The Robin

I have resigned my efforts to rid my territory of this bird. It seems to have no fear... not of my large, life like photo copies of birds of prey hanging in my windows, nor of my loud goofy noises. It doesn't seem to be startled by my sons attempts to shoot at it with full-automatic weapons. It also appears to be a somewhat educated bird or perhaps we are guilty of providing said bird with its' education. Let me explain. If the object of my extreme dislikingness has been hurling itself at the kitchen window in the morning and it observes me there, trying to sneak up with a weapon of some sort or maybe just the camera, the next day it will choose one of the kids bedroom windows instead. If I am caught there, it promptly gives me the tail and heads for the dining room. To give you a sense of the intensity with which it is hurling its' now absurdly bloated body at my windows, the airtight seal of the dining room window is now broken. Now we have a foggy reminder of this fowl visitor.

I do have to confess, I am beginning to actually feel a bit of sympathy for this guy. I think something may be seriously wrong. Why? you ask, have I made this aviary diagnosis? Well, let me tell you, this bird is now the size of a softball. We left our house the other day, only to see it taunting us from the front lawn. I rebuked the bird, yet again, then quickly re-thought my spiritual assault. What if it exploded right there in my front yard? This would be bad. Really, really bad. What would I tell my neighbors? "Sorry about the mess. I've taken up rebuking spiritually wayward animals?" You can see my dilemma.



I am attempting to I coming to terms with this ailing avian, and I have a new home front dilemma that has drawn my attention. I noticed this disruption around Saturday. I was in my room doing... who knows what, when my sensitive nose caught wind of a very distasteful odor. I snooped around a bit. Finding nothing, I absently went about my day.

Easter Sunday, two of my nephews were up celebrating Jesus with us. My sister-in-love put the littlest down for a snooze, in the pak-n-play, in our bedroom. I went to put something in our room and about fell over when my poor nose was accosted by this heinous smell. "Okay, this is not the baby, perhaps the fish tank?" Not likely, but lets hope.

Mark checked it all out to no avail. What in the world? Monday morning the aroma had matriculated beyond our room. Now the odor hung through out the house. I had a bad feeling the robin was somehow involved. Mark, being a bit more level headed, (I know,your shocked at my confession) re-called a similar smell from his childhood days. Poor Mark right? He begins to suspect a dead critter in or under the house. Upon further investigation by my brave husband, he found that he was correct, twice. He lifted the lid for the crawl space and the stench just about took him back to Haiti. What he discovered was two large, dead rats, directly under our bedroom.

While I was away at school with the kids, Mark, being the manly man that he is disposed of deceased rodents, put a fan under the house to get the stink out, and bought a deodorizer for our bedroom. I was so thankful and so grateful... until I went back into the bedroom which now smelled of cat pee?!!? What? I begin sniffing around, on a full blown mission this time. "Are you sure it was only two dead rats? You didn't see the robin laying around down there did you? Did we bring something home in a bag with cat smell on it?"

Enter Mark. "Smells way better in here right?" "It smells like cat pee now." I whine, thinking there is no end in sight to the horrid smells in my bedroom. "Really?" He queries puzzled. "I bought a lavender room deodorizer." "OHHHH! Okay. That explains it." You see, my nose and my brain are at somewhat of an impasse on this fragrance. My brain knows that lavender is supposed to be a soothing aroma, but.... my nose having gotten the message askew from my brain interprets this soothing fragrance as cat pee.

I know, clearly, I still need to see that therapist.

I pray that this Easter you had an encounter with your living and risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether you enjoyed this celebration with the gathering of your church body to rejoice in this gift of atonement or sat quietly at home in reflection of his goodness, I hope you were able to pause and allow your emotions to connect with the reality of the cross and the joy of the resurrection.




Requests


My dear friend Kelly called me with an urgent request that may sound slightly familiar. Her 23 year old niece was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. This is the same type Cyrus had. The big difference here is that this young gal is not a believer. We need to cry out to God on her behalf for two things. First and for most, that her heart would be softened to the gentle calling of Jesus and that she would surrender her life to him. Secondly, that he would touch her body with his hand and physically heal her from these tumors. God we pray that you would send just the right people into her life at this time to be speaking into her life. Place nurses, Dr's., and care givers in her path that know and love you.



Theresa and Roy are still experiencing the opportunity to stay pressed into God. They continue to wait on the Lord with regards to their house. They are still in it and either need a buyer or to hear from the bank. Lord we thank you for you provision and for the joy you have brought to their hearts. Would you bless them as they continue to seek your direction for their lives.



Mark continues to be on the trail of the all illusive job. He has had some calls and possibilities with BP and Alcoa. But God saw fit to shut the doors for now on these two. He is doing some side work which has been helpful to his down spirits but, he is really anxious to be employed again. He is going to be checking in on some other options this week. Would you join me in praying that God would allow his peace to wash over Mark and that he would sense the Holy Spirit directing his every step.



Some good friends are in the unexpected process of adoption and the baby may have some health issues. Let us pray for Gods timing, provision, and blessing over this whole process.

Our pastor recently returned from a trip back to Japan to see his ravaged homeland. He and his son, met up with his daughter who lives and works in Tokyo, and they went with some other pastors to see the affected areas. He said to me on more than one occasion that there are no words to really describe what they saw. The total devastation is unimaginable. These people have nothing but a strong will to survive and re-cover. Let us keep this nation and her people in our prayers as they begin the long, expensive, time consuming, and very overwhelming process of re-building their homes, cities and lives. On a positive side, they are getting a lot of assistance from neighboring countries.



I was just put in contact with a mom who's son was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. They are just learning how to care for and manage this crazy illness. I would ask for opportunities for both Tristan and I to be an encouragement to this family as they begin this process together.

Psalm 37:3-6
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.