Our Christmas snow

We woke up today to 8 inches of snow. Technically it started snowing last night before bed (Christmas night), so you could say we had a white Christmas.

our little abode tucked away in the snow

Sunday afternoon Picnic

HJ and I enjoyed a picnic yesterday at Joyner park

I’m still puzzled by my fortune cookie, maybe you can interpret it for me:
I SPENT THE TIME PREPARE THE SONG,
WHILE THE SONG IS NOT BEING SUNG.

After we finished our Chinese carry out, we went on a small hike

Sophie says, “I’m waiting, why are you guys so slow.”

When we got home, we made chocolate chip cookies and then watched How to Train your Dragon. The movie was excellent, I thoroughly recommend it!

Evening Run

I went on a run last night with Sophie. HJ and I go walking together almost every day, but sometimes it is nice to push yourself a little bit and to just plain sweat. I find running is a good way to clear the mind and pray. Now, there were a few things about last nights run that caused me to pray a little extra harder: (1) It is hunting season and I was running in the woods. Sure it was dark and hunters weren’t supposed to be out, but you never want to assume; (2) It had rained yesterday and there were many puddles; (3) It was very mild, making the possibility that snakes were out and about very real (I was sure hoping that Mark 16:18 is original because I was sure claiming it). But, alas, I got home safe and sound without a single out of the ordinary happening other than some wet running shoes.

Great weather if you’re a duck…

or an energetic black lab still bursting with puppy youthfullness who’s been home alone all day and can’t wait to get outside and play is there a stick anywhere nearby?

When the master comes

Sophie, my black lab, faithfully held down the fort today while I was gone, as she always does. When I leave, she has no idea where I’m going or when I’ll be back. But one thing she’s sure of: sooner or later, I’ll be home. And when I return home and open the door, there’s always an eager pup with tail wagging and warm greetings. In fact, she usually sits looking out the window so she can see me long before I’m home, while I’m still driving down the road. Then as I pull in the driveway, I can hear inside yelping excitedly as she bounds to greet me at the door.

Tonight as I thought about this I wondered: am I as excited as Sophie about my master’s return? May I keep a weathered eye on his coming, knowing for sure that sooner or later he’ll be back.

late night “visitors” and ethical quandries

Last night I got to do the good, husbandly task of checking to see what that noise was. You know, the one you hear in the still, quiet house; the creak of the floor, and then soft “footsteps.” Now, I sleep with a shotgun next to my bed, but I opted for a different “weapon.” So I woke the black lab up (named Sophie), who was sleeping at the foot of the bed. Instantly she seemed to sense that both her owners hearts were beating fast and filled with adrenaline. So, with Sophie on the alert, and the wife in bed, I courageously sent the lab out of the bedroom and into the fray. I figured if there was somebody in the house, or possibly waiting on the other side of the bedroom door, my ferocious “guard” dog would at least startle them, allowing me enough time to come up and pull a half-nelson.

Sophie sniffed through each room, I followed close behind, turning on all the lights. We found nothing, but we still heard “footsteps.” They were coming from under the house, where there’s a sort of crawl space/garage/storage area. I grabbed a flash light, and Sophie and I made our way outside and then under the house. At this point I was 99% sure that the “footsteps” were coming from a cat. Most of our neighbors have 10-20 cats each, and while they’re good at ratting out mice, they’re also uncanny at getting under your house in the wee hours. As soon as I opened the garage door, out bolted a cat, which, to Sophie’s credit, she almost intercepted.

Not to draw too much from this story, but I will close with this. I often hear Christians debating whether or not to defend your family if the house is broken into. Should one turn the cheek in such a situation? Having a dog is an easy solution to this ethical dilemma; it will naturally want to defend you from harm, and it will answer the question for you. It will defend, and you will not even have to question whether or not to grab the gun.

10 lessons I learned from…

My wife and I were browsing in Barnes and Noble the other week. Among the many fascinating books on the shelves, I noticed one entitled something like 10 Life Lessons I Learned from my Dog. The reason it caught my attention is because I have, like nearly every other pet owner, imagined writing just such a book. Think of how easy it would be to write it. All you would have to do is think of 10 things you’ve observed from your pet, tell a cute story about each one, apply it in general to life, and then contact the publisher (oh, and don’t forget the pictures).

If I were to write one about owning Sophie, I would entitle it, “10 things Sophie taught me about Theology,” and these would be some of the chapter headings:

1. Sin is nothing but a stinky trash can (why does a trash offer such an alluring attraction to Sophie?)
2. God will never abandon us (no matter what Sophie ever does, I’ll never get rid of her)
3. His gentleness is my strength (the longer I own Sophie, the more confident she becomes)
4. You don’t have to understand (Sometimes Sophie just can understand why I tell her no, but I have my reasons)
5. Obediance is better than sacrifice

A first

I just experienced something for the first time – my first time ever to go on a bike ride in the woods in the dark. I know, crazy, that’s exactly what my wife said. But after a week of being sedentary, both Sophie and I needed an adventure. We must have been a sight, trudging through the woods with flashlights, and all bundled up. But I’m home, safe and sound, and much less stir crazy.

through the meadow

Going hiking is one of my all time favorite activities. It’s really convenient to be able to step out my backdoor and walk in the woods right behind the house. There are plenty of woods and trails in Louisburg. I find the fresh air invigorating, the exercise rejuvenating, and the aloneness a good time to think and pray.

Study skills 101

What’s the first step one should take to prepare for finals? I consulted with Sophie, and we decided a long, leisurely hike in the woods was the answer.

In all seriousness, knowing when to give the mind a rest, stretch idle legs, and breath in fresh air is the best study aid of all. Now my batteries are somewhat recharged, and I’m ready for new adventures, thanks to Sophie of course!