Home Visit

Saturday morning started out with a scheduled home visit on behalf of Texas GSP Rescue.

We have a family that has applied to adopt a puppy from the rescue, so that requires a home inspection and visit.

I love performing this service for Texas GSP, mostly because I love the breed, and of course, I love people!  And this visit certainly didn’t disappoint.

I drove up to a beautiful property, text the potential adoptee and drive through a remotely opened gate.  The wife met me at the garage, and led me into the house, where I met her husband, and precious little girl, as well as their rescue lab mix. We all sit at the kitchen table. I look outside, and see two other smaller dogs, and a chicken.  There’s a cat out there somewhere, but I never see it.

I love how all these animals co-exist!  It makes my heart smile.

As I’m interviewing the family, I find out they have a donkey, and share a community horse.  The horse is one they were caring for on behalf of a friend. The neighbors fell in love with the horse, so now it’s become a community horse.  We talk about their property, their fencing, and their plans for their property as they move forward.

About this time, one of the teenage sons walks in, and meets me.  He goes to out to feed the larger animals.  While we’re discussing the ins and outs of rescue and GSP characteristics, another teenage son comes in to greet me.  I knew before I got here they had a blended family of his, hers and ours.  It’s a very vibrant home, but there is no doubt about the peace that reigns within these walls.  This family has been knit together with love, and you can feel it the moment you pass over the threshold

It was an absolute joy to visit this family, and one of the high points of my weekend.  They will be great GSP adopters.  I look forward to seeing their match develop.

Right On Time

Tears flowed around here last night for a bit.  One of our friends is in town, and we were catching up.  She has a new job, and we were talking over the last week's activities specific to her new position.

The tears were healthy tears.  You see, ThatManILove had just given our friend what we call a Position Statement. 

Sounds bad, doesn’t it?  It’s not.  A Position Statement is just that.  It’s a position. It’s a clear, concise view of how you see that person, in that moment.  And this is what he said to our friend:

ThatManILove: “I have a Position Statement for you.”

She sat up straight on the couch.  I held my breath.  (Isn’t it funny, how we always brace ourselves for bad?)

She said, “Okay.”

ThatManILove:  “Girl, you got this.”

I breathed.

She breathed, or tried to breathe.  When she could, she said, “Thank you for caring enough to share.  I promise to weigh it carefully.”

And then, she burst into tears.  I did, too.  In saying those few words, ThatManILove affirmed that she was in the right place, at the right time, and doing the right thing.  He spoke right into the very core of her being.  She grabbed each of us, hugged us, and thanked us for our portions in her life, and for our encouragement and counsel.

This young woman has scaled mountains.  She has come up higher in her relationship with the Lord, and He is her everything.  The Lord is prospering her, in every single facet of her life, her family, her job, and most importantly, in her minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day relationship with Him.  With Jesus.  With God as her Father.  As the Lover of Her Soul. With the Holy Spirit.

And she is blooming.  Her joy, contagious.  Her zest for life, uncontainable. As it should be.

As it should be.

I look at her, and I am encouraged.  Growth is encouraging. And inspiring.

Thanks, my friend, for being open to what the Lord is accomplishing in you today.  You're right on time.

For who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

For my readers:  I hope this post has encouraged you.  We all struggle...and Jesus lives to intervene on our behalf.  Turn to Him.  He will hear your heart cry.  I promise.

Can You Say Busted? People Helping People, Pay It Forward

So, I kind of got busted in my own Pay It Forward People Helping People deal last week.

I was in Starbucks, and this couple in front of me was digging for money.  I asked them what they were doing, and they said they were looking for cash they knew they had to pay for their purchase.

I asked them if they minded me blessing them by paying for their purchase.  They were hesitant, and came up with the cash, but I persisted in asking, and they sweetly allowed me to pay for the purchases rung up on the register.  They graciously thanked me, and we had a very nice conversation while we awaited our drinks.  We never really introduced ourselves, but talked about our work, our kiddos, etc.  Their daughter's birthday was coming up.  It was a very pleasant interlude in a very busy day.  

On Sunday, ThatManILove and I were headed back home, and I was  shocked to see this message come up on my FB Chat: 

Steph: You saw my parents at Starbucks Thursday!! And blessed them by paying for their coffee.

Me: And how do you know that, missy?  They were beautiful people inside and out!  I just wanted to bless them!  I had no idea they were your parents!

Me:  I don't think I told them who I was?

Steph: You didn't, I put it together when they told me the story.

Me: AND I sure didn't know you were their daughter, I would have added a huge gift card from ThatManILove and I for them to give to you! 

Steph: You are too sweet. Well, they were truly blessed by your act of kindness. And enjoying your company for that short amount of time!

People, how cool is that?  It’s a small world.

Now, go love on somebody, will ya?

Because, you know, the smallest little things can make a difference in somebody's day.

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is - How Are You Living Your Life? (Part 7)

Sadly, this is the last of my "All You Need Is Love" series.  But what a poignant reminder to be intent about your life!  

"A Life Lived In Love Will Never Be Dull." Leo Buscglia

Are you living an intentional life?  

Go love on someone today, will you?

It's never boring around here.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Sunday morning.

Back door, slightly ajar for easy dog entrance and exit.

The air is crisp and cool.

I’m in my pajamas, on the couch, covered up in a furry blanket.

Zanna the Wonderdog is curled up beside me...almost 100% under the blanket, and vying for even more coverage.

I see:  the morning light, filtering in through the door and the windows.  Fall light.  Beautiful. 

I hear: Zack the Wonderdog padding across the tile, through the house; ThatManILove softly snuffling in his sleep; the windchimes outside, sounding the rhythms of the breeze.

I feel: peace, comfort, and love.  I’m so glad to be home today. Glad to be a daughter of the King of Kings.

I love Sunday morning.  I wish it would last forever.

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is. (Part 6)

You are going to vote, aren't you?  It takes all of us.

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is. (A Favorite) (Part 4)

More of the cool art work from Dallas Love Field.  I have always loved this song, always will.

This is a mantra in which I totally believe...Love can cure a myriad of ills.

(Plus, I love that this young artist put a dog in the picture.  Right?)

So, go...love on someone today!

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is. (Part 3) AKA What Do You Really Want?

"If you want a message heard, it must be sent." Mother Teresa

How powerful is this?  Since my Pathways training, I have so learned to ASK for WHAT I WANT.  I have to send the message - whether it be love, or a need, or whatever...all, in Christ.

Be the Message.  And LOVE somebody.

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is. (Part 2)

"The Heart Sees What The Eyes Cannot." H. Jackson, Jr.

All You Need Is Love - Dallas Love Field, That Is. (Part 1)

I love Dallas Love Field Airport's new design and remodel!  Amazing!

I took one second Sunday night to take some pictures of children's art work that is featured as part of the new design.

Over the next few weeks, I'll post some pictures of posters that really hit me in my heart.

I'm all about heart these days, you know?

The sign, introducing the Dallas LOVE Project.  

Remember, these are photos, taken from afar, of the project.  Closeups to come in a later post.

So, enjoy.  And...Love on somebody today, will ya?

Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want!

One of the coolest things that ever happened to me...our entire Pathways Class 308 wrote on each person's card...and we didn't get to see it until the end of the weekend.

You never know how people see you, really.  This was soooo encouraging.  The back of the card was just as powerful.

Love is all you need.  Have you loved on anyone today?

Maybe This Would Be a Solution

I'm thinking ThatManILove and I would benefit from a shirt like this.

Of course, sudden death might be an answer, too.

Oh, wait.

So stolen from the internet.

Young Wisdom

I read a blog post today.  Written by a young lady, whose family is known to me.

Her mom and dad are friends of mine.  

I thought I’d share.

So, if you have a second, go read Madison Cary’s post here.



Then, as Madison says, go love on somebody.

Happy Birthday, Jennifer and Madison.

My Dog Loves Veggies…Actually, Anything Edible.

My dogs crack me up.

It doesn’t matter WHAT I eat, they think they need some of it.

Burrito?  Yup.

Starbucks drink?  Yup.

Here, Zack awaits his vegetable of the day.

Zack the Wonderdog. Begging Edamame.

Steamed edamame.

He is a goofball.