Another New Chapter

Pancho has wanted a dog since before we were married.

Katrina was born and very quickly we discovered

that she enjoys animal life a LOT.

Last summer Pancho and Katrina

really REALLY 

wanted to get a dog.

I was able to buy myself nearly a year by saying

that we were going to have another baby and I

could simply not house-train a dog and

adjust to life with 3 children.

So, they have anxiously counted down the months

and God has been SO gracious to do a good work in my heart,

preparing me for life as a dog owner.

If you know me, you know that I can handle dogs but

I am not one of "those people" that is drawn to dogs at

every park, street corner, etc.

However, as the year has passed God has given me

a real heart to bless Pancho and Katrina with this

special, special gift.

Many people that know of our recent down payment

have responded with shock and even chagrin as they

have heard what we are embarking on.

That has been discouraging, to say the least.

It is the second time in a very short amount of time

that God has led our family to something and His people

have responded with anything but encouraging

comments.

I have learned through these experiences that it is

critical to receive news from family and friends

with grace.

So, on to the good news and the pictures...

Here is a little teaser/game.

Can you guess what kind of dog we are getting by the name?

Well, here is the answer!

Here is a picture of the dog that captures the

essence of the newest chapter of our lives.

*Samuel fell asleep in the car and missed the second visit with the puppy!

Hence the lack of a picture with him and Tundra.

She is a Siberian Husky and her name is Tundra

(thanks, Uncle Nick, for the great name suggestion!).

She will be 3 weeks old on Monday and we are slated to

welcome her into our home in early May.

Yesterday we purchased her first collar and got a

little engraved name plate.

It is very exciting and not hard to get wrapped up in the emotion

that goes along with this process.

That is why the negative comments have stung so much, I think.

This is the right choice for our family.

Some may say, "God doesn't even care about this type of thing,

why are you saying, "God led our family...""

I disagree.

There are instances in the Bible where the Lord used

the animal kingdom to teach VERY important lessons.

Two that come to mind?

Daniel in the lions den

and Balaam and the talking donkey.

We trust that God will use Tundra in our lives in a

special way.

Maybe it will be nothing more than a vehicle to create

some wonderful family memories.

Praise God!

Maybe it will something more profound than that.

Praise God!

We look forward to welcoming Tundra

into our home and we hope you

can meet her soon!