again...

Well, we fully intended to get Patches fixed so there would be no more kittens but alas it didn't happen for one reason or another. Either it was too soon or she was still nursing or we just could not catch her and get her delivered to the Vet. Maybe this time we will be successful.

We went on the camping trip knowing that she was close to having them and sure enough when we came home she was skinnier. She would eat and then disappear. When we finally found where she had them they were right in the yard by the shed.

 The top picture is where they were when we found them. They were all cuddled up in the grass next to the shed. We put some towels in a box and after Patches went inside and checked it out, she moved them and the bottom picture is her moving one of the kittens. I figure they were born on October 23rd and that puts less than 5 months between litters. We may be trying to give them away by Christmas so if you want one let us know.

Anniversary camping trip

We haven't been camping in a while so we decided that our 29th anniversary was a good reason to go. We loaded up the cats and put stuff in the 5th wheel and we were off to Lake Proctor. The only park open right now is Sowell Creek and it is one of our favorites. Above is our campsite. This lake is an Army Corps of Engineers  lake with a  primary purpose of flood control. The floods of 2015 and 2016 took their toll and there is a lot of damage at all 3 parks. We enjoyed it anyway and they are hoping for budget money to repair the damage and get all 3 parks open again.

Sunsets were beautiful and the stars are brilliant on dark nights. We really enjoyed the colors and we had beautiful weather for the whole trip.

Deer were numerous, especially in the evening when they were moving and feeding. These are just a few.

This birdhouse on a tree may have been damaged by the flooding but Martha thought it was photo worthy

This is an American white pelican

I had not ever seen the white pelican but at our creek house on the Texas coast we have many Brown Pelicans. We have since sold that place but will get to visit it again next year.

   

Anyone recognize this bug?

And here is a final sunset picture. This is a great park with reasonable prices and especially so if you have a National Park pass. Hopefully the other parks will be open next year.