Angels watching over Ruffy & Harmony

December 11, 2015
Friday

Dear Readers,

The countdown to Christmas continues:

We are enjoying some warm weather this week although I hear temperatures are about to drop reminding us that Winter does come to Texas. I took my furry kids out this morning for potty call and the dew was so heavy it almost felt like drizzle. Maybe the prelude to the rain we are to get tomorrow! At any rate, I feel it in my bones ... this is going to be a wonderful day.

I had a super busy day yesterday. I had been out doing errands and found my way to the Dollar Tree. If you've never been, it's a must go. I spent $15 and had my arms full with 15 items!! As I unloaded the car, I set my purchases on the patio and closed the gate behind me. It must not have latched securely because when I let my two sweet Pomeranian ladies out of the cottage, they pushed it open without me noticing. Usually they play in the backyard while I work on the patio so I didn't think much about keeping an eagle eye on them.

The other 4 dogs were in the casa yowling at the back door and I heard Michael let them out. All of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I saw them running down the driveway and we chased after them. When we got them back in the backyard, I counted noses and was missing Harmony and Ruffles. My heart sank knowing they must have gotten out when I got home.

Michael went in one direction and I went in the other.  Nothing...  They were out of sight and gone. My heart was pounding, tears welled in my eyes, and I could only muster, "Help, I need help." I walked back to the house, got in the car to drive the neighborhood. Nothing...

As Michael was walking west from our house, a lady in a white car stopped him and asked if he was looking for a little red dog. He said, "Yes." "Well," the lady said, "She is in the house (she described the house) down the street." Michael and I went further west and knocked on the door where we were told she would be. Those poms had traveled a long way from our home!

An older lady opened the door and we asked if she had a little red Pomeranian. She explained that she had been out and when she came home, there was a Pomeranian at the back of her driveway. Luckily, Harmony came to her. She was glad that she hadn't driven over her because she didn't see her until she got out of her car. We asked about Ruffles and she said she only saw one dog. Our hearts rejoiced at finding Harmony but saddened once we knew Ruffy wasn't with her.

Michael's hip was hurting from walking so he took Harmony in the car and they started driving not only on Franklin but covered Elm and Carr. Burning tears rolling down my cheeks, I walked back towards our house, knocking on doors and checking out bushes. All I got was no ... no ... no and no.  As I walked, I continued praying ... not just praying, begging God for help.

With each no or no one answering their door, I was feeling pretty discouraged. Finding a 4 1/2 pound dog who probably was hiding seemed impossible. I got to a house that looked like it was being renovated and nearly passed it by. Just then, there was a man who came around the house and I asked if he had seen a little fluffy red Pomeranian.

Mr. Varner explained that he had just come back to his house to feed his dogs and check on renovations and was about to head back to the motel. AND, yes (!) he had seen Ruffy when he fed his dogs. He led me back behind the house next door (no one was at home) and there, sitting in the middle of the backyard was Ruffy. Now, Ruffy doesn't see very well so until I called her, she was frozen, shaking, and frightened. Once she heard me, her big plume of a tail started waving in the air and I scooped her up. I hugged Mr. Varner and planted a big smooch on his cheek. We chatted a few minutes about why he was doing the renovations and then headed home.

I was thanking God ... singing ... skipping. Ruffy was clinging to my neck for dear life and I was hugging her. My mind was still racing and my heart pounding when I waved Michael down. He, too, gave a sigh of relief.

We could never have found Harmony and Ruffles on our own. Without the lady stopping to ask Michael if he was looking for a dog (now, who stops someone walking down a street and asks them that????) Harmony was out of sight, inside this ladies house and Ruffles was deep into the back yard of a house where no one was home. Mr. Varner had only come home for a few minutes and was just leaving... It was enough to make me understand that we had help that only could have been orchestrated by the God who hears our cries.

I wonder how many times we entertain angels unaware or how many times God uses people around us to work his miracles? As I tumbled into bed last night and was saying my prayers, I began thinking about the many times, He put the puzzle pieces together for me when all I could see was impossibility and jumbled messes.

Last evening after all the craziness, I got a text from my friend, Susie, saying, "I just want to say I love you." What timing!! This morning, my special daughter, Melissa, sent this verse to me and I've been meditating on it: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower." ~ Psalm 18:2

One of my
 favorite glass ornaments

It is the Christmas Season. A time to be thankful and appreciate the love of God. A love so deep that he sent his only begotten son (John 3:16) ~ a son who was born and crucified on a cross for sinners (sinners not saints!) ~ God in man form whose ministry has stood the test of time and scrutiny by naysayers. I, for one, will continue singing his praises until I take my last breath.

My God, my Savior, I thank you for answered prayers yesterday. I ask your blessings on my Readers today filling them with hope (whatever they are going through) this Christmas Season. Where there is need, I pray that those needs are met. I pray for jobs for the jobless; food for the hungry; safety for our country; wisdom for our President and leaders; and, I pray that pastors across the country would speak truth as they shepherd their flock. For the those that are sick, I pray for healing. For Kelli, eyes to see. Amen! As we gather together for Christmas parties, help to remember that You are the reason for this Christmas Season. We believe in YOU and trust in your omnipresence. Amen, it is so!!

God is good. He's so good to me!

Miss Dottie

PS  Last night at the ORCC Ladies Christmas Party, Neva brought a decoration her granddaughter made that made me think of this quote:

"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" ~Dr Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!