Archive | January 2012

Meet Alice

Jan28

Welcome home, Alice!

Alice in her cage at the Animal Hospital. They let her out often to greet customers.

Welcome home Alice! Hope you like it here!

This is Alice, the newest member of our family. We first met Alice in September when we were moving into our new house. We had let our two Maine Coons, Skippy and Ruby spend the night at the “kitty spa”. As we entered the Vet’s office this tiny kitten greeted us. It was love at first sight. She practically jumped into my arms and started purring and giving me kitty kisses.  The following day when we picked up the Purdy duo, Alice tugged at my heart strings again. I almost couldn’t bear to leave her there!

John took Skippy to get his two-year-old check up last week and Alice was still there. Greeting everyone who came in, running around and enjoying life. John asked about her and they said that someone had seen this tiny kitten walking along the road where someone had left her. Apparently, they couldn’t keep her so they brought her to the vets office. She has been there ever since. Other kittens have come and gone but for some reason, no one wanted Alice – except us. Maybe she was there for us. We both have birthdays coming up and John wanted to get her for me.

In the past, all of our kittens had been rescue kitties or they have literally walked up to our door, waiting for us to take them in. Of course, who can bear to think of a hungry critter running around in the cold needing someone to care for them? I used to say that “every time I pray for a baby to adopt, He sends a stray kitten or two instead.” They were cuddly, sweet and loved to snuggle.  Our Maine Coons on the other hand, are sweet and love to be near us but they aren’t as cuddly as our other cats had been. They will sometimes sit on our lap for a few minutes and will curl up on the bed, begging for a tummy rub and then they wander to the foot of the bed until they get hungry.  John can pick them up for a minute or two but at 16 and 18lbs, that is a difficult task for me. So it seems more like Skippy and Ruby are “Daddy’s cats.” Did I mention their intelligence? They are very smart and love to “hang out with me” but Moms know how it is. Empty arms.

We picked Alice up today and she was still giving out kitty kisses and loves to snuggle with her head against our shoulder, purring so loudly it sounds like a lullaby. She is so tiny! She couldn’t weigh three pounds! For that reason, we are introducing her to Ruby and Skippy slowly, while she is in the kitty cage. For a few nights, the master suite is the nursery. If my other sweet angels cry because the door is closed, I will have to put Alice in her cage. If not, I will have a kitten to spoil and cuddle. (Ruby usually cries if she is not with us so we’re praying she will be content tonight.)  Skippy seems to be fine with our new family member. Ruby ran to her “safe hiding place” after mildly objecting. After all, she has been “the baby” for almost two years. Time will bond them as friends and sisters. I’m sure of it.

"I'll watch out for you, little sis!"

Ruby checking out her competition from a distance. I know they will be best friends!

Play time!

This little gal is fast!

If falling in love with a kitten and having to leave it behind for four months, I cannot imagine what it is like for my friend, Bonnie Sue Walker who has been waiting seventeen months for their little Jedidiah’s adoption to go through and that Wayne will be allowed to bring him from Thailand to live in the United States with them – his adopted family!

Pray for Jedidiah to come home.

Think of what it means to the Lord for us to want to be with Him. To be near Him and snuggle close in faith. Kind of makes one think, doesn’t it? He loves you, my friend, and always has!

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore in lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

HELP JEDIDIAH COME HOME: OUR STORY

Jan26

HELP JEDIDIAH COME HOME: OUR STORY helpjedidiahcomehome.blogspot.com.

If I could think of one person with a “Mother’s Heart” it would be Bonnie Sue Walker.

John and I first met Wayne and Bonnie Sue Walker many years ago. We were hoping to adopt and so were they. Bonnie Sue led a group to Romania. She ended up staying longer than expected but came home with three beautiful children. They had already adopted a beautiful daughter from India, a son from Korea, a sweet little Chinese boy from Thailand and later, adopted twin infants before moving to Uganda where God led them to start an orphanage. They were there many years and after Good Shepherds Fold was established and running well with widows living in homes with several orphans in each house and new management, they followed the Lord to a new area of ministry.

The children they adopted while still living in the states are grown now. One is a U.S. Marine, one son is a student in aviation, at least one more is attending college. Did I mention that most of the children were “special needs children”? And now, they are trying to adopt Jedidiah. Red tape has blocked the way and Bonnie Sue, who had to come back to the states almost two years ago for health reasons, longs to hold her little boy in her arms once more. (Not to mention to be reunited with her wonderful husband!)

Please pray for the Walkers – that God will perform miracles and bring little Jedidiah home.

Much love,

Kathy

“Somebody’s Praying” By Ricky Skaggs – YouTube

Jan25

 

Intercessory prayer. How many times has the Holy Spirit awakened us in the middle of the night to pray for a loved one or dear friend who is serving Him? A need so strong that it takes us to our knees? Afterwards, we learn that the need to pray indeed came from Him, while our loved one was going through a deep struggle?

How often have we been through the valleys thinking we were all alone? That no one even knew to pray for us? That’s alright for The Lord Jesus Christ is our intercessor; sitting at the right hand of the Father praying for us – even when we falter and search for words.

“Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26 – 27

~

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ. and lie not:) a teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” I Timothy 2:5-8

~

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead be ye reconciled unto God (II Corinthians 5:19-20).

Somebody’s praying for you, my  friend. You do not have to go through the valley alone.

 

George Beverly Shae – It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) – YouTube

Jan23
Poor Skippy. He couldn’t catch the pendulum of the clock so he gave up. At least until it chimes again! How often have we tried to stop time? God’s Word tells us to Redeem the time for the days are evil…
http://www.youtube.com/embed/-uaZF_QvORY?rel=0%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E]
Only God can take a tiny, shy little girl and allow her to sing, teach, speak and write for Him!

This song has a lot of meaning for me. I was saved in October, 1968 after a revival in our little Church of the Brethren down the street. Well, actually, by my bed around one o’clock in the morning beside my bed. When I was a small child, my great Aunt Sylvia had taken me to Sunday School and Church with her every Sunday morning. A few years later, our family moved back into the neighborhood and I walked to Church.  As far as I can remember, I don’t remember hearing the Gospel before this. (Probably because I fell asleep with my head in Aunt Sylvie’s lap!). They were having an evangelist speak and I pestered Mom and my step Dad to come too. They did. Dad Hinchee asked the evangelist to come home with us. For the first time, I heard the Gospel clearly presented. I remember Dad Hinchee reading scripture as the evangelist requested. Ephesians 8-9.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” Dad Hinchee openly wept and received Christ as his Savior. I was still mulling over Romans 3:23 – not wanting to admit that I am a sinner. Until that moment, everyone told me that I was “good” and I wanted to believe that. After a week under conviction, I could see Jesus dying on the cross for my sin. I got out of bed and on my knees received Christ as my Savior and my life was never the same again.

Once I was too shy to speak up, He gave me boldness to share what Christ had done for me.  A few days later, the Lord brought Roland Webb, a man who worked at the Norfolk & Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) into our lives. He had heard that we had been saved and asked if he could come to our house once a week to share the Word with us?

Mr. Webb had once been a choir director so he brought his songbook. After one song, he asked my parents if he could (unofficially) teach me to properly utilize the voice God had given me. His emphasis was on diction. I spent weekends with Roland and his wife, Bebe. For an hour each day, I had to stand in front of the mirror and practice – listening to George Beverly Shae recordings as an example. What a privilege!

We began attending the same Church as the Webbs and the Lord put me to work. There was a Youth Rally. The Youth Choir director called and asked if I was the little girl with glasses and a big voice? He asked me to sing a solo. Later, we were told there were over 400 in attendance. I could never have done this without the Lord. If you had asked my name, I would have hidden behind Mom. Now, I hide in Him and ask Him to sing, teach, or write through me.

Are you shy? Burdened? Overwhelmed? Do not be disheartened, for I have news for you: It is no secret what God can do what He has done for others, He will do for you!

Aunt Sylvia, the evangelist, Roland Webb all had redeemed the time by investing in sharing the Gospel with others as well as investing their time. I am so thankful they did!