Above picture reminds me of myself.?? Woman on mission.

Last picture – the real deal.?? She was finished and she was letting me know in no uncertain terms.?? DONE.

So it happened.?? I had my first snake encounter on my morning walk.?? Walking along – minding my own never mind – and there the ugly sucker was.?? I didn’t see him until I was right up on him.?? He was about 18 inches from my foot.?? Jim didn’t think it sounded too bad when he heard that we only locked eyes.?? Humph.?? I get to determine what is bad and seeing a snake AT ALL during my morning reprieve qualifies as a tragic turn of events.?? Jodi will no doubt agree with me.?? (Note to Jode – I still can picture the incident with your mom and was giggling at both your expenses once I was out of harms way this morning).

As it gets cooler, I have a sinking feeling I am going to have many more of these encounters and I am quite sure I will complain about it every time.?? I really do hate snakes.

Also I want to update you on the very important dog and toddler saga.?? I was perplexed this morning.?? The walker and the dog passed me same time same place.?? No toddler.?? Here is the baffling part.?? The dog was STILL carrying the teddy bear in his mouth.?? I developed some theories along the way to explain this phenomena.???? Here is my first one:?? This family has instituted a dog fairy (as opposed to a pacy fairy).?? Toddler is being broken from his precious comfort creature and dog is keeping it safe during their time apart.

This morning (Friday) it was so cool out when I walked.?? I was so elated that when I got home at 7:20 I cooked Jim eggs and pancakes and made coffee just to celebrate what a wonderful day it is.?? Jim commented earlier in the week that after 15 years of marriage I was finally making his early morning dreams come true by getting up and making him breakfast.?? :)??

Truly though, this morning time is absolutely exhilarating for me.?? When I was coming down the mountain this morning I was worshipping to Avalon’s Testify to Love.?? As I walk down the mountain, I am headed East so I feel like I am walking in the path of the sun – in the glory of the Lord every morning.?? Everything in me cries out in praise in those moments because all I can see is the brilliant path of the sun before me and for a moment in my day – I feel as though I am just basking in the center of love and mercy.?????? This morning, while coming down the mountain I was contemplating why it has been so easy for me to get up.?? Easier every day.?? As in NO struggle whatsoever.?? As in I am waking up at 5:00 AM and waiting for it to be 6:00 AM so I can get up and go.?????? As I was thinking about this, the scriptures of Eli talking to Samuel came to mind.?? In 1 Samuel Chapter 3, young Samuel keeps waking during the night believing that Eli is calling to him.?? After this happens a few times, Eli tells Samuel that God must be calling so the next time he needs to say “Speak Lord for your servant is listening”.???? And then I knew.?? God was calling me.?? That is why I have suddenly been wide awake and ready to get up that mountain every morning.?? We have been having some good morning talks and He is beckoning me back each morning to continue our conversations.?? It’s been amazing.?? I can’t wait for tomorrow and tomorrow is Saturday.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9OZJpLYr8&feature=related