Our Prodigal Puppy

We call Lacey our miracle puppy.  Our family has loved this dog since the summer of 2009, and she is officially a member of the Blanco family.  She was a treasure to find, and has been a blessing to keep, but those aren’t the real reasons she’s our miracle.
Last month, she was not wearing a collar and name tag, and she did the inevitable.  She ran out while one of us was putting out the trash, and none of us noticed.  We didn’t notice the rest of the night that she was gone, either.  We didn’t even notice the next morning (a Saturday) until Daddy asked us where she was.  After calling for her and whistling (which usually brings her bounding to us within a few seconds) we began to realize with horror that she was gone.  I began to panic as I realized the reality of the situation.  It had been a hard freeze the night before, and I hadn’t even noticed my puppy was gone!  Because she was not wearing a tag, if someone did find her, they couldn’t call!
I was in tears by the time my son Jovanni and I were driving the neighborhood in the mini-van.  I was an emotional mess, due to my sadness, panic, and tremendous guilt that I hadn’t even noticed she was missing the night before.  After a few moments of trying to console me, my mature son straightened up in the passenger seat and declared, “OK, Mom, you can cry.  I’m gonna pray that God helps us find her.”
That’s exactly what he did.  He prayed a heartfelt, passionate prayer in full belief that God would honor his request.  Then he told me, “Mom, let’s go back home, I feel like she’s close to our house.”  I kept quiet, but obediently turned the van around, all while mentally picturing my Yorkie, dead, in one of the neighborhood bayous.
Jovanni and his sister Isabella took off on their bikes, stopping and knocking on every door close to our house, while I made a “wanted” poster with my puppy’s picture on it.  I began to tape it up to the street poles, stop signs, and mail boxes in our neighborhood.  Three cul-de-sacs down from our house, as I was taping up a sign, I heard a shrill bark form the garage of the house right in front of me.  Could that be Lacey?  No, I must be imagining it!  I called out, and whistled.  Now she really started making noise!
That kind lady had put Lacey up for the frozen night in her garage, but now willingly gave her back to me.  I took my shaken puppy home, and yelled for Jovanni and Isabella to come see.  The prodigal puppy was found, and as we tousled and played with our baby again, I gazed with pride on my son.  He looked at me, grinning, and now I cried healthy tears in appreciation for a son who acted in faith.

Living With Intention - A Call From God

This post is for the precious few people who read my blog and faithfully support me!  I am writing today to let you know what Juan and I have been working on for a while now, and are ready to launch into cyberspace soon!  It is a new interactive website with opportunity to grow and involve more resources and individuals as time goes on.
It has been impressed on our spirits recently, more and more to "get ready."  Ready, not just for Christ's return, but He has been teaching us how to ready ourselves for our life here on this beautiful earth he has given us.  We’re learning how to pursue His best for us; in body, soul and Spirit.  He has been talking to us through His Word on letting go of our "stuff," downsizing our previous priorities, and tightening our belts in our finances and food!
We are on an exciting journey of training - for His call on our lives as a family.  I used to think only of MY call from Him, like it was just something special for me, and the kids would figure theirs out when they graduated high school!  Juan and I have had some major revelations recently, as we're realizing that our children ARE our calling, that this life in this place right now IS our calling, and that what He has us doing today is as vitally important to our journey as anything else.  Even when that is eating healthier, spending less, clearing clutter, learning how to give... REALLY give, and exercising more!  I'm learning to give up my time, my efforts, my creativity for Him - it's all His, anyway - I didn't give these gifts to myself!
So we invite you to join us on this journey.  Join us as we get ready for more with Him.  As we ready ourselves in strength and health, clear minds and spirits, clean homes and hearts - an all around lifestyle change for Him!  We're calling it The Intentional Lifestyle.  It is a fresh take on the classic instructions found in the Bible for how to live our lives; with purpose and passion and walking in His love towards others.  There is so much He has for us, we just have to step up and receive it - in faith.
Please visit our new website, sign up for our newsletter, browse our articles and ideas.  There will be new material posted almost every day, as the ideas flow and the inspiration hits!  Are you ready to fulfill His great calling for your life?  Do you want to change anything about your current lifestyle?  Then join us at www.theintentionallifestyle.com and walk the road with us!  There is so much to come, and we cheer you on in faith as you strive to live with more intention!
We love you all, and thank each of you for your support over the years - you are truly a blessing to us!

Change Happens, Might as Well Embrace It

My three-year-old daughter likes routine.  Her schedule runs pretty much the same for her every day; she gets up at seven, she watches cartoons for a couple hours with her juice cuppy, she eats lunch at noon and naps afterward for a couple hours – life is good for Sophie.  Until her routine gets interrupted by…well, by life!  Then the moods elevate, the irritability grows, the impatience kicks in…you know what I mean!

She’s a lot like me.  She is in a great mood as long as things are going her way, but the minute her way is interrupted by someone else’s need - or, way - then it’s all over.  I’m coming to the realization that I am more than my children's mother; I am them, just older and with a little more self control.  I throw tantrums sometimes.  I get sleepy and irritable when I’m not rested.  I need hugs, kisses, and cuddling to reassure me.  I am my children!

So as much as possible, I try to keep Sophie’s routine for her.  Not only will her day go a lot smoother, mine will too!  There are days, though, where change is inevitable.  We may have to leave our house to run an errand, go visiting, or – gasp! – got to preschool!  Sophie is learning that despite her resistance to change, change still occurs. 

As time goes on, she will get older and have to release me - and her routine - from her iron grip.  Hopefully her life will become more about embracing change, instead of merely tolerating it.