December brings many things: exams for Bryan, the end of sweeps for me, anticipation of great family gatherings...it's certainly a busy time.
Since I wrote last a sad event has happened here..our baby Precious died. She had cancer and after 14 years she passed away. It's difficult to express how much a part of our lives she had become over the years. Everyday she was here to talk to us and tell us what she thought we needed to do ...Bryan used to say she was judging us..made me laugh every time. I miss her every day. And today another traumatic event happened..both of our dogs ran away. I discovered them missing this morning when I got up. I stayed home from work..not feeling well..Bryan put the dogs out after letting them stay inside because of the cold..right around 8....when I checked on them about 30 minutes later..they were gone. I searched everywhere and they were gone. At first I thought maybe someone stole them but then I discovered where they had broken through a gate. Now they could be anywhere..just not here. I called Bryan hysterical and he rushes home to help me find them. I drove all over the neighborhood but no sight of Molly or Alex. When Bryan arrives we jump in the car together and try looking again...and that's when Bryan said the strangest thing..."I'm going to think like a dog..." and turns right on the highway...we didn't see them so he turns into a chuch parking lot to turn around and then we saw them...at the edge of the parking lot walking out of the trees...my babies...together. I jumped out and grabbed them ...crying..weeping tears of joy...my babies are okay and alive and together. We convinced them to get into the car and then we all headed home. Bryan repaired the gate and we put them back in the back yard where they slept away the afternoon. They're so beautiful ..my collie/muts. Strangely enough last night while they were whining about being locked in the warm bathroom as opposed to freezing outside...I was thinking about them. I really haven't been the best pet parent. I was talking to God...He was listening...and something in my heart said..they've been here everyday with me for 14 years and I've missed so much time with them...they're pretty self sufficient...if you ignore them they don't complain..they're just glad to see you the next time..that's awful to admit. And then today I remembered something I thought about last night..."they could be gone tomorrow"..and then they were. Just like that..gone. I don't believe in premonition..I believe in God...later today Bryan said we got lucky..I said no, we got God. And then I told him...if God cares enough about our two dogs then he certainly cares about us. Bryan pointed out to me several times today..I never miss work and on the day I stay home..all of this happens. It happened once before...back in Tuscaloosa I missed work one day and the exact same thing happened. Thankfully we found them then, too. Strange how God works..I can't explain it..some people would dismiss the whole thing to coincidence. But not me. I believe in God, I believe He cares and I believe His timing is perfect. Learning these things is not easy..I shed a lot of tears and my heart was broken in two today thinking I'd never see my favorite dogs. But God saved our little family and He will certainly save yours. This Christmas you couldn't buy me one thing I want...I have everything ...my family, my health, a home, a job, food, clothes and so much more...I am blessed beyond measure. I am also unworthy but God overlooks that and continues to bless me anyway. What do you need this Christmas? Do you have Jesus? That's really all we need. Blessings to you and yours this Christmas...Janie
