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Home Economics 101
Doggie Lessons
Our two-and-a-half year-old Yorkie, Teddy, ran out of the house again a few weeks ago. This time, it was at night, something he's never done before. Mark and the kids immediately got in the car and drove around the neighborhood, looking near his favorite "hang-outs", but came home empty-handed. A couple of hours later, after we had put the children to bed, Mark went out alone in his car, looking once again for our prodigal dog.
Mark did not find him, so we decided we would look again early the next morning. The kids put up "Lost Dog" signs - mind you, these were already created from the last time he ran away! In the meantime, a woman called saying that she had seen Teddy the night before. He was in her garage and she kept shooing him away each time he came back. We were about leave for a doctor's appointment, when Mark's cell phone rang again and a man claimed that he had seen Teddy last night on a busy road outside our subdivision. He had been hit by a car and was killed. He told Mark that when he looked again the next morning, he did not see Teddy and assumed the animal control people came and cleaned up the mess.
First - a plead...if you ever come across a stray dog (especially one with a collar) PLEASE look at his tag! Our phone number and address were clearly visible on Teddy's tag. If only that lady had taken the time to stop shooing him away and read the tag and call us, we would have gladly come and got him!
In Memory of Teddy, Our Prodigal Yorkie
David and Victoria took it better than we expected. I think with the death of their baby sister in August, the death of a dog was small in comparison. We went to the craft store, got a scrapbook and shadow box to make mementos of Teddy. Mark took it the hardest. He couldn't believe the children were not more upset than they were.
I thought to help ease their pain, we could think about getting another dog. Since Mark has lost his allergies to dogs with fur and cats, we decided on getting a female German Shepherd. We found the last one of a litter of eight and she's adorable. Her parents' names are Lady Godiva and Hershey, so we decided to stick with the chocolate theme and named her Tootsie. She certainly is keeping them busy - with her razor sharp puppy teeth and 16-plus pounds of clumsiness!
Tootsie, our adorable and clumsy German Shepherd (with Victoria)
I also thought this would be a perfect opportunity to teach a lesson. I told David and Victoria that we provided a safe haven for Teddy - keeping him in the house, or in a fenced yard or on a leash when we walked him. I described it as an umbrella of protection against the storms (or cars in his case). He chose to come out from under the umbrella and go out where it was dangerous. Why? Because he thought there was excitement out there? Maybe. Because he knew he wasn't allowed? Perhaps. Or maybe he was just a dumb dog! In any case, they got the message of the lesson. Mommy and Daddy are here to protect them against the evils of this world. God has given us this job of taking care of them and bringing them up in His ways. They may think that it may be better "out there", but it's not. When they come out from under the protection, that's when bad things happen.
On another note, Mark has suddenly lost his allergies to cats and fur dogs! We're thrilled!!! So for Christmas I was browsing CraigsList and came across a polydactyl cat! Holy Cow! I couldn't believe it! You see, I grew up owning a polydactyl cat named Chow. (These are those famous Hemingway cats.) She had a litter of kittens and they were all polydactyls. My mom and dad kept one, Pudgie. She died just a few years ago at the ripe old age of 19! So when I saw a photo of Mittens (then named Grommit), I told Mark - "Look, it's a Pudgie!" And he was surprised that I wanted to pursue getting it for Victoria for Christmas. Since as long as she could talk (which was 9 months old!) she has wanted a cat. So Mark and I went over to the lady's house so that Mark could see if he got an allergic reaction to him. Well, he rubbed the cat in his face and he didn't have a reaction! So we got Mittens for Victoria for Christmas - she was absolutely beside herself! She still walks around saying, "I have a cat!" Here is a photo of him in his favorite position, leaning on the railing looking down on all of us (and the dogs especially) in the great room.
Mittens, our polydactyl (6-toed) cat
The Shack - a book review on a new product
The Shack is an awesome book. This is the only fictional book I have read for my own personal enjoyment in years! I normally don't read fiction, but when someone on our home church discussion group mentioned that "if you don't read fiction, this is the ONE book you gotta read," then I went and got it. And I am glad I did.
As I pored through it, I laughed a lot and my husband Mark would be next to me, asking, "What's so funny"? Then I'd be crying and rereading certain parts so that they would sink in. William P. Young is an excellent writer! I loved The Shack so much that we just had to add it to the books we offer here at Brodsky Ministries! You'll want everyone you know to read this book!
The Shack is an awesome book. This is the only fictional book I have read for my own personal enjoyment in years! I normally don't read fiction, but when someone on our home church discussion group mentioned that "if you don't read fiction, this is the ONE book you gotta read," then I went and got it. And I am glad I did. As I pored through it, I laughed a lot and my husband Mark would be next to me, asking, "What's so funny"? Then I'd be crying and rereading certain parts so that they would sink in. William P. Young is an excellent writer! I loved The Shack so much that we just had to add it to the books we offer here at Brodsky Ministries! - See details
What is hell like, and how does one avoid an eternity of torment? Bill Wiese shares his unforgettable experience during which God allowed him to see and feel the agony people endure in hell. - See details
On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music.
- See details
This is an excellent follow-up book for those leaving the theatres with many questions.
Why did Jesus Christ suffer so much? John Piper shows how the agony of Christ's Passion--his suffering and death--had innumerable positive outcomes. Piper details fifty of them in this book, revealing that, despite Christ's suffering being the worst injustice ever committed, God ultimately meant it for good.
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Bright, funny, and absolutely irresistible, this tremendously effective and energetic book is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the Bible. - See details
Just as a little boy named Sam and an old man named Henry remind the town of Easterville, best-selling author Melody Carlson reminds us as well that the true meaning of Easter is not Easter bonnets, baskets, colored eggs, candy, or decorations. - See details
This book of forty-eight, brief daily devotions covering the period from Ash Wednesday through Easter is a great way for individuals and families to prepare their hearts for the Easter season. - See details
Russo brings his readers back to the heart of Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus, placing the focus where it belongs. Russo looks at the history of Easter, celebratory practices around the world, and the authenticity of the Resurrection claim.
- See details
Compassion Sunday - April 13th
We are big supporters of Compassion. We have gotten children sponsored and have sponsored a boy in Uganda for the past 7 years. If you are not familiar with Compassion, visit their website through their link on our homepage.
On April 13, you can host your own Compassion Sunday in your church - and become a voice for children waiting to be released from poverty in Jesus' name. Compassion will give you all the materials you need to do this. You can order posters, child packets, tabletop displays, presentation DVDs and much more - at no cost to you.
To become involved in Compassion Sunday, visit this page on their site:
Compassion Sunday
SAVE BIG MONEY ON LOCAL RESTAURANTS!
We are so excited to be able to offer these savings to our customers! Imagine paying for a meal at a nice restaurant with a $25 coupon? Yes! Up to$25! Just check out the link, Restaurant.com on our homepage and search your area for great deals on all kinds of restaurants!
Right now, Restaurant.com is running a special - 60% off all restaurant certificates! This means that a $25 certificate that normally costs $10 is now only $4! Hurry, this special offers ends February 29th!!
You can save money on subs at a sandwich shop, or steaks (if you eat steak that is!) at one of the best steakhouses in your city!
Mark and I have already saved tons of money using these. We get to try new restaurants we normally would not have gone to and these are perfect for "dates"!
We only ask that if you order your certificates, please use the link from Brodsky Ministries so we'll be able to get the credit for them.
Thanks and enjoy! :)
Homeschool Convention Schedule
I just wanted to let everyone know where we will be (so far) this homeschool convention season:
The LowCountry Pregnancy Center will be having their annual fundraising banquet on Thursday, April 3rd. We are planning on hosting a table, so if you are interested in sitting with us, please contact me immediately.
The speaker this year is Dr. Robert Reccord. He is a sought after author and speaker and was the keynote evangelist for the 2006 Promise Keeper events. His extensive background includes being a business executive, senior pastor of three large churches, and president of one of the world's largest mission's organizations.
If you would like to sit with us, you do not need to register on their site. Just let us know if you would like to attend and how many are in your party.
For more information about the event, visit their web site:
Lowcountry Pregnancy Center Banquet 2008
A Testimonial
"Hi Linda, I cried when I read your story of Isabella. Because of you I went into the doctor's office (I am 32 weeks along right now) a month or so ago and had my blood pressure checked and an ultrasound. I was going the midwife route, but reading what you wrote scared me. Upon arriving, they found that my blood pressure was 200 over 100 (stroke level).
God used your story to get me immediate care. I am sure He has a multitude of reasons and plans behind what happened and why, but I cannot imagine how you held up. Thankfully it is He who is in control. His plans are perfect. I am so sorry for what you went through. You and I were right about the same time along and so reading your story about killed me; my heart completely broke for you and your husband and other children. May the Lord give you ten more blessings....
Your story scared me into taking faster action than I would have. Also, I DID end up with pre-eclampsia at the end, and had the baby three weeks early because of it. I shudder to think of what could have happened had I had a home birth and ignored the blood pressure." - Gena Suarez, owner, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Prayers
We are claiming TWO babies to be in our home by the end of this year - through natural childbirth and adoption. We are doing a private adoption (not using an adoption agency), so if you know of anyone who is considering placing her child, please send her to our adoption site at Linda and Mark.net (our adoption site)
Please pray in agreement with us. We appreciate it greatly!
