My Pursuit

To my little corner of the web! Come on in, sit down and enjoy an iced tea - or I'll make coffee if you prefer! Join me as I seek out things that make us happy. Maybe you can discover a little happiness for yourself as well!

Well … once again there’s a lot to catch up on. I can’t believe how much has changed. I’ve been trying to decide how I can keep this site up to date. I am still pursuing happiness, LOL, but it can’t be with the same categories as before … at least not all of them. So things may have to change here, but I’m going forward anyway. Instead of telling of all the changes, I’m going to go back to the old dates and try to fill them in, so “old posts” should be appearing for a while.

My faith endures though. I don’t know what “my pursuit of happiness” … the real one as well as the website — will look like in the future. Even in the near future. But the “faith” category is still strong, thanks be to God, who is my strength.

A friend asked me about this site earlier today, wondering about the photo on here. It is some months old. One thing I am thankful for is that I have been able to get in much better shape. I’ll tell a little about that in another post, because it’s been working really well. LOL, maybe I can make a new category for “Fitness” … at least keeping with the “F’s” category system. But I’ll go ahead and post a new photo too, maybe. Just because it makes me feel good. (Although the most recent photo I have is still a few months old and probably 10 pounds heavier than I am now, as well as I was sick that day.)

Grace and peace to you all!

I wanted to talk here a little about my pastor’s sermon today. I am sure he did it because of the many who have been leaving suddenly. I should say also that no one is upset, no one wanted to leave, and they have the pastor’s blessing. He said if half the congregation went to the mission field, he would be happy that they were following God. He prayed a blessing over anyone else who felt they needed to leave to follow God, or those who would do something new to follow God and stay. Either way, he blesses us.

I just want everyone to know there is no one upset or no division implied in what is going on.

Pastor preached today about eagles though. Many things about eagles, but one thing stuck in my mind. He said that a mother eagle raises her eaglets, and then the time comes for them to leave the nest. If they leave too soon, their wings will not be strong enough and they will not survive. If they leave too late (or try to) they will have grown too fat to fly and also will not survive. So timing is crucial. But of course, the eaglets have always only known being at home in the nest and having mother eagle bring food and feed them. They don’t WANT to leave really. So …

Pastor said that the mother eagle will rip a supporting stick out of the nest. And not stop there. She will keep on destroying the nest and throwing it over the edge until the nest is no longer there, and the eaglets have no choice but to fly away.

I just wanted to say that because, I have not posted everything that is going on with me, but that is how I feel right now. I am losing EVERYthing that felt like home and security to me. I feel like my nest has been ripped to shreds. So I can fly?

I don’t know … but it seemed so fitting. I pray the Lord to be with me, and finish whatever work He is starting.

Grace and peace,

anna

I’ve been away checking on things, and I missed last Sunday’s church service, which is rare for me, as well as Wednesday. When I came back today on Sunday, I received a HUGE shock.

We’ve lost a few people over the year so far. Perhaps a few more than our share from our group. But one thing that has always really sustained me was my church family. I LOVE my church. I know many people complain about this or that in their church, but mine always seemed nearly perfect.

My favorite thing about it was the family atmosphere though. There are so many people there I am so close to. And our cell group meets weekly — we worship together, have a short teaching, and then pray for one another. In this way, we have learned each other’s challenges and trials, and been able to support each other and pray often for each other, which I think has done a lot to make us closer. Every Sunday especially is like a huge family reunion, and there are about 100 people I seek out every week to greet, hug, ask how they are doing, and catch up on our lives. They really ARE my family, and I love them in that way.

Well … something is definitely going on. I’ve heard of church splits before, but that’s not what happened. No one was upset with the pastor, the sermon, or church policies. No one was unhappy or WANTED to leave. But suddenly, it seems that SO MANY in our church felt that God was sending them to other places. Some went to a different local church. Some went to churches a little further away. And some went afar on the mission field. A few are remaining for the time being because they have responsibilities at our church and are helping out, I guess until they can be replaced. But they will be leaving.

Last Sunday, there were plenty of empty seats, and usually that part of the sanctuary is filled. I only saw about a dozen of those I usually look for, and all except 2 of them will be leaving in the coming weeks. All I can say is that this is a HUGE shock for me. I don’t know what to think of it.

And well — most of my animals are gone or will be gone soon. They were a lot of my comfort. My church family was a large comfort to me too. And they are all leaving. I will say this - I am standing firm in trusting in God, but … I feel like I am on a moving conveyor belt that is taking me SOMEwhere. I don’t know where yet, and I don’t know why all these things are happening, but I feel like I am being carried along by circumstances. I DO trust in God, and I know He will have a better plan and this is all happening for a reason.

My landlady stopped by my work today. She told me that she’s having the property inspected for insurance within the next two months and I have to get rid of the geese or her insurance will be canceled. Which I honestly don’t get since it’s a fenced-in acre in the country, but this is getting to be an old story.

These animals keep me company, and all I can say is that I truly hate to be losing them all. Maybe God is up to something. Everything is changing …

Grace and peace,

anna

I arrived to find my car in a fast-emptying parking lot with a flat tire. In the freezing rain.

I did go back inside and see if any help was available, and was told that it wasn’t. No one who worked there and none of the security people were allowed to assist with flat tires.

It was sooo cold. I prayed for it to stop raining. It didn’t stop. (It DID lighten up a bit!) So I prayed not to get sick, and for God to help me change the tire, and I set to work.

I was not dressed for the job. I was wearing a flowing, feminine white blouse with a ruffled neck and fluttering sleeves. And slip-on open sandals. Normally it’s not so cold in Florida, so I really hadn’t expected this, not to mention I was delayed a few hours and expected to be home before it got so late.

Never mind though … to the task of changing a tire. I KNOW how to change a tire. But I haven’t done it myself since I was about 14 years old an my mom had a flat and she didn’t know how to change it, so I did it for her. Ever since then, a gentleman has always happened along and been kind enough to change my flat tire for me, so it’s been a long time since I’ve had to do it myself. And apparently the last gentleman was pretty strong, because I couldn’t get the lug nuts loosened.

So I stood on the lug wrench (I’m guessing that’s what you call that thing?). Nothing. So I JUMPED on it. That loosened it just a bit. So … I prayed not to slip, and started jumping on the wrench to loosen all of the lug nuts. That done, I placed them in the car so I wouldn’t lose them and finally got the flat tire off the car. Getting the spare on the car was a bit more trouble. I had to raise the jack higher, and I don’t think I’ll ever the marks out of my white blouse from hoisting the tire over and over until I got it mounted. After that it was pretty easy though to get the lug nuts put back on, tightened down, and lower the car, then put all my stuff away.

An hour after I found my car, completely drenched, I was finally ready to be on my way out of the parking lot. Once I got home, I couldn’t get warm, and I had to put on my warmest pajamas and robe and sit on a heating pad covered with blankets but … the prayer was answered and I didn’t get sick.

And I have to admit, it developed a sense of accomplishment that I COULD do it, even in the dark in the freezing rain. Now that I’ve taken apart and fixed my freezer, put a new cord and vent on my used dryer and installed the washing machine and dryer, and dealt with various other minor annoyances here lately, I’m starting to feel like I CAN handle things.

If only I were tall enough to change the front porch light with the stepladder I have … it’s just out of reach. I can get the cover off, but I wouldn’t be able to get a new light bulb in. Oh well … LOL.

God must be teaching me SOMEthing. I hope I learn my lesson soon!

Grace and peace,

anna

Along with asking me to get rid of Dakota and the cats, my landlady asked me to get rid of the chickens as well. Not all of them but most.

I’ve been selling my layers for $12 each, so I made a little money, though I wouldn’t advise anyone to raise chickens to sell. I’m sure I have much more than that in each of them. Also sold a few of my banties, including the roosters and almost all of Rosie’s baby pullets.

I still have my silkies … those little guys/girls (I hope they are girls) are my favorites. They follow me around when I go outside and peep and beg for food. The look like little furballs too.

And I have my geese. The geese are such characters, and some of my favorite animals. They have always been my favorites, and I’m very comforted to still have them.

One benefit is that it used to take 45 minutes at a minimum in the morning to take care of the chickens and other poultry. Now it only takes about ten minutes … so I can be thankful for that. I suppose the feed bill will drop too, and I can also use the extra money.

Grace and peace!

Well, Dakota went on his way to his new home today.

I had a lot of inquiries about him. There was actually another one I liked even better, but I had already promised him to this lady. Her mother lives in North Carolina, and used to have a dog that looked just like Dakota, who died a year ago. They missed their dog terribly, and finally decided they were ready to have a new one. They trained their other dog very well, which is one reason I decided to let them have him. Dakota is VERY smart. Not the most motivated dog I’ve ever known, but he can get a “trick” in being shown only once or twice.

I hope he will be very happy there. They are leaving tomorrow to go to North Carolina where he will be delivered to his new home.

I’m going to miss him, but I’m glad he will be going to a good home.

Grace and peace,

anna

Raiden didn’t make it through the night.

I am going to miss him more than I can say. And I don’t want to have to tell my daughter. It’s going to break her heart too.

I don’t have much heart to write this post. I think Raiden is dying.

He is very lethargic and doesn’t want to be picked up. It seems he is in pain. He will let me pet him and he purrs, but he doesn’t want to move around and hisses if I start to pick him up.

He has been through a lot lately … had various little things wrong ever since I had him neutered. I am worried though that he might not make it until morning for the vet. He will take a little water but not eat even canned tuna.

Raiden is my buddy — losing Dakota is bad enough, but Raiden is my favorite. I have loved watching him with the kittens. He adopted them right away. Russet needs his mama so much that he will try to suck on any part of you he can get, and Raiden will wrap his paws around Russet and wash his face until he settles down. He also watches the kittens and whenever they are getting into trouble (like jumping up on a table) he has a quick “meow” where he calls them and they come to him, so they don’t get into trouble.

I’m not so much really a “cat person” but Raiden is the coolest cat I’ve ever known. This is breaking my heart.

Grace and peace,

anna

Well …

Dakota spent last weekend inside because of the hurricane. And he spent this week inside because Animal Control said that I can’t leave him alone in the backyard. I’ve taken him out for exercise and such, but it’s not enough for a dog who is used to being outside for a little while each day.

Today I went to work and left him in the dining room. His frustration got the better of him, and he let himself out and has been roaming the house all day. Not that he’s a bad dog — he’s not. He has never had an “accident” inside (apparently he was born housebroken!) and he has never chewed up anything in the house or damaged the house or carpet in any way. But the deal from the landlady was that she didn’t want him on the carpet. She came by today, of all days, while I was at work and saw him wandering loose in the house.

So now I have an upset landlady who is insisting that I rehome Dakota. I feel so badly for my daughter, because it took me so long to get a dog for her. And I feel bad for ME, because Dakota is a very smart dog who is a joy to train, and he’s also got a nice “big dog” bark that makes me feel very safe inside when someone knocks at the door.

So we are both unhappy this day as I am faced with the dilemma of what to do with my dog, and I still have to pay the fines from animal control. Another thing I can thank my ex for, unfortunately. God give me the grace to keep on forgiving them.

Grace and peace,

anna