Show Us Your Life - Pet Edition

I see that Kelly's Korner is having Show Us Your Life-Pets edition and I thought I might get in on the action.

Here is Gus!

We have had him for over 6 years...One Saturday afternoon (Valentines Day in 2003) I made up my mind I wanted a dog and went the our county's adopt-a-pet day. I had it narrowed down to two dogs one that would be a big dog and this little guy:

He had been hit by a car and his leg was broken. He was really sweet and just ended up capturing my heart. John was not thrilled with the idea AT ALL! (which is why the below picture is funny...this was the day we got him...he took to John quickly. What is funny to me is that this picture is the normal relationship between John and Gus now, but then it was HILARIOUS!)

He insisted that he would NOT sleep with us at all, and for about 2 months he did not. Then it was time for John to go on a fishing trip...he said "When I get back, I don't want Gus to be in bed with us"...not 30 minutes later that night before he left, HE brought Gus to the bed and he as been there ever since! SUCKER!

It really is hard to imagine life without Gus. He is the perfect dog for us. He is quiet and enjoys sitting right beside you on the couch or curled up snoozing in the bed.

He rounds out our little family. Love you Gussie Boy!

It's All about Choices

During this time of year, it is extremely easy to become discontent and ungrateful...I mean, every stinkin' commercial on TV is showing us something that we "need" and at a great discounted price!

However, we can make two choices today...

1) We can choose Contentment - In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul shows us the secret of being content..."I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". How is that the secret to contentment? Because at this moment Christ has given me everything I need to live out the purpose He has for me...for right now. Everyday He gives me strength for that day. That is the secret to being content. Will you choose today to rest in that promise?

2) We can choose Gratitude - Proverbs 15:15-16 "For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil."
Do you know what the #1 most visited house is in the United States…the White House…the second? Graceland…Elvis’ house. On the outside Elvis had everything…money, materials, fame, but at age 42 he killed himself with by overdosing. He has been quoted saying “I would give 1 Million dollars for ONE day’s peace." That is a heavy statement.
We can choose to be grateful...to God, for others, for our spiritual journey, our church, etc.

When we fall into discontentment and un-gratitude, it is like telling God, "After all you have done for me I could care less, because it is not enough for me."

Let's start today by making good choices; to be content and grateful.

Update on Mary

Message received about 8:30 last night:

"...the surgery went great........doctors are very pleased with everything........and Mary doesn't even have to stay in ICU tonight - her breathing is great and she got to go to a private room already! WHAT A PRAISE!!!! Everyone's prayers have helped and I'm sure she has felt them. Keep praying for her recovery! Will keep you guys posted. God is so good!"

Today is the Day for Prayer

Remember a few posts ago when I asked for prayer for my friend Mary? Well today is the day of her surgery. Please be in prayer for this whole situation! Thanks!

He Heals and Restores

Praising the Lord this morning for allowing me the oportunity last night to share what He has done in my life!

He took me from:

~ a person full of selfishness and pride

~ a person who with low self-image and very little self-love

~ a person so wrapped up in pleasing others

~ a person who had an extensive "mask" collection

~ a person with no boundaries

~ a person bound by fear

And as I became willing to give Him EVERYTHING (bad and good) He has restored to me the Joy of my salvation

By finding a place where I could learn to be the real me in front of God and others and I could work through the Biblical principles of recovery (through Celebrate Recovery), He is "restor(ing) the years the locusts have eaten" (Joel 2:25).

I came into recovery like He says in Matthew 11:18 "weary and carry(ing) heavy burdens" and He "gave me rest"! I rest in Him and live in His will for my life. What FREEDOM!


"Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow." Psalm 25:4

Trick Or Treat

Oh my lands...I got these on an email from a friend. I hope you get a kick out of these like I did. I wonder if Gus would allow this????

John would probably like for Gus to dress up like this:

But my personal favorite and I have been saying for years that Gus should dress up to be Aslan from "The Chronicles of Narnia"....maybe I can show him this picture below!

Prayer Warriors Needed

One of my best friends from high school found out in our senior year (almost 12 years ago) that she had cancer. She had to have a portion of her leg amputated and had chemotherapy. After graduation she had some spots in her lungs and had a couple of surgeries to remove those spots.

I got the following message Sunday evening saying she has had another reoccurence of the cancer. I am trying to spread the word to as many people as possible to pray for my friend, Mary!

The message from our mutal friend:
Some of you may have heard by now that our sweet Mary has had another reoccurence of cancer masses show up. She has 2 masses in her lung, one of which is close to her heart. Her surgery to remove these masses is scheduled for November 4th. I just wanted to send this out to let you guys know and to ask for prayer on her behalf -
prayers of strength for Mary and her mom,
prayers of guidance with the physicians,
prayers of healing and recovery,
and finally prayers of peace in Mary's heart in going through this again.

Mary lives and works in San Francisco - has a great physician and surgeon, but is still far away. Her mom will be with her. If you guys could please pray for her - we all have been blessed by Mary in one way or another. What an amazing attitude towards cancer - never has given up or slowed down.

Thank You!