Some of our greatest laughs and fun was when we had our dog and then had to put her to sleep when she became serious ill with a brain disorder and diabetes. Those were such wonderful 9 years but it was to find someone to help us when we had to go out of town over night and could not take her. Count the cost... then we our first outdoor cat which had a very special personality. He was so full of fun. He had learned to ring a bell we have on our front porch which he could get to by getting up on a chair. He would ring the bell when he was ready to go to bed, which we had for him to go to at night. We had just had him fixed and then he had surgery for a bite on his back and was recovering when he was hit by a car. It was so hard on us as we was really enjoying that cat. But count the cost.... We know we can't afford to take care of another animal so we want get another one, because there is a cost. But, I do miss the fun that both the cat and the dog gave to us. God did give us animals to love and enjoy and the special bond.

Trials!!! I feel that we must be Thankful for our trials. Some we bring on ourselves, some we have due to others mistakes, but we are to use them to bring us closer to our Father. Jesus, went through His life here dealing with trials and died. What about His earthly parents and God the Father in knowing that He would die for our sins. He stayed close to His Father through prayer and set us an example for us to stay close to our heavenly Father. I have had prayers answered and it helped to increase my faith, other prayers have not been answered but I have put them there to be answered as His Will is for me. I asked God to help me except His answer for sometimes the answer is not what we wanted but again, when we pray, are we asking God to show what He wants us to learn from the trial. Our trials are to help us learn a spiritual lesson, look at them and ask God to show us what we are to learn. One trial that I feel may affect some of us is our children and the roads they take in their lives, pain and hardship and we pray for relief, but we seek for the strength to be strong and build our faith and trust in God and pray for God's Kingdom to come

This is very encouraging....I look forward to the day when I get to meet my mother who died when I was 5 yr old and my dad died at a young age as well. My dad never went to church but never said anything about his children being taken to church, which was a sabbath keeping church, and my mother from what understand was true to what she believed. It will be wonderful to have this reunion and I really expect them to become part of God's family. God;s word gives us so much to be faithful and to strive for. An eternal life with our heavenly Father, His Son , and to see our loved ones resurrected and given the chance of eternal life. What a God of Love!!!! I do get excited about it when getting into these wonderful words.