After I realized Pepper only wanted me to have his puppies, I moved to attempting to love another creature....Kittens.
My neighbor's cat had a litter of kittens that always hung out at our house. I loved one particular black and white kitten (although I never named it.)
I was waving goodbye to my Dad one day. "Bye, Daddy! Have fun at work! I love you" AAAAAAAAAAAND THAT'S when it happened.
"Daddy, NO!" I cried.
Just then, (and I specifically remember this) Daddy ran right over my un-named feline friend. This is how my thought process went.... remember, I was in about 4th grade at this point...
"Bye, Daddy! I love you!" Uh oh, here comes the kitten.... "Daddy, NO!" ..... Holy SH*T that cat's eyeballs just popped out of its face. How is that possible? Holy SH*T, does that mean that if I got run over, my eyeballs would pop out of my head? Holy SH*T, that was like straight out of a cartoon. Maybe all cartoons are real. Welp, I guess that means I don't have a nameless cat anymore. I guess I'm stuck with the humping werewolf dog.
STRIKE TWO
Mark and I moved to Naples, Italy on April 22, 2012. We will be there for three years and will be documenting all aspects of our crazy new life overseas. Enjoy! Ciao! -The Bakers
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What Did You Do With What I Gave You?
July 24, 2009
What Did You Do With What I Gave You?
Luann Prater <http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbppdhpzld_vpzcjzbzzmj.html>
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Devotion
"How can I make sure she doesn't become self-absorbed as she grows up?" a young mother asked me as we munched warm chocolate-chip cookies.
Our culture struggles with the "I wants." When children receive "things without strings" they begin a life of self-centered discontentment. Adults, in an effort to find happiness, reach for whatever they don't have, thinking that thing must be what is missing. In the United States we often convince ourselves that our wants are really needs.
I had the privilege of joining my Proverbs 31 Ministries sisters on a trip to Ecuador to visit the Compassion International projects. We came face-to-face with real poverty, real needs and real happiness. Many moments will remain etched in my memory, but two stand out as a glaring disparity to life as we know it.
First, we visited a family with three children who live in a block home, tin roof, dirt floors and have only one bed. I asked the parents if they could have just one thing what would it be. They thought about it, discussed it, then said, "We have everything we need."
Wow! Are there many in the U.S. who would say that? Furthermore, I wonder if the response in this country would be, "Only one thing?" They have the love of their family and more importantly the love of a God who fills their desires.
Second, I met Jonathan, a college student from a family of eight who is a Compassion International sponsored child. He is studying to become a math teacher. When asked why he chose that path he said, "The boys in my village drop out of school when they become freshmen so they can work and help support the family. I want them to know that if they continue on and learn math it can open many more doors in their work life. I also know that one day I will stand before God and He will ask me, 'What did you do with what I gave you?' I want to help change the reality in my own world."
Wow! This young man has been given an opportunity for a different life and now he gives back.
So, back to my conversation with my friend as we were eating cookies. My answer to this young mother was, "Go on mission trips, help the needy, sponsor a child and serve others." When we serve, the focus shifts from self to selfless. It is only then that the resemblance of Christ can be seen in our reflection.
How will we answer the question, "What did you do with what I gave you?"
Dear Lord, we are so blessed and yet we often live with impoverished hearts. Fill us with the Spirit that encourages us to go, to serve and to bind up the brokenhearted. Empty us of self so Your reflection can shine to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
What Did You Do With What I Gave You?
Luann Prater <http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbppdhpzld_vpzcjzbzzmj.html>
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Devotion
"How can I make sure she doesn't become self-absorbed as she grows up?" a young mother asked me as we munched warm chocolate-chip cookies.
Our culture struggles with the "I wants." When children receive "things without strings" they begin a life of self-centered discontentment. Adults, in an effort to find happiness, reach for whatever they don't have, thinking that thing must be what is missing. In the United States we often convince ourselves that our wants are really needs.
I had the privilege of joining my Proverbs 31 Ministries sisters on a trip to Ecuador to visit the Compassion International projects. We came face-to-face with real poverty, real needs and real happiness. Many moments will remain etched in my memory, but two stand out as a glaring disparity to life as we know it.
First, we visited a family with three children who live in a block home, tin roof, dirt floors and have only one bed. I asked the parents if they could have just one thing what would it be. They thought about it, discussed it, then said, "We have everything we need."
Wow! Are there many in the U.S. who would say that? Furthermore, I wonder if the response in this country would be, "Only one thing?" They have the love of their family and more importantly the love of a God who fills their desires.
Second, I met Jonathan, a college student from a family of eight who is a Compassion International sponsored child. He is studying to become a math teacher. When asked why he chose that path he said, "The boys in my village drop out of school when they become freshmen so they can work and help support the family. I want them to know that if they continue on and learn math it can open many more doors in their work life. I also know that one day I will stand before God and He will ask me, 'What did you do with what I gave you?' I want to help change the reality in my own world."
Wow! This young man has been given an opportunity for a different life and now he gives back.
So, back to my conversation with my friend as we were eating cookies. My answer to this young mother was, "Go on mission trips, help the needy, sponsor a child and serve others." When we serve, the focus shifts from self to selfless. It is only then that the resemblance of Christ can be seen in our reflection.
How will we answer the question, "What did you do with what I gave you?"
Dear Lord, we are so blessed and yet we often live with impoverished hearts. Fill us with the Spirit that encourages us to go, to serve and to bind up the brokenhearted. Empty us of self so Your reflection can shine to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Dog Training
When I was a child, I quasi-loved an animal. For those of you who know me, this is weird. I don't like animals. Alright, I'll say it: I pretty much hate them. I know this hatred stemmed from three major events in my life. This post is about the first.....
We got a full-blooded Keeshound when I was in about 3rd grade. If you have never seen a Keeshound, imagine a mix between a werewolf and a monkey. It was black and white, so I (appropriately) named the canine Pepper.
I was pretty impressed with myself when I taught Pepper his first trick. I remember my parents having friends over and having me show them, "My little trick." I thought I was amazing: a straight up Dog Whisperer.
One day my neighbor, Emily, came over to play at my house. I decided to show off my new amazing skills. "Watch this!" I told Emily. Pepper immediately did the trick. I was so proud.
"So he's humping you, right? .... Your dog is trying to hump you?" said Emily.
I was appalled. Surely my new trick wasn't an inherent trait my new friend had. Was I a Dog Whisperer? Or was my dog just horny?
As it turns out, it was the latter. When I thought I taught my dog to dance, Pepper was trying to have sex with me.
STRIKE ONE.
We got a full-blooded Keeshound when I was in about 3rd grade. If you have never seen a Keeshound, imagine a mix between a werewolf and a monkey. It was black and white, so I (appropriately) named the canine Pepper.
I was pretty impressed with myself when I taught Pepper his first trick. I remember my parents having friends over and having me show them, "My little trick." I thought I was amazing: a straight up Dog Whisperer.
One day my neighbor, Emily, came over to play at my house. I decided to show off my new amazing skills. "Watch this!" I told Emily. Pepper immediately did the trick. I was so proud.
"So he's humping you, right? .... Your dog is trying to hump you?" said Emily.
I was appalled. Surely my new trick wasn't an inherent trait my new friend had. Was I a Dog Whisperer? Or was my dog just horny?
As it turns out, it was the latter. When I thought I taught my dog to dance, Pepper was trying to have sex with me.
STRIKE ONE.
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