Athena Kerby
Valerie with Athena, Binky and Sampson

Why did God make pets?

For those of you who have never had the joy of a close relationship to a pet, you might as well not read on....for this takes having "been there" in order to understand.

I have always had a dog - at least since I was about 5 years old....Flip, Samantha, Snookey, Andy (Andrew Johnson), Ben, Spider, Piccolo, Murphy Brown, Binky, & Sandy, and my "grand dogs" Sampson and Athena. Every single one has a special place in my memories and in my heart.

Some lived only a short time (Piccolo was only 4)....some can't seem to "quit" (Murphy is just about 19 now!).... Some were unmanageable (Spider (a terrier mutt) went back to the pound because she kept snipping at the kids .... Ben (a lab)was just TOO big around our babies....he kept knocking over everything!) - so he got to go live a wonderful life with Uncle Phillip.

I remember cuddling with Andy when I was going thru a painful divorce. Those beautiful Cocker eyes would look so deep inside of me and just make my heart melt.

Piccolo - was so special - a little furball of energy....who suddenly one day just up and had heart failure....she was gone so fast!

9 days ago we had to put down Binky - the scruffy little rescue dog that Valerie and I went to a farm in far Western Loudoun to pick out of a muddy pen....she had lost her mother at birth, and had been exposed to distemper....our vet said she'd probably have seizures at some time in her life. It was Valerie's 10th birthday...and she carried that dog around with her like a stuffed animal - they were totally inseparable! Even going to college together in Texas! We liked to call Binky our "Down syndrome" dog....she was not very bright....but she was the most JOYFUL dog I've ever known! Nothing deterred her from giving 100% love and affection....she was obedient, quiet, and devoted.....she ended up living to the ripe age of 15 - and only after kidney failure took her strength and muscle away, did we turn her loose to run over that "rainbow" bridge. It was so amazing to me to see how relaxed and peaceful her face was when she went....with her "mommy" Valerie, Uncle Matt, Ian, Tisa and PaPa and Grandma at her side....

So imagine our incredible horror at just now - 9 days later - finding out that our grandog "Athena", who so recently came into Valerie and Binky's life is suffering from lymphoma!

Athena is another "rescued" dog....When Val was looking for a dog last year to act as her "protector" when she moved into her own condo....we thought we had the answer in this HUGE German Shepherd....Athena is one of the most beautiful examples of a canine I've ever seen.....sleek, muscular, graceful, and totally devoted to Valerie.

But guard dog???? Not so much....you see, it seems that Athena was abused (we surmise) by her previous owners - and was terrified of men, in particular. It took all the patience and love of the Kerby men to bring her into the family....which she finally did....but she still cowers behind Valerie when others walk by!

Athena loves to come visit PaPa and Grandma....especially if her cousin Sampson is here - romping in our back yard together like two puppies has been wonderful for both of them.

So, we are now faced once again with the agonizing decision of how to make Athena's last weeks the best. For what we now know is that Athena did not come into our lives to serve us....but rather, I choose to believe that God put her in our family so we could give her a year of love and affection and safety....something she did not have before. And so, we embark on this last part of her journey and will try everything in our power to make it wonderful and fun for her.

It hurts....it's not "fair"! ....but I thank God that we can give back a little of that unconditional love that His pets often give to us.....

Politics....

The next few months are so chocked full of political "overload"....and yet I keep finding myself searching for just the right thing to help me make a decision how to vote!

I've always taken my responsibility to vote very seriously....have not always been pleased with the outcomes, but HAVE learned to see God's hand at times in the way things have turned out.

For instance, there truly was no rational or logical way that George W. won the last election...I marveled at how it seemed that God had a hand in that.....even though the past 4 years have been filled with disappointment and despair over Iraq and the economy, I'm still free and living quite comfortably.

(My dear husband likes to point out that even when the Republicans are in the White House - the Democrats are "running the country" from congress, so how can they blame Bush?...he doesn't mince words).

Anyhoo....am searching for answers right now....As a conservative, the "logical" answer is to vote Republican.....but I'm really, really not convinced McCain is right for the job...although I admire his background, his experience and his loyalty to his country. Something just isn't right....

Obama...well, there's a really big problem with his pro-choice stand and his 20 year relationship with a certifiably outrageous minister (Rev. Wright). His charisma bothers me - it's hard to see beyond that and trust that he's just not a big "show".

However, on a very, very interesting note, a friend of ours is actually on the Theological Advisory team for Mr. Obama. He is a Christian theologian. At first I was not sure how I felt about that.....but another good friend of mine pointed out that amazing opportunity we, as Christians have right now, with an advisor such as this so close to Mr. Obama (who many say WILL win the presidency)....all I can do right now is pray that the Lord use this advisor to work in the life of our politicians, and perhaps our future president.

If we don't believe in the power God to guide and protect our nation - then we are all of "little faith".

So, I'm praying for guidance....and opportunity....for peace.

..."In such a time as this"......

Paul used "modern technology" to spread the Gospel !

This concept was introduced in my Bible class yesterday - and I was so intrigued by the comparison that I just had to comment!

In Paul's day - to make a journey of any distance was quite a feat. But in his zeal to spread the Gospel of Christ, Paul made not just one journey - but Several. So what was the "modern" technology he used to do this? Roads. The ever-expanding road system that the Romans built were indeed very "modern" for their time - paved, providing access to places never before seen.

Paul didn't hesistate to use them to communicate the Gospel of Christ!

Fast forward to today - the "modern" technology of OUR time is - the internet....it has completely revolutionized how we communicate in just a short 20 years.....This is the second time in this past month that I've heard it suggested that we use the internet to it's fullest to spread the word of Christ!

I can't help but wonder how this "fits" with the ever-present call to "return to the 1st century church" when we try to introduce a "modern" way of communicating the love of Christ. We are constantly berated for even suggesting using anything that isn't "the way they did it then"....but I suggest that even PAUL was moving along with the "modern" times in going beyond his back yard, beyond his "house church"....beyond "tradition" to spread the Gospel.

I suggest that we realize that God has given us gifts and talents to use - and in our modern world we SHOULD use every possible way to teach.

I recently had a conversation with someone from another state who was marveling at the fact that we, in our church, not only use power point - but videos and drama. She was saying that at her church they just recenlty introduced powerpoint for the sermons - but only Men could run the system - for a woman to have anything to do with it would be "wrong".

Hmmmm- I wonder who is "running" the internet.....

Am not going to worry a bit about it - .....I'm PROUD to be a Christian - and if someone somewhere is reading this Blog about THAT - then yayyyyyy!

We simply HAVE to move ahead.....the alternative is to move backwards!

Well, according to my daughter-in-law, Jill, it's about time for my "quarterly" blog! I'm not very regular with blogging - although I DO read others' often!

It's been a very very busy couple of months. I have adjusted my work hours and changed jobs....done a medical mission in the Dominican Republic and visited Tim and Jill in Texas....so much in such a short time!

The job change was a long time coming- something I needed to do for quite a while. I am now working part time for the Chief Nurse Executive at our hospital in a brand new role (just being created) of Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. It will involve a lot of policy review and writing, developing drills to train staff, working within the Metropolitan Washington area on committees to keep us hopefully all on the same page in preparedness, among other things (I love that, "and other duties as assigned"...) I will keep on working in the ER 1 day a week to keep my skills sharp - but have given up my 10+ year job in ER management. While a bit scary at first to make the break - I am actually LOVING getting back to the bedside on my days in staffing and connecting with patients in a deeper and more significant way. And the good news is: my blood pressure is already down by 15 - 20 points!!! I have been able to pace myself so much better - am riding my bike and swimming several times a week...and watching what I eat (as opposed to eating junk on the run when I was working the horrible hours before!)

The DR trip was amazing. FINALLY, Valerie and I got to be NURSES together on a trip! We'd dreamed about this day...and really enjoyed ministering to the sick. The photo above of our missionary, Brian, with one of the Hatian residents of the garbage dump in Puerto Plata is my favorite one - it truly shows what our mission is all about - feeding the sick with both food, as well as with the Word. While we were working on those who were physically sick - Brian was reaching out and comforting, offering the words of Christ to all who would listen. I simply cannot wait to go back.

Lastly - I am SO proud of my son and daughter-in-law, Tim & Jill - they have finally bought their new home....it is gorgeous! We had a lovely visit - as well as 2 wonderful days with my mom and sisters. Ian got to go along for the trip - and was good as gold - he is such an easy child to travel with! He loved seeing his Aunt and Uncle - as well as his cousins in Cleburne! We got to go to the Zoe conference in Arlington, Tx - and were simply filled to the brim with worship through song....Aaah....I am truly content.