They are new every morning...

Not sure how to post with this app yet.

I wanted to share my very favorite spot on our walk every morning.  I stop. Look at the sunrise.  Smile.  Breathe. Whisper a prayer of thanksgiving.  A new day.  Thank you Lord.

Do you have a favorite pause-smile-breathe-whisper place?

Pasco County, Florida, ancient orange groves and cattle pastures. Home.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

~

Lamentations 3:22-23

Sharing with:

Growing Home ~ Growing Homemakers Link Up

Letting Go of A Foster Dog

This was our latest Springer Spaniel foster dog from ESRA.  He was full of inexhaustible energy, constantly challenging our couch potato nature, but so full of joy.  How can I deny him one more walk?  Whew!  Every new dog is a learning experience for us and I'm grateful for each opportunity.  They all have different issues and personalities.  It's like earning merit badges.  With every foster dog, we grow in dog rehab skills.  

This gorgeous foster dog had me wrapped around his finger with those eyes from the very first day.  

He went to his new home last week and is doing very well.  I used to worry about my foster fur kids when they left.  They are always fine.  They have gained confidence and trust in humans, are finally in good health, and are happy, cheerful dogs when they leave.  I would fret only to find out they were blissfully content with their new lives.  Isn't that the goal?  

Is it about me? Or is it about saving a good dog?

It's like sending your children to camp.  You worry yourself sick all week while the kids are having the time of their lives.  The dogs don't leave here sick or traumatized as when they arrived.  I have learned to trust more in the dogs they have become, rather than dwell on who they were when we first received them.

Our dogs help rehabilitate too.  Charlie shows extra grooming love.  The fosters learn how to trust a stable pack.  

Letting go is sad.  But letting go is never as hard as I think it's going to be. *sniff* The building up to the good bye which I know is coming is what is so difficult.  *sniff* I keep thinking how much I'm going to miss them.  *sniff*  They look into your eyes with so much affection and faith and you feel as if you are about to betray them.  I wonder if Abraham must have felt this when looking into Isaac's hopeful face walking up the mountain.  But once they are given to their new home, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.  Plus I make my husband do it.  Bah!  I can't watch.

Barkley loved to sit with me while I sewed.  Those eyes!!!  You're killing me Barkley!  Look away.  

Letting go starts from the very first day they arrive.  I force myself to believe they are not my dogs. They belong to another wonderful family.  We just haven't found them yet.  And while we search for their forever home, I'm going to love the heck out of them.  When their forever home is found, it would be selfish of me to deny that family the love this beautiful animal has to give.  How many animals can I keep anyway?  Do the best thing for the dog and share the love.  Let the other family experience the joy too. 

I know, I know.  Easier said than done, right?  

Anyway, once they are gone, I'm fine.  I'm so good, I actually feel a little guilty.  "Shouldn't I be crying more?"  We have one less dog to trip over.  4 fewer muddy paw prints to mop.  The dogs are good.  The new family is good.  Everyone is good.  And we did a good thing.  Yay!  Yay for good things in the world! Let's all do good things and encourage each other in good deeds.

Barkley was the Eric Northman (vampire) of Springer Spaniels.  Looook into my eyyyes....Hypnotic....he could talk me into anything.  LOL  I really loved Barkley.  Such a sweet boy.  Of course I miss him.  But I'm not sad. Really!!!

I share this with you not to brag.  I'm so awesome!  I can foster a dog and turn it over and not cry.  Go me.  

I share because this is the #1 reason why people won't foster.  They know it will hurt.  And I wanted you to hear how I deal with it emotionally.  So.  With that said; GO FOSTER A DOG...OR A CAT.  You're stronger than you think you are.  And you are needed. 

Think adoption first.  

Have you ever considered fostering animals?  If yes, here are 10 Good Reasons to get the thinking process started

If you are a foster, how do you deal with letting go?  I'm very interested in this and am anxious for feedback and ideas.  Please (please, please) share in the comment section.  

Be blessed and be a blessing.  

Be kind.  

Encourage one another.  

Come like Sweet Woodruffs on Facebook

And here I am on Twitter.  (I love Twitter!!!)

  

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on 

toward love and good deeds."

Hebrews 10:24

Sharing with:
A Stroll Thru Life ~ Inspire Me Tuesday
Ladybug Blessings ~ Handmade Tuesdays

Fabric Filled Blessings! Happy Sunday

My Mother-In-Law's scraps waiting for a new life.  

I haven't decided what to do with them yet.  

I miss her.

Tell me, what should I do with them?  They are 3 in Squares.
What would you do?

Have a beautiful Sunday. 

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Despised and Rejected ~ My cat hates me

My cat, Pooh, humiliates me....again.  

Sometimes, I'm despised and rejected.

After everything I've done for him, too.

I wonder...

Is this what it feels like for God when He loves us 

and we push Him away....

Noooooooo......let me go!  

Put me down!  

I will only love you on my terms 

Not yours!

As you're being carried by Him, do you struggle to get down. 

Do you swat with claws?

Do you bite? Hiss? Growl? 

I feel as if He drags me around with me 

kicking and screaming most of the time.

Isn't that sad?

Why is humbling ourselves and obedience 

sooooooooooo difficult for me?

Is it the same for you?

I read this last night and was so inspired. 

I don't know if Mother Teresa really said this, 

but regardless, I felt rebuked and yet gently encouraged. 

(The holidays can bring out the worst in prideful people or families. This spoke to my heart)

Found on Pinterest


Be blessed and Be a Blessing.
Be humble.
Be gracious. 

If you're in Tampa and need a location and family to worship with, 

I hope you'll come visit us at our church:

"Christians Meet Here"

Wordless Wednesday

Prayer Leeks

Some thoughts from my life long best friend, Lisa.  Knowing her has been one of the great joys of my life.  I remember meeting her for the first time walking to school in the 6th grade.  I thought to myself, "This is the strangest person I've ever met and I think I want to be friends with her forever!!!!!" 

 

She wasn't strange, she was just "unique".  She's different.  There is no one else like her in the history of planet earth.  She's in her own world and is pretty much one of the funniest people I've ever met.  She lights up a room with her joyful spirit.  She's a treasure to me. 

 

BFF Lisa and her female offspring

She is a great source of edification and strength for me.  She's very articulate and always seems to say just what I need to hear.  I've begged her for years to pursue writing.  She has a gift. 

 

This was a status update from the other day.  I asked her permission to share on my blog.  I pray it blesses you as much as it blessed me. 

 

Happy Lord's Day. 

Be a Blessing. 

 

Leeks Leaking....

When my son was much younger, I planted some leeks outside our front door. He asked what they were. I explained that they were like an onion bulb that would grow under ground. As days went by, it always seemed the ground was pushing them up, even though I watered & patted them back down. Finally, in frustration, I asked in my son's hearing, "Why does it seem the earth is pushing these leeks back out?" Matter of factly he said, "Oh I pull them up everyday to measure their growth." That is how I sometimes do God. I give something, (or someone) over to Him in prayer, only to come back with my measuring reed to see how they have grown. Arrested development by an impetuous lack of faith or patience. Take it to God, leave it with God. A lot can go on at the root level that you can't judge from the looks of things. The eyes can't perceive the realm of the spirit. Don't believe your eyes, believe your God. 2 Timothy 1:12 "I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him." Love that!

Winter Garden ~ Void, but not for long

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands. ~ Psalm 90:17

 Last year we had a wonderful winter garden.  This year, not so much. 

We are preparing the soil for planting now. 

We can't garden in the summer here.  We garden, fall, winter and spring. 

Summer gardening in Florida is a no-go.   

 

Aren't winter yards sad sometimes?  What does yours look like? 

Is it covered with snow?

Grateful for a son who worked in the garden without being nagged.  What a sweet boy. 

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours. ~ Psalm 128:2

 

Blessings to you.

Be a blessing to others.



 

Children Rejoicing for the Lord

 Click on the Link to read more Word Filled Wednesday

One of the sweet, tender moments of childhood. Captured is their gregarious, joyful spirit, playing in the backyard without a care in the world. Whenever my mind or heart isn't focused, I look at these pictures of my niece and nephew and am reminded of where my heart needs to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Be happy and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16
  Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. Psalm 33:3
  “And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14


"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." Psalm 30:11

  "But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
Psalm 5:11

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:12

"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18:15-17