not that Gosling!

I held a baby goose today who kept sneak attacking my bottom lip. In search of answers, I asked Google to find "gosling biting lip." Should have seen this coming.

Hershey & Dusty's Thanksgiving message

This note in the Furkids Thanksgiving Newsletter made me cry. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be part of caring for so many of His precious babies. Hershey and Dusty are not my fosters, but Salem, Harlow, Caspar, and Zachary are snuggled in my bed as I type this. I am sure they would agree whole- and warm-heartedly with Hershey and Dusty's Thanksgiving message.

-mo

Best friends, Hershey the puppy and Dusty the kitten, say Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Here is their message:
We didn't really understand what it meant to be 'thankful' until our foster mommy explained it to us. We are just babies you know and have much to learn. She said there are lots of others kittens and puppies in the world that don't get tasty treats, snuggle time or kitty trees to play on. It makes us sad to know there are friends that don't have a home, food or a warm bed tonight. Foster mommy says we feel thankful because we are lucky to be safe and loved.

On this day, Thanksgiving Day, and every day, we express our gratitude for the many blessings in our life, including our friends like you. 
Without kind people like you, puppies and kittens like us would not be given shelter, medical care, and food to keep our tummies full.
Today we are safe. We are loved. We are warm. And we will have a safe haven for life with Furkids because of YOUR help. We express our thanks to you on this wonderful day. We hope you each enjoy a special time with your family and friends! Know that we are so happy to be alive today because of what you have done for us and so many of our friends.
Warmly and appreciatively,
Dusty, Hershey and the 1,500 cats and dogs Furkids has saved in 2013!

If you want to give toward the care of Dusty, Hershey and the 600 hundred other animals in our care today, visit Furkids.org to make a donation. Thank you!

Donuts

As promised. I don't like them, but I think it's the recipe's fault. Way too sweet and no real flavor other than sweet. Oh well. Can't say I never made donuts.
-mo

forgiveness according to Allegiant

Interesting perspective on forgiveness.

Winter Savings Plan

I am so excited about this small change in my house. I have moved the TV upstairs for the winter. It's way warmer up here, so if I spend most of my time in my room, I can save a lot on my utilities bills. Also, I can watch TV in bed. #win-win

Because I don't have a donut pan

I saw a lady on TV today make some healthy donuts. I got the baking itch and went to get the ingredients i needed. But Walmart and two grocery stores later, I still hadn't found a donut baking pan. So, at the last grocery store, I picked up a package of butterscotch chips and decided to make the recipe on the bag, for which I had all the ingredients since I had already bought stuff for donuts.

So, because I don't have a donut pan, I present you with a batch of butterscotch brownies.
-mo
PS I have now ordered a donut pan.

To whom does Marriage belong?

http://triathletewithacollar.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/a-response-to-marriage-isnt-for-you/

My response to the above linked blog...

I probably do qualify as the target Christian demographic for this response. I believe in Jesus as the one Messiah and Savior of sinful man, and I subscribe wholly to the Bible as God's True Word. BUT, I am driven crazy by those who claim "marriage" is somehow a Christian word being hijacked by a secular community. I do believe that my life and that the existence of all creation is for the purpose of glorifying God. But, marriage in itself is not about God. Marriage is about choosing to love with and live with another. Because of my personal convictions, my marriage (if one should occur) will be about loving God and loving my family. But, I find it ridiculous to expect that any other relationship has the same goals as mine. Marriage is word. An English word. Not a Christian word. A Christian marriage may look different from an atheist marriage. A heterosexual marriage may look different from a homosexual marriage. But none is any less a marriage.


Please leave your reply here. I appreciate this conversation.
-Mo

Visiting Immy

Here is my playlist of Immy videos from my visit in October.
-mo

stack o kittens

Meet my foster babies. Top to bottom: Harlow (male, 11weeks), Zachary (male, 5weeks), and Caspar (female, 6weeks).

They were dumped together at the Furkids shelter in the middle of a cold, rainy night and left til morning.

Although their dumper feels she is doing the right thing, dumping animals at a shelter is against the law in Georgia. It puts undue strain on a system that is designed to save as many animals as possible. It creates inefficiencies in the system and hinders the work that shelters like Furkids do so well.

For these babies, though, a story that began with dark, cold, and loneliness will have a bright, warm, happy ending. :)
-mo

Halloween kitties

New fosters. All different ages but dumped together at the shelter. All super lubby. Harlow, black and white male, 10 weeks, shy but loving when you earn his trust. Caspar, solid black female, 5-6 weeks, never meets a stranger, plays with anybody and everybody and all the time. Zachary, brown tabby male, 4-5 weeks, sweet baby who loves to follow me anywhere I go.

cats: the best animals on earth

I am doubled over laughing at cat videos from http://www.pawbonito.com/cats. Here is one of my favorites. But, don't just watch this one. Go watch them all. You will not be disappointed.

-mo

Visiting Joanna

Watching fish with my niece.

so I have a hobby

I have always anxiously feared the question, "what do you do outside of school/work?" I have generally just enjoyed what I do inside school/work so much that I have not really done much else. And, to be honest, I kinda like doing nothing or nothing-like things when I am not being held accountable for doing something. So, I have never had a hobby.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom pointed out that I now have a hobby. I have an answer to the question of what I do outside school/work. My new answer may not be any more socially acceptable than my old answer, but my new something is much more fulfilling than my old nothing.

So, what do I do outside school/work, you ask? I am a cat lady. I am a foster mom. I keep kittens alive. I wake up at random hours of the night and rush home at random hours of the day to feed or medicate little fur babies. I give away pieces of my heart to itty bitty orphans who need nothing more - or less - than those pieces.

What do I do outside school/work? I have a hobby. My hobby is love. And I love love.

-mo

Kellen

I think I neglected earlier to put up a photo of Kellen. He was selected to be buddied up with Lazarus. (Furkids likes to be sure all kittens have a buddy.) Kellen lived with me for a couple of weeks before he and Laz went to a pet store for adoption. The two boys hit it off splendidly. Laz, whose favorite pastime was climbing to the top of my curtains, is more laid back than Kellen! Kellen is high strung Krazy Kell. He is also a precious lover boy who loves to spend his down time in mommy's lap.
I pray the best for these sweet boys, available now for adoption.
www.Furkids.org

-mo

more babies lubbin babies

babies lubbin babies

Saturday sunrise

Newest Babies

In the pic of 4, l-r: Mary Anne, Lovey, Minnow, Gilligan. These 4 came to me 3ish weeks ago and a few days later developed symptoms of a common kitten virus. The virus got the best of little Lovey, and she died last Wednesday. My first fostering loss. I cried for hours.
The next day, Mary Anne developed bad mouth sores and stopped eating. I took her and her siblings to the vet on Friday to figure out exactly what was going on and was prescribed 5 different medications.
I am relieved to report they are doing great now. Mary Anne is eating on her own again, and everybody is enjoying pouncing like healthy babies. The single pics were taken last night of Minnow (Brown Tabby), Gilligan (Orange Tabby), and Mary Anne (Tabby with white chest).

In loving memory of sweet little Lovey...
-mo

Buckhead Singles Series

Amazing night of worship.

miracle baby

Sweet Lazarus.

big boy enjoying his new furniture

got him off the kitchen counter!

baby changing table

If I sit my old laptop on the changing table while I potty, will it change into the new laptop I want?

Lunchtime Encounter

Was walking back to work with my lunch and came across a middle-aged man sitting on a stoop hugging a red teddy bear. He looked sad. I walked by. But I couldn't shake the nudge to go back and check on him. So, I turned around.
I put my hand on his shoulder and asked, "hey, are you okay?" He looked up and stuttered, "I-I-I'm a little, I'm a little hungry."
I opened the to-go box in my hand and asked him if it looked good. I told him he could have it or I would take him to any other restaurant around to get him some lunch. He said what was in my box looked good, and it became his.
I held out a plastic fork wrapped in a napkin. He told me he was allergic to "those" and had been his whole life.
"Allergic to forks?" I asked.
"Yes," he said with a chuckle. "B-b-but, do you h-have a couple dollars so I can get some cigarettes?"
"No, I'm sorry. I have no cash."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Okay. Well, I hope you enjoy your lunch. Wait... What's your name?"
"My family doesn't believe in names."
"You don't have a name?"
"No. They don't believe in names."
"Okay. Well, it's nice to meet you. Have a nice day."

Interesting encounters in the ATL.
-mo
P.S. went back to the restaurant and ordered my meal again for myself. told employee why i needed another, and she bought it for me. #blessings

This is crass but made me laugh a lot.

This is genius.

"Insta Cake In A Mug" http://feedly.com/k/15leRHF

Thank you, Daddy...

...for loving your in-laws as though they were your parents. Nothing makes my heart smile more than listening to Granny talk about the time you have spent together, the conversations you have had, and the things you have done for her.

I love that I cannot relate when folks talk about not liking or not getting along with their in-laws. All I have ever known of that relationship is your utmost respect and unconditional love for my grandparents.

Your heart is beautiful.

Thank you, Daddy, for being beautiful.

-mo

Melissa's cheesy vegetable ramen creation

Lazarus

Here he is. The sweet little ball of fur. (The Emergency Vet was wrong about his gender.) God has answered our prayers and given little Laz new life. Continue to pray for total healing of his wounds, dehydration, and pneumonia.

this is my life... thanks, mom!

it's 1130, and i'm sitting down to eat the supper i cooked 4 hours ago. here's the story:

my mom knows nothing of this story yet, but she is to blame. why? because she passed on the gene. the gene that attracts every homeless, hungry, or hurt kitten from miles around. the gene has been hard at work today.

today's story really starts months ago when the gene attracted a little gray kitten named Panther. I own 2 cats and can't afford the space or the $$$ for another, so when Panther came along, I did what I had to do to get her accepted into the adoption program at a local organization called FurKids. What I had to do... become a foster parent with FurKids.

I have loved fostering! I have now fostered two litters, a pair, and a single - 15 cats in all.

This morning, as I prepared to take the last kitten from my last litter into a store to be adopted, I emailed the lady in charge and told her I needed a short break to get my house cleaned and to love on my own cats some before accepting my next fosters.

Ha! God had other plans...

On my way home from dropping off that kitten, the car in front of me swerved to miss a little ball of black fur in the road. Then I swerved. Then the car behind me swerved. And the little ball barely moved. I could tell the little ball was struggling.

I looked over at the empty pet carrier in the passenger seat of my car and sighed. So much for that break... I pulled over, scooped up the little ball of black fur, and drove her home.

I got her home and left her alone in my bathroom with some food while I went downstairs to prepare my own supper.  While my brussels sprouts baked, I went back upstairs to check on the little fluffer and found she had eaten nothing. I picked her up and began checking her out. I found she had several deep wounds (about the size of k9 fangs) and that her wounds were covered in maggots. She couldn't wait for medical attention.

I loaded her up, took her to an emergency vet, and got her the little bit of treatment she needed to make it through the night. I emailed my friends at Furkids, who agreed to check her out in the morning.

Back home, I bathed her and wrapped her in a towel for the night.

Now, it's 1130, and i'm sitting down to eat the supper i cooked 4 hours ago.

this is my life... thanks, mom!

-mo

Can Blind People Draw?

This is really cool!

I Are Cute Duckling AWW

in over your head in legal proceedings?

No problem! The Superior Court Clerk offers swimming lessons!

In Christ Alone I Stand

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

‘til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

end of an era

Choose Life

Tomorrow is my last day as a youth minister at Avondale Estates First Baptist Church. As I prayed tonight about what should be my final words to my students, I turned on my phone's recorder and just started talking. The words the Holy Spirit shared with me are worth sharing with you.
-mo
P.S. The Old Testament quote is from Deuteronomy 30.

summer!

My summer snacks.

after 10 years

I'm finally ready to admit that I live here.

storage and style

SweetJack deal today. USB drive cufflinks. Ha!

vending warmth

Love these machines. Coffee is warm. Classrooms are not.

Free High Five!

I just won a free Canadian high five! @atlantafest

beautiful day at the ted

really half real

Since when is real half and half a drawing card?

More Babies!

New set of foster kitts. These are the travel sites babies, Priceline, Hotwire, Orbitz, Expedia, and Kayak.

They have had a rough first 4 weeks of life and come to me sick and malnourished. We are quickly resolving these issues, though, eating wet and dry food and bottle feeding twice a day. They will be fit for adoption in no time!

Mother's Day!

My first mother's day present. From my son Anderson.

birth to death: approx. 5 seconds

See that hole right below the slot labeled "Receive Card Here?" That hole is where brand new IKEA Family cards go to die if you don't hold really tightly as you "receive card here."

Oh well... I tried.

anger tree

from Desperate Dependency by Melanie and Kirk Lewis

so generous

Molly let me use a corner of her pillow.

coffee AND coke kind of day

Take-home exam yesterday and today, proctoring final exams for my students today, final paper due monday, community outreach event at church tomorrow.

Longest weekend ever.

the crew

On Tuesday, the crew will be split into separate homes. Sad, but a necessary next step in finding them forever families!

patty cake, patty cake

Had our last cake auction as youth ministers at aefbc yesterday. Also submitted our resignation yesterday. Our last day will be June 30.

traffic!

Ordered Chinese for pick-up last night, and asked Google how to get there. The restaurant is 48 seconds away, but in current traffic 49 seconds. Better leave early!

home of waffle house

In the Dale and satisfying a craving.

pile o babies

6 weeks old

Behold, the lamb!

Picture a lamb. Weak, stumbling up a hill, following his shepherd toward the altar on which the lamb will die. He knows today is different from all the others. Usually one in a large flock on a grassy hillside, today he is alone with the shepherd struggling toward the top of a rocky cliff. He follows the shepherd until his wobbly knees can support him no longer; the shepherd carries him on. At the top of the hill, the lamb lays himself on the altar, where he is pierced and left lifeless. Behold, the lamb.

Picture a woman. Kneeling outside an open tomb. Her tears glisten with the rising sun. She came just to see him one more time, to anoint his lifeless body, but he is gone. She weaps. Her tears fall soft into the blood-stained wool of a lamb. He nuzzles close and dries her tears. She stands, smiles, and turns to go, leaving the lamb alone and alive at the empty tomb. Behold, the lamb!

Picture a man. Kneeling before a king, in whose hand is a sealed scroll. Finding the seals to be unbreakable, the man cries with despair. His tears fall to the throne room floor and flow to the feet of a lamb. Wounded but strong, the lamb takes his place on the throne and, one by one, breaks the unbreakable seals, forever loosing the bonds of evil, forever victorious. Behold, the lamb!

May we truly behold the Lamb this Resurrection Sunday.
Joy!
-mo

fresh breath

This is not a joke.