( DaySpring Company…sent to me by Susan Johnson and the Presbyterian Women….thank you! Love it!)

Dear Reader:

Don’t we all have those times when life just seems to be too much- period? As hard as we try to stay afloat life seems to keep pulling us down to the point that we are ready to give up…except for that one voice deep inside that keeps reminding us that what we are going through is certainly an “annoyance” but it is not the end for us.

Dave Willis, in his article (Four Things to Remember When Life is Hard)… remembers vividly one particular morning that about took him under until he stepped back and remembered four important things about his relationship with God.

“I was getting all three of our boys ready for school which is a massive undertaking and makes me respect my wife even more because she is normally the one doing it! Amidst the screaming infant and complaining grade schoolers, there was a mess in the kitchen, a dirty diaper on the floor, toothpaste on the sink and stress in the air. When we FINALLY got out the door, Connor had forgotten something and had to run back in. The door was open just long enough for (I’m not making this up) a bird to fly in the house.

Now, I’ve got to figure out a way to get the bird out of the house and all the kids loaded up as fast as I can. I eventually got the bird out (unharmed) and the kids loaded and just before I pulled out onto the main road, a garbage truck cut me off and started driving about five miles per hour and stopping at every other house. I wasn’t sure whether to scream or laugh at the irony of it.”

After Willis dropped the children off at school and he finally had time to calm down and re-think life’s trying moments he decided on these four important “tools” needed in our daily dealings with life.

1. Remember that your Character should always be stronger than your Circumstances.

Circumstances will come and go but what lives forever, in the memory of others, is how you reacted to trying circumstances…your character.

2. Remember that your Struggles always lead to Strength.

All pain has a purpose. God uses difficulties to strengthen our faith and perseverance.

3. Remember that God’s timing is always perfect.

We must learn to stop trying to force our preferred timing upon a troubling situation but instead, learn to wait on God’s…because it is always perfect timing upon reflection.

4. Remember that God will never leave your side.

Once you ask God in for help you are not alone and never will be.

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Yesterday I heard a moving story that so touched me and lead me to believe that God is not just there for we humans in frightful circumstances, but He is there for all His creatures… including a remarkable dog. Boonrod…the name given to an amazing rescue dog from the sea in the Gulf of Thailand.

The rig crew gave it a name, translated loosely to ‘survivor’, in Thai it translates to “making a spiritual donation for good luck in the future.”

Somehow, the name just fits perfectly: Boonrod.

Everything had to happen perfectly for the crew on the Chevron oil rigger to even see the small head bobbing up and down in the sea. Then another miracle to get close enough without scaring the dog and tie a rope around him to pull him in without hurting him. But all came to pass….speculation is the dog fell off a fishing trawler but when and for how long he had been “dog paddling” until spotted… no one knows.

The crew all fell in love with the Aspin dog but sent him back to land on another passing rigger so he could be checked by a vet. He was pronounced in remarkably good health. The head crewman (Payalaw) of the Chevron oil rigger plans to adopt him if no original owner appears.

So until tomorrow…Father, thank you for never leaving any of your creations alone but always staying within each one’s heart beat.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

The Dingle clan has arrived safely in Boston…Hallelujah! Enjoy it to the fullest and prayers for continued safe travels and adventures.

*Their hotel overlooking Boston Harbor….looks like a beautiful day!

*Gin-g is eligible for the needed surgery which she will have at the end of May ….thanks for everyone’s prayers!