Everyone loves a care package!

I subscribe to a lot of blogs. Among my many subscriptions, I have many that revolve around animals, animal rights, and animal activism. Many times, the posts that come up are letting me know about new breed specific legislation, or asking for help transferring a dog from a shelter to a rescue group in a big city. However, today I saw this posting, and its one that we can ALL help with!

Girl Scout Troop #60667, based in Macon, Georgia is working on their service project: care packages for United States Military Working Dog Teams (this includes the dog and their handler). These dogs are really amazing creatures; they are trained to be deployed worldwide to support the war on terror, helping to safeguard military bases and activities and to detect bombs and other explosives before they detonate.

Here are some items that the Girl Scouts are collecting:

Items needed for the dogs:

Collapsible nylon dog bowls	Large Kongs or Kong 3″ rubber balls
Tennis balls	Dog shampoo and/or conditioner
Grooming tools (combs, brushes)	K9 toothpaste and brush
K9 eye drops	Salves for paws and noses (Neosporin or similar)
Bandages/vet tape/4″ x 4″ gauze pads/gauze rolls	Towels to wipe paws
Dog biscuits in 1 lb. boxes	K9 jerky treats (beef, rice, veggie, etc.)
Large rope chews	K9 cooling mats (about $75 per dog)
K-9 cooling vests (about $160 per dog)	K9 boots (about $40 – $50 per dog)
K9 cooling collars (about $20 per dog)	K9 Advantix flea/tick treatment (about $60 for a 4-month supply; this can be ordered/purchased through a vet or online; get size for full-grown German Shepherd Dog, Belgian Malanois, or similar breed, “over 55 lbs.” size)
K9 Doggles (goggles for eye protection from sun and sand, about $20 per dog)

Items needed for the handlers:

Beef jerky	Instant coffee (flavored) or instant tea
Creamer	Hot cocoa powder
Powdered Gatorade or other sports drinks; any sort of drink mix (lemonade, Crystal Light, etc.)	Instant foods (flavored oatmeal, grits, Kraft Easy Mac, or similar)
Crackers and cheese	Little Debbie snack cakes
Power Bars, cereal bars, granola bars	Dried fruit, nuts
Microwave popcorn	Gum, bubble gum, Blowpops, lollipops
Twizzlers	Hard candy
Instant soup	Hot sauce
Fast food packages of condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo, sugar)	Spices (garlic powder, oregano, allspice, spice blends, etc., in plastic bottles
Canned tuna or chicken	Chips in containers (like Pringles; no bags)
Chex mix	Fruit or applesauce cups
Peanut butter and jelly	Pop Tarts
Canned sardines or oysters	Chips/salsa
Individual boxes of cereal	Small canned foods like beef stew, potted meats, etc.
Packable sweets (cookies that don’t crumble or melt)	Salad dressings
Razors/shaving cream	Soap
Deodorant	Toothbrush/toothpaste
Dental floss	Breath mints
Shampoo/conditioner	Comb/brush
Handkerchiefs, bandanas	Lip balm
Sunblock	Clorox wipes
Hand sanitizer	Eye drops
Saline nasal spray	Hand cream/lotion
Avon Skin So Soft (this is great for dogs, too!)	Cotton swabs
Nail clippers/nail file	Aspirin, aceteminophen, ibuprofen, Tums
Throat lozenges, cough drops	Hand warmers (chemical or battery)
AA and D batteries	Phones cards
Postage stamps	Writing materials
Paperback books and/or magazines	Cards, yo-yos, Nerf balls, Frisbees, other small toys
Word search, Suduko or crossword puzzle books	Duct tape (green, black, or tan)
Surge protector	All-in-one tool (“Leatherman” tool)
Sweat pants, sweat shirts, ankle socks in green, black, or white)

*Here's something I didn't even think about, lucky they posted it! Pork and pork by-products are not allowed to be shipped in most Middle East combat locations (remember, it isn't allowed in the culture!), so don't send any of these items!

The address is:
Girl Scout Troop 60667
Care Packages for K9s Project
c/o Kimberly Schwartz, Adult Project Coordinator
P.O. Box 5191
Macon, GA 31208-5191

All items must be in by December 3rd, so they can get them sorted, boxed, and shipped to the combat zones!

Something so easy as grabbing an extra box of treats, an extra bottle of dog shampoo, or some neosporin can make the lives of these animals and people so much easier! If you are interested but don't want to bother with boxing and shipping everything, let me know and I'll be happy to ship it with mine!

This has been a long week. Great, but long. I'm having such a hard time motivating myself. I need to workout. I need to examine my diet. I need to work on wedding stuff. I need to clean. What do I get done? Petting the dog, watching tv, and reading.

I'm tired. I'm down. I feel like I can never get my battery full, and I'm slowly breaking down. Maybe after this weekend things will be looking up. I hope.

Today I'm thankful for the fact that God loves me and cares for me.

I can't believe its over...

Yep, Jason and I's Countdown class is over! I can't believe it! Here's a little recap:

Friday night: We caravanned down to Magnolia, through the most beautiful area that I love so much. After many minutes of anticipation winding through a beautiful subdivision, we arrived at the Seay's house (it was sooo awesome! They have a room for their grandkids that can sleep about 20!!!!). The boys were promptly sent outside to make us hot dogs, while we stayed inside and chatted (I mean, finished setting things up for dinner!). Then a session on commitment, then we sat around talking until we went to bed.

Saturday: early breakfast and pillow fighting with Justus, one of the Bacak's kids. It was so funny hearing the hilarious things he says, and he has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard. Then was the "This Is Your Life" scavenger hunt all around Magnolia, and then back to the Seay's. Jason and I didn't get all of our finished, but we had a great time running around. Then lunch, a session on adoption (Jenn and Rusty have an amazing passion for trans-racial adoption, and are really an inspiration and comfort to anyone who might be considering adoption, for any reason!) and then we wrapped the day by praying for each couple. It was so beautiful to spend this time with each individual, praying for what each one of us is dealing with. God is really watching out for us!

Galatians 4:4-6
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Today I am thankful for those who have chosen to adopt, including our Lord. We are all adopted sons (and daughters!) of God, because He chose to love us when He didn't have to. Thanks to all of the parents who give loving homes to children who otherwise may never know what that feels like, and the birthmoms who are, in the truest definition of the world, pro-life, for their courage and commitment to their children!

Oh, and in case you're wondering: my love languages are quality time and words of affirmation. :)

A Day to Rejoice....

I didn't sleep again last night. But this time, its a good "not sleep". After Countdown last night, and through exhaustion that we both felt, we still just couldn't resist talking to each other late into the night. Nights like last night really enforce to me what Rusty and Jenn are always saying, when they talk about always being a student of your partner. I learned so much last night, and all that learning just makes me more and more excited to be Jason's wife!

Job 33:26
He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

Today, I am thankful for the quiet moments God gives Jason and I together to focus on Him. His love is so great, He was able to bring 2 people together and connect them in a way that will never end. So long as our relationship is built on the rock, we can never fail. That's pretty cool!

When I look in the mirror I see....

green eyes staring back.
my father's nose.
my trying past.
my hope for the future.
a strong, independent woman.
a belief in God I never thought I would.
love.
hate.

years of struggling to overcome a hidden demon.
a desire to be different.
a fear of the unknown.
hope.

Today I am thankful for second chances.

Prayers to all those affected by the terrible tragedy at Ft. Hood today.

No rest....its not a beautiful thing

So, I didn't sleep last night. I feel asleep at 10, had to get up at midnight to take a pill for this morning's blood test. I read a little bit about the medicine, and knew that this was a possibility, but hoped it didn't happen. NOPE! 2.30am comes and I am WIDE AWAKE, STARVING, more hungry than I have ever been in my life. The problem? I couldn't eat from 10pm to after my blood test at 8am. I finally fell back asleep around 5 or 5.15. 5.30...ambulance and fire trucks pull into my apartment complex, sirens blaring! Normally, in a situation like this, I would have just gotten up, gone to the gym, worked out, showered, had breakfast. But, with this blood test, I wasn't supposed to work out. So I laid in bed, harassed the dog (I don't sleep, she doesn't sleep!), and let my mind wander. I hope this is some form of "being a mommy practice"?

Matthew 5: 11: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Today I am thankful for my freedom of religion. God has been pressing upon my heart all those trying to spread the Word in Latin American countries, being killed because their ideals don't match those of the regime. This week I have really been in prayer for them, and their desire to help the impoverished people of so many nations come to know the glory of God!

Rest.....its a beautiful thing!

Oh man, I had a great night's sleep last night. Usually I toss and turn, wake up to check on the dog, wake up because my arms are tingling (I rarely move in the night, so sometimes that becomes painful), and just generally don't sleep well. Not last night! I set the tv timer the longest I could, thinking it would take forever for me to sleep, and then the next thing I know my alarm is going off in the morning. It felt so great, and needed. I seem to be so tired lately, I am very thankful for the rest, even if I'm tired again.

Today, I am thankful for doctors (and their PA's (but I consider them doctors too!)). Usually just by poking you, prodding you, questioning you, and looking at some numbers that come from blood, they are able to tell you (hopefully!) what's wrong with you, and (hopefully!) how to fix you. Things that not all that long ago would have killed both my mother and my father, are now taken care of thanks to teams of doctors.

Thanks to all of you who have gone or are going through that form of training!

Thankfullness Abounds!

24 Days Until Thanksgiving!!!! There is always something magical about the time of year ranging from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Its just this feeling of happy, even if things aren't going well.

Most know that the holidays for me are always bittersweet affairs. Being away from my family at this time is hard for me, but being with my family is equally as hard. This year especially is going to be difficult, what with the beginning of the whole "leaving and cleaving" process nearing.

I am amazed constantly by the love and grace of God. I spent a lot of quiet time yesterday, and I just realized that when I'm overwhelmed, or feeling these negative feelings, I'm just going to have to stop and pray. Which is probably going to lead to a lot of praying. I mean a lot, a lot.

The month of thanks: Today, I am thankful for my mother. She gave birth to me, and teaches me patience and kindness.