OK. So it's not headline news but, for cryin' out loud, I haven't done much more than shuffle and waddle for years! Yesterday while walking to class I mindlessly ran up some stairs! I got to the top, stopped, looked back and thought, "Did that just happen?" As I continued my path to class I looked for more sets of stairs with about 5 steps or so and ran up each of them. I wasn't winded at the time and my knees are only a tiny bit sore this morning. Here's the thing, I haven't actually been able to run for years. Walking regularly at a decent pace has been a huge breakthrough. My poor legs have not done much more than shuffle and waddle for years. But, yesterday, I ran.
Our campus is hilly and the village where I live is nothing but hills so our walks exercise gluts, thighs and parts I didn't even know I owned. But running? Running hasn't even entered my mind. I probably won't try running as a fitness routine yet, but that little workout yesterday gave a major boost to the hope that my fitness goals can actually come to pass.
When I started class last semester I would have to pause at least five times to catch my breath while walking up and down the hills to my class. It was embarrassing when the younger folks would stop to ask me if I was OK. Dang I felt old! It blessed my heart that young folks care about us older folks but I was still embarrassed. I used that negative emotion as fuel for perseverance. A few times early in the semester I had chest pain while walking the longest hill. It scared the daylights out of me but I didn't stop. I reached in my purse and grabbed an aspirin to chew while I continued my slow shuffle up the hill. I had my bottle of nitro in hand in case the pain didn't subside. But I refused to stop. I had tears in my eyes and was praying big to God to keep me alive and help me become the healthy person he created me to be. I kept telling myself, "You deserve to live. Stopping means dying. DON'T STOP!"
I will NEVER forget that day and the other days like it as I took on the monster hills on campus and the monster in my brain that said I couldn't do it, yelling at me that I was too weak, too sick, too stupid and too old to succeed. Well, I aced the class and now those hills are just fun workouts. My heart rate elevates in a healthy way making the hills invigorating, no longer intimidating. My heart rate stays stable and I no longer have chest pain when going to classes. And yesterday, while going to class, I ran.
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs 2/10/2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Friday, February 10, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
God is good!
You know, life sure has it's ups and downs. Some on the inside and some on the outside. Either way, I have learned that Jesus is right here with open arms that hug my heart and carry my concerns. For that I'm deeply grateful.
This past week has marked a turn around in some very difficult circumstances. There are some ongoing challenges but when the tide begins to turn, and the flood waters begin to recede, that sense of relief in itself is a gift from God. Not that the guard comes down fully as there are still things to conquer, but a break from the "battle" gives opportunity to refresh and refuel. God knows when to provide those seasons.
Some folks are so optimistic that they say they wouldn't trade their tough times for anything. Well, I'd like to trade in a couple of circumstances right now, for the sake of my loved ones and for my own sake. But, life doesn't work that way. Over optimism gets on my nerves. I'm a realist I suppose, But the biggest reality that I cling to is the knowledge that God truly is here every step of the way to provide everything I need, sometimes just in the nick of time but never too late.
We needed a break and having a couple things start looking up, those are gifts we are grateful for. You see, goodness is who God is. Folks blame Him when things go haywire but blaming the One who can help us the most is to shoot ourselves in the foot. We create the breach between us and God and then wonder "Where are you, God?" Well, He hasn't gone anywhere. He's just waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him so He can take care of us. I've done that before and am thankful for Him teaching me the lesson that turning my back on Him is just, well, dumb. Not that He calls me dumb! He's gracious and merciful and always draws us back to Himself. I just finally realized that it's dumb to blame Him, stomp around or lay flat in self pity. Those things are a waste of time. Turning to Him from the get go, then staying glued to Him, that's been the secret, the success, the strength.
Well, thanks for listening to me think out loud this very rainy, beautiful Monday. We have needed rain very much and it's finally here! But I already mentioned that. I'm just thankful that it has stuck around long enough to do our land some real good. See? God is good.
Love,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 23, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This past week has marked a turn around in some very difficult circumstances. There are some ongoing challenges but when the tide begins to turn, and the flood waters begin to recede, that sense of relief in itself is a gift from God. Not that the guard comes down fully as there are still things to conquer, but a break from the "battle" gives opportunity to refresh and refuel. God knows when to provide those seasons.
Some folks are so optimistic that they say they wouldn't trade their tough times for anything. Well, I'd like to trade in a couple of circumstances right now, for the sake of my loved ones and for my own sake. But, life doesn't work that way. Over optimism gets on my nerves. I'm a realist I suppose, But the biggest reality that I cling to is the knowledge that God truly is here every step of the way to provide everything I need, sometimes just in the nick of time but never too late.
We needed a break and having a couple things start looking up, those are gifts we are grateful for. You see, goodness is who God is. Folks blame Him when things go haywire but blaming the One who can help us the most is to shoot ourselves in the foot. We create the breach between us and God and then wonder "Where are you, God?" Well, He hasn't gone anywhere. He's just waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him so He can take care of us. I've done that before and am thankful for Him teaching me the lesson that turning my back on Him is just, well, dumb. Not that He calls me dumb! He's gracious and merciful and always draws us back to Himself. I just finally realized that it's dumb to blame Him, stomp around or lay flat in self pity. Those things are a waste of time. Turning to Him from the get go, then staying glued to Him, that's been the secret, the success, the strength.
Well, thanks for listening to me think out loud this very rainy, beautiful Monday. We have needed rain very much and it's finally here! But I already mentioned that. I'm just thankful that it has stuck around long enough to do our land some real good. See? God is good.
Love,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 23, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Friday, January 20, 2012
It's finally raining!!!
Last week a group of local pastors organized a community prayer meeting to pray for the needs of our community. Upon hearing about the prayer meeting the local water officials contacted one of the pastors and asked that we please pray for rain. That we did and God has answered! God is good at that. We are actually expecting snow starting tomorrow. We have had a terrible dry spell in California and we are hoping and praying that the rainy season is here to stay for a healthy amount of time.
Our previous two winters were insane. We had more snow than we had ever seen here. Over the two seasons, seven of our trees lost their tops and landed on our roof. I really got tired of tress crashing onto our roof. Our home owner's insurance disowned us due to our "extraordinary number of claims." What's a family to do when it rains trees?
At any rate, we are grateful for the rain, the freshness and cleanness that it brings, and the promise of full reservoirs this summer. Full reservoirs means water for the farmers in the valley, and places to play in the summer.
Speaking of playing, tomorrow I get to hang out with my grandson. I love that little guy! He saw me at prayer meeting tonight and says to his daddy, "Want Mima!" His daddy set him down and he came a running! Want to know what he asked for? My cell phone. My cell phone has video of him eating, playing and even of him throwing a fit. Wanna know what he wanted to watch? He wanted to what the video of his fit! He cracks up watching himself kick his feet and then sit up and frown in the camera. That has nothing to do with rain. Just a grin for the weekend.
Stay warm, dry, healthy and safe.
Love,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 20. 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Our previous two winters were insane. We had more snow than we had ever seen here. Over the two seasons, seven of our trees lost their tops and landed on our roof. I really got tired of tress crashing onto our roof. Our home owner's insurance disowned us due to our "extraordinary number of claims." What's a family to do when it rains trees?
At any rate, we are grateful for the rain, the freshness and cleanness that it brings, and the promise of full reservoirs this summer. Full reservoirs means water for the farmers in the valley, and places to play in the summer.
Speaking of playing, tomorrow I get to hang out with my grandson. I love that little guy! He saw me at prayer meeting tonight and says to his daddy, "Want Mima!" His daddy set him down and he came a running! Want to know what he asked for? My cell phone. My cell phone has video of him eating, playing and even of him throwing a fit. Wanna know what he wanted to watch? He wanted to what the video of his fit! He cracks up watching himself kick his feet and then sit up and frown in the camera. That has nothing to do with rain. Just a grin for the weekend.
Stay warm, dry, healthy and safe.
Love,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 20. 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Good Morning, January!
Classes this semester are much tougher. That's OK. I will attend the labs and get educated. I'll get tutored if needed also. I will also take advantage of the beautiful campus and use it as my gym. The hills on the campus serve me well as far as my fitness goals go and the scenery keeps my attention so well that one mile of walking is gone before I know it. Time flies when you are having fun and when you are busy.
It's already the middle of January 2012 and I still have my beautiful 2011 Yosemite calender hanging in the kitchen. Didn't realize I hadn't changed it until yesterday when I tried to figure out how many days left until my math test. I stood there with "duh" all over my face trying to find my test date. I will say that the photos on the calender are too lovely for the trash can. So, the calender stays and I resorted to the little Hallmark calender in my purse to help me organize the rest of the month.
By the way, Hello January! When exactly did you arrive? You are half spent and I'm just now getting around to thanking you for the days you brought us! Sorry to take you for granted like that but you did bring us some busy stuff to handle! Thank you for bringing us lovely weather. I'm sure February will bring us the rain we need. We are not at all missing the snow since most of us still have debris in our yard from the last two winters' furious blasts. In fact, all the sunshine is providing opportunity for walks and hikes that normally are on hold this time of year. I'm usually getting fatter this time of year but here you are will all this sunshine, enabling me to progress in my health efforts. Thank you, God, for giving us this beautiful January! It feels like springtime!
It's already the middle of January 2012 and I still have my beautiful 2011 Yosemite calender hanging in the kitchen. Didn't realize I hadn't changed it until yesterday when I tried to figure out how many days left until my math test. I stood there with "duh" all over my face trying to find my test date. I will say that the photos on the calender are too lovely for the trash can. So, the calender stays and I resorted to the little Hallmark calender in my purse to help me organize the rest of the month.
By the way, Hello January! When exactly did you arrive? You are half spent and I'm just now getting around to thanking you for the days you brought us! Sorry to take you for granted like that but you did bring us some busy stuff to handle! Thank you for bringing us lovely weather. I'm sure February will bring us the rain we need. We are not at all missing the snow since most of us still have debris in our yard from the last two winters' furious blasts. In fact, all the sunshine is providing opportunity for walks and hikes that normally are on hold this time of year. I'm usually getting fatter this time of year but here you are will all this sunshine, enabling me to progress in my health efforts. Thank you, God, for giving us this beautiful January! It feels like springtime!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Malcontent: It's a noun
Once again, the definition:
mal·con·tent/ˌmalkənˈtent/
Noun:
A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
Adjective:
Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
Synonyms:
discontented - disgruntled - dissatisfied - disaffected
This word has been bugging me for weeks! It's such an ugly sounding word, yet it describes what I have seen way too much of as I go out and about. Yes! The world is full of loving, kindhearted and giving people! And that is usually what I focus on, especially when writing. But it seems that there are more and more people that are just unhappy cranks! I understand that people are hurting. I get that. I understand that very deeply. But why the need to lash out and be mean?
I see it at the store when an unhappy customer cannot be satisfied. I see it on the road when people cannot bring themselves to simply yield and let someone else catch a break in traffic. I see it in countless churches as people want church leadership to bless them to engage in behaviors that could compromise the strength of the church or choices that could compromise a persons own future. I hear about it on the news when yet another shooting has taken place. I see it in my neighborhood when that one person calls 911 on every tiny noise that happy children in the neighborhood make when they play. I see it in myself.
What on earth happened to my heart? I got hurt, grew bitter, withdrew, made excuses and turned into a malcontent. Has that ever happened to you? Is that you today? Those of us wanting to show the love of Christ to the world, show the power of God to the world and show the world that there are people who care cannot accomplish any of that with a bitter heart.
What is hurting you? How can I help? I have been there! More importantly, Jesus has been there! He took upon himself EVERYTHING that hurts us and everything that separates us from God. And then he paid the price for all that separates us from God. He paid that inevitable death penalty for sin. How much more does Christ, who suffered pain beyond our imagination and then had to die for it,, want to meet you today right where you are! He's alive now and no way is all that he went through going to go to waste. His hand reaches out for you today. Give him your heart and let him meet you, heal your broken heart and body, and strengthen you for all that is ahead.
Love,
Mountain Mom
Copyright: Cynthia R. Jacobs January 5, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
mal·con·tent/ˌmalkənˈtent/
Noun:
A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
Adjective:
Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
Synonyms:
discontented - disgruntled - dissatisfied - disaffected
This word has been bugging me for weeks! It's such an ugly sounding word, yet it describes what I have seen way too much of as I go out and about. Yes! The world is full of loving, kindhearted and giving people! And that is usually what I focus on, especially when writing. But it seems that there are more and more people that are just unhappy cranks! I understand that people are hurting. I get that. I understand that very deeply. But why the need to lash out and be mean?
I see it at the store when an unhappy customer cannot be satisfied. I see it on the road when people cannot bring themselves to simply yield and let someone else catch a break in traffic. I see it in countless churches as people want church leadership to bless them to engage in behaviors that could compromise the strength of the church or choices that could compromise a persons own future. I hear about it on the news when yet another shooting has taken place. I see it in my neighborhood when that one person calls 911 on every tiny noise that happy children in the neighborhood make when they play. I see it in myself.
What on earth happened to my heart? I got hurt, grew bitter, withdrew, made excuses and turned into a malcontent. Has that ever happened to you? Is that you today? Those of us wanting to show the love of Christ to the world, show the power of God to the world and show the world that there are people who care cannot accomplish any of that with a bitter heart.
What is hurting you? How can I help? I have been there! More importantly, Jesus has been there! He took upon himself EVERYTHING that hurts us and everything that separates us from God. And then he paid the price for all that separates us from God. He paid that inevitable death penalty for sin. How much more does Christ, who suffered pain beyond our imagination and then had to die for it,, want to meet you today right where you are! He's alive now and no way is all that he went through going to go to waste. His hand reaches out for you today. Give him your heart and let him meet you, heal your broken heart and body, and strengthen you for all that is ahead.
Love,
Mountain Mom
Copyright: Cynthia R. Jacobs January 5, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Thursday, January 5, 2012
A Happy Heart
mal·con·tent/ˌmalkənˈtent/
Noun:
A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
Adjective:
Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
Synonyms:
discontented - disgruntled - dissatisfied - disaffected
I didn't make this up. It's in Webster's Dictionary. Good news is there is a cure for this unhealthy heart condition:
Pro. 7:2 "Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes."
Ecc. 8:5 "Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right."
Ecc. 12:13 "That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty."
1Jn 2:3-5 "And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments. If someone claims, 'I know God,' but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him."
In the culture we are living in, our faith can quickly become smothered and dimmed by the same "Me!Me!Me!" mindset that is destroying our culture. We can become self absorbed, self centered, self motivated, and forget the love that is at the very heart of our faith. We become sour discontents and malcontents and nothing or nobody can please us because we become isolated and stagnant in our polluted "City of ME." We end up choking, nearly drowning, in the mire of our selfishness. Getting back to the simplicity of God, loving him and obeying him, brings an amazing change to the soul. That is the first step to getting out of the smelly, stagnant selfish place of having become a malcontent, the first step in having a truly happy and healthy heart again.
See ya tomorrow!
Love,
Mountain Mom
(Scripture references are from the New Living Translation.)
Copyright: Cynthia R. Jacobs January 4, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Homework
Our math homework this weekend is to read ahead into the next chapter we will be studying. Our Ministry Training Class homework is simply to pray. There is nothing like reading ahead in a math book to get me praying! Math 601 is going well, but when I see what's up ahead I get panicked. This is a college course and the grade I make counts forever. That makes me nervous so I read ahead, pray big and study hard.
Prayer. Now there is an assignment you don't see often. Pastor Pat McDonald stated it perfectly in a facebook post when he stated that the greatest obstacle in restarting a prayer life is getting past the condemnation we experience because we have stopped praying. How true that is! Much like falling behind in school tempts us to give up and settle for a barely passing grade, we get tempted to do the same in our walk with God when our prayer life has dwindled. We get tempted to settle and let fate takes it's course. Not only is such a choice spiritually dangerous, it robs us of the riches we have in God; it limits what we receive from Him, know of Him and, most sadly, it limits simply knowing Him.
The call to prayer sounds intimidating. How much time should I spend in prayer to pass this class? What do I pray about? One moment in prayer erased those questions because prayer is not about passing a class. Prayer is about knowing the heart of God. God's concepts are eternal and He is not giving us grades. He is longing for relationship, not prized students. He calls us children, friends, sheep and all kinds of affectionate words. Simply stated, fellowship with Him in prayer is a time of being embraced as His child, honored as His friend, rescued as His lambs. Prayer is the first step in realizing a love that changes you from the inside out, and gives you the heart to see others know that love.
I love homework.
Prayer. Now there is an assignment you don't see often. Pastor Pat McDonald stated it perfectly in a facebook post when he stated that the greatest obstacle in restarting a prayer life is getting past the condemnation we experience because we have stopped praying. How true that is! Much like falling behind in school tempts us to give up and settle for a barely passing grade, we get tempted to do the same in our walk with God when our prayer life has dwindled. We get tempted to settle and let fate takes it's course. Not only is such a choice spiritually dangerous, it robs us of the riches we have in God; it limits what we receive from Him, know of Him and, most sadly, it limits simply knowing Him.
The call to prayer sounds intimidating. How much time should I spend in prayer to pass this class? What do I pray about? One moment in prayer erased those questions because prayer is not about passing a class. Prayer is about knowing the heart of God. God's concepts are eternal and He is not giving us grades. He is longing for relationship, not prized students. He calls us children, friends, sheep and all kinds of affectionate words. Simply stated, fellowship with Him in prayer is a time of being embraced as His child, honored as His friend, rescued as His lambs. Prayer is the first step in realizing a love that changes you from the inside out, and gives you the heart to see others know that love.
I love homework.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mollie 'n Me
Well, here we sit, all snuggled in a warm room where we are enjoying the luxury of electricity while our home community copes with mega-tons of snow and massive power outages. Last I checked there was no prediction as to when power would be restored, only a PG&E recording stating they hope to have an update for us by tomorrow. One little neighborhood won't even have a hint of an update until Sunday, that's how difficult this series of storms have been on our electricity infrastructure.
Mollie, being a major attention hog, is enjoying being the only pet in tow during our evacuation escapade. We left the others behind because there is not a hotel between here and Wisconsin that will let us bring a dog as huge as a horse and stinky as a piggy into one of their rooms. The cat, well, he'd kill us if we stuck him in a car. Oh, sure, we could place him in a crate for the drive but as soon as we released him he would kill us. In our sleep he'd finish us off. That cat hates the car, loves his house and is fine in his little nook with his litter box, tons of food and water, not to mention the frequent visitors to the house popping in to snuggle him and make sure he isn't clinging to the ceiling in trauma. Nah, the cat is fine and big dog, well, big dog loves when someone stops in. For him that means he's either in for some serious head scratches or his next meal. Either way, he's happy.
Little dog, Mollie, would die of pure anxiety if we left her behind. Mollie is my baby, my three-year-old seventeen-pound baby. I acquired her last November after my sweet little poodle, Honey Sue, went to doggy heaven. She is a Poodle-Shih Tzu mix. I have owned Poodles for years and I know the breed well. What I don't know at all is the Shih Tzu breed. As it turns out, though Mollie may have a few Poodle-like curls and some spastic Poodle behaviors, she is by all definitions a Shih Ttzu. That's not a bad thing. But I don't know beans about the Shig Tzu.
Poodles are very loyal to their mommies, wonderful guard dogs, and extremely smart. The poodles I have owned have assumed that every human not dwelling in the household is a threat until several minutes of observing that mommy is happy with the "intruder" and not reaching for, well, you get the picture. And the Poodle does not observe quietly. The Poodle barks in a manner painful to the human ear, while bouncing in unpredictable directions and at insane heights for as long as it takes for the Poodle to get the picture that mommy is happy with the "intruder", or until the Poodle gets kenneled.
The Shih Tzu, too, is loyal. But, instead of being ready to attack and defend when a possible intruder comes to the door, the Shih Tzu perceives the human on the outside of the door to be a Popsicle, a Popsicle long overdue for a good licking. The Shih Tzu does indeed bark a bit, but the second the door is opened, the Shih Tzu covers the waiting human with so many licks that the human feels violated. Those licks are kisses to the Shih Tzu and, I don't know if it's just my Mollie or the Shih Tzu in general, but there are no strangers. There are only best friends desperately in need of kisses!
Wait. I must take that back. There was a fella that came to our place, and, not knowing this fella, I spoke to him through the door. Mollie went nuts with a bark I have never heard from her before nor since. I suppose she picked up on my pensiveness and reacted. I never opened the door as the fella apparently had the wrong address. Had I done so, I wonder what Mollie would have done? Probably best I don't know because this dog has a bite that shreds those leather dog chews in minutes. Can't figure that out. I've seen a Dachshund shred things like that but never a Poodle. Maybe it's a Shih Tzu thing? Or maybe she has Dachshund in her. Given the disproportionate length of her body and the comical shortness of her legs, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe. However, her breeder says she's half Poodle and half Shih Tzu, so, I'll proceed accordingly.
"Affectionate and loving" are the main words most articles use to describe the Shih Tzu breed. I concur. Mollie is "affectionate and loving" to the point she will not leave a person's being until she has administered 1,000 "affectionate and loving" doggy kisses. We are in a training process where she is learning to sit quietly until being invited into my lap, instead of appearing out of nowhere and putting her nose in my face, and attacking my face with "kisses". I don't like dog noses touching my face. It's gross. I do not allow my dogs to "kiss" my face. Regardless of how precious their intentions are, my face is off limits. Once Mollie is in my lap and has calmed down, she is allowed to "kiss" my wrist just once, then she gets lots of scratches behind her ears, accompanied by tons of belly rubs and back scrubs. She is adapting well to this routine. As long as she ultimately ends up in my lap, she's happy.
As we sit here hoping and praying that the next series of storms headed to our home community turns to rain instead of snow, Mollie is mellow. She is the only pet around and she knows it. She is sharing my attention with no-one. She doesn't care a thing about the weather, lights, heat; TV, or microwaves. As long as she's with me she is happy, content, settled and smiling. Her contentedness is a lesson to me. How content we should all be when we are loved. No, we are not dogs but, love is love and it amazes me how domestic animals know when they are loved, or detested for that matter, and how they respond to those emotions.
While going for her morning walk, Mollie saw a man out side our hotel who was sitting on a curb taking a smoking break. She of course approached him and, when he reached out to her, she loved on him and he so enjoyed her loves and kisses! Turns out his grandmother, whose name is Mollie, is lying in a hospital and is going to go be with Jesus any moment now. He and my Mollie had a sweet bonding time that obviously comforted the man. Hubby and the man visited and the comfort and encouragement the man received was very evident.
Reminds me of when I first met Mollie. My heart was broken deeply with the loss of Honey Sue. When I met Mollie I had serious doubts that I would bond with another dog any time soon. I fully expected to leave the park with still an empty and hurting heart. Mollie's eyes changed that in an instant. As sat on the ground, Mollie came over to me, rolled over for a belly rub, then climbed up and put her short little front legs on my right shoulder. She then leaned her head into mine for a little bit, then looked me square in the eyes. I pulled her away so I could look back into her eyes. As guarded as I was, I was taken by surprise when those pretty little eyes melted my heart. I hugged her, literally, and she snuggled in, just loving the hug.
I didn't bring Mollie home with me immediately. I wanted to wait and know for sure that she was the one God had picked out for me. I also needed to know in my heart of hearts that I really wanted Mollie, and that I wasn't just trying to replace Honey Sue. I was still grieving the loss of my baby girl and would still sob here and there. But, as the days went by, I knew. Mollie's eyes, her hugs, and her annoying kisses stole my heart. We picked her up the following weekend. We've grown to be best friends, Mollie 'n Me, especially now that I have been studying up on the Shih Tzu breed and learning how to relate to her according to who she really is.
Don't we have to do that with people sometimes, too? Just step back, be quiet, listen and learn? Don't we too often try to apply our cookie cutter methods to people, assuming that what we know is going to change their lives forever? Our intentions couldn't be better! But too often we don't take the time to know the deeper person, the person that God knows and wants to reach. Sometimes we can be much better instruments of his love when we wait a bit, pray, observe, and just get to know someone. Yes, it takes time and there can be sacrifice involved, but, if we end up being the person that God can show himself through, isn't it worth that little extra time and sacrifice?
Guess it’s time to wrap this up so I will. Until tomorrow, may your days be merry and bright, and, for those in the mountains of Norther California, may the days that lie ahead not be quite so doggone white!!!
Love to all,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs 3/23/2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Mollie, being a major attention hog, is enjoying being the only pet in tow during our evacuation escapade. We left the others behind because there is not a hotel between here and Wisconsin that will let us bring a dog as huge as a horse and stinky as a piggy into one of their rooms. The cat, well, he'd kill us if we stuck him in a car. Oh, sure, we could place him in a crate for the drive but as soon as we released him he would kill us. In our sleep he'd finish us off. That cat hates the car, loves his house and is fine in his little nook with his litter box, tons of food and water, not to mention the frequent visitors to the house popping in to snuggle him and make sure he isn't clinging to the ceiling in trauma. Nah, the cat is fine and big dog, well, big dog loves when someone stops in. For him that means he's either in for some serious head scratches or his next meal. Either way, he's happy.
Little dog, Mollie, would die of pure anxiety if we left her behind. Mollie is my baby, my three-year-old seventeen-pound baby. I acquired her last November after my sweet little poodle, Honey Sue, went to doggy heaven. She is a Poodle-Shih Tzu mix. I have owned Poodles for years and I know the breed well. What I don't know at all is the Shih Tzu breed. As it turns out, though Mollie may have a few Poodle-like curls and some spastic Poodle behaviors, she is by all definitions a Shih Ttzu. That's not a bad thing. But I don't know beans about the Shig Tzu.
Poodles are very loyal to their mommies, wonderful guard dogs, and extremely smart. The poodles I have owned have assumed that every human not dwelling in the household is a threat until several minutes of observing that mommy is happy with the "intruder" and not reaching for, well, you get the picture. And the Poodle does not observe quietly. The Poodle barks in a manner painful to the human ear, while bouncing in unpredictable directions and at insane heights for as long as it takes for the Poodle to get the picture that mommy is happy with the "intruder", or until the Poodle gets kenneled.
The Shih Tzu, too, is loyal. But, instead of being ready to attack and defend when a possible intruder comes to the door, the Shih Tzu perceives the human on the outside of the door to be a Popsicle, a Popsicle long overdue for a good licking. The Shih Tzu does indeed bark a bit, but the second the door is opened, the Shih Tzu covers the waiting human with so many licks that the human feels violated. Those licks are kisses to the Shih Tzu and, I don't know if it's just my Mollie or the Shih Tzu in general, but there are no strangers. There are only best friends desperately in need of kisses!
Wait. I must take that back. There was a fella that came to our place, and, not knowing this fella, I spoke to him through the door. Mollie went nuts with a bark I have never heard from her before nor since. I suppose she picked up on my pensiveness and reacted. I never opened the door as the fella apparently had the wrong address. Had I done so, I wonder what Mollie would have done? Probably best I don't know because this dog has a bite that shreds those leather dog chews in minutes. Can't figure that out. I've seen a Dachshund shred things like that but never a Poodle. Maybe it's a Shih Tzu thing? Or maybe she has Dachshund in her. Given the disproportionate length of her body and the comical shortness of her legs, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe. However, her breeder says she's half Poodle and half Shih Tzu, so, I'll proceed accordingly.
"Affectionate and loving" are the main words most articles use to describe the Shih Tzu breed. I concur. Mollie is "affectionate and loving" to the point she will not leave a person's being until she has administered 1,000 "affectionate and loving" doggy kisses. We are in a training process where she is learning to sit quietly until being invited into my lap, instead of appearing out of nowhere and putting her nose in my face, and attacking my face with "kisses". I don't like dog noses touching my face. It's gross. I do not allow my dogs to "kiss" my face. Regardless of how precious their intentions are, my face is off limits. Once Mollie is in my lap and has calmed down, she is allowed to "kiss" my wrist just once, then she gets lots of scratches behind her ears, accompanied by tons of belly rubs and back scrubs. She is adapting well to this routine. As long as she ultimately ends up in my lap, she's happy.
As we sit here hoping and praying that the next series of storms headed to our home community turns to rain instead of snow, Mollie is mellow. She is the only pet around and she knows it. She is sharing my attention with no-one. She doesn't care a thing about the weather, lights, heat; TV, or microwaves. As long as she's with me she is happy, content, settled and smiling. Her contentedness is a lesson to me. How content we should all be when we are loved. No, we are not dogs but, love is love and it amazes me how domestic animals know when they are loved, or detested for that matter, and how they respond to those emotions.
While going for her morning walk, Mollie saw a man out side our hotel who was sitting on a curb taking a smoking break. She of course approached him and, when he reached out to her, she loved on him and he so enjoyed her loves and kisses! Turns out his grandmother, whose name is Mollie, is lying in a hospital and is going to go be with Jesus any moment now. He and my Mollie had a sweet bonding time that obviously comforted the man. Hubby and the man visited and the comfort and encouragement the man received was very evident.
Reminds me of when I first met Mollie. My heart was broken deeply with the loss of Honey Sue. When I met Mollie I had serious doubts that I would bond with another dog any time soon. I fully expected to leave the park with still an empty and hurting heart. Mollie's eyes changed that in an instant. As sat on the ground, Mollie came over to me, rolled over for a belly rub, then climbed up and put her short little front legs on my right shoulder. She then leaned her head into mine for a little bit, then looked me square in the eyes. I pulled her away so I could look back into her eyes. As guarded as I was, I was taken by surprise when those pretty little eyes melted my heart. I hugged her, literally, and she snuggled in, just loving the hug.
I didn't bring Mollie home with me immediately. I wanted to wait and know for sure that she was the one God had picked out for me. I also needed to know in my heart of hearts that I really wanted Mollie, and that I wasn't just trying to replace Honey Sue. I was still grieving the loss of my baby girl and would still sob here and there. But, as the days went by, I knew. Mollie's eyes, her hugs, and her annoying kisses stole my heart. We picked her up the following weekend. We've grown to be best friends, Mollie 'n Me, especially now that I have been studying up on the Shih Tzu breed and learning how to relate to her according to who she really is.
Don't we have to do that with people sometimes, too? Just step back, be quiet, listen and learn? Don't we too often try to apply our cookie cutter methods to people, assuming that what we know is going to change their lives forever? Our intentions couldn't be better! But too often we don't take the time to know the deeper person, the person that God knows and wants to reach. Sometimes we can be much better instruments of his love when we wait a bit, pray, observe, and just get to know someone. Yes, it takes time and there can be sacrifice involved, but, if we end up being the person that God can show himself through, isn't it worth that little extra time and sacrifice?
Guess it’s time to wrap this up so I will. Until tomorrow, may your days be merry and bright, and, for those in the mountains of Norther California, may the days that lie ahead not be quite so doggone white!!!Love to all,
MtnMom
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs 3/23/2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Shaking It Off and Moving On
Thankfulness will get you everywhere. It's the ticket to breaking through depression, grief, anger, resentments and many other emotions and mindsets that can hold us back and stagnate us. I'm not saying that we don't have to work through situations that cause those emotions, but we don't have to stay paralyzed by our circumstances.
Col 3:15,16 - "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."
Col 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
1Th 5:18 - " Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Heb 12:28 - "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe."
We have a choice in how we think, which of course means we daily choose our attitude, our outlook, and ultimately, our future. Now I'm not one for a bunch of "psycho-babble" but facts are facts and it is a fact that what we think is who we become. Thoughts that we take in become our belief system; our belief system then determines who we become. For some there are temporary setbacks as we have chosen to believe less of ourselves than God's word says we are. Other times we see long term damage and consequences suffered by self and loved ones as choices in thought patterns change attitudes and behaviors.
I don't have a big essay or sermon here, just a reminder that, since we are choosing to change our mindsets, determining to believe all that God has made us to be and longing to to see and fulfill his purposes, thankfulness is the perfect place to start in worshiping him and breaking through to that next step he has for us. It's not to early and it's not to late. Thanking him is a tried and true way to start the day in worship...and we know what worship does! Go for it! Worship him! Thank him! Shake off those chains of doubt and diminished dreams and BLAST into his presence with thanksgiving! There, in his presence, you will see what you need to see, hear what you need to hear, get everything necessary to do what you need to do.
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs March 22, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Col 3:15,16 - "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."
Col 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
1Th 5:18 - " Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Heb 12:28 - "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe."
We have a choice in how we think, which of course means we daily choose our attitude, our outlook, and ultimately, our future. Now I'm not one for a bunch of "psycho-babble" but facts are facts and it is a fact that what we think is who we become. Thoughts that we take in become our belief system; our belief system then determines who we become. For some there are temporary setbacks as we have chosen to believe less of ourselves than God's word says we are. Other times we see long term damage and consequences suffered by self and loved ones as choices in thought patterns change attitudes and behaviors.
I don't have a big essay or sermon here, just a reminder that, since we are choosing to change our mindsets, determining to believe all that God has made us to be and longing to to see and fulfill his purposes, thankfulness is the perfect place to start in worshiping him and breaking through to that next step he has for us. It's not to early and it's not to late. Thanking him is a tried and true way to start the day in worship...and we know what worship does! Go for it! Worship him! Thank him! Shake off those chains of doubt and diminished dreams and BLAST into his presence with thanksgiving! There, in his presence, you will see what you need to see, hear what you need to hear, get everything necessary to do what you need to do.
Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs March 22, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Monday, August 9, 2010
Colorado
Soon I will be posting photos of a quick trip we made to the old home place in Colorado. I love Colorado. I was born there. There was not much time for photography for the sake of photography, but sure got some good shots of family and friends.
How very blessed our family is to have the tremendous Christian heritage that we have. We have grandparents and great grandparents that served God, and no doubt prayed for each and every one of us to walk with God. That is something I cherish and am deeply humbled and blessed by.
I will post a photo of the Veteren's Memorial that stands in the cemetary where folks on my Mom's side of the family are laid to rest. It was a blessing to finally visit and say good-bye to some whose funerals I was unable to attend. It was doubly powerful to visit there on Memorial Day.
Copyright Cynthia Jacobs May 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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