Hi Everyone!

I hope that things are going well with everyone. I have enjoyed a very busy month since the kids returned to school. There is NEVER a dull (or restful) moment at my house! (smile) I praise God, however, for the grace and joy He gives for whatever we face in life. Amen!

Hey, let me tell you about something that happened to me a few weeks ago. This traumatic event really gave me more understanding of how much God loves us. The story involves my precious little dog Holly.

Holly is a delightful, silly little beagle. She is six years old and we brought her into our family when she was two months old. As you probably know, beagles are “huntin’ dawgs” and can rarely resist the urge to follow an interesting scent or trail. Holly is no exception. Not long ago, she was in the backyard at about 2:00 a.m. and was making a big fuss in that old familiar beagle “O-w-w-r-r-u-u!!!!!” Although she is a fairly small dog, she can really let it rip!

I came to the back door and whistled for her to come in. With such important business to attend, of course she ignored me! I then turned on the back porch light. Surely that would let her know I meant business. Still no Holly. She’s just yelping away at a rate of about one long bark every two seconds. Knowing how hardheaded she can be sometimes, ESPECIALLY when she has spotted a deer, I returned to bed. I knew that Holly would not venture into the woods because she is restrained by something called the Invisible Fence system. Believe me, a few mild shocks from the special collar and Holly knew where her boundaries were!

The next morning, we discovered that Holly had not come for her breakfast. I felt a slight tinge of worry, but dismissed it quickly. Holly was just enjoying the morning and was not hungry yet. We called for her. She did not come bounding up the back stairs in her usual way. We scanned the perimeter of the yard but did not see the little tri-colored canine. O.k., now I was getting scared. I tried to assure my children that Holly was fine. There was a time before when she got caught in the brush right at the edge of the yard and we had to help her out. Surely things could be no worse than that.

I put my Timberland boots on and headed out the door. My husband and daughter came out also. We called and looked in the normal places Holly would retreat to for shade and comfort. Where was she? Now I was REALLY FREAKING!! I tried to remain calm and put up a strong front, but inside my stomach was in knots. After searching the entire backyard, we did not see our dog. For the first time, Holly was GONE!!

Let me tell you a secret. I am NOT a fan of bugs, snakes, weeds, pits, etc. In other words, the outdoor life is not my cup of tea! But when my dog was missing, I went into the deepest parts of our wooded acres looking for something that was precious to me. I cleared away webs holding incredible spiders, knew that I could run upon a snake. My husband and I fell into ditches (he actually tumbled but I did not – HA!). I followed deer tracks and uncovered nasty foliage. Nothing seemed too hard or to gross in this desperate search for my little dog. We called her name so many times. We wailed. We pleaded. We prayed. Holly was nowhere to be found. We drove around the community calling out her name. We walked the neighborhood. That night, I did not go to sleep. I stayed up and went out onto the back deck to see if I would hear her voice in the woods. I wanted my dog back.

I am thankful to say that Holly was returned to us. A wonderful young man found her on one of the main roads near our home in the wee hours of the night. She was frightened and lost. Holly was returned to us with just a few nicks and bruises from her wild adventure. My heart rejoiced when my dog was returned to me. She was also relieved and thrilled!

This situation really let me see the heart of God towards us, His children. When we are lost or go astray, our Father will go to every length to get us back home safely. Do you remember the stories in the bible about the lost coin and the lost sheep? Those stories were examples of how much God loves us. It showed how He would search high and low for ONE lost coin. It showed His relentless concern and efforts to find ONE lost sheep, even leaving ninety-nine other sheep behind in His pursuit. Wow! How much the Father loves me! How much He loves YOU! If I did what I did for a canine, surely God’s love for us knows no limits!!! I am glad about that! Aren’t you?

Well, I have talked your heads off! I love you! Talk to you soon.