tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post8057996206482989268..comments2024-03-28T11:09:46.338-07:00Comments on Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart: Your Dying Spouse 163 - Saving Strawberry {FMF}Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-67343488355197588282016-06-11T06:06:50.580-07:002016-06-11T06:06:50.580-07:00"Love provides a haven" - so beautiful! ..."Love provides a haven" - so beautiful! True of us down here on earth and our eternal home. Thank you for the lovely story! So happy Strawberry found her way to you!Sarah Elizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12201670987056861133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-14233380508181790382016-06-11T06:06:41.762-07:002016-06-11T06:06:41.762-07:00"Love provides a haven" - so beautiful! ..."Love provides a haven" - so beautiful! True of us down here on earth and our eternal home. Thank you for the lovely story! So happy Strawberry found her way to you!Sarah Elizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12201670987056861133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-18304091865029323982016-06-06T13:25:17.303-07:002016-06-06T13:25:17.303-07:00Oh this: "There is still resilience in my hea...Oh this: "There is still resilience in my heart, and that lends stamina to my body."<br /><br />This weekend at a conference, one of the speakers was talking on Hope and he referred to that Scripture (Hope, Faith and Love... the greatest is Love...) He said that the actual original language for the word 'greatest' there means elder. As in - these three things remain and are eternal... but Love came first! Love makes way for Hope and Hope makes way for Faith! I loved that!<br /><br />Praying for you, brother! So glad the Father sent Strawberry to you... He knew He could trust you with her --and her, with you!~Karrilee~ from Abiding Love, Abounding Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06698176066735604032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-31573735995596632022016-06-05T21:55:02.512-07:002016-06-05T21:55:02.512-07:00I so agree with you, ANita...and that's why bo...I so agree with you, ANita...and that's why both Barb and I gave up much of the life we'd planned together. For us it was preference and fun. For these guys, it was life or death.<br /><br />Even if I was well enough to eat out, we wouldn't...because what better place to eat than in a house full of love?<br /><br />Thank you so much for being here today!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-89683107069000054402016-06-05T21:53:03.855-07:002016-06-05T21:53:03.855-07:00Jane, thank you so much for this comment...I firml...Jane, thank you so much for this comment...I firmly believe that He does send them, and He's sent me...well, many. Strawberry has LOTS of brothers and sisters here. And they have saved me, from the night-time demons of PTSD. They stand post so I can rest.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-37367093448055479002016-06-05T21:31:42.730-07:002016-06-05T21:31:42.730-07:00Oh, Andrew! Man's inhumanity to man (and man&#...Oh, Andrew! Man's inhumanity to man (and man's best friend) never ceases to amaze me. I'm so glad that God put people like you and Barb on this earth to bring comfort and haven to man's best friend as well as us people. Keep up the encouragement and haven-giving.blestbutstresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02058280295906350992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-30440362312115274092016-06-04T21:30:26.517-07:002016-06-04T21:30:26.517-07:00Thanks, Paul. She brought a tear to my eyes, too.Thanks, Paul. She brought a tear to my eyes, too.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-63128693693457215382016-06-04T21:30:00.113-07:002016-06-04T21:30:00.113-07:00Carrie, thank you for this. I thought I was runnin...Carrie, thank you for this. I thought I was running out of everything...and God, through Strawberry, showed me that there were not only reserves, but a definite obligation to use them in His Purpose.<br /><br />I am so grateful that you are here today.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-58210643141266417732016-06-04T21:28:47.547-07:002016-06-04T21:28:47.547-07:00You're right, Michele...Strawberry (later '...You're right, Michele...Strawberry (later 'Fledge', in Narnia) is the London cabman's horse in 'The Magician's Nephew'. I loved the name - Barbara chose it - because Sour Strawberry will be...yeah, big as a horse. She's grown measurably in a week!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-3406775200000242162016-06-04T21:27:09.689-07:002016-06-04T21:27:09.689-07:00Bev, it's definitely a redemption story. I was...Bev, it's definitely a redemption story. I was falling into the kind of despair from which return is not easy. Strawberry needed a home, and I needed...not a warm hug from God, but a mission from a stern CO.<br /><br />And aren't rescue dogs just wonderful? They KNOW.<br /><br />Thank you so much for being here!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-12508189962220699922016-06-04T21:25:07.036-07:002016-06-04T21:25:07.036-07:00It is indeed amazing, Kadie...we think we know wha...It is indeed amazing, Kadie...we think we know what we need, but God knows SO much better!<br /><br />Thank you for being here, and commenting. I truly appreciate you.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-76856385353153181152016-06-04T21:24:04.625-07:002016-06-04T21:24:04.625-07:00He does know indeed, Tasha. He saw that I was fadi...He does know indeed, Tasha. He saw that I was fading, and needed not a hug, but another fight, this one on Strawberry's behalf.<br /><br />And looking at her, so happy and bright-eyed now...sometimes I get tears, too.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-5775801087048621412016-06-04T21:22:41.321-07:002016-06-04T21:22:41.321-07:00Oh, Marie, thank you for sharing the names of your...Oh, Marie, thank you for sharing the names of your canine family...barbara grew up with a Benny, and we currently have Bella The Wonder Dog (who is learning to walk again in spite of a broken back).<br /><br />I have the same feelings about abuse...and have found my purpose in caring for these, His beloved creatures. Their needs outweigh mine, and in that, they keep me fighting hard to live.<br /><br />Thank you so much for being here!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-86100146675718225322016-06-04T21:19:32.782-07:002016-06-04T21:19:32.782-07:00Barbara, thanks! Strawberry's a little girl, a...Barbara, thanks! Strawberry's a little girl, and I will keep everyone updated on her adventures. Today, she went for her longest walk yet, and was an object of intense interest to The Dogs Across The Way, Buddy and Baby...who are both boys.<br /><br />I think she feels the love, not only from us, but from her canine family. She has kind of regal procession to the door when she goes out, touching noses with all she meets!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-79388416417909481742016-06-04T21:17:14.606-07:002016-06-04T21:17:14.606-07:00Indeed it is, Norma. It's all about love. The ...Indeed it is, Norma. It's all about love. The only thing worth living for, and if it comes down to it, the only thing in the service of which I would choose to die.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-91574638827080135622016-06-04T21:16:21.088-07:002016-06-04T21:16:21.088-07:00Kristina, you're absolutely right. I needed a ...Kristina, you're absolutely right. I needed a purpose that would make me fight through increasing pain, and God sure sent one. It was the perfect one...as might be expected!<br /><br />Loved your post this week. Thank you for writing it!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-26818766816987069152016-06-04T21:14:07.808-07:002016-06-04T21:14:07.808-07:00Beth, thank you...I think of and pray for you dail...Beth, thank you...I think of and pray for you daily.<br /><br />God definitely saw a need, and it wasn't Strawberry's alone. I was going down; physically, things are getting a lot harder. So He gave me a reason to fight harder. I guess He knows me pretty well.<br /><br />I'm so glad you're here today, Beth. Truly.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-15708854109006742022016-06-04T21:12:11.867-07:002016-06-04T21:12:11.867-07:00Annie, yes...the question of who's doing the s...Annie, yes...the question of who's doing the saving is more complex than it first appears. In this case, I was definitely going down in despair...and now I have a mission, and Strawberry has a home.<br /><br />Thanks so much for being here, my friend.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-27245607779196480762016-06-04T21:10:39.603-07:002016-06-04T21:10:39.603-07:00Susan, thank you...but God has 'amazing' c...Susan, thank you...but God has 'amazing' cornered, here. He saw that I was starting to go down, and He realized that I didn't need a hug. I needed a job.<br /><br />And so He sent Miss Strawberry, who, as I write this, is sleeping at my feet.<br /><br />XO and waggy-waggy tails...including a new BIG one that has already knocked over Ladron the Service Heeler.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-38292294469053205102016-06-04T21:08:14.782-07:002016-06-04T21:08:14.782-07:00Julie, yes...it's wonderful how God sent this ...Julie, yes...it's wonderful how God sent this heart-haven to my door. Literally!<br /><br />I was hurting, and the waters of despair were rising...and His strong arm, in the guise of an enormous and helpless puppy, pulled me right out.<br /><br />So glad you are here today!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-40502836000065426192016-06-04T21:06:45.674-07:002016-06-04T21:06:45.674-07:00Anna, thank you so much for this. You're very ...Anna, thank you so much for this. You're very right...the gifts that break open our hearts are precisely those that open them to His Love.<br /><br />And I am so very, very grateful that my post last week touched you. Both thrilled and humbled...thank you for letting me know!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-52980331381366024742016-06-04T20:57:35.968-07:002016-06-04T20:57:35.968-07:00Yes, Ruth, Strawberry's a walking, tail-waggin...Yes, Ruth, Strawberry's a walking, tail-wagging God-Wink. And she also knows how to wink, with utter seriousness.<br /><br />I was - and am - doing absolutely terrible physically, and despair was creeping in. God realized that what I needed was not a hug. It was a mission.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-60401819397470911412016-06-04T20:56:01.236-07:002016-06-04T20:56:01.236-07:00Martha, you got that exactly right. When I hear pr...Martha, you got that exactly right. When I hear preachers say, "Have faith...your best days are yet to come!" I have come to realize that the definition of best may not mean prosperity or comfort or health...they may well mean duty and mission.<br /><br />Certainly Strawberry would agree...on my behalf, and hers, don't you think?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-82299675474213705372016-06-04T20:54:22.862-07:002016-06-04T20:54:22.862-07:00Miranda, thank you so much...years ago I met a US ...Miranda, thank you so much...years ago I met a US Ambassador to a country that shall here be nameless, and he told me that his ambition, on retiring, was to go to a shelter and say, "I want to adopt."<br /><br />When the attendant asked, "Which dog?", he would say, "All of them."<br /><br />And he did exactly that.<br /><br />Thank you for being here!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4095822388315899381.post-7536955115149148102016-06-04T20:52:37.918-07:002016-06-04T20:52:37.918-07:00Never walking away, Tara. Today was physically mis...Never walking away, Tara. Today was physically miserable, but there's a lot of love yet to give in this life, and I aim to spend it all!<br /><br />Love you too, dear Tara. Thank you so much for being here.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230537202427640540noreply@blogger.com