My mini me

Shannie decided my old camera is now her new camera.

She looks pretty comfortable there don’t she? I guess it’s in her genes.

So is this...

…and impromptu hallelujah dance!

There is a scripture in the bible that says “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” I don’t believe that is just in a spiritual way…which of course is the most important.  But I also believe it means... find the thing that they show an interest in and feed it when they are young. It just may be the call of God for their life.

The next two shots Shannie took :)

But I’m still given myself the “cutest” picture of the day award. Hehehehe

He looks like I feel

Not that I’m in a bad place…I just feel quiet…like I need to be still.

Even the photos I shot today were pictures of stillness…

I think I treasure quiet and stillness more than ever because my life has become so busy.  A lot of exciting good busy but still busy. So when I can just sit and take a deep breath and listen to quiet stillness I feel recharged. Looks like the dogs were enjoying themselves as well…

In quietness and confidence is your strength. Isaiah 30:15

Remember us?

 One of the reasons Mommy started this blog. 

 I thought while I was testing my camera it would be a good time to give an update on the dogs.

We are all learning to find our new normal. The dogs in fact are adjusting much better than I thought they would. Richard was such a part of what we do here and the dogs adored him. I’ve had a few issues that show signs that the dogs are stressed pop up, but nothing major. His Jasper was the one I was most worried about but he is doing so well. The best they all are of course is when Shannon is here…especially Jazzy.  She has always been his other love so soon after Poppy went home to Jesus I told Shannon that Jasper was now her dog and I know that is what Poppy would want. She squealed with delight and said, “Now I have Gwenie and Jazzy and I’m going to treat him just like Poppy did”! Actually I didn’t tell her this… but I’m not going to let her do that because that boy spoiled this dog rotten! LOL.  However her love is good for him and he is his normal happy self when she is around. Which is a beautiful thing?

So I just wanted to update and thank all my blog friends who started reading this blog when it was just our happy little life in dog rescue and journeying with me through this life shattering time as God rebuilds our world of ashes.  And I know out of theses ashes beauty will rise... And I promise to blog it all J

  

(This song was composed after this man tragically lost his little daughter.)

These last two pictures are for my blogger friend Sarah… Girl I’m not responsible for any malfunctions your keyboard may have from drool. LOL

Still making my dreams come true

My husband was my greatest cheerleader. Whatever I chose to pursue he backed me up with every ounce of his being and every resource he had. But like most wife’s I had dreams that were well beyond our resources. However that never stopped Richard from dreaming with me and praying with me for these dreams to come true. Richard was an astonishingly thoughtful man in life and even in his going home. Although he was just 53 he had his affairs in order and made great provision for me to be taken care of and even pursue some of my dreams.  

On the 30th day anniversary of Richards’s home going I started pondering a story in Joshua. It is where the Lord is instructing Joshua to go into the promise land with Gods people. So I went and read it...one verse that jumped out to me was. “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise.”  Joshua 1:2 (God said that to Joshua after he and the people mourned for Moses “30” days. There are no quinky dinks with God.)

I know that scripture may sound harsh but to me it was comforting. I knew right away what God was saying….and it was not that he was saying, “Ok buck up…no more crying… no more snotting… Richard’s gone… forget about him and move on”. NOT AT ALL! In fact I felt what he was saying to me was quite the opposite. I felt like he was saying…“I know you’re going to always miss your beloved this side of heaven, and I am collecting ever tear because they are so precious to me but I have a wonderful future for you and a promise land for you… so my sweet child I need you to get up and start moving forward”.

I know this is what God wants for me and also my beloved Richard because he has left me in a position to now purse a long time dream …one he believed so much in and prayed so often for. I know God is honoring his prayers for his wife. Even when we are gone from this earth God doesn’t forget the prayers we prayed for our loved ones. I’m sure prayers of loved ones long gone are still shaping my life this very day…and I pray my prayers will shape my generations to come.

This picture may look like nothing special to most people but to me it is the beginning of my dream. It is my last picture with my Nikon D60 for now. Because I upped all my camera equipment to a professional level and I’m going to purse my dream to glorify God with the gift he has placed in me. Where this adventure is taking me I don’t know…but I do know its ultimate end is my promise land.

(Indecently the first place I’m going to try out my new camera is a literal place called “Promise Land” I realized that as I was writing this blog… How awesome is that and how awesome is the Lord! Again there are no quinky dinks with God.)

Flesh of my flesh

I can’t tell you the joy I get from seeing this beautiful life growing inside MY baby!

What an amazing, God timed perfect gift for our family!

Oh God you are so kind and so good to me.

In the midst of such sorrow you are chasing me down with blessings. I truly understand what David meant by these words in Psalms 27:13

I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Silent Sunday

Nothing left unsaid

One of the comforts I have and thank God for is that Richard and I lived in such a way we left nothing unsaid between the two of us.  We talked about everything. I used to call him my best girlfriend because of that…lol.  Even a few weeks before he went home to Jesus we were talking about what we would do if the other went before us. And also what we would want for each other if we were the one that goes first. That conversation gives me strength now …I can hear his voice telling me to hold on to Jesus and to never give up and be happy and that he would be cheering me on every step of the way with the cloud of witness the bible talks about.  I realize it was a gift God gave us to share ever bit of our hearts with one another.  The other day I was looking for something and came across a letter I wrote Richard in his personal stuff.  Even thought I know I said these things to him often it made me smile that he treasured this letter and kept it.  There is such comfort in knowing the ones you loved knew they were loved. 

What you mean to me.

My Beloved,

There is no one else I’d rather spend time with. You’re the most interesting person I know and also the smartest. I love your smile and you still melt me with your touch.

I love giggling with you and having our own inside jokes. (Leviticus) 

You’re the most awesome man of God I know and that is the biggest turn on to me.

You’re the kindest person I know and I love how you show that. You put other people first to your own hurt.  You work harder than any man I know.  I love all the little things you remember to do for me it makes me feel like I’m always on your mind. I love sitting around in the yard together and just thanking God for how blessed our lives are. A perfect day is being with you no matter what we do.

I love how giving you are and how you have such a big heart to bless people in the name of Jesus. I love when you call me just because. I really love when you call me because you have something exciting to share and I’m the first person you want to share it with.

I love how we can tell each other secrets that no one will ever know about.

I like that you protect me when life gets to stressful. You’re my prince charming that is always coming to my rescue.

You’re the funniest, warmest, caring, loving, sexist, silliest, boldest, sensitive, giving man of integrity I know!

And I am head over heels, giggly school girl, madly, crazy over the moon in love with you!

And always will be.       

                                                               Love Lightning,

                                                                   Anna     

P.S. I’m not telling anyone what Leviticus means either....so don't ask. LOL