Fly Safe

The little birdie is flying away from the nest. She's been doing it for years, but I think one wing was clipped because she couldn't get very far. I hope her wings are strong because they must get her all the way to Italy! Yup, my baby (daughter #1) is going to Italy tomorrow for three months! I couldn't be more proud of her. She's stepping outside of her comfort zone and going to another country to study and evangelize. It's something she's always wanted to do and when this opportunity came up, she grabbed it. For two and a half years at college she has worked hard and made good connections, and that work is paying off. She is one of one going from her school to Italy. She's a pioneer, a trailblazer, a pilgrim, a trendsetter, a pacesetter . . . a little bird flying off. Did I mention I was proud of her? A new and exciting adventure awaits her in the land of her ancestors. And she won't just fly away from the nest . . . she'll soar. This I know because she seeks God in all she does and God promises this:
". . . those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary.
They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
God bless you, honey and fly safe.

Cat Adoptions? Part IV

There are one hundred cats at the shelter in need of homes. Our wealthy benefactor wants to see each one adopted. He is paying a fee to each person who adopts out a cat, plus he's giving each new cat owner a 2 month supply of free litter and food. I now see this as a double opportunity. A way to make some money (I almost said extra money but that would imply I had money already) and an opportunity to share Jesus. You know how my first attempt turned out. . . So, I was bound and determined that I would not let my next chance slip away. I was going to share the good news of Jesus with the very next person who wanted to adopt a cat. This very gruff sounding man answered an ad I placed and he agreed to meet me at the shelter. He showed up on his motorcycle (clue #1 he really didn't intend to take a cat home, they don't even make helmets that small) and wanted to see only tiny, black kittens with white paws (clue #2) and wanted the free food and litter before he adopted a cat (clue #3). Even still, I prayed for an opportunity or an opening to say, "Hey, do you want to know about Jesus?" but the skull and cross bones on his T-shirt and his leather jacket and his motorcycle intimidated me. When he left, I prayed he wouldn't crash on the way home. BUT, I said to myself, "Self, be encouraged, there will be more opportunities," and don't you know when I got home, the answering machine was blinking . . .

Conversation With Husband Re: Christmas Decorations

Husband: "What are you doing this afternoon?"
Me: "Taking down the Christmas decorations."
Him: "Oh, don't. I love the Christmas decorations, leave them out for a while longer please."
Me: "If they stay out longer, they'll need to be dusted. I'd rather put them away so I don't have to dust them. Of course, if you really want them out longer, you are free to dust them."
Him: "No, you can put them away."
Me: "Gee, thanks..."