For many months we had been discussing getting another dog.  Our precious, old Bo (golden retriever mix) died last year, and we knew that we eventually wanted to add another dog to the family.  Though we had a few opportunities to get a new puppy, the moment was never quite right.  We knew that we were too busy to train a new dog.    

Our youngest daughter assured us that she would devote the proper amount of time, but we knew her spring and summer schedule was going to be hectic with sports, camps, and the normal chaos that defines a teenage girl’s life. Then the Pandemic hit, and we were left with no more valid excuses for our stonewalling.  We now have a cute puppy named Jasper, and all the normal challenges of puppy training are a welcomed distraction from the monotony that the “stay at home” order has brought.  

We are currently working on communication with our puppy.  It is hard to discern the puppy’s barks for food with those of his need to go outside. We have taught our other animals to ring a bell on the door when they need to go outside, so it will be nice for the puppy to finally learn that one.  We are not there yet, but we get a bit closer each day.  The more ways we get to communicate with this little creature, the more we learn about him and he learns about us. 

Communication is important and perhaps never as much as the time that we find ourselves in right now.  Although we attempt to communicate with the church family via our website, Facebook, Youtube, Newsletter, Steeple Point, and Radio Ministry, it cannot totally replace our face to face interactions.  

Please know how much we do appreciate comments, emails, notes, messages, texts, and phone calls to let us know how you are doing.  Don’t ever hesitate to “ring the bell” for any needs that you may have.  We are here for you.  

The Prophet Jeremiah gets a word from the Lord while in his own lockdown. Jeremiah 33:1-3    The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: 2 "Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it— the Lord is his name: 3  Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. -ESV

Why would an all-knowing God ask the prophet to call to Him?  Perhaps the answer is in the relational aspect of communicating with one another.  

I look forward to hearing from you...

Loving you all,
Michael