Now, for us, all of the animals are fun to watch. I like animals. I’m not like Jane Goodall or anything, but I enjoy animals and even more so through the eyes of my kids. So, we first checked out the rabbits. We wandered through the area twice noting the variety of colors, fur, size, energy level and shape. I noticed that there was something besides a rabbit in one of the cages and lifted Maddi to check it out. It was a guinea pig. She didn’t find much interesting about that so I put her down. Olivia came over and wanted to see what was in the cage. The guinea pig had lain down on its side, so I wasn’t sure if she would see anything of interest, but I picked her up. As soon as she was face level with the cage the guinea pig looked up at her with its elongated mouth and huge teeth and Olivia just started cracking up. She thought it was so hilarious. So, then of course we all started laughing at the poor guinea pig.
I guess that started some kind of giggly-ness because then when we passed the chickens on the way to the cats the girls just started laughing again. Maddi found especially funny a black chicken. Its tail and head were at about the same height and with equally fluffy feathers so that when it walked around we could barely tell which end was which. The girls' cackling seemed to send the hens into frenzy which caused them to run around more which in turn just caused more laughter.
Of course we had fun with the cats as well. There are two private rooms at the pound where you can bring in a cat and play with it. We first visited with a kitten named Felix that was really playful and kept Olivia laughing even more. Then we were with an older cat that sat on Maddi’s lap and purred endlessly. Maddi loved “loving on” the cat and decided she wants a cat for her birthday. I’m such a sucker for cats that I think that’s a pretty good idea, especially when the other option has something to do with princess dolls or more dress up dresses that they don’t need!
A few weeks ago I was running and I started repeating in my head the fruits of the spirit. They provided a cadence for me to keep and were something positive to think about instead of all the suffering I was going through. Later I was preparing for teaching a kid’s class about creation and started thinking about the fruits of the spirit thinking how if the Spirit was present during creation He also shows His fruits through the creation just like they develop in our lives through the spirit working in ours. So, I started thinking about ways I can see God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control in creation. I asked the kids for examples of how they could see God’s love for us through what he has made. There are so many examples for each characteristic, but what first comes to mind when I ask myself about joy in creation is through animals. It’s hard to look at the variety and complexity and extravagance of animals and not laugh or smile. Their looks are outrageous, but not any more so than their behaviors. The swing of a monkey, the strut of a peacock, the hop of a bunny and the play of a kitten are just plain fun. I’m thankful to God for his joy shown to us through everything he’s made. God, would you also grow me into a reflection of your joy through the spirit living in me.
2 comments:
Hi there. I was thinking I wanted to call you today, but I am not supposed to talk because yesterday I pretty much lost my voice. So it is nice to look at your blog and see some of the funny and fun in your lives. Quincy had a to write a story for school and he wrote about some martians that come to earth and are wowed by looking at all our fun and weird animals. We would have liked to be at the pound to laugh with you. Kim
oh my word, i just saw the pics from your last blog and your girls are so big.
i like the story about the guinea pig and the rest of the pound, as i read i could picture you guys giggling at the animals. you guys always seem to be doing something fun, and most of the time it is something that i would have never thought of so i really enjoy reading about it (if i get the chance to read at all) .
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