Faithful Friend Ministry's documentary video is FINALLY here! Check it out:
Because they're so sweet when they're sleeping....
BigDog was asleep on the portion of the ottoman not occupied by Studly's legs, and Little was asleep on said legs, almost nose to nose with his sister. I'm thankful that God loved me SO much He sent His only Son to die in my place. Grace so undeserved.
I'm thankful to live in a country where I'm still free to worship and live my life as a fully devoted follower of Christ, a privilege I don't take for granted and pray will remain.
I'm thankful for godly parents who love the Lord first, then each other, and then their children in ways that have always pointed me toward Jesus. They have sacrificed so often for me and for my sister.
I'm thankful for a loving sister who is an amazing, talented, wonderful Christian woman and friend. I'm thankful for her newfound (found again?) happiness with her husband.
I'm thankful for her kids, the two greatest nieces and greatest nephew God ever created. They are joys!
I'm thankful the Lord added to my family by giving me the wonderful gift of my precious Studly Man. He makes my life complete.
I'm thankful for Studly's folks who have embraced me as their own and show love so freely.
I'm thankful for Studly's sister and her precious family who are wonderful examples of sacrificial love. (All four kids are adopted.)
I'm thankful for Studly's brother and his wife who bless us with their kind hearts.
I'm thankful for one very energetic and loyal BigDog and the joy she brings to our home.
I'm thankful for her little brother who makes me smile every day with his sweet cuddles.
I'm thankful the Lord sees fit to use us and that big dog in minstry to bring His love to kids who need to know Him. 
I'm thankful for an amazing friend who has known all my secrets for 30 years and loves me any way.
I'm thankful for a wise friend who sees the best in me even when I can't.
I'm thankful for a sisterhood of friends who hold me accountable and encourage me to follow Jesus.
I'm thankful for my job and the privilege of working with some awesome ladies.
In demonstrating the power of a relationship with a Master to troubled youth, Studly Man uses Shiloh (aka "BigDog") as the "living picture." Along the way, we like to have some fun.
Hands down, the kids' favorite stunt of Shiloh's is "bang bang." They ask for it every time. Sometimes they ask to see it again and again. They also really like to see her snarl so they can get a good look at her big ole teeth. She has a hand signal for that just like she does every other trick she does. Studly knows that keeping Shiloh's performance skills sharp is crucial, so he works with her regularly.
In the process, we started noticing Samson (aka "Little") would emulate what he'd see Shiloh doing. Studly started working to teach Samson "bang bang." See if it makes you laugh like it does us.
Here's Shiloh doing "bang bang" and "snarl":
Now here's Samson doing "bang bang." He anticipates the command and plays dead even before the command because he knows what is in Studly's hand. Note Shiloh on the floor at the foot of the bed. SHE is following commands and she wants. her. treat.
God's sense of humor is evident in these two silly examples of His creation. But we love 'em!
Ever wondered if God can use you?
On Saturday, Studly and I will be leading a team into the juvenile prison about 20 miles north of here. It fascinates me to consider the individuals who make up our team. They're of all shapes and sizes, colors and creeds, backgrounds and industries. Of course each event has a slightly different make up of teammates depending on who is able to go each time. It is always fun to see who God brings together.
On Saturday, our team will include:
Studly makes a fine leader and head of ministry, but his bullet point on that list would say:
And then there's me... a scared, broken little girl whose paralyzing panic attacks are incongruent with flourishing in a ministry inside prison walls, but by God's grace can testify of His power to transform.
On Saturday, 150 incarcerated kids will hear about Jesus for the first time or will be encouraged toward getting to know Him personally. They'll hear how Jesus changed the lives of all those folks in that list above. They'll hear that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They'll be told that God doesn't make junk and that they are precious to Him. They'll hear the words "I love you" possibly for the first time in their lives. And they'll get to pet a big dog who is undoubtedly directed by angels.
If God can use all of these for His purpose, can't He use you, too? Wounded, broken, hurting, failing but still trying, and never forgetting His grace... those are who He can use.
Get off the bench. Get into the game. Wherever you are. However you're called. Don't miss the blessing of being part of the body of Christ.
Please Daddy, PLEASE don't make me go back to that stylist! 
Don't ever do that to me again, you big meanie!
I hope all the other dogs in the park don't make fun of me. 
My poor baby now LOOKS like the "mouse" his daddy says he is! Studly SWEARS Samson will be happier this way, what with this h.o.t. Texas summer we're havin', and it isn't even officially SUMMER yet. Shiloh keeps looking at him while wondering who he is and where Samson went.
;)
In the morning, Studly Man and I will be leading a team of 25 volunteers into our local juvenile prison.
We are strangely delighted by the horrendous week we've had. (We're delighted NOW... it took a few days to get that way.)
Let me explain.
Studly's sister is an amazing artisan. She left her job as a chemical engineer after adopting four amazing kids, and she has replaced her income by selling her art. (Those kids are seven, seven, six and five now - pray for her!!) She lives near Austin, and we're here in Dallas. There is a huge art festival here this weekend. Her husband is at another huge art festival in Santa Fe selling her art, so he couldn't travel with her and help her during the show here. That means that Studly's parental units had to drive five hours from Brownsville (FAR south Texas) up to Austin, pick up Sister and her wares, and drive four and a half more hours to Dallas to check in at Casa de Castro.
While I was at the grocery store last night at about 9:40, they arrived. Which was after we'd returned from my parents' 55th anniversary dinner/party thingy that I planned. Which was after I got home from the dentist. Which was after I broke a tooth by chewing my night guard in half. Which was after Studly spent three hours on his hands and knees or a ladder frantically trying to get blood (lots o' blood) off the walls, ceiling and just-professionally-cleaned-seven-days-ago carpet before his family arrived for the weekend. Which was after Shiloh sliced her tail and then wagged it briskly for say, oh, an hour or more while no one was home, slinging blood all.over.the.place. Which was after Studly delivered his brand spanking new project to his potential first buyer. Which was after a very long and sleepless night preparing for the delivery of said new project. Which was after a spat we had over who would unload the dishwasher. Which was after I spilled a half gallon of milk on the freshly mopped floor.
This was in a 24-hour-period.
There's SO much more for the previous 48 hours, but my fingers are tired. Use your imagination.
Why? WHY are we delighted that we had such a horrendous week? We've learned a simple truth.
satan (yes, not capitalized on purpose) doesn't waste his time attacking where God is not at work. Why would he? If there is no threat that God's kingdom will be added unto, glorified, honored or built up, satan will focus his efforts elsewhere.
God must have really big plans in store for this weekend....
We're rejoicing. We weren't earlier in the week because we'd had a momentary lapse of reason, but we are now.
Please remember our team and the kids we'll minister to in your prayers.
Ever wonder if God still wants to be intimately involved in every detail of His kids' lives? Sit back and relax, and let me tell you a story.
Studly Man and I met while working with a juvenile prison ministry. Later, the Lord blessed us with a ministry of our own, and since that time, we've been on one. amazing. journey.
One of our sweet volunteers was sitting behind a couple in church one particular Sunday morning. Angela recognized something in the wife of the couple that tugged at her heart strings. Melanie was quite obviously suffering the effects of chemotherapy and was likely in the battle of her life. Angela's mother had suffered this way years before, and the memories were painful. After the service concluded, Angela tapped Melanie on the shoulder and introduced herself. In the months that followed, Angela ministered to Melanie and Jeff, her husband, and their two teenaged daughters in ways few would have thought to employ. Jeff's job with the US Postal Service provided good insurance, but it wasn't enough to meet all of their expenses. The tangible help Angela gave them was secondary only to the spiritual encouragement she lavished on them.
Jeff and Melanie were deeply in love, and their marriage had weathered many storms, including Jeff's addiction to drugs and alcohol. Melanie's condition was terminal, and Jeff was struggling to find meaning in what God was allowing to happen in his life. He hung on every word he heard at church and from new friends who loved him with the love of Christ. Melanie's faith was strong, and her witness to her husband was powerful.
After months of fighting, Melanie went home to be with Jesus. Jeff was devastated. Lost, really. Angela continued to encourage him. One day she told him she thought his testimony would be a powerful tool of the Lord to minister to the young men (and women) who were incarcerated. He listened with interest as she shared of her experiences inside the prison walls.
A few month's after Melanie's death, Jeff planned to join our team and go into the local prison with us. Because training is required for every new volunteer, Studly made plans to meet with Jeff at the church to conduct the training. The meeting went well, and Jeff was ready to go.
Even with Melanie's passing so very fresh, he stood before those young men and shared his story, his heart, and his tears. They listened to every word with respect and compassion (an unusual occurrence with incarcerated teens) and clapped with enthusiasm when he finished. One by one, they filed by to shake his hand, share their condolences, and thank him personally for coming - in the midst of his grief - to minister to them. He was moved, and he was encouraged.
At the end of the event, Jeff walked over to where Studly stood with Shiloh. Jeff studied her face carefully and then looked at Studly. He said, "You live on 'ABC' Street, don't you?" Studly was shocked. "Well, yes, I do. How did you know?" he asked. With a huge grin, Jeff said, "Your dog barks at me every day. I'm your postman." Studly called me over, and we all laughed at how God weaves the threads of our lives together for His purpose, even when we're completely unaware.
If that was the end of the story, it'd be a pretty good one. It isn't the end. It's only the beginning. Come back tomorrow for the next installment. You'll laugh out loud or maybe cry with how amazing our God is and how He much He cares about us.
I won't need to buy a new one.
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Is she smiling??
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