Dora Mae has a new conquest to put on her trophy shelf.

The last few nights our normal night time activities have been interrupted by an interest in the backyard. I had no idea what the dogs have been barking about but their interest in a certain corner of the yard was obvious. Barking. More barking. And Dora wouldn’t come inside for a treat.

Whatever was in that corner was better than a kitchen treat. I waited them out and eventually Dora came in for the night.

Last night, our routine started the same. Snacktime of a spoonful of plain yogurt and a few kibbles. Then I open the back door for their last potty run before they are put in their crates for the night.

I opened the door and both of the dogs jumped so quickly I was a bit nervous. This time, instead of running to the interesting corner of the backyard, they were on the porch, standing over something that I couldn’t see in the dark. There wasn’t any barking. There wasn’t any snapping. I called the dogs into the house and they came. Once I got them in, I peeked back out to the porch with my hair standing on end. I had no idea what they had cornered and why they had backed down so quickly.

Laying on the patio floor was a dead possum. Or a rat. I wasn’t sure. I was so creeped out.

Calling on the aid of the man of the house, he started to get prepared for the task of ridding the backyard of the body. I sat by the window and watched it. It didn’t seem quite dead. Its eyes kinda blinked a few times or maybe I was imagining things?

It kinda lifted its head and laid it back down. Or maybe I was imagining things?

Finally, the man of the house went out armed with a bucket, a garden hoe and a nervous laugh. He’s not one to face dead animals easily.

He rolled the “dead” animal into the bucket with the hoe very carefully. I remarked that I thought I had seen it move. This added to the nerves. Was this fierce animal going to attack him?

He took it to the driveway with the bucket tipped over on its side.

And I got on the internet, reading all about these animals.

Rarely are they aggressive, they eat bugs, mice, moles (go possum!) and anything else it can find. They are considered sanitation experts in the animal kingdom. They are also considered more intelligent than dogs. (Surely not as brilliant as my Dora Mae!)

And when frightened they “play possum”. Its not something they think about, but when they are stressed or shocked, their body collapses and they appear to be dead. It’s this animal’s defense mechanism. Sadly, many a possum has been killed by folks believing a possum is already dead so they dispose of the body in a plastic bag or by burying it.

Thankfully, our possum was not hurt by dog or man. And hopefully he will stick around to get the moles that still seem to visit our yard.

I stole this from a friend’s website. Good stuff. Have you learned that you are more than the fluff? Time for boundin’!

Sorry I’ve been mute. Imagine me under a pile of boxes. Ok. Not really. I’m not really under a pile of books. Its literary license.

The booklets arrived along with the brochures. Boxes of envelopes were delivered by the gal in brown and labels were printing off faster than we could keep up.

Yesterday we took 2082 envelopes with booklets and brochures stuffed inside to my new favorite super hero: Doug, the bulk mailman. It was the first batch out of 50,000 booklets to be distributed to those requesting them. US only unless the international visitor wants to pay for shipping/handling costs. Not a bad deal.

Yes, you can order one for you! Have an OB-GYN? Order one for him/her too! I think you will be impressed. Its gorgeous if I do say so myself. Clickee

It was a long journey. Some of it good. Some it not so fun. Bad, icky characters arrived in an attempt to take advantage of me. But in the end goodness prevailed. Its the stuff fairy tales are made of but reality is better than fiction. God is good!

Years ago I started to replace the countertop in my kitchen. By the end of the month the countertop was new. So was the sink, the faucets. The over-the range-hood. The stove top. The backsplash. The dishwasher. The built in oven. One project led to another. I often think of that countertop when I’m met with other projects that looked simple from the start and ended up huge.

A project that I’ve been working on for 3 years now is about to see daylight. Its been met with obstacles in various forms that at different times I wondered if it would really happen. I often questioned, asking God to shut the door with finality if this was not the way to go. Never getting a “no”, I trudged onward, battling the monsters along the way.

The interesting thing about the project is that as it has unfolded, a bit different than the original plan, I’ve adjusted to keep it moving properly. After all, my ways are not HIS ways. That’s okay!

The project: Getting the HysterSisters’ booklet: “What 100,000 Women Know about Hysterectomy” into patients hands and doctors’ offices.

Sounds reasonable until the project adjusts and distribution lands in my hands.

Just where does a person store 50,000 booklets? How about 75,000? 12-20 pallets stacked with boxes?

Panic had begun to set in. I was on the hunt for new offices with adequate storage for this project and another few “in the works”. And exactly how was I going to distribute these wonderful gems of information for women?

Taking counsel with wise ones, I discovered that I did have a brilliant idea for distribution that will allow our members to participate while they share the booklets with their own doctors. Activating 130,000 members is not only do-able, but the best form of distribution.

I was still left with the uncertainty of storage.

I had no business worrying. God went before me. In various ways. In ALL ways.

The printers offered storage free. “We will bring you what you need while we store the rest. Give us a call and we will make another trip, delivering another pallet or two.”

Grateful. Relief.

But where would I put 1 pallet (or two?) while we packaged and mailed in our small two room offices?

God’s provision, once again. As I was looking for bigger offices, I mentioned to my landlord that I’d be looking for more space because of the storage needs of the booklets and the store packaging needs I was having. The landlord offered an additional space in the building, across the hall from my current offices (without charge!) if I would stay another 3 years.

I’m overwhelmed tonight as I consider the ways that God has blessed me and this project. Even though I struggled to get the project moving in the beginning, God’s fingerprints are obviously all over it from start to finish.

Next week I should be calling the printer, uploading the final files, and tell him, “We are ready! SET! GO!” A few weeks later I expect the truck to pull up to unload into my extra office space.

God’s goodness and generosity is all over this. And I’m overwhelmed at his love. God’s love domino-ed all over me!

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea [a] asunder
His love endures forever.

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.

17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.

18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.

20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.

21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.

22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.

23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.

24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.

25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

I’ve been going to Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up” study of the psalms of the ascent. I’ve really been enjoying the lessons. The psalms are short. Many are familiar. I can imagine the people of Israel, singing songs in groups as they head back to Jerusalem each year to the festivals.

This week’s lessons included Psalm 123. I’ve read it many times but something wonderful happened when I read it this week. The earnest request of the psalmist came through in a way that I understood… through my eyes as the master of two wiener dogs. (Yes, one more story about those dogs!)

Right before bedtime, my dogs start their routine. They lay their long bodies down on the floor in front of me, at my feet. They look at me intently. You see, night-time is our “snack” ritual. They get a spoonful (!!!) of plain yogurt with a small handful of kibbles right before I take them outside one last time before putting them into their crate.

Stretched out in front of me, they wait for my provision. Their eyes do not leave me. They stare. They expect me to move at any moment, towards the kitchen. If I adjust myself in my chair, they perk up, thinking their time has come…

“I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
like a maiden attending her lady,
We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
awaiting your word of mercy. ” Ps 123:1-2

Once again my dogs demonstrate to me proper behavior as my help can only come from God.

“I’m looking to You, the Lord of Heaven, looking to you for help.
Like dogs, alert to their master’s commands,
like a wiener dog awaiting their nightly snack,
I’m watching and waiting, starring only at you, holding my breath,
awaiting your word of mercy and loving kindness.” Kathy’s version of Ps 123:1-2

“Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on you, alerting to your commands, watching and waiting for your mercy and loving-kindness. Help me remember that mercy and loving-kindness comes from no other source.”