Giveaway

Hey everyone! I'm currently following a blog that is doing a really neat giveaway of some very pretty, very feminine flexi hair clips! Please visit Jenna's blog: Feminine Farmgirl and check out this awesome giveaway!  ~Sarah

Praying with a Purpose!

So, I have a prayer list with many, many names on it. When I would begin to pray, I would always find it hard to remember all the names without having my list right in front of me. So, I broke all the names down into categories (friends, relatives, neighbors, etc.). Then I assigned a different category to each day of the week. Here's my modified list:

P ersonal & family on Sunday
R elatives on Monday
A uthorities & government on Tuesday
Y our friends on Wednesday
E ach neighbor on Thursday
R eligious leaders & church family on Friday
S tudiers (those we are studying the Bible with) on Saturday

And, yes, it does spell PRAYERS! This has been a wonderful help me. Now, rather than praying haphazardly, I am learning to PRAY with a PURPOSE! These are the kind of prayers that God loves to answer.

Newspaper Article & Review

Hey everyone! I'm sooo excited! Our local newspaper just printed a story about my book! You can read it by clicking HERE.

Also, an anonymous 9-year-old girl rated and reviewed my book on Barnes & Noble (HERE). It is so helpful when someone does this since it boosts the book's popularity. So, if you've read my book and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate it if you could rate and review it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or the publisher's website (or all three).

Thanks so much, and God bless!
~Sarah

Rate/Revew Please!

Hey everyone! If any of you have read and enjoyed my newly released book, "Learning Lessons From Furry Friends," it would be a big help to me if you would rate and review it on Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble. That would really help boost the popularity of the book. Thanks, and I really appreciate it!

Contrasting Descriptions

My last English assignment had me write two descriptive paragraphs that contrasted each other. Here is the finished product:

Why don’t you pay an unexpected visit at my dream house? First, how I like to think it will be; and second, how it will most likely more realistically be.

You drive down the long lane past the pasture where the horses, goats, and sheep graze contentedly. Chickens greet you with merry cackles from their tidy chicken pen. My oldest daughter opens the door to welcome you in. The house is quiet and the three younger children are playing lovingly together in the prettily-painted den full of neatly arranged toys. The four school-aged children are studying studiously in the little “classroom” upstairs. My daughter calls me from my clean kitchen where I have dinner bubbling happily on the stove. You quickly peek through the open bathroom door. It’s unmistakably spick and span. You glance around. The bright sunshine streams through the big bay window and dances on the large dining room table. The warm summer breezes blow through an open window, filling the house with the aroma of outdoors. You are completely charmed by the house’s tidiness and your hostess’s calmness and composure at your unexpected arrival.

You drive down the long driveway past an empty pasture. You find the nickering horses, and bleating goats and sheep pressing close to the pasture gate. The cackling and fluttering chickens are creating complete chaos in the chicken pen. You conclude that I have not had time to feed them yet. A loud wailing from an unhappy child drowns your polite knock. Finally, you just enter the house, and try to gain the attention of my oldest daughter, who is rushing about a cluttered kitchen trying to throw together something edible for dinner. My three younger children are arguing noisily in the den over whose turn it is to play with their favorite toy. They needn’t have—there are plenty of other toys strewn all over the floor. My oldest daughter finally notices your presence, and she hurries upstairs to call me from the school lesson I am trying to patiently explain. While you are waiting you quickly peek through the open bathroom door, and then wish you hadn’t. I finally arrive, and try to apologize for the mess. I invite you to sit down and make yourself comfortable—that is, if you can find a vacant chair. You quickly apologize for dropping by unexpectedly, and assure me that you won’t—you mean can’t—stay long! You sigh with relief as you leave, and sincerely hope that I will see better days!

I sure had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope it put a smile on your face, as it did on mine!

HOT Off the Press!!!

My children's book of true animal stories of our pets titled "Learning Lessons From Furry Friends" is NOW! AVAILABLE! on Amazon: (click here)--sorry the picture isn't up yet, but that's coming soon, Barnes & Noble: (click here) , and the publisher's website: (click here). I am so excited, and so happy! Thank you everyone for your support, and I hope you will read and enjoy it!! If you do, perhaps you could post a rating and review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble to help boost the popularity of the book. I would greatly appreciate that! I am so excited and praising the Lord that I am now an official author! YAHOO!!! Also remember that Christmas is coming soon, and these would make wonderful Christmas presents for your children, grandchildren, young nieces or nephews, or any children you know! ENJOY!!

P.S. If you look around, you will also find this book available in hardcover on the same websites.

Fire

Nothing could be cozier

Than by the fire sitting;

Toasting in its cozy warmth

And reading books or knitting.

While staring at the flickering flames

The imagination runs

To faraway lands and places and

To worlds with other suns.

And listening to the crackling wood—

So comforting the sound!—

It soothes our troubled, anxious thoughts,

And peace at last is found.

We all should pray that in our hearts

A steady fire would burn;

A flame that fills us with God’s warmth

As souls to Him we turn.

A Tail of Salvation

(Adapted from a true story told by Missionary Pastor Scott Griswold)

There was in Cambodia,
Not long ago,
A little, brown mongrel
Who liked to go
To the sewer drain puddle--
He'd roll and he'd splash!
But when he came home
How he hated his bath!

His kind, loving master
Was gentle, yet firm;
While covered in soap suds,
Jip would wiggle and squirm!

When the bath was all done,
And Jip was all dry,
His master would kindly
Explain to him why.
"You know Jip, I've warned you
To not go away;
That a bath you would get
If you went anyway.
If you'd resist the temptation
You'd always be clean!
And you never would have
Another bath like we've seen."

With a hug and a squeeze,
After saying this much,
Jip's master would put him
To bed in his hutch.
With a last word to bid him,
"Please stay put all night!"
His master stood up
And walked out of sight.

* * * * *

It had been a long and hard day
For Jip's kindly master.
He'd been out on house calls
For he was a pastor.
When he came in the house,
Whistling a song,
He found Joelle crying
And knew something was wrong!
"What's wrong--why the tears,
My daughter so dear?"
"Oh, Daddy, it's Jip,
He isn't here!"

A thought came to Daddy
Of the dog-catching group,
Who would steal dogs and take them
To make into soup!
And then he remembered
That old, rundown shack!
So he jumped on his bike
And began peddling back.
His previous hunger
And weariness forgot,
Daddy prayed that his pup
Would be saved from the pot!

When Daddy reached the shack
He found it was locked!
But, hoping and praying,
He reached up and knocked.
Then to his delight
The door opened a crack!
"Where is my dog? May I
Please have him back?"

"I ain't got your dog!"
The burly man growled.
But Jip heard his master--
How he whined and he howled!

"May I please see the dogs
That you have in that bin?"
So the old man reluctantly
Let Daddy in.
Daddy peered in the box
And—oh! Could it be?
Amidst doggy faces
What did he see?

"It's Jip, my own Jip!"
Daddy scooped up his pet,
Though he smelled like the sewer
And was still dripping wet!

"Hey, that one's my dog!"
The old man persisted,
"But you can buy him from me,"
And a high price was listed.

"I'll pay it all!
For Jip I'll be glad!"
And so Daddy paid
Every cent that he had!

Then with Jip in his arms
And a smile on his face,
Daddy made his way home
With a quickening pace.

With Jip in the tub
All lathered with soap,
Jip’s master was quiet,
Then thoughtfully spoke:
“Jip, we’re often like you
With our big sin puddle;
While the devil does tempt,
Entice, and befuddle.

“But our heavenly Father
Is patient and true!
He never gives up--
He waits for you!
And when you do come
He welcomes you in,
And gives you a 'bath'
To cleanse you of sin.

“Then one day He finds
That you haven't come back!
That you are a prisoner
In the devil's old shack!
But the devil persistently
Claims you are his!
Christ cannot have you
Unless a high price He gives!

“So by death on a cross
Christ pays His all,
So you can have life
By heeding His call!”

It is needless to say
That Jip never returned
To the sewer drain puddle—
His lesson he’d learned!

Are you, dear friend,
Wallowing in sin?
Then remember Jip’s story
And a new life begin.
Come to the Lord!
Do linger or wait!
The day will soon come
When it’s too late!
If you give Him your heart
Then a new heart He’ll give.
And He'll give you the strength
A new life to live!

(The "tail" end!)

My Book Completion

The completion of my book "Learning Lessons From Furry Friends" is VERY near! I just have to finish approving the final draft of it, and then it will be DONE!!! It should start appearing on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the publisher's website no later than Monday, October 24th, 2011. The Lord has certainly done great things for me, and I am very glad. He has answered so many of my prayers, and this is one of them! All the glory goes to HIM!!

Poetical Paragraph

So, here's one of my English assignments: Write a descriptive paragraph that uses poetic devices such as rhyming words, alliteration, and assonance. Here is what I produced:

The Pagan or the Pure

          Picture with me a woman. She rides upon a brilliantly bright-colored beast. It is not that hard to find her. We just look for her incredible crowd of followers and she is in their midst. She is clothed in a tight-fitting, bright-glittering, low-cut gown of purple and scarlet. She fairly glints in the sunshine, as its rays reflect off her necklaces of pearls, golden earrings, and her rings set with diamonds and rubies. She gazes boldly and seducingly at her followers, and then laughs loudly and boisterously as she sips drunkenly from the immense golden cup of wine in her hand. Now contrast that picture with this one. Another woman, very beautiful, stands on the barren wastelands of the moon. Her long, flowing garment, draped modestly yet becomingly about her, is woven from the purest rays of the sun itself. Her wispy, wavy hair tumbles about her slender shoulders, and a garland of shining stars rests on her brow. Her features are soft and gentle, and her eyes are chastely cast downward. One woman represents the pagan Babylonian church, while the other represents the pure bride of Christ Himself—His church; His people. Which one are you?

(Taken from Revelation 17:3-6 & 12:1)

Planning a Story

For those of you who love to write, do you ever remember sitting down by your pad of paper or at your computer and just starting to write a story out of the blue?

"It was a beautiful, sunny day. Little Mary Seuffert was skipping merrily down the sidewalk when suddenly . . ."

You had no idea what was going to happen next, or even how your story was going to end. You remember the kind, don't you? 

Well, if you're still writing those kinds of stories (which I admit are extremely fun to write, as you get to experience the story as you write it), I have some very helpful hints for you! For the past week in English/literature class I have been planning a story. Here is what I have learned in 10 easy steps:

Step 1: Describe your main character (MC) -
Your story really should include only one MC. Your readers should become very familiar with this person, and the story should follow him/her consistently. Your description should include the MC's appearance (height, hair color, eye color, etc.) and inner traits (cheerful, tidy, studious, etc.). You most likely won't state these descriptions in the story, but will rather tell them ("Caleb brushed his unruly hair out of his eyes, and ambled aimlessly down the hall."). You may not even mention all of the descriptions you wrote, but your list will keep you from being untrue to you character (such as, "Michael hurried diligently to finish his chores . . ." and later, "He replied sullenly, 'Do I have to mow the lawn Dad?'").

Step 2: List other characters, giving brief descriptions of more important ones -
A few other characters should be given brief descriptions, such as your MC's family, a friend that plays a role in the story, or the MC's opponent. Everyone else, if they play no important role in the story, will only be mentioned with a name in the story, and not described (the next-door neighbor, the pastor, minor acquaintance, etc.).

Step 3: Define what age level the story is for - 
Make sure your story is comprehensible for the age level you are writing for. Children need lots of dialogue, lots of word "pictures," lots of descriptions, and NO big words unless they are defined (this would not fit very well in a children's book: "She elegantly descended the curving flight of stairs, and glared condescendingly at her unrefined visitor."). Stories for youth still need adjective descriptions and some dialogue, but can use bigger words. Adults do not need dialogue to find stories interesting, but they usually still like adjective descriptions and big words. Also make sure the plot of your story will interest the age level you specify, and make your MC the same age as you are writing for.

Step 4: Write the theme of the story, and the lesson it will teach -
A good story should carry one theme and end with one lesson. Do not get sidetracked while writing. If you story is about treating parents with respect, do not include a side lesson on forming good habits.

Step 5: Write the setting of the opening scene, and the opening scene (OS) itself -
The setting should be something like, "A sunny afternoon in a small town." Do not write word for word what the OS in the actual story will say, instead write what you want it to say (instead of "It was a beautiful, sunny day. Little Mary Seuffert was . . ." write "Mary Seuffert skips down the sidewalk when she hears a forlorn meow coming from the bushes. She goes over to investigate . . ."). All the adjectives and style will come later when you actually write the story.

Step 6: Chronologically write the incidents of crisis that will lead to the ending of your story -
Again, don't write these incidents word for word. Tell what will happen. These incidents are not written in stone. As you are actually writing your story, if you find that one incident doesn't fit well, or needs to be changed in order to flow, change it or delete it by all means. This plan that you are writing is only to help you be consistent in your writing, and give you an idea of where you story is headed. 

Step 7: Write your story! -
Now comes the fun part! Try to keep your characters consistent! Don't get off on tangents that have no bearing on the outcome of your story (for example, don't write of an incident where Cassie borrows a book and accidentally ruins it, and then must replace it, when the moral of your story is about Cassie overcoming her habit of telling lies). Make sure your story flows, and don't stick so rigidly to your plan that you can't change it to help the story proceed smoothly. 

Step 8: Write a catching title -
The title of your story should not give away the outcome of you story ("Mary Rescues an Abandoned Cat"). It should also not be longer than 5 words ("Mary Hears a Meow and Investigates"). Make use of alliteration, rhyming words, or words whose rhythm flows ("Mary and the Meow" (alliteration); "That Cat!" (rhyme); "Investigating Pays" (flowing rhythm). 

Steps 9: Make sure your story has a moral -
Have fun, and use your imagination! But most of all, make sure that your story glorifies our heavenly Father. Don't write about things that have no bearing on eternal salvation (such as, "The Trick I Played on Mother."). Don't write about disobedience or other wrong things unless they are corrected in the end. Make sure the reader of your story will come away changed!

Step 10: Be prayerful! -
Pray that God will use you to impact someone's life!

My School Today

Hey everyone! Today's post is just a random collection of the interesting things that happened in school today. These are the things that make school fun and enjoyable to me.

Mathematics: I got an A+ (98%) today (with the Lord's help!) which makes me energized to keep trying my best! Geometry is challenging, but also fun and extremely interesting!!

Health: Today's lesson was on sleep. It must have been very well done, for it almost put me to sleep! I was yawning for at least a half an hour afterwards! So funny!

(But the most fun came from my English lesson:)

English: I am planning to write a story in English, and since I love writing this is LOTS of fun for me. For my research for my story, I was looking up words in a Greek dictionary. It was there that I stumbled upon an excellent name for a pet, especially a mischievous puppy. The name is: "Kakia" [kah kee' ah]. In Greek it means: "Naughtiness." :-)

Homeschooling is a wonderful privilege, and the Lord often sends little enjoyments such as these to keep me excited and looking forward to tomorrow. Praise Him!

Border Collie Genetics

A blue merle colored Border Collie pup.

Today I did the most interesting study of genetics in Biology! I applied what I learned to the Border Collie puppies we raised for a couple years. We had a wide range of colors: black and white, blue and white, and blue merles. I could try to explain it here, but it's easier to cover it all by referring you to a website:   http://www.bordercolliesociety.com/index_breedcolor.htm.   If you're a lover of science and animals, you'll enjoy this! :-)

Do You Really Believe?

I always struggled with the verse in Acts 16:31 which states, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. . . ." Is that really all there is to salvation? Believing on the Lord and the sacrifice He made for us (Romans 10:9)? I was sure that there was something that I had to do, some way to prove that I was saved. Besides, I did believe on the Lord, and I knew He had washed my sins away with His blood.

But yet I couldn't seem to gain the victory over sin! Surely the Lord wouldn't take a sinner to heaven! Then there had to be something more to salvation than just believing, I thought.

Then I read 1 John 5. I will write a few key snippets of the chapter here:

(Verse 5) "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?"

(Verse 13-15) "These things I have written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

(Verse 18) "We know that whoever is born of God sins not, but he that is born of God keeps himself, and that wicked one does not touch him."

(Verse 20) "And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

Suddenly it struck me that I didn't really believe in Jesus, and what He had done for me, if I couldn't overcome sin! If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and has died for all our sins, then we will ask in the time of temptation for His help, and He will deliver us from sin and Satan! I was awestruck at the wonderful way of escape the Lord has made for all of us, that all might be saved!!

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but with the temptation will make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Quick Update

The editing process on my book "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends" has now begun!! This is part 1 of a 3 stages, which should (hopefully) take only a month or two altogether. 

Here's what the editor had to say about my book: "I have started editing your manuscript. You have done a wonderful job writing your book! The spiritual lessons are clearly presented and the story is well developed. I will be in touch as soon as I am finished and ready for your review." ~K. K.

Please pray that everything goes well in the weeks ahead! I am so happy and excited!! The Lord is doing great things in my life!! All the glory goes to Him!!!

In Memory of Tiree

Tiree Brae Brown (Shetland Sheepdog): 1992 - 2006

A wagging tail, that lets me know when you are happy;
A soft coat, to snuggle next to when I'm sad;

Alert ears, that perk up every time I call your name;
And cute tricks, that cheer me up and make me glad!

Soft eyes, that look at me and know exactly what I'm thinking;
A cold nose, nuzzled on my hand to show me that you care;
A wet tongue, brushed across my cheek that tells me that you love me;
And a big heart, with love enough for everyone to share!

A purebred dog, a mix-breed mutt, or some intended hybrid mix;
Either large or small, my dog will love me to the end!
No matter who I am or how I look or where I live;
My dog is my lasting companion and forever friend!

Update on Illustrations

Here is a sample of what TEACH Services is planning to do for illustrations in my upcoming book: "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends." They will take our family's photos of our pets and make them look like paintings. I think it's really neat!! I can hardly wait to see what the finished product will look like!

Lightning Revelation

Don't worry, the lightning is not striking the telephone pole!

I know it isn't a very good photo, but it's the best I could do with my limited knowledge of photography. So, last night a beautiful storm blew through. This is the tail end of it. In fact, I am standing right underneath the towering edge of clouds--half the sky storming non-stop, and the other half dotted with peaceful stars! It was so awesome and majestic that I was reminded of Jesus' second coming--now so near in the future. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:27). Though the skies will be raging then over those who have rejected the King of the universe, the righteous will be at peace and will rejoice to see their Maker. And there under the stars and lightning, I jumped for joy and anticipation for that Day!

Sunset Shots

Knock, Knock; Who's There

How many of you want to be in heaven? I certainly do, and I hope you feel the same way! But, even if we do want salvation, how do we find it? The Bible indicates what seems to be a contradiction.

Read John 14:6:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

So, Jesus is the way. What does that mean? How is He the way? Well, take a look at John 10:7, 9:

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’ “

Oh, then Jesus is the door! But, how do we go through? Matthew 7:7:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (emphasis added)

Now look at Revelation 3:20:

“ ‘Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.’ “

Such a beautiful promise! At yet, when you think about it, it poses the contradiction I mentioned earlier. Do we knock, or does Jesus? Does He let us in or do we let Him in?

One of the best things to do if you have questions during Bible Study is to look at the context of the passage or passages you read. So let’s begin with Revelation 3:7, 8, 14, 20-22. (In chapters 2 and 3 Christ is addressing the different churches through John the Revelator.)

“ ‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ “ ‘ “

What in the world does verse 7 mean? If you do some research, you will find that this verse is quoted from Isaiah 22:22. Let’s take a look at that verse:

“The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”

Who are all the pronouns referring to? Look back at verse 20:

“Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah.”

Eliakim was the king in Israel (2 Kings 18:18). But back to Revelation 3:7. What is a key used for? Of course! To unlock a door. Then, look again at verse 8:

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”

And open door! So someone must have unlocked the door and opened it. But where does that door lead? And who unlocked and opened it?

Notice the last part of verse 7:

“. . . He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”

Let’s look at a parallel verse in Matthew 16:19:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (emphasis added)

Oh, so contrary to what many people believe, this is not referring to the apostle Peter, but to Christ! The door leads to the kingdom of heaven, and Christ, the King of the universe, has unlocked and opened it with His sacrifice for our sins!

So, that “contradiction” is taken care of and understood. What about the other one? We still want to know why Jesus knocks on our doors and comes in to us.

John 10:1-10:

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ “

If you were watching closely, you would have noticed a seeming contradiction in just this context! Look again at verses 1 and 2.

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.’ “

He who enters by the door is who? That’s right: the shepherd of the sheep, who we know is Jesus (verse 7). But now glance back at verse 9:

“ ‘I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved . . .’ “

Wow, wait a second! How can Jesus, the shepherd, enter the door and be the door at the same time? This is getting very confusing!

Let’s not lose our heads. This may have something to do with these verses: James 5:9 and Matthew 24:3, 33 (respectively).

“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ “

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”

Now we’re getting the big picture! Before His second coming, Jesus is the door to us by what He did for us on the cross. At His second coming, our heavenly Shepherd will come through the doors of eternity, and take us to be with Him forever.

He is coming so soon (He is almost through the door), and He is so loving that He can’t stand the thought of leaving any of us behind—even if we deliberately walk away from Him. He will still come to us, and plead with us to open the doors of our hearts; knocking, waiting, hoping. He never gives up! He loves us so much that He does not want us to perish, but to have everlasting life (John 3:16)!

What about you? Perhaps you were so eager to find salvation that you knocked on the door before you. Perhaps you don’t think it has opened yet. Claim the promise that Christ, through his death and resurrection, has “set before you an open door.”

Perhaps you have closed the door of your heart to Christ’s. Perhaps you have heard Him knocking but haven’t responded. Won’t you open your heart and let Him come in? He doesn’t care how messy your “house” is—in fact, He is there to help you clean it up! The opportunity will not last forever (Luke 13:25; Matthew 25:10). He will soon come to earth to take Him children home. Don’t you want to be one of those children? Then open the door of your heart, and let Christ enter in. It will be a decision you will never regret!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

New Family Member

I never though it would happen, but we decided to get another kitty! Puff is getting old, and she doesn't pay much attention to the chipmunks invading our property anymore. So we brought home Scamper, who, strangely enough, looks just like a cat we had many years ago named Blackie.

At first our dogs weren't sure if we had brought them home another chipmunk to chase, or if that puny little ball of fluff was really going to be another pet. But after a few weeks they accepted Scamper as an acceptable life form, a little lower than the average dog.

Now they think the world of Scamper, and have found her to be a very entertaining play mate. She and Nikki get along splendidly--even engaging in a friendly wrestle now and then--which is something I have seldom seen a dog and cat do. Shasta, the serious-minded sheep dog that she is, feels it is her duty to herd the kitty. Scamper plays along, however, and the threesome have a wonderful time.

So, meet Scamper:

Here are some pictures I took today of them playing:

Scamper's new wrestling tactic: Exploding Kitty Cannonball! Nikki's not sure what to think of it.

Shasta watching Scamper's every move!

Shasta herding the straying kitty.

A Cheep Blessing

A few weeks ago a terrible storm blew through and knocked about fifteen trees over in our yard. One of those trees held a nest of baby birds. We came after the storm and found the nest and two of the little naked, pink babies. One was dead, but the other was alive and kicking! We brought him inside and wrapped him in a piece of soft cloth and put him in a plastic dish for a nest. We left him alone for a while, as he was deep shock from his fall onto the hard gravel road.

After a few hours he had revived enough to begin cheeping and opening his mouth for food. We decided that, although we weren't sure exactly what kind of bird he was, we would assume he was robin from the build of his nest. We fed him a worm in faith, and he slurped it down with great gusto!! From then on we fed him every fifteen minutes to half hour, and he has grown quite big.

In the past three weeks, Cheeper, as we call him, has matured into a miniature robin. He learned to fly all on his own, and his feathers came in and made him irresistibly cute! He graduated to living solely outdoors, but he still likes us to baby him--just so no other birds notice. He answers us and comes when we call him, and we take him in the garden with us, where he'll pull worms out of the dirt as we turn it over. He still likes to be cuddled, although he won't let us hold him for very long anymore.

Here are the latest pictures of our little Cheeper:

 

This morning I read a verse in the psalms that reminded me of our experience with Cheeper. Psalm 50:11 said, "I know all the birds of the mountains." Cheeper was special to the Father in heaven from the moment he was born, and I'm sure He sent us his way so we could care for him and pull him through. What a loving God we have!!

My Books

I currently have written two books: "Learning Lessons From Furry Friends," and "The Prodigal Pup." Both are children's books, and here is the update on what's happening with them.

"Learning Lessons From Furry Friends" is a children's book based on all the TRUE stories surrounding my family's experiences raising puppies and kittens. I have tied in a spiritual lesson to each chapter of the book, and the overall purpose is to reveal to the children the love of their Savior through the animals that He gave us.

This book has now been accepted by TEACH Services, Inc. for their LEVEL 4 (top level) publishing package!! They're actually a self-publisher (one of the best, in my opinion), so instead of them buying the book from me, and then paying me royalties when it sells; I pay them to do all the work and distribution of my book, and then I receive the main proceeds.

"The Prodigal Pup" is another children's story that I wrote based on a TRUE short story I heard from a pastor about a little stray puppy he and his family cared for while they were missionaries in Cambodia. The plan of salvation is illustrated in this book through the eyes of a stubborn mongrel who loved to roll in the village sewer drainage puddle.

I emailed a copy of my book to the pastor to see what he thought of it. His reply was that he loved my idea, but he would need to analyze the story further to be sure it was accurate. I immediately began to worry that I had completely messed up the facts, and perhaps he wouldn't like it after all. My worry increased when I didn't hear from him for about a month.

However, I just received an email from him that I must share with you:
"Dear Sarah, I want to apologize for being slow, so very slow, to answer your email.  It wasn't fair to you to just let it sit here. Sometimes life is so full I seem to not be able to focus on what could have taken a short time and been a quick blessing to you. I'm sorry. There's no good excuse.

Anyway, that aside, you have written a really special and fun story and it needs to be sent to a publisher! The story is accurate and refreshed from a special perspective. . . .

May God bless your use of it!
Thank you for your patience.
For Jesus' joy,
Pastor S."

I am so happy!! He has made no changes whatsoever to the story that I wrote!! I can't thank him, or my Heavenly Father Who has given me a love for writing enough!!

Paint Pictures

One thing I really enjoy doing is painting on my computer. Windows 7's Paint program is awesome! It allows you to use oil or watercolor paints, colored pencils, calligraphy pens, crayons, etc. I usually combine all those options into one picture, and here's what I've come up with:

Sea shells along the sandy seashore.

 

 

 

A puppy--my favorite of God's creatures!

A beautiful summer day on the farm.

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).