Cheney 'n Murf

OMG! I am having a Hank the Cowdog moment! If you have ever read these delightful books to your kids you will know what I am talking about. We are taking care of Murphy, our children's dog while they are away. Murphy is a beautiful golden retriever setter cross, we think. When he first came to us he was a quiet, shy dog, used to life in the city. He has changed! He loves to ride in the Ranger. He loves to roll in the hay. He loves to run his long lanky stride across the desert and he LOVES to chase coyotes!! Or maybe they love to chase him.

This bright cold, blue sky January morning I let the dogs out to survey their territory . It wasn't long  before I heard them barking, alerting the neighborhood that they were on watch. I went about my morning chores. In a bit their barks changed.  I looked out the window. Down in the field were 2 BIG coyotes and Cheney and Murf (his country name!) I can just hear Cheney telling him. "Come on, Murf. You are big and strong and handsome. Let's take them on. We can do it." And... away they went after the coyotes!! I watched and the tables turned! The coyotes had lured them far enough away then went after their prey! It was an old coyote trick but Cheney and Murf didn't know it. Cheney turned and shot like a bullet up the hill toward home. Murf was right behind her but the coyotes were right after him. Like in the story: How do you get away from a bear... "I only have to run faster than you"! I yelled and the coyotes stopped! Luckily!!  The dogs beat feet to the top of the hill where they turned to bark their good byes to the coyotes. Of maybe they were barking challenges since they were now safe!! As Cheney and Murf sat in the sun and Cheney chewed on Murf's neck I could just hear her telling him. "Good job, Murf! I knew you could do it!! They had better watch out for us tomorrow!"

Littlest Shepherd

"Anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it..."

Often at Christmastime a church or ministry will have a drive to support those less fortunate. This is the case with the middle school class at Erin's church. They were supporting a child who was waiting to be adopted. This story was told at church and in the Sunday school classes. Anyone who would like to help could add their contribution.

On the Sunday before Christmas Garrett had a little paper bag as he left for church. When he got there he took his paper bag to the middle school Sunday School classroom. Mind you, Garrett is only 6. His mom asked him what he had. He told her, "It's my money". He told her he needed to put his money into the jar on the shelf. She asked him why. "Well, you know the kid our church is trying to buy?" he said. "Well, this is for her, so we can buy her." When his mom asked how much he wanted to put in the jar he told her, "All of it".  Garrett may not have gotten the whole story right but he surely got the message right. I thought this was the perfect Christmas story to end the year or to start the new one....

...and Jesus took the little children in his arms and he blessed them. Mark 10:15