Gosh, I must do better at staying current with this thing.

Recently-moreso than usual-I have found myself coming face-to-face with issues exclusive to the feminine persuasion. Not just internally, but in conversations with others who are genuinely finding themselves to be facing very trying battles.

Marriage. Motherhood. Professional glory. Biblical submission versus selfish pride. Feelings of inferiority. The inability to see personal beauty.

Today, more than ever, the world encourages women up to be powerful, self-reliant creatures-creatures able to function with no outside assistance. Just recently I discovered this seemingly "worldly" outlook to be a very real-Biblically cited-struggle among women; the desire for control, for dominance. It stems back to the role of Eve in the fall. It's something I struggle with daily.

But this post is not about me. This post is about women-you, if you are one. Befriend each other. Pray for each other. Lift each other up with promises from the Word. Pray for discernment between the lies from the devil and the truth from our King. Rest in His promises and be thankful for grace. Be thankful for today.

The Pink Spoon Shadow

Peaches. Mango. Strawberries. Blueberries. Pineapple. Tangerines. Those are all the toppings I put on my $5 and change amount of frozen yogurt this evening. There is no denying the deliciousness of my treat. Momentarily the flavor rush shadowed the reality of calories, and so much more.

At this time along the Somalia-Kenya border there is a refugee camp fit to hold 90,000 refugees topping out with a population of over 400,000 and growing. Why are the people there? A compounded problem involving famine, drought, and lawlessness has resulted in hunger and, consequently, death for an alarming amount of people, young and old. Photos of the stark realities Somalians are facing litters the television and computer screen. I can't quite verbalize the impact of the photos. You can see the hopelessness in the refugees' eyes. It's hard to not turn away. I don't often internalize global strife of which I am so far removed. This time is different. Seeing children in such dire agony, so near Death's relentless grasp, and not being able to grab them first and wrap their little bodies in sustenance and love just breaks me to pieces.

I pray for relief for those suffering throughout the world. Especially those suffering from hunger in Africa. I pray my plentiful life does not shadow my eyes from seeing, my heart from feeling, and my hands from doing.

My Dog's Identity Crisis

Yes, you read correctly. My dog is having an identity crisis. Or so we think.

Last week my husband and I agreed to watch our friends' dog for a few days. They thanked us repeatedly, as if we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but they didn't know how excited I really was. I love animals, just not the slimy ones. If I had more space (inside and outside of our home) I'd have as many dogs as I could tolerate, and an equal amount of cats.

Berkley, our guest, and Koda, our resident canine, are the same age and kept themselves occupied with jumping, following, biting, wrestling, licking, and the occasional nap.  Then Berkley left.

Koda has never been one that responded to his name. In fact, he prefers to run wildly throughout the neighborhood without a leash only to return when he feels so inclined rather than respond to his name. I can't really recall what led to this, but I decided to call out "Berkley" as I would Koda's given name just to see how he'd react to the absence of his friend. Well, you would have thought I called out an unlimited supply of T-R-E-A-T-S by the way he reacted!

Koda thinks he is Berkley. It's either that or he is in puppy love.