Loneliness Cries Out!

I think one of the worst pains to a parent's heart is knowing your child is hurting and in pain themselves. We want to fix things so they don't have to feel that emptiness or loneliness. We want to fill their hearts with love and if we know that love won't fill it we give them things to make them smile. But eventually, the pain comes back.

This year has been tough for some young 'uns on the Ponderosa. New loves have left. New relationships didn't last. Life throws a curve ball. Accidents happen. The story doesn't end as lovely as one may picture, although I know the story's not over yet.

My littlest's two best friends moved away in February. God brought two new friends and they are leaving at the end of this week. For another state. Her neighbor friend is moving. So it was no wonder that the entire way home from church she cried out the window saying, "I want a puppy!" (Her love languages is obviously anything animal related.) Tears flowed hard! It is so so hard to see

Loss comes hard to this love of mine. She takes these very seriously and feels the deep separation!

(I know you are thinking how nice it would be to end this post with a picture of a cute little puppy that she has adopted!) Not so fast....

I can promise you, THAT CANNOT AND WILL NOT HAPPEN!!!

But what I can tell her that I know to be true is that Jesus is the best friend we can have. In fact, He is our Good Shepherd that promises to never leave His sheep.

My prayer is that through these losses she will feel the emptiness that only Jesus can fill. Sooner than later.

For later will bring so much more pain.

Lord, as this week begins and our friends move on and start new relationships elsewhere, I pray for your special healing touch to my little one's heart. May this be the year that the Truth, the Way and the Life become real to her. Open her eyes to your love for her, and help her to know you are always there for her and will never move away or leave her. Show her stability through this is from you. May she feel your arms around her and assurance of your acceptance of  her little life as she confesses you before others and seeks forgiveness for her sins. Thank you for being that constant to Your children."

P.S. Please give this momma patience through this too. As the meltdowns occur, give me compassion to feel as she feels.

Our Special Friends

I hate cats!

This is what I said before Oreo came into our lives. Two years ago, Little Joe purchased a kitten for Inger for her 7th birthday. From just a local pet store. But he is one special cat that makes our lives happy, especially, Inger's.

And now, because we were duped to think all cats are Oreo, we have Snickerdoodles too. Snicks is now one and was raised from one day old by Inger. She bottle fed him and had to mimic a mother cat in many ways. Lots of you tube videos were watched about how to stimulate a baby kitten to use the bathroom. (I bet you didn't know a mother cat licks a baby kittens...you know what...to stimulate them to pee.) Sorry for all the extra info.

So on this 39 degree morning here in Florida, please enjoy these photos of our special cats...and dog...and hens...and parakeets. So thankful for my little Inger who loves animals.

The Horrible Nuisances

We love nature here on the Ponderosa. We love having bird feeders, water feeders, and have seen a large variety of birds. We often have wrens make nests in our tree fort, garage and plants on the front porch.

But no matter how much we love them, we hate the other creatures that the seed draws here.

SQUIRRELS ARE SUCH A NUISANCE!!!!

We have tried baffles, airsoft guns, etc. And now our birdfeeders stay empty. Birdseed is expensive and they empty the feeders in one day.

And now, I can't even keep the chicken coop open during the day because they find their way in to eat the chicken food. Maybe our resident pet whisperer can train her beloved hens to chase and peck them. Any other ideas? I'd love them.

Friends, Meet Ginger

My littlest darling was enthralled by catching a ladybug.

I'll let her tell you about her.

"Hers name is Ginger. I think she needs water. She will get cold without a lid. She's sooooooooooo cute! I thinks she needs food. She likes sticks."

To see the joy on her tiny face over this little "bug"!

Unfortunately, when she put the lid back on the container, Ginger had crawled to the lip, and, you guessed right. No more Ginger.

"Inger" took it in stride, and ran outside to find another "Ginger".